The Spectrum School
Somatic, trauma-informed education and developmental programs for children with autism and ADD/ADHD.
A donor-funded 501(c)(3) nonprofit working to bring this vision for children and families to life.
Our Approach
We nurture learning and development through nervous-system safety, relationship, and body awareness. Rather than focusing on compliance, we help children build regulation, connection, and engagement—skills that make learning sustainable.
Many families are familiar with Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), a widely used therapy model that focuses on teaching skills and addressing behaviors through structured methods. While this approach can benefit some children, many families are also seeking environments that emphasize emotional safety, sensory awareness, relationship-centered learning, and practical life skills that support confidence and independence in everyday life.
Our programs are trauma-informed and somatic, honoring each child’s sensory and emotional needs. By helping children feel connected and regulated in their bodies, we create environments where growth, learning, and engagement can unfold organically.
We also partner closely with caregivers so the work continues beyond the classroom, creating a full-circle, whole-family approach where children and families flourish together.
Learning and Regulation Begin In The Body
Our approach is grounded in somatic, trauma-informed practices that support nervous system safety and emotional regulation before academic or behavioral expectations are introduced.
Our programs emphasize:
Honoring each child’s pacing, autonomy, and embodiment
Respect for verbal and nonverbal communication
Somatic practices that support regulation
Movement, play, and creative expression
Sensory-informed environments
Relationship-centered care
Relationship-centered care
We prioritize connection over compliance, creating environments where children feel safe enough to engage, explore, and learn.
The Heart of Our Approach
How we create environments where children feel safe, supported, and ready to learn.
Somatic
Somatic means relating to the body. Children experience the world through their bodies and nervous systems. Through movement, breathing, sensory experiences, and body awareness, children can regulate emotions, feel safer in their bodies, and engage more fully in learning and relationships.
Somatic means relating to the body. Children experience the world through their bodies and nervous systems. Through movement, breathing, sensory experiences, and body awareness, children can regulate emotions, feel safer in their bodies, and engage more fully in learning and relationships.
Trauma-Informed
Trauma-informed means recognizing that past experiences can shape how a child’s nervous system responds to the world. When children feel overwhelmed or unsafe, their bodies may move into stress responses such as fight, flight, freeze, or shutdown. Rather than focusing on punishment or control, we prioritize safety, trust, connection, and emotional regulation. Our approach honors each child’s pace and supports them with patience, compassion, and respect.
Trauma-informed means recognizing that past experiences can shape how a child’s nervous system responds to the world. When children feel overwhelmed or unsafe, their bodies may move into stress responses such as fight, flight, freeze, or shutdown. Rather than focusing on punishment or control, we prioritize safety, trust, connection, and emotional regulation. Our approach honors each child’s pace and supports them with patience, compassion, and respect.
Sensory Safety
Sensory safety means creating environments where a child’s sensory system feels comfortable and supported. This can include thoughtful lighting, sound levels, textures, movement opportunities, and calming spaces. When children feel sensory-safe, their bodies can relax, making connection, participation, and learning more accessible.
Sensory safety means creating environments where a child’s sensory system feels comfortable and supported. This can include thoughtful lighting, sound levels, textures, movement opportunities, and calming spaces. When children feel sensory-safe, their bodies can relax, making connection, participation, and learning more accessible.
What makes us different?
We exist to offer a supportive alternative to traditional models that emphasize compliance and behavior modification without sufficient attention to nervous-system safety and emotional regulation.
Here, the goal isn’t “better behavior.” The goal is a regulated, connected child who can learn, play, and participate with dignity.
Our core commitments
- Child-centered support that honors sensory and emotional needs
- Trauma-informed, relationship-based learning environments
- Somatic tools for regulation, engagement, and resilience
- Caregiver partnership—because you deserve support too
Leadership
The Spectrum School was founded by Tovah Petra Kolodinski, M.A., a trauma-informed somatic practitioner with a background in Early Childhood Education, Human Development, and brain-body–based care. Her work centers on supporting children with autism and children with ADD/ADHD through approaches that honor embodiment, nervous system regulation, and relational safety.
Drawing from years of direct practice with children and close collaboration with families, Tovah leads the vision and program design of The Spectrum School through a Whole Child, Whole Family lens — recognizing that meaningful growth happens when children feel safe, understood, and deeply supported within their relationships and environments.
Get started
Tell us a little about your child and what you’re looking for. We’ll respond with next steps, program options, and a supportive recommendation—no pressure.
Prefer email? Reach us at info@thespectrumschool.org.
Donate
The Spectrum School is a 100% donation driven 501(c)3.
Your support will help to bring it to life and is tax deductible!
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