We want to enable people to meet their desired outcomes, meet their potential and feel good about who they are. Difference, neurodivergence of all types, and different ways of developing are to be accepted and celebrated. Neurotypical brains are not better just different!
Children, young people (and adults) with developmental differences, disabilities or neurodivergence often get the message that what they do, how they move, how they communicate, how they play or interact or how they see or process the world is not good enough. We take a strengths and interest based approach led by the individual that supports development of a positive self identity.
We do not support any practices which directly or indirectly aim to ‘cure’ ‘fix’ ‘normalise’- not only is this not possible but leads to masking, burn out, avoidance and later problems with self esteem, confidence and mental health.
We do not prioritise compliance over meaningful communication and interaction. Although compliance might look like progress it is not sustainable in the long term and makes children and young people vulnerable to feeling like others have a right to control their bodies.
We aim to remove barriers and support wellbeing, meaningful participation, autonomy and self advocacy.
We do not use labels or levels for functioning such as ‘low functioning’. We presume competence and know that everyone has potential and we support setting of high expectations that are meaningful and achievable. We understand that all behaviour is communication including behaviour that challenges. When this isn’t safe it is up to us to figure out other ways to support this communication.
We are trained in Gestalt language processing and accept, support and encourage all types of communication including alternative augmentative communication.
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