Mala Child & Family Institute

11/07/2025

🎉 We're so excited to introduce Rayan Naaman, MA, BCBA, LBA, TLLP — the newest member of the Mala team!

Rayan is a Master's level psychologist and board-certified behavior analyst who brings a wealth of experience supporting kids and teens with autism, ADHD, anxiety, and developmental challenges. She approaches every client with compassion, curiosity, and care — and her work is firmly rooted in neurodiversity-affirming practices and fostering connection.

✨ Accepting clients in Farmington Hills & virtually
✨ In-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield & Aetna
✨ Bilingual in English & Arabic

We’re so excited to welcome Rayan to our community! 💛
📲 Interested in working with Rayan? Visit malafamily.org/rayan

11/06/2025

New Blog Post: Neurodiverse-Affirming Parenting — Building Connection Over Control

If your child struggles with change, feels anxious about everyday demands, or has big emotions during transitions, you are not alone.

In this piece, our practicum therapist Jill Jackson, BS, shares how shifting from control to connection can transform the parent–child relationship.

Learn what neurodiverse-affirming parenting really looks like, from offering choices and using gentle language to understanding Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) and supporting your child’s nervous system, not fighting against it.

Because when we meet our kids with safety, respect, and collaboration, everyone in the family begins to thrive.
✨ Read the full blog here: https://www.malafamily.org/blog/neurodiverse-affirming-parenting
✨ Learn more about Jill and her upcoming Sibling Support

Group for kids growing up with neurodivergent siblings: https://www.malafamily.org/siblings-group

Neurodiverse-Affirming Parenting: Building Connection Over Control  Nov 5 Written By Dr. Hasti Raveau Neurodiverse-Affirming Parenting: Building Connection Over Control By Jill Jackson, BSMSW Practicum StudentIf you’re parenting a child with persistent challenges around change, anxiety about eve...

11/05/2025

BECAUSE FOOD IS A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT 🍽 💛

This fall, Mala is asking our caring community to join us in the fight against food insecurity. From now until November 21st, we’re hosting a Fall Food Drive across all three office locations — because caring for our neighbors is part of caring for the whole.

YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE BY:
🥫 Dropping off nonperishable items at any office location
🛒 Shopping from our Amazon Wishlist (link in bio)
💲 Making a monetary donation (link in bio) — Mala will match 50% of all donations

Each office’s collection will go directly to a local pantry:
• Ann Arbor → Food Gatherers
• Plymouth → Elmwood Blessing Box
• Farmington Hills → CARES

Together, we can nourish our communities and uplift those most affected by inequity. 🌱

11/04/2025

There are so many misconceptions about what therapy is (and isn’t) — so, let’s clear some of them up! 💛

✨ Therapy Myths vs. Truths ✨

From “therapy is just talking about your feelings” to "strong people know how to handle things on their own," these myths can keep people from getting the support they deserve. The truth? Therapy is for EVERYONE — and it’s about learning, growing, and finding tools that help you navigate life with more awareness and compassion.

Swipe through to see some of the most common therapy myths, and the truths that guide us in our work. 🌿

10/31/2025

Happy Halloween! 🎃 We had SO much fun at this year’s Trunk-or-Treat, and are already looking forward to next year’s! 🍬 Thanks to all our amazing vendors and community partners who helped make this event our best one yet! 🧡

10/31/2025

As the days grow shorter and sunlight fades earlier, many people notice a dip in mood, motivation, or energy. For some, that’s part of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a reminder of how deeply our minds and bodies respond to rhythm, light, and rest. ☀️

At Mala Child & Family Institute, we know that emotional regulation and wellbeing look different for everyone, especially for those who are neurodivergent or healing from trauma. Our nervous systems crave safety, consistency, and care. 🌿

That’s why we’re giving away an Oura Ring (valued at $349), a wearable designed to help you gently track your sleep, stress, and recovery, so you can learn what your body needs to feel balanced and supported. 💍

To enter:
1️⃣ Follow on Instagram or Facebook
2️⃣ Like this post ❤️
3️⃣ Tag 3 friends who are also on a journey toward balance and self-awareness
4️⃣ Bonus: Share to your story and tag us for an extra entry!

📅 Giveaway ends Dec 30 at 11:59 PM EST
🏆 Winner announced January 2 in our Stories

As we move into a new year, let’s remember: healing begins with awareness, and rest is not a luxury, it’s a need. 💚

10/31/2025

✨ MALA’S WELLNESS GIVEAWAY! ✨

As the days grow shorter and sunlight fades earlier, many people notice a dip in mood, motivation, or energy. For some, that’s part of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a reminder of how deeply our minds and bodies respond to rhythm, light, and rest. ☀️

At Mala Child & Family Institute, we know that emotional regulation and wellbeing look different for everyone, especially for those who are neurodivergent or healing from trauma. Our nervous systems crave safety, consistency, and care. 🌿

That’s why we’re giving away an Oura Ring (valued at $349), a wearable designed to help you gently track your sleep, stress, and recovery, so you can learn what your body needs to feel balanced and supported. 💍

To enter:
1️⃣ Follow on Instagram or Facebook
2️⃣ Like this post ❤️
3️⃣ Tag 3 friends who are also on a journey toward balance and self-awareness
4️⃣ Bonus: Share to your story and tag us for an extra entry!

📅 Giveaway ends Dec 30 at 11:59 PM EST
🏆 Winner announced January 2 in our Stories

As we move into a new year, let’s remember: healing begins with awareness, and rest is not a luxury, it’s a need. 💚

10/30/2025

✨ We’re thrilled to welcome our newest art therapist, Carla DePalma, LPC, ATR, to the Mala Child & Family Institute team! 🎨

Carla (she/her) is a licensed art therapist and professional counselor who brings creativity, authenticity, compassion, and humor to her work. Originally from Illinois, she joins us with a rich background across a variety of clinical settings — including partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, community agencies, schools, and outpatient therapy.

With a specialization in integrating art therapy and somatic-based mindfulness techniques, Carla supports clients navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, grief and loss, relationship challenges, life transitions, and identity exploration.

We’re so excited to have Carla on board and can’t wait for our community to experience her thoughtful and expressive approach to healing. 💛

📲 If you or your child are interested in exploring art therapy in Plymouth or virtually, visit malafamily.org/carla to get started!

10/29/2025

Halloween can be full of magic, but for kids with sensory differences, it can also be a lot. 🧡

Loud noises, flashing lights, scratchy costumes, and unpredictable moments can turn excitement into overwhelm.

This year, let’s remember:
🎃 Not every child loves Halloween the same way.
🎃 Comfort matters more than costumes.
🎃 Inclusion can look quiet, simple, or different, and that’s okay.

When we slow down and meet kids where they are, we create true connection, joy, and belonging.

10/24/2025

🌟 Major Milestone at Mala! 🌟
We are beyond proud to announce that Autism Evaluations are now available for every age (children 12 months and older, teens, and adults) right here at Mala Child & Family Institute.

Led by Ashley Weiland, MS, LLP, our Lead Autism Evaluating Psychologist, this expansion marks a huge step forward in fulfilling our mission: to provide trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming, and culturally sensitive care to all.

At Mala, every evaluation is a pathway to understanding and empowerment. Our team ensures that every person and family feels seen and supported through a truly holistic process.

For more complex cases, our multidisciplinary team of psychiatrists and occupational therapists will closely collaborate with the evaluation team to provide deeper insight and enhance the overall process.

✨ Accepting BCBS & private pay clients starting December of 2025!
📍 Farmington Hills

To enroll, visit https://www.malafamily.org/enroll

10/24/2025

Daylight savings is coming, the weather’s changing, and so are our energy levels. 🍂
If you’ve been feeling slower, tired, or less motivated lately — it might be seasonal depression making an early appearance.

Now’s the time to soak up sunlight, create moments of joy, and lean into connection. Small shifts can help this darker season feel lighter 💛

10/16/2025

Every sensory experience tells a story — whether it's of comfort, overwhelm, or resilience. Mala's services help children and families tune into what their bodies are communicating, nurture regulation, and find greater ease in daily life. 💙

✨Explore our sensory-informed therapy and occupational therapy services: malafamily.org/sensory

Neurodiversity-affirming care for sensory sensitivities and sensory processing in Plymouth, Ann Arbor, and Farmington Hills.