TESTIMONIALS

Gaston first started working with Jamie after he was diagnosed with a hypersensitivity to affect at the age of 2 and a half. He had a speech delay and would get very agitated when he was directed to do something he did not want to do.  I remember the first day Gaston met with Jamie and she started off by throwing a ball and telling him calmly that she would wait until he was ready to throw it back.  It seemed like she was waiting for ages, but she sat patiently and would reassure him that she would wait till he was ready.  He would walk away but eventually he came back and threw the ball.  Over the next few sessions he started to engage more regularly and little by little he pushed through the his exhaustion with interactions and learned to regulate his emotions.  He also did equine-assisted therapy with Jamie when he was about 4 and on the first day, he had a huge breakthrough. He would usually enter a gathering and go straight for a toy and sit there by himself and play until he felt comfortable enough to interact and then retreat back to the toy when overwhelmed. That evening, we went to a family party and when he walked in he immediately started saying hi to everyone!  I’m a bit of a skeptic, but that was incredible!  He worked with Jamie for a couple more years continuing to work on his ability to hang in through frustrating situations and in kindergarten Jamie said he was ready to graduate.  Gaston is now 10 and he’s a well adjusted boy who is smart and talented.  He is praised by his teachers for reaching out to new students  because he wants them to feel welcome.  He still remembers Jamie fondly and we thank her for all her help during those tough years  

~ Carolina A