SOAR Behavior Services

Happy Friday! Here's a story I hope warms your heart on this beautiful spring afternoon. 😊❤️

Hillyard Skate Park embraces boy with autism SPOKANE, Wash. - For one local family, skateboarding has turned into a story of acceptance and friendship."When you go to a place for the first time with a child with

Happy Earth Day from SOAR Behavior Services! 🌎

Join us THIS Sunday in Riverfront Park for the annual Steps for Autism event! 👩‍🦽🧑‍🦼🧑‍🦯🚶‍♂️
Find more information here: https://www.stepsforautism.org.

Wish you and your family a wonderful Easter from SOAR Behavior Services. 😊 🌸

From SOAR Behavior Services to all of our furry friends, Happy National Pet Day!

Three Little Birds-Raising Kids On The Autism Spectrum shared this wonderful post on being a parent advocate; "Because advocacy is born from love for your child." 🥰❤️

A is for advocate.

This is for you. The ones who care for your autistic child, the one that makes all the hard decisions.

Maybe you are at the beginning of this journey, or somewhere in the middle.

Maybe you’ve already become accustomed to taking on the new titles…special needs parent,, autism mom, caregiver etc and they don’t sound as foreign and scary to you anymore.

But you also should call yourself one more thing. Because with a diagnosis, you are reborn into someone new in a way…

The moment you see the signs, that gut feeling that something is off, you gain a new title…

Advocate.

It’s from the Latin word, “advocare”, which means to “add” a “voice”.

To advocate is to add a voice of support to a cause or person.

And that’s what you become. Your child’s voice.

It may start in the beginning, fighting to be heard.

Arguing with experts. Hoping that someone will listen.

No it’s not their hearing. No it’s not because we are doing everything for them.

Yes. We are sure.

You’ll realize that you have to start using your voice more, especially if your child is non-speaking or struggle to communicate.

Then once you get the diagnosis, you’ll have to make a thousand decisions in a year based on their welfare, praying you made the right ones, praying that if they could communicate, they would agree.

And you probably have no experience in this.

There is no map or instruction booklet that they hand you when you receive that blue folder.

Sure, you may have a friend who had a child with autism or an aunt’s, cousin’s, sister, but this is now your own journey, and each child is different.

Your child has specific challenges and needs.

Your child may need testing, specialists, therapies, and medical treatments.

You may have to make difficult choices like moving your entire family to another state for better services.

Entering the special education needs world, you’ll realize how broken the system is. How there is a lack of proper training and funding and that there aren’t a dozen good options out there for you to choose from.

Going to school won’t be a simple drop off to Kindergarten and up.

You will now have to endure countless evaluations for your child and listen year after year about what he or she can’t do.

You will have to be there at every IEP meeting to remind them of what they can.

You will have to be loud and repetitive so they listen…

How your child experiences the world differently. How they learn in a different way and you need them to think outside the box. How they shouldn’t change them and they don’t need fixing. How there is always a why or need that isn’t being met when it comes to “behaviors”and figuring that out is key to their success.

You may even decide public school isn’t working and homeschooling is better for your child.

Oh and you’ll have to learn a long list of acronyms.

You will have to educate yourself on a whole new language.

And learn your rights and your child’s because they usually won’t just hand out that info.

If you’re lucky, you will also be met with the most amazing and kind human beings like teachers, aides and therapists that grace your life.

Ones that advocate for your child the way you do.

You’ll spend your whole life fighting for those type of people to surround your child and remove your child from the people who don’t have his or her best interests at heart.

You may have to advocate way into adulthood and you will quickly learn that some must think autism ends at 18 or 21.

That’s a whole other never ending, unfair fight.

As your child “ages out” you’ll really start to take notice how the world views adult autistic individuals and you will have to fight tooth and nail to get more help for them and your family.

As your child gets bigger and stronger you may need more assistance, respite and come to realize that help like that is scarce unless you are shouting from the rooftops and making daily phone calls that you need it.

Your child may live with you forever or you may need to make other arrangements down the line like a residential center or group home, that are extremely costly.

Or on the flip side, you may have a child that has progressed and is living a more “typical” path, but you will need to get them to understand and listen that just because your child is autistic, they are still capable of being more independent, getting a higher education and holding a job, if some would create more accessible and accommodating opportunities for them to do so.

You many even feel like you have to prove they are autistic and need the extra help.

You will have to learn how to navigate insurance companies and Medicaid. Eventually you may be filling out social security and guardianship paperwork.

And then there’s the medication route. Do you or don’t you? Which ones? How many? Should you change them? Remove them? Stop them all together?

You may reach a point to where you think your fighting is over and then another situation arises.

Another behavior.

Another mental health issue.

Cormorbidities.

You may start all over again trying to get experts to listen.

No it’s not “just autism”.

It may be medical.

It’s something else. You have to keep following your gut instincts. If your child can’t tell you, it may be all you have to go on.

You’ll have to learn which battles are more important because I promise you can’t fight them all at once.

You’ll have to stop and begin again sometimes.

You’ll probably spend your entire life asking people to try to understand autism and your child, sometimes even the ones closest to you.

You’ll be at odds with some who don’t agree how you’re handling things. You will re-evaluate things and second guess yourself more times than you can count.

Just know this. You are the real expert on your child.

You’ll need to learn how to trust yourself.

You may have to make really tough decisions. Ones that you think may break you.

Unthinkable, unfathomable ones.

But you will make them with a tear stained face because you never stop fighting.

And you will learn to advocate for others like your child.

You’ll realize you are a part of a community that needs more help, more education, more services, more funding, more protection, more everything.

You may start sharing your own stories so that you can pave the way for others coming after you.

Being an advocate is like being a tour guide.

People are now looking to you to show them the way.

You’ll show others how to ask for what their child deserves and to fight for the truth.

You’ll show them that they can get through even the toughest of days.

Together you’ll fight for the important things like making real changes building true acceptance and more inclusion.

Simple kindness for all with disabilities and those that are just “different”.

Because advocacy is born from love for your child.

And there isn’t anything you wouldn’t do to see that they have the best life possible.

You’ll spend your whole life making sure of it.

Just know, you got this. Even on the days you feel you don’t. You are doing a great job.

You are exactly what your child needs.

Let the love you have and your child lead the way.

Listen with your eyes, look with your heart and be loud.

🐦🐦🐦

SOAR Behavior Services is the largest ABA therapy provider to individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities in Eastern Washington. At SOAR, we are committed to excellence and the application of individualized, compassionate treatment strategies. We are currently seeking highly motivated and dedicated Behavior Technicians.

Job Description

As a Behavior Technician (BT), you will work closely with a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) to implement 1:1 programming with learners with autism and other developmental disabilities. Ideal candidates will be passionate about promoting independence and choice and enhancing the quality of life for people with developmental disabilities.

Job Duties

•Use a combination of intensive teaching and natural environment training in multiple environments
•Adhere to the prescribed behavioral skill acquisition and behavior reduction protocols
•Comply with prescribed training protocols and record data
•Compile and summarize data on observable client behavior
•Ensure safe and appropriate procedures are followed when working with clients
•Maintain a safe, clean, and organized work environment
•Maintain effective programming and implement safety procedures
•Maintain the confidentiality of clients
•Collaborate professionally with clients' treatment teams, including parents, caregivers, outside professionals, and school personnel
•Communicate effectively with parents and caregivers about client progress
•Assist the Lead BT and BCBA in skill acquisition and behavior reduction assessments
•Attend required training to maintain and acquire technical knowledge

Minimum Requirements

•High school diploma
•Ability to pass a background check
•Reliable transportation, proof of auto insurance, and valid driver’s license
•Ability to lift 50 pounds, walk, run, jump, climb, and crawl
•Successful completion of 40-hour training within two weeks of employment
•Ability to work with aggressive clients
•Strong interpersonal skills
•Ability to follow directions and respond to corrective feedback
•Must be fully vaccinated (COVID-19) per WA State mandate

Preferred Qualifications

•Bachelor’s degree in psychology, education, social work, or related field
•Experience implementing ABA programs
•Current Certified Behavior Technician (CBT) certification
•Current Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) certification
•Experience working with people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities
•Open availability Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 6:30 PM

Benefits

•Competitive hourly pay
•Paid training expenses
•Monthly gas stipend
•Tuition discount with Capella University
•Membership discount with MUV Fitness
•Talkcircle online therapy
•$1,000 sign-on bonus for current CBT and/or RBT holders
•PTO/paid holidays
•401(k) match
•Opportunity for BCBA field supervision hours

SOAR is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status.

Happy World Autism Awareness Day! 😊❤

Autism Society of America

To mark Autism Acceptance Month and expand access to AAC, Proloquo2Go is 50% off from March 29th until April 4th, 2022!

We're so excited to attend this FREE conference with keynote speaker, Dr. Temple Grandin. Register below. 😀😁

Upcoming webinar by The Association for Successful Parenting. Register at https://achancetoparent.net/webinars/.

Have you registered for our webinar next month?

This FREE webinar with Tom Robinson and Lindsay Brillhart, hosted by TASP with the generous support of the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council, will explore the strengths and challenges of both formal and informal supports for families headed by a parent with IDD. April 20, 2022, 12pm-1:30pm EST.

Register today: https://achancetoparent.net/webinars/

Many parents feel overwhelmed in their parenting journey Sponsored By Join us for our world-renowned child psychology conference. This conference is designed for parents, caregivers, educators, and mental health professionals who want to learn about the latest research, innovations, and techniques pertaining to children’s mental health and attachment-ba...

Is your adult child with an intellectual or developmental disability preparing to move out on their own? If you live in Spokane or Clark County, contact Darci Ladwig at [email protected] for
Exploration of housing options
Planning and development assistance
Roommate matching options
Monthly training on housing-related topics
Residential Toolkit
Peer-to-peer support

It's not too late to take part in Disability Awareness Month! Check out these seven books for kids about disabilities. 😊 🌸

Registration for the IECC 2022 Virtual Conference is OPEN!

Conference Dates May 2-6, 2022

You can view our online program or PDF here: https://ieccwa.org/2022/program/daily_schedule.php

Registration is being offered at a complimentary rate. We do ask that you attend sessions LIVE. Clock Hours or STARS Credit will be available for Live participation. Thank you to our conference administrators and sponsors for making this possible!

Register online: https://ieccwa.org/2022/registration/

Our topic this month is "Toileting Success." Join us on March 31 from 6:45 to 8 PM at meet.google.com/uhx-sspd-ums.

Thank you to our incredible receptionists and Behavior Technicians for making St. Patrick's WEEK such a success! We love the beautiful rainbows and green slime! 😊 🍀

[Dana] employs roughly 30 people with physical or developmental disabilities, ranging in age from teenagers to one staffer who is 65. 😊❤🥰

'You can feel the good': Hayden bakery helping those with disabilities, special needs thrive HAYDEN, Idaho - There are endless locations to pick up a sandwich, coffee or dessert, but customers say one in Hayden feeds both the body and soul.

Please read the announcement below from The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick Spokane if you are walking with SOAR Behavior Services in the St. Patrick's Day Parade this Saturday, March 12th. Please arrive between 11 am and 11:30 am. The parade starts at noon.

"Here is an updated map of the parade with the staging area entrance shown. Please allow yourself extra time this year as staging will be completely new because of ongoing construction in the area."

Registration link: https://echoautism.org/symposium-2022-event/?inf_contact_key=8417f89e74247cb31432279ded083091680f8914173f9191b1c0223e68310bb1

SOAR and People First of Washington spent the weekend preparing for the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day Parade!
Want to walk in the parade? Join us in the "Formation Area" at 11:30 am on Saturday, March 12, 2022 (parade starts at noon). Link to map: http://www.friendlysonsofstpatrick.com/map.asp. Questions? Contact Katrina at 509-869-0015. 😊

Imagine a gender-equal world.
A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination.
A world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive.
A world where difference is valued and celebrated.
Together we can forge women's equality.
Collectively we can all . 🙅‍♀️

March is DD Awareness Month! Check out resources, learn about the history of the campaign, and get to know the artist, Sonny Clarke, at: https://www.nacdd.org/ddam1/.

Sofía Jirau is the first Victoria's Secret model with Down syndrome. We love seeing businesses embrace diversity and inclusion! Congratulations, Sofía! 😊
https://www.wsj.com/articles/victorias-secret-hires-sofia-jirau-its-first-model-with-down-syndrome-11645151264

Victoria’s Secret Hires Sofía Jirau, Its First Model With Down Syndrome The 24-year-old model from Puerto Rico will be included in the lingerie retailer’s latest ad campaign, as it continues to embrace more inclusive marketing.

Teaching your child about current issues can be a daunting task. YouTube channel, "Illustrate to Educate," provides visually appealing and informative explanations of global issues. https://www.youtube.com/c/IllustratetoEducate

Illustrate to Educate - YouTube Hello! Welcome to Illustrate to Educate. This is the perfect place to watch simple and objective videos on topics that matter! At Illustrate to Educate, it i...

Women's History Month Edition!