Occupational
Therapy
With Heart
Specialized Services and Professional Education
to promote Children's Social Emotional Health
DIR®/ Parent Coaching
Yoga / Mindfullness
Professional Development
Therapeutic approach aimed at fostering the social emotional health of children with disabilities through the power of connection. The research backed tools of DIRFloortime®/ play, sensory integration, yoga and mindfulness will be used to help a child to connect to themselves and to others. Social emotional challenges do not only hinder a child’s growth and development but also impact the entire family. Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), learning disabilities and ADHD are especially vulnerable to these difficulties.
The We instead of Me (WIM) approach is different because the emphasis is not only on serving children but helping the adults that care for these children. Many of the behavioral challenges that we see are rooted in our own disconnection. When we work on connecting to ourselves, being present and creating safe spaces, children flourish with much more ease and joy. Caregiver and teacher coaching is integral to the WIM approach.
“As soon as we opened our kid’s yoga studio in the fall of 2017, Deirdre jumped on board and brought her expertise in working with kids of all ages as an OT as well as a kid’s yoga teacher to our community. Deirdre taught our weekly family yoga class and subbed the special needs yoga class regularly. She also has the incredible versatility to teach all of the classes we offer on the schedule from toddler yoga to teen yoga. Deirdre has an amazing rapport with the students she works with as well as the parents. Deirdre’s kids yoga class is energetic, engaging, developmentally appropriate, and grounding. The emphasis throughout her class is on teaching mindfulness through breath work, yoga postures, movement, and fun! Deirdre shared her knowledge on how to integrate mindfulness into one’s work with children in two of our Powerflow Yoga Kids Teacher Training Programs. Her presentations were informative and engaging, yet light and fun! “
Kimie Mittman – director of Powerflow Yoga Kids.