Julie Abrams, OTR, LLC

11/01/2024

“Could Your Child Have Nature Deficit Disorder? Could You?”
“Your best memories probably don’t start with ‘There I was, at the computer.’ So don’t just read about life online — get outside and live it with your kids.”

"The happiest teens use their phones less than one hour a day, according to a study. It might be difficult to convince a kid of that, but it’s clear that the happier kids are the ones finding ways to engage with the world rather than just looking at it online."

10/10/2024

My first ADHD parent class is off to a great start. Just this past week, I ran into a parent at the rec center who stopped me to thank me as she is already seeing positive change after just 2 weeks of class. I have had some families express interest in joining another class before the end of the year if possible. Therefore, I will host this class if we can get a few more families to sign up. The class will be held on zoom on Tuesdays, starting October 29th from 11:30-1pm and will run until December 17th (excluding November 26th).

Parenting can be difficult, but parenting a child who is neurodivergent can be especially challenging. The Calm and Connected Class will help parents not only understand ADHD and how their child's brain works, but will also learn concrete strategies to help ease the tensions of everyday life.

Session 1-Understand the social/emotional impact on ADHD/Executive Functioning Challenges
Session 2- Remaining Calm and Connected
Session 3- Improving Communication
Session 4- Encouraging Collaboration
Session 5- Achieving Clarity and Consistency
Session 6- Establishing Effective Consequences
Session 7- Making Better Choices

Please reach out with any questions you may have or to register. Email me at [email protected]

09/27/2024

Looking for a lycra swing? A friend of mine just informed me that this swing is only $12. In years past, this swing was hundreds of dollars. I thought I would pass this along if you are in the market for a swing.

Quility Sensory Swing for Kids Indoor - Therapy Swing & Indoor Hammock for Reading, Spinning or Sitting - Sturdy, Soft, Super Stretchy Cuddle Pod for Special Needs, Blue

09/26/2024

This is a wonderful opportunity for families if you can make it. Brandon is a very dynamic speaker and has a wealth of information to share.

Improving Executive Function Skills Join us in person at the Boulder JCC to kick off our 2023-24 HillTopics season with Brandon Slade from Untapped Learning. In this one-hour session, Brandon will cover: […]

09/01/2024

Seeking Volunteers to help build a fence for JenLo Farm. Perhaps a Scout troop or students looking for volunteer hours. I am in need of 2-4 strong volunteers who can help dig holes, install posts and move gravel and sand to create a new chicken yard. The work can be done any weekend in September or early October. These chickens need a new yard. TIA

08/17/2024

I am pleased to announce that starting in September, I will be offering ADHD parent coaching both individually and in a group setting via zoom. Parenting can be difficult, but parenting a child who is neurodiverse can be especially challenging. ADHD parent coaching will help parents not only understand ADHD and how their child's brain works, but will also learn concrete strategies to help ease the tensions of everyday life. The class will run for 7 weeks on Fridays from 12-1:30pm, starting Friday, September 27th. The cost is $500 for the class.

What will you learn?
Session 1-Understand the social/emotional impact on ADHD/Executive Functioning Challenges
Session 2- Remaining Calm and Collected
Session 3- Improving Communication
Session 4- Encouraging Collaboration
Session 5- Achieving Clarity and Consistency
Session 6- Establishing Effective Consequences
Session 7- Making Better Choices

If you or anyone you know is interested in registering for the course or would like more information, please email me at [email protected].

If you can’t make it this time, but are interested please let me know. I plan to hold the class again starting in January.

08/05/2024

"Studies show that time in nature improves children’s school performance, behavior, self-discipline, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. It also helps them feel more connected with nature, making them more likely to help protect the natural world."

07/17/2024

We are now scheduling for the fall (starting the week of August 12th). Contact us now to reserve your spot.

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09/06/2023

We have openings! If you or anyone you know is interested in OT on a farm, please let us know before we fill up. Thanks!

05/22/2023

Farm Story/work Day-June 3rd

Lois and Jennifer would like to invite you to a special event at JenLo Farm. On Saturday, June 3rd, they will be hosting a story time/work day. The morning will begin with a welcome tea from 9-10am and then at 10am Lois will share her story of how JenLo Farm came to be and her vision for incorporating OT and farming. This will be recorded on zoom and we ask that only those who can sit and listen attend this part of the program.

From 12-1pm, there will be a potluck lunch and then, from 1-3pm there will be some work time where we will participate in some painting or sanding projects that need to be completed and of course, taking care of the animals. If you haven't been to the farm for a while, it would be a fun opportunity to come and say hello and help out. If you are new to the farm, Lois is my mentor, teacher and friend who had a dream to have a farm for kids to be able to connect with the earth while also receiving occupational therapy.

Please let me know if you plan to attend.

03/03/2023

My colleague is offering horse camp therapy this summer. Looks amazing!

(Some exceptions are made to include children slightly outside of the age-range of the groups when appropriate; contact Cathy with questions about older or younger ages, and which group is right for your child).

01/14/2023

It seems obvious, but time outside is good for your health. That’s why Lois started OT on the farm. Connection with the earth and animals is priceless.

Some health-care providers are now prescribing time outside to improve physical and mental health through the Outdoor RX program.

10/09/2022

I saw this in an email from JFS and thought it was worth passing along.

Five coping skills for kids
Just like adults, kids experience stress and anxiety and need to learn how to deal with complex emotions. Feelings can be overwhelming no matter our age, our JFS KidSuccess team offers some tips to help kids feel supported (and maybe adults, too)!

1. Give children a space to talk about feelings

Often when children anticipate a big stressor, their behavior might change. You may see more tearful moments, “clingy” behavior, and irritability. If you see these traits show up, notice them in a nurturing, non-judgmental way. You could say, “Hey I’m noticing more big feelings. I’m wondering if you want to talk about it?” If your child isn’t prone to talking, engage in creative activities like drawing or playing.

2. Listen with your ears and not your mouth

Grown-ups tend to want to process with their child to get them ready for a stressful event. When giving your child space to talk, it is important not to jump to “problem solver mode.” Let your child take the lead. Reflect back on what your child is saying with something like, “I hear you are sad that summer is ending.”

3. Validate!

Recognize that big feelings, rough patches, or stressful times are a normal part of growing up and being human! Use their own words to validate their feelings, which normalizes the experience. Learning to tolerate big feelings is a developmental skill; validating is the first process and reminds your child that you are there to help.

4. Model stress and self-care

Children often take their emotional cues from the adults around them, including how to navigate stress. It’s important to model healthy stress management whenever possible. It’s okay to be not okay. Say things like, “I’m feeling overwhelmed right now. I need to take three cleansing breaths.” This approach lets children know that big feelings will pass and shows ways to manage them. The goal is not to alleviate the stress. The goal is to show them they can manage it.

5. Give children time to adjust

Allow for bumps in the road because stress will ebb and flow. Give yourself and your child grace to struggle even when you think they are adjusted. Child development is not a linear path; there are small regressions. Celebrate the small changes and positive moments with your child!

06/11/2022

This is a great article full of information and strategies.

Children and teens with ADHD may lose friends because of deficits in social executive function skills – the underlying processes that are involved in social skills ranging from perspective-taking to reciprocity and cognitive flexibility. Here, learn strategies that help them bolster these skills a...

04/24/2022

DID YOU KNOW..?
Children with ADHD are sometimes described as “late bloomers.” Here’s why: The ADHD brain matures 3-5 years later than the non-ADHD brain. As a result our children aren’t yet capable of being as responsible and organized as their friends. In other words, we’re expecting our child to “act like a 12 year-old” when developmentally his brain is less mature and he behaves more like a 9 or 10 year-old.

PREFRONTAL CORTEX OF THE BRAIN
The ADHD brain actually matures in waves, starting in the rear and finally moving all the way to the front of head. The “prefrontal” part of the brain is the last to mature and is actually delayed by FIVE YEARS. Here’s a list of behaviors (executive functions) it controls….remember now, these skills are delayed up to 5 YEARS later than their friends.
 Attention
 Memory
 Impulsive control
 Reason
 Logic
 Problem solving
 Planning ahead
 Goal setting

Hmmm….and we wonder why our 12 year old forgets his homework, forgets books and chores. He even forgets to take completed work back to school and turn it in.

TAKE HOME MESSAGE:
PARENTS AND TEACHERS ALIKE MUST HAVE “REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS” FOR OUR “LATE BLOOMING” CHILDREN. This means changing our unrealistic expectations that your child will have skills that they aren’t capable of mastering…yet, because of their delayed brain maturity.

Our children will need more support and supervision, longer than other children. We must provide “developmentally appropriate support”…in other words, recognize that our 12 year-old needs the supports that we typically provide for a nine year old. So parents must be more involved, for longer that they want to be....or that other "uneducated people" tell them they should be.

Punishment will not make the brain mature faster or help your child remember things. Extra support or accommodations are a must for many. For example, for the forgetful child, use the free software “Remind.com” that automatically sends the homework assignments to the child and parent’s phone. These skills will improve with maturity plus we can help our children learn how to compensate.

GOOD NEWS: The ADHD brain continues maturing into the child’s 30s and early 40s!

I know from experience how much we parents worry about our children with ADHD. But if we do all the right things: 1. educate yourself and child about ADHD, 2. identify learning problems and provide accommodations, 3. get the medication right, and 4. believe in yourself and the goodness of your child....our kids will eventually get there....just not as soon as we'd like.

03/31/2022

My wonderful colleague started a non-profit. Dynamic Therapy Services is a 501(c)3 that helps families in need access high-quality pediatric therapy services. All children and families deserve to have meaningful learning that brings them joy! The service model is unique since it focuses on learning approaches that emphasize movement and family coaching, and the service providers are passionate, local, small-businesses. Learn more and apply for funding at www.DynamicTherapyServices.org

Awakening Learning Through Meaningful Movement We are a 501(c)3 Nonprofit Organization that helps families access pediatric therapy services along the Front Range and within the greater Denver-Boulder area. We are committed to:Connecting families and children to learning experiences that use dynamic...

03/04/2022

Georgee and her flock are excited for spring! Come April, she should be laying delicious eggs!

03/04/2022

It's March and spring is in the air! After taking 2 months off for fire recovery, I started back to work yesterday. I honestly wasn't sure how it was going to be, given how much time I spend rebuilding our lives, but it was fabulous! I am not sure who got the most out of therapy, me or the kids. Being able to spend the entire day outside, doing what I love, was so good for my soul. I am incredibly grateful to be able to call JenLo farm my home away from home (especially when my real home is a pit of ash right now).

Now that I am working again, I am able to take referrals and Amanda has some openings. Please email me if you or anyone you know is interested in OT on the farm.