Caregiver Education & Support

Supporting your child by understanding their behavior and how it’s shaped by the environment. 

• What Is Behavior? – Understand what behavior is and why it occurs. 
• The ABCs of Behavior – Learn how setting events, antecedents, behavior, and consequences influence everyday situations. 
• Functions of Behavior – Explore why behaviors happen, including seeking attention, avoiding or delaying something, accessing preferred items, and meeting sensory needs. 
• Consequences and Reinforcement – Understand how outcomes influence behavior in everyday situations. 
• Proactive and Reactive Strategies – Learn to prevent problem behaviors and respond effectively based on function. 
• Replacement Behaviors – Learn how to teach new, functional behaviors that serve the same purpose as challenging ones.   
• Teaching New Skills & Building Independence – Guidance on supporting new skills and gradually reducing assistance to encourage independence. 

Build trust and cooperation through positive everyday interactions. 

• Positive Interaction Strategies – Strengthen connection through play, attention, and shared activities.  
• Building Trust Through Consistency – Learn how predictable routines and follow-through build trust and security. 
• Encouraging Positive Interactions – Recognize and reinforce engagement, communication, and cooperation. 
• Effective Communication with Children – Use clear, supportive language to set expectations and reduce power struggles. 

Support your child’s independence at home and in the community. 

• Home Routines – Build independence with dressing, hygiene, chores, and self-care. 
• Community Routines – Support participation in grocery stores, restaurants, and other public settings. 
• Learning Through Everyday Activities – Find natural opportunities to practice new skills throughout the day. 
• Using Positive Reinforcement – Use positive reinforcement to support engagement and cooperation in daily tasks. 

Make daily routines predictable, consistent, and supportive of skill development. 

• Morning/Evening Routines – Use step-by-step strategies to build independence and reduce daily stress.
• Transitioning Between Activities – Help your child move between activities with clear expectations and supportive strategies.
• Preparing for Changes – Use visual supports, advance notice, and simple choices to help your child navigate changes in their day.
• Consistency Across Environments – Develop strategies that can be used across home, school, and community settings.

Support your child’s functional communication through everyday interactions. 

• Understanding How Children Communicate – Explore different types of communication, including requesting, labeling, answering questions, and imitating sounds or words.
• Creating Communication Opportunities – Use everyday activities and play to encourage your child to communicate.
• Supporting Different Communication Methods – Learn strategies for supporting speech, gestures, signs, pictures, and AAC devices.
• Encouraging Communication Attempts – Recognize and respond to your child’s efforts to communicate.
• Supporting Play & Social Interaction – Build skills such as shared play, turn-taking, and interacting with others through everyday activities.

Help your child build coping skills, participate in daily activities, and navigate challenging moments.

• Understanding Motivation – Explore how your child’s interests and preferences can support learning and participation.
• Using Reinforcement Effectively – Learn practical ways to encourage cooperation, skill development, and independence.
• Supporting Self-Regulation – Recognize triggers, teach coping strategies, and create supportive routines.
• Caregiver Modeling & Coaching – Learn how your responses, modeling, and consistent support can help your child develop regulation skills.

 Explore additional strategies based on your child’s and family’s needs.

• Toileting Support – Build toileting routines and skills through individualized, step-by-step strategies.
• Sleep Strategies – Establish predictable bedtime routines and supportive sleep habits.
• Mealtime & Food Variety – Support positive mealtime experiences and gradually expand food exploration and acceptance.