MEET THE TEAM
MEET THE TEAM
MEET THE TEAM
SPEAKER | AUTHOR | MENTOR
Jay Barnett joined Inside Fitness 360 as a sought after youth leadership and mental well-being mentor. After his time in the NFL, Jay has made it his mission to lead and guide today's youth through group programs and curriculum while providing encouragement, tools, resources and the support needed to begin the journey of evolving into the young men and women they desire to be.
With over 10 years of highly skilled and acclaimed mentoring and success stories, public speaking, business experience and most importantly, real-life, his view is radically different. Jay appreciates and shares with his mentees that leadership is a moment to moment choice and not about title and position. Leadership is for everyone - it's a choice and it's how we should live our lives.
Also, as a leader in the community, Jay serves as the senior consultant and Master Teen Mentor with his Sugarland, Texas based organizations: The Me Project and The We Project which serves at risk teens, ages 13-18. Working with Jay, teens developed self-esteem, self-worth, value for their bodies and strong mindsets.
ACCOLADES
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Former NFL Athlete
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Author of best selling titles: Hello King and Letters to a Young Queen
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Actor: Signed, Sealed and Delivered
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Talk Show Host
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Black Enterprise Modern Man Ambassador - 2015
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Recognized by Tom Joyner for "Letters to a Young Queen" - 2016
The Importance of Early Intervention
Early Intervention
Early intervention, which can significantly improve the development and quality of life for children with ASD. Early intervention programs are designed to address the specific needs of each child, helping them develop essential skills such as communication, social interaction, and adaptive behaviors.
Family Support and Resources
Guidance and Counseling: Families of children diagnosed with ASD often benefit from guidance and counseling which can help them understand the condition and learn effective strategies for supporting their child. Early diagnosis provides families with access to these resources sooner, helping them navigate the challenges and opportunities associated with raising a child with ASD.
Reducing Anxiety and Uncertainty
Clarity and Direction: for many parents, the ASD evaluation provides clarity and direction. It helps them understand their child's behaviors and challenges, reducing anxiety and uncertainty about the future. Knowing that their child has ASD allows parents to seek out the best possible support and resources to help their child thrive.
Education and Planning
Tailored Education Plans: An early diagnosis enables parents and educators to create individualized education plans (IEPs) that cater to the child's unique learning needs. This tailored approach can help children with ASD succeed in school and beyond.
Better Long-term Outcome
Lifelong Benefits: Research has shown that early intervention can lead to better long-term outcomes for children with ASD, including improved communication skills, social interactions, and overall quality of life. Early diagnosis sets the stage for these positive outcomes by enabling time and appropriate interventions.
ASD Screening for Children
Like screenings for infants, there are many screening tools that educators or physicians may use to determine whether children will benefit from an autism evaluation. Some common screening tools used for children include the Parents’ Evaluation of Developmental Status (PEDS) and the Screening tool for Autism in Toddlers and Young Children (STAT). PEDS is a parent-centered screening tool where caregivers answer questions about their toddler or child. STAT is a child-centered screening tool that involves having children perform activities under the observation of a professional who will monitor for specific indicators, including:
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Having a tough time socializing with peers and loved ones
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Difficulty with social interactions
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Struggling with understanding or communicating with others both verbally and nonverbally
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Feeling overwhelmed by sensory information
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Developmental differences compared to peers
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Finding concentration and attentiveness very challenging, especially if they are not interested in the topic
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Behavioral and physical changes, including repetitive behaviors and movements, gastrointestinal issues, and sleep disorders
ASD Screening for Children
Like screenings for infants, there are many screening tools that educators or physicians may use to determine whether children will benefit from an autism evaluation. Some common screening tools used for children include the Parents’ Evaluation of Developmental Status (PEDS) and the Screening tool for Autism in Toddlers and Young Children (STAT). PEDS is a parent-centered screening tool where caregivers answer questions about their toddler or child. STAT is a child-centered screening tool that involves having children perform activities under the observation of a professional who will monitor for specific indicators, including:
-
Having a tough time socializing with peers and loved ones
-
Difficulty with social interactions
-
Struggling with understanding or communicating with others both verbally and nonverbally
-
Feeling overwhelmed by sensory information
-
Developmental differences compared to peers
-
Finding concentration and attentiveness very challenging, especially if they are not interested in the topic
-
Behavioral and physical changes, including repetitive behaviors and movements, gastrointestinal issues, and sleep disorders
ASD Screening for Children
Like screenings for infants, there are many screening tools that educators or physicians may use to determine whether children will benefit from an autism evaluation. Some common screening tools used for children include the Parents’ Evaluation of Developmental Status (PEDS) and the Screening tool for Autism in Toddlers and Young Children (STAT). PEDS is a parent-centered screening tool where caregivers answer questions about their toddler or child. STAT is a child-centered screening tool that involves having children perform activities under the observation of a professional who will monitor for specific indicators, including:
-
Having a tough time socializing with peers and loved ones
-
Difficulty with social interactions
-
Struggling with understanding or communicating with others both verbally and nonverbally
-
Feeling overwhelmed by sensory information
-
Developmental differences compared to peers
-
Finding concentration and attentiveness very challenging, especially if they are not interested in the topic
-
Behavioral and physical changes, including repetitive behaviors and movements, gastrointestinal issues, and sleep disorders
ASD Screening for Children
Like screenings for infants, there are many screening tools that educators or physicians may use to determine whether children will benefit from an autism evaluation. Some common screening tools used for children include the Parents’ Evaluation of Developmental Status (PEDS) and the Screening tool for Autism in Toddlers and Young Children (STAT). PEDS is a parent-centered screening tool where caregivers answer questions about their toddler or child. STAT is a child-centered screening tool that involves having children perform activities under the observation of a professional who will monitor for specific indicators, including:
-
Having a tough time socializing with peers and loved ones
-
Difficulty with social interactions
-
Struggling with understanding or communicating with others both verbally and nonverbally
-
Feeling overwhelmed by sensory information
-
Developmental differences compared to peers
-
Finding concentration and attentiveness very challenging, especially if they are not interested in the topic
-
Behavioral and physical changes, including repetitive behaviors and movements, gastrointestinal issues, and sleep disorders
At regular pediatric appointments, in daycare or preschools, and other settings, infants and toddlers may be observed by professionals who are knowledgeable about common indicators of ASD. Additionally, they may receive specific ASD assessments, including the Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scale (CSBS), Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (MCHAT), or the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ). These screenings are all completed by parents who will answer questions about a range of development areas, including motor skills, communication, and problem solving. These parent completed screening tools are typically coupled with clinical observation by a professional who is looking for some of the common warning signs of ASD in infants and toddlers including:
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For infants and toddlers aged 12 – 18 months: not responding to their name, lack of interest in people or things around them, and little to no interest in pretending during play, are all indicators of ASD
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Having extreme or unexpected responses to sensory information (sounds, sights, smells, tastes, touches)
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Repeating words or movements
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Repetitive play
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Playing with objects that aren’t toys or focusing on specific parts of toys
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Avoiding eye contact
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Difficulty empathizing or paying attention to the thoughts and feelings of others
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Struggling to express their own thoughts and feelings
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Preferring solitary play and/or a reduced enjoyment when interacting with others
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Hyper-focusing on specific topics they find interesting and/or having difficulties focusing or engaging in subjects they don’t find interesting
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Having a tough time with changes in routine
ASD Screening for Infants & Toddlers
ASD Screening for Adults
In adults, ASD symptoms can present in a variety of ways. Unlike screenings for children, there are not specific, standardized screening tools available for adults. Instead, the assessment psychologist, physician, or other professional will talk to adults about their experiences in personal, professional, and academic settings, and look for common ASD indicators like:
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Difficulty with social interactions
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Inability to interpret tone of voice, facial expression, or non-verbal cues
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Struggling to understand social cues
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Flat affect or tone of voice
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Feeling very anxious in social situations
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Having a tough time focusing on topics that aren’t of specific interest
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Inflexibility of routine
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Unwillingness to change
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Physical changes like gastrointestinal issues or sleep disorders