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What is Correlational?

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Summary

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Think of correlational like this: it’s when you notice that two things seem to happen together a lot, but you’re not sure if one makes the other happen. People carry umbrellas when it’s cloudy, but that doesn’t mean they cause clouds!

Frequently Asked Question

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Why is understanding Correlational important for parents of kids with special needs?

It helps parents identify patterns or triggers in their child’s behavior, making it easier to create supportive routines.

Can Correlational prove that one thing causes another?

No, Correlational only shows a link between two things, it doesn’t prove that one thing causes the other.

How can Correlational be applied in real-life parenting scenarios?

Parents can observe correlations like how certain foods may affect their child’s mood or how sleep impacts their behavior.

Scientific Definition

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Correlational refers to a statistical relationship between two or more variables, where changes in one variable are associated with changes in another. However, it’s essential to note that a correlational relationship does not imply causation — just because two things are linked doesn’t mean one causes the other. In developmental psychology, correlational studies often serve as the foundation for understanding behavior patterns in children with special needs.

Real World Example of Correlational

Meet Charlie, a bright kid who loves art but struggles with sudden meltdowns. His parents are keen to find a pattern. Here’s how they use the concept of Correlational to make sense of it all:

  • Art Supplies Scatter: Charlie’s parents notice that meltdowns often happen when his art supplies are disorganized.
  • Quiet Corner: They also see that Charlie calms down quicker when moved to a quiet corner of the house.
  • Meltdown Timing: Interestingly, most meltdowns happen in the late afternoon.
  • Snack Factor: On days Charlie has a healthy snack, he seems less prone to meltdowns.

It didn’t take long for Charlie’s parents to spot these connections. They start organizing his art supplies and setting up a cozy, quiet space for him. Plus, they introduce a healthy snack around mid-afternoon. The meltdowns don’t vanish, but they do become less frequent. It’s like Charlie’s parents have uncovered some valuable hints to navigate the puzzle that is their wonderful son.

How does Correlational work?

Correlational helps us see patterns between different things in life. This can be super handy for parents of kids with special needs to figure out triggers or helpful routines.

  • Food and Mood: Notice your child is happier after eating certain foods? That’s correlational.
  • Sleep and Behavior: Does better sleep seem to improve your child’s day? Another example.
  • Noise and Stress: Find that your child gets anxious in noisy environments? Yup, correlational.
  • Routine and Calmness: If a stable daily routine makes evenings less hectic, you see a correlation.

Remember, spotting these connections doesn’t mean one thing causes the other. It’s like a heads-up to look deeper. Keep these clues in mind; they can guide you to make little tweaks that can go a long way!

 

Our Goally tablet comes loaded with digital visual schedules that can help you track these correlational patterns. Want to see if a consistent bedtime routine leads to a better mood in the morning? Use Goally’s visual scheduler to set it up!

This post was originally published on August 25, 2023.