We appreciate and even celebrate our physical differences. Let’s extend that same acceptance and love to neurological differences, too.
As an Autistic who works with neurodivergent children and their families, I try to share information that will be beneficial to both neurodivergent and neurotypical households. The coaching I offer is Montessori aligned–there’s no “training” but rather understanding and guiding both parent and child. No rewards and no punishments. We work on understanding and aids.
A few topics I have worked with families on; routines, personal care assistance, understanding behavior, creating calming environments, parental confidence, etc.
“I followed these children, studying them, studied them closely, and they taught me how to teach them.” -Maria Montessori
What is Montessori and why have coaching aligned with it? Montessori is about following and respecting the child. There are too many therapies intended for Autistics that are aimed at trying to force us to fit into a box–but we can’t! We are wonderfully unique and our differences should be understood and celebrated.
-Respect the child. Accept the child for who they are, which means we may need to alter how we work with them depending on their needs and abilities. Respecting them includes their dignity and following them at their own pace. We listen to what they have to say and what they require–this may be verbal or acknowledged through observation.
–Follow the child. We offer work and guidance that meet needs based on observations. Noticing what the child is ready to learn, not what we think they should be learning based on their age or peers’ abilities. Each child is unique and they deserve to be recognized, honoured, and celebrated as such.
–Educate the child as a whole. Meeting their cognitive, emotional, social, and physical needs.
–Materials that work for them. Offering materials that meet current development, not based on age and what a child “should” be doing.
–A prepared environment. Providing a safe and welcoming environment. This varies from child to child depending on the development and interests that are recognized. Freedom, structure and order, beauty, nature and reality, social environment, and intellectual environment.
–Prepared adult. A prepared adult guides the child while preventing their own desire and wants from interfering. They observe, making sure that the child has what they need to thrive. They welcome the child as they are, for who they are, and who they will evolve into. The prepared adult is constantly learning and progressing.
“The real preparation for education is a study of one’s self.
The training of the teacher who is to help life is something
far more than the learning of ideas. It includes the training
of character, it is a preparation of the spirit.”
—Maria Montessori, The Absorbent Mind
A lot of coaching works with goals and deadlines–a set time when something should be achieved. We won’t have that. While there may be intentions we work towards, it’s more a journey, providing skills and techniques. While called one-on-one coaching, I’m a firm believer in family involvement. If your whole family wishes to join in one session or in them all, I have no problem with that from my end. The session time and cost remain the same. Your partner, child, additional caregivers–all are welcome as you are a team with the same objective.
Please fill out the Coaching Agreement and email to french.family.montessori[at]gmail.com prior to the first session.
Questions or need a different date/time? Please feel free to reach me at french.family.montessori[at]gmail.com or connect with me here.
I was the first person to benefit from Amorette’s insight and encouraged her to share that with other parents who were in the same position as I was: wanting to understand their child to best support them. For a longtime, I didn’t think I would be able to assist my child because I’m not a professional. She helped me realize that I didn’t have to be a professional, that I help my child in so many ways and that I had already helped him learn so much; with the proper guidance I could continue to help him learn that much more. She explained that I assisted him in feeding himself; so why couldn’t I be the one to help him brush his own teeth? It took a bit of time as we figured out his triggers and sensors but he helps brush his own teeth now and that’s so far from how it was, no longer a daily struggle. Just having a better understanding of the way he thinks and perceives things has had an impact on how we do things at home and has led to a happier home for us all.
-Emilia
I had been learning from Amorette about autism via her free content on Instagram for several months when she announced she would be offering one-on-one coaching sessions. Absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to virtually meet for individualized guidance, I booked a session and couldn’t have been more satisfied. I found her to be patient and gracious with me and my daughter, balancing our desires with her expertise. And her genuine care for us as a family was evident. Amorette went above and beyond to contact me after the session was over with additional ideas beyond those we discussed during our time together. Above all, I find her to be a compassionate advocate for helping parents to meet their children’s needs respectfully and with understanding. We will definitely be booking more sessions with her!
-Lindsay
I tried everything! My husband and I followed all the books and read the blogs and talked to experts. All I wanted to be was a mother and I felt like I wasn’t able to do that properly, everything that I seemed to do was just not working. I felt so lost because I just didn’t know what to do anymore. Our doctor recommended ABA, but after observing a session I just knew it wasn’t right for my son. After just two coaching sessions with Amorette I feel like we are in a much different place. I feel like I’m a mother again and it’s such a great place to be. And, she never made me feel bad about my feelings of frustration. One thing that really stuck out was how to manage social situations and building confidence for me so that I could build it in my son, too. I don’t want him to ever apologize for who he is, I want him to be proud.
-Tina
Thank you endless times 🙏🏻 I don’t know how I came across your account but it’s the best thing ever that happened to me! My 5 years old son is autistic and I was having the hardest time understanding him but since I started following you (and a bunch of other accounts that you share or follow) our lives have been waaaay easier 💚 Everything makes so much sense now and we’re having less meltdowns now that I can know what my son needs. Your posts are so real and raw, you are very kind, thank you again 🌼
-Anonymous
*I previously worked in-person with families, but virtual sessions allow me to assist more while saving travel time–which you will find my new rates reflect. At this time I am not offering packages. This may change.
