Specialized Programs

Specialized Educational Programs

Interactive Metronome (IM)

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IM is an assessment and treatment tool used in therapy to improve the neurological processes of motor planning, sequencing and processing. The IM program provides a structured, goal-oriented process that challenges the patient to synchronize a range of hand and foot exercises to a precise computer-generated reference tone heard through headphones. The patient attempts to match the rhythmic beat with repetitive motor actions. A patented auditory-visual guidance system provides immediate feedback measured in milliseconds, and a score is provided.

    Over the course of the treatment, patients learn to:

  • Focus and attend for longer periods of time
  • Increase physical endurance and stamina
  • Filter out internal and external distractions
  • Improve ability to monitor mental and physical actions as they are occurring
  • Progressively improve coordinated performance.

CogMed

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CogMed is a fundamental cognitive training intervention that can deliver substantial and lasting benefits to children and adults with working memory weaknesses. Implemented as a home-based program it offers computerized, cognitive exercises that have been designed by neuroscientists to target working memory function that has been proven to be fundamental to executive function and attention and builds on the breakthrough insight that working memory can be trained and improved. Endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, CogMed provides training that improves one’s capacity to improve naturally and sustainably translating to improved overall cognitive functioning.

Samonas™ Sound Therapy

Samonas™ Sound Therapy is used to enhance the perception of full spectrum sound for improved listening and integration of the sensory systems.

Creative Communication Group Therapy

Over the past year our center has been piloting a unique program, Creative Communication, which enables individuals with communication disorders to express themselves through art. The art mediums include: painting, drawing, mixed media, print making, and sculpture.

This type of language based art program is used throughout the United States at various hospital outpatient programs, clinics, universities and private clinics to assist those with communication disorders develop a form of expression and communication. This program is designed for adults with neurologically based communication disorders such as aphasia, traumatic brain injury, early-onset dementia, or degenerative neuromuscular diseases. We are pleased to be the first center in Sonoma County to offer this program the many adults experiencing communication loss.

The group meets once weekly at our center located on Farmers Lane on Tuesdays from 10:00-11:15. Though the program facilitates communication through art these sessions offer an opportunity for social-verbal communication with a speech-language pathologist assisting with other forms of communication as well as providing caregivers with techniques for carryover into natural and home environments.

TARPSing


TARPSing® is a parent education program designed to be used by speech-language pathologists to supplement and enhance Early Intervention speech-language therapy programs. The program incorporates
the four evidence-based components of early childhood development and learning: talking, reading, playing and singing and integrates them into a comprehensive program that provides education and hands-on instruction for parents to learn how to actively promote and enhance their child’s communication and learning skill development. This program is offered in a family centered and naturalistic setting so as to provide a learning environment that is collaborative and user-friendly.

The American Academy of Pediatrics(AAP) (2011) reports that because young children’s brains develop so rapidly during their first years, children develop and learn best by human interaction. Because most young parents are accustomed to using technology and social media, many have difficulty interacting with their babies and young children or simply don’t know how to interact with them to facilitate their child’s language development and learning.

Let’s Adapt!®

What is “Let’s Adapt!®”?

The Let’s Adapt!® Program is an adaptive behavior group program designed to assist children, teens and young adults in developing appropriate and acceptable behaviors across a continuum of environments that include home, community and vocational/professional settings. Groups of age appropriate peers are instructed by licensed speech-language pathologists with specialization in adaptive behavior as well as cognitive-linguistic skills as they pertain to adaptive behavior. The SLP is supported by a clinical aide. The sessions are scheduled once weekly for ninety minutes at The Swain Center. Let’s Adapt!® participants through NBRC can be children ages 3 to 25+ and includes a parent training component.

Let’s Adapt!® Focuses on aspects important to behavioral and social development including:

  • Communication (verbal and non-verbal body language)
  • Daily living skills
  • Emotional awareness
  • Behaviors
  • Understanding others

Each week, the small group will focus on a different theme meant to address the areas of focus. These themes may include topics such as:

  • Listening and responding to others
  • Asking for assistance
  • Recognizing adaptive and maladaptive behaviors
  • Understanding that maladaptive behaviors affect how others feel about us
  • Following and adhering to rules

Parent involvement in the Let’s Adapt!® program is crucial for transition and carry over of skills. For this reason parental involvement is required and parents must be present for the last fifteen minutes of every class. Parents will be given an overview of the skills addressed in each lesson so that they may reinforce these new skills at home.

Who Will Benefit By Attending “Let’s Adapt!®”?

The Let’s Adapt!® groups focus on helping children, ages 3 to 25+, diagnosed with: High Functioning Autism, PDD-NOS, Asperger’s Syndrome, Auditory Processing Disorder, Sensory Processing Disorder and ADHD. All participants must be toilet trained (an exception can be made for younger participants [3 and 4 year olds] based on Speech Language Pathologist recommendation). Participants must be able to take part without requiring one-on-one behavioral assistance. Participants must have verbal communication skills sufficient enough to engage in reciprocal communication with other participants.

What is the Commitment?

Let’s Adapt!® is a two-year-long commitment with one 90 minute session meeting most weeks (excluding major holidays).

Earobics®

Earobics® consists of comprehensive phonological awareness and auditory processing training for the remediation of reading, spelling and other language-based learning disabilities. For more information see: www.earobics.com

Lindamood-Bell®

SI™ Seeing Stars®: Symbol Imagery
For phonemic awareness, sight word recognition, spelling and reading fluency

LiPS® Lindamood Phoneme Sequencing Program
For reading, spelling, and phonemic awareness

V/V® Visualizing and Verbalizing®
For reading and language comprehension and critical thinking

OCN™ On Cloud Nine®
For math: Integrates concept imagery with language

* The Swain Center is NOT Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes nor is it affiliated with, certified, endorsed, licensed, monitored or sponsored by Lindamood-Bell, Nanci Bell, Phyllis Lindamood or Pat Lindamood. Lindamood-Bell – an international organization creating and implementing unique instructional methods and programs for quality intervention to advance language and literacy skills in no way endorses or monitors the services provided by The Swain Center.