Meet Denise Carbon…
Special Needs Expert, who has supported thousands of young children with special needs and their families for over 30 years. She helps empower parents struggling with worry, anxiety, stress & overwhelm while ensuring kids grow to reach their full potential.
Denise holds a Master’s in Early Childhood Special Education with the highest distinction of Summa Cum Laude. She’s Certified as an Advanced Transdisciplinary Infant and Family Early Childhood Mental Health Practitioner, Certified NLP Master Practitioner, and Certified Master Executive, Life & Parent Coach.
Stanford Children’s Hospital hand-selected Denise to run their High-Risk Infant Development Clinic. Some of her private clients have included top executives at Amazon, Google, Facebook, and Apple; parents who struggle with balancing their time and navigating the systems.
Denise is an International Speaker and has been featured at multiple conferences including the Department of Developmental Services (DDS), Infant Development Association of California, and various Early Start Programs. Quasar Expeditions specifically chose Denise as their Guest Expert to create and lead family cruises in the Galapagos Islands, specifically for families with special needs, and she is currently serving families in over 25 countries!
A personal note from Denise…
Special needs have been part of my entire personal and professional life.
10 members of my own family have needs ranging from autism to seizures to brain trauma and more. My “Big WHY?” stems from witnessing my Mom’s pain of just how hard it was for her to parent a child with unique needs. I remember her telling a story on how she lost it in the grocery store one day and almost had a nervous breakdown!
I, too, have been branded with a “disabled label” – 3 times in fact – but I haven’t let these disabilities or challenges define me or take me down. My experiences have provided me with a unique perspective, have fueled my passion for inclusion and equality, and have helped shape how I coach my kiddos and families.
I know, first hand, how hard this is! I have chosen to use my experiences to my advantage, see myself as resilient (not broken or less-than) and know what’s possible for my clients when they are ready!
With unconditional love, acceptance, and support for their special needs, kids (or Little Super Heroes as I like to call them) can grow up to be happy, healthy, contributing members of society.
Children with special needs are Amazing, we just need to give them an opportunity to be seen, to show what they can do.
Here at Special Advantage, we dream of a time when all children, regardless of their abilities or limitations, are easily and completely included into society. Our mission is to help kids with special needs thrive while helping parents conquer stress, fear, anxiety, and overwhelm.
We choose to break through the barriers of judgment and help the world see the person beyond the “disability” or label, and shower them with unconditional love, acceptance and support. We believe labels are for jars… not kiddos, and our goal is an echo of yours… more progress and greater independence!
At Special Advantage, our approach is different from other therapists and centers. We believe in addressing the needs of all family members, not just your child with special needs.
Everyone knows that no matter what is done to help a child make progress… if you’re not also addressing the core needs, concerns and overwhelm of the parents, the child will only get so far.
This is why, at Special Advantage, our services are Family-Focused and strength based.
We see YOU as the expert on your child… you know them best, and when you’re ready to partner with experts who know about special needs, how to get faster progress AND manage your stress… this partnership naturally brings about greater progress for your entire family. Siblings and other family members are included, whenever possible, since these are the relationships that matter most.
Our Philosophy is Simple
If your child isn’t having fun, they aren’t going to learn!
Interactions and activities should be developmentally appropriate, yes, but also joyful and FUN for your whole family and not feel like “homework” or a chore for either you or your child.
We want you to feel like a “FUN parent” not a therapist – that’s our job, not yours – and most of all, we want your child to be happy while making progress. Goals can be addressed during regular routines of the day (like mealtime, bathtime, or getting dressed) and certainly during fun activities.
Our Programs are designed to help improve your child’s development and progress while decreasing your fears and uncertainty about the future. Let us help you, help your child.
Let’s partner together and develop the best home-based educational program that meets your individual family’s needs.
