Little Giant Steps offers consulting services to families with children or adults who want to improve their current level of functioning. We work with those who may have come to us with a plethora of labels including: Learning Disabled, Developmentally Delayed, Dyslexic, Distractible, Down’s syndrome, Autistic, OCD, Bipolar, ADD, ADHD, Down’s syndrome, Asperger’s Syndrome, Hyperactive, Auditory Processing Disorder, and more. We also work with those who are considered: typical, accelerated, and gifted to improve their overall function and continue making progress in all areas of learning.
Consulting services are based on four-month cycles or trimesters for evaluations. Each trimester begins with an evaluation. A home neurodevelopmental and educational program is specifically designed for the client based on the information gathered in the evaluation. Little Giant Steps supports the family in the utilization of their program. The family is encouraged to maintain close communication with our support staff for the four-month period between evaluations to ensure that the program is implemented properly and to help the family maintain their motivation.
The client’s success on the program is based upon communication, implementation, and a positive environment. Lasting progress is obtained when the plan of activities is performed consistently with proper techniques and positive reinforcement.
Based on prior experience with the timenecessary to address neurological disorganization, the family is urged, but not obligated, toremain on the plan for one year to eighteen months in order to insure neurological efficiency and optimize the progress the client will obtain.
The Evaluation: The client’s developmental, medical, educational, nutritional, and physiological as well as social/behavioral history is reviewed.
The client’s function is evaluated. This includes assessment of how the client receives, processes, stores and utilizes information. In addition, the client’s tactile function, receptive and expressive language, fine- and gross-motor skills, auditory and visual processing skills, short- and long-term memory, learning strengths and weaknesses, cognitive function and thinking skills are evaluated. Behavioral and social function are also explored. Academic function is assessed utilizing standardized achievement tests when appropriate.
Following the assessment of the client, the client’s parents and neurodevelopmentalist discuss the results of the evaluation, and together devise a strategy to implement the program, which will then be generated.
We do not provide childcare during the evaluation so children and siblings must be supervised at all times. Be sure to bring toys, books, and writing/drawing items that will help your child/children pass the time.
Because some of our children are extremely sensitive, please do not wear cologne, perfume, or other scented cosmetic products to the evaluations.
A individualized program is designed:
A program of activities is designed specifically for the client based on the results of the
evaluation and input from the parents. The length of the program is based on the family’s available time and circumstances.
The program is designed to specifically address inefficiencies in neurological development: visual and auditory perception, tactile sensitivity and perception, mobility, manual function, speech and language, social development, behavior, and academics. The program of activities is designed to influence dominance, increase processing, encourage development and teach academic subjects.
Home school families may request a complete home schoolprogram. Programs can also be designed to supplement the curriculum of a private or public school.
The program is taught to the family:
The parents or individuals who will be carrying out the program of activities will be trained how to perform these activities by watching video clips on the Little Giant Steps website.
The family implements the program:
Neurodevelopmental programs are generally implemented 5 days per week for most activities and 7 days per week for a few activities. The program of activities is a recommendation only and is not a medical, therapeutic or psychological prescription. Plans are based on the experience of the Neurodevelopmentalist and represent our suggestions to the family. Every parent must make their own decisions as to which specific techniques and methodologies they wish to utilize with their child. Neither Jan Bedell, nor Little Giant Steps, are licensed to practice medicine, psychology or any specific therapy. Jan Bedell is a Neurodevelopmentalist with experience in the evaluation of neurodevelopmental function and in the implementation of neurodevelopmental and educational plans. If the family wishes or needs medical or other licensed professional advice, the family is urged to consult with a licensed physician or other licensed professional.
The family is provided with support:
During the four months between evaluations Little Giant Steps will be available by e-mail and phone to help families be successful in making lasting changes in their child’s life.
The client and parent return for a re-evaluation every four months.
It is important that you maintain regular revisit evaluations in order to keep the program and instructional level appropriate to your child’s progressing neurological development. After the revisit you will receive a program based on the re-evaluation. The new program will be modified for your child’s and or your family’s current needs.
Little Giant Steps offers consulting services to families with children or adults who want to improve their current level of functioning. We work with those who may have come to us with a plethora of labels including: Learning Disabled, Developmentally Delayed, Dyslexic, Distractible, Down’s syndrome, Autistic, OCD, Bipolar, ADD, ADHD, Down’s syndrome, Asperger’s Syndrome, Hyperactive, Auditory Processing Disorder, and more. We also work with those who are considered: typical, accelerated, and gifted to improve their overall function and continue making progress in all areas of learning.
