Using Play Therapy to Tackle Autism Spectrum Disorder

As a project manager at Co-op Financial Services, Jessica Rieper is in charge of bank platform data conversion, as well as phone app, credit, and debit conversions. Outside of work, Jessica Rieper runs a food blog and a Facebook page for her son who has an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The page aims to raise awareness about autism and how to treat it.

Play therapy is one of the many available options for therapy for children with ASD. The aim is to increase the child’s capacity to connect with adults and kids. Floortime is one of the most common methods of play therapy. In floortime, an adult, a parent or a therapist, plays with the kid on his or her terms. During the play, the adult introduces new words to encourage communication and motivate the child to focus.

Another type of play therapy is called integrated playgroups, wherein children with ASD are assimilated with kids without ASD. Groups are small, typically three to five kids. The goal is to improve social skills and the child's ability to play with other children.

The third type of play therapy is called Joint Attention Symbolic Play Engagement and Regulation (JASPER). Among other things, JASPER helps the children with ASD by increasing their focus capacity, improving their engagement, and encouraging them to speak more with children and adults around them.

Five Phases of Lean Six Sigma

Following a stint with the Global Atlantic Financial Group, project manager Jessica Rieper joined Co-Op Financial Services. As part of her professional development, Jessica Rieper has taken several courses on performance improvement and project management approaches, such as SCRUM and Lean Six Sigma.

Lean Six Sigma blends principles from two continuous improvement techniques. While Lean is based on a four-part method, Six Sigma analyzes process efficiency using a cyclical, five-step approach. During the first step, the problem or issue is defined. Other metrics such as timelines or potential resources are also outlined. Step two is collecting data to quantify the problem.

Once the issue can be measured with numbers, it bcomes easier to track improvements. In the analyze phase, the root causes of the problem are investigated. This informs the next step, which involves developing and implementing solutions. Effective solutions are then sustained and monitored during the final control phase. If other issues arise, the cycle can be implemented once again.

Career Benefits of Speaking Mandarin

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After earning a bachelor’s degree and several certifications in project management, including Lean Six Sigma and SCRUM, Jessica Rieper started a career in IT and financial services. Jessica Rieper is also highly skilled in process improvement and is fluent in Mandarin.

With more than a billion native speakers worldwide, Mandarin is one of the most common languages used to conduct business and interact with customers. Half of the ten largest multinational companies are based in China. English speakers who obtain proficiency in Mandarin can greatly improve their value to their companies by serving as a knowledgeable interpreter and cultural ambassador.

Likewise, employees who are able to communicate directly with Chinese investors, suppliers, and manufacturers are more likely to secure leadership roles and promotions, as they can confidently navigate contracts and negotiations. On the other end of the spectrum, Mandarin speakers are a lucrative customer market. For this reason, advertising and firms, retailers, and other consumer good producers are increasing their demand for bilingual candidates.

Autism CARES Act of 2019 Reauthorized

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Outside of her work at CO-OP Financial Services, Jessica Rieper is a high-profile advocate for autism awareness. Jessica Rieper manages the autism-focused nonprofit Isaac’s World, inspired by her son. As part of her work, she shares important legal decisions that impact families with a child who has autism.

In September 2019, the Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education and Support (CARES) Act was reauthorized, extending the 2014 version. The Act was introduced with strong bipartisan support in 2006 and subsequently reauthorized three times.

When the oldest version of the act was written, autism and the long-term needs of people with autism and their families were poorly understood. Later versions addressed autism as a lifelong condition that requires social and practical support alongside medical treatment.

The Autism CARES Act of 2019 allocates nearly two billion dollars to research, support services, and early intervention programs. Further, the act will fund programs for adults living with autism, who now face service gaps after aging out of traditional services.

Three Top Foodie Destinations Around the World

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Jessica Rieper, a skilled project manager, serves at Co-op Financial Services. When she’s not busy overseeing data-conversion projects, Jessica Rieper loves traveling the world and is an avid foodie who maintains the Central Iowa Foodie page on Facebook.

Below are some of the world’s top cities for foodies:

Mendoza, Argentina
Complete with great food, plenty of adventures, and good wine, Mendoza is the perfect destination for foodies looking for a unique experience. Many of the city’s top wineries maintain restaurants that serve multi-course meals. And, while dining and enjoying wine, visitors can also marvel at these restaurants’ breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.

Durban, South Africa
Many people don’t think of Africa when considering top foodie continents, but Durban is one of the best places in southern Africa for street cuisine. The city is particularly known for its curry, but it also offers vegetarian cuisine that makes liberal use of South Africans tastes and ingredients.

Tulum, Mexico
A coastal town, Tulum is becoming increasingly popular for young travelers thanks to its blend of yoga, beaches, Mayan ruins, and plentiful food options. Fresh seafood can be found around the city and enjoyed in tacos, as ceviche, or in more traditional Mayan styles. Meat is also cooked over wood-burning ovens and grills in Tulum.