Brain Smart School Based – Positive Behavior Intervention Support Service

B.R.A.I.N. (SM)ART – Building Resilience and Improving Neuroplasticity for Stress & Self-Management and Aggression Replacement Training is designed to work with parents, students, administrators, physical education, special education and classroom teachers, as well as other related service providers, to ensure equal opportunity for students with learning, physical and developmental disabilities. Through the use of therapeutic recreational services, direct instruction and a focus on social awareness students of every grade level can be successful in inclusive participation in therapeutic recreation based activities.

Its initiative aims to build self-resilience and neuroplasticity in individuals with learning disabilities, and behavior and emotional disorders to enhance physiological changes in the brain to improve the brain's capacity to modify its connections and re-wire itself for effective stress management coping and adaptive learning skills. - Interacting with receptors in the central nervous system to help support healing and to influence effective learning and storing of new information.

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Mindful Relaxation Recreational Therapy Services:

Services are provided at every grade level – from elementary school to post-grad – and can be provided on an individual or group basis. Programs are conducted by Holistic Recreational Therapists. The B.R.A.I.N. (SM)ART program helps students with disabilities develop skills across multiple domains through the process of assessment, goal development, and participation in goal-directed recreation activities.

 

Assessment
Assessments evaluate a student’s current leisure functioning, strengths, interests, and abilities. Comprehensive assessments will look at motor function, cognition and social development as they relate to leisure and recreation in various environments.

 

IEP Development

Recreational Therapy Services are included as a Related Education Service in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Recreational Therapy Services may be written into a student’s IEP following a comprehensive assessment of motor function, cognition and social development as they relate to leisure and recreation in various environments that interferes with the ability to learn.

 

Individual & Group Interventions
 

Our holistic therapists use recreational interventions to accomplish functional outcomes across all domains for students with disabilities and those demonstrating various social challenges. All interventions are goal based with purposeful activities planned to meet the individual and group needs and abilities.

 

These services occur during the full duration of a single school year, typically on a weekly basis, and beyond the extended school year. Services may be implemented at the school or in the community throughout the school year and/or extended school year. These services are available to schools within zip codes 53206 and 53212.

 

Leisure Education

Leisure education is a process of teaching leisure and recreation-related skills, attitudes, and values. This could range from mindful relaxation training, teaching sport-specific skills to exploring recreation opportunities in a student’s own community.

 

Mini Series

Mini Series are offered to provide the opportunity for individual or group interventions related to an identified area of need within a shortened duration of time. All interventions are goal based with purposeful activities; created with an intentional curriculum. This option is the perfect solution for schools with budget or schedule limitations. The curriculum can be designed around a limited schedule over the course of multiple days or weeks and consist of a combination of identified areas. This option allows for the most flexibility with time and budget while meeting the needs of an identified individual or group of students. Some examples:

• Managing Emotions

• Team Cooperation

• Building friendships

• Perspective Taking

• Social Expectations

• Sportsmanship

• Communication: social, functional, verbal, non-verbal

• Social Compromise

• Inclusion: Accepting Others

• Being Part of a Group/Team

 

Clinical Consultations:

Our program assists students to with having access to therapeutic mindful relaxation and recreation services in their schools and communities by consulting with parents to create and refine effective inclusion practices.

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Program, Student, Structural

Observations and assessments may be conducted in order to assess the structure and implementation of a program, a student’s needs, or structural considerations such as playground, equipment, and building access. Detailed findings and recommendations will be provided.

 

Training & In-Services

Activities, experiences, and equipment will be utilized to enhance programming and knowledge of inclusion, disability awareness, activity modification, and facilitation techniques. A customized training can be created on a variety of topics to meet the needs of any program or group of professionals.

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Transition Programming for Young Adults:

Our B.R.A.I.N. (SM)ART Program also seeks to help students between the ages of 14 and 21 learn skills for successful transition from high school to community life. Through participation in community recreation experiences, students can learn a multitude of skills that will help them become happy, healthy, independent members of their community.

Individuals work together to identify recreational activities of interest as well as each individual student’s goals. The activities run from outdoor adventure activities like rock climbing to more passive activities like art projects. The goals are all related to a student’s strengths and areas for improvement and focus on removing barriers to independent living and managing stress and depression.

 

Here’s a sampling of activities and possible accompanying goals for each activity:

• Scavenger Hunt -> Use of Public Transportation

• Shopping at the Mall -> Money Management, Indoor Navigation

• Lunch Out -> Social Skills, Communication Skills

• Cycling Trip -> Trip Planning, Route Planning, Adaptive Equipment

• Mindful Relaxation Training → Improved focus, concentration, memory and learning

 

During any outing, the group learns to rely on themselves and trust their abilities, as well as relying on and trusting their peers. As students move on from high school into their communities, they will already be intimately aware of the recreational, vocational, and social opportunities available to them as well as how to access those opportunities.

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This program is planned and implemented by Holistic Therapists, and aligns itself very well with stated goals from the Department of Education as well as Vocational Rehabilitation.

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School Based Fee Structure:

• $85 per hour for one staff member

• $120 per hour for a group of students (max. 6-10 students per group)

• Mileage to be reimbursed at rate set by the Federal Government

• $85 per hour for consultations and meetings

 

School Based Contracted Opportunity:

Group Recreation Opportunities:

Lotus Holistic Spa Wellness Consulting & Treatment Clinic can plan and implement inclusive mindful relaxation and therapeutic recreation opportunities for your group.

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School-Community Awareness Programming:

As part of our commitment to teaching and education, we offer programming in schools and communities to foster a culture that is inclusive of people with disabilities. Lotus Holistic Spa Wellness Consulting & Treatment Clinics' staff members are available for presentations and speaking engagements for your school or community organization.

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For information on this program, contact Shafira Sankofa, Holistic Therapist | Holistic Complementary and Alter native Health & Body Wellness Practitioner by phone 765-807-9810 or by e-mail lolparlor@gmail.com.