The goal at Capable is to help individuals with autism exceed expectations, reach their full potential, and use personalized, outside-the-box methods to get there. We believe all people with autism are capable of living purposeful, meaningful lives — and want them to believe that they are capable, too!
Capable is passionate about expanding communication for non-speaking or minimally speaking individuals and strives to do this in a way that gives a true, real world experience. Clients will be emboldened to take huge leaps in their independence, communication, and regulation skills through personalized methods tailor-made for each client to help them reach their full potential!
About Me
Hi, I'm Jessie, the face behind Capable!
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I recently moved (back) to Harrisonburg with my husband. We are both JMU grads and excited to be back in the valley! After working with individuals with autism in Northern VA for several years, I am excited to start Capable in Harrisonburg!
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I studied Communication Sciences & Disorders, as well as Exceptional Education at James Madison University (Go Dukes!). There, I received my Autism Certificate, a credential offered by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards. I have been working with individuals on the autism spectrum for the past 8 years, and have been trained in several Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC) methods. As someone with disabilities myself, I come from a place of compassion and understanding. I know the power of someone believing in you and investing in you. I am passionate about helping individuals with autism grow in independence and realize their full potential — and helping them believe that they are capable!
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Services
I offer 1 hour, 1.5 hour, and 2 hour one-on-one sessions. Each session will be customized and tailored to each individual's unique needs and goals. I will incorporate communication and regulation methods and strategies throughout each session.
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I hope to offer group sessions in the near future.
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Sessions may take place in the home, community, office space, or a combination of places.
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Examples include, but are not limited to:
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Communication Based Educational Lessons
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Mindfulness Meditation
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Music (singing, ukulele, etc.)
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Purposeful Speech
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Motor skill games and activities
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Compression/Deep Pressure Therapy
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Life Skills (grocery shopping, ordering food at a restaurant, cooking, hygiene, etc.)
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Social Activities
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Creative projects
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And much more!
The first session is free of charge, and can be spent getting to know each other and determining goals for potential future sessions.
Testimonials
"Jessie has been working with my nonspeaking son, Jack, for over 2 years now and she is a gem, as a practitioner and as a person. Jessie has supported Jack in strengthening his purposeful motor skills on the letterboard and keyboard, as well as helping him stay regulated throughout their sessions. Jessie is dedicated to her clients and Jack cherishes his time with her."
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-Pamela H.
Parent
I am so thankful that I met Jessie. She helped me go from autistic to auTASTIC! Together, we have worked on regulation, independent typing, exercising, doing things at home and in the community independently, my youtube channel, and much more. I wouldn’t be where I am today without her. We are best friends forever!
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-Thomas P.
Client
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This woman is so full of heart, tenacity, love , fearlessness, adventure, goofiness and a brilliance all her own. She has been a true gift in lives of our family since we met several summers ago and she started working with my son Ben/for us. Today, she not only helps Ben - but also other young people with nonspeaking autism - express their voice/self to the world at large.
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-Sara B.
Parent
Our son Tom worked with Jess for 5 years, starting when he was 18 years old. She quickly became one of his closest confidants and advocates as she supported his goals at home and in the community. Jess has continually surprised us with her creative ideas and solutions to assist Tom in achieving his goals. While working with Jess, Tom has gained much more independence in many different environments in the community. He has moved out of his family home and lives with his sister as his roommate. During their time together, Tom also created a YouTube channel as an outlet to advocate for other non-speakers. When he first started his YT channel, they worked collaboratively to take his transcript and video footage and edit it into a final video with subtitles. He now does all the video editing and publishes the YT videos independently.
Most importantly, Jess has demonstrated to Tom what a true friend is and has introduced him to many of her own friends and family and demonstrated what true inclusion looks like. We are grateful to have had her presence in our family for five years and highly recommend her work.
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-Susan P.
Parent