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Sensory Gym Grand Opening Virginia Beach!

8/11/2015

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A couple of weeks ago I got a behind-the-scenes look the SensoryAbled Kids Gym, a new Sensory Gym opening in Virginia Beach this weekend!!  Mompreneur, Tashia Smith, has been hard at work organizing and planning the opening and it's all set to roll out on Saturday, August 15th at 10:00 am. 

Disclosure: I have no affliation with SensoryAbled Kids or the owner or the manufacturers of the products featured here.  Though I plan at some point soon to start a Parent-led Social Skills Play Therapy Group that will meet at the gym.  More on that soon.

Grand Opening on Saturday!

The opening starts at 10:00 am this Saturday and Tashia plans to be open for open play Wednesday through Sunday each week from 10:00 am until 6:00 pm.  There will be door prizes and giveaways.  Oaktree Counseling plans on donating a few sensory items as door prizes as well.  There is also a giveaway to a special Invitation Only Sneak Peek on Friday night, before the grand opening (details at the end of the post).

Why Do We Need A Sensory Gym?

I asked Tashia what inspired her to open a sensory gym in Virginia Beach. Tashia was looking for something in our area that would help her son with motor skills and socializing.  Something more like fun and less like therapy.  She came across a gym started by a group of autism mommies in Massachusetts.
I think a family-owned business is a good model for my children and allows me to be more active in their lives.
-Tashia Smith, 
owner of SensoryAbled Kids
But, at the time, there was nothing like it anywhere in Hampton Roads.   She spent the last year researching, thinking, seeking out funding and then jumped in head first and quit her job.

Tashia said, "I wanted to fill this need for my son and also the community at large. Plus, I think a family owned business is a good model for my children and allows me to be more active in their life vs working for someone else."

New Photos of SensoryAbled Kids Sensory Gym!

Be sure to check out the giveaway being hosted by My Active Child for three FREE family passes (up to 3 people from the same household) to the Sneak Peek on Friday Night!

See You Saturday!


For more details, including pricing, on the sensory gym check out my last post.


P.S. Tashia and I aren't the only ones who see the need for more sensory play experiences for our kiddos.  I also encourage you check out the open play hours at Brick Headz, another great resource in our area with sensory play equipment, ages 1 to 12.  As well as Cloud9, an amazing trampoline park.  And Green Bean, a new indoor play center, children 6 and under.

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Nikki Schwartz is a Licensed Professional Counselor at Oaktree Counseling and focuses on using neurofeedback, play, and talk therapies to provide practical, effective counseling to families and clients.

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Virginia Beach is getting a Sensory Gym!

7/23/2015

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SensoryAbled Kids Sensory Gym is coming in August to Virginia Beach!
Hampton Roads is finally getting a Sensory Gym!  Mompreneur, Tashia Smith, plans on opening the SensoryAbled Kids in Virginia Beach on Holland Road, August 12th, if all goes according to plan. 

Her rates are totally reasonable and... AND... she's offering a discount for any additional siblings who tag along! (keep reading for more details).

(Can you tell I'm excited?!  I have nothing to disclose, I am not affliated with the gym or any of the websites or manufacturers mentioned here.  Neither Tashia nor SensoryAbled Kids is compensating me for this post in any way.)

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Adult Autism: Encourage Communication

6/26/2015

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PicturePhoto credit: juanedc via flickr
There are so many books and resources geared toward children on the Autism Spectrum, but *gasp*, guess what?  They grow up.  I know, I know, that sounds incredible, but it's true.  A child with autism will one day be a 40 year old with autism.  I want to provide ideas that address this gap in resources.

My last post discussed the principles I use in my office to encourage language and communication with children on the Autism Spectrum.  These same ideas can be adapted for young adults on the Spectrum, as well as older individuals with Autism who might have difficulty with conversation, language and social interaction.

DISCLAIMER: I am not affliated with the authors or websites mentioned here and have received no form of compensation to mention them.


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Helping Your Child with Autism Communicate Through Play

6/20/2015

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How can you help your child with Autism talk more? It all starts with play. @OaktreeCounselPhoto Credit: Henry Burrows via Flickr
A parent recently told me that her son with autism lives and breathes to play on his iPad and watch YouTube, and that everything else is just "counting the hours".  I laughed.  A lot.

Maybe you kiddo is obsessed with YouTube or Lego® or lining everything up.  So... how do we help your child or young adult talk more, engage more effectively and enjoy relationships?  It starts with play.


These strategies work with any age; though, you'll need to adapt them for young adults or older individuals. CONTINUE READING


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Sensory Friendly Show: The Croods

6/3/2013

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by Nikki Schwartz

The Croods by Dreamworks
Cinema Cafe in Virginia Beach let me know that they are doing another sensory friendly show this Saturday at 10:30 am at the Pembroke location.

Guess what?  Tickets are only $1.50!!  Guess what else?  We have a pair to give away.  I'll tell you how to win in a second. :)
The Crood's family's motto is "Never Not Be Afraid."  When their cave is destroyed, they've got to set out for something new.  I think this is a great lesson for kids and can provide some great teaching moments after the movie.

Another Surprise!

Cinema Cafe has decided to have a regular sensory friendly event every month on the 1st Saturday morning of the month at 10:30 am.  For $1.50, I think there will be a lot of families who will be able to afford to take their kiddos to the movies.  Now getting everyone out of bed and to Pembroke by 10:30 on a Saturday morning, that might be tricky. ;)
Sensory Friendly Shows at Cinema Cafe mean that the lights are up, the sound is down, to offer a judgment-free space to enjoy the movies.

How to Win Tickets

If you'd like to win the tickets, leave two comments:
  • One on this giveaway post
  • And one comment that contributes to the conversation of a past post.  (Scroll down to find past posts or you can look through the blog categories).

We'll send the winner an email on Thursday (June 7th) at 8pm.  The winner will need to respond by 10pm Thursday evening to claim the tickets.  The tickets will be left in the winner's name at the box office.

Nikki Schwartz, LPC
Nikki Schwartz is a Licensed Professional Counselor at Oaktree and focuses on using neurofeedback, play, and talk therapies to provide practical, effective counseling to families and clients. 

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Teach Kids how to Interrupt, @AskDocG

5/13/2013

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I'm always looking for realistic parenting tips for families who have children with Autism, Asperger's, and ADHD.  I recently discovered a great series of short parenting videos from @AskDocG, Dr. Deborah Gilboa regularly posts tips on parenting.

I've already used this suggestion several times to teach children on the spectrum how to interrupt their parents politely.  I couldn't believe I had never thought of something this simple before, definitely worth watching.  Dr. G posts weekly with great tips for parents, you can find those on her YouTube Channel.
Now, that you've watched it... I recently tried this with a child that I know outside of the office, who is rather impatient.  I couldn't believe how quickly she picked it up and didn't interrupt once the rest of the afternoon.  I was shocked.  Try it out, I would love to hear how it works out for your kiddo.

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Nikki Schwartz is a Licensed Professional Counselor at Oaktree and focuses on using neurofeedback, play, and talk therapies to provide practical, effective counseling to families and clients. 

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Free App Friday!

4/19/2013

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This morning I am on my way to DC for this weekend's Accessibilty Conference (about a 3 hour drive). Here's a little gem I found in my perusal... smartappsforkids.com does a post every Friday with a list if free apps! Always a great thing to have. I'll let you know if I find anything good!

Here's a link:
http://www.smartappsforkids.com/2013/04/free-app-friday-apps-free-until-10pm-cst-us-041913.html#more
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Local Autism Resource Directory for Virginia Beach

4/14/2013

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by Nikki Schwartz

Tidewater ASA (Autism Society of America) updated their Resource Directory last month in January.  This is an invaluable resource for anyone new to Autism, Asperger's, or Sensory Processing Disorders, as well as anyone who's just moved to Virginia Beach with a child on the Spectrum.

Providers typically request to be part of the directory, so they are indicating that they specifically work with people with ASD.  This is great for you, since it can be hard to find Autism-friendly businesses sometimes.

We've added their Autism Resource Directory as a download on our site as well.  We've also added a calendar of many of the Autism-friendly events, meetups, fundraisers, and respites in the area.
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Click Image to Download the Resource Directory
NOTE: Neither Nikki Schwartz, Spectrum Psychological Services, nor Tidewater Autism Society of America, endorses providers listed.  All information is for informational purposes only. Please make sure to do your own research regarding providers, techniques and therapies.

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Nikki Schwartz is a Licensed Professional Counselor at Oaktree and focuses on using neurofeedback, play, and talk therapies to provide practical, effective counseling to families and clients. 

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Spectrum Parents Facebook Group for Virginia Beach
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ADHD Tips for Parents: Should They Sit Still?

4/4/2013

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by Nikki Schwartz

Yes, kids with ADHD should sit still.  All the time. Preferably, they can sit still with an elephant sitting on top of them. ;)  Because for some kiddos with ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorders this is about the only way to make it happen. Great idea, huh? Check out more of my creative ADHD Tips for Parents. (By the way, how fun is the photo of the cutie pie under the elephant statue?)

So, barring squishing your kids with very large animals, what then?  Well, this might be the wrong question to start with.  So, what is/are the right question(s)?
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Photo Credit (Bottom Right, Clockwise):  Kids Giving Your Problems? Hire an Elephant by peasap, Blowing Bubbles by Nicki Varkevisser, Tapping a Pencil by Rennett Stowe, Running by Ian Carroll. All photos used with permission via Flickr, with Creative Commons Licenses.

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Virginia Beach Autism Events: Local Calendar

4/1/2013

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by Nikki Schwartz

Looking for local Autism-Friendly events in Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads?  Suzi Noyes, a realtor in Kempsville, Virginia Beach, has offered to let us post her calendar for you here.  It includes several types of events including respite nights, sensory friendly outings, social groups, fundraisers, meetings, support groups, etc.

Click here to see the full calendar
If you have a child with autism or know someone with Asperger's or another Autism Spectrum Disorder, this is a great place to find out what is going on.  If you'd like to add an event to the calendar, send Suzi an email and let her know.  We'll be hosting this Autism Events Calendar permanently on our site.  You can also check out our resources page for a local providers directory.

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Nikki Schwartz is a Licensed Professional Counselor at Oaktree and focuses on using neurofeedback, play, and talk therapies to provide practical, effective counseling to families and clients. 

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    Nikki Schwartz, Licensed Professional Counselor

    Nikki Schwartz,
    LPC, NCC

    About Nikki

    Nikki is a Licensed Professional Counselor and owner of Oaktree.  She focuses on utilizing neurofeedback in the Virginia Beach area, as well as play therapy, and other counseling techniques to help clients and families play, live, and work together.

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    • About Nikki Schwartz, LPC
    • ADHD
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    • What if Talk Therapy Isn't For You?
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    • Request an Appointment
    • Rates
    • Directions to Our Office
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