Meet the Woman Behind the Incredible Childcare Center for Kids on the Autism Spectrum (Deja Ard)

Host Becky Hennesy brings on a new friend and reformer to the podcast. Her name is Deja Ard and her journey to launching a life-changing childcare center is incredible. It's a unique facility because it is specifically designed to assist children diagnosed on the Austism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Deja is all too familiar with this special needs world after her own son  was diagnosed with ASD at age 2. At first she struggled to find answers to help her son's behavior/speech development. Deja explains to Becky how she went through a series of emotions such as denial, depression, stress, defeat, confusion, guilt, anger, helplessness and most of inadequacy.

But her determination and perseverance paid off. Plus, a divinely-inspired mission trip to Costa Rica where she met a host of other parents with special needs children.  Deja returned from that trip with a vision to not just help her own son, but hundreds of other families experiencing the same challenges she had.

The result was brand new childcare facility called Spectrum of Love Childcare Center located in Duncanville, Texas. As all true reformers do, Deja worked tirelessly to build relationships with others around her. Specifically, she connected with local Independent School Districts, non-profit organizations, and local governmental officials to give her guidance on how to base her programs on the development of functional skills so that children will be successful and independent in school, at home, and in life.

Spectrum of Love Childcare Center classrooms are setup to model a structure vital to teaching functional skills within that academic environment. With Behavior Technicians leading classes and using Applied Behavior Analysis Techniques, Deja says unique students will be better equipped for a successful school year and home life.

Some of the activities at the childcare center include:
- Breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack, and dinner
- Occupational Therapy Techniques with arts, crafts, music and movement
- Circle Time
- Potty Training Assistance
- Functional Life Skills station using Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Techniques
- Functional Social Skills station using Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Techniques
- Nap time
- Behavior Technician Guided outdoor play to cultivate friendships
- Speech Development and Sign Language
- Academic Stations using Montessori Techniques

Contact Deja at: Deja@SpectrumOfLoveChildcare.com

The Reformers Collective podcast is part of the expanding Charisma Podcast Network (CPN).  Click here to visit the CPN main page. While at CPN, look for additional Reformers Collective resources such as Becky's blog articles on the topic of reformation.

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