Public Engagement Editor Oseye Boyd tells the story of how representation matters, even in behavior therapy.
From colleagues to friends to business partners. That’s the shortened version of the relationship between Camille Harris and Jasmine Smith. The two met at work, became friends and during their conversations discovered they had a passion for helping children with autism, but particularly Black children. The two Black women saw the deficiencies at the center where they worked, specifically, as it related to cultural awareness, and they wanted to change that.Representation matters.
Besides representation, though, they noticed the lessons they learned about cultural awareness and competence weren't used in real life, Smith said, and was another possible hindrance to a child's progress. Instead, Smith says she often did double duty, helping the children she served while explaining the reasons why she did things a certain way to colleagues. Cultural competence was often thought of as clothing or language, but it extends far beyond that, Smith said.
Eventually, Smith and Harris decided it was time to open their own applied behavior analysis therapy center so they could provide the care they deemed necessary to all clients, whatever their needs. Like pieces of a puzzle, they discovered their knowledge about opening and operating a clinic fit together. What one didn’t know, the other did, Smith said.opened on Sept. 26.
Mindful Pieces uses naturalistic teaching, a method that uses play to teach and modify behavior. The individualized attention helps children make noticeable progress, Smith said. Older children may learn life skills such as folding laundry and washing dishes, so they can help parents or caregivers. In addition, Smith and Harris work with families and caregivers to not only provide support but also to provide consistency for the children. The consistency is how students continue progressing, they said. During our conversation, Smith shared with me the many activities parents with children who have autism may not be able to do with their children or at all: grocery shop, eat at restaurants, family vacations, fly on an airplane, the children's museum, and the list goes on.
Norge Siste Nytt, Norge Overskrifter
Similar News:Du kan også lese nyheter som ligner på denne som vi har samlet inn fra andre nyhetskilder.
The Rock Reacts to Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Surpassing Black Adam at the Box OfficeBlack Panther: Wakanda Forever has been out in theaters for two weekends now, and it's [...]
Les mer »
Choosing the New Black Panther and Who Awaits in the Ancestral PlaneWakanda Forever's Ryan Coogler and Nate Moore take us through two massive MCU reveals.
Les mer »
Another Marvel Character Was Almost the New Black PantherAnother Marvel character was almost the new Black Panther...
Les mer »
Bath & Body Works Is Basically Giving Away Candles This Black Friday, Plus a New Advent CalendarFree Bath & Body Works candles? We're listening BlackFriday
Les mer »
The Enlightenment of Yonnas Abraham'Just the thought of asking for approval from these white gatekeepers about my Black music made me sick.'
Les mer »