FIND WHAT WORKS
Focus on strengths not weaknesses
Quickly figure out motivators
Go for smiles and laughter
FUNDAMENTALS OF DAVE'S APPROACH
CHALLENGE — DON'T FRUSTRATE
Make challenges into fun games
Adjust the pace of challenges
Improvise
COMMUNICATE & REINFORCE
Positively reinforce communication
Immediately reinforce communication
Success = openness to harder things
RELATIONSHIP COMES FIRST
Build Trust
Truly Empathize
Show Genuine Respect
Follow Their Lead
Don't Impose Agendas
ADAPT & REPEAT
Always adapt to changing variables
Embrace repetition
Embrace repetition
Embrace repetition ;)
Dave's approach is motivation-based, intuitive, pragmatic and playful.
Dave draws from and variety of intervention programs and techniques but is not limited to using one particular program (Pivotal Response Treatment, DIR/Floortime, Applied Behavior Analysis, Functional Communication, Sensory Integration, Executive Function Training, and more).
He has created and developed many of his own coaching techniques since starting his career in 1995.
He views his work as a craft which is constantly being honed and adapted to fit each client's needs.
He is a combination of coach, advocate, interpreter, entertainer and sometimes a voice-activated Muppet.