Multidisciplinary Therapy Center for Children with Developmental Differences
Foundations for Growing was founded on the belief that the unique needs of individuals with autism and other disabilities are best met using a collaborative, multidisciplinary therapy approach. Above all else, we value our clients as individuals deserving of dignity, respect, and access to the highest-quality, most customized treatment available. Our team of professionals are skilled in the fields of applied behavior analysis (ABA therapy), speech language therapy, and occupational therapy, and we all collaborate to ensure the best outcome for each family we have the privilege to serve. Through our therapy centers in the Nashville and Philadelphia areas, our services are offered in the home, school, community, and clinic setting according to each child's unique needs and therapy plan.
“Our family has known Heather for going on 8 years now. She was one of our son’s Early Intervention OTs for clinic hours and we all clicked with her immediately, most importantly our Aspie kiddo. She has been helpful on many fronts, not just the OT angle. She really knows her stuff professionally and as a fellow mom of a special needs child herself.”
ABA Therapy
Applied behavior analysis, or ABA therapy, is the application of basic behavioral practices (positive reinforcement, teaching in small steps, prompting, and repeated practice) to facilitate the development of language, social interactions, independent living skills, and other aptitudes.
Originated by the scientific principles of Dr. B.F. Skinner in the 1960s, ABA methods gained popularity treating children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in the 1980s. ABA is proven to be the most effective method to teach children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities (Read the research). ABA practices have been endorsed by the Surgeon General, the National Institute of Health (NIH), and the Association for Science in Autism Research.
ABA can be used to teach a variety of skills and positive behaviors, including:
Communication
Positive Peer Interactions
Self-Help Skills (toileting, dressing, bathing, etc.)
Academics
Fine and Gross Motor Skills
Play and Leisure Skills
Life Skills
Vocational Skills
Applied Behavior Analysis is also effective in decreasing challenging behaviors such as tantrums, aggression, and self-injury.
At Foundations for Growing we employ many different teaching and intervention strategies, based on the principles of ABA. Our intervention programs are designed and supervised by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) in collaboration with our highly skilled team of occupational therapist, speech-language pathologists, and other specialists. Programs may be implemented by Registered Behavior Technicians® (RBTs®) or other professionals trained in the principles of ABA under the ongoing supervision of a BCBA. Additional information about ABA and the BCBA and RBT credentials may be found at the Behavior Analysis Certification Board® (BACB®) website which can be found at www.BACB.com. It should be noted that all interventionists at Foundations for Growing are required to adhere to the Professional and Ethical Compliance Code for Behavior Analysts set forth by the BACB.
“We are so grateful to be able to work with Heather and the team at Foundations for Growing. Through this incredible team, our son is now able to comfortably and confidently navigate his world. Their top priority is always the physical and emotional well being of each child. In addition to helping my son reach major milestones, the team is so supportive of us as parents. We can go to them with any questions or concerns about our child and they always guide us in the right direction. Despite the fact that our son spends many hours each week working very hard and being pushed outside of his comfort zone at the clinic instead of doing ``typical`` 4 year old activities, the team provides him with such a safe, supportive, loving, and fun environment that he considers Foundations For Growing to be one of his favorite places to be. We have full faith and trust in the team at Foundations For Growing and cannot imagine our lives without their help and unconditional support.” ”
Speech Language Therapy
Speech Language Therapy is an individualized, evidence-based process that involves prevention, assessment, diagnosing, and treating speech, language, social and/or cognitive communication, and swallowing differences in children and adults. A speech disorder is typically viewed as difficulty with the production of speech with voice. Language disorders occur when a person has trouble understanding others (receptive or “non-verbal” language), or sharing thoughts, feelings, and ideas (expressive or “verbal” language). Language skills are crucial to childhood development because children are required to learn much more than simply how to speak. They are also required to learn communication skills to hold a conversation. It also includes tuning into both verbal and nonverbal cues from other people—such as facial expressions, tone of voice, and body language. A person who has the knowledge and expertise in this area is often referred to as a speech-language pathologist, or SLP. At Foundations for Growing we offer individual and consultative Speech Language Therapy services. Our families can receive Speech Language therapy alongside our other therapy services or alone as a separate focused therapy.
“We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the amazing team of therapists at Foundations for Growing (FFG). Our two children have benefited from FFG’s clinical expertise and insightful treatment planning since they were in preschool. Each child a unique set of challenges that include spectrum disorder, auditory processing, executive functioning, speech and language, sensory, motor planning, emotional regulation and social skills. Year over year, our children have continued to achieve important developmental milestones because of FFG’s treatment model, receiving therapeutic support across all areas of need and allowing their respective therapists to co-treat and consult on their progress and goals.”
Occupational Therapy
Foundations for Growing offers Occupational Therapy (OT) services as part of its therapeutic programming for children with specific motor and sensory differences. Occupational Therapists focus on the development or regaining of skills needed for everyday activities. This can include gross motor coordination, fine motor skills, cognitive skills, self-care skills, visual motor/perceptual skills, and sensory processing needs. Fine motor skills can include activities such as grasp, handwriting, scissor skills, and manipulation of fasteners (buttons, zipper, etc.). Self-care skills can include feeding, dressing, and overall hygiene. Occupational Therapists often help children coordinate gross motor movements in the sense of timing, rhythm, and isolating movements. Integrating primitive reflexes is also an important milestone for all children. From infancy to adolescence, Pediatric Occupational Therapy helps children achieve independence in everyday activities.