GentleCare Therapy

10/17/2025

Autism NJ Conference Attendees! 👋

Come say HI to the GentleCare Therapy team!

We are excited to share that we are actively enrolling clients and have NO WAITLIST for our autism services in New Jersey. Stop by our booth to chat about:

Our ABA services

Career Opportunities (BCBAs and RBTs)

We'd love to connect.

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09/23/2025

Happy Rosh Hashanah from your friends at GentleCare Therapy! May this be a year of new beginnings and renewed hope.

09/11/2025

GentleCare Therapy honors those we lost on September 11, 2001. Our thoughts are with their friends and families today and always. Let us .

08/26/2025

Is your child about to start Kindergarten in the fall?! 🍎🎒 Transitioning into Kindergarten and a new routine can be overwhelming for any family, and feeling nervous or apprehensive about this big change is completely normal.

We've compiled some tips and resources for effectively transitioning your child to Kindergarten this fall. Read more: https://zurl.co/gB0e0

07/11/2025

Using First/Then Statements to Support Young Children
First/then statements are a simple yet powerful tool for helping children—especially those who are neurodivergent—understand expectations, transition between tasks, and build independence. By clearly stating what will happen first and what will follow then, caregivers can reduce anxiety, encourage cooperation, and increase a child’s sense of predictability.

Why Use First/Then Statements?
Children often struggle with unexpected changes or transitions, such as stopping playtime to get dressed or leaving the park to go home. First/then statements help by giving them a clear framework. They work well because:
They reduce the need for negotiation or power struggles.
They help children process what is expected before a preferred activity.
They provide structure that builds trust and routine.

Common Examples:
First clean up, then snack.
First shoes on, then outside.
First potty, then story.
First brush teeth, then tablet.

Learn More: https://zurl.co/hGoHd

07/09/2025

Monitoring a child's developmental milestones is not only a great way for parents to support their child's development, but can also be a fun, family activity! Listen to two families share how using CDC’s resources, like the Milestone Tracker app, has helped them to keep track of their child’s development. https://zurl.co/q6k9y
You can learn more about the CDC's Milestone Tracker app here: https://zurl.co/jdYHX
… See more

In this video, parents of young children share their personal experiences of using CDC’s “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” tools and resources to learn about chi...

07/08/2025

What Is Neurodiversity-Affirming Care?
Being neurodiversity-affirming means supporting individuals in a way that honors their strengths, needs, and ways of experiencing the world—rather than trying to make them fit into a neurotypical mold. It shifts the focus from changing the child to changing the environment and supports to help them thrive.

Key Principles of Neurodiversity-Affirming Care

✅ Respecting Communication Differences – Every child communicates in their own way. This means valuing all forms of communication, whether spoken language, sign language, AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication), gestures, or scripting.

✅ Embracing Stimming – Stimming (repetitive movements or vocalizations) is a natural way for neurodivergent individuals to self-regulate. Instead of stopping stims, neurodiversity-affirming care recognizes their purpose and ensures they are only redirected if harmful.

✅ Supporting Autonomy and Consent – Children should have a say in their own care. This includes giving choices, respecting their “no,” and teaching self-advocacy skills.

✅ Strength-Based Approaches – Instead of focusing on “fixing” perceived deficits, neurodiversity-affirming care highlights strengths and interests as a foundation for learning and development.

✅ Creating Sensory-Friendly Environments – Recognizing sensory sensitivities and making accommodations (like dim lighting, noise reduction, or movement breaks) to support comfort and regulation.

✅ Shifting from Compliance to Cooperation – Prioritizing collaborative, relationship-based approaches instead of traditional compliance-based methods. The goal is connection, not control.

Why It Matters?
When children receive neurodiversity-affirming support, they feel seen, heard, and valued for who they are. This approach fosters self-confidence, emotional well-being, and genuine skill-building in a way that respects their identity.

By embracing neurodiversity, we create a world where all children can thrive—not in spite of their differences, but because of them.

Learn More: https://zurl.co/qosxu

07/07/2025

🎉 Exciting news! 🎉 Our center has openings to support kiddos in Southern New Jersey in need of Speech Therapy!
We support children with language delays, feeding/swallowing, articulation and expressive language, fluency & stuttering and more. Call us at 856-484-5535 or visit https://zurl.co/3SIhP to learn more!
… See more

We'll guide you through the intake process and match your child with a dedicated clinical team that best supports their needs.

07/04/2025

? Breaking down the functions of behavior can better help families and providers understand why a behavior is occurring. In this , we’ll go over the 4 functions of behavior and tips on responding.
How can this information be helpful at home?
- Consistency is key!
- Try to determine the function of the behavior before you respond
- Key questions: “why is this behavior occurring?” and “what am I reinforcing?”
- Take note of antecedents to make modifications to increase or decrease future behavior

07/03/2025

Functional communication plays an important role in everyday situation and are our basic communication skills. In early childhood, functional communication is crucial for children to be able to express themselves, understand others, and engage in meaningful interactions.
Learn more from Alinoel Navia, M.S. CCC-SLP Senior Clinical Director of our Speech Therapy Program: https://zurl.co/d9fhY

06/30/2025

Check out this helpful from last month's Navigating Autism Monthly Workshop! Questions for families to ask potential ABA providers. Looking for more family resources? We've got you covered! https://zurl.co/GIc11

06/27/2025

Availability between the hours of 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM!
Our 1:1 individualized ABA program offers flexible hours that will allow us to meet the needs of your child and accommodate your family's schedule. Contact us today to learn more!