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Consultation and Coaching Services Offered:

The Gentle Learning Connection can help children and adults with or without diagnoses.  

 

Individuals may have: Anxiety, ADD/ADHD, Autism, Learning Difficulties, Perplexing Behaviours, OCD, Tourette's Syndrome, Selective Mutism, Sensory Integration Dysfunction, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Down Syndrome, Fine and Gross Motor Difficulties, Concentration Issues, or other concerns.

 

Many clients benefit from and Integrative Screening involving two or more of the services below.  The best approach will be determined during our initial, complimentary consultation.

Holistic Developmental Consultant screening a child

HANDLE® Screening:

Holistic Approach to NeuroDevelopment and Learning Efficiency (HANDLE®) combines an understanding of neuroplasticity and the interplay among mind, body and environment to help the brain gently change itself.

 

HANDLE goes beyond the symptomatic behaviours often connected to labels and diagnoses. HANDLE looks for the root causes of behaviours and concerns, and offers families an effective, non-drug method to promote efficient neurological functioning and learning.

 

HANDLE was created by the late Judith Bluestone who had over 15 years of advanced study including: education, nutrition, counselling, human development, neuropsychology, visual processing, sensory-motor integration, reflexology and more. Her doctoral studies were in neurodevelopment. Judith Bluestone received numerous awards for her outstanding program and service, including the National Prize for Early Childhood Education from the State of Israel in 1989.

 

HANDLE Screening programs support children and adults with mild to moderate Learning Difficulties, anxiety, attention issues, Dyslexia, Tourette Syndrome, sensory issues, undiagnosed concerns and perplexing behaviours.

  • Interactive Screening is completed
  • Home program designed
  • Activities may include simple equipment and take 10-30 minutes per day
  • Gentle Enhancement® approach

visit www.handle.org for more information.​

Heather Cukierski Holistic Developmental Consultant doing an Irlen Screening

Irlen® Screening+:

Reading difficulties, sensitivity to bright or florescent lights, headaches, attention and concentration difficulties, depth perception issues and writing problems can all be caused by Irlen Syndrome.

 

Irlen Syndrome is a perceptual processing disorder (not an issue of the eyes focusing), in which the brain’s ability to process visual information is affected.  Who has it?  14% of the general population; 46% of those with reading difficulties; 33% of individuals with ADHD, Dyslexia and behaviour issues; 30% of people with autism.

 

Irlen Syndrome, previously called Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome, is named after Helen L. Irlen, an internationally recognised educator, researcher, therapist, scholar, and expert in the area of visual-perceptual problems. Her background includes Assistant Professor of Adult Learning Disabilities at California State University/Long Beach, instructor in psychology at Cornell University, research assistant at Cornell, and more.

 

Irlen Screening+ includes:

  • Screening to identify presence of Irlen Syndrome
  • Eye teaming and convergence evaluation: Activities if required
  • Overlays selected to help reduce or eliminate visual distortions
  • Straight forward solution offering immediate results
  • Recommendation to see an Irlen Diagnostician for further eveluation and Irlen Filters can be custom made.

visit www.irlen.com for more information.​

Heather Cukierski DIRFloortime Practitioner plays with a child

DIRFloortime®:

DIRFloortime is an evidence-based approach which is developmental in nature, honours individual differences and the importance of relationships.

 

The DIRFloortime founder, Dr. Stanley Greenspan, was a Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Paediatrics at George Washington University Medical School. As a foremost authority on clinical work with infants and young children Dr. Greenspan received many national and international awards, including the American Psychiatric Association's highest award for child psychiatry research.

 

During the play based DIRFloortime sessions the Floortime Provider engages the client by using a set of techniques to deepen relationships, strengthen communication and interaction, expand thinking and learning, and support regulation of emotional responses.

 

DIRFloortime is mostly known for, but not limited to its work with individuals on the autism spectrum. This approach can also help individuals presenting with difficulties interacting, making friends, language development, selective mutism, planning, problem solving, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Down Syndrome and more.

 

Visit  www.icdl.com/DIR for more information.

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Coaching for Parents:

What does “coaching for parents” mean? Unlike many programs available to parents, The Gentle Learning Connection isn’t about learning strategies to become a “better parent”. Rather, it is life coaching for parents as individuals who have their own needs, dreams, and goals.

 

The life of a parent can be wonderful but tough. This is especially true for parents of children with special needs. Parents may feel worried, overwhelmed, angry, resentful or hopeless when their child is struggling. Often the lines between being a parent and being an individual blur as we roll up our sleeves and serve many functions. As a result, personal, social, professional, or relationship needs and goals can take a back seat for months, or years.

 

When you feel empowered and reconnected with your own identity, goals and values, all areas of your life are affected positively (including parenting!). Self-care and the right mindset are critical to optimize daily life and to help others.

 

Through our work together, you'll be able to:

  • Find clarity

  • Refine your identity, values and  goals

  • Be deeply heard by a fellow parent and professional sounding board

  • Develop new positive ways of thinking

  • Have your ideas reflected back to gain new insight

  • Unlock the potential for yourself

  • Gain clear direction and actionable steps

  • Stay accountable

  • Clear belief and mindset blocks that may be impacting you

 

 When we work together, you will feel empowered as you begin your own journey to self-awareness and ultimate fulfilment.

 

The Gentle Learning Connection offers private 1:1 sessions (in-person, telephone or zoom), as well as group programs.  

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