Growing Minds Behavioral Health

All behaviors DON'T have to be eliminated. It is insane that typically developing children may have tantrums until they are 5 or 6 but we make long term goals for our clients like "will engage in 0 instances of tantrum per day across x number of days". Why do we hold our clients to unrealistic expectations? Kids are still kids, even "typically developing" children show aggression, tantrums and vocal disruptions. I challenge my Linkedin connections and anybody who comes across this post as a clinician to truly research the rates of behavior amongst neurotypical kids and then take a look at the goals they have for their clients. Let's hold each other accountable to stop setting impossible targets on the kids we work with. 💕 #bcba #aba #behaviorreduction #clinician #autism #asd #behavioranalyst

May is #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth, a time to focus on reducing the stigma that surrounds mental illness, promoting the resources that are available, and reminding anyone struggling with a mental illness that they are not alone. Drop a "💚" in the comments to show your support during Mental Health Awareness Month.

Happy Easter from our Growing Minds BH family to yours 🐣💛 Enjoy your day with family and friends! #growingmindsbh

Tickets for the inaugural BWIBAAD - Black Women In Behavior Analysis Appreciation Day are now available for purchase! 🎉 Don't miss out on this incredible conference honoring and celebrating the achievements, resilience, and contributions of Black women in ABA - hosted by ABAVerzus Block Party. Join us for a day filled with recognition, networking, and empowerment. BMBA is proud to support BWIBAAD and will be present to honor these remarkable women by presenting them with their flowers.🌹 Secure your spot now – this is an event you don't want to miss! Purchase your tickets through BehaviorLive https://lnkd.in/eErCv5yP

Celebrating Black History Month with joy and pride! 💚❤️💛 Join us at Growing Minds BH for a 29-day event dedicated to honoring and educating about significant moments in Black history.

Happy Thursday! Check out our website and follow us on other social media @growingmindsbh 💚

Very often, adults in schools complete a "behavior analysis" of an autistic child or teen's "behaviors". Well-meaning teachers, staff, and parents are provided with theories as to why a student carries out some action or acts in a certain manner. But we must be cautious about making simple assumptions about an autistic child abilities. Simple theories such as "attention-seeking" or "escape/avoidance" do not paint a clear picture to explain why a child acts as they do. At worst, these theories are wrong and can be damaging to autistic students' confidence and quality of life; these kids are doing their best to survive in a neurotypical world. In this cartoon perhaps the child is fascinated with the colors the blocks. Watching them move may be visually stimulating. Or the blocks may be snowflakes and they are simulating a snowstorm. We cannot continue to make simple assumptions without considering the complexity of autistic neurology. So, can do we do??? We can validate the child's actions and play while simultaneously teaching them about concerns (such as blocks hitting another child). Delight in a child's play! Join them! Use social stories. Take a quiet moment and talk about the way the world works. Make visuals, not only with a sequence of "to-do's", but with information that explains WHY something should be done or how it can be adjusted so it is safe! In the words or Dr. Ross Greene, "Kids do well when they can!" #occupationaltherapy #SBOT #schoolbasedot #cota #speechtherapy #autismparent #autismmom #autismteacher #neurodiversity #neurodiversityaffirming #ndaffirmingot #ndaffirmingtherapy #neurodivergence #sensoryprocessing #sensoryprocessingdisorder #spd #SPED #SPEDteacher #autismawareness #ndaffirming #autism #actuallyautistic #ot #spedparents #thousandoaksparents #westlakevillageparents #bostonparents #sargentcollege #neurodiversityacceptance #specialeducation