Offerings For Children
Our rightful place as educators is to be removers of hindrances. Each child in every age brings something new into the world from divine regions, and it is our task to remove bodily and psychical obstacles out of his way, to remove hindrances so that his spirit may enter in full freedom into life.
-Rudolf Steiner
About The Therapy
Hannah’s work with children is based on Rudolf Steiner’s interpretations of the developmental progression of the human being and human evolution; Audrey McAllen’s work with The Extra Lesson; Reflex Integration; Integrated Listening Systems (an auditory re-education program which effectively helps train or retrain parts of the brain involved in learning, communicating and moving); and personal experience gained through working as a mainstream special educator and Waldorf class teacher.
During the first seven years of a child’s life, the child goes through necessary milestones. When done in a way that completes the stages of development, these milestones or gateways create the foundation for unencumbered learning. Hindrances in these developmental milestones, can contribute to anxiety, depression, ADD, ADHD, autism, learning challenges, developmental delays, sensory processing disorders, vision and hearing problems, behavior challenges, extreme shyness, lack of confidence, effortful striving and constant feelings of being overwhelmed.
Hannah’s sessions with children are carefully and specifically planned to fill in any holes in their development, so that they may enter into freedom of movement, balance and learning. In the lessons together, rather than focusing on their challenges and failures, Hannah focuses on the child’s strengths, so that the child starts to recognize their superpowers and learns that they can use these to help work on the things more challenging for them. The children and Hannah explore all kinds of movement to see what is obstructing their ability to grasp and conceptualize the information being taught. Each session is fun and engaging and is composed of therapeutic movement activities, exercises and listening therapy. These modalities provide a powerful program which help work on balance, the integration of early reflexes, eye tracking, dominance, spatial orientation and other skills which are all important prerequisites to academic learning. Best of all, the students love coming and don’t even realize they are doing therapy.
In structuring her lessons, Hannah is preparing your child’s “field” (mind and body) to receive the “seed” of academics. It is important to remember that this work takes time. “You can’t make a flower grow by pulling on it.” We need to provide the appropriate support and time so that our children will not only grow, but they will be able to fully blossom into their full potential.
OFFERINGS
Safe and Sound Protocol Home Program:
Developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is a five to ten day auditory intervention designed to reduce stress and auditory sensitivity while enhancing social engagement and resilience. Based on Dr. Porges’ Polyvagal Theory, by calming the physiological and emotional state, the door is opened for improved communication and more successful therapy.
The SSP is a research-based therapy showing significant results in just five to ten days in the following areas:
- Social and emotional difficulties
- Auditory sensitivities
- Anxiety and trauma related challenges
- Inattention
- Stressors that impact social engagement
Integrative Therapies with iLs and Extra Lesson
Understanding ILS & Extra Lesson:
Integrated Listening Systems (iLs) is a listening therapy, based on the research of Dr. Alfred Tomatis, that uses classical music to emphasize different frequencies that effectively helps train or retrain parts of the brain involved in learning, communicating and moving. It strengthens neurological pathways and improves our ability to learn and to process information.
The Extra Lesson, developed in the 1970’s by Audrey McAllen in England, is a series of movement, speech, drawing and painting exercises. The exercises are similar to what you might see in pediatric occupational therapy in working with sensory processing issues. Extra Lesson exercises are therapeutic activities which help strengthen the foundational senses, support the integration of early reflexes, strengthen balance, eye tracking, dominance, spatial orientation and other skills which are all important prerequisites to academic learning.
I have found that pairing iLs with the Extra Lesson movements and exercises, creates a powerful therapy that allows children to integrate into their bodies, learn with more ease, communicate more clearly and move with more coordination. I am able to see huge improvements in all my clients.
School Consultations
Assessments:
- Rising First Grade Assessments
- Second Grade Assessments
- Individual Student Assessments
Consultation Offerings:
- How to conduct group Rising 1st Grade Screenings
- Creating a path to services for your students
- Parent Communication, Student Documentation and Tracking
- Math and Reading Screenings
- Modifications and Accommodations in the Classroom
- How to bring Extra Lesson Exercises into the Classroom
Classroom - Observations
Lecture/Workshop Offerings:
- Child Development from ages 0-7 and the 1st Grade Readiness Assessment
- Understanding 2nd Grade Assessments
- The importance of the Lower Senses and how they relate to the Higher Senses
- Understanding the Early Reflexes and how to work with them in the classroom.
- Creating Therapeutic Circles (Prerequisite: Lower Senses and Early Reflexes Workshops)
PRICING
Safe & Sound Protocol Therapy
- $400 for adult and child home SSP programs.
- Available internationally
- Can be done from the convenience of your own home, with your own device
- Entire family can do the SSP for one low price
- Consultation and guidance call with Hannah
- Pre-therapy questionnaire
- Post therapy questionnaire
- Check-ins with Hannah
In-person Developmental screening for ages 3-5
- This screening looks at learning modalities, spatial awareness and orientation, the vestibular (balance) and proprioceptive (sense of self in space and self movement) senses, early reflex patterns, eye tracking and convergence, sequential ordering, fine and gross motor skills, dominance, hand/eye coordination, and more.
- Assessment
- Parent/Educator Meeting
- Written Report
Integrative Therapies In-Person Therapy - 30 Sessions
- 30hrs of multisensory, movement, art and music based therapy
- Use of iLs auditory re-education listening system and all needed materials
- Reassessment
- Written Report
- Parent/Educator Meeting
Integrative Therapies Virtual Therapy Sessions - 30hrs
- *plus optional rental of iLs system and needed materials estimated cost of $410 USD
- Available Internationally
- Consultation and guidance call with Hannah
- Pre-therapy observation checklist
- 6 weeks of weekly pre-recorded sessions to do at your preferred time
- Hannah available for mentoring and questions
- Post therapy observation checklist
School Consultations
- Hire me to come to your school for the day or for the week. I can conduct individual or class developmental assessments, academic screenings, mentor teachers, observe students and give feedback for helpful modifications and accommodations, offer professional development, give parent lectures, and help your school set up support services for your students.
In-person Developmental assessment for ages 6+
- This assessment looks at learning modalities, spatial awareness and orientation, the vestibular (balance) and proprioceptive (sense of self in space and self movement) senses, early reflex patterns, eye tracking and convergence, sequential ordering, fine and gross motor skills, dominance, hand/eye coordination, and more.
- Assessment
- Parent/Educator Meeting
- Written Report
Book Your Learning Experience Now!
Reach out to Hannah Freed for availability inquiries and personal recommendations. Share your story – let’s grow together.
*In person assessment available for Maui residents.