Galvin Therapy Center

11/17/2025

Supporting Autistic Children Through Grief & Trauma: What Families Should Know

Grief and trauma can be overwhelming experiences for any child — but for autistic children, the way these emotions show up may look different, quieter, or more confusing to the adults around them.

Trauma-informed care tells us this:
Children need safety, connection, and co-regulation before they can make sense of big feelings.

Here are some ways to support autistic children in moments of loss, change, or distress:

1. Lead With Co-Regulation

Before talking, explaining, or problem-solving, focus on helping your child feel safe.
This might look like:
   •   Sitting close and present
   •   Using a calm, predictable tone
   •   Offering sensory supports (deep pressure, movement, weighted items)
   •   Matching their pace rather than directing it. Your calm body helps them find theirs.

2. Use Clear, Concrete Language

Autistic children often benefit from direct, simple explanations.
Avoid metaphors like “went to sleep,” “gone away,” or “lost.”
Instead, use gentle, honest words and repeat as needed.

3. Support Their Communication Style

Grief can show up through behavior, play, questions, or silence.
None of it is “wrong.”
Follow their lead — whether they want to talk, draw, move, or just stay close.

4. Keep Routines Predictable

Trauma can shake a child’s sense of safety.
Visual schedules, consistent routines, and prepared transitions can help restore stability.

5. Connection Comes Before Coping Skills

Children heal in relationship with a regulated adult.
Before teaching coping strategies, make sure the child feels:
   •   Seen
   •   Safe
   •   Supported
   •   Not alone

Co-regulation is the foundation on which confidence and resilience are built.

11/12/2025

Music, movement, and magic moments at Galvin Therapy Center!
Our little learners are strumming, exploring, and creating together — one rhythm, one giggle, and one discovery at a time.

From tuning into sensory play to rocking out with our therapists, these moments are what “Where I Can’t Becomes I Can” is all about.

11/07/2025

Why Thematic Play Matters

Using themes in therapy—like “farm,” “ocean,” or “community helpers”—isn’t just cute décor. It’s an evidence-based strategy that builds connection, predictability, and learning across multiple domains.

*Predictability reduces anxiety.
Structured, repeating themes help children know what to expect, supporting regulation and transitions—essential for children who thrive on routine.

*Generalization through meaningful context.
Research shows that embedding skills into natural, familiar themes helps autistic learners transfer new words, social skills, and motor patterns to everyday life.

*Increased engagement and joint attention.
Thematic play taps into intrinsic motivation and shared focus—key foundations for communication and play development (Kasari et al., 2012; Wong et al., 2015, NPDC EBP Report).
*Supports interdisciplinary goals.
A single theme can link OT, SLP, and ABA targets—like fine motor skills, vocabulary, and social reciprocity—creating consistent, connected experiences.

At Galvin Therapy Center, our therapists use themed weeks to bring structure, creativity, and joy to learning—because when children are calm, connected, and curious… progress follows.

11/05/2025

When Mason first came to therapy, his mom worried about how he played.
He didn’t use the dollhouse “the right way.”
Instead of pretending to be the dad or setting up the furniture, Mason lined up the dolls in color order and tapped the roof to make it “echo.”

But we saw something special.
Mason wasn’t playing wrong — he was discovering in his own way.
Through colors, sounds, and patterns, he was exploring his world and finding calm.

So we met him there.
We lined up dolls too. We echoed the roof taps. And soon, he added one small thing — a tiny “hello” between two dolls.
That moment became the start of shared play, laughter, and connection.

At Galvin Therapy Center, we know that play doesn’t have to look typical to matter.
Every way a child plays tells us something about how they see and make sense of their world.

Here are three ways to encourage play at home:
1. Join, don’t direct. Let your child show you what they love about the activity before suggesting anything new.
2. Add slowly. Introduce small changes like a sound effect, turn-taking, or one extra piece to the game.
3. Celebrate curiosity. There’s no wrong way to play when a child is engaged, happy, and learning.

Play is connection, no matter what it looks like.

11/04/2025

11/03/2025

Such an honor to accept this award on behalf of our amazing team at Galvin Therapy Center!

Our OTs give so much of themselves—not only to the children and families we serve, but also to the future of our profession. Through fieldwork education, they guide and inspire the next generation of therapists with heart, patience, and care.

So proud of this team and the impact they make every day.

10/29/2025

We have solutions!

1. Candy Science!
Watch colors swirl — Skittles + water = magic!

2. Bake the Leftovers
Toss candy in cookie dough. Boom, instant masterpiece.

3. Candy Math
Sort, count, stack — who knew learning was so sweet?

4. Sweet Kindness
Make treat bags for helpers — sprinkle joy everywhere!

5. Candy Swap!
Trade sweets for fidgets or stickers — fun without the sugar rush.

6. Wrapper Art
Turn wrappers into collages or ornaments — crafty + colorful!

10/27/2025

Spooktacular & Safe

Therapy-Approved Halloween Fun!

Halloween is all about creativity, movement, and connection—perfect opportunities for therapy magic!
Here are a few fun & functional tips to keep the night enjoyable for every child:

*Sensory Prep: Try on costumes early—practice wearing masks or textured fabrics for short bursts.
*Motor Fun: Build balance and coordination with pumpkin bowling or a spooky obstacle course.
*Regulation Ready: Keep snacks, water, and calm-down breaks handy—trick-or-treating can be a sensory marathon!
*Safety First: Use reflective tape, flashlights, and stay on well-lit paths.
*Inclusive Play: Let kids join at their comfort level—handing out candy counts too!

This Halloween, let’s make “I can’t” become “I can” one doorstep at a time.

10/18/2025

We’re at the Conference in Columbus! Last night, our very own Karen Porter was awarded for Excellence in Clinical Education, and Galvin Therapy as an organization was recognized as an excellent student fieldwork site! ❤️💚💙

10/17/2025

We were honored to welcome Dr Karen Jacobs from Boston University to Galvin Therapy Center! Her visit energized our team as we discussed our shared research using Korro AI to support children’s mental and physical well-being. Collaborating with leaders like Dr. Jacobs reminds us how innovation and evidence-based practice come together to transform lives—one child at a time.

10/15/2025

Is Movement the Missing Link in Child Development? At Galvin Therapy Center, we know that motor skills are more than movement—they’re the foundation for learning, attention, and connection.

Research shows that:
   •   Children with autism often experience motor delays—but therapy that builds coordination and strength also boosts social and communication growth.
   •   Children with ADHD show lower motor control on average—but movement-based therapy improves both motor and executive function skills, supporting focus and self-regulation.

That’s why our occupational, physical, and behavioral therapists weave purposeful movement into every session.
Because when kids move with confidence, they learn, connect, and thrive.