Michelle Post, Ed.D., BCBA

Kids got out of bed at 7:10.
Mom thought: Yes, they finally sleep past 7!

Mom thought 2: Oh no, that is the time we have to leave for school next week.

That’s right, folks! It’s back to school time.

Start practicing your bed time and wake time about a week before school starts to make for an easier first week for children, parents, and teachers.

Tip of the day: Don’t dress children in clothes that their name. Strangers could use their name to gain trust. However, in a conspicuous place (like where clothing tags are) put a sticker with parent/guardian names and contact information. This is especially important if your child is nonverbal or too young to answer personal identification questions. Shipping labels are inexpensive for stickers.

Tip of the day: Dress your children in bright colors when going to crowded events. Pick neon colors versus typical blue, red, black, or white. It will make them stand out. If you are taking multiple children, dress them alike. It will make a child who wanders easier to identify by other adults.

Tip of the day: Prior to go out in the community, especially crowded events, take a picture of your child. This will help to locate your child quicker if he or she wanders off. Additionally, when your child wanders off, you may become panicked and not remember what outfit he/ she was wearing. Make sure you also get a clear headshot as children’s facial features change as they mature.

For the parents who are going to be doing airplane travel over Memorial Day weekend or this summer. Please research TSA Cares for assistance going through security.

TSA Cares: Screening Travelers on the Autism Spectrum | Transportation Security Administration Are you or someone you know on the Autism Spectrum and preparing for a flight? Watch and learn what to expect during airport security screening if you or someone you know have communication, social interaction and/or sensory sensitivities.TSA Cares is a helpline that provides travelers with disabili...

For all of the parents whose children are elopement risks, this is an excellent resource.

In partnership with SafetyNet Tracking Systems the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office is providing tracking devices to Hillsborough county families for two years at no cost through a grant, Project Shield.

Families who have safety concerns for their loved ones who have a cognitive disability, prone to wandering, or have no sense of danger please reach out to HCSO today! [email protected]

** Families in counties other than Hillsborough should register with CARD if not already and mention your elopement concerns. If qualified and in a county that participates in SafetyNet, we can approve SafetyNet to send a device (paid by CARD-USF) to the resident. CARD also provides safety strategies and a CARD Safety Kit since the goal is to prevent the wandering.
- Manatee County Sheriff's Office is joining Safetynet this Spring. CARD fundraising dollars paid for the equipment and devices for registered CARD constituents.

When school administrators are assigning discipline for inappropriate behaviors, they should use function based discipline. For example, if a student is skipping school or repeatedly coming into school late then an out of school suspension would reinforce the escape maintained behavior. However, an after school detention or Saturday school detention would not.

For all of my Tampa, Florida families

Really liked this Bailey Payne quote.

Did your child struggle with reading? Did you know that your child could be eligible for $500 of additional reading instruction? If your child got a 1 or 2 on the reading FSA and is in third, fourth, or fifth grade, he/she could qualify for the reading scholarship through Step Up for Students. In addition, children considered English Language Learners are also eligible for this scholarship. Please check out their website:

K-12 Income-Based Scholarships in Florida With a Step Up For Students Scholarship, your K-12 student has more school options. Your family may qualify for assistance toward private school tuition and fees, or help with transportation costs.

What are your thoughts?