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Hi there! If you’ve ever found yourself scratching your head about how to make your teaching or caregiving more effective, you’re not alone. One big concept that can really make a difference is something called "instructional control." Let’s break it down and see why it matters and how you can rock it!

What is  Instructional Control You Ask?

In simple terms, instructional control is about how well you can guide and influence a child’s behavior through your teaching. It’s not just about making sure they follow the rules—though that’s part of it. It’s about building a strong, positive relationship where the child is motivated to listen and engage because they understand what’s expected and they trust you.

Why Should You Care About Instructional Control?

1. Boosts Learning 

When you have good instructional control, kids know what to expect and what’s expected of them. This clarity makes it easier for them to focus on learning and to get involved in activities. Basically, it helps make learning smoother and more effective.

2. Encourages Good Behavior

By setting clear expectations and giving positive feedback when kids do well, you’re more likely to see the kind of behavior you want. Positive reinforcement makes kids want to behave well because they see the benefits and feel good about their efforts.

3. Creates Positivity

When kids feel secure and understand the rules, it creates a more relaxed and happy learning environment. This isn’t just great for the child—it makes the whole classroom or home setting more enjoyable and less chaotic.

4. Strengthens Your Relationship

Instructional control isn’t just about managing behavior—it’s about building trust. When kids know you’re consistent and fair, it strengthens your bond and makes them more willing to work with you.

How to Master Instructional Control

1. Be Clear About Expectations

Let kids know exactly what you want from them. Use simple language and visual aids if it helps. Being clear and consistent helps them understand and follow the rules better.

2. Use Positive Reinforcement

 Find out what motivates the kids you’re working with—whether it’s praise, stickers, or extra playtime—and use these to reward good behavior. Make sure you give the reward right after the behavior so they know what’s being praised.

3. Build a Strong Connection 

Spend time getting to know the kids. Show genuine interest in their likes and activities. When they feel valued and understood, they’re more likely to engage and respond positively.

4. Stay Consistent

Consistency is key. Apply the same rules and reactions to behaviors every time. It helps kids understand what’s expected and makes your environment more predictable and secure.

5. Create a Supportive Space 

Organize the learning environment to minimize distractions and make sure everything needed is within reach. A well-arranged space helps kids stay focused and makes learning easier.

6. Motivation is Key 

Maintain an updated list of their favorite things and understand their preferences to keep them motivated. Demonstrate that better and quicker responses lead to the positive reinforcement. It's not about buying them new things, use the items/activites that they enjoy everyday. For example, if they usually watch an episode of Bluey, use that as the motivator to have them finish cleaning their toys up before they have access to it.

7. Handle Challenging Behaviors Effectively

When problems arise, address them calmly and constructively. Understand what might be causing the behavior and use strategies that teach better ways to handle things.

Wrapping It Up

Instructional control is all about creating a positive, structured environment that helps kids learn and behave well. By building strong relationships, setting clear expectations, and staying consistent, you’ll see better engagement and fewer behavioral issues. 

For more practical tips and strategies on mastering instructional control, check out this link.

Schramm, R. (n.d.). What is instructional control and why do you need it? Robert Schramm Consulting. Retrieved September 12, 2024, from https://robertschrammconsulting.com/what-is-instructional-control-and-why-do-you-need-it

Hey there, 

If you’re reading this, chances are you’re navigating the sometimes tricky waters of toilet training with your child. First off, I just want to say—you’re doing an amazing job! Every step forward, no matter how small, is a big victory. Let’s dive into some tips and strategies that might make this process a bit smoother for both you and your little one.

Understanding the Journey

Toilet training can be a big deal, and it’s important to remember that every child is different. Some kids may take to it like a duck to water, while others might need a bit more time and patience. The key is to tune into your child’s cues and readiness. So, how do we know when it’s the right time? Here are some signs to look out for:

- Physical readiness: Can your child stay dry for longer periods? Are they showing interest in the bathroom?

- Communication cues: Are they able to communicate when they need to go, even if it’s just through gestures?

- Behavioral signs: Do they seem uncomfortable in wet or soiled diapers?

If you’re seeing these signs, it might be time to give toilet training a go!

Here are some strategies to help get you started:

1. Visual Supports: Kids with ASD often respond well to visuals. Consider using social stories or visual schedules to explain the toilet training process. You can find plenty of templates online or even make your own with pictures of your child using the toilet.

2. Make it a positive environment: Let your child explore the bathroom. Spend some time in there together, letting them look at the toilet, feel the toilet paper, and maybe even sit on the potty while fully clothed. This can help reduce any anxiety they might have and make it a positive experience. If a child doesn't even want to go into the bathroom environment, then that is where we need to start the process. Working on encouraging the child to just be in the room may involve songs, fun activities , books, tablet time, piece of candy, etc just to get them to be comfortable and motivated to walk into that room. Then the toileting portion can start.

3. Routine, Routine, Routine: Kids thrive on consistency. When you are ready, have them in their big kid underwear and establish a routine by having regular bathroom times, such as setting a timer every hour at first. This predictability of hearing the timer go off, can help your child learn it’s time to go to the toilet and try to use it. Once you are having success, you can increase the time set on the timer until you naturally do not have to remind your child to go anymore.

4.Using Positive Reinforcement: Celebrate every little victory! Positive reinforcement can work wonders, especially for children with ASD. Here are some fun ideas: Use small rewards when your child successfully uses the toilet. It could be a song, a small treat, or even extra playtime with a favorite toy. Celebrate their efforts with lots of enthusiasm and praise! It is a great idea to save a special reward for this which will increase their motivation. For example, my daughter's favorite candy are sour patch kids. If she only gets sour patch kids for toilet training and it is not avaulble otherwise, she is much more motivated to earn it!

5. Handling Accidents Gracefully: Accidents happen—trust me, they’re a normal part of the process! When they do, stay calm and avoid scolding. Instead, remind your child of the bathroom routine by walking him to the toilet to try to finish on there and encourage them to try again next time. Just remember, the reward is only provided to your child for a success. For example, You can remind them, "Next time I know you'll get it and earn that sour patch, you got this!"

Extra Tips: 

*Toilet seat options: Some kids might feel more comfortable with a potty seat that has fun designs or one that’s just the right size. 

*Toilet paper: Experiment with different types of toilet paper or wipes. Soft and gentle can sometimes make a big difference!

*The farther they are from the toilet, the more "work" it is. Try to stay close, if your using a potty chair you can bring it to them at first and slowly increase the distance until its in the bathroom. 

*This is the time to give them all the drinks, the more liquid they drink the more opportunities for success! The more opportunities for success and the quicker they will learn. 

*If you keep your child in diapers during toilet training, verse underwear, there is less of a consequence(The natural uncomfortableness of wet clothes and the effort of having to get changed again) when accidents occur. This will decrease motivation and often delays the progress.

*Start this when you have at least three days to commit to it. It's going to be much harder and less consistent if you need to go somewhere during the day and have to use toilets at a store for an example. 

* For bowel movements, most of the time their is a time pattern of when our child has to go. It may be helpful to track this across a few days so you can narrow down when to expect it and potentially increase visits to the toilet during that time.

Toilet training can be a challenging journey, but with patience, understanding, and a sprinkle of creativity, you and your child can navigate it together. Here’s to smooth sailing and plenty of successes ahead!

Hello parents! If your kids are giving you a hard time when it’s time for bed, you’re definitely not alone. Sleep issues in kids are super common and can really throw a wrench in the whole family’s routine. Thankfully, there are some helpful strategies to tackle these bedtime battles. Let’s dive into some tips that can make bedtime smoother for everyone!

1. Get to the Root of the Problem

First things first—try to figure out why your child is having trouble sleeping. Are they scared of the dark? We may need to gradually build them up to conquer their fear. Just wanting to stay up and play? We call this "interfering behavior", how can we make playtime less valuable and sleep more valuable to them in that moment? Is it time to stop taking naps? Understanding what’s behind their sleep struggles is key to finding the right solution.

2. Establish a Soothing Bedtime Routine

Kids thrive on routine. Creating a calming bedtime ritual can work wonders. Think about incorporating activities like reading a story, taking a warm bath, or enjoying some quiet time together. Stick to the same routine every night to help signal that it’s time to wind down and get cozy. Ensure that distracting or competing objects/activities are not available for your child to access once the routine has been started. 

3. Use Positive Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement can be a game-changer for bedtime behavior. Consider setting up a fun reward system where your child earns stickers or tokens for going to bed without a fuss. These tokens can be used to earn fun stuff when they wake up. This little motivation can make a big difference in making sleep more valuable to them in the moment.

4. Address Those Fears

If your child is dealing with fears that keep them up at night, it’s important to talk about it. Let them express their feelings and reassure them that it’s okay to be scared sometimes. Gradual exposure can also help—slowly introduce them to whatever frightens them in a safe and supportive way. 

5. Ditch the Screens Before Bed

We all know screens can be engaging, but they can also mess with sleep. The blue light from devices can disrupt melatonin production, making it harder for kids to wind down. Try implementing a no-screens rule at least an hour before bed to help them settle in for the night. (Also avoid caffeine, sugary foods/drinks, and exercising less than four hours before bed)

6. Teach Self-Soothing Skills

Helping your child learn how to soothe themselves can empower them to handle bedtime better. Techniques like reading, a special blanket, a stuffed animal, or even a sound machine can help calm those racing thoughts and make falling asleep easier. Choose items that will still be present if the child wakes up in the middle of the night, so they can use that to fall back to sleep independently. For example, If you cuddle your child until they fall asleep and they wake up in the middle of the night, chances are they will need you to come back to cuddle them to sleep again.

7. Consistency is Key

Be patient and consistent with these strategies. Celebrate the small wins, and don’t get discouraged by setbacks. It might be a lot of effort at first, but eventually the consistency will pay off!

Wrapping Up

Bedtime struggles can be tough, but you can turn things around. By understanding what’s going on, creating soothing routines, and using positive reinforcement, you can help your child develop healthier sleep habits. Remember, every kid is unique, so be ready to tweak your approach as needed. With a little patience and love, peaceful nights are just around the corner for both you and your child!