What We Do
Sarah Ryder and her team are problem solvers. Think of them as driven detectives who enjoy the challenge of helping people help themselves to a better way of life, and to offer comfort and support that conforms to your unique situation as they adjusts their therapeutic methods to bring relief to you.
We have many tools in our kit. These tools can be used singly or in combination with others to facilitate relief for you. Here are some of the tools, techniques and strategies that can be used specially designed for you:

Do you know of an individual who doesn’t seem to hear or understand you, has trouble concentrating, attention and focus is a challenge, has difficulty with completing reading or bookwork assignments, or has difficulty with memory or organizational issues? If you answered yes to any of the above, then they may benefit from a HANDLE® Screening.
What is a HANDLE Screening? Well, the HANDLE Screening in accord with the Holistic Approach to NeuroDevelopment and Learning Efficiency, uses a copyrighted screening tool that identifies the irregular or underdeveloped sensory-motor systems behind learning difficulties, attention disorders, sensory processing differences and other neurological dysfunctions.
The HANDLE screening tool is designed to be used for individuals 5 years of age through adult, with mild learning and/or behavior challenges. A Certified HANDLE Screener conducts a short assessment using the information from an intake form, and a series of tasks that the individual performs designed to identify clusters of underdeveloped or irregular sensory-motor systems that may impact the individual’s ability to function efficiently within their environment. Some of the areas may include: sequential memory, eye teaming and tracking, differentiation, balance and muscle tone.
The Screener then takes the collected information and observations, and develops a short program of simple HANDLE movement activities that may assist in strengthening and enhancing the sensory-motor systems affected. The activities are completed with the principles of the Gentle Enhancement® approach. This means that activities are performed daily, but if the systems become stressed, the activity is stopped for the day. When systems are stressed, the sensory-motor systems do not get stronger. The movement-based activities help the brain to organize and process information more efficiently, which can lead to improvements such as better attention and focus, increased ability to follow instructions, being able to sit still, enhanced visual ability for tracking and for changing focus from near to far, better impulse control, and more controlled handwriting.
The Screener will also provide recommendations for environmental adaptations or accommodations to assist the individual living in such a dynamic environment. Some adaptations may include: less overhead florescent lighting, playing calming music, use of noise-blocking headphones, and wearing sunglasses outside etc.
The environmental accommodations, other possible complementary therapies, and nutritional information, like the movement activities will be offered based on the specific needs of the individual.
See www.handle.org for more information.Occupational Therapy Services: “skills for the job of living”
Occupational therapy is a treatment that focuses on helping people of all ages achieve independence in all areas of their lives. We help you to navigate through your life challenges and to live life to the fullest.

According to the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), in addition to dealing with an individual’s physical well-being, OT practitioners address psychological, social, sensory, and environmental factors that may hinder an individual’s ability to function in different ways. This unique approach makes occupational therapy a vital part of health and well being.
OT services are tailored to meet your needs and is available as direct, consulting, and/or contracting services. Please contact The Hammock at (616)893-5661 for more details.
Therapeutic Listening Programs
Therapeutic Listening is a therapeutic use of an extensive library of electronically altered music on compact discs used in combination with sensory integration strategies. The emphasis of Therapeutic Listening (TL) is on blending sound intervention strategies with vestibular-proprioceptive organization to sustain grounding and centering of the body and mind in space and time. The CD’s utilize a variety of musical styles.
The use of sound and music is so intimately connected to movement that individuals on listening programs are often compelled to move and explore the environment in new ways. It also helps individuals in feeling calm, focused, and more organized.
By using the Therapeutic Listening Program coupled with Sensory Integration Strategies, individuals will demonstrate improvement in skills such as:
- Attention and focus
- Following directions
- Memory and organization
- Behavior and self-regulation
- Balance and coordination
- Fine and Gross motor skills
- Speech and language
- Sensitivity to sounds
- Auditory orientation and localization
- Social skills and communication
- Visual motor integration. See www.vitallinks.net for more information.
Myofascial Release Therapeutic Services:
Myofascial Release is a very effective hand-on technique that provides sustained pressure into the myofascial restrictions to eliminate pain, headaches, restore motion and open up sensory channels.
Fascia is a tough connective tissue which spreads in a three dimensional web from your head to your feet without interruption. Trauma or inflammation can create a binding down of fascia resulting in excessive pressure on nerves, muscles, blood vessels, and organs. Since all of the standard tests such as X-rays, myelograms, CAT scans etc. do not show fascial restrictions, it is thought that many people suffering from pain, headaches, or even lack of motion may be having fascial problems, but most go undiagnosed.

The use of Myofascial Release allows us to look at each person as a unique individual. Our one-on-one therapy sessions are hands-on treatments during which the therapist uses a multitude of Myofascial Release techniques and movement therapy. The goal of Myofascial Release is to restore the individual’s freedom, so they may return to a pain free, active lifestyle.
We promote independence through education in proper body mechanics and movements, through the enhancement of strength, flexibility, and postural and movement awareness.
Myofascial Release techniques may help: pain of all kinds, Carpal Tunnel, Fibromyalgia, Scoliosis, Neurological Dysfunctions, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Sports Injuries, sensory issues, spasm/spasticity, restriction of motion, and many others.
All people of various ages and abilities will benefit from Myofascial Release. Infants through adults are welcome.
Check out www.myofascialrelease.com for more information.
Yoga Experience

The yoga experience classes deliver a practical, user-friendly style, which is accessible, understandable, and doable by all individuals. It is part of hatha yoga tradition, and is a vinyasa style.
Classes available:Beginners-for those who have little or no yoga experience; Level 1-2 is for those who have had yoga experience and are ready to continue the journey; and Therapuetic Yoga which instructors assess postural and muscular imbalances and effectively provide modification and asana prescriptions which help individuals manage their condition and restore balance and vitality.
Group classes and individual instruction are available. For further details call (616)893-5661. See calender of events for class schedules.
Check out www.yogafit.com for more information.
Personal Growth Programs:
CPR-First Aid- AED certification trainings are available through American Heart Association, to anyone,

Personal Wellness Coaching:
Wouldn't it be great find a holistic and wellness coach and trainer that you could trust to take the time to listen to you, really understand your concerns, your goals and had the knowledge and experience to support your quest for improved health and wellness?
Your wellness coach will help you learn the essential why and how life skills impact our lives and what will empower you with the knowledge to make good simple decisions that will contribute to long-term wellness, for you and your family. Discover how to eliminate the symptoms that rob you of energy, vitality and the radiance of youth.
Hammock designed Educational programs:
Specialized educational programs are in areas of reading, math, and language arts. These are individualized or group programs that target and train the mental skills that focus on concentration, memory, processing speed, problem solving, visual processing, and phonetic awareness.

Fast Forward software™ programs:
These are life changing reading intervention computerized programs for struggling readers. It is unique in its ability to develop and strengthen the cognitive skills of memory, attention, processing, and sequencing. Individuals will work with a certified trainer.
See www.scilearn.com for more information.
Individualized intense programs that targets and trains the mental skills that focus on concentration, memory, processing speed, problem solving, visual processing, phonetic awareness, and comprehensive.
Interactive Kid-Friendly enrichment groups

These groups allow children to explore their enviorments, health, social skills, and everyday living. Please check the "What's New" page for class desciption and schedule.
There are many more tools and strategies used at The Hammock, so give us a call at (616)893-5661 or email us at: info@hammocklearning.com
We look forward to hearing from you!
Contact us for more information. info@hammocklearning.com
