Therapy

CLINICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (CSD): WHO WE ARE; WHAT WE DO

• Clinical Services Department (CSD) supports Hugely Important People (HIPsters) by providing unique, specialized care. We offer a variety of Therapy Services – Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Counseling, Behavioral Support, Music Therapy, and Social Skills Groups.

• Therapy goals are established following a comprehensive evaluation process. Goals follow the SMART paradigm: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-based. Therapy models include individual, group, pull-out, and push in sessions.

• We believe that collaboration is key in pursuing the full, untapped possibilities of our Hugely Important People (HIPsters). CSD therapists work alongside Program Instructors, HIPster Family Services, and Career Services to ensure HIPsters’ functional goals and needs are addressed during educational and vocational opportunities.

Speech Therapy

Speech therapy is the assessment and treatment of communication problems and speech disorders. It is performed by speech-language pathologists (SLPs), which are often referred to as speech therapists. Speech therapy techniques are used to improve communication.

Speech-Language Pathologist’s roles include assessment, treatment planning, and execution of treatment, prevention, advocacy work, outreach, and clerical duties. SLPs can provide a range of services which help to enhance the following:

· Conceptual skills comprised of receptive and expressive language, reading, and writing

· Social skills such as interpersonal skills, problem-solving, and following direction

· Practical skills like building routines and participating in social interactions

A big part of this field is about educating those affected by IDD, their families, friends, and caretakers about the benefits and possibilities of speech-language therapy. Another is running culturally, linguistically, and age-appropriate assessments and screenings to identify any issues with speech, language, communication, and/or swallowing to see how they can be helped. They can also determine whether individuals will need referrals or further testing.

Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy (OT) considers the complex relationship between the client, the activity, and the environment in which the activity takes place. Examples of OT interventions include:

· helping a client with a disability to participate fully in school and social situations

· assisting a client following an injury or surgery to regain skills they need to function in their environment

· providing supports to older adults experiencing cognitive or physical changes

Occupational therapists contribute to the care of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) by focusing on activities and goals that are meaningful to the individuals and their families. Relevant performance areas include cognitive, sensory, perceptual, motor, and psychosocial activities.

Counseling

Counseling is the application of mental health, psychological or human development principles, through cognitive, affective, behavioral, or systemic interventions, and strategies that address wellness, personal growth, or career development.

My Possibilities offers counseling services tailored to the unique needs of adolescents, adults, and their families with a wide range of physical, cognitive, and developmental disabilities. We believe in a neurodiversity affirming collaborative approach and our years of clinical experience have helped us to understand the complex needs of individuals with special needs and their families. We provide a supportive and caring atmosphere to help clients grow and work towards their goals.

Counseling can help to decrease stress and anxiety, increase emotion regulation, improve social navigation needs, reduce depression, assist with learning healthier ways of self-expression, work through grief and loss, improve skills needed to build and understand healthy relationships, learn new ways of coping with life’s challenges, boost self-esteem, improve life skills, navigate life transitions, and help enhance one’s quality of life. Often counseling includes collaborating with parents and/or caregivers to assist with improving family interactions and providing education on how to support their child during phases of life transitions.

ABA Therapy

ABA therapy for adults is the science of behavior change, whether changing undesirable behaviors or increasing skills such as academics. ABA utilizes a wide variety of strategies to support individuals with behavior change. It uses motivation and constant feedback to help clients know what is expected and when they are being successful. Data is taken and used to drive decisions about the success of an intervention, need to modify an intervention, and achieving a goal being worked on. ABA for adults incorporates several strategies that use scientific learning and behavior principles to encourage the increase of desired learning and behavior, as well as the decrease of unwanted behavior (e.g., aggression, self-injurious behavior). ABA has significant research supporting its effectiveness in helping individuals reach successful outcomes in many areas including language, daily living skills, social skills, and academic skills.

The purpose of ABA therapy at My Possibilities is to decrease and replace maladaptive patterns of behavior to increase desired/safe behaviors and increase HIPster success. Some other areas addressed are:

· Emotional Regulation

· Coping Skills

· Identification of emotions

· Relationship issues/boundaries

· Self-injurious/Aggressive behavior

· Parent/Caregiver training

Music Therapy

Music therapy is an established health care profession that uses research based musical interventions to address therapeutic goals. A music therapy session for adults with IDD typically starts off with a greeting song that acts as a transition into the session. After this song the music therapist leads a series of musical activities that are tailored to the individual’s needs. The following goals are addressed in a fun and motivating way through these activities.

· Speech and communication – Singing custom written songs, i.e., “Going to take a Ride on a Rock n Roll train, Ride, Ride, Ride through the wind and the Rain…” to isolate speech sounds and get lots of repetition without monotony.

· Fine and gross motor – Using traditional and adaptive percussive instruments, like hand drums, to address specific fine and gross motor skills.

· Academic – Putting academic or personal information such as a phone number, into a song format so that recall is improved.

· Social skill development – Music therapy groups where clients practice greetings, turn taking, eye contact, requesting, self-expression, collaboration, etc., through musical activities.

· Behavioral – Creating songs and musical stories about appropriate behavior.

· Social-Emotional – Using songs to teach a client how to identify feelings and use coping strategies when they are feeling overwhelmed.

· Self-Esteem and Quality of Life – Positive and successful experiences are created through fun and motivating musical experiences

Social Skills Groups

Social skills enable people to function well in any social situation. This includes work, school, and interpersonal relationships. Some examples of good social skills include:

· Understanding and honoring the standards of dress and decorum at different social occasions

· The acceptable forms of social interaction for different social occasions

· Knowing when to make eye contact and when to avert the eyes

· Determining when physical contact is acceptable and what type (e.g., a handshake versus a hug);

· Being able to politely start and stop conversations

· Being able to make small talk

· Understanding how to notice and respond to non-verbal body language

· Appreciating social nuance such as sarcasm and humor

· Understanding the differences between literal and figurative speech

· Being able to express feelings and respond to the feelings of others

Social skills are closely linked with language and communications skills. Effective communication involves the accurate use and interpretation of both verbal and nonverbal communication. Good social skills also require behavioral management skills and impulse control across a wide variety of social situations. Social skills groups at My Possibilities include 1-2 therapists from different disciplines to provide communication and behavioral support and guidance to the HIPsters.

Therapy

CLINICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (CSD): WHO WE ARE; WHAT WE DO

Speech Therapy

Occupational Therapy

Counseling

ABA Therapy

Music Therapy

Social Skills Groups

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