A Breakthrough Approach for Girls with Developmental Delays

The halls hum with life, laughter, and learning at IVDU Girls Elementary in Flatbush.

Behind cheerfully-painted doors, girls with developmental delays are improving in greater leaps and bounds than ever before – all thanks to the transformative power of its new physio neuro therapy program.

“It’s remarkable!” says one IVDU mother, “I didn’t expect to see such a difference in such a short amount of time.”

 “I watch my daughter sit and focus on her homework at night, and just shep nachas,” says another.

Over the last decade, physio neuro therapy has revolutionized the field of occupational therapy. Remarkably, it has been able to successfully address the underlying causes of academic, social, and behavioral issues in ways that no other therapy approach has before.

Until now, parents seeking this breakthrough therapy were compelled to enroll their daughters in specialized Sunday or After-School Programs. But since November of 2023, IVDU girls have been benefiting from these therapies all day, in school.

This initiative began last year, when IVDU’s Head of School, Rabbi Michoel Druin, entrusted the renowned Dr. Fraida Flaishman, PhD OTR with implementing physio neuro therapy within the school’s framework.

“From my own practice, I knew what a difference physio neuro therapy makes,” says Dr. Flaishman, “creating this program was an opportunity to increase its impact exponentially.”

Dr. Flaishman developed a custom program for IVDU that integrates all five developmental pillars of physio neuro therapy into student’s daily learning: Reflex Integration; Neuromotor Education & Exercises; Building Blocks to Executive Function; Emotional & Self Regulation Training; and a Safe & Sound Auditory Program.

An intensive staff training week brought IVDU’s teachers and therapists into the process. From there, Dr. Flaishman has been closely consulting with each staff member as they integrate its principles into their individual curriculums.

“The results we’ve seen have been both remarkable and measurable,” says IVDU’s principal, Mrs. Naomi Worch. “Each of these developmental pillars was designed to build on the one below, so success in one helps the other. Our students are exposed to its benefits throughout the day – from reading to math, gym to art…every period!”

“IVDU’s physio neuro therapy integration is a positive leap forward for girls in our community who have developmental delays,” adds Rabbi Druin. “This program is very much in keeping with IVDU’s overall commitment to adopting forward-thinking approaches and providing cutting-edge tools for success to our students.”

Since 2002, IVDU schools have been at the forefront of Torah education for children with mild-to-moderate learning, developmental, and social delays. Run with true Torah values, endorsed by mechanchim, and supported by an experienced clinical team focused on outcomes that are grounded in best practices and evidence-based research, IVDU is an outpouring of warmth, growth, and extensive high-level resources for both students and parents.

Parents interested in learning more about this program or IVDU’s schools are encouraged to reach out to IVDU Elementary’s principal directly, at (718) 758-2999.

www.ivdu.org