Sprint Program
The Sprint Program is a telehealth-only (i.e., video call, phone call) based program directed at building parent/caregiver capacity in the implementation of strategies to help reduce behaviours of concern and increase appropriate skills in their child. Strategies are based on Applied Behaviour Analysis, an evidence-based intervention that focuses on meaningful, and socially significant behaviour change to help improve an individual’s quality of life.
Step by Step Interventions believes that every individual has the right to live independent, and full lives, and a child’s parents and caregivers are the key individuals who are able to teach their child the relevant skills in order to do this.
Equipment
You will need:
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access to a computer
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video recording device (e.g., phone, tablet)
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good internet connection and,
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basic computer skills (e.g., uploading videos, connecting to video calls, opening/printing documents).
You will also require earphones, ideally Bluetooth for ease of use, as this will be highly beneficial during the Implementation stage.
Who is Involved?
The Sprint Program will be led by a Consultant, either a Clinical Psychologist or Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA), with experience in dealing with children from the ages of 0 – 20 years old across numerous presentations (e.g., Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Global Developmental Delay etc.). Consultants will provide individualised, 1:1 training and support to help reach goals that have been identified by parents/caregivers.
We ask ideally that all caregivers who have high levels of interaction with the child (e.g., parents, relatives), especially those that help take care of the child, be involved in this program.
1.
Intake Assessment + Direct Observation
2.
Behaviour Strategies
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Feedback + Training
4.
Implementation
5.
Fading + Maintenance
Why?
Research consistently shows that parental involvement is the one constant factor and an essential part of the success of intervention programs for children and adolescents with disabilities. Since children spend the majority of their time with their parents, it is advantageous for parents to be trained in the techniques and strategies in order to maximise their child's learning rate and skill development.
In order to take advantage of this research, and provide families with small wins, we have developed the Sprint Program to provide small 'bursts' of learning that are entirely facilitated by parents/carers under the guidance of a Consultant. Goals that could be targeted include:
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Increasing play skills (e.g., sharing, inviting others to play, turn-taking)
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Increasing co-operation around daily routines (e.g., transitioning to different places, completing tasks independently)
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Decreasing behaviours of concern (e.g., protesting, non-compliance, screaming)
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Increasing gross or fine motor skills (e.g., writing, beading, kicking a ball)
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Increasing engagement in learning (e.g., bottom on chair, increasing attention to work)