The Jacob's Ladder Group

10/16/2026

Every day, a child takes in the world one piece at a time, and the order of those pieces shapes what they learn from it.

In our recent research study, children’s Sequential Processing scores rose by an average of 7.7 points. Sequential processing lets a child take in, remember, and work with information in the right order. It sits underneath following instructions, holding a conversation, reading a sentence start to finish, and getting through a morning routine.

The Interpersonal Whole-Brain Model of Care® strengthens these foundations alongside regulation and relationship, so the gains carry into the classroom, the kitchen table, and the drive home. Knowing how a child processes information tells us where to begin, and for families, that’s where hope gets practical.

10/15/2026

Amy O’Dell has worked with children for more than 30 years, and she has yet to meet one who couldn’t learn.

That conviction comes from method. The Interpersonal Whole-Brain Model of Care® starts with a detailed picture of how each person’s brain is organized, drawing on 1,300+ assessment metrics. Intervention is then built for that specific brain, and progress becomes something a team can see, measure, and plan around.

For schools, clinics, and care organizations, this changes where the work begins. Placement decisions, behavior plans, and learning goals all get stronger when they rest on an accurate understanding of how a learner takes in and processes the world.

Through AHAVA and the Ascend Training Institute, The Jacob’s Ladder Group brings this assessment-first approach to professionals and organizations ready to build their practice on it.

10/15/2026

Join us Tuesday, October 20, from 10:00–11:30 AM for our free virtual IWBMC™ Introductory Webinar!

Led by Certified IWBMC® Evaluator Ashley Mendez, this session introduces the Interpersonal Whole-Brain Model of Care® and explores how its seven integrated components help us understand and support the whole person. You’ll gain insight into the methodology that shapes our work and learn how it can help bridge home, school, and all the people involved in an individual’s care.

Here’s what one participant shared after a previous month’s session:

- “I enjoyed learning about the different elements of the model. Really looking forward to diving into each of them more in depth.”

Whether you are a Jacob’s Ladder family, parent, educator, professional, or simply interested in learning more about the IWBMC™, we would love to have you join us!

- Tuesday, October 20
- 10:00–11:30 AM EST
- Virtual and free to attend

Register today: Free IWBMC™ Introductory Session - The Jacob's Ladder Group (https://hubs.ly/Q04BjdY50)

10/15/2026

Every child deserves opportunities to connect, participate, and experience the world in ways that are meaningful to them.

Sometimes, growth becomes visible not only through new skills, but through the ways a child begins engaging more fully with the people and experiences around them. Those changes can ripple outward, creating new possibilities at home, at school, and within the family.

At Jacob’s Ladder, we’re grateful for the educators and team members who continue to show up with patience, dedication, and belief in what each child can achieve.

Because when we invest in the whole child, we create space for so much more to emerge.

10/14/2026

🐾 And then, the learning came full circle. ❤️

After our Hope School group spent time practicing communication, patience, and positive interactions with Luna, one of our own stepped in to help lead the way.

Hope School Student Ambassador and Mentor, Eli joined some of our youngest Hope School students for a mentoring session, helping them put those same skills into practice.

In this sweet moment, Luna follows Eli’s cue and sits - and rather than giving her the reward himself, Eli hands the treat to one of our youngest students so he can reward Luna for listening and doing a great job 🐶

It may look like a simple exchange, but there is so much happening here: an older student modeling leadership, a younger student building confidence, and both learning through relationship, responsibility, and connection.

This is one of the things we love most about our Hope School community - watching our students grow into leaders who can turn around and encourage, guide, and celebrate those coming behind them ❤️

10/13/2026

It’s not too late to RSVP! Register here: https://courses.thejacobsladdergroup.org/products/live_events/social-structure-iwbmc-live-event

Join us Thursday, October 15, from 10:00–11:30 AM for our free virtual IWBMC™ Social Structure Overview Webinar!

Led by Certified IWBMC® Evaluator Allegra Saunders, this session introduces the Interpersonal Whole-Brain Model of Care® and explores how cultivating safe environments impacts the growth of your child. You’ll gain insight into the methodology that shapes our work and learn how it can help bridge home, school, and all the people involved in an individual’s care.

Here’s what one participant shared after last month’s session:

“I learned a lot. The presentation not only included the "what" but the "why" and the "how" to deal with the situation.”

Whether you are a Jacob’s Ladder family, parent, educator, professional, or simply interested in
learning more about the IWBMC™, we would love to have you join us!

📅 Thursday, October 15
⏰10:00–11:30 AM EST
💻Virtual and free to attend

Register today: Social Structure & Whole-Person Care - The Jacob's Ladder Group (https://hubs.ly/Q04yQ-ql0)

10/13/2026

🐾 Learning, connection, and a little love from Luna! ❤️

During today’s Animal-Assisted Therapy session, clients spent time working alongside Luna through structured training and enrichment. Together, they practiced essential commands including sit, stay, shake, and come, taking turns offering clear, gentle cues and positive reinforcement.

Working with Luna gave clients meaningful opportunities to practice patience, focus, communication, self-regulation, and awareness of how their own actions can influence another living being.

After their hard work outdoors, the group slowed things down with some relaxed indoor time - complete with belly rubs and plenty of gentle affection. 🐶

From giving a clear cue to recognizing when it’s time to simply connect, experiences like these help build empathy, confidence, emotional regulation, and positive relationships - one interaction at a time.

👀 Keep an eye out for tomorrow's post for Part 2 😍

10/09/2026

Some of the most meaningful growth begins in ways we may not see yet.

In our pilot study, participants showed a 78% reduction in retained primitive reflexes, with the average dropping from 6.8 at baseline to 1.5 after intervention.

Primitive reflexes are automatic movement patterns that appear early in life and are expected to integrate as the nervous system matures. When they stay active past that window, they may be linked to challenges with coordination, attention, sensory processing, and learning.

The Interpersonal Whole-Brain Model of Care® treats the body and brain as one connected system. That lets our work reach the early developmental foundations underneath how a child moves, focuses, and learns.

These patterns can change. The nervous system keeps adapting, and with the right support, children gain more room to move, learn, and connect with the people around them.

10/08/2026

Every child has the capacity to grow, learn, and experience a life of greater possibility. That belief has been at the heart of The Jacob’s Ladder Group since Amy O’Dell founded it in 1998, and it continues to guide how we serve each child and family today ❤️

We always have to remain intentional about seeing the whole child, honoring their individual journey, and holding onto hope - even when progress takes time. A diagnosis should never become the ceiling for what we believe is possible.

Through more than 30 years of work reaching over 43,000 individuals, family members, and professionals involved in their care, Amy developed the Interpersonal Whole-Brain Model of Care® with that commitment at its foundation. It comes to life in the relationships we build, the individualized care we provide, and the small, faithful steps that open the door to meaningful growth 🌻

Grounded in science, rooted in love.

10/08/2026

The right environment can bring out possibilities that were always there.

When children are surrounded by people who understand them, believe in their potential, and genuinely care about their growth, they are given the space to engage, learn, and move forward with confidence.

At Jacob’s Ladder, that sense of connection is woven into everything we do. Individualized support matters, but so do the relationships that make children feel valued along the way.

Because meaningful growth begins with knowing each child—and believing in where they can go.