We are really missing some of our kiddos, but still working on finding a way to bring stories, songs, and fun into homes during this time of quarantine! Today we’re reading, 'There is a Bird on my Head' by Mo Williams, performed by Dr. Jennie and, Sarah Galvan music therapist.

What a couple of weeks it has been! Even though so much has changed and is uncertain, I just wanted to remind everyone how critical it is to keep kids informed about what's going on around them. Many children, especially those with autism spectrum disorder, can feel the nervous 'vibes' all around them, but aren't sure exactly what's happening and why, which can make the nervous and uncertain feelings that much more unsettling! It's our job (as adults, parents, therapists, and educators) to fill them in!

It was such an honor to be interviewed by the incredible Haley Moss and Dr. Lori Butts for their podcast, Spectrumly Speaking! We chat about DIR/Floortime, the power of play, and the importance of emotions running positively. These key ‘pieces’ aren’t just beneficial to those on the spectrum- they are best practices for all of us!

We get asked a lot about toys! Which are great, which ones to avoid,. etc. Often, toys are best when personalized to each individual and it can be very difficult to vernalize the benefits of one toy to many children. However, the Mozi is different, and that is why we'd like to highlight it here!

This fall, I had the privilege of partnering with New City Players, a transformational theater company, on the southeast regional premiere of Falling. This play depicts the life of a family who have a son on the autism spectrum and explores the relationships between parents, spouses, and siblings. While the family featured in this production may have been fictional, it is the untold story of so many families in our community that is rarely depicted in the media. 

Podcast Release Alert! As of today, you can check out Dr. Jennie's chat with the super amazing Disorderly Blondes! If you’re looking for an awesome autism podcast, want to learn a bit more about DIR/Floortime, PLAY Project, or just want to follow a fun conversation, make sure to take a listen!

Check out the recent feature in VoyageMIA to learn more about Dr. Jennie, her journey, and developmental approaches to autism! The more we can share best practices and personal stories, the better we become… together as a community:)

Are you interested in DIR/Floortime? Check out this blog post Dr. Jennie put together for Summit Professional Education, outlining the art and science of DIR/Floortime!

Check out this awesome podcast from Teach me to Talk focusing on Floortime! I had an opportunity to chat with Laura Mize about the developmental levels, the research supporting DIR/Floortime, and resources- all while emphasizing finding the joy for each child! Enjoy and thank you to Laura for highlighting this important topic!

Parents are the best therapists and educators to their children. THe strong bond between parents and their child is fuel for development.  While unintentional, sometimes parents (like everyone) make mistakes! In this podcast with Dr. Jennie and Hackie Reitman, today the discussion is focused on the biggest mistakes that parents make. 

What a fantastic conversation! Harold 'Hackie' Reitman, his awesome team at Different Brains, and Jennie Trocchio discussing #DIR/Floortime, #SupportedTyping, Picasso Einstein with the #JobCreatorsMovement, and what schools should be focusing on! Enjoy!

When it comes to gifts for ALL kids these days, we want to spark an enjoyment in life- beyond devices! We want to encourage all kids to PLAY, to use their imagination, to interact with the world, and to have fun! When it comes to finding the perfect toy or game for kids with autism, you want to first think about what they like to do, what their passion is, and go from there.

Play Time (2016) is an empowering short documentary about the experiences of the Fenton & Hernandez families with their children diagnosed with autism and the implementation of DIRFloortime® in their daily lives. Professionals Dr. Jennie and Dr. Lina Moyano discuss what DIR/Floortime is and how it can be beneficial to all families.