Here at BCOTB we offer a variety of services and programs in the clinic setting to help each child succeed in school. At BCOTB we utilize both 1:1 direct therapy and natural environment teaching to help shape school behaviors to maximize a child’s success in the classroom. The large classroom setting can be challenging as children get older since they are expected to respond to more group instructions independently, work and transition independently, use more complex problem-solving skills, and engage in higher social and academic skills.
To help support each child’s continued success in the school setting, BCOTB offers the School Success Program (SSP) as part of the Child Advancement Track. SSP is offered to all learners between the ages of 5 to 10 years old. This is in comparison to BCOTB’s Toddler Achievement Program (TAP) and School Readiness Program (SRP), which focuses on a child’s learner readiness skills and basic language and communication skills. The SSP builds on the previously learned skills and offers the following components:
Group and social skills
Group and social skills time is intended to mimic the structure of a classroom. This is scheduled during your child’s therapy time and each child will still be assisted with a 1:1 therapist. At this time, your child will work on many of skills and behaviors they would encounter in their everyday classroom. The child’s 1:1 therapist will help them shape and improve the following behaviors:
- Transitioning between activities
- Sitting and attending to group instruction
- Requesting help from the instructor
- Actively participating and responding to a story
- Following directions in a craft project
- Creating positive interactions with peers
Discrete Trial Teaching (DTT)
With the SSP each child will participate in more DTT programs throughout their session. DTT allows the therapist to customize each child’s programs to promote the child’s success during the day. DTT will focus on improving any deficits that the child may have to build strong language and academic skills. During DTT your child will work on the following skills and behaviors.
- Learn to sit for longer periods of time at the table
- Learn more complex language skills
- Work independently
- ncrease academic and foundational learning skills
Natural Environment Teaching (NET)
With the SSP program your child will participate less in NET. However, these sessions will still occur and is where each child will work on their social skills. During this time, they will learn the following skills and behaviors.
- Greetings and farewells
- Initiating and responding to peer conversations
- Playing appropriately with peers
- Building complex social skills
At this time, any daily living skills such as brushing teeth, washing hands, or dressing skills can be targeted if needed to help improve the child’s independent skills for their daily routine.
**BCOTB offers group programs and NET to help build school behaviors and increase social skills with peers, but we are taking the necessary steps during the pandemic to promote safe distancing and have placed these programs on hold. We look forward to resuming these programs once the CDC feels that it is safe enough to do so. Currently, our staff is still using 1:1 therapy to continue to build the skills and behaviors needed to be successful in school by incorporating them into their individualized programs. **
