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16001 South 108th Avenue, Suite 2 • Orland Park, Illinois 60467
phone (708)403-9000 • fax (708)403-9988 • ndcbrain@aol.com
NEUROPSYCHOLOGY AUTISM INITIATIVE
“COLUMBUS BREAKING THE EGG”
Dear Parents:
Hogarth’s famous etching, “Columbus Breaking the Egg” depicts a scene in which Columbus, returning
from having discovered the “Indies,” is surrounded by explorers. They mocked his achievements, saying
that his discovery was something they could have done. Columbus calmly picked up an egg from a
platter and asked the others to stand the egg on its tip. Each tried it, and the egg kept rolling on its side.
Columbus picked up the egg, gave it a sharp crack on the table, and the egg stood up! The others
laughed and said, “We could have done that too!” “Yes,” said Columbus. “But, I did it!”
Parents of children with Autism/PDD, you remind me so much of this dedicated explorer. With passion
of Heart, Mind and Soul, you are on a journey of growth, going beyond the Genomes. Every day you
prove theories of neural plasticity/brain growth, and show that the brain is the only organ in the human system that learns! You explore spiritual, environmental and biological avenues, developing brain
connections which have a profound impact upon your children’s ability to love, grow and interact with
others. You nurture their capacity for feeling and attachment, such very necessary steps toward thought
and language.
Every day in my practice, I am touched and humbled by your unyielding passion to embrace your
children, empowering their growth and development. I am always in awe of your determination to
prevent your children from being “driven to distance.” Your pursuit of new avenues to growth surely
makes you great explorers of new territory, querying the mapping of 3.1 billion chemical “letters” that
make up human DNA. You challenge “what turns the Genome ‘on’ and what drives it….” Your
children’s growth is evidence of the power of brain growth and the power of human potential.
Throughout your exploration of your children’s growth and development, I wish you a continued
journey filled with wonder, excitement, joy and smiles on your children’s faces reflecting loving hearts,
peaceful souls and thoughtful minds. You can proudly echo the words of Columbus, “But, I did it.” You
are surely “standing the egg on its head!”
Warmly,
Dr. Val Scaramella-Nowinski
Pediatric Neuropsychology
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The Autism Initiative specializes in Evaluation and Treatment of early childhood Autism and related pervasive developmental disorders. A child’s strengths and difficulties regarding brain development and learning are addressed, including attention, executive function, perception, memory, speech, language, sensory, motor, mood, and social functions. Interdisciplinary therapy programs based upon evaluation results are developed for each child.
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The Listening Center:
Speech/Language Evaluation & Treatment/Auditory Training & Sound Modulation
Multisensory Attention Training: Auditory, Visual and Tactile Attention Development
Awareness Through Movement Program
Mood/Social Skills Program/Behavior Plans
Sensory Modulation/Sensory Integration program
Synchronized Prompting methods
Applied Behavioral Analysis: ABA
Parent/Family Support Consultation
Educational Support/Consultation
Relaxed Alertness-Multi Sensory Programs: optimal learning/development requires relaxed alertness
See Menu for Listing of Consultation/Staff Development Programs
ABA – Applied Behavioral Analysis: All children are unique and require individual attention. Our Center customizes ABA to the needs of each child. ABA is highly structured and builds upon the child’s strengths using discrete trial learning and positive reinforcement. Our Center usually introduces ABA following sensory modulation programs. Sensory modulation aids in developing a child’s state of alertness/attention to stimuli, developing states of relaxed alertness which is needed for optimal learning and development. The behavioral principles of ABA, especially the repetition of stimuli, continue to aid in developing increased attention to stimuli and also aid in developing speech/language which the child can use to guide his/her behavior.
NeuroSystems Therapy emphasizes the child’s use of EXTERNAL SPEECH and Guide the child’s self-talk of all actions during the program (isolated sounds, to words, to sentences). This guides development of the child’s INTERNAL SPEECH. These interventions, especially internal and external language, further guide the child’s self-direction and learning, helping the child to relate to external/environmental cues. Office and Home-based treatment and consultation ABA Programs can be developed.
"Cherishing Each Child With Commitment Toward Brain Development and Learning"
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