The Whole Child History

Debra Dickson, RPT, previous owner and founder of TherapyWorks and Anne Buckley-Reen, OTR, owner of For Kids OT, developed the Whole Child S.A.N.E. assessment and treatment protocol. 

When these two women met, they found that they were both incorporating foundational intervention into their respective practices with dramatic results. These foundational strategies included: sleep strategies, nutritional balance and movement programs for home and the classroom. Having witnessed the power of the combination of nutritional and foundational interventions in their own practices, and with years of research behind them, Deb and Anne joined forces.

Each had discovered a common thread among the majority of the children they were treating. In addition to the motor, sensory and coordination problems that initially brought them to therapy, many were plagued by self-regulation challenges; sleep difficulties, picky appetites, G-I disturbances, allergies, asthma and attention problems. It seemed these symptoms were epidemic, causing significant difficulties for many of the children, both at home and at school.

Through an understanding of the impact of sleep, activities, nutrition, and environments on brain functions, Deb and Anne have developed a plan of action that WORKS, and described it in terms that everyone can understand and find it useful.  In addition, they have provided a large number of true stories of children with a variety of diagnoses and challenging behaviors, their struggles and their resolutions. These stories come directly from a number of families who volunteered to be filmed for their conferences after achieving successful results using S.A.N.E. strategies. 

Therapy Works is proud to offer the Whole Child S.A.N.E. assessment along with skilled occupational and physical therapy treatment to continue Deb and Anne's mission to provide holistic care to children and adolescents.