Raising a child with exceptional needs is often overwhelming for families. Even if the child receives the services and support they need outside the home, they may still struggle at home. I am excited to announce that I will soon be launching Big Abilities Caregiver Coaching.

Hi, my name is Amy Nielsen. I am the mother of four children, the youngest who has ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Before he was born, I worked for nearly 20 years with hundreds of children of all exceptionalities in the public school system from PreK through high school. I taught second grade and was Media Specialist at the elementary and middle school levels and worked with high school volunteers in my media center with varying exceptionalities.

After my youngest was born, I left teaching to focus full-time on helping families like my own find the resources and support they need to help their families thrive. I have spent the better part of the last several years taking courses in behavior analysis, studying the impact of the environment on behavior, and written a book on the importance of self-care and building a support system.

Big Abilities Caregiver Coaching is the culmination of my years of experience as a parent and educator and as a Parent Advocate at a nonprofit organization.

Caregiver Coaching is a four-module 1:1 caregiver-to-coach program. The goal is to create an environment within your home to help your exceptional needs family thrive!

Module 1: Positive Parenting

Simple Strategies That Work That You Can Easily Implement Today!

In this module, you’ll learn that your child’s problem behavior isn’t a problem for them; it’s a solution to a problem. You will also find out how communication is the key to understanding behaviors, and we have tools for communicating positively with children. You’ll also learn how to identify your child’s primary motivator and find ways of using that. Lastly, you’ll discover simple strategies for improving their behavior immediately! This module will be a warm reminder of all the possibilities and clear directions on creating an action plan tailored just for your family.

Module 2: Optimizing the Environment

So Your Exceptional Needs Family Can Thrive!

In this module, you’ll learn how the environment impacts behaviors and how to improve them through the organization of space, clear routines for everyday activities, and safety measures at home that will make it a better place overall. We also look into sibling relationships, which can help troubleshoot family problems and tips for improving those bonds over time, so they’re more harmonious than before! You’ll be able to create a plan to make sure your environment sets your child up for success!

Module 3: Make It Personal

Visual Schedules, Video Modeling, About Me Brochure, Medical and IEP Binders

When you are a parent to a child with exceptional needs, it can be challenging to make sure they stay on task in their daily routines. Visual schedules and social stories might just be the tools that your family has been missing all along! This module will explore what these different techniques look like and how they work for children who need them most. You will learn about where you can find some of the materials needed and step-by-step instructions to create visual schedules, social stories, and video modeling at home, as well as the best place to find them online. You’ll also learn how to make an “About Me Brochure” that highlights your child’s individual needs for teachers and caregivers. We will also discuss the importance of making Medical and IEP binders and what should be in each.

Module 4: Self-Care & Your Support System

Why Taking Care of “You” is the Best Thing You Can Do For Your Child

Your family is not alone. There are many families out there that feel the same way you may feel – overwhelmed and unsupported. With this module, we hope to help ease some of your worries by teaching about self-care in a new light and creating goals to help your family build a solid system of support.

We know that waiting to find out when the program is available and getting on a waitlist can be frustrating. That’s why as long as you submit your application before January 31st, 2023, we’ll offer all families who sign-up for our course 25% off entry-level pricing!

Fill out your name, email, and tell us why you are interested in Big Abilities Caregiver Coaching, we will send you more information, and you’ll be one of the first in line!

“Children do well when they can. When they can’t, it’s up to us as the adults to figure out what is getting in the way so we can help.” – Ross Greene