Laurel Falvo

Laurel

I am privileged to have a job I love! The best part is the wonderful people I've met since I began working with The Gray Center at its inception in 1998. This includes people with autism and Asperger Syndrome and their families, who are my true inspiration. I've learned from countless teachers and professionals along the way, both those who are quietly making a difference in their own corner of the world, as well as those who are acknowledged as experts in the field.

I am passionate about helping people to move forward in their lives. Through my presenting, writing, coaching and consulting, teaching, and group facilitation, as well as answering countless emails throughout each year, I love to help people get the information and support they need to identify their goals, as well as "next steps" for achieving those.

I love helping people experience--and enjoy--success! Whether it's learning to participate in a group, sleep in their own bed, speak in public, ask a question, teach a new skill, keep a job, make a new friend, manage difficult behaviors at home or in the classroom, deal successfully with anxiety, understand and connect with their child, spouse, or themselves, respond effectively to others' expectations--or whatever each person has defined as success--that is the most fulfilling part of my role with The Gray Center.

We appreciate your interest in The Gray Center. Please let us know how we can help you, and we hope you'll take a moment to tell others about us!

Laurel Falvo

Laurel Falvo, CFLE (Certified Family Life Educator) is the Executive Director of The Gray Center, a Social Coach, and a registered Social Service Technician. She is in charge of overseeing our staffing, publicity, fundraising, and program and project development. She has helped to publish or produce all of our Gray Center publications, and has designed and maintains our web site. She also enjoys presenting at conferences or for staff trainings for various schools and other organizations, and providing consulting and social coaching services for The Gray Center.

Laurel graduated from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Previously, she taught first grade at Hudsonville Christian School. In addition to her work with the Gray Center, for ten years Laurel was associated with Early On of Kent County, serving on the Local Inter-Agency Coordinating Council. She has more recently been sworn in as a CASA volunteer (Court Appointed Special Advocate) for children who have been abused and neglected.

Laurel and her husband Steve have three sons and a daughter.

Laurel is the author of The Good Food Cookbook For Gluten-Free and Casein-Free Diets, and a co-editor of The Social Stories™ Quarterly. She has most recently authored and produced More Than a Sum of Diagnostic Differences: A Positive Perspective on Autism and Asperger Syndrome, and ASD to Z: Basic Information, Support, and Hope for Individuals Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Her new DVD, Why Do They Do Tha? Answers to Questions You Might Have About People with Autism and Asperer Syndrome...and Tips You Can Use to Help Them! provides helpful information for school-aged children, teens, and adults. Her educational tool, The Social Response Pyramid(TM), is being widely used to promote social understanding and social effectiveness.

Laurel has been approved by The Gray Center and Carol Gray to provide Social Stories(TM) trainings as a member of "Team Social Stories". She also presents frequently on topics such as social understanding, the autism spectrum, and finding ways to enable those with disabilities to use their gifts as members of a church, as well as her educational tool (a visual representation of social understanding), The Social Response Pyramid(TM).  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

sunburstSocial Incites

Laurel Falvo on TV

Accommodating the Autism Spectrum - Inner Compass from Calvin College on Vimeo.

Click here to view an episode of InnerCompass (a production of Calvin College) featuring Laurel Falvo.

IMG_1339Laurel Falvo's Presentations

Laurel Falvo's Presentations
Laurel was married in January, 2009. She was formerly known as Laurel Hoekman.

Laurel will be presenting at the following workshops:


November 20, 2009--Fremont, Ohio



Inviting Laurel Falvo to speak for your organization, training, or conference:

(NOTE: Laurel is able to adapt her presentations to the audience's needs. She can construct a presentation ranging anywhere from 1 hour to a full day or two of instruction. E-mail Laurel for more information).


For more information on The Social Response Pyramid™, click here.

The Autistic Brain and the Neurotypical Brain: Bridging the Gap Toward Effective Social Interactions (To purchase a DVD copy of a similar presentation by Laurel Falvo, click here).

In this presentation, Laurel examines current research and understanding of autism spectrum disorders(ASD), and compares that to neurotypical development. She also explains how social understanding—and a variety of current strategies—can lead toward effective social interactions between individuals with ASD and those who work with them in the home, school, workplace, and community.

Objectives: Attendees will be able to describe several differences between typical and autistic development, name several “red flags” which may indicate the presence of ASD, and demonstrate several strategies to help promote effective social interactions in the home, school, workplace, and community. This is a practical presentation that will provide a new understanding and appreciation for those with ASD, as well as tools to use immediately at home or in the classroom, with both children and adults!

THE SOCIAL RESPONSE PYRAMID™: In this presentation, Laurel Falvo provides a visual representation of social understanding--how we can better understand ourselves and others (including those with autism spectrum disorders, or ASD) in order to develop and utilize strategies to increase the effectiveness of our responses and theirs. Attendees will be able to describe various social contexts, and how they affect social interactions, as well as the effect that ASD may have on school, home, and community environments. Attendees will be able to demonstrate how the Pyramid provides a framework for understanding which resources (including current popular teaching strategies, books, and DVDs) may be most helpful for a variety of situations. This is a practical presentation that will provide a new understanding and appreciation for those with ASD, as well as tools to use immediately at home or in the classroom, with both children and adults!

What's in YOUR toolbox
Our social repertoire can help to determine whether we will be socially effective. An understanding of the tools available to us can lead to becoming better parents, teachers, or friends, and can be particularly helpful for those who live, work, or worship with individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), for whom social effectiveness can be particularly elusive. (This presentation functions well as an introduction to the concept of social understanding, autism, and The Social Response Pyramid(TM).)


AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS: Recognizing your role in the Social Context
Social interactions are highly dependent on the social context. People with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) often find themselves socially “stuck” due to their differences and delays. Parents, educators, peers, and others all bear responsibility in understanding ASD, making accommodations, and providing missing information to help ensure success for everyone involved in social interactions. This presentation can be tailored to audiences familiar with ASD or new to the diagnosis, and to home or school settings.

The Ups and Downs of parenting a child with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
As a parent, you have round-the-clock, first-hand experience with autism. Yet you are still a parent of a precious child, in spite of the presence of a diagnosis. Come prepared to share your joys and frustrations with other parents, as you learn from each other and gain strategies to promote success for each member of your family! (While a portion of this presentation will provide instruction and ideas, much of it can be geared toward educational interaction with others.)

Why Do They Do That? Strategies for Understanding and Interacting Effectively with Students with Autism and Asperger Syndrome
Some teachers have extensive knowledge and experience when it comes to autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Others feel overwhelmed at the news that a child with ASD will be (or is) in their classroom. In a classroom with many children, some with ASD appear to get "lost in the shuffle." Others demand attention just as "the squeaky wheel gets the grease." Learn more about ASD and its impact on the classroom, and come prepared to share your own stories about the joys and frustrations of the presence of individuals with ASD in the classroom. You will leave the presentation equipped with additional strategies for promoting successful interactions in the classroom, with the goal being success for everyone! (While a portion of this presentation will provide instruction and ideas, much of it can be geared toward educational interaction/brainstorming with others.)

 

Unto the Least of These: Ministering to and enabling ministry by individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD)
We are reminded in Matthew 25:31-40 that we have a mandate to meet the needs of “the least of these.” Sometimes that indicates that we are to meet the needs of those with ASD. Other times, we need to recognize that WE are “the least of these,” and that those with ASD have unique gifts to use in ministering to us. This session will include a description of the challenges faced by those with ASD, and the unique strengths that these individuals bring to ministry in God’s Kingdom. It will also detail Laurel's thoughts on the difference between creating "a space" for individuals versus "creating space" for them.

 

*Laurel Falvo is also available to provide Social Stories(TM) trainings. If you are interested in having Laurel speak to your staff or organization/conference, please contact Laurel for more information.