First Achievements, PLLC

09/07/2022

Check out this free online summit for families; a parent that I had the privilege to work with is presenting:
https://aslteachingresources.com/autism-summit/?fbclid=IwAR3XI3jewN0aLcJrg-HVAwNi9ZLl5nu5aEq2p6ylpRLIhIwJGhvGoiemD2k

Navigate the challenges of the autism spectrum and learn how you can give children the best start in life from our panel of experts.

09/29/2021

I hope you find these reminders as helpful as I do!

04/15/2021

Just 13 more days to register for Livestream Workshop.
About the workshop:
The PLAY Project's Two-Day Livestream Intensive Workshop will be livestreamed 8:00 am - 4:00 pm Eastern Time on Thursday, April 29th & Friday, April 30th, 2021.
Get an overview of The PLAY Project methods and principles to gain skills in helping children with autism! The online course consists of case studies, video analysis of parent and child interaction, and discussions that develop practical techniques for engaging children with autism and other developmental delays through play.
Who will benefit:
Our intensive workshop will be of interest to administrators and policy makers involved with autism services, parents of children with autism, and providers who serve these children. This workshop can serve as a first step in pursuing the Certified PLAY Project Consultant credential.
Learning objectives:
• Explain the 7 Circles of PLAY and how they relate to the PLAY Autism Intervention Program when working with children with ASD
• Define intensive autism intervention, including interventions that are categorized as play-based, developmental, and behavioral
• Identify techniques that help improve language, social skills, behavior, development, and play skills of children with autism
• Participants will gain an understanding of Greenspan's 6 Functional Developmental Levels (FDLs) and how they relate to The PLAY Project Autism Intervention
• Identify the behaviors and symptoms of children who have sensory processing challenges
• Describe how a child’s unique profile is created and develop a plan to improve the child’s social interactions based on this profile
• Identify developmental progress and PLAY Project methods & techniques through the review of video case studies
Register here:

https://www.interveningearly.org/school-events/2-day-play-intensive-workshop/?mc_cid=50b19a58b7&mc_eid=0056839684

04/11/2021

One of the amazing parent's that I have had the privilege to work with just made me aware of this free upcoming virtual summit.
I will be attending the course: Fundamentals of Special Education : What every parent needs to know.

Engage with families, educators and community partners on how to increase effective family-school partnerships in Kentucky. Sessions include latest research on family engagement best practices, parent and school leadership strategies, regional breakout sessions and information on Kentucky elected an...

04/06/2021

I will be presenting the PLAY Project Two Day Intensive Workshop later this month, hosted by The Childhood League from Columbus, OH.
It is a virtual workshop that is very interactive as we review video clips while learning how to determine a child's developmental profile and the Methods, Principles, and some of the techniques that PLAY Project consultants teach families to implement with their child. Visit this link for more info:

April 29, 2021 8:00 a.m. 2-Day PLAY Intensive Workshop – April 29 & 30 This workshop is the first step toward mastering PLAY Project autism intervention and is the first step for those wanting to become a certified PLAY Project Consultant.

04/02/2021

April 2nd is Autism World Awareness Day. "Differences are not deficits". See what else Dr. Fede has to say:https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=218147519198941

03/13/2021

Harkla is having a 15% off + free shipping this weekend; use code: NewFriends. My personal favorite is the compression swing. It has a high weight limit of 200Lbs and comes with all the hardware needed to hang safely. Click here for the sale:

Meet Jessica & Rachel! two passionate Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants We are two very passionate Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants who specialize in Sensory Integration and Primitive Reflex Integration. After over 6 years of working with children in outpatient settings, we real...

03/08/2021

After a diagnosis, families need space to process what the diagnosis means and to grieve, but then, per Dr. Solomon: "Though grief must run it’s course, hope will shorten the distance it has to run. And for all
my families I can offer true hope. Children with autism can make remarkable improvements
in their development. I have seen so many children get better from intensive intervention
that I can be honestly optimistic. Even the most severely affected children make progress
with appropriate intervention. Hope leads to action"
I too have seen so many children make remarkable progress! There is so much hidden potential just waiting to be discovered when we take the action to meet a child where s/he is at and join what s/he loves to do. Potential emerges, like a butterfly, when parents are empowered to engage a their in a relationship of mutual pleasure through play. Thoughts?

03/08/2021

Many parents often express worry that they did or did not do something to create the struggles that their child is experiencing.
Here is a quote from my mentor, Dr. Solomon: "most families worry that they caused the autism. Often I have to
repeatedly reassure the parents that autism is not their fault. Sure, there are risk factors (see
Chapter 1) but it’s worth mentioning again that autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are not
caused by neglect or family conflicts; not caused by something moms ate or did during
pregnancy (though certain medications that a pregnant woman takes can increase the risk of
autism). All forms of autism are largely genetic conditions, out of parents’ control, that cause
neurological changes in the brain"

02/03/2021

A new movie based on the best selling book written by an autistic child who explains why he engages in what are "repetitive behaviors". He helps us to understand the purpose behind those behaviors.

Based on the best-selling book by Naoki Higashida, The Reason I Jump is an immersive cinematic exploration of neurodiversity through the experiences of nonspeaking autistic people from around the world.