Welcome to the Brain FUNdamentals Blog!
I began this blog in May 2020 while working as the Lead Coach and Educator at Brain Fit Academy Inc. Today, I’m excited to continue sharing my insights and experiences—only now, I’m writing from the perspective of my own company, Brain FUNdamentals LLC! While the name has changed, my passion for this work remains the same!
It Happened Again
It happened again.
In a prior post titled “I Can’t Believe He Likes That!”, I spoke about a mom remarking on the fact that her child enjoyed an activity that she never thought he would- going through a dark, fabric tunnel.
Well the other day, I had a similar conversation with a father of a new client.
Reflections From Oregon
I’m currently in Portland, Oregon.
Today will be day three of a 3-day training in Rhythmic Movements.
I also have a very painful, injured knee.
As I awoke this morning, I began to reflect on my experiences of the class so far. Those reflections took me to the “qualities of exact movements” that our instructor (Moira Dempsey from Rhythmic Movement Training International*) taught us.
Hope
He did it.
My son graduated from high school yesterday.
Now, you might be thinking- “That’s great Amy, but tons of kids graduate from high school every year!”.
But here’s the thing that’s different for us- for my son- for my family.
The Lost Art of Playing Outside
It’s April, and a warm spring day. I am sitting on my back deck enjoying the sunshine while getting some work done. And as I sit here, I am very noticeably missing something. A sound.
Life Lessons From a Kitten
We (my family and I) recently adopted a kitten. His name is Dusk and he is now about 11 weeks old- so he’s a pretty tiny kitten.
However, Spunky Brewster- as I have lovingly nicknamed him, is as Spunky and as happy as can be.
Authenticity
The notion of “wearing a mask” has taken on a whole new meeting since COVID-19, hasn’t it? I’d like to take us back to the previous meaning. The one where “wearing a mask” meant that we weren’t true to ourselves- weren’t “authentic”.
Baby Birds
I've been watching a nest of baby birds in the burning bush next to my house. At first, it was the momma sitting on her nest, day after day until eventually, the babies arrived.
ExerSaucers, Bumbo Seats and Johnny Jumpers- Oh My!
Did you know that there is such as thing as "Container Baby Syndrome"? Simply put, it's when babies spend too much time in "containers" which can cause a variety of movement, behavior, and other difficulties as a result.
Hungry Hungry Hippos
When we're babies, do our caregivers need to ask us to move in certain ways? Do we say to our 4 or 5 month old:
"Ok honey, it's time to practice rolling over. Just move your legs like this, and your shoulders like this...."
You Can't Reason With Fear
You can't reason with fear.
Fear doesn't care that it appears mean when it throw objects at people.
Fear doesn't know that calling names is disrespectful.
Fear doesn't understand when you tell it that it's not okay to destroy other people's belongings.
Fear is FEAR!
I Can't Believe He Likes That!
"I can't believe he likes that!"
This was what the mom of a new client said to me.
I'm Here!
One of the difficult things about this job is that people don't know about the work that I do. When you're in need of someone to fix your pipes, you look up a plumber. When you need a therapist, you look for a therapist.
Story Time
It’s story time!
Once upon a time, there was a teacher named Amy. Amy was a good teacher. She loved working with her second grade classes and she loved helping each of the children grow and succeed in her class.
Cats vs. Pickles
Have you heard of the "Cats vs. Pickles" line of children's toys? They are one of those trends that has popped up in certain circles of "kid life". Basically, they are little stuffed animals that are either a "cat" or a "pickle". The intention of the manufacturer is to get kids to "collect all" and you can buy them blind- in a sealed package where you don't know which one you got until you open it.
Out of the Box
I'll admit it. I like to think outside of the box.
I'm not really exactly sure when that started, because to be honest, I was a traditional "rule follower" for a long time. And I still like rules- I do, and if you ask anyone who knows me well, they will agree to that statement!
Safety
"I feel safe in here", stated my 8 year old client.
She had just finished wrapping herself up in blankets and sheets that were in the space where we were working.
Mothers
If you are in the United States, then you will know that today is Mother's Day. It's a day to honor mothers and all that they do for their families and their children.
I Envy You
In this post, I speak for me (both from the past and in the present) but I also speak for others with whom this resonates. Often, it seems like the only people who understand what having a child with special needs is like- are those who also have a child with special needs.
I see you. I hear you. I'm on the journey along side you.
Walking the Loop
In a previous post titled "Out of the Loop", I talked about "The Learning Loop" and how it relates to us and our children. If you haven't read it yet, I suggest you read that post now in order to fully understand what I'm about to say.
Real
The other day, I posted this picture on my Brain FUNdamentals Facebook page. I've been thinking about this quote ever since then and about what it really means to be a "real" parent.