About the Parent-Led Revolution
As a young college student, I was looking for a good job working with children. I found a specialized school for children with autism that was hiring and little did I know, my career path was set from that point forward. I had found a passion that would carry me through many years and many evolutions.
Me, not as a young college student.
I started in the field of ABA, or Applied Behavior Analysis, in 1996 and worked in the field of early autism treatment for many years. I climbed the ladder from tutor, to consultant, supervisor and program director, earning my BCaBA along the way.
Becoming a Parent
In 2005, my husband and I had our first child, and my lens instantly changed.
After our first daughter, my husband and I welcomed four more over the next 13 years!
I started to understand what it meant to be a parent, the stresses, the worries, the total exhaustion. Meanwhile, as our daughter grew and I watched her learn, I continued asking my tutors and consultants to run drills with our young three and four year old clients.
At night after work, I would watch my daughter. She had so much fun learning through her play. The next day, back at work, I would again ask and train my staff to make my little clients “work,” void of much fun at all.
With those early observations, my view of early autism treatment started to shift. Teaching through play and functional, daily opportunities seemed possible, and the idea of working with parents rather than tutors or para-professionals was born.
As was a new endeavor: Square One Autism Services.
Parent-Led Began with Square One
Along with two colleagues, I started Square One Autism Services to fulfill a vision of in-home autism therapy services focused on empowering parents and teaching children through play and daily functional opportunities.
When I think back to what I’ve loved the most over the last 13 years, it’s been working with parents. I’ve met some incredible parents over the years and feel fortunate that they trusted me with some of their toughest struggles and darkest days, as well as some of their sweetest hope-filled moments.
Over time, I realized that for parents to be successful, what I asked of them needed to be what I call “silly simple.” If the plan got too complicated, they started to feel overwhelmed, and I lost them.
As a mother of five, I know how little time and energy exists for the “extras” and I think it was a huge help in finding the right balance for each parent and family I taught. I hope you also find that balance for success.
Parent as Practitioner
You are your child’s best asset and I want to help you maximize your potential to teach your child today, tomorrow and forever. Not by doing more, we don’t need more, but by learning how to maximize the opportunities that already exist.
Parent-Led Autism Therapy is still relatively new. Although, my partners at Square One and I started our business 13 years ago, very few have followed in our footsteps, at least locally. It’s always had us scratching our heads, as this approach makes a lot of sense from a lot of angles.
With parent-led.com, I’m going to share simple ways to incorporate skill-building into your daily life, regardless of developmental age, share resources and infuse practical tips to help you and your child be successful.
And, of course, have some fun along the way. I hope you’ll join me.