Parent Coaching

---

• Completed the Master IEP Coach® Mentorship with Catherine Whitcher, M.Ed
• Member of the Master IEP Coach® Network
• Think:Kids Certified Collaborative Problem Solving® Expert 
• CPS Parent Coach

The Road Map for Parenting, Teaching and Treating Children, Teens, and Young Adults with concerning, difficult-to-manage behaviors, developmental challenges or mental health concerns can be overwhelming for parents "in-the-trenches."

Simply speaking, you know something's wrong, but you don't know why or what to do about it. You feel stressed, angry, confused or even scared. You reach out to professionals and find that their language is filled with long unfamiliar terms and get advice on systems that don't work or make matters worse. Even professionals and teachers don't always know what to do beyond a Token Economy based on behavior charts filled with Rewards and Consequences involving Behavior Management. You read forms, fill out forms and sign more forms. Some of you have spent years frustrated, chasing down services, being told you are the one doing it wrong – not that you are being told to use the WRONG intervention.

Wanting answers to resolve the challenging situation in your life is not too much to ask. Parents, caregivers and other family members need a Road Map that makes a tough job easier! That's why I founded Helping the Behaviorally Challenging Child (HBCC). At HBCC we believe to help Maximize Potential you may need help navigating the sea of information, help bringing parents and teachers together as allies, help learning the language of advocacy. As a Certified Collaborative Problem Solving Expert and IEP/504/Inclusion Parent Coach, I am here to help you become your child’s own Case Manager to confidently know the road you will travel. 

For the past 11 years I have presented a course on Helping the Behaviorally Challenging Child to over 1,000 families. I have been that family and I have learned from each and every family that has participated in these courses. The one thing that is predictable across all families is their child’s behaviors are being misunderstood and it’s time to STOP blaming poor parenting as the sole reason for non-compliance and START applying what neuroscience knows about lagging skills that leads to maladaptive behaviors. 

Let me help you to begin your journey to place your Road Map securely in your hand! HBCC’s curriculum has been fine-tuned across the years in response to your input to help you get results.  

HBCC has additionally refers to a team of service providers to help with Coaching, Training & Therapy. They are mental health educators, school support advocates, therapists, psychiatrists, clinical psychologists and more in the community. HBCC helps you find and build your team.  

 HBCC can help you climb what may seem like an impossible mountain -
Take the first step... contact me ASAP
 

Once you take the Parenting Course, Debra Ann helps you navigate implemeting CPS in the home and at school.  She has been a champion of Collaborative Problem Solving in her home, work and community since 2005, she is considered a thought leader and change-maker in her profession.  Currently she is working to change the understanding of "behavioral goals" in an IEP, 504 or for any child who is being put out of class chronically, is a frequent-flyer to detention, suspension, or facing expulsion.  Change comes when adults understand that challenging children with concerning behaviors are NOT "attention seeking" and that compliance to expectations is about "skill, not will."

Not only did our own child struggle, I myself struggled with staying regulated through the many demands of the day during elementary school and Jr High days, so I can relate.

Stop spending countless hours doing what doesn't work and start doing something different!"  

As a Parent Coach I am neither a therpaist nor an advocate, my work helps you to Navigate the Sea of Options in the home and at school with confidence.

Rewards, consequences and ignoring were NEVER MEANT TO TEACH complex thinking skills. Start your journey to understand "behaviors" in similar ways as academic struggles are looked at: 

1. Assess

2. Plan

3. Implement 

For example, when it is discoverd a child is not comprehending what they read -- can you imagine telling a child "you better learn how to comprehend what you read or you will loose recess???"  Rewards & consequences were never meant to teach complex thinking skills right?  

It's time to look at behaviors through a new lens.  We do not look at a child who is not able to comprehend reading as "seeking attention" nor should we when a child has challenging behaviors.  Challenging behaviors are highly misunderstood. 

Conventional approaches are flat out wrong when it comes to this population that struggles with lagging skills in five skill areas: 

1. Language & Communication
2. Social Thinking
3. Emotional & Self-Regulation
4. Cognitive Flexibility
5. Attention & Working Memory 

Challenging and concerning behaviors are NOT a reflection of one’s parenting or teaching abilities.  They are an example of lagging skills in the above 5 basic domains, and it is time to write behavioral goals that are truly-trauma informed and skill building into IEP's and 504's to reflect an approach that teaches needed coping skills and builds skills by: 

• Pursuing Expectations
• Reducing Behaviors
• Teaching Skills 
• Solving Problems
• Improving Relationships

If you would like to know more about my Parent Coaching &  CPS Behavioral goals call me for a FREE consult at 714.695.1057 or email dafarian@hbcc.us