The Brook Center

12/29/2025

The week after Christmas can feel a little upside down — new toys, late nights, changed routines, extra excitement, extra emotions… all totally normal.

If your child is having a harder time this week, here are a few gentle supports that can make the days feel smoother:
✨ Use a simple visual schedule to give predictability
✨ Prep for transitions with countdowns or “first/then”
✨ Offer movement breaks to help regulate big energy
✨ Build in connection moments — they go further than we think
✨ Lower the expectations and extend yourself grace

Shifts in routine are tough for many kiddos, especially during the holidays. None of this means you’re doing anything wrong — it just means your child is adjusting.

You’ve got this. One calm, compassionate moment at a time.

12/25/2025

Merry Christmas from our Brook Center family to yours. 🎄✨
We hope today brings moments of joy, peace, and connection — the kind that make this season feel truly special.

We are so grateful for the families we have the privilege to support, the little lives we get to watch grow, and the community that surrounds us with so much love and trust. 💛

Wishing you a Christmas filled with warmth, hope, and sweet memories with the people who matter most. 💚

12/17/2025

Being a BCBA mom means I know what’s happening in moments like this… and I still feel overwhelmed sometimes. 😅
Toddlers come with big feelings, big energy, and even bigger needs — and so much of what we call “behavior” is actually developmentally normal for this age.

I remind myself daily that:
✨ Behavior is communication
✨ Toddlers rely on us to help them regulate and learn boundaries.
✨ My response shapes the moment more than the moment itself

And even though these behaviors are typical for their stage of development, how we respond right now is what lays the foundation for how these behaviors will grow, shift, and shape over time.
We’re teaching emotional skills, coping skills, flexibility, and trust — one messy moment at a time.

Parenting isn’t about perfection.
It’s about guiding, modeling, and helping our little ones feel safe while they learn how to navigate the world. 💚

12/12/2025

Our staff Christmas brunch this past weekend filled my heart right up. ✨
It’s such a gift to gather together, reflect on the year, and celebrate the incredible dedication, compassion, and joy this team brings into our clinics. Truly the best group to walk through this work with. 💛

A huge thank-you to The Bluffalo for hosting us so beautifully and serving the most amazing coffee — you all helped make the morning feel extra special! ☕️🎄

Grateful for this season, grateful for this team, and grateful for the impact we get to make together. 💚

12/10/2025

🌟 FREE Virtual Parent & Community Workshop — December 11th!

We’re excited to invite families, caregivers, teachers, and community members to our free virtual workshop:
✨ “All About ABA: Helping Kids Grow” ✨

📅 December 11th, 2025
🕒 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
💻 Virtual Event (registration required)

This family-friendly session will cover:
✔ What ABA really is (and what it isn’t!)
✔ How we use play, compassion, and connection to support learning
✔ Ways parents can encourage progress at home
✔ What high-quality, ethical ABA services should look like
✔ Local community resources for families

This event is free, but you must email, call or text to receive the private link:

📧 aruf@thebrookcenter.com
📞 615-913-1306

We hope you’ll join us for this supportive, informative evening as we wrap up the year together! 💛

12/02/2025

The week after a holiday can feel a little overwhelming — for kids and parents.
Getting back into routines takes time, and that’s completely okay. 💛

Here are a few simple ways to ease the transition this week:
✔ Reintroduce predictable morning & evening routines
✔ Use visuals or verbal reminders to show what’s coming next
✔ Keep activities simple and give extra time for transitions
✔ Celebrate small wins — they add up

Most importantly, be gentle with yourselves.
Your child may just need a little extra connection, movement, or reassurance as they settle back in. You’re doing a great job. 🤍

11/27/2025

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at The Brook Center! 🤎🍂

This season, we are especially grateful for our incredible families, the trust you place in us, and the wonderful children we have the privilege to support each day.

We are also deeply thankful for our dedicated team — the heart behind every session, every goal, and every small victory. Your compassion, patience, and commitment make such a difference.

As we head into the holiday break, we hope your week is filled with rest, connection, and time with the people who matter most.
From our Brook Center family to yours — Happy Thanksgiving!

11/18/2025

A little peek inside our morning at The Brook Center 💛

Our School Readiness Group is full of music, movement, social learning, and so many chances for our kiddos to practice communication in a fun, supportive environment.

These small group moments help build:
✔ early social skills
✔ turn-taking & joint attention
✔ communication and AAC use
✔ following group routines
✔ confidence in a classroom-style setting

We love creating a space where kids feel supported, engaged, and excited to learn — and our incredible staff helps make that happen every single day. ✨

If you’re interested in learning more about our School Readiness Group or ABA services, feel free to reach out — we’d love to share more about what we do!

10/30/2025

🌾 Parent Tip of the Week:

Sensory bins aren’t just for fun — they’re a great way to work on functional ABA goals at home!

Requesting (“More beans!”)
Fine motor (scooping, grasping)
Tacting & labeling (colors, textures, sizes)
Tolerating textures (sensory exploration)

This week, let play lead the learning. 🍂

10/28/2025