caregiver consultation

personalized support for neurodivergent families

caregiver consultation

individualized support for neurodivergent families

As a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and National Certified Counselor (NCC) with extensive experience in neurodivergence, I recognize the distinct challenges and joys that neurodivergent individuals bring to their families. Consultation sessions are tailored to address your specific needs, concerns, and goals within the context of neurodivergence. Whether you're caring for a child, adolescent, or adult, we collaborate to develop strategies that promote understanding, communication, and resilience within your neurodivergent family unit.

Understanding Neurodivergent Behavior and Emotions: Caring for neurodivergent individuals requires a deeper understanding of their unique needs and emotional landscape. Our consultation service provides you with insights into the underlying factors that drive their unique needs and emotions within a neurodivergent framework. By understanding the why behind actions, you can respond more effectively and create an environment that supports neurodiverse growth and positive change.

Effective Communication Techniques for Neurodivergent Families: Clear and compassionate communication is especially vital for neurodivergent individuals and their families. Through our consultation, you'll learn practical communication techniques catering to unique neurodivergent needs. These skills enhance understanding, reduce conflicts, and promote harmony within your neurodivergent family dynamic.

Collaborative Problem-Solving within a Neurodiverse Context: Every neurodivergent family faces unique challenges, but facing them together can lead to transformative outcomes. Our consultation sessions focus on collaborative problem-solving, helping you develop strategies to address neurodivergent-specific challenges as a team. By combining your unique insights with professional guidance, you can create solutions that support your neurodivergent loved one's development and well-being.

Creating Neurodiversity-Inclusive Environments: Inclusivity is essential for the growth and happiness of your neurodivergent loved one. Our consultation service guides you in creating environments that embrace neurodiversity, catering to their unique needs, strengths, and interests. We work together to establish routines, structures, and activities that celebrate neurodiversity and promote a sense of belonging and accomplishment.

Empowerment Through Neurodiversity Knowledge: Empowerment within neurodivergence comes from knowledge. Through our caregiver consultations, you'll gain a deeper understanding of the neurodiverse experience and therapeutic techniques used in your loved one's individual therapy sessions. This insight equips you to reinforce their self-acceptance and implement strategies at home, creating a consistent and neurodivergent-supportive environment for their growth.

learn more

The Caregiver Consultations are a collaborative partnership dedicated to enhancing the well-being of neurodivergent individuals and their families. Together, we'll navigate the intricacies, celebrate successes, and create a foundation for positive neurodivergent affirming change within your family. Contact us today to embark on this journey of empowerment, neurodiverse understanding, and growth.

All therapeutic services are provided through the private practice where I am employed, Family & Child Therapy serving Vienna, VA and surrounding northern Virgina areas.

Let's connect

specialized support for PDA profiles

Having obtained certification in PDA, I am equipped to provide assistance tailored to the distinctive requirements of navigating life with a PDA profile.

persistent drive for autonomy

An area of specialized focus within our caregiver consultations centers around PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance), also recognized as Persistent/Pervasive Desire/Drive for Autonomy. Often referred to as a "PDA profile" by those with lived experience, this concept was originally identified in 1980 by Elizabeth Newsome as an autism-related profile. While it isn't officially recognized as a separate diagnosis, particularly in the US, the UK has been at the forefront of researching and acknowledging PDA. It's important to note that PDA isn't currently included as a distinct classification in the DSM-5-TR.

For the most part, the prevailing belief is that the PDA profile frequently co-occurs within the realm of autism. However, some clinicians and individuals with lived experience suggest that it may also manifest within the broader spectrum of neurodivergence. Unlike other experiences like ADHD, Autism, or Dyslexia, which follow specific diagnostic processes, PDA doesn't have a defined diagnostic procedure.

Individuals embodying a PDA profile often experience heightened anxiety and nervous system dysregulation. What might be perceived as "avoidance" or refusals is, in fact, a set of adaptive strategies aimed at managing overwhelming demands while preserving autonomy. It's crucial to understand that their responses aren't deliberate acts of defiance; rather, they are mechanisms to handle intense emotions and a dysregulated nervous system, encompassing fight, flight, freeze, and fawn responses. Their ability to manage demands can fluctuate based on factors such as stress levels and familiarity with the situation. For a brief introduction, you can watch a one-minute video by the PDA Society. While questionnaires are available for assessing demand avoidance, the intricate nature of PDA necessitates a nuanced understanding, as it intersects with various aspects of neurodivergence.

IEP and 504 consultations

support and advocacy while navigating educational needs

With years of experience in various settings, including private practice, community-based services, and school-based services, I've developed a strong understanding of how school systems function and the critical importance of upholding every student's educational rights. I am honored to have successfully advocated for my clients in obtaining and amending IEPs and 504s to meet their individual needs. My commitment to assisting families and clinicians through this often confusing and complicated educational system is driven by a deep passion for advocating alongside those who face significant challenges in their daily lives.

Areas of support offerings include:

Navigating Educational Systems: I provide insights and strategies to help understand school systems to support and benefit students.
Tailored Support Planning: Together, we identify the specific educational and therapeutic needs that will enhance the school and learning experience.
Effective Advocacy: I equip parents and clinicians with the skills to advocate effectively within the school system with the appropriate accommodations and services.
Personalized Accommodations: I provide assistance in determining and requesting necessary accommodations, ensuring they align with the student’s unique challenges and strengths.

offerings

empowering families navigating neurodivergence