HANDLE Services
Individual HANDLE Evaluations and Programs
Screenings
HANDLE Informational Meetings
Other Services
Below is a brief overview of services offered by HANDLE of the Northeast. These are generalized descriptions; each client--whether individual or group--is unique, and we adapt to the clients' needs as much as possible. Please contact us to learn more about what we offer and for fee information.
Occupational Therapy Evaluations
We provide in-depth and comprehensive OT evaluations, using both standardized and sensory-based testing. A complete sensory profile will be provided in the evaluation, addressing those weakened sensory systems that are causing difficulties (for a description of sensory systems, please click here). Proper recommendations and goals will be made in the evaluation, in order to facilitate improved function.
Occupational Therapy Sessions
HANDLE of the Northeast provides weekly Occupational Therapy sessions, which focus on skill acquisition as well as strengthening of the underlying sensory systems that promote function. Fusing methods from traditional occupational therapy, sensory integration, and the HANDLE approach, these specialized sessions will help clients achieve optimal results. Clients will also be given home activities to promote function in between therapy sessions.
Individual HANDLE Evaluations and Programs
Individual HANDLE Evaluations and Programs are offered for clients of all ages, from infants to adults.
Infant, Toddler, and Preschool-Age Program (6-week package):
Children age 0-5 are evaluated in a play environment. We clear the room and play with toys, pillows, and other fun, nontoxic items in our center. During that time, the practitioner observes the child in relation to how he/she interacts with herself, the practitioner, parents, and the toys. These observations, as well as an extensive intake questionnaire and interviews, help the practitioner gather information about the efficiency of the child's neurological systems.
Following a short break to allow the practitioner to create a profile and program, the family is guided on implementing specific HANDLE activities and compensatory measures, such as adjusting the lighting or changing the fabrics in the child's environment. Sometimes this is done within the context of the play, without taking a break. This is very individual and flexible, as is everything else with children! We allow four to five hours for this appointment.
An Activity Check is scheduled within the next ten days to review the program and answer questions. A Program Review is scheduled about four to six weeks later. We allow up to two hours for these appointments.
The six-week program is appropriate for children with mild to moderate issues, including sensory integration dysfunction. With these children, progress is generally experienced in that amount of time, after which nature takes over to continue the work. Clients are then advised as to whether any additional sessions are needed.
Age 5 Through Adult Program (6-month package):
With the help of an extensive intake questionnaire and interviews, the practitioner facilitates a non-academic, two-hour assessment in a nonjudgmental, minimally-stressful, affirming manner. Parents, spouses, and caregivers are welcome and encouraged to be present.
After the evaluation, the client has some free time to eat, rest, and relax while the practitioner puts together an individualized profile, which describes the observations and interpretations gleaned from the evaluation process and traces the functional difficulties through various neurological systems to the root causes. Using this information, the practitioner also creates an individualized program of activities for the client--and attempts to eat lunch! This "break" is about two hours, as well.
The client and family then return and receive a full explanation and discussion of the Neurodevelopmental Profile and demonstration of the individualized program. This portion of the day is also two hours (some clients choose to do the evaluation and program presentation in two separate days; you may discuss this option with your practitioner when you call to schedule an appointment).
The client takes the program home and does the activities daily (about 20-30 minutes each day), beginning his own home treatment program. Meanwhile, an Activity Check is scheduled within the next ten days to review the program and answer questions. This two-hour appointment is to ensure that the program is understood and done correctly. Program adjustments are then made as needed, and any questions are answered.
Each month (every 4-6 weeks), for five consecutive months, the client returns for a two-hour Program Review. The home treatment program is audited and fine-tuned, with activities modified, removed, or added according to the client's needs.
All sessions are recorded onto DVD, with the client given a copy of the disc after each session. Between each appointment, the client continues to do her individualized treatment program at home. Additional support is offered through email and short phone consultations, as needed, between appointments.
Screenings
Screenings provide the client the opportunity to determine whether there are significant issues and to receive recommendations for addressing them. Conducted in our center and in school or corporate settings, screenings take about 1 ½ - 2 hours.
The Process
Prior to the screening, the client completes an intake questionnaire, a copy of which may also be filled out by support personnel, such as teachers. A 30-minute, non-academic observational screening is then conducted in a nonjudgmental, minimally-stressful and affirming manner. There is a short break while the Screener records her observations and interpretations and establishes her recommendations for the client's most appropriate next steps.
The Screener presents her interpretations and recommendations to the client. If she has concluded that the client has mild neurodevelopmental difficulties, she presents/demonstrates a short program of HANDLE activities to be done at home, exercises that will assist in balancing those irregularities. A 30-minute program review follows four to six weeks later.
If the Screener determines that there is a need for more in-depth information--and a full evaluation is required—she will recommend that to the client. The Screener may then give the client a few activities to begin the process of neurodevelopmental integration as the full evaluation is being prepared. A 10% discount off the full evaluation is given if it is scheduled within three months of the screening.
HANDLE Informational Meetings
Two-hour informational sessions are available to the public, organizations, schools, clubs, or other specific groups. Meeting content includes an overview of the HANDLE paradigm, an explanation of its practical applications, demonstration of selected activities, and a Q&A session. These meetings tend to be interactive, similar to short workshops. The goal is to provide enough information about HANDLE so that participants will know whether they want to learn more.
Other Services
Teacher Inservices:
Inservices for teachers can be tailored to the needs of school staff. Commonly, these services take the form of case-study workshops. A general overview of the HANDLE perspective is given and then applied to cases brought by the teaching staff. Some activities are shared as well.
Consultations:
Private and group consultations are provided upon request to individuals, families, corporations, and special groups. These are customized to the needs of the client(s).
Courses:
One and two-day introductory courses on the HANDLE approach are offered to therapists, teachers, parents, and schools. These courses introduce you to the foundations of the HANDLE approach--and may forever change your understanding of human neurodevelopment. For a sample course flyer, click here.
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Individual HANDLE Evaluations and Programs
Screenings
HANDLE Informational Meetings
Other Services
Below is a brief overview of services offered by HANDLE of the Northeast. These are generalized descriptions; each client--whether individual or group--is unique, and we adapt to the clients' needs as much as possible. Please contact us to learn more about what we offer and for fee information.
Occupational Therapy Evaluations
We provide in-depth and comprehensive OT evaluations, using both standardized and sensory-based testing. A complete sensory profile will be provided in the evaluation, addressing those weakened sensory systems that are causing difficulties (for a description of sensory systems, please click here). Proper recommendations and goals will be made in the evaluation, in order to facilitate improved function.
Occupational Therapy Sessions
HANDLE of the Northeast provides weekly Occupational Therapy sessions, which focus on skill acquisition as well as strengthening of the underlying sensory systems that promote function. Fusing methods from traditional occupational therapy, sensory integration, and the HANDLE approach, these specialized sessions will help clients achieve optimal results. Clients will also be given home activities to promote function in between therapy sessions.
Individual HANDLE Evaluations and Programs
Individual HANDLE Evaluations and Programs are offered for clients of all ages, from infants to adults.
Infant, Toddler, and Preschool-Age Program (6-week package):
Children age 0-5 are evaluated in a play environment. We clear the room and play with toys, pillows, and other fun, nontoxic items in our center. During that time, the practitioner observes the child in relation to how he/she interacts with herself, the practitioner, parents, and the toys. These observations, as well as an extensive intake questionnaire and interviews, help the practitioner gather information about the efficiency of the child's neurological systems.
Following a short break to allow the practitioner to create a profile and program, the family is guided on implementing specific HANDLE activities and compensatory measures, such as adjusting the lighting or changing the fabrics in the child's environment. Sometimes this is done within the context of the play, without taking a break. This is very individual and flexible, as is everything else with children! We allow four to five hours for this appointment.
An Activity Check is scheduled within the next ten days to review the program and answer questions. A Program Review is scheduled about four to six weeks later. We allow up to two hours for these appointments.
The six-week program is appropriate for children with mild to moderate issues, including sensory integration dysfunction. With these children, progress is generally experienced in that amount of time, after which nature takes over to continue the work. Clients are then advised as to whether any additional sessions are needed.
Age 5 Through Adult Program (6-month package):
With the help of an extensive intake questionnaire and interviews, the practitioner facilitates a non-academic, two-hour assessment in a nonjudgmental, minimally-stressful, affirming manner. Parents, spouses, and caregivers are welcome and encouraged to be present.
After the evaluation, the client has some free time to eat, rest, and relax while the practitioner puts together an individualized profile, which describes the observations and interpretations gleaned from the evaluation process and traces the functional difficulties through various neurological systems to the root causes. Using this information, the practitioner also creates an individualized program of activities for the client--and attempts to eat lunch! This "break" is about two hours, as well.
The client and family then return and receive a full explanation and discussion of the Neurodevelopmental Profile and demonstration of the individualized program. This portion of the day is also two hours (some clients choose to do the evaluation and program presentation in two separate days; you may discuss this option with your practitioner when you call to schedule an appointment).
The client takes the program home and does the activities daily (about 20-30 minutes each day), beginning his own home treatment program. Meanwhile, an Activity Check is scheduled within the next ten days to review the program and answer questions. This two-hour appointment is to ensure that the program is understood and done correctly. Program adjustments are then made as needed, and any questions are answered.
Each month (every 4-6 weeks), for five consecutive months, the client returns for a two-hour Program Review. The home treatment program is audited and fine-tuned, with activities modified, removed, or added according to the client's needs.
All sessions are recorded onto DVD, with the client given a copy of the disc after each session. Between each appointment, the client continues to do her individualized treatment program at home. Additional support is offered through email and short phone consultations, as needed, between appointments.
Screenings
Screenings provide the client the opportunity to determine whether there are significant issues and to receive recommendations for addressing them. Conducted in our center and in school or corporate settings, screenings take about 1 ½ - 2 hours.
The Process
Prior to the screening, the client completes an intake questionnaire, a copy of which may also be filled out by support personnel, such as teachers. A 30-minute, non-academic observational screening is then conducted in a nonjudgmental, minimally-stressful and affirming manner. There is a short break while the Screener records her observations and interpretations and establishes her recommendations for the client's most appropriate next steps.
The Screener presents her interpretations and recommendations to the client. If she has concluded that the client has mild neurodevelopmental difficulties, she presents/demonstrates a short program of HANDLE activities to be done at home, exercises that will assist in balancing those irregularities. A 30-minute program review follows four to six weeks later.
If the Screener determines that there is a need for more in-depth information--and a full evaluation is required—she will recommend that to the client. The Screener may then give the client a few activities to begin the process of neurodevelopmental integration as the full evaluation is being prepared. A 10% discount off the full evaluation is given if it is scheduled within three months of the screening.
HANDLE Informational Meetings
Two-hour informational sessions are available to the public, organizations, schools, clubs, or other specific groups. Meeting content includes an overview of the HANDLE paradigm, an explanation of its practical applications, demonstration of selected activities, and a Q&A session. These meetings tend to be interactive, similar to short workshops. The goal is to provide enough information about HANDLE so that participants will know whether they want to learn more.
Other Services
Teacher Inservices:
Inservices for teachers can be tailored to the needs of school staff. Commonly, these services take the form of case-study workshops. A general overview of the HANDLE perspective is given and then applied to cases brought by the teaching staff. Some activities are shared as well.
Consultations:
Private and group consultations are provided upon request to individuals, families, corporations, and special groups. These are customized to the needs of the client(s).
Courses:
One and two-day introductory courses on the HANDLE approach are offered to therapists, teachers, parents, and schools. These courses introduce you to the foundations of the HANDLE approach--and may forever change your understanding of human neurodevelopment. For a sample course flyer, click here.
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Fax: 973-365-1066