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DFX's Clinic in the Community: Sharing Compassionate self-regulation education in the classroom setting
DFX reaches beyond the clinic to partner with schools in Denver and across the country as part of our Clinic in the Community activities. These programs look different in each school, since we design the collaboration to match the needs and goals of each partner. At St. Elizabeth’s School our team members support in-school Occupational Therapy and Speech Language Pathology services. This year, DFX occupational therapist Natalie Parker, MOT, OTR/L, is co- leading lessons based on the Powerfully You curriculum.
DFX and St. Elizabeth’s School partner in creating a safe space for students to learn and understand their individual body sensations and emotions through a non-judgemental lens. As a team, we are empowering self-regulation through a lens of compassion and connection. Delivering the Powerfully You curriculum fits well with DFX's philosophy of a Therapy that fits, meeting each student and class where they are and helping them build skills they will carry through life.
The students learn about their ‘activation’ and how to notice how activated their body is feeling in the moment, without labeling their activation as good or bad. They also learn about their ‘body battery’ and inputs that can help recharge them - sleep, nutrition, physical activity, and connection to people who help them feel safe. Activities in the lessons help individuals understand their activation state and body battery to increase their ability to self-regulate. After each lesson teachers are given a recap letter with strategies to implement throughout the next week to create greater retention.
To build an understanding of Powerfully You in the school community, parents receive a letter after each trimester of services with suggestions for how they can use Powerfully You techniques to help reinforce the skills their children have learned and build resilience.
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