Good Steward ABA and Consulting

08/22/2025

A great opportunity for kiddos this weekend!

PAWS to Read, Saturday, August 23. Stop by Main Street Library at 2:00 p.m. to read to a therapy dog! For ages 5-11, no registration.

08/22/2025

🌞 Weekend Ready: Autism-Friendly Tips for Calm, Fun, and Connection 💙

Planning a long weekend with your kiddo? It can be peaceful and enjoyable with a little prep and a lot of heart. 🧠💛 Here are some sensory-smart tips that have helped our community:

🗓️ 1. Keep a Visual Schedule:
Even if plans change, having a visual flow of the day helps reduce anxiety.

🎧 2. Pack Comfort Items:
Noise-canceling headphones, favorite snacks, fidgets, or a weighted item—bring what soothes!

🚗 3. Plan for Breaks:
Whether at a park, event, or traveling—build in time to regulate and recharge.

🗣️ 4. Prep with Social Stories:
Go over what the day might look like and what to expect, in simple story form.

💬 5. Let Them Be Part of the Plan:
Give choices where you can—like snacks, activities, or breaks. It builds confidence and calm.

✨ Bonus Tip: Lower the bar. Not everything has to be perfect. Connection > perfection. 💛

What’s your favorite sensory-friendly tip for travel or outings? Drop it below! ⬇️

08/15/2025

💬 Social Skills Matter: Easy Tips & Why They’re So Important 💙✨

Teaching social skills isn’t about forcing kids to “fit in” — it’s about helping them connect, communicate, and feel confident in their world. 🌍💛

Here are some simple, sensory-smart ways to teach and model social skills for kids on the spectrum:

👀 1. Model in the Moment
Use everyday routines to show skills like turn-taking, greetings, or asking for help. Think out loud to show how and whywe do it.

🎲 2. Use Games to Practice
Board games and role-play are perfect for teaching waiting, winning/losing, and teamwork in a fun, low-stress way.

🗨️ 3. Break It Down
Don’t just say “be polite”—teach what that looks like: eye contact (if comfortable), using kind words, and noticing others' feelings.

📖 4. Try Social Stories
Custom stories help kids understand why we do certain things and what to expect in social situations.

🌟 5. Celebrate Small Wins
Reinforce progress with praise, visuals, or rewards. Social skills build slowly and that’s okay!

🧠 Why it Matters:
Social skills support friendships, self-advocacy, independence, and emotional wellness. They’re life tools—not just classroom tools.

💬 What’s helped your child grow socially? Let’s share and support each other! 👇

08/08/2025

📚☀️ Summer STEM Fun for All Ages! 🔬🌿

Looking for engaging, educational activities to beat the summer boredom? STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) activities are a fantastic way to spark curiosity, build problem-solving skills, and encourage hands-on learning—all while having FUN! 🌈🧠

Here are a couple of easy ideas to try with your kiddos this summer:

🧪 For Younger Kids (Ages 4–8): "Rainbow Walking Water"
Materials:

Clear cups or jars

Paper towels

Water

Food coloring (red, yellow, blue)

Instructions:
Line up 6 cups in a circle. Fill every other cup halfway with water and add food coloring (red, yellow, blue). Fold paper towels into strips and place them between the cups. Watch the water “walk” and mix into new colors! 🌈

Skill Focus: Color mixing, absorption, observation skills

🔧 For Older Kids (Ages 9–12): "DIY Solar Oven S’mores"
Materials:

Pizza box or shoebox

Aluminum foil

Plastic wrap

Tape

Black paper

Graham crackers, chocolate, marshmallows

Instructions:
Line the inside of the box with foil and black paper. Create a flap in the lid and cover it with plastic wrap. Place your s’mores inside and let the sun do the cooking! ☀️🍫

Skill Focus: Renewable energy, heat transfer, following design steps

👩‍🔬 STEM activities help kids of all ages build confidence, develop critical thinking, and apply learning in real-life ways!
Tag us in your summer STEM adventures! 🔍✨

08/01/2025

Why Transitions Are So Hard (And How We Can Help)
🧩 “Why does my child fall apart every time it’s time to leave the house?”

Transitions—moving from one activity to another—can be especially challenging for children with autism or related needs. Here is why ⬇️

🔄 Transitions involve:
✔️ Stopping something they enjoy
✔️ Doing something less preferred
✔️ Shifting attention or location
✔️ Coping with uncertainty

📉 This can lead to meltdowns, refusal, or delays—especially when the change feels sudden or unpredictable.

🎯 So how can we help?

✅ Use countdowns: “5 more minutes,” “2 more minutes,” “Time to go!”
✅ Set clear expectations: Use a visual schedule or “first/then” language
✅ Make transitions fun: “Do you want to tiptoe to the car or jump like a frog?”
✅ Offer positive reinforcement: “Thanks for leaving calmly—you can pick our music in the car!”

✨ Practice small transitions daily: ending screen time, leaving the bathroom, cleaning up toys. These build trust and routine.

💡 Remember: it’s not presenting to be “difficult”—it’s about learning to manage change. Managing change is something we can teach and support with love.

07/24/2025

☀️ ABA in the Summer Heat 🌡️

Hot weather can bring extra challenges for our learners — but it’s also a great opportunity to build skills in meaningful, real-life settings! ☀️

Whether we’re practicing:

☀️ Transitions after outdoor play

💧 Functional communication like “I need water,” “I’m too hot,” or “Can we go inside?”

👒 Tolerating hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, or different textures

🧘‍♂️ Emotional regulation during overstimulating or uncomfortable moments

🧊 Safety skills like staying in the shade or asking for a break

ABA sessions during summer can help children build independence, self-advocacy, and safety awareness — while still having fun!

✨ Pro tip for caregivers and providers:
Keep water breaks frequent, prep transitions in advance, and use visuals or first-then boards to support outdoor routines. Even sensory activities like water play or sandbox time can turn into powerful learning moments!

☀️ Let's make this summer both safe and skill-building!

07/18/2025

Why We Don’t Always Expect Immediate Eye Contact
👀 Eye contact is often one of the first social behaviors people notice in children—but here’s a gentle reminder:
✨ Eye contact doesn’t equal connection.

And as Temple Grandin wisely said:
🌟 “We need to focus on ability, not disability.”

At Good Steward ABA and Consulting, LLC, we understand that for some neurodivergent individuals, making eye contact can be:
🔹 Overwhelming
🔹 Uncomfortable
🔹 Distracting

Instead of forcing eye contact, we focus on building true engagement through:
😊 Shared activities
🗣️ Meaningful communication
💡 Joint attention
💬 Following their lead

If eye contact is a goal that supports a child’s functioning, we may gently encourage it using fun, natural opportunities—but we never force it. Our goal is always connection, not compliance.

Because every child connects in their own way—and that deserves to be seen, supported, and celebrated 💛

07/11/2025

🧠 You Can’t Pour from an Empty Cup: Stress Management for Parents

Parenting a child with unique needs can be one of the most rewarding—and most exhausting—jobs out there. At Good Steward ABA, we recognize that your well-being is just as important as your child’s.

🌿 Take a deep breath. You deserve time to rest, reset, and refocus.
💬 Whether it’s 10 minutes of quiet, a support group, or just saying “no” when you’re stretched thin—your needs matter.

Here are a few gentle reminders:
✔️ It’s okay to ask for help.
✔️ Self-care isn’t selfish—it’s essential.
✔️ You’re doing your best, and that’s enough.

💡 Let us know in the comments: What’s one small thing you do for yourself when things feel overwhelming?

07/04/2025

🎆 Happy 4th of July from Good Steward ABA! 🎇

As we celebrate Independence Day, we’re reminded of the importance of community, inclusion, and the freedom to learn and grow in our own unique ways. Whether you're enjoying fireworks, family time, or a sensory-friendly celebration, we hope today is full of joy, safety, and connection.

💙❤️ Let’s continue supporting every child’s journey—this summer and beyond!

06/27/2025

🌟 Every Child Learns Differently — And That’s a Beautiful Thing! 🌈🧠

At Good Steward ABA, we understand that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to learning. Every child has a unique way of processing the world around them — and when we lean into their strengths, magic happens. ✨

🔍 Visual learners thrive with pictures, color-coded charts, or hands-on models.
📣 Auditory learners absorb more through songs, discussions, or verbal repetition.
🤲 Kinesthetic learners need movement and touch — think sensory bins, building, or active games!
📚 Read/write learners prefer lists, stories, and written instructions they can interact with.

💡Example: One child might master new routines using visual schedules with images, while another needs to talk through each step or act it out like a role-play. Some kids benefit from dancing or bouncing while practicing spelling words!

When we support how they learn best, we empower them to grow with confidence and joy. 💖

👉 What kind of learner is your child? Let us know in the comments!

06/20/2025

First Day of Summer Fun at Good Steward!

☀️ Hello, Summer! ☀️
We’re kicking off the season with sunshine, smiles, and science! One of our amazing clients created this solar oven during session—and yes, it really works! 🍫🔥

At Good Steward ABA, we love blending fun and functional learning. As summer begins, we want to hear from you:
💬 What summer activities have you found to be a hit at home?

Drop your favorites below and help us spark even more joy this season! 🌻🌈

06/14/2025

We love shouting out local businesses doing good work—and Tina Clements Photography is one of them. 📸

Tina recently worked with one of our team members here at Good Steward and had such a great experience. She’s passionate about working with families in the autism community and would love the opportunity to connect with more parents and their amazing kiddos. 💙

If you’re looking for a photographer who’s patient, kind, and truly understands how to create a safe, fun space for your child—reach out to Tina! You can support her by following her page and spreading the word.

Let’s keep lifting each other up. 📈