Jan Bedell President and Founder
A Desperate Mom Becomes
A Life-Changing Professional
Jan Bedell, B.S, M.ND, M.Ed (2008), Certified Teacher, and Certified Master Neurodevelopmentalist, began her professional life with a love for children and a deep desire to give them the best academic start possible. She focused on early development in her course of study and looked forward to teaching kindergarten. She recalls having children in her classroom who were very bright, yet would know facts one day and the next (as she says) “They were like a cow at a new gate!” She still remembers how diligently she worked and how frustrating some of those days were. If only she had known then what she now knows. Today, Jan’s mantra is: “What the future holds is not predetermined or preset ~ what the future holds is based on specific opportunities presented to the child or individual. When something different is done for the child’s brain development, the results can be entirely different – irrespective of their IQ.”
Little did Jan know in those early years, how life would test her personally, spiritually, and professionally. Never would she have guessed that her firstborn daughter, Jenee’ would arrive as a mentally-challenged little girl. She struggled through fifteen disappointing years trying various programs, techniques, and homework through public and private schools, as well as home school. Their lives changed when they were introduced to The Neurodevelopmental (ND) Approach. Jan learned that the brain had great plasticity. By using specific brain stimulation frequently, with intensity and short duration, a life could forever be changed. She discovered that a child who was struggling with academic work could experience success when the neuro-pathways were strengthened and information processing became efficient. The life lessons of a desperate mom became a professional calling.
Jan’s mission is best described in her own words, “I’m especially drawn to anyone (children, teens, and adults) who are ‘falling through the cracks’. Children or adults with learning inefficiencies struggle unduly, acquire low self-esteem, rebel, drop out of school and populate our prisons, leaving families anguished and torn apart. My deepest heartaches have been the struggles of thousands of my clients dealing with special needs issues while my greatest joys emanate from the answers The ND Approach can bring.” It was this empathy that has led Jan into working with Corrections Concepts, Inc., who is establishing a Christian prison that is based on full restoration of the mind, body and spirit. “It doesn’t matter who you are or where you are, if there are neuro-inefficiencies (and estimates are that 85% of the prison population has learning disabilities) then one’s life has been affected. It is our job to minister to all and help them reclaim their lives, and their God-given abilities.”
“The ND Approach is very eclectic and takes into consideration the whole person, assessing nine levels of six developmental areas: auditory, visual, tactility, mobility, language, and manual function. Far from static in its methodologies, The ND Approach trains professionals, laymen, and parents in ways to use the brain’s plasticity to further the child’s functional abilities. Can you imagine my excitement when my clients, after being medicated for years for ADD, complete a year of ND activities and then no longer need the drugs in order to function? What a thrill to see children with a diagnosis of dyslexia from a well-known institution, being free of all symptoms in 12-18 months! These same children who usually require remediation for life are advancing academically one year every four months in math and reading. It has been my privilege to see that their first report didn’t have to be their final report. In 2007 we increased our work with adults. We’ve seen professional educators take advantage of our services. See how they progressed in the first four months on our Adult Individualized Program .”
Ruth Young
Her Healing Energy and Love is God-given
Ruth Young B.A., ND
Ruth is first and foremost a Christian sister who is constantly reaching out to become the best she can be. She consistently praises and serves God. It is known by her fellow Dream Team Members that she refreshes each and every environment she enters and always, in her humble way, gives more than expected.
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As a Certified Neurodevelopmentalist, Ruth provides consulting services and developmental assessments for children, teens or adults with learning difficulties. Her enthusiastic assessment, consultations, and instructions for clients and parents refresh their souls, as well as educate them. She trains clients in brain-stimulating activities which will help the child, teen, or adult become more neurologically effective and efficient. She has seen the miracle of treating root causes of developmental delays become non-issues in her own children’s lives. Ruth, a pastor’s wife to her husband Richard, travels extensively throughout Texas to help meet the needs of those with learning disabilities, and in general service to God.
In 2007 Ruth completed her National Certification which is sanctioned under the ICAN(International Christian Association of Neurodevelopmentalists) organization.
Ruth has a B.A. in Elementary Education from Asbury College in Kentucky. She has taught for 24 years in two public schools, one private school and currently is home schooling in addition to her responsibilities with LGS Services, Inc. In 2008 Ruth founded Little Giant Steps’ first Strides Academy School (a college preparatory school that incorporates The Neurodevelopmental Approach) in Del Rio Texas.
Michelle Thompson
Supporting Parents is Her Gift of Knowledge and Love
Michelle Thompson is our Director of Client Support .
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She is the kind of Christian sister we all wish we had in our lives on a daily basis. As the longest-standing servant of Little Giant Steps, Michelle’s daily bread is ministering to the clients of LGS and carrying out the job of supporting families who are on program. She supports everyone by answering questions, providing counseling, and encouraging parents as they work to prioritize their own, or their child’s developmental needs over the many other daily demands of work and family. She is the one we all can count on! She is wise beyond her years and has great clarity when it comes to communicating about the requirements of the neurodevelopmental program. Michelle’s past experience includes working with children as a teacher’s aide at Notre Dame of Dallas School (a private school for children with Special Needs) for two years. This talented mother is another one who has learned the benefits of The Neurodevelopmental Approach from personal experience with her two boys (labeled with ADD and PDD). Michelle’s sons went through Little Giant Steps’ neurodevelopmental program for two years and it has changed their lives from struggling and feeling discouraged about themselves into wonderful, confident young men who have completed their education and are succeeding in life far beyond what early expectations and dire warnings were from their doctors. Yes, Michelle is indeed a vital part of what we are doing at LGS. Her experience and expertise are invaluable.
Allen Bedell
Allen Bedell, a devoted Christian and long-time associate of Little Giant Steps (LGS), is the husband, co-worker, and life partner of Jan Bedell and devoted father to their two daughters.
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Over the years Allen’s role in LGS has continued to grow from one of side support, to that of our Accounting and Records Manager. Allen’s God-given talents from his “real life vocation ” have impacted every staff member, whether it be in the office, at book fairs, or support in special design. This man, with the sensibilities of an architect, can design and build anything!
Allen serves his church faithfully, and participates in community charitable activities activities such as fundraising for the Dallas Life Foundation, a homeless shelter. He serves on the Board of Directors of Steps of Hope, a non-profit agency set up to establish a Neurodevelopmental Center and scholarships for impoverished children with learning disabilities.
Alysa Stephens
Her Gifts Of Talent and Skill Are A Blessing To LGS
Alysa Stephens, Director of Operations
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As a member of the Bedell Family, grew up with a working knowledge of The Neurodevelopmental Approach. She watched her mother work with her sister, Jenee’, and then witnessed a desperate, teaching parent develop into a profoundly effective professional as a neurodevelopmentalist – her mother, Jan Bedell. Alysa is a bright, efficient, and energetic young woman who joined LGS with the assignment of shipping manager in 2006 and has since that time been promoted to Director of Operations for the home office of LGS. Alysa oversees the development and production of all our products, shipping, ordering, client scheduling and many more tasks that get thrown her way, which are too numerous to mention. She is a dynamo!
C.J. Rezac
Her Passion Seeks to Extend Children’s Opportunities
CJ Rezac, B.A. is Regional Director and serves as Director of Marketing, Development and Research.
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She joined LGS in 2003 and has worn many hats as our organization has grown. If history repeats itself, she will continue to evolve with Little Giant Steps. Her love of learning and equipping herself with new skills is second nature. Besides her marketing responsibilities, she writes grants, successfully wrote the non-profit application for our new sister organization, Steps of Hope. She has been a liaison to the prison ministries within the DFW area and presenter to the Texas Prison Commission regarding The ND Approach and what it could mean to inmates. She authors the Little Giant Steps Ezine, newsletter, blog, E-books, educational materials and web content.
C.J. graduated from St. Anthony’s Hospital School of Nursing in Denver, Colorado. She has a B. A. in Psychology from the University of Nebraska, graduating Summa Cum Laude. She worked as a Mental Health Nurse Therapist in Children and Family Services for the State of Nebraska for 14 years. She was certified as a Drug and Alcohol Counselor. C.J. received a thorough indoctrination in technology as a result of working for IBM and Cisco Systems prior to returning to human services at LGS. Her first association with the field of neurodevelopment occurred in the 1970’s when searching desperately to get help for her gifted son with dyslexia and developmental delays. She considers finding The Neurodevelopmental Approach methodology one of the best blessings of her life and that of her son’s. She knows intimately how profoundly the ND program can enhance a child’s life and future.In the past C.J. served as an officer in the Nebraska and National Association for Children with Learning Disabilities for two years. As a part of her job with the State of Nebraska, she provided community education courses on child development and worked closely with the Educational Service Units with special needs children. She is heavily involved with her church and its music program. She has two sons, John and Jim who have contributed eleven grandchildren to her life.
Brandy Sanderson
Brandy Sanderson, another super talent, serves God and Little Giant Step’s Dream Team. Her ability and talent in the area of video editing and production has impacted LGS greatly. Brandy creative talents have enabled us to deliver all of our training via the web. For this, we are gratefully blessed.
Michele Lochridge
Michele Lochridge read more…
Michele was born in Colorado and spent her childhood in Texas. She has 2 brothers. She is a resident of Duncanville, Texas and has been married for 10 years and has 3 children. Mrs. Lochridge’s experience includes 2 ½ years studying in China. She obtained a BS in Physical Education, graduating with magna cum laude from Dallas Baptist University. After University, she spent 2 ½ years in the Leadership Development Institute with the Navigators at Glen Eyrie. Gardening is her favorite hobby.
Jana Loomis
Jana Loomis
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Jana was born and raised in Oklahoma. At the age of 17 she moved to Texas where she met her future husband Jeff Loomis. Early in their 21 year marriage the couple lived in California while Jeff served in the US Navy. Upon returning to Texas, Jana earned a Bachelor of Science Degree with majors in Health Administration and Long Term Care Administration. Jana became a licensed nursing home administrator and worked for five years in the long term care industry until the decision was made to become a full-time mother. Jana began homeschooling her children nine years ago and continues to homeschool her son and daughter. She became familiar with Little Giant Steps several years ago while looking for a solution for her daughter’s learning differences. Jana is currently living on a ranch in Gonzales, Texas where after becoming a certified neuro-educational specialist she can help and encourage others overcome learning challenges.
