Standard Consultations are 3 hours in length and are always done in the child’s home. Prior to the initial visit a questionnaire is sent home 1-2 weeks before the appointment and if available videotape is reviewed.
     The visit begins with DanaKae immediately upon arrival and starts by engaging with the child. “I try to make a connection as soon as possible, I quickly make an emotional connection with keen observation of what the child’s body and emotional state looks like with a stranger in their safe haven.”
     The first part of the session is “hands-on” interactive play with the child. Parents are either observing or part of the interaction depending the child’s level of comfortability.
     During the interactive play parents are given tips, if interacting they are coached and only positive information is shared while the child is present. Once this section is completed the child is transitioned out to have a snack or to another activity and out of earshot. During this time there is no formal test materials presented and no note taking. This time is fully focused on the child.
 
    1.    A private discussion about the observation is the next component of the visit. What was observed, what are the child’s needs, a positive intervention plan and specific strategies are shared. Recommendations are made for services as well as whether specific medical work ups are warranted.
    2.    Parents receive the developmental consultation notes sent to them within a few weeks of the visit.
 
Follow-up visits are shorter but follow the same protocol.
    1.    reengage with the child through play to reassess, to review progress
    2.    parent discussion will included a revision of plan to incorporate the next developmental levels the child will be working on

“DanaKae’s best described as a child whisperer. I watched DanaKae many hours before I dared to come out of my shell and really play with my own child, freed from my parenting inhibitions. DanaKae in that first session with my daughter acted downright silly to a casual observer.
     But what she was really doing was evaluating my daughter’s sensory system, her cognition, her social emotional development, her gross motor movement, fine motor skills, her development as a 3 year old and most importantly her relationships and role models. Through all that DanaKae was searching for the heart of my child and all that inspired her. In a nutshell, this is DanaKae’s whole child approach to parenting.
 
She teaches parents these four primary areas: interaction, play, daily living skills and communication.
 
Interaction:Understanding what true child inspired interactions are and understanding the difference between social communication and social competence. How you as a parent are the number one role model for the child.
 
Play:How play skills enhance social competence and the active role a parent must take in a child’s play.
 
Daily Living Skills:Assist your child in the ownership of daily living skills by helping them to first take pre-ownership and then true self-possession. Understand the impact of your old parent driven habits and learned helplessness.
 
Communication:Discover the impact of adult communication overriding child inspired interactive communication. Learn to listen to your child’s communication and how child inspired interaction can promote and enhance the growth of communication skills