CORE Approach for Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders

This program is designed to provide comprehensive services and supports to children, adolescents, and young adults who have been diagnosed with neurodevelopmental disorders.  Neurodevelopmental disorders include Autism Spectrum Disorders, ADHD, Learning Disabilities, Behavior Disorders, and related disorders.  This program is a family-based program, requiring participation of the identified patient as well as parents and/or other family members.

How does the CORE Approach work?

There are three main components of the CORE Approach:

FIRST Look

This is the initial assessment we conduct for new patients in order to fully understand their strengths and obstacles in the following areas:

• Family – how is the family system operating and how are parents, siblings, and extended family members impacted by the patient’s challenges?
• Interaction – how are parent(s) and child engaging with one another in a variety of contexts?
• Reflexes/Sensory/Motor – are primitive reflexes integrated, how is sensation being processed, and how is movement impacted?
• Stress Level – what is the current stress level of the client, how do various environments and expectations impact stress level, how are behavioral and emotional regulation impacted by stress?
• Thorough Review of Health History – are there symptoms of potential underlying health conditions that are impacting functioning?

The goal of the FIRST Look Assessment is to develop a comprehensive plan that prioritizes the needs of the patient and identifies the approaches and protocols most likely to provide therapeutic benefit. This is typically done over the course of 3 one-hour sessions, which can be scheduled in a variety of ways based on the family’s schedule and location. For distance families these sessions can be done via phone and Skype when necessary.

FIRST Steps

After the initial FIRST Look assessment, families can choose to purse the first phase of treatment called FIRST Steps. During the FIRST Steps phase we address the following areas:

• Family – reduce family stress, address support needs for parents and siblings, develop family support system
• Interaction – improve parent-child interaction using the Parent-Child Interaction Protocol (a set of 8 key strategies to assist parents in guiding their children)
• Reflexes/Sensory/Motor – implement reflex integration protocols, sensory processing protocols, oral motor protocols, and movement protocols as needed
• Stress Level – reduce environmental and situational stressors, implement anxiety-reduction strategies, implement strategies to improve behavioral and emotional regulation
• Thorough Health Monitoring – refer to appropriate practitioners for any necessary medication testing and treatment; assist with biomedical treatments as needed, implement feeding strategies as needed

The goal of the FIRST Steps phase is to help parents normalize their family’s life, learn how to effectively guide their child, and implement specific protocols to address foundational aspects of development. As a result, the child experiences a reduction in stress, becomes a more engaged and active participant, and begins the process of returning to a more typical developmental pathway.

A variety of treatment formats are offered depending on the needs, schedule, location, and financial needs of each family. Some families receive consultation support once per month, while others have multiple sessions each week. Our clinicians determine an optimal schedule of consultation and treatment supports after completing the assessment, and provide options from which each family can choose.

NEXT Steps

This phase is for families who have implemented the components of the FIRST Steps phase and would like to continue working on specific areas of development for even greater progress. (Note: Some patients may not require the components of the FIRST Steps phase, in which case they would proceed to the NEXT Steps phase directly following their FIRST Look assessment.)

• Neurodevelopmental
• Enhancement for
• Xperiencing life
• Thoroughly

During the NEXT Steps phase we address very specific aspects of development in the areas of communication, cognition, academic learning, social skills, motor skills, and social-emotional development. A variety of specific protocols are used to enhance and refine development according to the needs and symptoms of each individual patient.

In addition to our use of developmental, cognitive-behavioral, and sensory integration based strategies, some of the specific treatment protocols and programs we utilize include:

• Rhythmic Movement Training (RMT)
• Integrated Listening Systems (iLs)
• Therapeutic Listening
• Low Energy Neurofeedback System (LENS)
• HeartMath (emWave systems)
• HANDLE Approach
• Bal-A-Vis-X
• Brain Gym
• Brain Skills
• Integrative Vision Skills
• Oral Motor Therapy
• SOS Approach to Feeding
• Play Therapy
• Replays
• Touch Phonics
• Touch Math
• Handwriting Without Tears
• Read Write & Type

The goal of the NEXT Steps phase is to help the child continue progressing in all areas along a typical developmental pathway. Responsibility is carefully transferred away from the parents and onto the child to improve independence in all areas.

A variety of treatment formats are offered depending on the needs, schedule, location, and financial needs of each family. Some families receive consultation support once per month, while others have multiple sessions each week. Our clinicians determine an optimal schedule of consultation and treatment supports, and provide options from which each family can choose.

Contact our office to schedule a free 15-minute initial consultation to find out how our programs and services can meet your needs.