Act Behavior Consulting

People often think behavior support is about stopping behaviors.

But that’s rarely where the real work begins.

When a child is having a hard time, we ask a different question:

“What skill are they missing?”

Maybe they need to learn how to:
• Ask for help.
• Wait for something they want.
• Handle disappointment.
• Tell someone they’re overwhelmed.
• Follow directions.
• Play with others.

When we teach the skill instead of only reacting to the behavior, we’re giving that child something they can use for the rest of their life.

Behavior is temporary. Skills last.

What skill do you think is the hardest for children to learn? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
:::writing

For the graphic, I’d keep it simple:

Instead of asking…
❌ “How do we stop this behavior?”

We ask…
✅ “What skill is missing?”

Examples:
• Asking for help
• Waiting
• Accepting “no”
• Taking turns
• Following directions
• Coping with frustration
• Communicating needs

That format is easy to read, encourages conversation, and accurately reflects a skill-building approach to ABA.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned about behavior is this:

Before we try to change a child’s behavior, we should first ask, “What can I change?”

It’s easy to focus on what a child is doing wrong.

But sometimes the biggest changes happen when we change something first.

Maybe we can…
✨ Make the room less distracting.
✨ Give clearer directions.
✨ Prepare them for what’s coming next.
✨ Adjust our expectations.
✨ Teach the skill before expecting it.
✨ Stay calm instead of reacting.

We can’t control whether a child is tired, hungry, overwhelmed, anxious, or had a hard morning.

But we can control the environment we create and the support we provide.

Children don’t just need consequences.

They need environments where they can be successful.

When we change what surrounds a child, their behavior often changes too.

This doesn’t just apply to children. It applies to all of us.

As parents, teachers, therapists, and leaders, let’s stop asking…

❌ “What’s wrong with them?”

And start asking…

✅ “What can I change that will help them succeed?”

Because sometimes the most powerful behavior change starts with us. ❤️

🧩 Every small step is a big win—and we’re excited to help more children take those steps! 💙

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy helps children build communication, social, and daily living skills through individualized, play-based learning.

We’re excited to share that Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) openings are expected to become available over the next few months!

If your child is currently on our BCBS waitlist, now is the perfect time to make sure we have your most current contact information so we can reach you when an opening becomes available.

📞 Please call us at 256-954-1874 to verify or update your information.

We can’t wait to welcome more families into the Act Behavior Consulting family and continue celebrating every milestone, big and small. 💙

🤍 See more at actbehaviorconsulting.com!

Come join our growing Piedmont team! 💙💛

📚🛍️Tax-Free Weekend is approaching!

If you’re out shopping, we’d be so grateful if you’d think of our clinic while you’re grabbing school supplies. These are items we use every single day with our learners:

✨ Lysol wipes
✨ Tissues
✨ Expo markers
✨ Washable markers
✨ Mechanical pencils
✨ Crayola crayons

Every donation—big or small—helps us create a clean, engaging, and fun learning environment for the children we serve. Thank you for supporting our clinic and the amazing families in our community. 💙

Piedmont Families! 💙💛

🚨Introducing Our Autism Safety Initiative Vehicle Window Decals

The Piedmont Police Department is proud to offer Autistic Occupant vehicle window decals as part of our Autism Safety Initiative.

These decals provide officers, firefighters, EMS personnel, and other first responders with an immediate visual notification that an autistic person may be in the vehicle. Every individual with autism is unique, and some may experience sensory sensitivities, communication differences, or react differently during stressful situations. This decal helps first responders recognize those possibilities so they can approach interactions with greater understanding, patience, and awareness.

Our goal is simple—to help create safer, more positive interactions between first responders and individuals with autism.

If you would like a window decal for your vehicle, please stop by the Piedmont Police Department. To receive a decal, we ask that you bring documentation to verify the autism diagnosis for the person you care for, or simply bring your autistic member by to meet some of our officers. We’d love the opportunity to introduce ourselves in a calm, welcoming environment before an emergency ever occurs.

Building relationships before they’re needed helps us better serve our community, and we’re committed to making Piedmont a place where every resident feels safe, understood, and supported.

💙 Together, we’re building a safer and more inclusive community—one conversation at a time.

Happy Fourth of July from all of us at Act Behavior Consulting! ❤️🤍💙

Today might look like fireworks, cookouts, and parades for some families. For others, it might look like noise-canceling headphones, a quiet movie at home, sensory breaks, leaving events early, or celebrating in a way that simply feels safe and joyful.

However you’re spending today, we hope it’s filled with moments that matter to your family. There is no “right” way to celebrate, and every family’s version of a great day deserves to be celebrated.

To our incredible parents: thank you for all the ways you advocate, adapt, and create meaningful memories for your children every single day. We see you, we’re cheering you on, and we hope you find a little time to enjoy today too.

Happy Independence Day! 🇺🇸

Dear future RBTs:

Yes, you’ll collect data.
Yes, you’ll change lives.
And yes… you’ll occasionally discover you can sprint faster than you ever thought possible. 😂

Reminder! 🫶🏼

🇺🇸❤️ Holiday Closure Notice ❤️🇺🇸

In observance of Independence Day, Act Behavior Consulting will be CLOSED on Friday, July 3rd.

We hope our families and staff enjoy a fun, safe, and relaxing holiday weekend filled with time together and plenty of celebration! 🎆🎇

We look forward to seeing everyone when we resume services on our next scheduled business day. ❤️💙

🇺🇸