Groups and Programs

ABIL-OT is proud to offer several small groups and special programs tailored to your child based on age group, skills, and therapeutic needs.
All groups and programs are led by licensed, board-certified therapists.

SMALL GROUP INFORMATION

SAFE & SOUND PROTOCAL INFORMATION

SMALL GROUPS

LOOK, LISTEN, LEAP!

Are you looking for an environment where your child can socialize?

Would you like to help them progress their motor development?

Maybe your child would benefit from a new environment outside of the home or even a little extra activity time as an addition to their current therapy sessions?

We have the group for you!

Join us for weekly small groups designed to promote social interaction and movement!

Our groups integrate movement, senses, and music. Each group also works to improve socio-emotional development. Our clinicians have collaborated in the creation of each group to make sure your child gets the most out of their experience.

What are the benefits of weekly group sessions?

Improved social skills
Increased empathy
Learning to give and receive respect
Sharing skills
Listening skills
Improved functional movement and development
Empowerment

Cost: $120 per session

Session length: 6 weeks

* Please note that the listed ages below are a guideline. Please contact us to discuss the best fit for your child

small-groups

Sitters, Crawlers, Wobblers

Ages 0-1

Children who are sitting, crawling, or just learning to walk. Social interaction and sensory play.

Tuesdays at 2:15 PM

* Don’t miss your free week!

One free session, payments beginning the following week

Tots in Motion

Ages 3-6

Burn off energy with skilled movement, obstacle courses, and social learning. Promotes motor development and listening skills.

Thursdays at 6 pm

Kids Connect

Ages 8-12

Social group to promote age-appropriate play, engagement, a sense of belonging, and friendship. Works to improve attention skills, problem-solving, and navigation of social situations in a positive, fun environment.

Thursdays at 5:15 pm

SAFE AND SOUND PROTOCOL

Finding the balance between brain and body for improved day-to-day function.

ABIL-OT is excited to offer Safe and Sound to our families!

We provide this specialized therapeutic tool with the intention of improving your child’s quality of life, and ability to navigate our ever-changing society and stresses and create positive relationships.

Our clinicians are trained in safe and sound and can administer the protocol both in-clinic and remotely.

What is the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP)?

Safe and Sound is an evidence-based non-invasive listening therapy that improves the ability to process sensory and emotional information.

It applies the Polyvagal Theory, which is our experience of feeling safe in the world and what happens in our body that results in certain behaviors.

This therapy is designed to reduce stress and auditory sensitivity while enhancing social engagement and resilience.

The protocol focuses on the connection between brain and body.

When we improve the foundation of motor and sensory processing (body),
we can learn, think and communicate effectively (brain).

Safe-and-Sound

Safe and Sound offers several benefits to your child’s well-being:

Calms the nervous system
Improves the emotional state
Improves awareness of feelings
Allows for emotional regulation
Enables improved communication
Enhances current therapy for improved success
Decreases sound sensitivities
Improves auditory processing
Behavioral state regulation
Improves social engagement

SSP allows us to nurture your child’s nervous system and promote a state of calm.

Background

With the unprecedented stressors we have experienced on a global level over the last 3 years, it’s no wonder our physical and mental health has been significantly impacted.

Stress affects all of our biological systems and can manifest in different ways. In children, we may notice difficulty regulating emotions, physical conditions, sensory processing disorders, impacted nervous system, or impaired learning and cognition.

In the history of our evolution, low-frequency sounds signaled danger (think of an animal growling), while high-frequency sounds signaled distress (i.e. screaming).

As we processed these sounds through our ears, it sent a signal to our brain, and our bodies reacted accordingly. Specifically, the fight or flight response was activated. Our bodies prepared to either fight or flee.

Where SSP comes in

The Safe and Sound protocol works to contract the muscles of the middle ear that allow us to hear frequencies of the human voice that signal we are safe. The protocol helps our brain to better interpret the human voice so that it doesn’t trigger a fight or flight response.

By listening to filtered music, we can reprogram the areas of your child’s brain that makes them react to stresses, perceived danger, and fear.

SSP improves how they think, how they feel, and how they connect.

The protocol works to get your child out of a chronic fight or flight state and into a socially engaged state by putting their body into a state of calm.

Once in this state of calm, they are better able to process and interpret the information they receive during social interactions.

SSP also improves your child’s ability to focus, concentrate, learn and regulate emotions.

The Safe and Sound Protocol is easily customized, which allows our clinicians to seamlessly integrate it into therapy sessions. Utilizing SSP with other modalities helps to accelerate and enhance your child’s therapeutic outcomes.

How it works

You complete an intake form which allows us to assess your child’s nervous system responses
We tailor the SSP program delivery to your child based on our assessment and their needs
You rent out our equipment which includes headphones and sound machine
Child listens to filtered music 1 hour per day for 5 days
Our trained clinicians offer support throughout the experience either in-person or remotely

During session

Your child wears comfortable clothing
Caregiver sets up a quiet and safe space
Your child may engage in quiet play and non-stressful activities (i.e. puzzles)
While listening, your child lets the provider know how the music is making them feel with signs such as a thumbs up or thumbs down
Child can break anytime during the hour
Caregiver facilitates with positive encouragement, feedback and listening

(Note: if completing remotely, you’ll need internet access and use of the SSP app available to download for free on Android or Apple)

Who would benefit from SSP?

We want to empower your child to find a balance and feel safe in order to properly function in day-to-day life. Children who experience any of the following may be good candidates for Safe and Sound.

Social anxiety
Sensory processing disorder
Autism
Anxiety
Trauma
ADHD
Language disorders
Social engagement

Learning skills
Delayed sensory skills
Delayed motor skills
Down syndrome
Sleep issues
Brain injuries
Mood disorders
Hyperactivity

Billing

Billed through insurance, cash pay option available

Resources:

www.polyvagalinstitute.org

integratedlistening.com/ssp-safe-sound-protocol/