The application of Spoon Theory to the experience of caregivers of neurodiverse children offers behavior analysts a powerful framework for understanding why families participate in ABA services the way they do. Originally developed by Christine Miserandino to explain the experience of living with chronic illness, Spoon Theory uses the metaphor of spoons to represent the finite units of energy, time, and emotional capacity that an individual has available on any given day.
Provider: BehaviorLive — via Bridge Kids of New York
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Join Free →In this presentation, we will explore cultural competence and compassionate care through the lens of The Spoon Theory, a theory developed by Christine Miserandino to explain what it's like to live with a chronic illness and have limited energy and resources for daily life. We will consider the applications of Spoon Theory to the daily lives of caregivers of neurodiverse children, including how the resources of time, finances, mental health, parenting experience, and social support are uniquely depleted for those caring for individuals with higher support needs. Participants will be encouraged to expand their conceptions of "culture" and "compassionate care," to consider the specific needs and perspectives of the caregivers they serve. Participants will also learn practical strategies to incorporate into their ABA services to meet caregivers where they are at, and help caregivers conserve their precious resources, resulting in more positive outcomes for caregivers and individuals.
| Certification Body | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|
| BACB® | 1 | Ethics |
Alexis Sporkin is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Certified School Psychologist, Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) in the state of New York. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Cornell University and her doctoral degree from St. John’s University. She serves as Executive Director and IEP/Legal Coordinator at Kids of New York Applied Behavior Analysis. Alexis is passionate about advocating for the educational rights of all students and strives to provide compassionate, meaningful support to her clients and their families.
Dig into the research behind this topic — plain-English summaries written for BCBAs.
280 research articles with practitioner takeaways
279 research articles with practitioner takeaways
258 research articles with practitioner takeaways
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All behavior-analytic intervention is individualized. The information on this page is for educational purposes and does not constitute clinical advice. Treatment decisions should be informed by the best available published research, individualized assessment, and obtained with the informed consent of the client or their legal guardian. Behavior analysts are responsible for practicing within the boundaries of their competence and adhering to the BACB Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts.