Function Junction:Behavior Matters

Delve Into Dyslexia - Part 2

Laura picks up telling us about dyslexia.  She talks about things we look at as children get into late kindergarten or into first grade.  She says that looking at what they can write can tell us a lot.  She gives us information about decoding and encoding and that those are different skills.  Students can be able to do one and have difficulty with the other.  Have a listen.  We hope you gather new information.  Thank you for listening.  We will be taking a summer break.  We will be back in August.

Delve Into Dyslexia - Part 1

Laura Dowdy Northcutt is back, but this time she is talking with Susan and Cissy about dyslexia.  Laura is the director of Responsive Services for a Houston area school district and guides the dyslexia services.  Things are ever changing with dyslexia and you are bound to learn some new things through this conversation.  We appreciate you listening.  stay for the question at the end and be sure to come back for part 2 next week.

Such a Gentle Man - Part 2

Susan and Cissy continue their conversation with David Hays. In this episode, David gives tips about how to remain calm and safe when interacting with a child who is not emotionally regulated. He also talks about helping children (and adults) become more regulated. Have a listen about how visual supports can help students understand the natural consequences to their behavior! His experience with a broad range of ages and a broad range of challenging behaviors makes for a great talk.  Be sure to stay for the question at the end.  We appreciate you listening.

Such a Gentle Man - Part 1

David Hays has been a friend and colleague for decades. Although a bit of a winding road, his career started as a camp counselor before he found his way to special education. He then taught children with significant behavior support needs and retired as an assistant director to a large school district. In this conversation, David talks about the importance of remaining calm, gentle, kind, respectful, and receptive.  What a difference that can make when a student is in crisis! Have a listen and come back next week for the rest of the conversation. Thank you! 

If You Want To Know, Ask The Parents

Educators or therapists may be the expert on math, reading, strategies, etc., but parents are the experts on their child.  Cissy shares a story about a really fun student with an expert parent.  She learned as much from the parent as she did the student.  She and Susan talk about another student and the idea of keeping your word when you tell a student that you are going to give them a reward for a specific behavior.  Some of the things they talk about have complex explanations from the ABA view, but are things that parents can do with their children even if they do not know the technical terms.  Thank you for listening.