Experience the one-of-a-kind vibrotactile dance floor, created to make dance accessible to people with any level or type of ability and mobility.
MJ from Feel the Beat will lead us in a sensory-rich hip-hop fusion class, complete with warm-ups and improvisation, then Brooke and Sophie of NeuroMotif will lead us in movement with live music!
We are so excited to share that our very own multi-talented team member, Taylor, has designed us some fabulous tees and hats. Now you can represent your favorite neurodiversity-affirming music practice everywhere you go!
We will be donating all of the proceeds that we receive from Printful to the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, an organization led by neurodivergent people to benefit neurodivergent people. Our donations will go towards research and resources aimed at helping support neurodivergent individuals and fighting for disability rights..
We are excited to see you in your NeuroMotif swag! Thank you so much for repping our business and for helping us in support of a great cause.
The start of the Winter season is an exciting time of year, especially in New York City. With all of the special events, lights, and attractions, this holiday season has something novel to offer at every turn!
Consequently, though, the season can be overstimulating and overwhelming, especially for neurodivergent kids and adults. The break in routine, the crowds, and the sensory overload of lights and sounds can easily become a recipe for unnecessary stress.
At NeuroMotif, our wish is for everyone to be able to enjoy the time for family connection and celebration! With a few tips we’ve learned from our community and clients, we hope to offer tools and tips to help anyone make the most out of this time.
#1 – Keep everyone in the know
We know that many of our neurodivergent – especially autistic – friends and clients benefit from a sense of control over their schedule and routine. A lot of schedule changes happen during the holiday season, and breaks from routine in school and at home to try to fit in all of the special activities and events.
Visual schedules are great, and taking a minute or two at regular intervals to prepare your child for the upcoming day or week can be a gamechanger. Whether your child communicates through speech, AAC, or something even more subtle, just letting them know what to expect can make a world of difference.
#2 – Shield the senses
As a neurodivergent adult, I don’t go anywhere without a pair of earplugs and my sunglasses! At first I was nervous about the looks I might get wearing sunglasses inside or at night (to read on the crowded subway or look at the bright light displays) but guess what? Nobody minded, and I stayed regulated.
These earplugs are a staple in my sensory kit, and I take them everywhere.
Fidgets are also a huge part of helping your child or yourself stay regulated in crowds or stressful commutes or gatherings. Jewelry fidgets or quiet fidgets make wonderful discreet options.
Have items or activities ready that help with regulation. I bring a book everywhere, since stealing away to read for a minute helps me come back to myself. Some kids find drawing to be calming, and others benefit from music. If I’m at a party, I tend to feel uncomfortable until I find a structured activity to engage in, so I like to bring along a simple card game – I can engage socially with other partygoers in a way that feels natural to me!
Dedicated playlists for regulation or emotional processing are great to have on hand to help yourself or your child find focus and grounding. Check out our example of a regulation playlist here!
#3 – Rehearse Your Scripts
Lots of misunderstandings and meltdowns come from the stress and pressure of holiday-specific conversations that can take neurodivergent people by surprise. Many neurodivergent people communicate through “scripts” or “gestalts” and find it helpful to practice things they might need to say in advance.
We got the idea from Robin Roscigno PhD, noted Autism advocate from Auteach, to prepare scripts for situations like declining an invitation to a holiday party, or what to say when you receive a gift you don’t like. (Would have been so helpful to me as a kid!)
A lot of small talk happens around the holidays, and preparing and practicing a few things to say can help neurodivergent kids (and adults!) feel a lot more comfortable when anticipating special events or gatherings. I also like to prepare questions to ask my conversation partners – I always feel more comfortable in social situations when I can figure out how to get the other person talking!
#4 – Advocate!
The truth is, no matter how much we prepare, neurodivergent people are just going to need breaks and extra support during this hectic season. Luckily, we live in a changing world where more and more people are learning to understand and accept neurodivergent needs. As you practice your scripts, either for yourself or with your child, make sure to include things like “I need a break,” “I’m overstimulated right now,” or “I need some help.”
If your child uses an AAC device, make sure they have easy access to these phrases! Give grace to yourself and your child. If we allow ourselves and our children space and decompression time when needed, we’ll be able to participate more meaningfully in the holiday fun.
Do you have other suggestions or tips? Leave a comment to share it with our community. Little by little, we can make the world a friendlier and more supportive place for people with all different types of needs.
Interested in learning more about using music for regulating, scripting, and self-advocating? We offer individualized music therapy for all ages, and tailor treatment plans to support specific and unique needs. We have immediate availability and starter package discounts – connect with us to get more information!
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We are thrilled to invite back our friend James to demonstrate his official Worm App!
Last year, we had the unique pleasure of hosting James Kwan to demonstrate the prototype of his motion capture music technology and have our clients test and give feedback.
Clients, families, and friends experienced what it’s like to create music with your own movement.
This year, we are lucky to have James return to reveal the official app, available now on iOs!
You can sign up now to join our free workshop and participate in individual or group experiences, or both.
This year, we’ll have opportunities for participants to join our group session for collaborative activities and demonstrations, and also to sign up for private sessions with James to give feedback and experiment with the possibilities of the Worm app.
Students of all levels are highly encouraged to participate in our recital this June. We strive to create a friendly and supportive environment at our recitals where students can share and connect with others.
The recital will be professionally recorded for your private consumption, so we ask that you refrain from recording on personal devices. The professional recording of your child will be shared with you following the recital. Please let us know whether you are comfortable having NeuroMotif and/or Ascension Church share video clips of your child’s performance in marketing or social media, and we will be sure to respect your choice.
Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions!
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Groups are led by board-certified music therapist Taylor Cockrum! She uses music and her funny and warm personality to encourage socializing, child-caregiver bonding, and developmental milestones.
Groups include singing, dancing, playing accessible instruments, and moving and grooving to build body awareness, and social skills.
Join us to learn new skills, make friends, and have fun! Classes are open to all abilities and neurotypes.
We are so excited to facilitate these groups at Prospect Gymnastics BedStuy, Brooklyn’s premier destination for gymnastics, tumbling, parkour, and yoga! Add on unstructured playtime after class to play in the gym and try out the bars, balance beams, and trampolines – all for only $10 extra.
Happy New Year! Our team is so excited to continue bringing music and community in 2024.
In addition to lots of new availability in our Park Slope studio, you can find talented, silly, and engaging NeuroMotif music therapists all over Brooklyn this year.
Prospect Gymnastics Free Trial
Get ready to move to the beat! We are so excited about a new partnership with Prospect Gymnastics, and can’t wait to bring Parent and Me programming to their sunny and spacious Bed-Stuy gym.
With lots of space to stretch out, you can engage with your little ones in active movement, singing, and instrument play that will encourage pre-academic skills, socialization, and bonding between kids and caregivers. Afterwards, enjoy unstructured free-play time in the gym, where your toddler can try out the balance beam and trampoline!
We are holding a free trial on Wednesday, January 24th at 9am! To join the free trial, click the button below and scroll down to add “Parent and Me Music Class with NeuroMotif” to your cart! Can’t wait to see you there.
We’re so excited to continue offering fun Parent-and-Me Groups at this local Park Slope play cafe, with new flexible drop-in options, starting Wednesday January 17th. We love hosting music groups in this space, where kids can make new friends and express themselves before engaging in open play on Good Day Play Cafe’s beautiful indoor playground. We also love the clean and cozy cafe setting where caregivers can grab a coffee and snacks while watching your toddlers safely play on the slides, cypress pit, and climbing wall.
We have dynamic and talented music therapists available to provide structured, fun, and engaging music experiences. Our music activities can encourage bonding, socialization, pre-academic skills, and more! Reach out today for a consultation.
Join us at Spoke the Hub Sunday, December 10th to sing, dance, eat, and be merry, and ring in the holiday season.
We are thrilled to be part of this holiday effort to raise funds for our gracious hosts, Spoke the Hub Dancing. NeuroMotif and friends will be leading all ages in holiday classics and year-round favorites – you can even lead a song if you feel compelled!
Lyric sheets, jingle bells, and home-baked goodies will be provided as we sing and dance the night away.
Neuroscience geeks that we are, we may even teach some basics about the brain benefits of singing! Audience participation will be highly encouraged.
We’ll also be joined by our friends Joe Endozo, Matt Mitler, and more.
NeuroMotif now proudly offers gift certificates, so you can share the joy of interactive and collaborative music with family, friends, and loved ones.
Gift certificates are available in any amount, and we can mail them to you or directly to the recipient. You can also stop by our office to pick one up!
To order a gift certificate, complete the form below and we will contact you!
We will get back to you to complete your purchase!
We are thrilled to be partnering with a fellow women-owned business to bring fun and unique Parent-and-Me programming to Park Slope!
Good Day Play Cafe boasts a beautiful indoor playground for kids (and cozy cafe for parents!) right on 5th avenue, and we will be bringing our interactive music activities on Thursday mornings beginning November 9th, 2023.
The program will run for 6 weeks, and include 45 minutes of singing, dancing, and instrument play, followed by an hour of free-play time in Good Day’s clean and inviting indoor play space.
Music time will include…
Movement to music
Singing new and familiar songs
Accessible instruments
Music games
As well as opportunities for…
Pre-academic skill building
Practice with self-regulation
Turn-taking and sharing
Socializing
and more!
All are welcome to participate!
Both NeuroMotif and Good Day Play Cafe value inclusion and diversity. Children and family members of all neurotypes and abilities will be welcomed, supported, and accommodated.
We can’t wait to have you.
We are excited to bring this special program to families looking for a creative way to bond and make lasting memories. Music and play are the best ways to learn new things and build strong connections!
