UCP of the North Bay
Cypress School Update
May 1st, 2020
Cypress Family Tips for Today and Tomorrow
WHO IS THE NUMBER ONE PERSON YOU ARE CARING FOR RIGHT NOW? YOU!
Although close to impossible with our current stay home, self-care in the small moments you have available is essential for your mental and physical health. Can you take a few deep breaths, stretch for a bit, call a friend-family member? If you or your child need extra urgent help right now- call your Regional Center and doctor and be assertive!
Your best health can support your child’s best health. How can we help?
Your Teacher, Speech Therapist, Occupational Therapist and Behaviorist can provide you with an individualized DAILY SCHEDULE, TOKEN REWARD SYSTEMS, TIMERS, OT CALMING STRATEGIES, SPEECH COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS, STEP BY STEP TASKS AND BEHAVIOR SUPPORT PLANS! Email any of these helpers today if you need materials, tech support, a zoom call with one on one help, a group zoom, etc. Email me, Nate or Joe for supports with the team!
If you are a single family member caring for your child/grandchild, try to schedule safe breaks when your child is engaged in a reward/activity that requires the least of your attention.
If you have a partner or siblings that are old enough to help, sit down with them and make a daily plan for which of you will do which activities with your child (with flexibility for the unexpected) so that everybody helps and everybody supports each other.
Six Cypress Family Tips
- Time Management: ….use timers/tasks that are easily completed (page of math, silverware sorted, folded laundry into drawers)
- Reward Good Behavior. …..Make a written or picture schedule of the day, use physical praise (hugs, squeezes, fist bumps) visual and verbal praise-use a variety of preferred rewards
- Let Them Choose. …(choices of outfits, meal options, physical activities, tasks, rewards).
- Distract BadBehavior. … without yelling, using harsh tones or physically prompting try to visually or verbally direct them to another task, or area
- Help your child Practice De-stressing skills when calm
- Help your child Practice Communication skills when calm
- Plan ahead with materials and rewards that your child can do, and work for. To get them going, have your child engage in their preferred activity briefly and then use the First Then Cards to show them First Task/ Then Reward.
- During ‘work’ periods you should try to give the least amount of supports and focus on praising your child’s engagement.
Cypress Family Sample Schedule
wakeup hygiene
dressing
- breakfast routine including prep, eating and clean-up
reward
physical activity- dancing, yoga, calisthenics
reward
task
reward
physical activity
reward
task
reward
- lunch meal routine- if possible, a rest period in here is ideal
reward
physical activity- dancing, yoga, calisthenics
reward
task
reward
physical activity
snack
reward
task
- dinner meal routine
reward, task, reward and bedtime routine
