Overview
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.
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 supports the family in the utilization of their program.
The family and neurodevelopmentalist maintain close 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 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 is in close communication with the consultant. 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 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.
It is optimal to have younger children wearing shorts during the evaluation. If you need to bring shorts for your child to change into, please arrive a few minutes early in order to allow extra time for your child to change clothing prior to the start of their evaluation. It is optimal for older children and adults to be in pants or shorts also.
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 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. At that time a video may be made of you doing 1 minute of each suggested activity with your child. 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 branch director 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.