ARTICLE Woman Offers Classes for Children with Brain Disorders

Woman Offers Classes for Children with Brain Disorders
(Neuro, Developmental, Motor, Language and Social Delays)
Everett Herald,
July 9, 2008
by Conor Glassey


If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself. Becky Blake took that saying to heart when she recently purchased Baby Power Forever-Kids in south Everett (607 SE Everett Mall Way), (a Movement Learning Center) offering exercise, science, cooking and sign language classes for young children and a holistic approach to treating children with neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism Blake knows, however, that there are “huge skeptics” to this type of approach. The Autism Society of America recognizes that there is no known cure for autism and, while it does not specifically reject using a holistic approach, it does not mention it as a possible treatment option and only mentions similar options, such as art and animal therapy as “complementary approaches.”

After working in Seattle public schools for the past six years, Blake became increasingly frustrated that she wasn’t able to implement the curriculum and activities she felt would be most effective. Blake believes in taking a holistic approach when working with children that are developmentally delayed. “These kids are so brilliant and they get put in a system that’s dumbed down and then they get bored,: Blake said. “And then they wonder why they start having behavior problems—it’s because they’re bored.”

Baby Power is a franchise and not all offer a holistic approach. “When I was looking at the curriculum, I realized they have a lot of the same ideals, they
just don’t know why they’re doing them,” Blake said. Blake earned an associate degree in early childhood development and special education from Shoreline Community College. She, then, transferred to Western Washington University and completed a year of teacher training before switching her focus to human services. Now, she’s working on her master’s degree in education.

But her drive to help children with autism and other neurological disorders isn't just a new business venture. It’s also personal. Her 17-year-old son is autistic. “Everything I know is because I wanted the best for him,” Blake said. “I always hated when doctors said he would always be like this, so I started looking for a holistic approach.” That search led her to The HANDLE Institute, an organization started in Seattle that provides an alternative place for diagnosis and care of neurodevelopmental disorders. HANDLE stands for a Holistic Approach to Neuro-
Developement and Learning Efficiency. Blake is also certified HANDLE screener and parent educator.

Part of Blake’s holistic approach centers around working out the children’s vestibular system. The vestibular system is the system in the inner ear that controls our balance and equilibrium. Like muscles, the system can be strengthened by using it frequently and Blake believes the vestibular system is the foundation for other system in the body.

Blake sees a correlation between typical childrens’ activities and the rise in autism rates. “We used to go outside and play kick the can and tag and ride bikes,” Blake said. “So, we used to work out all the time. Now, kids are sitting in front of a computer or watching TV.” This is why Baby Power Forever-Kids is filled with playground equipment, tumbling mats, balls to jump in, tubes to climb through, rocking horses, hula hoops, a basketball hoop and more. Children play on the equipment, participate in stories, sing songs, pop bubbles, play musical instruments, draw or play with clay.

But this isn’t just typical place for children to run around and go wild. “Everything we do here has a purpose,” Blake said. “You can pick anything out and I can tell you the neurological reason for why it’s here and what we do with it.” Even something as simple as having the children drink water through a straw has a purpose. Blake said drinking through a straw helps develop children’s sphincter muscles throughout their body—which can help with digestion, potty training and the eye muscles needed for reading.

Blake’s program is just getting off the ground. Many of her customers come from outside Snohomish County, partly, because Blake used to work in the Seattle School District and some of her customers have followed her on her new career path.

Sabra Hernandez brings her son Gabriel up from Northgate—sometimes twice a day—to spend time with Blake. Gabriel has Fragile X Syndrome and working with Blake for the past two years has helped him progress, Hernandez said. “What I like best is that she has a highly-trained background in neural sciences,” Hernandez said of Blake. “She’s constantly helping their brains and she’s always so open to questions and is just a lovely person.”

Jody Copeland heard about Blake’s program on a message board for parents that have children with sensory processing disorder. Copeland’s son, Shae, is 3 years old and has been diagnosed with the condition. “We live in Marysville, but this was just what we were looking for for him in the summer, between schools,” Copeland said. “It’s a good place to play and have fun, but learn at the same time.”

Gloria Kruzner came up from Seattle for the session with her sons, Andrew, 4, and Charlie, 2. “We just think Becky is so warm and engaging and she’s really tuned in to every child's needs.” Kruzner said. “She’s worked with Andrew for about even months and he just seems much calmer and more in tune with the world around him, which is nice.” Andrew spent part of the day putting his imagination to use while playing with Play-Doh. “I’m making a good salad,” Andrew said as he swirled all the colors into a large ball. “I already have strawberry, lemon and orange—now I have coconut.” He added the white clay to his ball and looked for more colors to add. His salad took an interesting twist when he found brown and dark green. “There’s some chocolate and broccoli,” he said as Blake handed him back the ball of orange clay. “You made a fantastic orange and here is a potato.”

So far, Blake is enjoying the career change. “I love the kids,” Blake said. “It’s just wonderful to watch the changes and to see how much easier the parents lives become. It’s definitely very rewarding.” Blake hopes that what she’s doing will help bring some changes to public perception and more traditional ways of caring for children with neurological disorders. “I wanted to offer a place where parents can come because I wished that was available when I was a single mom with three kids,” Blake said. “The hope is out there because my family’s living proof. It’s easy and it doesn't have to be expensive.”

Baby Power Forever-Kids classes are open to all children, not just those with neurological disorders. The Center had a grand reopening June 12. Many classes are still open for registration. There is a $30 one time membership fee and the eight week classes range from $112 to $840. Siblings in the same class receive a 590 percent discount and Blake also offers free parent information nights.

UPDATE (October 1, 2008)
Shae Copeland continues class. He has made some remarkable strides in behavior, communication, vision and even academics (he is reading and writing)! He comes to Baby Power in the AM and goes to Public school in the PM.

We have kids coming from as far as Duval, Olympia, Anacortes for our preschool program where we get to the root causes of perplexing behaviors, help strengthen underlying systems which enables all children to reach their TRUE POTENTIAL!

CLASSES
Baby Power Parent/Child Classes (4 months to 4 years), drop off childcare 2—6 years
and
Super Kids classes: 2 preschool classes (2 years to 6 years) After school Classes, Reading & Writing Programs and a Saturday School (4yrs and up).

Blake also gives free talks, seminars, talks at conferences (Information, tools and tips) on Behavior, Learning, the Brain, Parenting, Nutrition and Child Development for all abilities, ages and stages. Blake is being asked to give talks throughout the world.

HANDLE Screenings provide a look at perplexing behaviors, why they are occurring, gives the family take home activities to work on daily to help strengthen weaken systems. Very Powerful!

Blakes 2000 sq ft facility is also a great place for parties! You can rent the whole place and every one has a great time!

Blake also sells a Miracle Potty Training Kid (potty train even the toughest kid in as little as 2 weeks!)