Specialized Consultants: Behavior Support Specialists & other Consultants

Consultants can sometimes help family members to develop specialized skills and techniques that are needed to support a family member at home. Consultants may be professionals trained in a variety of fields, such as psychology, social work, physical or occupational therapy, augmentative communication or other disciplines. Families may call in a consultant to help them with managing challenging behavior, developing detailed communication systems, using augmentative communication devices, making physical modifications to their home, or for help with other special situations.A behavior consultant, the individual and the family members may work together to develop and practice a detailed plan of supports that focuses on positive approaches. A consultant might help the individual and family understand more about the causes of an individual's challenging behaviors. Behavior consultants work to help individuals and their families learn skills and techniques that work in their own particular home environments. DD Service Coordinators or Support Agents can help families decide whether to bring in a consultant and in some cases, may be able to help arrange payment for the consultant.