Author: Student Support

According to positive psychology, expressing gratitude and practicing gratitude daily can lead to greater happiness. During challenging times in life, it is important to remember the little things that we are grateful for. This can be practiced across all aspects of life, not only at home and with our loved ones but also with our coworkers and families we support. We all go through different adversities in life, but showing gratitude for one another can go a really long way. This is not only important for us as adults, but also for children and adolescents. Actually, in a recent professional development training offered through our SELPA, some of the most important protective factors children and adolescents can have are positive, social connections, and jotting down three things they are grateful for each day or night. The active practice of gratitude daily for two weeks straight can actually have a similar effect on our overall mood and effect as does medication. See the image below of all the amazing benefits of gratitude! We’ve also included a potential template for you all to print out and implement in your daily routines as well!

Fall is in the air! Check out these fall-themed activities you can do with your learners!

Sensory Activity: Apple Pie Play Dough

Paper Plate Scare-Crows

Click here for even more activities!

Halloween is such a fun time of year, but it can also be a bit tricky! Here are some tips to, hopefully, help plan for fun for all!

???? Let your child’s interests and personality shine through their costume BUT keep in mind sensitivities to certain textures and materials. Have a dress-up day and a trial run of the costume to be able to make adjustments before the big night.

???? If you are planning to trick-or-treat through the neighborhood, have a walk through to set a route and let your child know what to expect; If this may be too much, arrange with your friends, family or closest neighbors to just visit their houses at times that would have less halloween walking traffic. It may also help to read books about Halloween and trick-or-treating or create a social story specific to your child

???? Start trick or treating early to keep the rest of your routine as close to the same as possible

???? Know the treats your child can have ( based on personal allergies, sensitivities or texture preferences) so you can either help guide their choices, have a fun exchange at home!

???? Plan for complicatIons.

???? Offer alternatives to traditional trick-or- treating. (i.e. Make fun, Halloween-themed food throughout the month; Attend drive-up or drive-through Halloween events; Buy a pinata, fill it with allergy-friendly candy/toys, and allow your kids to break it open on Halloween; create a candy/toy scavenger hunt in your house or yard; Have a not-so-scary family movie night complete with treats)

???? Finally for our non-verbal, or limited verbal friends, trick or treating can be a good time to practice language acquisition, but don’t force it, consider creating a card that your child can hand out instead. Simplyspecialed.com and TACA offered free printables adapted to these printable google slides (link will force a copy): Halloween Cards

The most important part of Halloween is your child’s experience; so don’t worry about how to make your child fit into traditional Halloween traditions. Instead, create a tradition that fits your child! Happy Haunting!

Jillian Yudin has been a Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant for over 15 years with infants to adults and is now a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist. She is currently an Assistive Technology Specialist. Jillian earned a master’s degree in special education in 2016 and received her master’s degree in Speech Pathology in 2021. She has a background in behavioral support with a variety of learners. She is trained and has earned certificates in a variety of areas that include: AAC programs, PECS, oral placement therapy, Beckmann oral motor therapy, mindfulness, PEERS UCLA social skills, anxiety with an emphasis on neuroscience, Orton Gillingham, Kaufman apraxia, integrated listening, and social skills. Jillian is certified and trained in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction treatment.

Fun Fact: Jillian coaches a junior Olympic Jewish soccer team each year for the Maccabi games.

Sharpening the Saw is all about taking time for yourself. One way to practice this is through completing a yoga exercise. Yoga is a known practice that helps individuals with mindfulness and relaxation. This video by GoNoodle leads through a calming yoga exercise that reminds you to not only be kind to others but to also be kind to yourself.  Take some time to sharpen your saw and enjoy this calming yoga activity, remembering that it is okay to be kind to yourself too! Be Kind To Yourself – Empower Tools | GoNoodle

Brooke Hoertz, OT Coordinator

This year, Brooke Hoertz has stepped into the role as our Occupational Therapy Coordinator. She has worked with iLEAD for several years now as a contracted provider, but has finally joined us internally, and we are so thrilled to have her on our team!

Brooke earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy with a Minor in Nutrition and Health Promotion from University of Southern California. She continued her education at USC where she earned a Master of Arts in Occupational Therapy and an Occupational Therapy Doctorate, with clinical training in pediatric mental health and an emphasis on autism and family life.

Brooke has advanced training in sensory integration and enjoys partnering up with families to address the sensory processing needs that may arise within daily life. Brooke is excited to be a part of the iLEAD family and to support their learners and families. Brooke’s favorite occupations include spending time with her family, reading, and playing sports.

Fun Fact: Brooke has 5 sisters!

As houses are all buzzing with the return to learning, not all students share the same outlook. Prior to the first day, the fears of transition or change can look like tantrums, stomach aches, headaches, or unusual behaviors as each individual copes. It can bring out the worst in all of us!

When an anxiety disorder is added to the mix, even the most well-meaning attempts to either protect your child or snap them out of it can lead to a devastating cycle. As parents, we want to make sure that we have ourselves in check too.

No matter if school is a temporary or chronic trigger, plan ahead for bravery in the face of anxiety.

Let the “thinking” part of their brain get back in control over the triggered anxiety response – The best way to do that is to breathe. Not just any breathing though – strong, deep breaths that come from the belly. (Box Breathing, Bubble breath)

♥ in through your nose for three, ♥ pause, ♥ out through your mouth for three.

Utilize digital technology to find calming sounds, picturesque settings, or activities before the craziness of the day begins. Sounds/Music: Ocean waves, Lofi HipHop, Nature, Piano; Scenic explorations: Forest Walk, African wildlife, Snow Falling; Activities: Coloring, Disney games
Bring them out of their head, as the attack hyper focuses on the inside, by having them truly ground or earth themselves. Step away from all devices, take off shoes, and stand barefoot in the grass, mud, or sand connecting with the earth, feeling each element.
Finally, find a mantra that they can repeat at the start of the day or as their body is calming down – it can be one sentence or a series…as long as it means something to them. Some examples to get started:

♥ Your teacher is on your side and would never ever let anything happen to you.

♥ School is strengthening your brain, so it can be even more amazing.

♥ You’re brave and you can handle school no matter what.

♥ Go Me! You’re pretty awesome

The goal isn’t to eliminate the anxiety, but to manage it bravely!