Welcome to the Speak Easy Blog
Speak Easy Rehabilitation is an ABA clinic is based upon neuro diverse affirming care.
To help you better understand how we help our patients, let’s introduce you to what neuro diverse affirming care is.
Here is the metaphor…
The cola bottle metaphor The cola bottle metaphor can be used to explain the impact of masking, or the delayed impact of ‘just getting through the day’, for a child with additional needs. Imagine your child is holding a bottle of cola, as they go through the day the bottle gets shaken. They wake in the morning and demands are placed on them ‘time to get up – we can’t be late for school’. Shake the bottle.
It’s time to brush their teeth, this feels so uncomfortable, but they know they have to. Shake the bottle.
Time to put on their school uniform, it feels scratchy. Shake the bottle.
Time to walk to school, the cars are noisy and there are loads of other children shouting. They can’t concentrate on what mum is saying. Shake the bottle.
Arrive at school, the teacher says hello and wants to ask about their weekend. They feel anxious but know they should reply, they’re not sure what is the right thing to say. Shake the bottle.
Classroom time, the noises are so overwhelming, they’ve missed what the teacher said, they don’t know what they should be doing. Shake the bottle.
Playtime, children ask to play but their games are confusing and they don’t have clear rules. Shake the bottle.
Lunchtime, their food smells funny and they don’t want to eat it but the teacher says they have to. Shake the bottle.
Now it’s an art lesson and they’re using clay. They make a model but the clay feels horrible under their nails and on their skin. Shake the bottle.
Now think, what is going to happen if that bottle is opened. An explosion that you cannot control. This is where we see that delayed response of ‘out of the blue’ episodes where children become so dysregulated. You can support your child with this situation by:
• Ensure they have regular breaks throughout the day.
• Think about after school routines which allow them ‘wind down’ or let out that ‘cola bottle pressure’ slowly. Helpful after school routines will look different for every child, some need a safe quiet space to relax, others may benefit from music or running around.
• Reduce demands for a period of time after the school day (or other busy periods of time).
• Look out for and noticing subtle ‘warning signs’ in their presentation that may tell you they are becoming overwhelmed and need support to regulate this. Noticing this and offering support early on can be useful.
Contact Speak Easy Rehabilitation to learn more about helping children with neuro diverse needs.
Speak Easy Rehabilitation is a speech and physical rehabilitation clinic serving the greater North Carolina area. We help pediatric and adult patients with neuro diverse needs, and patients with speech, occupational, physical, and developmental therapy needs. Please call or visit our web site to schedule a consultation, and let us help you develop a plan of care.
