Lynn meets Devon and his mother, Janae, at the grocery store for their visit this week. When she arrives, she finds them trying to walk into the store. They are struggling because Devon is having a tantrum and Janae is trying to carry him while he kicks and screams. Lynn goes up to them and asks if …
Watch Me! – Using Modeling as a Caregiver Teaching Tool
Posted on April 07, 2015
by
Dana Childress, PhD
in Adult Learning, All, Coaching Practices, Engaging Families, Intervention Visits, Practical Strategies
Mommy is Asleep and the Children are Alone…What Do You Do?
Posted on March 10, 2015
by
Dana Childress, PhD
in All, Engaging Families, Intervention Visits, Practical Strategies, Service Coordination, What Would You Do?
You arrive at the family’s home and knock on the door. After several minutes, the door slowly opens and you look down to see a preschooler’s face. You ask her, “Is your mommy here?”
She answers, “She’s asleep.” You ask, “Is there another grown-up here with you?” and she shakes her head “no.” You look past …
Do You Have to Be a Parent to Be a Good Early Interventionist?
Posted on March 03, 2015
by
Dana Childress, PhD
in All, Engaging Families, Intervention Visits, Practical Strategies
On Reagan’s first visit with Cole’s family, she feels like she is “under the microscope.” Cole’s grandmother, Celia, seems wary of Reagan, and of early intervention. Cole’s physician recommended the referral due to delays with Cole’s communication, but his grandmother is not concerned. She has raised three children, all of whom, she says, “talked when they …
Supporting Toddlers with Autism by Changing OUR Behavior
Posted on February 24, 2015
by
Dana Childress, PhD
in All, Engaging Families, Intervention Visits, Practical Strategies, Professional Development
Today I want to share someone else’s blog post that just wow’ed me. Before you read what I write, read this short post by Lisa Reyes: Someone Asked My Son with Autism Why Eye Contact Is Hard. This Was His Answer.
As I read Phillip’s answer, I kept thinking what if we approached toddlers with this in …
Adult Learning Principle #4: Practicing Intervention Strategies in Real-Time
Posted on February 10, 2015
by
Dana Childress, PhD
in Adult Learning, All, Bridging the Gap, Coaching Practices, Engaging Families, Intervention Visits, Practical Strategies
Think about it. How did you learn to drive? Sure, you read the driving manual, went to a driver’s ed class, and you probably talked about driving a lot. Before getting behind the wheel, you’d observed people driving for years. Was reading, talking about the new skill, and observing someone doing it enough to prepare …
What Makes Your Child Laugh?
Posted on January 29, 2015
by
Dana Childress, PhD
in All, Engaging Families, IFSP Development, Intervention Visits, Practical Strategies, Service Coordination
If someone had asked me this question when my son was a toddler, it would have instantly made me smile. Just thinking about his belly laugh, the way his eyes twinkled, made me feel good inside and conjured up fun times. I could have listed many things because we laughed a lot. Whenever we played with …
“Can You Stay a Few Extra Minutes?”…What Do You Do?
Posted on January 22, 2015
by
Dana Childress, PhD
in All, Engaging Families, Intervention Visits, Practical Strategies, Service Coordination, What Would You Do?
With 3 minutes left to the visit, Mikaela’s mother, Delia, asks “Can you stay a few extra minutes today?” She says she really needs your advice. Yesterday, the child care center director called because Mikaela bit another child. They threatened to expel Mikaela and Delia isn’t sure what to do. You pause because you know that your next …
Seize the Opportunity to Stand Beside the Parent
Posted on January 15, 2015
by
Dana Childress, PhD
in All, Coaching Practices, Engaging Families, Intervention Visits, Practical Strategies
Why do we always sit on the floor?
You know, when you think about it, it’s a really good question. Adults plopping on the floor in strangers’ homes is not normal. However, sitting on the floor to play with young children is pretty normal for folks who specialize in early childhood. Being on the floor allows us …
Liam’s Mom Asks You to Stop by the Grocery Store…What Do You Do?
Posted on December 16, 2014
by
Dana Childress, PhD
in All, Engaging Families, Intervention Visits, Practical Strategies, Service Coordination, What Would You Do?
This really happened to me: Before heading out the door, I received a call from a mother whom I’d be seeing in about an hour. She asked if I could stop by the grocery store to pick up milk and diapers. She had no transportation and lived deep in the woods in a very rural …
Shaking Up the *Typical* Intervention Visit
Posted on December 09, 2014
by
Dana Childress, PhD
in All, Engaging Families, Intervention Visits, Practical Strategies
Olivia’s IFSP outcome reads: “Olivia will use 20 different words to talk about her favorite people, objects, and foods when interacting with her family and child care provider each day for two weeks.” A developmental services provider alternates weekly visits between the child care center and Olivia’s home to help the important people in Olivia’s life …
