Equipping Minds

Life is a Beautiful Struggle

Finding Hope in the Brokenness

The Equipping Minds Program is holistic in nature and sets aside academic content to target the cognitive functions (thinking, learning, and applying knowledge) using a multi-disciplinary approach to develop anyone's capacity to learn. It is a progressive system of Reflex Integration and Cognitive Exercises designed to build and strengthen weak or underdeveloped cognitive learning skills. These skills are foundational for a person’s ability to receive and process information.

Cognitive Skills Targeted:

Auditory and Visual Processing
Working Memory
Long Term Memory
Comprehension
Logic and Reasoning
Processing Speed
Attention and Focusing Skills

This program is not designed to tutor or teach academic subjects, rather it will develop the underlying skills required to learn effectively. Learners participate in interactive games and training exercises organized in a progressive and challenging manner. The program is delivered in a gentle one-on-one approach. A trained mediator encourages the learner to "think aloud" and verbalize what they are processing and thinking. The exercises are designed to strengthen and connect neural pathways, developing the cognitive skill sets which impacts behavior, academics, attention and focus, social relationships, emotional regulation, communication, life skills, job performance, and so much more.

The Equipping Minds portion is designed for 3-5 one-hour weekly sessions. Most individuals will complete the program in 60 hours while others may need longer. Participation in the entire program is imperative. Partial participation will yield partial results. Online or in-person is available.

Neurodevelopment begins with reflex integration. Students are evaluated on the integration of primitive and postural reflexes. The lack of integration interferes with learning, movement, and the cognitive skill set.

Basic Cognitive Skills defined-

General Processing Speed: the rate at which the brain handles information when performing a mental task, particularly when measured under pressure and maintaining focused attention.

Visual Processing/Spatial Reasoning: the ability to perceive, analyze, and compare visual images by seeing the difference in size, color, shape, distance, and orientation of objects. You can create a mental image or a movie in your mind to store and recall information for later use.

Auditory Processing/Phonemic Awareness: the ability to hear and analyze the differences in sounds, break words apart, and determine the number, order, and sequence of the sounds that go with each word. A critical, underlying skill for reading, and spelling.

Working Memory: the ability to create a visual representation of the information being processed and hold it in immediate awareness while performing a mental task. Example: Following a 3-step direction. "Sally we are getting ready to leave, please go get your coat, put your shoes on, and then feed the dog."

Auditory Memory: the ability to hold auditory information in immediate awareness while performing a mental task.

Long-term Memory: the ability to store (encode) clear, concise information and accurately recall it for later use.

Logic and Reasoning: the ability to reason (to think), form ideas, plan, prioritize, analyze, problem solve, handle setbacks, and learn from mistakes, failures, and conflicts. Logic and reasoning are associated with executive functioning skills.

Reading Comprehension: the ability to process written text (creating a visual representation of the written material), understand its meaning, and integrate it into their existing knowledge bank.

Primitive and Postural Reflex Integration. I have a dedicated page, The Compass Program which describes the program in detail. The integration exercises are completed at home 5-6 days a week. Every 2 months a recheck is assessed and exercises are adjusted. The program is 9 to 18 months long, depending upon the needs of each person.