Jessica H Smith, LCSW - S

Kabir sees children and adults. Check out his PT profile link in bio.

Sharing this info about my new supervisee, Kabir Parikh, LMSW. I'm so excited to collaborate with him on his path to becoming an LCSW in Texas! If you or someone you know has been looking for a therapist and you think Kabir might be a great fit, please reach out to him.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/kabir-parikh-houston-tx/1383016

This is your yearly reminder that-

a) Autistic people don't need to be open about being Autistic in order to be treated with kindness

b) Using blue to represent autism is tied into some really problematic parts of Autistic history that persist even to this day

If you need Autistic people to carry a blur pumpkin to show they are Autistic, the problem is not our difference. It's that you require us to compromise our safety in order to be treated with some balance of dignity.

fans

I'm grateful that I was introduced to Mona Delahooke, Ph.D. 's books years ago and that I was able to be a part of her training community. My entire vision of child and adolescent therapy and parenting shifted.

Thinking and research evolves over decades, as clinical/systems & practices wait for more evidence to come in. I grew weary of witnessing children in schools & agencies treated with methods backed by old research/thinking, and that's why I wrote Beyond Behaviors. We can't shift a paradigm until we define what it is, many people don't know that there's a new way to view children, a way that's not taught in traditional university settings. The "old paradigm" rests on research conducted decades ago, with a certain focus. (Simple cause/effect). Newer models that consider the complexity of human development, attempt to hold that complexity. Sharing this often felt like swimming upstream, but the relational joy we discovered behind the labels was the proof I needed to talk about the need for a shift across systems of education, mental health, and medicine.

I have another new associate who does wonderful work and is an all-around cool person. Seriously! Check out Shawna!

As per ALWAYS, Em at NeuroWild has shared with all of us another beautiful graphic explanation of neuroaffirming support! Please check this out and follow them if you do not already! 🤩

check out this post by The Mini ADHD Coach

relatable?

"How do you label yourself? 😔

I used to call myself lazy, stupid, selfish, rude, and irresponsible my whole life until my ADHD diagnosis at 29.

Do I still use these labels?
Sometimes, yes. Rebuilding self-esteem takes time 🌱

Without my diagnosis, I might still believe those things about myself 😢"

Send a message to learn more

❤️

This is Aidan. With an ‘a,’ I know y’all iPhones be wanting to shove that “e” in there, but resist…it’s AidAn.

He’s 17. A Pisces. He feels every bit of one too.

Nonspeaking. Uses Proloquo2Go on his iPad. Learning to spell to communicate.

Diagnosed way before “levels.” He wasn’t even two yet.

He would be considered ”severe” to many, “profound” to others, “low functioning” to some…and they would be considered wounded should they refer to him as such. Not physically, but I deliver tongue thrashings quicker than Prime Delivery.

Until a preference is indicated, I use both PFL and IDL with him.

He is dx’d ID as well, but this was largely predicated on his ability to speak and perform for testing that wasn’t fit for his communicative style or how he interacts with his surroundings.

He’s my oldest.

Large personality.

Makes you earn every smile, that’s what makes them the most precious thing in the world. He doesn’t just hand them out.

Despite not smiling a whole lot (like his daddy), he is the happiest person I know.

Calm demeanor, though loud and excitable with his vocals.

Loves fries, but exceptionally picky. His palate is apparently…very refined.

Rihanna is bae.

Music is life.

Professional finger flicker.

Side-eye Jedi.

Part-time wheelchair user.

Loves his brother’s cooking. His parents are apparently chopped liver, though he would probably like chopped liver if brother made it.

Loves car rides and blanket “hoods” over his head at all times (see? a Jedi).

Has a bed, doesn’t always like to sleep in it.

Sees cookies, eats cookies.

Not the biggest fan of television.

He sleeps but we never know when.

Loves books, bothering his brother, and puzzles.

Kind heart and very trusting, though difficult to get his trust back when it’s gone.

Unapologetically him. He does not mask. He doesn’t hide who he is. This world will get whatever version of Aidan he sees fit.

He is very much an inspiration to me. Both my boys are, I am raising my role models.

How blessed am I?

This is our son, the “Fries” to our “Fidgets.”

[ID: Aidan, Black Autistic teenager with caramel colored skin. His mother is pleased he inherited her smile, only a thousand times better. He is showing off that beautiful smile, all teeth, cheeks pulled back, eyes that kiss closed, nose scrunched upward and inward. Look like his daddy, cute like his mama. He is wearing a gray beanie hat, blue face mask under his chin, blue shirt with white letters that read "drip" all over and a brown bear with glasses, and gray sweatpants. He sits in a wheelchair as he flicks his fingers from both hands off of each other. He is in an exam room of a clinic.]

Thanks to one of my clients who told me about this cool summer program!
Magic in the Magic City

Learning and performing magic tricks has been shown to benefit children and adults with disabilities. The approach is being shown to be an effective treatment technique as it promotes motivation, and improves physical, psychological, perceptual, or social functions in those who participate.

The annual UAB Magic Camp will be held virtually via Zoom this summer. It is designed - and free to attend - for children ages 9 - 18 with disabilities. In each four-week camp, children will learn two to three magic tricks every Monday and Wednesday, and be part of a group meeting each Friday so all the campers can get to know each other. The end of each camp will feature a streamed magic show performance for friends and family!

OT Magic Camp - SHP - Department of Occupational Therapy A day in the life of an occupational therapist is different for everyone and never the same.

🚀 Attention Houston’s LGBTQ youth community! 👽

You are cordially invited to our annual LGBTQIA+ Youth Prom, where there are no dress codes, no restrictions on who you can dance with, and where you can simply be yourself! 🌈 This year’s theme is “This Is A Safe Space.” ✨

🌌 Get ready for an unforgettable evening filled with an out-of-this-world dance floor, a top-notch DJ spinning your favorite tunes, a professional photographer to capture every stellar moment, and a delicious spread of food.

☄️ This youth-only* event is FREE to attend. (*For youth, ages 16-20.)

🛰️ Free on-site hair and makeup services available for youth, donated by local stylists, from 6 – 8 PM.

🧑‍🚀 Prom Attire: We invite you to express yourself in whatever attire feels most comfortable to you! Feel free to come in drag, don your fanciest prom attire, opt for jeans and a t-shirt, or get creative with a costume following the intergalactic space alien theme. Whatever you choose, we welcome you with open arms and can’t wait to celebrate with you!

🪐 To RSVP for the event or to donate in support, visit https://secure.givelively.org/event/the-montrose-center/hatch-youth/lgbtq-youth-prom-2024 🔗

We scheduled a new Zoom learning group for this coming Saturday, May 11th at 4:30pm EDT with TJ from Nigh.functioning.Autism

We have removed the fee for this session. 🙌

Come learn about the new Proloquo AAC app.

Educators. Parents. SLP's. Advocates. All are welcome to join.

Update: We have increased the number of participants! 💜

IEP season is in full swing. 💯

I have personally met with over 10 families this week.

TJ Nigh.functioning.Autism and I have an upcoming workshop May 19th, and we have taken away the fee. 🙌

✅ Learn how to change the language in your child’s/student’s IEP Document.

✅ Learn how to create an impactful Parent Input Statement.

✅ Learn more about creating meaningful goals and requesting needed accommodations.

Join us!

P.S. This is a small group Zoom meeting. Space is limited.

[image description: a flyer for our IEP Workshop]

highly recommended!

UPDATE: We have increased the number of participants. 🙌

This small group Zoom session is Sunday, May 5th at 4:30pm EDT.

We removed the fee.

✅ Learn about apraxia and the Brain/Body Disconnect.

✅ Learn what it means to presume competence.

✅ Learn how to increase communication through low-tech and high-tech AAC options.

✅ Learn about potentially harmful strategies.

This session is perfect for educators, parents, advocates, Early Intervention professionals… Anyone who works with young children.

Join TJ from Nigh.functioning.Autism and me!

WEBINAR - Re-Framing Behavior: How Understanding Safety, Regulation and a Child’s Sensory Needs Can Help Us Shift From “Managing” Their Behavior to Improving It - Therapy 2000 Friday, May 17, 2024 | 9:00am - 12:15pm CST

I am now offering Clinical Supervision for LMSW's in Texas. If you or anyone you know is interested in connecting with an experienced, warm, down to earth and passionate social work professional, let's chat! And feel free to share! 😀

Jessica H Smith, LCSW - S Neurodivergent-affirming psychotherapy, consultation and supervision; virtual & in- person.

How do you know if an autism organization is good? Not every autism organization helps autistic people. Here's how you can tell the difference, with examples.

The Sexual Orientation Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) committee at NASW-TX drafted a statement clarifying the chapter’s position on social workers supporting the gender identity of clients and the use of gender affirming care in practice. All social workers are expected to meet clients where they are at and support them through their journey. NASW-TX wants to reassure social workers that providing gender-affirming mental health care and treatment throughout the state is legal and permissible. Social workers can also refer clients and their families to gender affirming care out-of-state, if applicable. Read the full statement here: https://bit.ly/3YNd0vM

From our friends at Toci Counseling and Consulting

Here we are in May already! 😳 --Right here between Month and ...

We specialize in providing mental health support for LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent clients. Emily Adler, LMSW is currently accepting new clients (16+, individuals and couples). To connect with us, send an email to [email protected] or text us! 281-310-1981. ♾️🏳️‍🌈🧠💜 (image from ICAN Network )

Love takes off the masks that we fear we cannot live without and know we cannot live within. I use the word "love" here not merely in the personal sense but as a state of being, or a state of grace - not in the infantile American sense of being made happy but in the tough and universal sense of quest and daring and growth. ~James Baldwin

(Book: The Fire Next Time https://amzn.to/442rquq)

(Art: Photograph of James Baldwin by Dmitri Kasterine)

Happy Hump Day! One of the primary advantages of my mobile services is wait time - there's no lines, no lobbies - just us - which leaves plenty of room for me to get to know your kiddo!

Book soon and please refer a friend! Coming to a home near you!