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Haylee Cook | BCBA | Lantern & Staff

@hayherncook

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Building communication, connection and life rhythms for littles + those raising them.🐑

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Us Cooks love a fresh new week! ESPECIALLY a new October week. 🎃🍂🍁🦊 by @hayherncook

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6 days ago

In Wrennie’s words, the highlight of the trip was “s’mores and everything”. May we all appreciate everything the way AW appreciates camping trips. 🤍 taken in Cedars of Lebanon State Park by @hayherncook

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13 days ago

Goodbye summer and hello slow, intentional moments. This fall we’ll continue prioritizing creating comfortable over aesthetics, teaching skills to our littles so that our family can function better as a unit (not necessarily faster), and adventuring outside. Ready, set, go… starting tonight with camping under God’s great skies. ⛺️ by @hayherncook

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14 days ago

Friendship inspiration from two second graders (shared with permission).🤍👚

The simplicity!! The joy!! The “sorry, I have to go” with expectation that the friendship is eternal. A lot to learn and unpack here. by @hayherncook

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2 months ago

In our home, we’ve declared the “Kindness Rule.” This means choosing kindness over harsh words, inclusion over exclusion, and truth over lies.

Anytime we get a little off track, we’ll say our rule out loud: “We love one another, treating others with kindness, gentleness, and respect.” This is from Sally Clarkson’s 24 Family Ways.

This summer, our family rule has been especially helpful as we’ve welcomed neighborhood pals into our home. I’ve realized that kindness takes intentionality and steady guidance, but I know it will be worth it.

#disabilityinclusion #disabilityministry #kindness #bcba by @hayherncook

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2 months ago

As a BCBA, I’ve had the privilege of interviewing countless families.

Before meeting them, all I usually have is a report with a diagnosis date and a brief paragraph explaining why they sought an evaluation. What those reports never tell me is what happened when they heard the diagnosis for the first time. They don’t capture the emotions, the questions, the relief, the grief, or the hopes they carried into that moment.

So I lean in and listen.

I ask, “How has this journey been for your family?” and “What does having this diagnosis mean for you and your child?”

Listening is an act of caring. Asking follow-up questions often matters just as much as the first ones.

When families feel heard, you gain far more than clinical information. You begin to understand what truly matters to them. That understanding allows you to support both the child and the family in ways that are meaningful, individualized, and genuinely helpful.

#disabilityinclusion #churchinclusion#bcba by @hayherncook

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2 months ago

Stepping out and trying something new is almost always uncomfortable.

I know because I’m living it right now, right here, and in my professional life.

To grow, I’ve had to get comfortable being uncomfortable. If you’re watching, you’re witnessing that growth in real time. It’s vulnerable, and some days it’s not very fun.

But growth rarely happens where we’re most comfortable.

The same is true when it comes to including a child who doesn’t naturally fit into your current setup or program. It may feel awkward. You may not know exactly what to do. You might worry you’ll get it wrong.

Start despite those thoughts and feelings.

Because on the other side of that discomfort is growth !! Growth not just for the child, but for your volunteers, your church, and even you.

So here’s your encouragement today: lean in. Try something new. Give yourself permission to learn, and give others the opportunity to grow alongside you.

It’s worth it!

#inclusion#disabilityinclusion#ministry by @hayherncook

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2 months ago

You may not think you’re making a big difference, but one small act of kindness can mean everything to one person.

I was SO deeply inspired to read this text from Matthew this past school year. Leland gave her best friend bracelet to a gal she noticed might not have many friends. !!!

We don’t change the world all at once—we change it one moment, one friendship, and one act of kindness at a time.

See the need for a friend. Choose to be a friend. You never know how much it might mean to someone else. 🤍

Mark 10:14–15 (ESV):

“Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” by @hayherncook

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3 months ago

When I first understood that God made me, I clung to these words:

“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.” — Psalm 139:14 (ESV)

Even when I felt like I was outside the circle in many of the spaces I grew up in, this verse reminded me that I was wonderfully made. In this verse and throughout the story in scripture, I was reminded that I do belong.

Maybe having two adventurous, outdoorsy brothers helped shape me into someone who stands up for what’s right (myself included, ha). I’ve always had a passion to see things made right, and more recently, I’ve felt God bringing that passion back to the surface—especially for children who don’t fit the status quo.

Until the new heaven and the new earth, you’ll find me here: advocating, making room, and impacting the little lives God places in front of me.

#DisabilityInclusion#ChurchInclusion#EveryChildBelongs#FollowingJesus by @hayherncook

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3 months ago

Families advocate in every environment.

They advocate at school.
They advocate at appointments.
They advocate in their communities.

But Sunday morning should be a place where families can come for rest, belonging, and support — not another place where they have to explain, prepare, and fight for access.

What if churches started planning before a family arrives?

Proactive inclusion begins with asking better questions:
•Does your child have any unique support needs we can prepare for?
•How does your child communicate?
•What helps your child feel safe, comfortable, and included?

Many church software check-in systems allow for custom questions so your team can better understand and support each child.

Inclusion isn’t about having all the answers.
It’s about being willing to listen, learn, and make room.

#DisabilityInclusion #ChurchInclusion #InclusiveChurch #SpecialNeedsMinistry #DisabilityAwareness by @hayherncook

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3 months ago

This simple moment at the pool today reminded me why I’m so passionate about inclusion.

Jesus showed us what it means to make room for everyone. He didn’t ask people to become “ready” before offering love, belonging, and access.

And yet, sometimes we unintentionally do the opposite. We wait for a child to be “ready” before we invite them to participate.

But inclusion isn’t about waiting until a child is “ready.”

It’s about creating access. It’s about giving children the opportunity to participate, explore, learn, and belong alongside everyone else.

Sometimes we discover what a child can do because we gave them the chance to try.

Children don’t learn by watching from the sidelines. They learn by being included. 🤍

Every child. Every family. Every opportunity to belong.

#InclusionMatters #EveryChildBelongs #DisabilityInclusion #AccessibleCommunities #InclusiveParenting by @hayherncook

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3 months ago

And just like that our sweet boy is 6 months old! He fits, he gets us, and bonus — he thinks we’re hilarious. We love him so much and praise God that he’s ours! by @hayherncook

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a year ago