September is Self-Care Awareness Month. But what is self-care? Self-care is actively maintaining your well-being and happiness by prioritizing the things that help you relax, de-stress, and feel good. When you practice self-care, you invest in yourself and your future. Self-care is not always easy, but it is essential for your well-being. When you take […]
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Creating A Positive Back to School Routine
Creating a good back-to-school routine can help students feel more prepared and organized for the new school year. Start by setting realistic goals. Don’t try to do too much too soon, or you’ll be setting yourself up for failure. Start by setting small goals, such as waking up 15 minutes earlier each day or getting […]
S.M.A.R.T Goals: What Are They and How to Set Them
Do you ever set goals for yourself, only to find yourself falling short? If so, you’re not alone. Many people struggle to achieve their goals because they don’t know how to define them. SMART is a goal-setting framework that can help you achieve your goals by making them Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. -Specific […]
Achieving Behavioral Change through Positive Reinforcement
Positive Reinforcement is a well-known technique that helps increase the likelihood that a behavior will occur again. It is a simple but powerful tool that can be used to change behaviors in individuals and groups. Positive reinforcement is effective in a wide range of settings and with a variety of populations, including children, adults, and […]
Tips for Spring Cleaning Your Home and Mind
It’s that time of year again! The weather is getting warmer, the days are getting longer, and there’s a renewed sense of energy in the air. For many people, this is the time of year when they start thinking about spring cleaning. For some, the act of decluttering and organizing their space can be a […]
Sleep and Mental Health
Have you ever woken up “on the wrong side of the bed”? If so, then you know firsthand that sleep can affect mood and mental health, but mental health can also affect sleep. Many mental health and neurodevelopmental disorders can also negatively affect sleep. Depression, anxiety, ADHD and autism can lead to troubles with sleep. […]
What is neurodiversity?
The word “neurodiversity” was coined by Australian sociologist Judy Singer in 1998. Simply put, the nonmedical term simply recognizes the fact that every person’s brain develops in a unique way. No two brains are exactly alike, and differences are just that — variations that are neither positive nor negative. The word refers to all people […]
Adult Day Training: Providing Life Lessons for Adults with Disabilities
Adult Day Training (ADT) focuses on developing and enhancing skills that adults with disabilities need for everyday life. At Heartfelt Solutions in Bardstown, the monthly ADT calendar includes activities and exercises that focus on different topics each day, from fitness and money management to careers and community outings. “We really get them involved in the […]
ADOS-2: The Gold Standard in Autism Evaluation
Though there are multiple tools available for screening autism spectrum disorders (ASD), Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-Second Edition (ADOS-2) is considered the gold standard in diagnosing ASD in both children and adults. “One thing I really like about ADOS-2 is that it’s fun,” says Madison Jernigan, LPA, a licensed mental health clinician at Heartfelt Solutions. “Kids […]
Medicaid Waivers: Getting Help for Your Family
If you are in search of care for someone with developmental or intellectual disabilities, help is available. Kentucky offers multiple, state-funded Medicaid waivers for families in need. “The Kentucky Medicaid waivers have been absolutely vital to members of the community with developmental and intellectual disabilities,” says Heartfelt Solutions director of operations Missy Hughes. “People are […]