Clearwater Wellness and Development

06/25/2026

Part 2 of 3: Teaching a New Way
Behaviors don't disappear because we tell them to. They change when we teach a different way to communicate the same need — and make that new way easier and faster than the old one.
The tantrum was the only tool. Now we're handing them more tools.
A child who learns to tap a shoulder, sign "all done," point to a picture, or say "look" gets the same need met — without the meltdown. And when the new way pays off quickly and warmly, it sticks.
Swipe through for the small steps that drive this work:
🔹 Figure out the function

🔹 Teach a replacement that meets the same need

🔹 Make the new way pay off faster
This is quiet, steady work. Not a quick fix. But it changes everything.
👉🏼 If you missed Part 1 (on behavior as communication), it's a few posts back. Part 3 is coming next — what to do when your child learns to ask, but still expects "yes" every time.

05/30/2026

https://www.instagram.com/p/DY55PGSmotp/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

05/16/2026

I can’t help it, they just come that loud….

05/15/2026

05/15/2026

Teaching new play skills can be tough and can’t be forced, a child likes what they like and won’t keep playing with something if it doesn’t match their personality. It’s important to combine their tendencies with new developments in play while being silly and dramatic in a balanced way so they still have fun!

05/13/2026

When people ask me what I do for a living…

05/12/2026

TRICARE families — we’re here and we’re ready. No waitlist, no runaround. We’ll help you navigate the process from start to finish. DM us or visit the link in our bio for a free consultation.

05/08/2026

Proud BCBA moment…

05/05/2026

If you've ever asked your kid to put their shoes on three times in a row before they actually moved... this is for you.
The 5-Second Rule for parents is simple:
After you ask your child to do something count silently to 5. That's it. No repeating. No re-explaining. No bargaining.
Why it works:
🧠 Kids genuinely need processing time. Their brains are still developing the wiring to hear, encode, and act on instructions. 5 seconds is huge.
🔁 Repeating the request actually teaches them to wait you out. "Mom doesn't really mean it until the 4th time."
🤫 Silence + a clear instruction creates compliance. Nagging kills it.
Try it for one week:
1️⃣ Give one clear instruction
2️⃣ Stop talking. Count to 5.
3️⃣ If they start — praise it.
4️⃣ If they don't — walk over and prompt calmly.
While a child can always find a way to challenge a system like this, it's a small change you can make as a parent that pays back the most.

04/29/2026

Now accepting new clients across North County San Diego. DM us or visit the link in our bio for a free consultation. sandiegoregionalcenter