Optimal Kids
SERVICES
OCCUPATIONAL
THERAPY
This isn't your typical OT! I work hard to make sure your child's biggest challenges are addressed as he or she builds important skills to last a lifetime. Confidence, anxiety-busting, and self-regulation are incorporated into sessions to combine the best of all worlds and ensure your child makes optimal progress. I give you the tools and a great home program to make sure you feel knowledgeable and confident in skill development. Felt overwhelmed at the last IEP meeting? I can help you learn how to make sure your child gets what he or she needs and prepare for the next meeting feeling prepared and peaceful.
BIOFEEDBACK
Have you been told that your child or teen has poor body awareness? Do they have challenges with self-regulation, emotional intelligence, or mental flexibility? We offer biofeedback programs that use fun technologies including responsive gaming and virtual reality for improving markers such as heart-rate variability (HRV). These programs make learning about and improving your body's resilience to stress fun and rewarding- not only for children but for adults too! Biofeedback modalities can help prepare a child for further therapies requiring increased self-insight and body awareness, such as CBT, or tic/Tourette therapies. We can also provide systems for home biofeedback so that you can benefit daily!
CBIT
Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT)
As a provider of CBIT, I help children and adults with behavioral interventions for tics and Tourette Syndrome. CBIT includes a functional behavioral analysis to determine antecedents, external and internal triggers for tics, as well as awareness training. Competing responses are taught and reinforced through guided instruction and practice, and the program includes a tapering of sessions to ensure lasting change. Consultations for assistive technology and modifications related to handwriting and homework, IEP/504 plans, and parent and child advocacy are also provided. Your child with TS can and should thrive!
NEUROFEEDBACK
What is neurofeedback? I've heard of it- but I'm not sure my child could benefit?
Neurofeedback, also called Brain Training', is a type of focused learning for the brain. In neurofeedback, the brain learns to gradually alter area connectivity and brain waves to operate more optimally and efficiently.
How does it work? After we've assessed your child's individual needs, we develop a protocol for training taking into account brain areas and symptoms. Your child experiences playing a video game or watching a favorite show while their brain receives discrete feedback while in the right state. The brain learns to adjust its own activity, and the result is improved functioning that is long lasting due to neuroplasticity! Along the way, we teach your child all about their brain, how it works, and how to develop insight about the changes they see. You will be amazed at what your child accomplishes and learns, and how proud they are of what their brains are capable of!
The American Academy of Pediatrics lists neurofeedback as a 'Level 1' best support treatment option for ADHD. Through evaluation and training of the brain's functioning, negative symptoms of ADHD, autism, sensory processing disorder, and other disorders can be profoundly reduced. Improvements in focus, outer awareness, calming, and self-regulation can be improved.
I am currently in study to achieve Board Certification in Neurofeedback with the Biofeedback International Alliance and a lifelong learner of the brain and the EEG!
