JDN Center for Children, Perth

Sep 15, 2016

New local service for kids with ADHD and Autism

Amanda Neadow, standing with her sons Jason and Dawson, opened the JDN Center for Children in Perth on September 10. The center will provide ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis) Therapy and parent coaching support to children diagnosed with ADHD, Autism and Cognitive Deficit Disorders. Neadow is originally from the Sharbot Lake area.

When her two sons were diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD),

Neadow did extensive research “to understand what ADHD was, how to treat it and how to ensure that my boys would be successful”

She did a lot of it on her own. “We used the sources that the school offered, but the majority of sources and support we used was based on our own research,” she explains.

“There are many children who have ADHD, ASD and Cognitive Deficits who struggle every day and their parents and caregivers want their children to be happy and healthy,” Neadow says. “It is a real-life struggle and worry. So if the JDN Center can help parents start or continue their journey with more resources, information, and support than my family had; then our job is done.”

The JDN Center is located at the Elliot Street Medical Clinic, 12 Elliot St. in Perth. For more information visit www.jdncenter.com

Medical Community Welcomes New Local Service for Kids with ADHD and Autism

When Amanda Neadow discovered her two sons were diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), she felt both relief as well as an immediate desire to fix the problem.

And she did a lot of it on her own.

“We used the sources that the school offered, but the majority of sources and support we used was based on our own research,” she explains. “I am a ‘fixer’ by nature and I was determined to understand what ADHD was, how to treat it and how to ensure that my boys would be successful. I spent many days and nights researching, reading, trying, failing and trying again.”

Her son’s EA then made a life-changing suggestion: try ABA Therapy.

ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis) places emphasis on functional skills that are meaningful in day-to-day life, that will, over time, increase or decrease targeted behaviours. These principles can help to decrease maladaptive behaviors such as aggression, self-stimulatory behaviors, and self-injury. The therapy is useful for children diagnosed with ADHD, Autism or Cognitive Deficit Disorders.

“The results were amazing!” Neadow explains. “My son learned how to identify his feelings and he was stopping and thinking before physically reacting to a situation. He had gained self-control and confidence.”

But accessing these services meant two things for Neadow: driving into Ottawa three days a week for two months and missing work as a result. She’s adamant the reward outweighed the commitment, and Neadow wanted to bring these same solutions to other families while recognizing the need and convenience to have such services offered locally.

This September, she’ll open the doors to the JDN Center for Children at the Elliot Street Medical Clinic in Perth. The Center will offer one-on-one ABA therapy for children in JK to Grade 8 as well as parent coaching and social skills development. They’ll also host social skills group to help children engage in positive peer relationships while parents can also access guidance as their children undergo the ABA sessions.

Sub-head: Medical Community Welcomes ABA Therapy

When Neadow pitched her business idea to the local medical community, she got good feedback. Medical practitioners outlined their appreciation to offer parents another resource for their children diagnosed with ADHD, Autism or a Cognitive Deficit Disorder.

Dr. Beth Anne Van Noppen, a local physician, says she’s thrilled about the new service.

“I was really excited when Amanda came to me with the idea of an ADHD centre. I have seen Amanda work sacrificially to get the care she needed for her boys. I now see that determination and courage as she embarks on the starting of the JDN Center, Van Noppen says, adding that she, too has had this long-time dream to offer alternative services. “It’s easy to take medication.  It’s not easy to work through these difficulties. It takes a lot of effort and commitment. I think JDN will be a great asset in helping both parents and kids as they develop new responses to different situations.”

And that’s exactly what Neadow hopes to offer with the JDN Center.

“There are many children who have ADHD, ASD and Cognitive Deficits who struggle every day and their parents and caregivers want their children to be happy and healthy,” Neadow says. “It is a real-life struggle and worry. So if the JDN Center can help parents start or continue their journey with more resources, information, and support than my family had; then our job is done.”

Welcome BBQ Set for Sept. 10

To launch the JDN Center for Children, a Welcome BBQ will take place at the Elliot Street Clinic on Saturday, Sept. 10 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. JDN staff will be there and BBQers can get a tour of the Elliot Street Clinic located at 12 Elliot St. There will also be fidget toy giveaways and face painting. To learn more about the Welcome BBQ and the JDN Center for Children, visit www.jdncenter.com.