SOAR Behavior Analysis Services, LLC

12/05/2024

Repost from The Occuplaytional Therapist and from Neurochild Community ❤️
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I'm working on this hardcore right now with some of my OT kids (and always with my children I'm the mom of, too).

It's children's job to assert as hard as they can, starting at about 2.5-3ish, that they are a Different Person Than You!!! And they have Different Thoughts and Different Opinions!!! And they will assert that as hard as it takes for them to feel "heard" by what their behavior is saying.

Here's a trick you can try. If you find your child becoming wildly more and more demanding about a specific thing or task or part of their day, and it's happening routinely, consider what part of that thing or task or part of their day you can give them more independence over.

Child flipping out about you getting them more water right now? Set up a way (a small pitcher, a faucet extender and stepstool, little Dixie cups by the bathroom sink -- whatever works for you) for them to be able to get their own water.

Child routinely laughing hysterically and kicking when you try to put their pants on? Build an extra 30 minutes into your schedule and let them try it themselves, or their socks or shoes or shirt or jacket or anything they're interested in, or just a step of it -- pulling it up their legs, taking the pajamas off, whatever it is.

[Image description: A picture of a child in the background gazing into the distance. The quote over it says, "The less autonomy a child is given, the more they will try to assert control over every tiny little thing, in an attempt to get it back. And the reverse is also true. The more autonomy a child is given, the more easily they will be willing to give up control when necessary, because it doesn't threaten their sense of autonomy." The quote is by Blimie Heller, and the image was made by Neuro Child.]

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10/15/2024

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08/13/2024

Perth Children's Occupational Therapy 💚
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“Show me your ‘Whole Body Listening’”. It’s a phrase I hear quite a bit when I visit schools. It’s a way for teachers to make sure everyone is paying attention by having children sit still, stop talking, put their hands in their lap, and look at the teacher.

Some kids might appear to be able to stick with the rules of Whole Body Listening, but the reality is that most kids can’t. Listening, or being regulated enough to pay attention, looks different for everyone.

For me, it looks like sitting with one knee up, cracking my knuckles semi-frequently, and making intermittent eye contact. If I was at a seminar listening to someone speak and I had to sit still, keep my hands still, and look directly at them all of the time, I wouldn’t be able to concentrate on what they were saying.

If you see a child sitting on the mat and they’re fiddling with their shoes, wriggling around on their bum, sitting on their knees, looking away from you…this is likely their way of regulating.

Whole Body Listening is outdated. It’s expecting all children to learn in the exact same way. Neurodivergent children in particular (i.e. those whose brains do not fit the mould of what society considers usual/best, e.g. autism, ADHD, dyslexia) have trouble with this.

Rather than encouraging Whole Body Listening, maybe we could try the phrase “Does everyone have what they need to listen?”

For individual students, maybe phrases like “It looks like your body needs to move. You can sit on this wobble cushion or sit on this stool”, or “It looks like your hands need something to fidget with. Instead of touching Sarah, here’s a fidget toy”.

I believe this needs to be prefaced with a discussion with students about neurodiversity, and how everyone learns differently.

And I think it’s important for teachers to reflect and consider *why* they need children to behave or pay attention in certain ways.

Absolutely not having a go at teachers here as I believe all teachers are just using the information and tools they know. But I feel this is an important topic to think about.

07/06/2024

This letter is long but I hope you take time to read it ❤ This organization is very dear to me. I once moved 750 miles from home to be part of it. I entered it's doors when it was just "The Aurora School" occupying a portion of a daycare building in Purcellville, VA with less than 20 children ages 5-14. That little program took on a new life with the vision of it's inspirational pioneer, Jennifer Lassiter Smith, the support and partnership of The Arc of Loudoun, and the home of The Paxton Campus. It brought new life to the Paxton Campus, fulfilling the Trusts mission to serve needy children. Along the way, it restored the buildings and the grounds of this amazing multi-acre campus. It brought programs to the area that were much needed, including a special education school (Aurora) serving children that simply could not be fully served in their public school, a preschool (Open Door) program and full day Kindergarten program perfecting the art of inclusion based learning during the crucial early intervention years, a vocational training program for the many students who have aged out of their community programs and are left with few options for continued growth and support, and an advocacy program (ALLY - a life like yours) that provides crucial support to families in need of resources. They brought an insane amount of tourism to the community with their frighteningly awesome Shocktober haunted house, which undoubtedly led to supporting the surrounding community's economy! And all that happened between 2008-2010! I was honored to have been part of that growth, and especially honored to have been tasked with the initial development and licensing/accreditation of Open Door Learning Center along with a wonderful team ❤ Their list of programs continued to grow, including ABA, ST, OT services at The Aurora Behavior Clinic, and an accessible fitness center at The Ability Fitness Center. This organization employs so many incredible people fulfilling the will of Mrs. Rachel Paxton, who entrusted Carlheim Manor and it's surrounding 17 acres to Paxton Trust to serve needy children. This organization not only serves needy children, but continues to serve these individuals and their families across the lifetime, and it simply cannot just end with stalled lease negotiations 😔 If you feel so inclined, please read the open letter from The Arc of Loudoun and write a letter of your own ❤

We are in negotiations with our landlords who are insisting on terms that would negatively impact The Arc’s ability to continue meeting our mission.

06/14/2024

for anyone caring for and teaching in the early intervention space!

05/07/2024

Sage Educational Advocacy & Consulting provides exceptional and insightful special education advocate services. Services include IEP/504 document review, IEP meeting representation, insight into the politics of large school districts.

05/01/2024

So important! 🙌

04/07/2024

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