Think Functional Program

Think Functional is a specialty program designed to improve executive functioning (EF) and social skills within adolescents and young adults with developmental disabilities. Guardian Speech Therapy is dedicated to leading this population to improve higher level cognitive processes including initiating, planning, setting goals, monitoring performance, anticipating consequences, and responding flexibly within multiple settings allowing for more independence and less reliance on caregivers for academic, vocational, and social success.

 

The frontal lobe and subcortical limbic systems within the brain are critical for EF skills, and these parts of the brain are typically not fully developed until early adulthood. Time is of the essence. Let's work on those EF skills while the brain is still developing. 

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WHO: Adolescents/young adults with developmental disabilities

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WHAT: Work on higher level cognitive functioning skills to increase independence within tasks such as: meal prepping, grocery shopping, doing laundry, going to a restaurant, party planning, etc.

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WHERE: In-home and within the community

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WHEN: 1x/week for 4 to 6 months with rigorous home exercise program

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WHY: Many people with developmental disabilities hit a plateau or get burnt out with speech therapy working on the same goals year after year. We believe speech therapy for this population needs to shift towards working on their ability to be independent with functional tasks versus working solely on higher level language goals.

Many people within these populations have difficulties carrying over skills to different settings. We will work with the client in more natural and varied environments such as in-home and within the community to assist with carryover.   

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