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In the comfort of your own home
My approach
My therapy services generally takes place in your home. I travel up to 30 minutes from my departing location without an additional fee. I provide services to families on the west side and south of Portland, OR. If therapy at home is of concern, another location in the community can be discussed. I am also willing to provide services at a child's daycare, preschool, or private school should that setting agree.
My mission as an in-home OT is to be curious about what a child is experiencing, and what is missing in that child’s experience causing a disruption or delay. I help that child find those missing pieces so that he/she can put them together spontaneously, whether that be related to delayed motor development, sensory processing, self regulation, or other symptoms. I tailor my sessions to meet a child where he/she is at, not necessarily focusing on what the child is doing, but rather how he/she is doing it and helping them figure out even better ways of doing so. I value the parents or caregivers participation in sessions if possible, to allow for collaboration, problem solving, and home program implementation.
My mission as an in-home OT is to be curious about what a child is experiencing, and what is missing in that child’s experience causing a disruption or delay. I help that child find those missing pieces so that he/she can put them together spontaneously, whether that be related to delayed motor development, sensory processing, self regulation, or other symptoms. I tailor my sessions to meet a child where he/she is at, not necessarily focusing on what the child is doing, but rather how he/she is doing it and helping them figure out even better ways of doing so. I value the parents or caregivers participation in sessions if possible, to allow for collaboration, problem solving, and home program implementation.
My modalities
Sensory-motor movement and play
Sensory integration is the process of receiving, organizing, and integrating information from all of the senses (vision, touch, movement, smell, taste, hearing) within the brain, and responding in a meaningful and functional way. Being able to interpret this information efficiently provides the foundation for motor planning, coordination, gross and fine motor skills, postural stability, executive functioning, attention, academic learning, and behavior. Through play, I facilitate movement activities of just-right challenge to promote appropriate, successful, and organized responses. I join your kiddo in activities that actively engage your child in a meaningful way and provide the intensity, duration, and quality of sensation his or her central nervous system needs for sensory integration, regulation, and learning of complex tasks to occur. In-home sessions are 50-60 minutes in length.
Handwriting remediation
Handwriting is a very complex skill. It requires organized and coordinated operation of multiple sensory systems, in combination with cognitive and motor function. That said, difficulties with handwriting usually imply a disruption somewhere in that foundation. When helping children master the complexities of handwriting, I use a holistic multi-sensory approach for ultimate kinesthetic learning. This includes sensory-motor interventions, concepts from the Handwriting Without Tears curriculum, and materials I have developed over the years.
Anat Baniel Method
ABM is a science-based movement technique developed from the principles of neuroplasticity, the brain and nervous system's ability to change structurally and functionally in response to an experience. NeuroMovement® takes advantage of this process, providing the conditions for the brain to achieve further differentiation, refinement, and organization. Such conditions are based on the understanding that movement is the language from which the brain learns, grows, and organizes itself. During therapy, Austen uses gentle touch and guided movements to inform the brain of how it uses different parts of the body in a functional movement. Working within the range of ease, Austen will identify a child's current patterns of movement and bring awareness to other possible and more refined relationships within the body that make your child's movement easier, clearer, and more efficient. Austen generally enjoys working on the floor, allowing the child maximum space for exploration, movement, and integration of what is learned.
Therapeutic Listening
This program utilizes an individualized progression of filtered music to organize the subcortical primitive brain, in order to access the higher cortical functions we need for attention, regulation, organized movement against gravity, and appropriate adaptive responses to experiences. The exaggerated rhythmicity and frequency with high pass/low pass filters highlight elements in the music to catch the brain's attention and train it to be able to zoom in, zoom out, and create distinctions and orientation in space. It makes the brain feel safe. Feeling safe is what allows for learning, social engagement, attention, sense of self, and a mind connected to a body. I have a headphone/media player/music library set available for rental. Learn more about this therapy modality HERE.
Insurance and payment
I do accept some insurance plans including BlueCross Blue Shield, Moda (Connexus, Beacon, Synergy, OHSU), Pacific Source, Cigna, and First Choice. If you hope to involve your insurance company (in or out of network), Austen will complete a benefits check and prior authorization if applicable, and bill insurance directly. You will be responsible for copays, deductibles, or co-insurance according to your plan coverage. It is also your responsibility to investigate your coverage and determine your financial obligation according to your plan. Here are some questions to ask a member services representative:
- What is my child's coverage for in-home occupational therapy services? Does my insurance exclude in-home visits (place of service code 12)?
- Does my plan require a deductible to be paid before coverage of occupational therapy begins? If so, what is the dollar amount? What have I paid towards it so far?
- Do I have a copay or coinsurance?
- Does my insurance plan cover a limited number of sessions for each calendar year? If so, how many?
- Am I required to have a doctor's referral or pre-authorization before my child sees an OT?
Free 20 minute consult for in-home OT clients
For families looking for in-home OT, a free 20 minute consult is provided to determine if Mindful Milestones is a good fit. If mutually agreed, we will schedule our first visit! At our initial meeting, we will discuss your concerns, I will do an assessment of your child's skills, and we will create a comprehensive treatment plan together.
