All Minds Are Beautiful.

Brain Sprout offers tutoring and other skills training services based out of Midlothian, Virginia. 

Brain Sprout specializes in providing individualized instruction to neurodivergent students. Primary areas of instruction include elementary-level reading, language arts, and math. Instruction is provided utilizing a neurodiversity-affirming approach. 

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About Rachel Matthews, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA

I have a Master’s degree in Special Education from George Mason University, as well as a Graduate Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorders from Virginia Commonwealth University. I have over 13 years of professional experience working with children and adults with disabilities. 

I was diagnosed with autism and ADHD as an adult.  My diagnosis helped me to understand why I have always processed information so differently from my neurotypical peers. It empowered me to embrace my unique mind, and to develop strategies that help me to be more successful in daily life. I believe that my neurodivergence is part of the reason that I connect well with my students. I love spending time with my students, and I am passionate about helping them develop new skills that can empower them to achieve whatever they want in life. 

Outside of work, I am the primary caregiver to two wonderful autistic young men. In our free time, we love to travel and explore nature through hiking and kayaking. 

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Client Testimonials

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"We love working with Rachel. She is such an experienced BCBA therapist and has a natural gift with teaching kids. My son loves working with her, she really makes reading and learning interactive and fun. We have noticed an increase in communication, reading, and spontaneous communication with our non verbal son."

Heidi
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“To watch Rachel work with our 16-year old son is pure magic. She has a way of breaking down and explaining tasks that allows him to quickly understand and respond accordingly. The respect she shows him, the patience she has, and the creativity she brings to every situation, ensures that tasks my son may see as daunting quickly become easily achievable for him. Not only have we seen his competencies increase, but his confidence as well. To Rachel anything is possible and through her, her students also believe. Having her in our son’s life is an immeasurable gift - one we are so grateful for."

Kim

Our Core Values

  • We believe that all minds are beautiful.
  • We believe that every student should be valued, respected, and heard. 
  • We believe in celebrating individuality.  
  • We believe that communication in all forms is valid. 
  • We believe in empowering students to be heard, and in helping them access the tools they need to self-advocate and to participate in society. 
  • We believe that literacy is one tool that can greatly enhance a student’s ability to communicate effectively.
  • We believe in equitable access to quality academic instruction for every student, regardless of disability.
  • We know that neurodivergent minds process information in unique ways. We provide instruction in a multi-modal format, tailored to meet the individual learning style of each student. 
  • We believe in presuming competence. We provide all students with access to explicit instruction so that they have the opportunity to gain new knowledge. Students do not need to prove that they will understand instruction prior to accessing it. 
  • We believe in a child-led instructional approach, in which learning opportunities are heavily embedded in the natural environment. We incorporate each students’ special interests into their instruction. 
  • We believe in using instructional strategies that are research-based and explicit. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What kinds of students do you serve? 

Brain Sprout serves primarily school-aged individuals and specializes in working with those who have diagnoses of developmental disabilities. Feel free to contact us to inquire about whether Brain Sprout might be a good fit for your child. 

Does my child need to have a diagnosis or disability to enroll with Brain Sprout?

No! Brain Sprout provides individualized instruction to all of our students, regardless of neurotype. While specific diagnoses might inform our instructional approach, a diagnosis is not required for enrollment. 

What if my student engages in unsafe behavior?

Brain Sprout is comfortable working with students who engage in aggression, self-injurious behavior, property destruction, and other unsafe behaviors. Our child-led instructional approach allows us to mitigate many of the demand-based behavioral concerns that occur in traditional learning environments. When unsafe behaviors do occur, we are prepared to assist your child in de-escalating. 

Depending upon the severity of a student’s unsafe behavior, Brain Sprout will work with you to determine if services would be most safely provided in the student’s home. 

What if my student uses augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)? 

Brain Sprout loves to work with students who communicate via AAC! We are familiar with a variety of different AAC programs, and are happy to collaborate with your child’s SLP as appropriate. 

What subjects do you teach? 

Brain Sprout primarily provides instruction in the areas of elementary-level reading, language arts, and math. Contact us if you would like to know more about our academic assessments, curriculums, etc. We also work with students on other skills on a case-by-case basis. Feel free to contact us to inquire about whether Brain Sprout might be able to provide skills training in your child’s area of need. 

How many hours a week will my child need to attend? 

Each child’s instructional schedule is individualized based upon their specific needs. Most students attend 2-3 sessions per week, for 1-2 hours per session.

Will I be able to observe my student’s sessions?

We love parent involvement, as it allows for improved follow-through at home! Parents are welcome to be present during 1:1 instructional sessions. If preferred, parents may drop off their student and go off-site during sessions, as long as they have completed the required emergency information forms. If parents would like to observe sessions remotely, Brain Sprout can provide access to a live video feed.

Group sessions will be drop-off only, due to limited physical space in our office. If all participating families agree to a shared video feed, then Brain Sprout can provide access to observe the sessions remotely. 

Services and Rates

1:1 instruction is provided at the Brain Sprout office location for a rate of $45 per hour. If a family prefers that instruction be provided at the child’s home, school, or other location, then there will be an additional fee per session of $2 per mile round-trip from the Brain Sprout office to the location of choice.
Group instruction is provided at the Brain Sprout office location for a rate of $25 per hour per student. Students will be placed in groups based upon age and upon skills of instructional focus. Group social activities will be offered at the Brain Sprout office location for a rate of $15 per hour per student. Students will be placed in groups based upon age and upon areas of interest.
For all students enrolled in instructional sessions: As desired by the family, follow-up practice activities may be provided at the end of each session for the student to complete at home. Home practice activities are provided at no additional cost. As desired by the family, consultation may be provided to parents/caregivers at a rate of $45 per hour. Consultation meetings may be provided either in-person or virtually.
Services may be scheduled on weekdays between 10:00am and 5:00pm, and on Saturdays between 10:00am and 4:00pm.

Cardboard Creators Club

Join us for our 6-week term of the Cardboard Creators Club!

We will imagine, explore, and create with cardboard and other recycled materials! Engineer a new toy car, design a scary monster costume, or construct a house for your pet gerbil– the possibilities are endless!

Participants will have opportunities to build whatever they dream up, as well as opportunities to complete invention challenges, work in teams, and engage in friendly competitions.

This club is targeted to students ages 6-11 years old.

It will be held on Saturdays, 3:30pm-4:30pm, from 4/6/24 to 5/11/24. (6 weekly sessions)

Sessions will take place at 14321 Winter Breeze Dr. Midlothian, Va 23113.

The total cost for the 6-week term is $150 per student, and it includes all needed materials.

Please click the link below to apply. Space is limited, so apply early. Once your application is approved, you will be provided with payment information.

Apply Here

Contact Us

Our office is located at Gather Midlothian | 14321 Winter Breeze Dr. | Midlothian, VA 23113

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