Now Celebrating 27 Years!
Up Wee Grow, Inc. is an agency approved by the NYS Early Intervention and CPSE programs to provide evaluations and services to children and families in their homes and schools, In-Person (or via Telehealth). Evaluations and Therapies are provided for children from birth through age 5 in Suffolk County, Nassau County, and all 5 Boroughs of New York City.
Our services are provided to children by fully licensed therapists and certified teachers through the New York State Early Intervention Program and the New York State Board of Education Committee for Preschool Special Education.
ABA - Applied Behavior Analysis
Psychology
Service Coordination
Speech Therapy
Occupational Therapy
Audiology
Special Education
Physical Therapy
Social Work
Serving seven counties of New York State: Suffolk | Nassau | Queens | Brooklyn | Bronx | Manhattan | Staten Island
Contact us and speak with an Early Intervention Specialist.
Birth To 3
Early Intervention
Birth To 3 - Early Intervention
Up Wee Grow, Inc. is approved by New York State and has contracts with Suffolk, Nassau, New York City, and Westchester to provide Early Intervention services.
Ages 3 to 5
CPSE
Ages 3 to 5 - CPSE
If you are concerned about your child's development between the ages of 3 and 5 you may refer him/her to your School District’s Committee for Preschool Special Education (CPSE) to request an evaluation.
Autism
ABA Program
Autism - ABA Program
Up Wee Grow, Inc. provides the highest quality A.B.A. programming (Applied Behavior Analysis) at the direction of our Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Licensed Psychologist (Ph.D.).
We teach parents Maximum Strength Parenting through use of F.E.A.T.S. (Family-friendly Evaluation and Teaching System), our comprehensive system to empower parents to promote positive growth across six developmental domains with a multi-modal approach. This includes six interactive charts that we created based on 22 well-normed, peer-reviewed assessment instruments to provide families with realistic guidelines regarding typical developmental milestones in six areas from birth through kindergarten.
F.E.A.T.S Tips For Parents
Choosing Appropriate Clothing Based On Weather
“You’re Gonna Get A Cold!” Help your child to learn which clothing is appropriate in different situations. You can use a paper doll (you can make one yourself or you...
The Missing Tile Syndrome
The “Missing Tile Syndrome” refers to a preoccupation with imperfections and anomalies. Picture a large beautiful tile mosaic where out of the 1,000 tiles, 10 are...
Walking Alone
“These Boots Are Made For Walkin” Walk holding both of your child’s hands, hold just one hand, then briefly withdraw and re-introduce your hand(s) for support....
Putting Shoes On
“Well Heeled” Have your child try on shoes that are much too big, so he learns the feeling of slipping into shoes. Have your child watch as you place shoes on your...
Using a “Hurried” Walk/Running
“Oh My, Aren’t You In A HURRY!” Prompt your child to engage in games of chasing and being chased. Play “follow the leader” and introduce running into behaviors to be...
“What is ‘Time-Out’?”
The term “Time-Out” is an abbreviation that originates from the longer phrase “Time-Out from opportunities for positive reinforcement.” It may be defined as “a...
Paving the Road to Self-Regulation (for children with hyper-sensitivity/anxiety)
Self-regulation of hyper-sensitivity/anxiety occurs along a continuum. Recognition of the steps along that continuum is important so that you can help your child grow...
The Long-view: Humane and strong parenting “over the years and through the tears”
Here are two major societal trends: (1) Expectation of Instant Results: We have come to expect instant results. Within less than 1 second an internet search can return...
Zipping and Unzipping
“Just Zip It!” Practice makes perfect. Give your child opportunities to zip and unzip. Present your child with sweaters, coats, pants, zip-loc bags, pocket books,...
Safely Exploring Cabinets and Drawers
“Christopher Columbus, Magellan, and Now: Your Child!” Create opportunities for your child to safely explore household objects. Empty one or two drawer cabinets and...
Wait Training
Consider your use of “Yes-When” deals to be a version of “Wait Training” for your child. By offering him opportunities to earn privileges, you are building his...
Crawling
“You Gotta Crawl Before You Walk” To achieve a quadruped position (on hands and knees): While your child supports weight with forearms or hands, lift the pelvis and...
“It’s Not FAIR!”
Definitions of “fair” vary. To be “fair” can mean being free of bias, injustice, or deceit. “Fair” can mean moderate conditions or quantities (e.g., fair weather,...
Returning Objects To Their Proper Location When Finished with Them
“CLEAN UP THIS MESS!!” Go with your child to where the toys are kept (playroom, den, basement, bedroom). Take out a variety of toys that you know he likes to play with ...
Riding a Tricycle
Riding a Tricycle with Pedals, Maneuvering Around Obstacles, Turning, Stopping and Starting “Road-Test” To determine if the tricycle is the right size for your child...
Should I give ‘warnings’ to my child before implementing ‘Time-out’?
No. If you give your child a warning (or two, or three!) before placing him in “Time-Out,” all you are doing is demonstrating inconsistency, which will undermine the...
Generate a list of possible solutions
Step 2: Generate several possible solutions from the categories of A.T.I.P. Of course, each of the categories in A.T.I.P. may not be applicable in all situations...
Spreading With a Butter-Knife
“Spreadin’ Yourself Thin” Frost a cake, cupcake or even cookies. Spread peanut butter or jelly on a cracker. Spread cream cheese or butter on toast or a bagel....
“Forget my child…I wouldn’t mind a little ‘Time-Out’ for myself!”
“Time-out” is as much for you as it is for your child. Take your child’s “Time-Out” as an opportunity for you to calm down and “take a break.” You can view his...
The Short Tale of WAGE and SAGE
Two old friends (one named “Wage” and the other named “Sage”) crossed paths. Here’s what they said: WAGE: So how old is your son? SAGE: 2 years, 4 months, 10 days...
Caution, this website may make you dizzy
Buckle up. The “flavor” of Maximum Strength Parenting varies greatly from chapter to chapter (and sometimes moment to moment). At various points throughout this book,...
Helping To Dry After a Bath
“UGH! Twisted Wet Pajamas!” Provide your child with opportunities to wash and dry dolls and toys. Give your child a small cloth or dishtowel to practice drying dolls...
Teacher or Torture?
It’s the day after Halloween. Do you hide the bowl of candy (to avoid tantrums), or do you keep it within your child’s view (and set limits on when and how much candy...
“TOY-JACKING” – High-Crime or Misdemeanor?
Charles Dickens wrote, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” Indeed, turn-taking, sharing, and social relations can bring out the best (and/or worst)...
Giving Up The Bottle
“What Do I Look Like, Some Sort of Baby?” Once your child has mastered drinking from a cup, gradually decrease the amount of liquids in the bottle. Give bottles less...
A.T.I.P. You Should Never Forget
“I don’t know what to do about (this or that or the other) behavior……I guess I need A.T.I.P.!” We saw the great importance...
When is a Bride a Reward, and when is a Reward a Bribe?
We often hear parents say things like, “Junior didn’t want to go to the store, but I bribed him with a lollipop.” We disagree with the assertion that the child was...
Hopping Forward Ten Feet on Either Foot Without Help
“Let’s Go Do The Hop!” Demonstrate hopping forward on one foot for your child. Talk about what you are doing as you are completing the skill. Repeat hopping several...
Wiping Nose with Help
“Don’t Look Down Your Nose At Me!” Leave a box of tissues within your child’s reach. Make sure the tissue is soft so it doesn’t irritate your child’s nose. During play,...
Cleaning Up A Spill
“Don’t Cry Over Spilt Milk!” Allow your child to assist with household chores. Give your child a cloth, a dishtowel, or a paper towel. Physically guide your child...
Mommy Cheerist: Do parents have a moral obligation to their children to be happy?
Do parents have a moral obligation to their children to be happy? First, let’s consider a few things about “happiness.” Dictionary definitions of “happy” include...
Placing Outerwear into Assigned Locations
“How Many Times Do I Have To Tell You To HANG UP YOUR COAT!!?” If your child is reluctant to hang up a coat, hat, etc, he may have some difficulty remembering where the...
Holding a Writing Implement Properly
Holding a crayon or pen properly is important because it builds good habits that will facilitate neat and efficient hand-writing. Use writing implements that...
Removing Clothes
“Undress Yourself and Get Ready For Your Bath!” Give your child opportunities to assist with undressing. Make undressing fun and interesting for your child. Play...
Words that Wound: The worst fairy-tale you can tell your kids
Let’s say your child speaks nastily. You then try to teach Junior to be kind, and you say, “When you say that, it makes me sad/angry/feel bad.” That sounds simple...
PAIRenting: Where do you land (or fall) on ‘agreement’ with your partner in child-rearing?
It is often said that “You don’t know somebody until you live with them.” We reject that notion, and, offer, instead, the following: “You don’t know somebody until...
“Your Duty, Honor, and Privilege”
It is every parent’s duty, honor, and privilege to teach their child. No doubt, you will find that many of the following “F.E.A.T.S.™ Techniques” are obvious, but...
“Morning Express” Yourself: Do you just rise, or do you rise and shine?
If your mornings are too stressful, here are some tips for you’re a.m. routine so that you won’t just rise, you’ll rise and shine. Go ahead and “express yourself”: 1....
Combing/Brushing Hair
“Doin’ the Doo” Have your child go with you to the store to buy a comb or brush. Buy a small comb or brush for your child to use to brush a doll’s hair during play....
How do I know when to Avoid, Teach, Ignore, or Punish? What is the “Manners Manager”?
You may ask, “So, I know A.T.I.P., but what should I do?” Just use the ‘Manners Manager’! To debate specifics about various behaviors is futile because the purpose of...
Monitor the effectiveness of your strategy
Step 4: Monitor the effectiveness of your strategy Periodically monitor the effectiveness of your behavior management strategy. You may need to monitor more frequently...
Mouthing Solid Food and Toys
“Eatin’ the Leg Off the Table” Place something sweet or good tasting on your child’s toys. Give your child a food they can hold in their hand. Make sure it is something...
Monitor your own attitude and behavior in this process
Step 5: Monitor your own attitude and behavior in this process You may recall from the previous chapter, the “Dirty-Dozen” reasons why your behavior management efforts...
“Sleep: Those little slices of death, how I loathe them” – Edgar Allen Poe
Bedtime often is a stressful, hectic time, and if you need help managing Junior’s sleep, refer to the section in Chapter 4 entitled “Sleep: Good Night.” Once you get...
AWE you? Or AWE you not?
To take stuff “for granted” is to be stagnant. To be stagnant is to survive rather than thrive. If you have allowed yourself to become “bored”...
The Gift of Adoption
The first recorded evidence of adoption is in antiquity, yet there has been more change in the world of adoption over just these past five decades than in all of...
“But my child does not care when I withhold privileges”
I have just advocated patience, reasonable criteria in your “Yes-When deals”, and consistency. But perhaps most importantly, never conclude from your child’s...
Brushing Teeth
“Show Them Pearly-Whites” Take your child to the store to choose a toothbrush. Make sure it is developmentally appropriate, colorful and interesting. Buy a second...
“I tried ‘Time-Out’ and it doesn’t work!”
As indicated above, the term “Time-Out” is an abbreviation and originates from the longer phrase “Time-Out from reinforcement.” As such, there are many ways to conduct...
What is Maximum Strength Parenting?
Maximum Strength Parenting is the art of using all of your gifts and knowledge in the most important and influential job you will ever have, parenting. “Maximum” refers...
“What is the difference between Rights and Privileges (and why is that SO important)?”
There are rights and privileges in the world. In each country, governments decide for their citizens what is a “right” and what is a “privilege.” In your role as...
Put Shoes on Correct Feet
“Do You Have Two Left-Feet?” Have your child select a pair of shoes from a pile of several. Encourage your child to sit on the floor or a chair as your child attempts...
Manipulating Objects at Midline
Grasping and manipulating provide the basis for exploration and learning. Use pull-apart toys (e.g., Mr. Potato Head, interlocking blocks, pop beads, objects to bang...
Holding Own Bottle
“Message in a Bottle: MMMMM!” Position your child at a 90-degree angle. Make sure both you and your child are comfortable and supported. Present a bottle to your child,...
Skipping
“Don’t Skip The Basics” Skipping can be a difficult skill for your child as it requires using both sides of the body in a cross pattern (i.e., left arms swings forward...
Standing Alone
“Stand On Your Own Two Feet” Use a standing position to remove your child’s coat. Hold the coat but not your child’s body. Following a bath place your child in a...
Your moment, make it a good one
Fast forward many years: The master plan was kind to you. Your “moment” has come. You had a nice run, and you’re ready to check out. Hopefully, you won’t be in too...
Running From a Caregiver (in public places)
Many young children run away from their caregivers in public places. You may find yourself conflicted about how to react, due to anxiety, anger, and/or concern with...
Choose and implement the solution(s) most likely to work
Step 3: Choose and Implement one/some of you’re A.T.I.P. techniques Choose the technique(s) that are most likely work based on your knowledge of: what has been...
The Terrible (or Terrific?) Two’s
The “Terrible Two’s” need not be “Terrible” at all. In fact, the “Terrible Two’s” could just as easily be called the “Terrific Two’s”. The supposed “Terrible” aspect...
Resistance of Sharing
“Mine, mine, all mine!” or “Share, share, that’s fair!” Of course, sharing can be very difficult for some children (at any age). Often children do not distinguish...
Looking Both Ways Before Crossing the Street
“What is the Chicken Supposed To Do Before Crossing The Road?” Accompany your child to a road or street where there is no traffic light and explain that you are going...
“But I’m too busy to be able to teach with all these fancy techniques!”
“F.E.A.T.S.™ Techniques” are specifically designed to be easy to implement, fun, and effective. The “F.E.A.T.S.™ Techniques” are...
Paving the Road to Empathy
Of course, demonstrations of empathy depend not only on individual characteristics but also on situations. Still, here are some age-based guidelines regarding the...
“What educational principles are “F.E.A.T.S. Techniques” based upon?
Two of the most well-known and well-respected theorists in the field of early childhood development are Jean Piaget (1896 to 1980) and Lev Vygotsky (1896 to 1934)....
“How long should ‘Time-Out’ last?” (Use the Clock and the Calendar)
The best known and most generally accepted guideline for the duration of “Time-out” is one minute per year of age (e.g., 2 minutes for a 24-month-old; 2-½ minutes for a...
Does your child “have to” or “get to” go to school?
The United Nations has created eight “Millennium Development Goals,” to be achieved by the year 2015. One of these goals is Universal Primary...
Sitting Alone
“Sittin” Pretty” Move your child to a sitting position and provide support at the hips or just above the hips. Fade your support as necessary. Set up a “Busy Box” or...
Removing Shoes
“Take Off Your Shoes and Wipe Your Feet!” Provide your child with adult shoes that can be easily removed. Allow several opportunities throughout the day for your child...
Assisting with Bathing
“SCRUB in the TUB” Give your child a basin, a bar of soap and a washcloth. Provide your child with opportunities to wash dolls, toys, and dishes. Guide your child’s...
Cruising
Oh, You’re Cruising” Place a favorite toy a few feet away while your child holds onto the couch. Play “ring around the rosy” (which involves side-to-side movements with...
When All Else Fails – “I have tried everything and nothing @#%^$ works!”
Which category you choose (Avoiding, Teaching, Ignoring, or Punishing) to manage a given negative behavior is less important than your consistency and your...
Yes-When, If-Then, or No-Until?
When you use “Yes-When” deals it is important that you remain positive in your tone of voice and demeanor. When parents experience frustration, it is very easy for...
Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Unhappiness
In the previous section we considered “Useless Dissatisfaction” and “Useful Dissatisfaction” in the terms of the moral obligation parents have to their children to be...
How Much Do Parents Really Matter?
The classic question of “Nature versus Nurture” has long ago given way to the question of the “Nurture of Nature.” There have been outstanding, thought-provoking books...
“Bossy” and Destructive Behavior
My child walks around like he owns the place and he destroys everything! How can I teach him to respect things that don’t belong to him?” Typically, children...
“What is the PURPOSE of ‘Time-Out’?”
While “Time-Out” is a simple enough concept, its purpose is subject to great interpretation, complexity, and nuance. Some say that “Time-Out” is intended to be a...
Rotary/Diagonal Chewing Patterns
“CHEW YOUR FOOD!” Present your child with a variety of foods. Vary the texture (e.g., mushy, crunchy, lumpy, etc.). Place the foods in different parts of your child’s...
Real Live Make Believe
“Play” is the instinct of all young beings. It is observed all over the world, among cubs and calves, and among puppies and pip squeaks. Play is the fast track to the...
Magical things every parent should know about Peter Pan
James M. Barrie was born in 1860, as the ninth child of ten in a large Scottish family. James was 6 years old when his brother, David, died in a skating accident, just...
Carefully Compare
“Keeping up with the Joneses” drives the economy. Making comparisons of oneself to others is one way to “participate” in society (e.g.,...
Finding Your Cool: “But I lose my cool…I can’t help it!”
No matter how difficult it is, try to remember the following points about discipline and behavior management: Pick and choose your battles wisely, and stay firm...
Don’t Berate, Educate!
The son refused to clean up the mess. The Daddy yelled, “How many times have I told you?! You know better!” The Daddy drove off for work...
Kicking A Rolling Ball
“Getting Your Kicks” Have your child stand in one place. You roll a ball directly towards your child. As the ball is near him, state “Kick the ball!” Watch for the...
I was walking down the street one day…
Imagine being on a walk with your child and you are approached by a frail, physically non-threatening stranger who begins to yell at Junior. Given the...
“I Know I shouldn’t compare kids, but…”
Comparing Kids? Go Ahead! COMPARE (but do it right): Somewhere along the line, a notion has evolved: “YOU SHOULDN’T COMPARE KIDS.” Still, many parents go right on to...
What were the names of your great-grandparents?
Are you just two generations away from being forgotten? These can be biting questions, but, nevertheless, they are questions that beg answers. “What were the names of...
“Show-and-Tell Scaffolding”
“Show and Tell” is an easy way to remember and implement the technique of scaffolding. “SHOW” involves providing your child with...
Lying: Liar, Liar, pants on fire!
Why does my child lie? Children younger than age 5 or 6 frequently blur the line and can have difficulty making the distinction between fantasy and reality. Beginning...
SLEEP: Good Night!
How much sleep do we need? Infants usually sleep about 16 hours and 2-year-olds sleep about 10 to 14 hours (including naps). How common are sleep problems? 25% of kids...
Modify as needed
Step 6: Modify as needed Based on the results of Step 4 (Monitoring the Effectiveness of my Strategy) and Step 5 (Monitoring my own attitude and behavior in the...
Fun
I was recently reading “The Dangerous Book for Boys” by Gonn and Hal Iggulden. The contents included (but were not limited to): the greatest paper...
Walking on egg-shells is for chickens
Do you S-P-E-L-L O-U-T W-O-R-D-S in front of your kids to purposefully prevent them from understanding what you are talking about? I’m not talking about spelling out...
Toilet Training “Triumph!”
“Readiness”: We don’t teach algebra in kindergarten because 5-year-olds aren’t ready. So how do you know when your child is “ready” for training? To begin training,...
“What is the process of a ‘Yes-When Deal’?”
“Processes” are used with most jobs. Consider two examples: flying to the moon and doing the laundry. When flying to the moon your process is complex: Build a rocket,...
Quiz: Are you a Democrat, Dictator, or Doormat?
To determine your parenting style, take this little quiz by circling what you would do in each of the following scenarios. Of course, “it depends on the...
Imitating Adult Actions
“Do As I Do (AND as I say)” Allow your child to participate as you do household chores. When preparing meals, give your child a spoon to help mix. Give your...
How ‘useful’ is your opinion?
Psychologist Carl Jung said, “Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves.” Try to keep that in mind on our journey together...
A-Ha!
I was greatly inspired by the book “Single Session Therapy: Maximizing the Effect of the First (and Often Only) Therapeutic Encounter,” by Moshe Talmon. Psychologists...
Indicating a Wet or Soiled Diaper
“HELP! Somebody, Please Save Me (From Myself)!” Observe your child’s verbal and non-verbal signals for indicating a soiled or wet diaper (e.g., vocalizations, hugging,...
Up Wee Grow, Inc. was founded in 1996 by Andrew Vaughan, Ph.D., Lauren Resnick, M.S., CCC, SLP, and Anne Long, M.S., Sp.Ed..
We value Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and although these ideals are never truly fully achieved and completed, we strive to keep them ever-present in our day-to-day work.
We value equal access to opportunity, engagement, education, health, stability, respect, and compassionate care in all communities.
The obvious and subtle qualities that make us different also make us resilient and strong. Join us as we celebrate our passion and work: Taking care of each other.