therapy center

Based on the findings from the initial evaluation, an individualized custom program is designed, offering the most effective optimization of the individual’s strengths while addressing any weaknesses. The program can then be implemented on an hourly basis, by a Jacob’s Ladder therapist utilizing a one-to-one ratio. Most insurance accepted.

The following services can be incorporated into the daily school program or accessed individually through our Therapy Center: Behavior Services, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Openings, Outdoor Therapeutic Program, Music Therapy, Therapeutic Yoga, Recreation Therapy, Brain Mapping, Neurofeedback, Sound Therapy Program, Biomedical Consultation, and Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber Therapy, Individual Counseling, and Academic Tutoring.

To read about these research-based methodologies, please click here.

Therapy Center: Behavioral/Emotional/Social Development

Brain Mapping

Brain Mapping or neurometrics (Qeeg) was introduced more than thirty years ago as a means of measuring and diagnosing brain function. For example, through the utilization of Low Resonance Electromagnetic Tomography or LORETA, we can identify areas of hyperactivity and hypoactivity and specifically target certain areas of the brain for our neurofeedback therapy. Under the direction of Martin Wuttke, we use this invaluable process to pinpoint areas of concern for language, memory, attention, emotional/behavioral issues, and processing.

Neurofeedback

All our thoughts, emotions and behaviors are affected by our brainwaves, which are tiny pulses of electrical activity produced as the neurons communicate with each other. When there are patterns within the brain that are not working correctly there will be corresponding problems. A wide variety of disorders can be traced back to these dysfunctional brainwave patterns. By influencing these electrical patterns, we can change the brain's communication, enhancing the function of the central nervous system and thereby improving mental performance, emotional control, and physiological stability.

Neurofeedback therapy can help both children and adults. In fact, thanks to the innate flexibility of the growing child's mind, it is especially effective for children. Hyperactivity, attention deficit, temper tantrums, and conduct problems are more often exhibited by children than by adults and can be effectively treated through neurofeedback therapy. At Jacob’s Ladder, we are finding neurofeedback therapy to be a step toward self-regulation in many of our students. Furthermore, once the brain has learned to function normally, the effect is usually lasting, and relapse rarely occurs.

Because neurofeedback therapy trains the brain to operate effectively, it is an effective treatment for individuals who are recovering from injury or coping with such issues as: fears/phobias, depressed mood/mood swings, substance abuse, chronic pain, fatigue, sleep problems, headaches, autoimmune problems and PTSD. Neurofeedback therapy is also beneficial in bringing the brain back on track after day-to-day stress or in facilitating peak performance, for example, for professional athletes or corporate executives. People practicing meditation also report an enhanced ability to quiet racing thoughts and deeper, more profound meditation experiences.

Sound Therapy Programs

The ability of the brain to change is known as neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity is the brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life. For example, if one hemisphere of the brain is damaged by injury or disease, the intact hemisphere may take over some of its functions. This is done by reorganizing and forming new neuro pathways. Our Sound Therapy Programs -- The Listening Program (TLP) and the Integrated Listening Program (ILS) -- stimulate cerebellar activity to strengthen neural connections and in the process build patterns for further development in learning, coordination, auditory processing, and receptive language.

Another important part of our Sound Therapy Programs is the stimulation of the vestibular system. The vestibule, located in the inner ear, has three main functions: balance, posture, and eye movement. These three functions play an important role in our sense of who we are and where we are in our environment, in our ability to move in a smooth and coordinated way, the tone and strength of our muscle development, and the eye tracking ability required for learning. The tone of all the muscles in our body is in a large part dependent on the vestibular system. It is this system that tells your body how much muscle tension is needed to perform a particular function.

Movement, listening, and visual stimulation are vital to our ability to learn and process information. As these three systems are so interrelated, 'exercising' them simultaneously is a holistic approach that requires the brain to become better at integrating multi-sensory information. Through our Sound Therapy Programs we are essentially re-training the brain to become more efficient and effective and in the process strengthening neural connections to improve performance.

Behavioral Services

Jacob's Ladder’s Behavioral Services is comprised of a team of professionals including Licensed Professional Counselors, School Psychologists, Certified Crisis Prevention Intervention Specialists, and Certified Teachers. As a team, we provide support to families and all providers to ensure optimal success in all educational and home settings. Each individual is provided with a comprehensive Behavior Intervention Plan, preceded by a Functional Behavior Assessment. Individualized Behavior Plans outline targeted goals and objectives to extinguish and/or decrease undesired behaviors that impede overall daily functioning. The Behavior Team will work closely with the family and all providers throughout the execution of the behavior plan and will monitor daily output and make changes as needed. Our goal is to ensure that all providers and family members are consistently implementing the strategies that will result in optimal functioning across settings.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

The goal of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is to effect positive and lasting change through the modification of maladaptive thoughts and behaviors. Based on the notion that thoughts rather than external influences cause feelings and behaviors, CBT is the clinical basis of the Jacob’s Ladder Emotional Development Program. Through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, students in our Emotional Development Program learn to successfully express and manage their emotions, which increases their social and individual self-awareness and ultimately provides them with a strong foundation of personal responsibility and genuine feeling of self-confidence.

Openings

This is a teen group (ages 11 to 18) that is designed to first lead the child through the stages of creative development, followed by an emphasis on the expression of emotion through artistic endeavor. The curriculum correlates many different styles and time periods in art history to the stages of creative development, thus giving students an academic absorption as well. The goal is to aid each child in developing his or her own creative point of view, as well as a more comprehensive understanding of emotions.

Outdoor Therapeutic Program

This program gives children the opportunity to develop social skills, teamwork, the dynamics of specific sports, games and exercises, physical awareness, hand-eye coordination, gross motor, and self-esteem.

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Therapy Center: Additional Therapeutic Interventions

Music Therapy

 This is a fun group intervention that provides effective opportunities for children to practice fine and gross motor skills, communication, social and emotional skills.

Therapeutic Yoga

Therapeutic Yoga is used to help attain better focus, physical and emotional well-being, stress relief, and personal awareness through physical exercises, breath work, and self-monitoring.

Recreation Therapy

This intervention uses recreation and physical activities as the primary medium of treatment to enhance coordination, strength, independence, and well-being.

Bio-medical Consultation

The more children we serve over the years, the more clearly we see the strong implication for the need of the physiological/bio-medical aspects of the Jacob's Ladder Model. These issues are diverse and complex in nature, and each child brings their own unique profile of needs; we partner with several health care providers in order to map out a step-by-step approach to biomedical issues. Scheduling an appointment with our consultant is recommended in order to give your child the strongest foundation possible from which to build.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber Therapy

Pressurized oxygen has tremendous healing capabilities. This therapy is a powerful, safe, non-invasive alternative to medication and is being used for an array of disorders. It has been found to have an impact on the speech and language centers of the brain, allowing some non-verbal students to begin speaking. HBOT has the capacity to heal the brain by activating idling neurons, enabling cognitive function. Outcomes include improved attention and concentration, the ability to follow directions, increased verbalization, and a reduction in hyperactivity.

Academic Tutoring

Jacob's ladder offers programming for Home School settings and can support those efforts with Academic Tutoring. In addition, if an initial evaluation indicates readiness, we will implement an Academic Tutoring program tailored to the student’s academic needs on a part-time basis.

To read about these research-based methodologies, please click here.

Tags:Jacob’s Ladder Neurodevelopmental School and Therapy Center,Autism school in Atlanta, special needs school in Atlanta, Down syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, learning disabilities, genetic disorders, ASD, PDD