Mission Cognition

Thank you Gym-Jam Team for hosting me for today’s Professional development workshop!

Our focus was trauma informed, neurodiversity affirming, assent based care and of course play, play, play!

The contributions and critical thinking discussions were much appreciated. It’s clear this is a team who walks the talk and shows up as human first for everyone the serve.

Reach out if you’re interested in scheduling a professional development event for your agency, clinic, ir school.

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So excited!! Starting my Applied Educational Neuroscience certificate program through Butler University tonight.

I can’t wait to apply what I’ll learn to take our program to the next level in terms of effectively supporting our learners and deepen my understanding of the nervous system, regulation, and how the brain and body influence learning, behavior, and connection.

We had 6 new participants start in various groups this week.

We get down to business day 1.
There’s no time to waste when it comes to intervention.

Here are our top 3 goals:

Establish ourselves and our environment as a place of TRUST, SAFETY, and SECURITY.

Everything else will fall into place over time as long as we prioritize this foundation.

This activity squirmed its way to the top of our favorites list! 🪱🤣

Our social learning program is based on weekly themes tied to stories.

We recently did, Worm Makes a Sandwich by Brianne Farley.

Side note: the story does use the word “poop” so prepare yourself for some shenanigans.

Our model is built off of core activities aligned with specific social domains and individual Target skills. The idea is that themes keep it novel, fun, interesting and the framework of core activities keeps it focused and provides ample opportunities to teach, practice & reinforce priority targets.

For this activity the kids partnered up and took on roles as worm or feeder. The feeder had to decide which foods the worm wanted on their plate.

This friend tucked their arms in to fully assume their role as worm. Silly silly 🤪

The activity was differentiated for various partners dependent upon which skills were being emphasized. Some partners worked on asking and answering questions to complete the same activity such as, “Do you like ———?” “Do you want ————?” While others worked on nonverbal communication by responding through head nodes/shakes, or changes in expression.

Standing in the hallway fully in my feels listening to multiple groups running. The engagement, the enthusiasm, the support. I’m so proud of my team, I’m so proud of the kids, I’m so proud of this program.

We talk the talk about being neurodiversity affirming, trauma informed, evidence based and it all sounds good, but it’s putting that talk into action and having those values and that mission show up in all aspects of care that really matters.

Some days are extremely difficult, but it’s always worth it and I will always take time to sit, be present and soak in days like this where everything just works.

We had our first open forum/ round table professional discussion focused on establishing and running successful, effective, trauma informed, neurodiversity affirming, evidence-based social groups.

My AC is not working in my little office apparently and I’m pretty sure my toddler gave me pink eye, but we had a great time!

We were able to discuss topics such as intake & assessment, policies & procedures, best fit group placements, goal development, data collection & progress monitoring, and more!

Interested in joining he next one? Comment COMMUNITY and we’ll be sure to get you the invite

THIS! 🤩

Early childhood would look and feel extraordinarily different if we focused on what children really need. ❤

Wooohoo!! Feels great to have cleared this social group participant waitlist folder.

Our clinical team has grown which means we are able to expand and open additional groups for these families who have been so patiently waiting. If you’ve been on the waitlist, check your email asap! 😅

Fun fact: out of 21 applications 12 were for nine year olds and seven were for 6 year olds.

If anyone is interested in running social groups, here is the process that has worked very well for us for the past several years:

1. Online application/ screening tool
2. Discovery call
3. SI-GFA assessment & records review
4. Best fit group placement determination
5. Signed policies & procedures
4. Within group structured observation & assessment
5. Post group meeting & initial social support plan development
6. Week 4 follow up check in meeting

Help! Send silly memes.

It’s rainy and gloomy out and I’m stuck in the office doing hundreds of pages of paperwork in this binder. We are becoming a certified day habilitation program for 21+. Woohoo, it will be great …but oh mylanta, this paperwork stinks.

So much fomo as all the social groups run and I know everyone is having fun without me.