Wendy S. Kraemer, BCBA, LBS, LBA

08/19/2026

📚 Back to School Can Be a BIG Transition

New teachers. New classrooms. New routines. Earlier mornings. More demands. Less downtime.

For some children, going back to school can mean more meltdowns, refusal, crying, irritability, or challenging behavior at home.

And sometimes the hardest part doesn’t happen at school.

A child may work incredibly hard to follow directions, manage emotions, tolerate changes, and meet expectations all day—and then fall apart when they finally get home to a place where they feel safe.

💡 What can help?

• Keep after-school expectations low at first.
• Offer a snack, drink, and some downtime before asking lots of questions.
• Return to predictable morning and evening routines.
• Use visual schedules or “first/then” language when helpful.
• Give warnings before transitions.
• Reinforce flexibility, communication, and coping—not just compliance.
• Remember that behavior is communication. Ask yourself: “What might my child need right now?”

The first few weeks of school are an adjustment. Consistency, predictability, and a little extra patience can go a long way. 💛

WSK ABA
Supporting children, families, and the people who help them grow.

07/11/2026

Spread Joy
It Matters More Than You Know

A smile. A kind word. A moment of patience. Celebrating someone’s success.

These small acts can make a big difference in another person’s day.

Positive interactions help build confidence, strengthen relationships, and create opportunities for learning and growth. Joy doesn’t have to be grand—it often starts with the little moments we choose to share with others.

Today, look for one simple way to spread joy. You never know how much someone may need it. And how good you will feel when you do!

07/07/2026

Catch your child being good!

It sounds simple, but kids get more attention when something goes wrong than when things go right.

This week - try to notice the behaviors you want to see more of and look for opportunities to say things like:

Thank you for using your calm voice

I love how you listened the first time.

Great job waiting your turn or Great job waiting

I noticed you shared with your sister - that was kind.

A few seconds of genuine praise can go a long way in building confidence and encouraging positive behavior!

What positive behavior did you notice today?

07/04/2026

07/02/2026

Whew…it’s HOT.

Just a little reminder that this kind of heat can be especially hard on people with disabilities. Some may not realize they’re getting overheated, may not be able to tell you they don’t feel well, or may need help remembering to drink enough.

A few easy reminders:�Keep offering water.
Take lots of cooling breaks.
Stay inside during the hottest part of the day if you can.�Light clothes help.
�Please don’t leave anyone in a vehicle—not even for a minute.

And if you’re a parent, caregiver, or provider…take care of you, too. ❤️ It’s easy to get so busy making sure everyone else is okay that you forget to drink water, eat something, or sit in the AC for a few minutes. You matter, too.

Today’s probably not the day to push through the usual routine. Slow it down. Move things inside. Take extra breaks. Nobody gets a prize for toughing it out in 95° weather.

Stay cool, stay hydrated, and be kind to yourself. We’ll all survive this heat wave a lot better if we look out for each other. 💙❤️💙

06/27/2026

Can we normalize giving moms a break?

Not advice.

Not, “Have you tried…”

Just… a break.

If you know a mom raising a child with autism or other special needs, I promise you she’s carrying more than most people realize. Therapy appointments, school, insurance, meltdowns, doctor’s appointments, paperwork, worrying about the future… and somehow she’s still expected to keep the house running and remember what’s for dinner.

You don’t have to know ABA. You don’t have to know exactly what to do.

Just ask.

“Can I pick up groceries?”

“Can I bring dinner over?”

“Want me to sit with your child for an hour so you can go get a coffee, take a nap, or just be alone for a little while?”

Even if she says no, she’ll remember that someone cared enough to ask.

And moms… this part is for you.

You are allowed to be tired.

You are allowed to need help.

You are allowed to take a break without feeling guilty.

Taking care of yourself doesn’t mean you’re taking anything away from your child. It means you’re making sure you have something left to give.

Sometimes the biggest gift we can give each other isn’t advice.

It’s showing up. 💙❤️💙

06/19/2026

Summer is Almost Here!

Predictability Can Be Powerful

Many children, especially those with autism and other developmental differences, thrive when they know what to expect.

A great way to develop a visual schedule or daily routine is to involve your kiddo in the planning.

A visual schedule or simple daily routine can:
✅ Reduce anxiety about what’s coming next
✅ Increase independence
✅ Make transitions easier
✅ Decrease frustration and challenging behaviors
✅ Help children feel more in control of their day

A schedule doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be as simple as a list or pictures showing:
☀️ Breakfast
🦷 Brush teeth
📚 Learning time
🎨 Playtime
🍎 Snack
🚶 Outside time
🍽️ Dinner
🛁 Bath
😴 Bedtime

It’s also okay for plans to change! When possible, giving advance notice or updating the schedule can help children adjust more successfully.

Sometimes the biggest source of comfort isn’t having the perfect day—it’s simply knowing what the day will look like. 💙

06/09/2026

LOOK BEFORE YOU LOCK!

A vehicle can become dangerously hot in just minutes—even when the weather doesn’t seem extreme.

For individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), the risks may be even greater. Some individuals may have difficulty communicating distress, understanding danger, or exiting a vehicle independently.

💙 Never leave a child or vulnerable adult unattended in a vehicle.
💙 Always check the back seat before locking your car.
💙 Keep vehicles locked when not in use.
💙 If you see someone alone in a hot vehicle, call 911 immediately.

A moment of awareness can save a life!

06/04/2026

Thank you to the RBT's and BT's who make this look easy.

❤️❤️

05/29/2026

What Happens When the iPad Becomes the Only Coping Skill?

Sometimes families feel guilty saying it out loud:

“The iPad is the only thing that keeps things calm.”

And honestly?
In many homes, it probably feels true.

When a child is overwhelmed, anxious, frustrated, bored, overstimulated, understimulated, or struggling to communicate, the iPad often works immediately:

* crying stops,
* aggression decreases,
* transitions pause,
* adults can breathe,
* and everyone finally gets a moment of peace.

That relief is real.

The problem is not the iPad itself.

The problem happens when the iPad becomes the only reliable coping strategy a child has.

What we start to see

Over time, some children begin to struggle with:

* tolerating “no” or “wait,”
* interacting with people,
* flexible thinking,
* transitions,
* independent play,
* boredom,
* social engagement,
* and participating in everyday routines without screen access.

The nervous system starts relying on one source of regulation.

When that source is removed suddenly, the child may not actually have the skills needed to:

* self-regulate,
* communicate discomfort,
* tolerate delay,
* shift attention,
* or recover from frustration.

That’s not “being spoiled.”

That’s a skill deficit.

The answer is NOT:

* ripping the iPad away,
* forcing hours without access,
* escalating demands,
* or turning every interaction into a power struggle.

That usually increases distress without teaching replacement skills.

The goal is to build a bigger coping toolbox

We want children to learn:

* communication,
* flexibility,
* waiting,
* transitions,
* play skills,
* engagement with people,
* requesting breaks,
* tolerating small delays,
* and recovering from disappointment safely.

Sometimes that starts very small:

* waiting 5 seconds,
* giving the iPad back when a timer sounds,
* asking appropriately for more time,
* completing one easy instruction before regaining access,
* or learning that adults interacting near the iPad is safe.

Those tiny moments matter.

Parents are not “bad” for using screens

Most families are surviving impossible levels of stress with limited support.

Many parents were never taught:

* how to build regulation skills,
* how to shape tolerance gradually,
* or how to reduce dependence without causing constant escalation.

They are doing what works in the moment.

Our job as providers is not judgment.

Our job is helping families build more options.

A regulated child is the goal — not simply an obedient one

The end goal is not:

“The child sits quietly without the iPad.”

The goal is:

* safety,
* flexibility,
* communication,
* independence,
* emotional regulation,
* and quality of life.

The iPad itself is not the enemy.

But when it becomes the only way a child can cope with the world, that’s usually a sign they need more support — not less compassion.