Oaktree Counseling
  • Home
  • Counseling
    • About Nikki Schwartz, LPC
    • ADHD
    • Anxiety
    • What if Talk Therapy Isn't For You?
  • New Clients
    • Request an Appointment
    • Rates
    • Directions to Our Office
  • Blog

Sensory Gym Grand Opening Virginia Beach!

8/11/2015

Comments

 
Picture
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.

Picture
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.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:

SensoryAbled Kids Sensory Gym Virginia Beach
SensoryAbled Kids Sensory Gym Virginia Beach
ADHD tips for parents: fidget to focus
How fidgeting really does help them focus
Comments

Virginia Beach is getting a Sensory Gym!

7/23/2015

Comments

 
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.)

Read More
Comments

Sensory Friendly Show: The Croods

6/3/2013

Comments

 

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. 

You Might Also Like:

10 Self Care Tips for Parents with Children on the Spectrum
10 Self Care Tips for Parents with Kids on the Spectrum
Tips to Help Your Autistic Child Enjoy Relationships
Tips to Help your Autistic Child Enjoy Relationships
Comments

Local Autism Resource Directory for Virginia Beach

4/14/2013

Comments

 

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.
Picture
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.

Picture
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. 

You Might Also Like:

Picture
Spectrum Parents Facebook Group for Virginia Beach
Picture
Tips to Help Children with Autism Enjoy Relationships
Comments

Virginia Beach Autism Events: Local Calendar

4/1/2013

Comments

 

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.

Picture
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. 

You Might Also Like:

Picture
Autism, Virginia Beach on Pinterest
Picture
Facebook Group for Local Virginia Beach Spectrum Parents
Comments

Sensory Friendly Show: Escape From Planet Earth

2/23/2013

Comments

 

by Nikki Schwartz

I was excited to see this morning that Cinema Cafe in Virginia Beach & Hampton has decided to continue offering monthly Sensory Friendly Shows for the Autism community! 

Escape from Planet Earth is a new Disney movie that will be showing at Cinema Cafe Kemps River and Hampton on Tuesday, February 26th at 4:30pm.  Tickets are only $4.75 each!

Sensory Friendly means Cinema Cafe will turn the lights up and the sound down.  The other families attending are familiar with sensory issues, so no one looks twice if your kiddo is stimming or has a meltdown.  This kind of judgement free space takes the pressure off of you as a parent.
Picture
Drop Caitlyn Hylinski at Cinema Cafe a Facebook message and let them know you love the idea of Sensory Friendly Shows and you want to see more shows in the future.

Would you be interested in a seeing a Sensory Friendly Show with tickets for $2.50?  Cinema Cafe has considered offering a second-run movie showing for the Autism Community at Pembroke Meadows or Greenbrier.  Let me know in the comments what you think of the idea.

P.S. Stop by our blog next month, I'll be giving away tickets to the next sensory friendly showing at Cinema Cafe!

Picture
Nikki Schwartz is a Counselor Resident at Spectrum Psychological and focuses on using neurofeedback, play, and talk therapies to provide practical, effective counseling to families and clients.  You can find her on Pinterest, Twitter, and Facebook, and Google+.

You Might Also Like:

Ignorance of Asperger's Syndrome by Nikki Schwartz at SpectrumPsychological.net
Ignorance About Asperger's Syndrome & Advocacy
Spectrum Parents Facebook Group by Nikki Schwartz at SpectrumPsychological.net
Facebook Group for Hampton Roads Spectrum Parents
Comments

Play to Learn February Blog Hop

2/2/2013

Comments

 

by Nikki  Schwartz

I love ideas for play-based learning for every kiddo, but especially those with special needs, Autism, Asperger's, and ADHD.  The point of play-based learning is that it is FUN!  Not that it "looks" educational.  So, anyone who is writing about play and encouraging others to play with their littles, feel free to link up!

Make sure to check out our co-hosts, Lora at Kids Creative Chaos and Mary Anne at Mama Smiles.  Their blogs are almost too fun. ;)
Picture
Photo Credit: D. Sharon Pruitt via Flickr

Blog Hop Rules

Feel free to link up an old or new posts (up to 3) related to play-based learning.  In exchange for each link, please leave comments on 1 or 2 other linked posts.  Add the blog hop badge to your site, either on your sidebar or in a post.  Please only link posts you have written yourself, no other link ups or blog hops.  
Play to Learn Blog Hop
<div align="center"><a href="http://www.spectrumpsychological.net/1/post/2013/02/play-to-learn-february-blog-hop.html" title="Play to Learn Blog Hop"><img src="http://www.spectrumpsychological.net/uploads/1/4/9/5/1495826/3711599.jpg?1358187461" alt="Play to Learn Blog Hop" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Picture
Nikki Schwartz is a Counselor Resident at Spectrum Psychological and focuses on using neurofeedback, play, and talk therapies to provide practical, effective counseling to families and clients.  You can find her on Pinterest, Twitter, and Facebook.

You Might Also Like

10 Self Care Tips for Parents
10 Self Care Tips for Parents
Picture
25 Ideas from Light Table Play from Dollar Tree
Comments

25 Awesome Ideas for Light Table Play from Dollar Tree!

1/21/2013

Comments

 

by Nikki Schwartz

Over Christmas, my husband built me a light table!  If you have not seen these, they are so great for sensory play and play-based learning techniques.  

So, last week I went in search of cheap light table activities at Dollar Tree®.  There were so many great inexpensive finds, I knew I had to share.  My toddler has had so much fun with these that I went back to buy a few more of his favorites!  What inexpensive light table activities have you found and loved?  Let me know in the comment section!
CONTINUE READING
(P.S. I have no affiliation to DOLLAR TREE®  and was in no way compensated for this post.)
25 Awesome Idea for Light Table Play from Dollar Tree | See all of our therapy pins at @SpectrumPsych

Read More
Comments

Five of My Favorite Play to Learn Posts

1/14/2013

Comments

 

by Nikki Schwartz

I am a big fan of play based-learning, Montessori, and Reggio actvities for kids.  There is so much to be said for open-play.  So, without further ado, here are five of my favorite play-based learning posts. (I have no affliation to any of the sites, nor did I receive any sort of compensation for this post from anyone mentioned here).

1. DIY Light Box Tutorial

Picture
I love The Imagination Tree!  So many ideas to make at home for kids to play with for hours.  This is a simple tutorial to make a light box for sensory play at home.  Most light tables are fairly expensive ($400 to $500).  This is a much less pricey route with good instructions.

Read More
Comments

ADHD Tips for Parents: Fidgets

11/30/2012

Comments

 
ADHD Tips for Parents: Fidgets
This is my second post in the ADHD Tips for Parents series.  I started off by posting an ADHD Tips Infographic that offered alternatives to ADHD habits that are unsafe, unhealthy or simply annoying to others.  The ADHD brain tends to have an understimulated frontal lobe, where decision making, planning, and organizing happens.  People with ADHD naturally choose activities and habits to help stimulate that area of the brain.  Noisy fidgeting is very common, things like tapping feet, clicking pens, cracking knuckles, and tends to irritate others. CONTINUE READING


(Photo from Top Left: Pencil Fidgets by Abilitations; The Ultimate Fidget by Sensory University; 
Therapy Tangle by Tangle Creations; Balance Cushion by Isokinetics)


Read More
Comments
<<Previous
    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.

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    October 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    June 2012

    Categories

    All
    ADHD
    ADHD Tips For Parents
    Adult ADHD
    Apps & Technology
    Asperger's
    Autism
    Autism Behavior
    Autistic Child
    Counseling
    Emotional Development
    Fidgets
    Infographic
    Neurofeedback
    Nikki Schwartz
    Parenting
    Pinterest
    Play Based Learning
    Play Therapy
    Play To Learn
    Proactive Parenting
    Psychological Needs
    PTSD
    Self Care
    Sensory Friendly
    Virginia Beach

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • Counseling
    • About Nikki Schwartz, LPC
    • ADHD
    • Anxiety
    • What if Talk Therapy Isn't For You?
  • New Clients
    • Request an Appointment
    • Rates
    • Directions to Our Office
  • Blog