Tag: Springbrook Autism Behavioral

Every Voice Matters: Empowering Non-Speaking Members of the Autism Community

Join Dr. Holmes and Jess Sibley of Minds in Motion as they discuss changes and observations in the OT field as it pertains to the autism community. Jess Sibley focuses on motor coaching in her OT practice and discusses the importance of supports for the non-speaking community. Non-speaking members feel isolated from society; what can we do to include this part of our community more?

Jess Sibley graduated with a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from New York University in 2011. Her career began as a movement assistant at a small non-profit school, The Hirsch Academy, where she was able to develop her love for creating strong relationships, a playful spirit and through her empathetic nature came to appreciate the parent perspective. Her passion is supporting clients in developing strength and coordination through exercise, improving social engagement with others and developing motor skills to allow more meaningful engagement in life. She continues to enjoy collaborating with schools, working with parents, supporting her clients and creating more opportunities for social interactions.

Minds in Motion is a small private occupational therapy clinic founded in 2015 by Jessica Sibley M.S., OTR/L. We are dedicated to supporting the goals set forth by both the individual and the family. We focus on skills relating, but not limited to: body awareness, strength, coordination, gross motor, fine motor, visual motor, bilateral integration, crossing midline, finding hobbies and interests, engaging in groups and communicating with one another.

https://www.mindsinmotionot.com/

Essential Services for the Autism Community with David Laxton

Join Dr. Holmes as she discusses essential services for our autism community with David Laxton, Director of Communication for the Autism Society of NC. David and Stephanie will discuss the types of services needed for the autism community and how the current health situation has changed the ability in how services are being accessed. Related services for our autism population are ESSENTIAL to day to day care and in some states are not being deemed essential and limiting access to proper care.

David Laxton has worked in the autism field for almost 30 years. He began his career at the Autism Society of North Carolina in January 1995. Prior to coming to ASNC, he worked for Division TEACCH at the University of North Carolina for nearly five years, working with adults on the autism spectrum in vocational and residential settings. David is also a past chair of the Chapter Services Committee of the Autism Society of America.

www.autismsociety-nc.org

Co-parenting with a Partner on the Autism Spectrum

Join Dr. Kathy Marshack and Dr. Stephanie Holmes as they discuss strategies for co-parenting with a partner on the autism spectrum. Families with Neurodivergent spouses will need to develop and work on communication and relationship to partner together, especially when the family has both NT and autistic children in the family system. Dr. Marshack brings in her professional and personal experience to the topic.

https://kmarshack.com/

Autism in the Family: A Focus on the Neurotypical Child

Join Dr. Kathy Marshack and Dr. Stephanie Holmes as they discuss autism and its impact on the family system. This segment will look at the impact and perspective of the child who is not on the spectrum. Dr. Marshack provides insight both professionally and personally into the topic. The discussion will illuminate why being open about autism and discussing autism within the family create understanding and empowerment.

Dr. Kathy Marshack is a therapist with over 40 years of professional experience working with people on the spectrum and their families. She also has a lifetime of personal experience, growing up with a mother on the spectrum, an undiagnosed ex-husband and an adopted daughter on the spectrum.

As a professional, Dr. Marshack specializes in helping clients who are in Complex Relationships that are tough to treat with conventional psychotherapy. She is certified in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), Ericksonian Hypnosis and Neuro-Emotional Technique (NET).

She is a published author with three books written specifically on relationships between people on the spectrum and Neuro-Typicals:
“When Empathy Fails: How to Stop Those Hell-Bent on Destroying You”
“Going Over the Edge: Life With a Partner or Spouse With Asperger Syndrome”
“Out of Mind—Out of Sight: Parenting with a Partner with Asperger Syndrome (ASD)”

She has sponsored the MeetUp group, called “Asperger Syndrome: Partners & Family of Adults with ASD”, for over 10 years and launched a membership website www.asd-ntrelationships.com (ASPERGER SYNDROME & RELATIONSHIPS: Life with an Adult on the Autism Spectrum) where she is offering video conferences and free teleconferences to help her community.

https://kmarshack.com/

Virtual Learning: Empowering Parents and Students with Autism During Covid-19

Join Dr. Stephanie and David Glick as they talk about creating a sensory safe environment for students with autism during this unprecedented time of virtual learning during the COVID crisis. David and Stephanie discuss how to tell your child(ren) with autism about COVID and how to handle the disruption of routine that this current health crisis is creating. Stephanie and David discuss healthy social distancing and how this is different from complete isolation. This segment is aimed at parents with students on the autism spectrum to discuss strategies and helps and resources during this virtual learning time.

Dave Glick is the founder and director of Triad Psyc, P.C. and has been working in the combined fields of behavioral health, special education, and disability services since 1993. Originally trained at Boston University, he has worked as a special education teacher, behavior analyst/specialist, clinical director, and as a disability consultant and advocate. He holds a master’s in both education and social work and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Dave founded Triad Psych, p.c. in 2003 to provide valuable resources to the special needs community.

https://www.triadpsych.org/

The Role of Applied Behavioral Analysis in Autism

Melissa and Kristin discuss her work in the field of Autism and how the field of Applied Behavioral Analysis has expanded over the years.

Melissa Hunsinger-Harris, MSEd, BCBA® provided ABA services in both regular and special education institutions before joining Bay Path University. Melissa’s clinical expertise includes an emphasis on intensive early behavioral intervention (EIBI) as well as professional development opportunities for organizations that provide intensive behavior supports. At Bay Path, Melissa is a full-time instructor in the ABA program and provides supervision to graduate students seeking certification. Her belief is that the basic principles of behavior analysis can be taught to every parent/caregiver within in-home therapy sessions, reducing the need for intensive services & empowering parents/caregivers.

https://www.baypath.edu/academics/faculty-directory/biography/melissa-hunsinger-harris/

Neurodiversity: Why Neurology Matters in Couple’s Work

Grace and Stephanie discuss helping couples to gain a better understanding of who they each are, who their partner is, and how their neurological differences affect their relationship.

About Grace:

Grace Myhill, MSW. AANE Director of The Peter M. Friedman Neurodiverse Couples Institute, AANE Director of Couples and Partners Services, and Neurodiverse Couples Coach in private practice.

Working with neurodiverse couples in which one partner has an Asperger’s/Autism Spectrum Profile is my specialty. I understand the unique strengths and the challenges that come with these relationships. We cannot change our neurologies, but I can help couples to gain a better understanding of who they each are, who their partner is, and how their neurological differences affect their relationship.

My approach is to first help couples understand the importance of neurology and what it means to be a neurodiverse couple. This includes getting to know how you and your partner each think and perceive the world. I help couples identify how their neurological similarities and differences affect the dynamics and interaction of their relationship.

Together we can identify areas for skill building and problem-solving. There are several ways you can work with me: individually, together with your partner, or in a group. We can meet by phone or video conferencing.

I also offer assessments for Autism Spectrum Disorder in adults in Baltimore, MD. For more information visit my website www.gracemyhill.com or email gmyhill@gmail.com or call me 617-504-3116.

For professionals who are interested in taking the Neurology Matters in Couples Therapy online training courses developed by The Peter M. Friedman Neurodiverse Couples Institute see https://aane.thinkific.com/.

My website is https://www.gracemyhill.com/

Grace is offering 25% discount on her Couple’s Course with code: AutismRadio25

Behavior is Communication: Tools are Vital

Join Adam and Dr. Stephanie Holmes today as they speak about behaviors and functions of behavior as keys to understanding what behaviors are communicating. Adam discusses the importance of different modalities of communication for the empowerment of persons on the autism spectrum.

During this time of social distancing, many families do not have access to their supports.

Adam and his team at Answers Now have added many features to their app to connect families and get vital information to families for children on the spectrum. Free resources are available at https://www.getanswersnow.com/blog where parents can learn about telling their child with autism about COVID-19, dealing with unexpected changes in plans, working with students at home in virtual schooling. This tool also has other features to connect families to other families in an online community moderated by experts in the field.

Caring for Autism: Practical Advice from a Physician and Parent

Join Dr. Michael Ellis and Kristin as they discuss how to manage the stress of Covid-19 while parenting your Autistic child. They also discuss his book and work as a physician with a child on the autism spectrum.

When a professional states, “Your child has Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)”, it is enough to make your whole world fall apart. What does it mean to be on the autism spectrum? How will this affect your child’s life, your life, the life of your family, and others you interact with? What sorts of medications, therapies, and alternative methods are used to help manage the disorder? What are the financial and legal ramifications? How will this affect schooling, your spiritual growth, and everyday life? These are just a few of the questions that will rapidly cross your mind.

Caring for Autism: Practical Advice from a Parent and Physician delves into all these questions and more. As the father of a daughter with ASD and as a trained psychiatrist who specializes in ASD, Dr. Michael A. Ellis provides a holistic view of what comes after diagnosis. In user-friendly tones, he answers the most commonly asked questions about what it’s actually like to live with ASD, what medications and therapies are available, and the global impact it has on the child’s environment. With the help of his wife, Lori Layton Ellis, to provide a mother’s perspective, Dr. Ellis shares personal stories of their 10-year journey in order to provide insight and support for anyone – patient, parent, caregiver – traversing the difficulties of autism.

Empowering Parents: A New Model of Support Services

Adam Dreyfus and Dr. Stephanie Holmes discuss how to empower parents with a new model for building support services for families with children on the autism spectrum.

Adam Dreyfus, MA, LBA is the Chief Science Officer of AnswersNow and is a nationally recognized expert in the field of Verbal Behavior Analysis. He currently serves as the Director of the Sarah Dooley Center for Autism in Richmond, VA. He is also a co-founder of AnswersNow, an innovative mobile app that connects parents and caregivers of children diagnosed with autism directly with board certified experts.

Prior to that he served the Commonwealth of Virginia as a Technical Assistance Associate at VCU’s Autism Center for Excellence. Adam worked in Region 1 and 8 providing direct services to school divisions, primarily working with Henrico County Public Schools as well as Greensville County Public Schools. Adam graduated from the University of Connecticut with a Bachelor’s degree in Language and Child Development. He went on to earn his Master’s degree in Special Education/Applied Behavior Analysis from Columbia University’s Teachers College. He studied Verbal Behavior Analysis under Dr. Douglas Greer and was trained in the CABAS system. He holds a Teacher II rank in the system which emphasizes language development and social involvement.

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