Center for Svedhyaya Therapy Services

05/05/2025

05/06/2024

I’m excited to announce that I will be speaking at An ADA Children’s Airway Event: Putting the Team Together, May 30-June 1 in Rosemont, near Chicago O’Hare Airport! Join me

for an immersive in-person learning experience to grow your practice and fuel your career!

Link:

ADA CE Live Workshops announces ADA Children's Airway Event - May 30-June 1, 2024.

10/12/2023

Thanks NeuroWild ! We love you over here in Chicago!

https://www.facebook.com/100087870753308/posts/281232318149125/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v

Here are some examples of ways that classrooms can be neurodiversity affirming.

This is obviously not an exhaustive list. There are a ton of other, very important things (for another day).

The main thing I hear when I suggest accommodations and flexible expectations in the classroom is ‘but what about all the other students?’ ’we can’t just let this kid be out of their seat’, ‘it would be too distracting’, etc.

My opinion of this is: very few kids show up to kindergarten being naturally inclined to sit perfectly still or silently. I don’t believe that kids naturally need either of those things to work, learn, or focus.

I think that kids are trained to do those things to meet classroom rules and teacher expectations. When a neurodivergent kid then moves around during learning, or hums quietly during spelling- the teacher often highlights this as a problem. And the rest of the kids see that. They know what the rules are, they know that student isn’t following them like they should be. They learn to know that student as ‘naughty’ or bad at school.

I think that is a conditioned response.

Early primary teachers could just as easily explain to their young students that everyone’s brains and bodies need different things. Learning doesn’t look the same for everyone. Focusing doesn’t look the same for everyone. That student who is rocking in their chair is doing what their body needs. That student who has headphones on while writing is listening to their sensory needs- awesome. Teachers can either model acceptance and celebrate difference, or they can respond to our kids with annoyance - teaching the rest of the kids to do the same.

Kids who really need silence to work- let’s get them some headphones for when they want them. I bet the majority of the class get work quite happily in a not-silent room. Let’s get some quiet music playing in the background. Why not? Where in the real world is silent? My house literally never is.

Kids are far more flexible than adults in being able to adjust to stuff like this. Teachers have such an opportunity to make massive change.

Note: I’m not in any way suggesting that screaming, roaring noise should be accepted in the classroom. I’m saying that I don’t think silence is essential.

I have a lot more to say about this but it’s a pretty long caption already.

What other things makes a classroom neurodiversity-affirming?

Em 🌈

10/07/2023

https://www.facebook.com/100064650221376/posts/703340835164251/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v

I shared these ideas in a post last month and some of you asked me to make a poster with these concepts. Here it is! These 3 truths are foundational to my understanding of the nervous system and to my healing journey.

10/03/2023

https://www.facebook.com/100057862261072/posts/729988118939924/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v

10/01/2023

https://www.facebook.com/100087870753308/posts/272764078995949/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v

So grateful for !

10/19/2022

Our good friends at Pediatrics have an amazing opportunity for learning. Thanks for sharing!

06/03/2022

Amazing opportunity for kids with and without disabilities to jump into activism; envisioned and organized by an amazing rising 5th grade child. Be the change!

04/29/2022

Amazing programming from ’s garden!

The Actors Garden is so excited for... Imagination Exploration: a theatre workshop for students on the autism spectrum! This workshop is Saturday May 7th at 10am for students ages 8-12.

In this workshop, students on the autism spectrum will get a chance to learn about theatre in a supportive and safe space. Join licensed professionals Annie Slivinski and Anna Rooney as they help students to engage, connect and interact with peers, while following the group plan. Through songs, story play, exploration of emotions, and costume fun, participants will enjoy an opportunity to explore the wonderful world of theatre.

Find out more at: https://www.hisawyer.com/the-actors-garden-1/schedules/activity-set/333616

02/03/2022

Thanks you Dr Canady!

Day 2 Celebrating Black pioneers in the fields of behavioral and mental health

Credit mhanational.org

Herman George Canady, Ph.D.

Herman George Canady was a prominent Black clinical and social psychologist. He is credited with being the first psychologist to study the influence of rapport between an IQ test proctor and the subject, specifically researching how the race of a test proctor can create bias in IQ testing. He also helped to provide an understanding of testing environments that were suitable to help Black students succeed.

02/02/2022

BHM must!

Features writer, Hanif Abdurraqib and illustrator, Ashley Evans as they read from and discuss their new children's book "Sing, Aretha, Sing!

01/31/2022

We want to know what you need! Fill out this google form to let us know what you'd like offered for your preschool/school aged kid for the 2022-2023 school year!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfE_svYJxOcv6lujx7ycOBaV0fwA1Fnd4FAhZJtiKisXAwM6w/viewform?usp=sf_link

Nature120 and Center for Svedhyaya provide nature based developmental programming for families and children and are interested in your thoughts about programming for the upcoming school year!