Specializing in child development support and psychological counseling, Unbalance has an office in Nakano, Tokyo, and supports children with developmental disabilities (ADHD, autistic spectrum, learning disabilities, etc.) and their families. Since its establishment, it has provided services to approximately 5,000 children and operates on the principle of "support that respects individual characteristics.
Service Features
Individual counseling: One-on-one counseling is provided by a developmental diagnostician or clinical psychologist. At the first session, a detailed interview is conducted to understand the child's characteristics and family environment, and a support plan is created. For example, children with ADHD are taught "attention-enhancing games" and "how to create routines in daily life," while children on the autistic spectrum are taught "how to read facial expressions" and "basic communication.
Group sessions: Small group activities (3-5 participants) are held on a regular basis. Through such activities as "communication games," "crafts to be completed in cooperation," and "Kakushoku (colorful costume) performances," the program fosters the ability to build interpersonal relationships. Group members are a diverse mix of ages and disabilities, and practical skills are nurtured by recreating an environment similar to daily life.
Parent Support Services: "Parent Seminars" are held twice a month to provide information on developmental disabilities and how to raise children. In addition, "group counseling for parents" is offered, providing an opportunity for families in the same situation to share experiences and talk about their concerns. By providing appropriate advice from specialists, many parents have commented that they feel less isolated.
Cooperation with Schools and Medical Institutions: We regularly exchange information with the school that the child attends and have a system in place to coordinate support at the preschool with instruction at the school. We also partner with pediatricians and developmental diagnosticians to provide comprehensive support by making diagnostic referrals and confirming treatment plans as needed.