Our Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Program assistant use the evidence based Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) structured technique with an emphasis on a Natural Environment Teaching (NET). They work one on one to teach skills such as functional skills, activities of daily living skills (ADLS), reduction of problem behaviors, communication improvement (receptive and expressive language), and vocational skills. We begin by observing the child and conducting comprehensive assessments. Then we work together with the parents to create a unique behavior plan and the individual critical goals they want to achieve. No two strategies are the same as each child is special. Working one on one to carry out the custom-tailored program, our therapist teaches new skills which might include communication, social skills, personal care, self-management, taking charge in social situations, and school work. Studies have shown children who receive early, intensive ABA can make big, lasting gains.

Speech language therapy focuses on difficulties with language and communication and can help improve unprompted and spontaneous verbal, nonverbal, and social communication with the goal of communication in more useful and functional ways. Our Speech-language pathologist (SLP) will evaluate and assess the child’s strengths and challenges to develop individual goals such as improving spoken language, learning nonverbal signs or gestures, or learning to communicate using an alternative method such as PECS, iPads, or Dynavox. Therapy is provided one on one, however, the skills learned are generalized during other therapies and social situations throughout the day. Examples of therapy work include strengthening the muscles in the mouth, jaw, and neck, correctly naming people and things, better explaining feelings and emotions, using words and sentences better, improving the rate and rhythm of speech, making clearer speech sounds, improving articulation, errors in grammar, modulating the tone of voice, and improve independence and self-advocacy. Our SLP works on play skills, responding to their name, establishing joint attention, improved awareness and targeting conversational skills. We will also work with parents to show them the techniques that they can use to help their child learn to communicate in other settings and generalize the information being taught to them.

Occupational therapy sessions are always centered on the child, incorporate play, are interactive, and provide activities that require the child to problem solve. Areas of note are cognitive like attention span and stamina, transition to new activities, play skills, need for personal space, responses to touch or other types of stimuli, motor skills such as posture, balance, or manipulation of small objects, and interactions between the child and caregivers. Goals can be independent dressing, eating, grooming, using the bathroom, and fine motor skills like writing, coloring, and cutting with scissors. Occupational therapists can also help the parents clarify the role of sensory processing and provide advice on practical things the parents can do, such as placing a weighted vest on a child if they need calming. Therapy can involve physical activities such as stringing beads or doing puzzles help a child develop coordination and body awareness, play activities to help with interaction and communication, developmental activities, such as brushing teeth and combing hair, and adaptive strategies including coping with transitions. Activities of daily living would include brushing teeth, eating and drinking, using the bathroom, hygiene tasks like bathing, grooming, nail and hair care, getting dressed, preparing meals, and money management. The main goal of our OT is to improve the quality of life and increase independence.

Music therapy isn’t the same as musical instruction. Our board-certified music therapist can help develop new communication skills, build social skills, improve sensory issues, behavior, cognition, perceptual/motor skills, and self-reliance or self-determination through singing/vocalization, instrument play, movement/dance, musical improvisation, songwriting/composition, listening to music, or computer-based music activities. Since music is motivating and engaging it can often be used as a natural reinforcer for desired responses. It can also help those with sensory aversions to cope with sound sensitives. There is a connection between speech and singing, rhythm and motor behavior, memory for song and memory for academic material, and overall ability of preferred music to enhance mood, attention, and behavior to optimize the student’s ability to learn and interact. Studies have shown the outcomes to include increased appropriate social behavior, attention to task, vocalization, verbalization, gestures, vocabulary comprehension, increased communication and social skills, enhanced body awareness and coordination, improved self-care skills, decreased self-stimulation and agitation, successful and safe self-expression, enhanced sensory motor skills, and auditory processing, and reduced anxiety.

Play therapy is exactly what it sounds like, learning through the process of play. Play is all about interacting with others in a cooperative or competitive way, communicating needs and wants, strategizing, interpreting the intentions of others, and taking turns. For children with special needs, the goal of play therapy is to build social interactions and communication skill, and in the long run, to enhance children’s ability to engage in novel activities and symbolic play. The therapist start by connecting with your child through simple chase-and-tickle games, bubble blowing, or sensory activities such as swinging, sliding, or wriggling through a tube. As your child’s abilities grow, you’ll be able to build towards back-and-forth turn-taking games, collaborative games, or make-believe. The therapist uses this play-based technique to build on the child’s own interests or obsessions to develop relationship, emotional, listening, social, and communication skills, help them think in different ways, refine motor skills and coordination, and expand the ways they play with toys and relate to other people. This therapy allows for the child to move beyond self-absorption into real, shared interactions, let them explore their feelings, environment, and relationships with parents, siblings, and peers in a relaxed environment and at their own pace which promotes independence.

We hold monthly parent education presentation sessions and community meetings. There will be monthly one on one time with each family to go over your child’s individual developmental milestone progress which is separate from the educational monthly group seminars. In addition to gaining knowledge, it provides a chance to meet other parents going through similar circumstances can form a community. As a parent, you are involved in how therapy progresses and how well it works. Research shows when parents get involved kids learn faster, they generalize lessons from one environment to another, and parents extend the amount of learning time a child has access to. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed with all the critical steps, but we’re here to help guide you through the entire process. Learning tips, tools, and techniques will improve your child’s social engagement, language, play, and imitation skills.

Our social skills groups are designed for caregivers and kids. It’s a wonderful way for families and kids to stay connected, healthy, and calm. It lets caregivers socialize, step away from their responsibilities for a couple of hours, rest, relax, or recharge.  Social skills can make you a better caregiver and might also improve relationships. You could return with an open mind and heart and newfound energy for taking care of the people you love. We provide social skills for a child allowing their primary caregiver relief. Our trained providers offer fun social skills programs for kids recognizing the importance of routine, predictability, patience, consistency, and reliability. Along with positive behavior strategies and challenging behaviors management, we have the energy, enthusiasm, and creativity to play with your child in the sensory, art, and music rooms or watch their favorite tv show.

It’s good to practice haircuts in a safe and comfortable environment before taking your child to a standard, outside barber or salon which would be noisier, include unfamiliar smells, and more people. We teach adding a haircut routine to the calendar with a visual book/schedule of activities to prepare them for all the necessary steps. For example, go to the salon, check-in, meet a stylist, sit in a chair, cover with a cape, spray with room temperature water, comb hair, trim hair, reward for reinforcing a great job, etc. We prepare the children with stories and videos, so they know what to expect and model the behavior. Our licensed, child stylists have years of experience with special needs children. We involve the children and let them see, smell, and touch the hair products, such as shampoo, conditioner, and blow dryer before applying it to their hair. We use earbuds with calming sounds for children oversensitive to noise, weighted blankets to feel secure and use a timer to let the child know when the haircut will be completed. Afterward, we have a conversation about their experience.