Natalie Heinz Counseling PLLC

🌟 Exciting Announcement! 🌟

🎉 Introducing our newest multidisciplinary assessment designed to provide a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation!!! 🎉

Way To Grow Pediatric Therapy + The A.B.L.E Center have teamed up to offer an incredible collaborative...

✨ INTEGRATED NEURODEVELOPMENTAL DIAGNOSTIC ASSESSMENT✨

🔍 We understand that every child is unique and requires a holistic approach to reach their full potential. That's why we're thrilled to offer this multidisciplinary team collaborative to provide a thorough evaluation tailored to your child's specific needs.

Here's what's included:
🧠 Neuropsychological Evaluation: Our experienced neuropsychologist + school psychologist team conducts assessments to gain insights into your child's cognitive, emotional, social-emotional, and behavioral functioning, helping to identify any underlying factors to their development.

🗣️ Speech/Language/Feeding Assessment: Our speech-language therapist evaluates your child's communication skills, including speech articulation, language comprehension, social communication, and mealtime + eating routines to address any challenges + enhance their ability to express themselves and participate in family routines.

✏️ Occupational Therapy Evaluation: Our occupational therapist assesses your child's fine motor skills, sensory processing abilities, and daily living activities to promote independence and improve their overall quality + rhythms of life

By combining the expertise of our diverse team, we're able to provide a comprehensive understanding of your child's strengths and areas for growth, allowing us to develop a personalized diagnosis and collaborative treatment plan that addresses their unique needs. 💪🏽 🧠🤩

There's no more waiting years on diagnostic testing-- We're able to support your little one now to create a collaborative plan + watch them grow! 🌟

Contact us today to schedule an appointment and take the first step toward unlocking your child's full potential.

https://www.waytogrowpediatrics.com/integrated

Call or Text: 📞 Ph: (309) 363-7594
Email: 📧 [email protected]

Absolutely!

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.

Difference is beautiful. Thank you Mr. Rogers.

This quote beautifully captures the essence of human diversity, highlighting both the shared humanity and individuality of people. It serves as a reminder to celebrate the richness of differences, affirming and empowering each individual to embrace their uniqueness without reservation.

Thank you NeuroWild for the amazing graphics and descriptions for so many ND topics! Coregulation is so important and so often misunderstood.

Sometimes I get it wrong. Despite my training and knowledge, I am still human, and I make mistakes just like kids. However, I always strive for the repair. Therapy is the safe space for kids to be themselves - including the parts of themselves that are angry and aggressive. I repair. I apologize. I work through the anger at the mistakes I have made. The same goes for the kids. I am never upset with kids for expressing anger and aggression even in the hard times. I support them in coregulation, and I welcome them back without judgment - every time.

Yes! 💕Jayson Gaddis
Many people think that secure attachment, or secure relationships, are built through finding the right person that doesn’t trigger you.
This erroneous belief keeps people stuck in fantasies about relationships that go nowhere and lead to heartbreak.

The truth is, security is built through constant mis-reads, disconnections, mismatches, and followed up with repair and reconnection.
In other words, through what I call the “conflict-repair cycle.”

Secure relationships are built by repairing and reconnecting after two people disagree, distance, fight, argue, or mis-read each other.
Always return and repair together, and security is in fact, your reward.
.. Same for the parent-child relationship 💕

♡ If you would like to be kept in the loop on everything Synergetic Play Therapy or get resources to support you on your therapist or parent journey, join us here: https://linktr.ee/synergeticplaytherapy ♡

All emotions are important.

Parenting in Process 💕

I am so excited to be starting this six month training journey today with the Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy program!

"The hardest and most important lesson in life is to learn how be yourself." 🌱💕 - Lisa Dion

♡ If you would like to be kept in the loop on everything Synergetic Play Therapy or get resources to support you on your journey, join us here: https://linktr.ee/synergeticplaytherapy ♡

Lisa Dion has the most wise words in how to help kids in the play room. ❤️

"The biggest lesson that children have taught me over the years is to look beyond their behaviors in order to see them. They have taught me how to 'be with them' instead of trying to "do something to them" in order to help them transform." 💕 - Lisa Dion

♡ If you would like to be kept in the loop on everything Synergetic Play Therapy or get resources to support you on your journey, join us here: https://linktr.ee/synergeticplaytherapy ♡

Check out the blog of a local provider, Dr. Huffman's, description of PDA. I love how we have a close resource of such a strong knowledge base on this topic.

As a clinical neuropsychologist with more than 20 years of professional (and lived) experience of autism, neurodivergence, and PDA, below is the most common neuropsychological profile that I see in individuals with PDA and their families. Everyone is different, of course, but I am finding some shared patterns:

Read more on my blog:

https://lnkd.in/ectz9Umw

"We all have low self-esteem when we're trying to be someone we're not." 💕 - Lisa Dion

♡ If you would like to be kept in the loop on everything Synergetic Play Therapy or get resources to support you on your journey, join us here: https://linktr.ee/synergeticplaytherapy ♡

Repost from The Contented Child, Child Wellbeing Consultancy and from The Therapist Parent 💕

♡ If you would like to be kept in the loop on everything Synergetic Play Therapy or get resources to support you on your journey, join us here: https://linktr.ee/synergeticplaytherapy ♡

AuDHD is much more common than currently understood with so many people being identified as research grows. Learn more about AuDHD ⬇️
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2024/apr/04/audhd-what-is-behind-rocketing-rates-life-changing-diagnosis?CMP=share_btn_url&fbclid=IwAR37rBzePo83OXFRpTbodFpwrKKv-NDCq3ijICLahhaBFNFKz8JadzDxgsw_aem_ATm6Apu8wF_Nf6IoU5cjGBsSrWvxCrXE0KUjaAMIglYrCnu2_bGG1_k5mYcM2nYtk5OQEwgndEmiir2ZSD894GO2

The sudden rise of AuDHD: what is behind the rocketing rates of this life-changing diagnosis? Just over a decade ago, autism and ADHD were thought to be mutually exclusive. But in recent years, all that has changed

❤️

Embracing the Spectrum 🌈: Let’s celebrate the unique perspectives and strengths that come with autism. As a mother and a child mental health professional, I’ve seen firsthand the transformative power of play therapy. It’s not just about play; it’s a journey into the world of a child, where each toy can be a tool for communication and every game, a step towards understanding.

Autism acceptance is about recognizing the individuality and potential in every child. It’s about offering a space where they can be themselves, explore, and grow at their own pace. In the world of play therapy, victories come in all shapes and sizes - a shared smile, a moment of connection, a new word, or even a quiet, shared space.

As we advocate for a more inclusive world, let’s remember the importance of meeting children where they are, not where we expect them to be. Let’s celebrate their achievements, no matter how small they seem. And most importantly, let’s keep learning, loving, and playing together.

❤️❤️❤️

Autism acceptance is so important. We have a long way to go for true acceptance in our world, but the understanding is growing. 

Autism Acceptance: Embracing
In recent years, the autism community has seen a significant shift from mere awareness to a deeper understanding and acceptance of autism. This transition is visually and symbolically represented by the change in color from blue to red, embodied in the hashtags # LightItUpBlue and . But why this shift, and what does it signify?

Why Acceptance Over Awareness?
1. Empowerment: Acceptance implies not just knowing that autism exists but understanding and valuing autistic individuals as they are. It’s about creating a world where autistic people are empowered to live full, meaningful lives.
2. Inclusivity: Acceptance focuses on inclusivity and belonging, acknowledging the diversity within autism and recognizing each individual’s unique strengths and challenges.
3. Self-Advocacy: Encouraging self-advocacy is central to the acceptance movement. Autistic individuals are the best experts on their own experiences, and their voices are crucial in shaping policies and practices that affect them.
4. Reducing Stigma: Awareness alone can sometimes unintentionally perpetuate stereotypes and stigma. Acceptance works to combat these by promoting a more nuanced and positive understanding of autism.

Let’s wear red to support and signify our commitment to learning, understanding, and accepting the autistic community.

World Autism Acceptance Day is April 2nd.


https://www.olympiatherapy.com/post/autism-acceptance-embracing-redinstead

Check out some awesome coloring pages to celebrate unique brains of all kinds!

❤️

Karen Young - Hey Sigmund 💕

♡ If you would like to be kept in the loop on everything Synergetic Play Therapy or get resources to support you on your journey, join us here: https://linktr.ee/synergeticplaytherapy ♡

Check out Sally Cat’s guide to PDA!

Keeping things calm in a PDA family

Here’s a little acronym I penned of tactics that have enabled my family, and others, to PASS triggers by

PASSING
Peace (lots of quiet time)
Accept (don't blame)
Sensory adjustments (less or more)
Sleep (including getting up late in the day)
Ignore insults (what's said in meltdown is involuntary)
Nourishment (being "hangry" is a huge trigger)
Game time (or other unrestricted screen use)

Fostering calmness keeps those explosive PDA monster moods at bay!

As we move into next week, keep in mind the collective trauma that was faced by the end of next week. Four years ago, we didn’t have any idea the way the world would change. The world began shutting down due to COVID close to four years ago. Everyone was experiencing an increase in stress and anxiety. Many people were no longer with family and loved ones due to isolations. Many people experienced a variety of traumas during shut downs. The body is often holding this experience even if we aren’t aware of it. Give yourself and others a little more grace as we move toward this anniversary.

In his book, ‘The Body Keeps the Score’ psychiatrist Bessel van der Kolk explains how trauma and its resulting stress harms us through physiological changes to body and brain, and that those harms can persist throughout life. Excess stress can predispose us to everything from diabetes to heart disease, maybe even cancer. This graphic shows some other ways of how trapped trauma can manifest in the body.

Anxiety can show up for kids in lots of ways.

8 Ways a Child’s Anxiety Shows Up As Something Else 🧡💚💛
CREDIT GoZen: Anxiety Relief for Children

♡ If you would like to be kept in the loop on everything Synergetic Play Therapy or get resources to support you on your journey, join us here: https://linktr.ee/synergeticplaytherapy ♡

Play is so important! Use your library card for access to free visits to the Peoria PlayHouse Children's Museum!

Did you know that a family of 4 can visit Peoria PlayHouse Children's Museum for FREE with your Peoria Public Library card, one of several children's museums you can get discounted or free passes to thanks to ExploreMore Illinois and your local library.

Visit https://bit.ly/3v5uLMc to learn how!

Never stop learning! I’m looking forward to growing my skills with teens over the next two days of training!

Neurodivergent means a lot of different kinds of brains.

Neurodivergence and being neurodivergent represents a lot of people. It does not, and was never meant to represent just one or two DSM diagnostic categories. Thanks to Lived Experience Educator for this illustration.

It makes no sense to keep trying to force your way into a life that you were never meant to live.

I often hear people saying that getting their kids a diagnosis would be taking something away from them, putting them into a box, and making their life harder.

I disagree.

Being autistic isn’t easy.
But it’s a whole lot harder when you don’t know.

Learning about your brain can open the door to the life you should have been living all along.

I know a lot of us late-diagnosed autistic people feel that way. Not everyone, though. I wish the world was kinder.

Having said that, I know that there’s a ton of support within our community because I see it here everyday. People building each other up, offering insight, answering questions, showing empathy.

Not every corner of the internet is like that.
I’m glad this one is.

Em 🌈

What is behavioral therapy?..why I don't use it and what I use instead.

What is Behavior Therapy? | Natalie Heinz Counseling | Children's Therapy Peoria Behavioral therapy is often the term used for therapy and counseling in general. Behavioralism was popular in 1920s through 1950s. While behavioralism is still an important framework in the history of psychology, it is often not the primary approach used by mental health therapists and counselors

That’s a wrap! With the end of play therapy week, I want to give space to all the caregivers that feel exausted and struggle to play. Know that rest is also okay.

On Saturdays, you can often catch me at the Peoria PlayHouse Children's Museum. What a great local opportunity for play!

Missouri Association for Play Therapy Day 7: Fave Toys

This hopper ball probably gets the most use in the playroom. It meets so many sensory needs for kids! It can be used for so many things that a child may need even if not to jump and bounce. It is sometimes used as a seat, a shield, a weapon, or even a person. It can be used for mastery, exploration, understanding limits, regulation, aggression, or protection. The options are endless.