In Home Intervention services
Intervention
The most common question we receive from families/parents, who have been referred for intervention services is, What is a Developmental Intervention Specialist? Often a doctor, psychiatrist, psychologist, residential treatment facility, school or family friend have referred them saying, Call Lenny, he can help but not much more.
Here is a explanation of In Home Intervention services by Lenny Gutierrez:
For the past 22 years, I (Lenny Gutierrez) have provided individualized intervention strategies to families in need across multiple settings. I work with the observable and measurable (things you can see) behaviors across all ages. Some of these behaviors may include but are not limited to: noncompliance (not listening), yelling, arguing, physical aggressiveness, behaviors associated with ASD (Autism) and Regulatory Disorders, ODD (Oppositional Defiance Disorder) as well many other DSM IV diagnosis. In addition, I provide training to parents, nannies, teachers, school aids, caregivers, etc...
Most people are referred to me from a doctor, specialist, school or a previous client. However, many are unclear as to what a Developmental Intervention Specialist is and what do they do? In a nutshell, I am someone who comes into the environment in which there are issues, and assists in problem solving and developing strategies to help address concerns. Typically, I work to develop strategies to address problems in the environment with which they are occurring in real time. Meaning, I come to the place the issues are occurring and work with everyone that is a part of that environment to effect change.
Many people will label me a Behaviorist, since I address observable behaviors occurring in the environment. Even though I have extensive training in behavior, and have supervised clinical cases for many years, I am not a behaviorist. I have been formally trained in many approaches including: behavior, developmental/socio emotional, various sensory therapies, developmental psychology, child and human development as well as many other techniques; however, I discovered over the years there were a number of individuals who these standardized approaches did not help. As a result, I began developing individual intervention plans on the basis of need, as opposed to what an approach told me I was supposed to be doing with an individual.
To get a better understanding of the process let me explain. Behaviors are displayed in many ways, some of the most common are: talking back, not listening, not doing homework, being disrespectful, being physical, etc... These behaviors may be the result of many different causes, which is what can make them so difficult to address. The way a behaviorist will assist a family is, they come into the environment with a skill set and approach already established. They then take their approach and apply it to your situation with the belief that their approach will cover all aspects of the individual and family's needs. However, after working in the field for over 22 years, I have found this approach is not always effective in addressing the individualized needs of people and their families. Thus, I started to develop individualized strategies utilizing multiple approaches or in many cases, things that are found to be effective through years of experience. Rather than taking a one size fits all approach, I come into the environment and look at the whole picture and develop an intervention plan based on the needs of the family, rather than trying to apply a pre-determined approach. Since the work is done in real time in the environment the behaviors are occurring, it offers a great advantage over performing the work in a office/clinical setting alone. One of the biggest complaints I receive from new referrals is they have been given instructions, in an office setting by a professional, to try at home. When they get home, they try to are not sure if they are doing it correct or it does not appear to be effective. They then must wait until the next appointment before they can receive feedback and make adjustments. They then go home and try it again and still don't get the desired results. This cycle can repeat itself for weeks or months with little to no results. With my services, I am working with you in real time, as the behaviors are occurring and problem solving and making changes, so that an appropriate strategy is found quickly. In addition, the learning curve is much quicker for the parents, since there is no need to wait to get feedback. As a result, progress can be made significantly quicker than office/clinical sessions alone.
As a Developmental Intervention Specialist, who has the ability to be flexible in developing intervention strategies, I can work with any population.
I serve families with a wide range of needs, stemming from:
• Impulsivity
• Environment
• Depression
• ODD (Oppositional Defiance Disorder)
• DMDD (Disruptive Mood Deregulatory Disorder)
• ADHD (Attention Deficit/ Hyper Activity Disorder)
• Anxiety
• Adoption/Attachment
• Regulatory Disorders
• Mitochondrial Syndromes
• Chromosomal Deletion Syndromes
• Angelman Syndrome
• Adolescent Schizophrenia
• ASD (Autism)
• Down Syndrome
• Parent training needs
• DSM IV diagnosis
In addition, I assist families with:
• Developing plans to asset in preventing higher level placements such as residential treatment and boarding school.
• Work with families in developing transition plans out of residential treatment facilities.
• Develop and work with a support team to better address the need of the individuals during transitions such as separations.
• Assists with co-parenting training.
• Assist with transitional skills, daily living skills (ADLS).
• Serve as an advocate for IEP & IPP meetings.
• Work hand in hand with schools, teachers, classroom aids, education specialist, speech and language pathologist, occupational therapist, physical therapist etc... to help with concerns in those settings.
If it sounds like your family may benefit from my services, please don't hesitate to contact me to discuss your needs.
Sincerely,
Lenny Gutierrez M.S.
Developmental Intervention Specialist
