Jennifer M. Deady

 

I am an advanced DIRFloortime® provider with over 25 years of experience working with young children in homes and schools. Although I specialize in working with autistic children, I truly believe all children can learn once they feel safe, regulated, and engaged in a trusting relationship. My passion is helping children strengthen their relationships by focusing on the whole child, and understanding that every person is an individual. All my sessions follow a play-based model where the child takes the lead. I believe that all play is play and children learn and develop important skills through play without even realizing it.

 

​I began my career working in early intervention as a team member. I then became Director of one of the state of Massachusetts's first specialty services providers, offering intensive DIR/Floortime sessions for autistic children. More recently, over the past 12 years, I worked at a therapeutic school in Lexington, MA. There, I facilitated and directed the Early Learners Program, guided by the DIRFloortime® methodology, and supervised, supported, and trained teachers.

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I have also facilitated specialized yoga classes, social groups, and pretend playgroups. I am an Advanced Certified Autism Specialist through IBCCES (ACAS#18488), (" Autism Specialist" is a title given by IBCCES, truly we should listen to the autistic community as specialists.) as well as, a certified Yoga and Mindfulness Teacher, certified to teach Pre-K to grade 2! I truly believe in the brain-body connection and reflect on the whole child. I have completed the Social Thinking Training program™ through Social Thinking Boston and have been added to the Clinical Training Program Directory as a resource for those looking for professionals knowledgeable about the methodology. I hold highly a relationship-based approach.