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, 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.

An overview of the process:

Consulting services are based on four-month cycles or trimesters for evaluations. Each trimester begins with an evaluation. A certified Neurodevelopmentalist will conduct the evaluation. This evaluation is based on neurodevelopmental models developed by several outstanding researchers and organizations in the emerging science of neurodevelopment. A home neurodevelopmental and educational program is specifically designed for the client based on the information gathered in the evaluation. Little Giant Steps has a staff that supports the family in the utilization of their program.  The family and the support staff are encouraged to maintain communication for the four-month period 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. Ongoing communication and input between Little Giant Steps staff and the family promotes dynamic implementation of the plan. Lasting progress is obtained when the plan of activities is performed consistently with proper techniques and positive reinforcement. It is our experience that the program is implemented more effectively when the family maintains communication with the support staff.  Therefore, the family is urged to maintain regular communication with Little Giant Steps.

The role of Little Giant Steps is to provide evaluations, write the plan of activities which address the neurological inefficiencies, train families to implement the activities, and provide ongoing expertise for each family.

The family’s role is to provide information on the client history and evaluation forms as well as additional information as requested from time to time. They will receive training in activity procedures, communicate frequently with Little Giant Steps, consistently implement the plan, and schedule revisit appointments every four months. Based on prior experience with the time necessary to address neurological disorganization, the family is urged, but not obligated, to remain on the plan for a minimum one year to eighteen months in order to insure neurological efficiency and optimize the progress the client will be obtains.

OUR SERVICES INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING

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.

Evaluation Considerations:
We are very grateful to the churches who offer us a relaxed and safe environment for
evaluations. We need to be respectful of their property, and only be in the rooms they have offered us for use. Please be sure children do not go into other areas of the church. When in the hallways, do not allow children to run and please keep them as quiet as possible. Often the church has staff working and/or other activities at the same time as our evaluations.

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 specific 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 will include the frequency (number of time per day) and duration (in minutes) that each activity is to be performed. Generally, activities are short in duration and implemented several times per day.

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.

Many of Little Giant Steps’ families are Christians who have chosen to educate their children at home. As such, the goal of these families is to rear godly sons and daughters. Thus, consistent with their faith, they reject educational philosophies and activities, which may incorporate New Age ideas or practices. Jan Bedell is also a Christian and is in agreement with, and sensitive to, these concerns. Home school families may request a complete home school program. 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. Parents will be given a User Name and Password to access their child’s INP (Individualized Neurodevelopmental Program) online for 30 days. This 30 day period begins when the INP is put up on the website, which typically happens within 48 hours of the evaluation. Space is limited on the website, so 30 days is the maximum amount of time each client’s INP will be available for viewing on the 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.

Plan to call or e-mail us within two weeks after starting your new plan with any questions or concerns.  A monthly report should be sent in at the end of each month along with your program tracking sheets for that period of time. You may occasionally receive a call or e-mail to give important information or feedback based on your written reports. If at any time you have questions about the program you should contact your support team as soon as possible.

The client and parent return for a revisit evaluation in four months:
The revisit evaluation is scheduled with the family at the end of each parent consultation. 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 may be modified for your child’s and or your family’s current needs. The plan will be based on the functional changes observed in the evaluation. Thereafter, the cycle of parent instruction, implementation, evaluations and support continues.