Galliant Care: ABA Autism Clinic- Elkhorn, NE

09/19/2025

Stop by and say hi at Vala's Pumpkin Patch tomorrow! 🎃

09/15/2025

📣 Webinar Alert!
Are you a parent or caregiver of a child with disabilities in Nebraska? Don’t miss the Family Care Enhancement Project's upcoming webinar all about the Nebraska Family Support Waiver.

📌 What You’ll Learn:
✅ Who qualifies
✅ How to apply
✅ What services are available
✅ What paperwork is required
✅ Tips to avoid delays & navigate the system smoothly

💡 Whether you're just getting started or stuck in the process, this session will help you feel more confident and informed.

📅 Tuesday, September 16, 2025
🕒 7 - 8 PM
🔗 https://go.unmc.edu/fsw2025

09/15/2025

This week is National Su***de Prevention Week, a powerful reminder that mental health matters at every stage of life. At Galliant, we believe emotional well-being is essential for everyone—from the children we serve to their families and the dedicated team that supports them. That’s why we’re committed to providing:

● Individualized, naturalistic therapy that helps children build tools to understand and express their feelings

● Ongoing caregiver training, open communication, and frequent check-ins to empower families with support and confidence

● Mental health resources for our staff, including a Holistic Health & Wellness budget, Employee Assistance Program, and generous PTO to encourage rest and self-care

To anyone navigating challenges, please know you’re not alone. 💛
If you or someone you love needs extra support, help is available 24/7 through the following resources:
● National Su***de Prevention Lifeline: 988 (US) / 988lifeline.org
● Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 (US)
● The Jed Foundation: https://jedfoundation.org/ (mental health resources for teens and young adults)
● National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): https://www.nami.org/ (support, education, and advocacy)

Remember, reaching out for help is a sign of strength! Let’s continue to create a world where every individual feels safe, supported, and connected.

09/15/2025

It is Child Passenger Safety Week. We understand that for many families with autistic children, car rides can present unique challenges. From sensory sensitivities to elopement risks, ensuring both safety and comfort is essential.

Autistic children may be more prone to unbuckling themselves or attempting to leave their car seats, which poses serious safety concerns. At the same time, the textures, straps, and confined space can cause sensory discomfort.

Here are a few supportive tools and tips that can help:

🔐 Elopement Prevention Tips:
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Use anti-escape chest clips (like Buckle Boss or EZ-ON Vest)

Try special harnesses for kids who can’t tolerate traditional seats

Position seats safely away from door controls if possible

🧸 Sensory-Friendly Comfort Options:
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Add padded strap covers to reduce irritation

Use soft seatbelt wraps or calming weighted covers

Bring noise-canceling headphones or a favorite fidget toy

✅ FREE Car Seat Inspections – Saturday, Sept 27
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📍 National Seat Check Saturday
Find a certified tech near you to help install or check your child’s car seat.

🔗 Find an inspection location near you: https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle-safety/car-seats-and-booster-seats -help-inspection

💙 Check out these other helpful websites to shop products & find resources:
* https://saferide4kids.com/
* https://www.houdinistop.com/houdini-stop
* https://mobilemerchantonline.com/product/angel-guard-seat-buckle-safety-guard/
* https://www.adaptivespecialties.com/convaid-carrot-3-special-needs-car-seat.aspx

Every child deserves to feel safe, supported, and secure – especially in the car.
Small adjustments can make a BIG difference for our sensory-sensitive riders.

09/15/2025

🌟 Happy Hispanic Heritage Month! 🌟
From September 15th to October 15th, we take time to honor and celebrate the vibrant histories, diverse cultures, and lasting contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities.

This month is not only about looking back at the incredible achievements of those who came before us, but also about recognizing the richness these traditions, languages, and stories bring to our world today. It’s a reminder to celebrate diversity, embrace heritage, and uplift voices that continue to inspire and shape our communities.

Let’s take this time to learn, appreciate, and celebrate together. 💃🏻🎺🌏

09/04/2025

Happy National Wildlife Day!

All aspects of life on this Earth affect our well-being in more ways than we may realize.

Wildlife maintains essential ecosystem services such as fertile soil, clean air and water, climate regulation, and medicinal resources. These are only just a few of the services that wildlife provides for us.

In honor of National Wildlife Day- there are many ways you can celebrate or help support wildlife conservation.

Places you can visit to experience wildlife near or in Omaha, NE:

• The Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium
• Fontonelle Forest
• Heron Haven
• Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park
• Any Nebraska State Park
• Pacific Reserve
• Neale Woods Nature Reserve

Places you can donate to or volunteer for:

• Nebraska Wildlife Rehab- all contributions support animal care, educational outreach programs, and conservation initiatives across Nebraska
• Nebraska Wildlife Conservation Fund- helps support the conservation of non-game species throughout Nebraska
• Nebraska Game and Parks website offers several opportunities for you to give back
• Purchase a conservation license plate

These are just a handful of places you can visit or assist wildlife conservation efforts in Nebraska!

What will you do to celebrate the wonderful wildlife throughout the world?

09/03/2025

With school having started let’s learn about Emotionally Based School Avoidance, what it is, why kids with autism are more vulnerable, and how we can help. Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA) is a growing concern, especially among autistic children—who may experience intense anxiety and distress related to attending school.

🧠 What Is EBSA?

EBSA refers to persistent school avoidance driven by emotional distress, not defiance or truancy. It’s often misunderstood and mislabeled, but for many autistic children, it’s a protective response to overwhelming environments.

💙 Why Autistic Children Are More Vulnerable to EBSA

According to educational psychologists and autism advocates, autistic children may experience EBSA due to:

• Sensory Overload: Loud corridors, bright lights, unpredictable sounds, and uncomfortable uniforms can be overwhelming.
• Emotional Regulation Difficulties: Trouble identifying and managing emotions makes school feel unsafe or unpredictable.
• Social Challenges: Navigating peer interactions, group work, and unstructured time (like recess) can be stressful.
• Executive Functioning Struggles: Forgetting homework, organizing materials, or transitioning between classes adds pressure.
• Masking Fatigue: Trying to “fit in” or appear neurotypical can lead to exhaustion and burnout.
• Fear of Change: Sudden schedule shifts, substitute teachers, or transitions between grades can trigger anxiety.
• Performance Pressure: Worries about academic expectations or fear of failure can be overwhelming.

🛠️ How Schools and Caregivers Can Help

For Schools:

• Create Predictable Routines: Visual schedules and consistent transitions reduce anxiety.
• Sensory-Friendly Spaces: Quiet zones, noise-canceling headphones, and flexible seating help regulate sensory input.
• Flexible Learning Options: Allow breaks, alternative assignments, or remote learning when needed.
• Staff Training: Educators should understand autism and EBSA to respond with empathy and support.

For Caregivers:

• Validate Feelings: Acknowledge the child’s distress without judgment.
• Collaborate with Schools: Share insights about triggers and coping strategies.
• Seek Professional Support: Educational psychologists, therapists, and autism specialists can guide interventions.
• Explore EHCPs: An Education, Health, and Care Plan may be necessary to secure appropriate accommodations.

🌈 Reframing EBSA

Instead of viewing EBSA as “refusal,” it’s more accurate to see it as school-related distress. Autistic children aren’t avoiding school because they don’t care—they’re trying to protect themselves from environments that feel unsafe or overwhelming.

https://www.edpsyched.co.uk/blog/sharing-ep-practice-exploring-the-constructs-of-autistic-young-people-experiencing-emotionally-based-school-avoidance

https://www.pdasociety.org.uk/what-helps-guides/pda-and-emotionally-based-school-avoidance-ebsa/

https://schools.westsussex.gov.uk/Pages/Download/6ccfab16-b1b1-4ed0-ace0-269d19e60baf/PageSectionDocuments

09/03/2025

🎉 Open Play Savings Alert! 🎉

Why pay $17 per visit when you can SAVE big with our packages? 👇

✨ 8 Visit Package – $97
Only $12.12 per visit → Save ~29% each time!

✨ 16 Visit Package – $186
Only $11.62 per visit → Save ~32% each time! 🙌

More visits = more fun AND more savings! 💙
Ask us about our monthly memberships, too!

09/03/2025

Stimming—short for self-stimulatory behavior—is often misunderstood, but it serves important and beneficial functions, especially for autistic individuals. Here’s a breakdown of its key benefits:

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🌟 Benefits of Stimming

🧘‍♀️ 1. Emotional Regulation

• Helps manage overwhelming emotions like anxiety, excitement, or frustration.
• Provides a calming effect during stressful situations

🔊 2. Sensory Input

• Offers needed sensory stimulation when the environment is underwhelming or overwhelming.
• Helps individuals maintain sensory balance, especially those with sensory processing differences

🧠 3. Focus and Concentration

• Repetitive movements can improve attention and help people stay grounded during tasks.
• Acts like a mental anchor, especially in chaotic or distracting environments

💬 4. Communication and Expression

• Some stims, like echolalia or vocal sounds, can express emotions or thoughts nonverbally.
• May signal joy, distress, or excitement when words aren’t accessible

🧍‍♂️ 5. Body Awareness

• Enhances proprioception (sense of body position and movement).
• Helps individuals feel more connected to their physical selves

💖 6. Self-Soothing and Coping

• Acts as a coping mechanism during sensory overload or emotional dysregulation.
• Offers a sense of control and predictability in uncertain environments

✅ When Is Stimming Helpful?

• When it’s safe, non-disruptive, and self-regulating.
• Many autistic individuals describe stimming as essential to their well-being and identity.

⚠️ When Support May Be Needed

• If stimming becomes harmful (e.g., head-banging or skin-scratching).
• If it interferes with daily functioning or causes distress, alternatives or support strategies may be helpful.

09/02/2025