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Holiday Coloring & Activity Pages
👀✍Need something to keep the kids busy while you’re taking care of some last-minute holiday preparations 💚🎅💚? FOCUS Therapy has you covered! (And bonus – they’ll be working on fine motor ✍, executive functioning 🧠, and speech & language 🗣 skills while they’re at it! 😉)
(Click below to see more FOCUS Therapy holiday activity pages!)
Don We Now our Festive FOCUS Apparel – Holiday Theme Week Starts Tomorrow!
FOCUS offers pediatric speech therapy, ABA therapy, occupational therapy, and behavior consulting / parent coaching in Fort Myers and throughout Southwest Florida. Call (239) 313.5049 or Contact Us online.
What to Consider When Looking for Fort Myers ABA Therapy Provider
When searching for a qualified Fort Myers ABA therapy provider for your child, you’re not just choosing a therapy service; you’re selecting a partner in your child’s developmental journey.
ABA therapy (short for Applied Behavioral Analysis), a well-established approach for supporting children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other developmental conditions, has proven effective in improving socially significant behaviors. However, not all ABA outfits are the same. Here, our Fort Myers ABA therapy provider team at FOCUS Therapy offers key factors to consider when evaluating a potential provider to ensure your child receives the best care possible.
Understanding ABA Therapy
ABA is an evidence-based practice that uses principles of behavior to encourage positive changes in socially significant behaviors. These behaviors might include improving communication, enhancing social skills, and reducing challenging behaviors. Effective ABA therapy is individualized, goal-oriented, and data-driven. It’s crucial to understand that ABA is not a one-size-fits-all intervention. It’s a personalized approach tailored to your child’s specific needs and abilities.
Before selecting a provider, ask questions about their core principles and how they are implemented. Providers should use data to assess progress and adjust strategies as needed. For example, if your child is working on improving communication, the provider should be able to show you how they track milestones and adjust techniques based on observable progress.
The Importance of Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs)
A high-quality Fort Myers ABA provider (like FOCUS Therapy) will have Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) on staff. BCBAs are highly-trained professionals who have completed rigorous academic and practical requirements and passed a certification exam. Their expertise ensures that your child’s therapy plan is scientifically grounded and effectively implemented.
In addition to having BCBAs on staff, it’s ideal to find a provider with a robust team structure. At FOCUS Therapy, for example, we have multiple BCBAs available to oversee therapy sessions, provide training to Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs), and offer consistent support to families. During your search, ask about the provider’s BCBA-to-client ratio and the frequency of BCBA involvement in your child’s therapy.
Safety First: Background Checks and Clear Protocols
Safety is paramount when choosing a Fort Myers ABA therapy provider. Reputable providers will conduct thorough background checks on all staff members to ensure the safety and well-being of your child. Additionally, consider whether the provider offers in-clinic ABA therapy, as this setting allows for closer supervision and minimizes external safety risks.
Ask the provider about their safety protocols. A qualified ABA clinic will have clear guidelines in place for managing emergencies, preventing accidents, and ensuring the well-being of both patients and therapists. For instance, there should be protocols for addressing aggressive behaviors, maintaining hygiene standards, and responding to medical emergencies. Knowing that your child is in a safe and secure environment can provide you with much-needed peace of mind.
Realistic and Measurable Goals for Progress
ABA therapy focuses on achieving socially significant behaviors that enhance your child’s quality of life. However, it’s important to set realistic expectations. Progress in ABA therapy is often incremental, and every child’s journey is unique.
For example, if the goal is to improve social skills, the provider might initially focus on teaching your child to maintain eye contact or respond to greetings. These smaller, measurable goals pave the way for more complex skills, such as participating in group activities or engaging in conversations. A reputable Fort Myers ABA therapy provider will outline clear, achievable objectives and provide regular updates backed by data.
Documentation is a cornerstone of effective ABA therapy. Providers should collect and analyze data during each session to track progress and identify areas for improvement. When considering a provider, ask to see examples of their data collection methods and how they use this information to inform therapy plans. This transparency ensures that your child’s progress is measurable and that the therapy is effective.
Collaboration with Parents and Caregivers
Parent and caregiver involvement is a critical component of ABA therapy. A qualified provider will view you as a partner in your child’s therapy and actively seek your input. They should provide regular updates on your child’s progress, discuss any challenges, and involve you in setting goals.
Collaboration might include parent training sessions, where you learn how to implement ABA strategies at home, or regular meetings to discuss your child’s development. For example, if your child is working on reducing tantrums, the provider might teach you techniques to reinforce positive behaviors during daily routines. This consistency between home and therapy sessions maximizes your child’s progress and ensures long-term success.
During your search, ask potential providers about their communication practices. Do they offer regular meetings or progress reports? Are they open to answering your questions and addressing concerns? Clear and open communication is a hallmark of a quality ABA provider.
Additional Questions for Your Child’s Prospective Fort Myers ABA Therapy Provider
When evaluating ABA providers in Southwest Florida, consider asking the following questions:
- What is your team’s experience working with children with similar needs as my child?
- How do you develop individualized treatment plans?
- What is the involvement of BCBAs in therapy sessions?
- What safety protocols do you have in place for in-clinic therapy?
- How do you measure progress, and how often do you review therapy plans?
- What role do parents and caregivers play in the therapy process?
These questions can help you gauge the provider’s qualifications, commitment to safety, and ability to collaborate effectively.
At FOCUS Therapy, we are committed to delivering high-quality ABA therapy tailored to each child’s unique needs. Our team of dedicated BCBAs and RBTs work collaboratively with families to create a supportive and effective environment. If you’re ready to take the next step in your child’s journey, contact us today to learn more about our services.
FOCUS offers ABA therapy and ADOS testing to children in Lee County, Florida. Call (239) 313.5049 or Contact Us online.
Additional Resources:
What to Consider When Looking for a Qualified ABA Provider, 2014, By: Dr. Cathy Pratt, BCBA-D: Indiana Resource Center for Autism Dr. Susan Wilczynski, BCBA-D: Ball State University Kim Dodson and Michele Trivedi: The Arc of Indiana Greg Boyce: Autism Society of Indiana Dr. Angela Tomlin: Riley Child Development Center
More Blog Entries:
Preparing Your Child with Autism for Joyful and Stress-Free Holiday Celebrations
The holidays are a time of joy, togetherness, and tradition. However, they can also bring unique challenges for families of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The unfamiliar sights, sounds, smells, and routines can feel overwhelming, and transitions or sensory overload can sometimes lead to meltdowns. AT FOCUS Therapy, our pediatric therapists providing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), speech therapy (ST), and occupational therapy (OT) understand the hurdles of navigating holiday celebrations. But we don’t want our patients or their families to miss out on any of the experiences that make this season special!
The key to a successful holiday experience is preparation, flexibility, and building skills that empower your child to embrace new experiences. Here’s how to make holiday celebrations enjoyable and enriching for your child while minimizing stress.
Importance of Embracing New Experiences
Holidays offer a wealth of sensory and social experiences. These include an array of potential triggers for children with autism and/or sensory processing difficulties. These include:
- Sounds: Loud music, crowded gatherings, and overlapping conversations.
- Sights: Flashing lights, intricate decorations, and unfamiliar environments.
- Scents: Aromas from candles, cooking, or seasonal décor.
- Foods: Unfamiliar textures, smells, and tastes.
- Transitions: Changes in routines, travel, and time spent in new places.
Each child’s sensory profile is unique. While some children may be thrilled by holiday lights, others might find them overwhelming. Understanding your child’s preferences and sensitivities is the first step to planning an inclusive celebration.
We understand that trying to coordinate some of these experiences while incorporating your child’s needs can feel daunting. Some parents are tempted to skip certain events altogether. We give parents a great deal of grace in these situations and recognize that they know their child best. That said, it’s important to keep in mind that exposure to new environments and traditions helps build flexibility and adaptability—skills critical for a child with autism. Early childhood is an ideal time to foster these abilities because the brain’s neuroplasticity is at its peak, meaning new neural pathways are more easily formed.
Research supports the importance of exposing children with ASD to diverse stimuli over time. A study published in Autism Research and Treatment (2019) highlights that sensory integration strategies can help children adjust to new experiences, leading to better social and emotional outcomes.
Strategies for a Successful Holiday Celebration
- Create Predictability with Social Stories
Social stories can prepare your child with autism for what to expect during holiday events. The U.S. Department of Education found that social stories (which they refer to as “social narratives”) improve understanding and reduce anxiety in children with ASD. Use clear, simple language and visuals to describe:- The sequence of events.
- How they might feel.
- How they can respond to challenges.
- Use Visual Schedules and Timers
Visual schedules can break down the day’s activities into manageable steps, making transitions smoother. For example:- Morning: Breakfast at home.
- Afternoon: Visit Grandma’s house.
- Evening: Return home for quiet time.
- Practice New Experiences
Before the big day, simulate parts of the celebration. For example:- Try a small meal with holiday foods.
- Introduce festive lights or music at home.
- Practice greetings or social interactions with family members.
- Prepare the Environment
Make holiday gatherings more sensory-friendly by:- Providing a quiet space where your child can retreat if overwhelmed.
- Using unscented candles or fragrance-free decorations.
- Keeping the music volume moderate.
- Involve Your Child in Planning
Give your child choices when possible, such as selecting decorations or deciding which family activity to participate in. This sense of control can reduce anxiety.
Preparing Family Members
It’s equally important to prepare family members for the celebration:
- Share Insights About Your Child. Explain your child’s preferences and potential triggers.
- Educate on Communication. If your child uses alternative communication methods, such as picture exchange or AAC devices, brief family members on how to interact effectively.
- Set Expectations. Let relatives know that flexibility is key. Your child might need breaks, may not engage as expected, or could have a meltdown.
Preventing & Managing Sensory Overload
Despite the best preparation, sensory overload can happen. Here are steps to mitigate it:
- Identify Early Signs. Watch for stimming behaviors, withdrawal, or irritability.
- Use Coping Tools. Noise-canceling headphones, weighted blankets, or fidget toys can provide comfort.
- Have an Exit Strategy. Be ready to leave or take a break if needed.
How Fort Myers ABA Therapists & Occupational Therapists Can Help
As an early intervention therapy clinic, our team at FOCUS Therapy can help preparing your child with autism for the holidays:
- ABA Therapy. Focused on building flexibility, social skills, and emotional regulation.
- Occupational Therapy. Helps with sensory integration and adapting to new stimuli.
- Speech Therapy. Supports communication strategies, whether verbal or through alternative methods.
We collaborate with families to create personalized plans that address the child’s needs and goals, ensuring they can participate in meaningful traditions. We can even incorporate preparation for an upcoming big holiday event into our regular therapy sessions. (We do this a lot in other scenarios too, such as preparing a patient for a dentist appointment, a haircut, or travel by airplane.)
If your child is not a patient at FOCUS but struggles with behavior issues that have you concerned about how you’re going to get through the holidays, we offer 1:1 Behavior Consulting / Parent Coaching.
Looking Ahead: Helping Your Child With Autism Build Skills for Life
It’s not just about “surviving the season.” Think of these experiences as opportunities to build lasting skills. Whether it’s learning to try new foods, adapt to changes in routine, or engage with relatives, these moments lay the groundwork for greater independence and resilience.
With preparation, flexibility, and support from therapy professionals, your child can not only navigate but thrive during the festivities.
If you need assistance creating a holiday strategy tailored to your child with autism, talk to your FOCUS therapists. Together, we can make this holiday season a memorable, positive experience for the whole family.
Call FOCUS Therapy at (239) 313.5049 or Contact Us online. We provide early intervention therapy – including ABA, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and behavior consulting – for pediatric patients in Lee County, Florida including those Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres, Bonita Springs and Estero – at our centrally-located Fort Myers clinic.
Additional Resources:
Making the Most of the Holidays for Your Family and Autistic Child, Indiana Institute on Disability and Community, Indiana University, Bloomington
More Blog Entries:
Holiday-Themed Winter Break Activities: Fort Myers Speech & Language Fun
Winter break is the perfect time to blend fun and learning with your children. Whether working on vocabulary, speech sounds, or social communication, holiday-themed games and activities from our Fort Myers speech language pathologists at FOCUS Therapy can help kids build essential skills while enjoying time with family and friends. These activities are engaging, easy to set up, and target common developmental goals for kids in speech therapy.
1. Holiday Scavenger Hunt
What You’ll Need:
- A list of holiday-themed items (e.g., candy canes, ornaments, mittens).
- Hidden items or pictures of these objects around your home.
How It Helps:
- Vocabulary Building: Label and describe each item as your child searches. Use descriptive language (e.g., “shiny red ornament” or “striped candy cane”).
- Speech Sounds: Focus on specific sounds by tailoring the scavenger hunt items to include words with your child’s target sounds. For example, if they’re practicing /s/, include “stockings” and “snowman.”
- Social Communication: Practice turn-taking and asking for help if they can’t find an item.
Pro Tip: Use a visual schedule or checklist to support children with additional needs or who benefit from structure.
2. Snowball Rhyming Game
What You’ll Need:
- White paper crumpled into “snowballs.”
- A list of rhyming words.
How to Play:
Write words on each snowball, then toss them into a bucket. Have your child pick one, read it aloud (or you read it for them), and come up with a rhyming word.
How It Helps:
- Phonological Awareness: Rhyming helps children recognize patterns in language, a critical pre-literacy skill (as noted in The Importance of Phonological Awareness in Literacy, Snow, Burns, & Griffin, 1998).
- Articulation: Repeated practice of specific sounds during rhyming games encourages clearer pronunciation.
- Social Communication: Play with siblings or friends to practice turn-taking and teamwork.
3. Gingerbread Storytelling
What You’ll Need:
- Gingerbread man or house craft kits.
- A few story prompts (e.g., “What happens when the gingerbread man escapes the oven?”).
How It Helps:
- Narrative Skills: Encourage kids to create and tell a story about their gingerbread creation, a skill critical for academic and social success (Narrative Development in Young Children, McCabe & Bliss, 2003).
- Vocabulary: Incorporate festive and sensory words like “spicy,” “crumbly,” or “frosty.”
- Speech Sounds: Choose story prompts containing target sounds for practice during storytelling.
Pro Tip: Record the story on your phone to play it back. Kids love hearing themselves, and it’s a great way to practice self-correction.
4. Hot Cocoa Conversation Cards
What You’ll Need:
- Hot cocoa mugs and conversation cards with prompts like “What’s your favorite holiday memory?” or “What would you name a reindeer if you had one?”
How It Helps:
- Social Communication: This activity focuses on skills like eye contact, taking turns in conversation, and responding to questions.
- Sentence Building: Encourage complete sentences and elaborate answers to strengthen expressive language skills.
- Pragmatic Language: Teach polite conversational turn-taking and topic maintenance.
Pro Tip: For younger kids or non-readers, use picture cards instead of text-based prompts.
5. DIY Ornament Sorting
What You’ll Need:
- A mix of ornaments with different shapes, colors, or textures.
- Sorting bins or bowls.
How It Helps:
- Categorization Skills: Sorting ornaments helps children group items by features, a foundational cognitive and language skill.
- Descriptive Language: Encourage your child to describe why they’re sorting items (e.g., “This one is round and shiny; it goes in the shiny bowl”).
- Speech Sounds: Choose ornaments with target sounds to reinforce articulation practice during sorting.
6. Holiday Charades
What You’ll Need:
- A jar filled with holiday-themed actions or items (e.g., “wrapping gifts,” “sledding”).
How It Helps:
- Expressive Language: Acting out holiday actions helps children learn verbs and practice describing actions.
- Social Skills: Take turns guessing, and practice cheering for others when they guess correctly.
- Problem-Solving: Kids use nonverbal communication to help others guess, a skill valuable for building empathy and perspective-taking.
Pro Tip: Adapt the difficulty level by offering hints or visuals for younger kids.
7.“Build a Snowman” Board Game
What You’ll Need:
- Printable snowman pieces.
- Dice or a spinner.
How It Helps:
- Turn-Taking: Playing with siblings or friends reinforces turn-taking and patience.
- Following Directions: Use multi-step instructions (e.g., “Roll a 6 to add a carrot nose”).
- Reinforce Vocabulary: Label and describe snowman parts (e.g., “Let’s add a black hat with a red stripe”).
Pro Tip: Use Velcro or magnets to make it interactive for kids who benefit from tactile activities.
8. Holiday Baking with a Twist
What You’ll Need:
- Simple cookie recipes and cookie cutters.
How It Helps:
- Sequencing Skills: Baking reinforces understanding of sequential steps, such as “First, we mix; then, we bake.”
- Vocabulary Expansion: Discuss sensory words like “sticky dough” or “sweet frosting.”
- Articulation Practice: Bake themed cookies (e.g., reindeer for practicing /r/) and repeat target words.
9. Winter Sing-Alongs
What You’ll Need:
- Holiday songs with simple, repetitive lyrics (e.g., “Jingle Bells”).
How It Helps:
- Auditory Memory: Singing helps children retain new words and patterns (The Power of Music in Speech Therapy, Thaut, 2005).
- Speech Sounds: Practice articulation by focusing on specific sounds in the lyrics.
- Social Skills: Group singing fosters teamwork and shared enjoyment.
Wrap-Up: Making Holiday Fun Meaningful
These activities are more than just festive fun—they’re opportunities for growth and connection. By incorporating their Fort Myers speech therapy goals into holiday traditions, you’re helping your child develop essential skills while creating cherished memories.
Happy holidays from all of us at FOCUS Therapy!
FOCUS Therapy offers pediatric speech therapy, ABA therapy, physical therapy, and occupational therapy to kids from Estero, Fort Myers, Cape Coral and throughout Southwest Florida. Call (239) 313.5049 or Contact Us online.
Additional Resources:
Speech and Language Developmental Milestones, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
More Blog Entries:
Does Your Child Have Autism? FOCUS Offers Fort Myers Autism Testing
FOCUS Therapy offers ADOS testing for autism in Fort Myers, as well as pediatric speech therapy, ABA therapy and occupational therapy.
There is no cure for autism, but many of the symptoms can be effectively managed — particularly with early intervention.
Every child is different, but intensive early intervention therapy that starts before the child turns 5 (and ideally by the time they’re 3) is strongly associated with the best possible long-term outcomes for children with autism spectrum disorder.
If you’re on a waitlist for autism intervention services — here or elsewhere — we also offer behavior consulting / parent coaching, so you can get started right away on adaptive behavior skills (communication, social skills, picky eating, self-regulation and tantrums, self care, etc.).
Call FOCUS Therapy at (239) 313.5049 or Contact Us online. We serve pediatric patients in Lee County, Florida including those Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres, Bonita Springs and Estero – at our centrally-located Fort Myers clinic.
FOCUS Therapy Offers AAC
FOCUS Therapy offers pediatric speech therapy in Fort Myers and throughout Southwest Florida. Call (239) 313.5049 or Contact Us online.
Speech Delay or Autism? Understanding the Signs & Finding the Right Support for Your Child
When a child’s words are slow to come, parents often find themselves wondering: Is this “just” a speech delay? Or could it be something more complex, like autism?
It’s an understandable concern and one that we hear frequently at our multidisciplinary pediatric therapy clinic.
Speech delays and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can sometimes appear similar in young children, with shared features like delayed speech, limited social interaction, or repetitive behaviors. But while these conditions may overlap (children with autism often do also have a speech delay), they are in fact distinct – and each requires a nuanced approach.
The good news? With the right early intervention, children with either speech delays or autism can make remarkable progress. And in a supportive, multidisciplinary pediatric therapy clinic, they receive care that respects the individuality of their needs, whether they are experiencing a speech delay, autism, or both.
Early Intervention Matters—For Speech Delays and Autism
Research consistently shows that early intervention can have a significant impact on children with developmental delays, whether those delays stem from speech challenges, autism, or both. Studies like those published in Pediatrics have shown that children who receive early, targeted intervention show better long-term developmental outcomes, including improved language, cognitive, and social skills (Dawson et al., 2010). These interventions are most effective when they are tailored to the child’s specific needs and are delivered as early as possible.
For example, children with ASD who begin early therapy often exhibit greater improvements in social and communication skills. Similarly, children with a primary speech delay benefit from early intervention, as it can help them bridge the gap in language skills before entering formal schooling.
According to the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, early intervention that combines multiple therapeutic approaches—such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, and ABA therapy—leads to improved social, communication, and behavioral outcomes in children with ASD (Rogers & Dawson, 2010).
Understanding the Differences Between Speech Delay and Autism
A speech delay is a developmental issue that affects a child’s ability to communicate through spoken language, but it does not necessarily indicate the presence of autism. Children solely with a speech delay may still engage with others, respond to social cues, and show an interest in their surroundings, even if their verbal skills are lagging. In many cases, speech therapy alone can help them overcome their challenges and begin to communicate effectively.
Autism, however, is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects more than just speech.
Children with autism often show differences in social interaction, repetitive behaviors, and sensory processing, in addition to challenges with language development. For instance, they may have difficulty making eye contact, showing interest in shared activities, or responding to their names. They may also exhibit repetitive behaviors or have a strong need for routines. These signs can be subtle, which is why expert evaluation and testing, like the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) provided at our clinic, is crucial for distinguishing between a speech delay and autism.
Why “Wait and See” Isn’t the Best Approach for Speech Delay or Autism Spectrum Disorder
In the early years, children grow and change rapidly, and it’s natural to think they might simply “catch up” on their own. But when it comes to developmental delays, waiting can mean missed opportunities for critical early intervention. A “wait and see” approach can delay valuable support that could help a child overcome or manage their challenges effectively.
By starting therapy as soon as delays are observed, we can help ensure that children have the strongest possible foundation for their growth and development.
In fact, research from the Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics suggests that children who receive intervention early—even if they don’t have a definitive autism diagnosis—benefit from therapeutic support in ways that positively affect their long-term developmental trajectory (Zwaigenbaum et al., 2015). That’s why our clinic encourages proactive assessments and evaluations if parents have concerns about their child’s development, no matter how subtle.
A Multidisciplinary Approach: Supporting Each Child as a Whole
One of the advantages of working with a multidisciplinary pediatric therapy clinic is that we are equipped to support a child with comprehensive, individualized care. Our team of therapists—specializing in speech therapy, occupational therapy, ABA therapy, and diagnostic assessments like ADOS—can work together to provide holistic, integrative support that meets a child’s unique needs.
Speech Therapy
For children with speech delays or autism, speech therapy is often a cornerstone of early intervention. Our speech therapists work on building a child’s expressive and receptive language skills, whether through verbal speech, gestures, or alternative communication methods. For a child with a speech delay, this therapy focuses on helping them understand language and develop the ability to communicate effectively. For children with autism, speech therapy also targets social communication, helping them understand and engage in back-and-forth interactions and recognize nonverbal cues.
Occupational Therapy
Many children with autism or sensory processing issues also benefit greatly from occupational therapy (OT). OT addresses sensory integration challenges, helping children learn to process and respond to sensory information in a way that supports their comfort and focus. For example, if a child is sensitive to noise or touch, OT can introduce techniques to gradually desensitize them, allowing them to engage more fully in their surroundings and learning activities. OT also supports motor skill development and can help children manage behaviors that may interfere with their daily routines.
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
For children with autism, ABA therapy is a widely recognized approach that focuses on reinforcing positive behaviors and reducing behaviors that may hinder learning or social interaction. ABA therapy can be adapted to meet each child’s developmental level and goals, making it effective for improving social skills, emotional regulation, and adaptive behaviors in everyday situations. In our clinic, ABA therapists work in close collaboration with speech and occupational therapists to create a cohesive, child-centered treatment plan.
ADOS Testing
Accurate, early diagnosis is essential for children who may be on the autism spectrum, and ADOS testing is one of the most trusted tools for making this determination. This structured assessment allows our clinicians to observe social, communicative, and play behaviors that are key indicators of autism. Conducted by trained specialists, ADOS testing provides parents with valuable insights and direction, helping them understand their child’s unique needs and the appropriate therapies that can support them.