Not only does the child with developmental disability need interventions to aid in development, but the child’s family needs to be supported and strengthen to deal with many challenges they may face such as inappropriate behaviours (e.g., not listening, difficulty transitioning between activities, aggression, whining, or complaining).
Some children may also have challenges with completing activities of daily living (e.g., brushing their teeth, getting ready for school in the mornings, eating nutritious meals, and independently using the bathroom). Such challenges can create issues with daily family living, increase parental stress and decrease overall quality of life. Behaviour Consultation is aimed at helping parents understand why their child is engaging in inappropriate behaviours and developing a plan to address them. During Behaviour Consultation, a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) will work directly with parents/caregivers, however it may be appropriate for the child to access individual therapy as well to learn skills that may help with their behaviour, such as emotional regulation skills or other coping strategies.
With an understanding of how complex family life can be, strategies are tailored to fit the family dynamics in the real world. Ongoing parent training sessions to discuss, develop, implement and review strategies are available as needed. The format of Behaviour Consultation varies from family to family depending on the family’s challenges, needs, and progress.