Behavior Frontiers team members from across the country took the time last week to show off our furry friends, in our first ever “National Dress Up Your Pet Day” Contest! We received a great number of submissions, with people submitting photos of their dogs, cats, turtles, and even fish, dressed up in their best clothing and costumes. After voting, we wound up with three big winners, one from each category (large dogs, small dogs, cats and other small animals), as well as two runners up.

A huge congratulations to all of our winners, and thanks for showing off your adorable pet pals!

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The Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is a written contract between the family and the educational entity that outlines the child’s educational goals. Children with autism or other developmental disabilities over the age of 3 receive an IEP in a public educational setting. Each IEP must be tailored to meet the needs of that individual child, so it is important to review the contract to ensure these needs are being met.

In order to develop an IEP, it is required by law that specific people attend the IEP meeting including the parents, the child’s teacher, other collaborating professionals, and the child (if appropriate). Other persons are welcome if they are a part of the team such as an advocate or a representative or a non public agency, etc. The parent is a big part of the IEP team, so it is important that they are a part of the process in developing the IEP for their child. As a parent, it is important to also share information regarding your child’s needs, expectations, and current skill set.

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If you are looking for an exciting, fun, and rewarding career helping children and their families, look no further than the field of ABA therapy! Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) now affects 1 in 54 children, and the people on the front lines of helping these children are the Behavior Technicians who work with them one on one. If you have ever investigated a career in this field, you might feel understandably lost when trying to determine how to get started. Here is a helpful guide that will lay out the steps to your future career!

Firstly, there is the education component. Although education requirements vary by employer, it is safe to say that a high school diploma is the minimum required to become an ABA technician/therapist. However, most applicants have some sort of college education in psychology, special education or a related field of study. The good news is the position is very flexible with school schedules and companies will often hire college students completing their bachelor’s degrees.

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