Aha Connections
"Where One Connection
Leads To Another"
Aha Connections was established in 2003 to provide a relationship-based approach for young children from birth to 5 years old. I offer services for ALL children and specialize in providing services for autistic children, and children with social anxiety, using a DIR/Floortime®
approach. My mission is to support young children in feeling comfortable engaging in, building, and strengthening relationships with those around them and to strengthen their ability to relate, communicate, and think. I strive to embrace each child as an individual, engage with their interests, and build upon their strengths, guiding them up the developmental ladder through joyful interactions and play. I believe everyone can enjoy interactions with those around them!
About Me
Jennifer M. Deady
I am an Advanced DIR/Floortime® provider with over 20 years of experience working with young children with challenges in social interactions, communication, and play. Although I specialize in working with autistic children, I truly believe all children can learn and grow by building and strengthening relationships through play. My passion is working with children using a Floortime® approach. I believe in understanding the whole child and supporting each child's individual differences.
Before my independent work, I helped develop and was Director of Building Blocks a program of the NEARC. Building Blocks was one of Massachusetts' first Specialty Service Providers providing intensive early intervention services for autistic children. At this time, Building Block provided a combination of services, including Floortime®. I have designed and facilitated play-based groups for children ages 3 to 10 years old diagnosed with Social Communication Disorder, Autism, Social Anxiety, and children with Social Emotional Challenges. I have held many roles, in homes, and at schools, as well as, school consultation and teacher training. My experiences in the field have strengthened my passion for working with children and their families.
At F.U.S.E School and Program, a therapeutic preschool in Lexington MA. I am helping to develop and support the Early Learning program guided by the DIRFloortime® methodology. I am also trained in Relationship Development Intervention® (RDI), the Social Thinking methodology™, and Zones of Regulation™. Throughout my years at F.U.S.E., I have taught toddlers, preschoolers, and transitional kindergarten. I have facilitated specialized yoga classes, social groups, and pretend playgroups, as well as, teacher training, supervision, classroom consultation, and parent coaching. I am a certified Yoga and Mindfulness Teacher for Pre-K to grade 2 and have attended Social Thinking® Clinical Training Level 1. I have completed my Advanced DIR/Floortime certification and am working towards becoming an expert DIR/Floortime provider.
