ROCKVILLE, Md., August 26, 2026 — Novinway’s first 14 Care Specialists have completed foundational training, the last major step before the company begins providing in-home care to its founding families in September.
Care Specialists are employed by Novinway and complete paid, in-person training designed by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. The first cohort learned how to build rapport without forcing interaction, follow a child’s lead through play, support different communication styles, recognize signs of dysregulation and respond safely when a moment becomes difficult. Training covered:
- Neuroaffirming, relationship-based care
- Naturalistic and play-based engagement
- Sensory and communication differences
- Elopement safety and crisis de-escalation
- Mandated reporting and incident response
- How Novinway’s care works alongside a child’s existing clinical team
Foundational training is the first phase. Novinway’s clinician now builds a Family Care Plan with each founding family, and every Care Specialist receives additional training on the child they’ve been matched with, including routines, communication style, sensory needs, interests and the strategies the child’s existing providers use.
“Families shouldn’t have to spend the first hour of every visit explaining their child, and children shouldn’t have to adjust to someone learning through trial and error,” said Syd Pickard, co-founder and Chief Clinical Officer. “A break only becomes a break when you trust the person who’s stepping in.”
A short video from the training introduces the team and the preparation behind every first visit.