What is the PLECS Approach Program?
The PLECS 12 week program is an individualised, holistic goal-based intervention program for children with emotional, social, behavioural, cognitive and/or academic challenges. It is owned and operated by Natalie Nicholls, a highly specialised intervention expert with over 20 years of experience. In addition to post-graduate qualifications in Special Education (including SpLD), Natalie also possesses a Masters Degree in Cognitive Psychology (Motivation, Metacognition and Cognition), has extensive knowledge on the autonomic nervous system, attachment, child development and foundations such as sleep, exercise and nutrition. Since opening PLECS in late 2021, Natalie has seen consistently positive results with every child she has worked with using an evidence-based, holistic and intensive approach.
Children greatly benefited from the integrative, goal based approach, with training and support for parents included as part of the program. Children attend sessions up to three times per week, implementing goals at home and at school, with parents also attending a parent group and individual parent coaching to support children in reaching their goals.
Many children, through no fault of anyone, have incomplete or weak developmental areas, which affect their ability to either socially interact, regulate their emotions and learn new content effectively, resulting in gaps in their learning and development. The PLECS approach has seen significant improvement in areas such as social communication, anxiety, academics, attention, focus, concentration, organisation, motivation, memory, comprehension, reasoning, confidence, school refusal and eating disorders.
1. The Whole-Child Approach
Why use this approach if my child only has trouble with only one area, such as anxiety or literacy?
Commonly children with challenges in one area, have other areas that are impacting the overall functioning. In many cases, many parents are unaware. The whole-child approach can help build underlying areas by using evidence and science-based intervention.
2. The Mind, Brain and Body are Connected
The mind, brain and body are connected through neural pathways that send signals between the body and the brain to control functions required for breathing, digestion, movement, emotions as well as skills for daily tasks and academics. Our approach focuses on building and integrating the body to work as a whole, making learning more successful!
3. Using a Holistic Approach based on Research and Evidence-Based Methods
The research and science exists, but it is seldom consolidated. The PLECS Approach focuses on the individual using a a bottom up and top down framework to support the needs and development of the child.
In addition, PLECS has an external support team consisting of other professionals such as a biochemist, occupational therapist, sleep consultant, nutrition and health expert, parenting coaches and more... to ensure we have access to the best resources to support your child's learning journey.
