BEHCA Blog
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Behavior and The Environment: #4 of Seven Misconceptions Organizations Make When Tracking Behavior
by Torri Wright | January 22nd, 2020
The environment is a critical variable, frequently discredited or undervalued in how variations of our environment can impact how we “feel” throughout our day. An example of this would be pollen count increase, along with high winds moving the pollen around. Due to the weather being nice, everyone goes outside to play and get fresh air. For an individual who may be sensitive or even highly sensitive, we are now exposing them to an element that not only will impact how they feel but will have a lasting impact.
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Behavior Happens Out of Nowhere: #3 of Seven Misconceptions Organizations Make When Tracking Behavior
by Torri Wright | January 15th, 2020
The notion of behavior happening out of the blue is mildly dangerous. When we fail to see the causation or influences leading to dysregulated behavior, we are only looking at the challenging/crisis behavior. If we are in an organization needing to support those with complex or challenging behavior, then this idea should be challenged every time it is brought up. The entire reason BEHCA was designed is to address the significant lack of awareness that our environment, health, and relationships significantly impact how we show up and become dysregulated.
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Assumptions - "They are doing it on purpose": #2 of Seven Misconceptions Organizations Make When Tracking Behavior
by Torri Wright | January 8th, 2020
The age old break down of assumption can be applied here, however, this goes beyond a general reaction. When we make assumptions, we are imposing our perspective as another person’s and failing to be person-centered. We are also failing to see “why” the behavior is present and what is the function for that person. In other words, what do they gain with the behavior and what were they trying to get before the behavior? If we step back and look past the behavior and observe the person within their natural environment and see how they interact with the world, those around them and the responses to each of those details, we begin to form a narrative that allows us to develop a hypothesis of why the behavior is there.
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Tick Mark Tracking: #1 of Seven Misconceptions Organizations Make When Tracking Behavior
by Torri Wright | January 1st, 2020
Tick Mark Tracking is a form of tracking behavior that only collects information on exactly how many times someone did one particular behavior, or perhaps a handful, such as hitting, kicking, biting, throwing objects, etc. This form of tracking behavior has been around forever and I when I would participate in this, many years ago, I was never really clear what this was telling us. In fact, I most often observed the individual becoming extremely angry, as they were aware of someone “writing” down what they were doing. It felt antagonizing and disrespectful. Plus, I still did not understand the “why.”
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What Can A Wristband Tell Us About Aggressive Outbursts?
by Torri Wright | August 22nd, 2019
A recent article in Newsweek (Autism Wristband Predicts Aggressive Outbursts in Kids With 84% Accuracy) brought up some interesting points. Perhaps I can break this down into three parts. What does 84% accuracy really mean? How much time does this wristband give? And what are you learning by using this device?
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Shifting Perspectives on Poverty and Behavior
by Torri Wright | May 29th, 2019
Did you know that in the United States, 1 in 5 children grow up in poverty? Now imagine being poor and/or homeless, and caring for a child with a developmental disability. Joined by poverty expert, international speaker, and author Dr. Donna Beegle, this episode explores the links between poverty and behavior, challenging our perceptions.
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Coming to Terms: Advocacy
by Torri Wright | May 9th, 2019
In this episode, Torri covers Advocacy; the ins-and-outs of what it can look like for both parents and professionals to connect to services, gain school supports, seek community awareness and engagement, and feel an overall sense of belonging.
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Accessing Developmental Disabilities (DD) Services
by Torri Wright | April 25th, 2019
Host Torri Wright speaks with Toi Gibson, Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities Services, Multnomah Co., OR, to get an insider's view on accessing social services & supports for your child with a diagnosed intellectual or developmental disability.
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Neurodiversity in the Workplace
by Torri Wright | April 4th, 2019
Neurodiversity exists everywhere--even at work. In fact, toxic office environments can manifest when people don’t recognize their staff, fellow colleagues, outside partners, etc. may be wired to think or act differently than they do. On this episode, host Torri Wright speaks with Lori Eberly, LCSW, executive coach, author, and owner of Radius ECD to explore neurodiversity in the workplace, and how it can impact both relationships and quality of life.
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Coming to Terms: Neurodiversity
by Torri Wright | March 25th, 2019
In this episode, Torri covers Neurodiversity; a concept where neurological differences (e.g., how we think and process information) are to be acknowledged and respected as any other human variation.