The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be ignited-Plutarch
The Brain from 0-2 years of Age
A baby is born with
100 BILLION neurons
Each neuron will make about 25,000 neural connections
Therefore, a baby is making 7 million neural connections every SECOND from birth to 2 years of age
Every Month Counts!
In the initial months of infancy, a baby's brain is a hotbed of neural plasticity, creating millions of synaptic connections that lay the groundwork for all future cognitive, emotional, and motor development. This rapid phase of growth results in the neural circuitry evolving from a sparse to a dense and complex network. As the brain's architecture becomes more established, altering and adapting these neural pathways becomes a more challenging endeavor, requiring greater effort and specialized intervention. This underscores the importance of pre-diagnostic intervention, capitalizing on this precious and fleeting period of brain development. Engaging in targeted activities and therapies during this time can maximize the brain's natural plasticity, setting the stage for optimal development and reducing the need for more intensive interventions later on. Early intervention, especially before a formal diagnosis, is crucial in leveraging this critical window of brain development. By intervening pre-diagnostically, we can effectively guide and enhance this natural process of neural expansion, laying down a solid foundation for lifelong learning and adaptation.
Keynote Address
Athens, Greece
2019
Engaging in targeted activities and therapies during this time can maximize the brain's natural plasticity, setting the stage for optimal development and reducing the need for more intensive interventions later on.
The Role of The Parent
​
Parents play a crucial role in intervention. Learning opportunities for infants and toddlers arise throughout the day, from meal times to playtime and more.
Parents are uniquely positioned as the best teachers for their child due to their close bond and daily presence.
When a child's development deviates, parents may unknowingly respond in ways that worsen challenging behaviors and delays.
Parent Coaching equips parents with tools to create an enriching learning environment, foster social connections, and reduce challenging behaviors.
Teaching parents how to optimize and maximize social engagement with their child can lead to improved communication, increased quality and quantity of social interactions and reduced challenging behaviours.
Additionally, parent training can be a protective factor for parental stress, anxiety and depression all while moving their child’s developmental forward.
​
Infant and Toddler Intervention
Parent Coaching Model
The earliest characteristics of autism can emerge between 6 and 12 months of age and yet diagnosis does not often occur until 4 years of age with intervention beginning after diagnosis.
​
Infant Intervention begins at the first sign of autism characteristics or developmental delay, in order to maximize the critical window of neuroplasticity in the brain occurring between 0-2 years of age.
​
Using a Parent Coaching Service Model, parents will learn the skills to embed learning opportunities into their daily routines, increase their child's expressive and receptive communication while building meaningful engagement.
​
Coaching sessions can be done virtually or in-person (for those in the Vancouver, BC area).