Jennifer M. Deady - Founder
I have over 20 years of experience working with young children. Although I specialize in working with autistic children, I truly believe all children can learn by building and strengthening relationships through play. My passion is helping children strengthen their relationships by combining therapies that have proven to be most successful. All sessions follow a play-based model, believing that children learn and develop important skills through play without even realizing it.
Prior to 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 DIR Floortime. I have designed and facilitated play-based social skills groups for children ages 3 to 10 years old diagnosed with Social Communication Disorder, Autism, Social Anxiety, and children with Social Emotional Challenges and have held many roles, in-homes, at schools, as well as, in school consultation and teacher training. My experiences in the field have allowed me to work and network with many highly respected clinicians in the state.
Currently, I work full-time at F.U.S.E a therapeutic preschool in Lexington MA. There, I am helping to develop, design, and support the NEW Early Learning program. I practice, DIR/Floortime, Relationship Development Intervention (RDI), the Social Thinking methodology™, and Zones of Regulation™. Throughout my years at F.U.S.E., 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, certified to teach 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.
Children need the
freedom and time to play.
Play is not a luxury.
Play is a necessity.
~Kay Redfield Jamison~
For more information email - jen@ahaconnections. com