Davis Stepping Stones I | Rocky Point Academy

Stepping Stones I Program

Purpose

This program seeks to unlock individuals' inherent gifts. Participants acquire tools to establish focus, reduce stress and anxiety, improve self-regulation, and behaviour management. Through learning various life concepts, they explore and master the mechanics of consequence, enhancing their ability to anticipate, cause, and learn from experiences. This process promotes greater independence and intrinsic motivation to engage in experiences. Additionally, the program provides essential skills for building and maintaining relationships.

Age

4 through 8; or Individuals over the age of 8 with limited receptive and/or expressive language.

Length of Program

15 - 30 hours

Overview

Highly dedicated facilitators collaborate closely with each client and their support individual, ensuring that the program is tailored to their unique pace, needs, and interests. The duration of one-on-one sessions with their facilitator may vary, based on the client's age and abilities. Often, a significant part of the sessions is dedicated to coaching the support person on how to support their new learning at home.

The client is assisted in becoming more present in their surroundings, developing accurate perceptions, gaining an awareness of self, and adopting self-regulation tools. A series of fundamental concepts are created using the multisensory medium of clay.
Ultimately, learning is assimilated through practical daily experiences, which are crucial for enabling the client to internalize the concepts independently and develop a cognitive framework for future thinking, learning, and behaviour.

Outcome

Enhanced self-awareness (e.g. recognizing one's likes and dislikes)
Improved self-regulation (focus, energy levels, stress/anxiety reduction)
Fewer meltdowns
Greater adaptability to change
Openness to explore new experiences
Improved use of personal pronouns like "I" or "me"
Development of imaginative play
Expansion of language skills
Increased understanding of cause and effect (decreasing impulsivity and increasing positive outcomes)
Ability to follow instructions using the ideas of before and after

Program Formats

The following formats can be offered in person or, when suitable, on-line.

Individualized Program

A facilitator works individually with the client throughout the entire program. We encourage the involvement of a family member to ensure the integration of the program into the home or school environment is successful. There are no drilling or repetitive exercises required at home; instead, we encourage discussing and integrating the concepts in a fun, interactive way. Typically, this program can be completed over two full weeks of half days (approximately 30 hours).This option is ideal if the client works more effectively with someone other than the support person.

Coached Program

In this format, the facilitator begins the program with the client and then coaches a support person, who subsequently implements the program at home with the client. The coached portion usually takes less than a full week to complete (approximately 30 hours). This method is designed for a parent or support person who prefers to work one-on-one with a facilitator prior to working with the client at home.

Workshop

An interactive two-day group workshop designed for parents and professionals, teaching them how to guide a child or client through the program. It provides the knowledge and skills needed to support and guide individuals in their daily interactions, choices, and behaviours. This option is perfect for those who are comfortable working directly with the individual and desire a comprehensive understanding of the concepts to best support their loved one or client.

Program Elements

Current neurological science indicates that every brain—whether neurotypical or otherwise—has the capacity to create new neural networks when given the right tools and appropriate developmental progression. Our experience has shown that individuals on the autism spectrum can exceed expectations when provided with the missing pieces.

Our programs and workshops guide individuals in systematically addressing any partially or completely missing developmental pieces. New learning is built upon the participant’s existing understanding and experiences, establishing a foundation for the next step. This approach creates a solid framework that naturally and easily supports their journey toward:

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Learning Readiness Tools

These tools and techniques foster a mental state that is present, aware, and prepared for learning. They can aid in sustaining attention, enhancing focus, following instructions, improving communication, alleviating stress and anxiety, reducing constant movement, and more. We employ a variety of methods to support this process, utilizing visual, auditory, or tactile approaches based on the participant’s natural strengths.

Developmental

At Rocky Point Academy, our programs are developmental, addressing the root causes rather than just symptoms. Each step builds upon previous experiences, establishing a solid foundation for new growth. With over 30 years of experience with autism, we believe in the limitless potential for growth. Providing participants with the missing pieces allows them to achieve more than one might expect. We believe learning is a lifelong journey for everyone.

Participant-Led and Tailored Programs

We specialize in delivering a personalized approach, catering to each individual's unique strengths and challenges. Our programs are centred around your interests, needs, abilities, and pace. Additionally, we train your support person to help integrate your new tools into daily life.

Engaged & Authentic Learning

There are two main approaches to supporting those on the spectrum. The behavioural approach focuses on modifying specific behaviours, while our developmental approach nurtures natural growth and removes the barriers causing challenges. At Rocky Point Academy, learning is rooted in real-life experiences connected to our clients' interests, fostering lifelong learning, confidence, and the ability to reach their fullest potential.

Transferable Learning

Rather than memorizing scripts or behaviours, we address missing developmental concepts logically and sequentially. This encourages neuro-cognitive and behavioural changes to occur organically. Learning becomes so much a part of them, that they can use the material that they have learned in a subconscious, automatic manner. This provides a solid foundation on which to grow, and the ability to adapt confidently to new real-world situations.

Support

Self Awareness

Sustained Attention

Decrease stress/anxiety, self-monitoring energy levels, awareness of emotional triggers and how to change them, and inhibition (learning how to know when something is not appropriate).