Through their personal experiences with ADHD and autism, Tasha and Steve Della Vecchia are drawing on their familiarity with neurodivergence for their new business on Hampstead’s Main Street, The Skill Tree.

Steve’s son was diagnosed with autism, and he said he has spent years searching for proper services that assist those who have the neurological and developmental disorder. Tasha has ADHD, and says her work allows her to connect with others who have her disorder while providing additional understanding of what they experience.

“I’ve met people whose ADHD has really held them back, and I recognize how lucky I am that it has not affected me that way,” Tasha said. “But now I’m starting to recognize that it is starting to affect me as I’ve gotten older, so I just really try to draw on my experiences.”

“For example, my time management sometimes is not the best in the world, but I’ve never let it hold me back. So, I think about, what if I really did hold back? So, then I try to put myself in their footsteps.”

The Della Vecchias opened The Skill Tree in late October at 1216 N. Main St., Hampstead. The studio teaches practical life skills and social development to neurodivergent individuals.

Since 2010, Steve has worked full time as a clinical psychologist with Cedar Ridge Counseling in Owings Mills, and Tasha works at Johns Hopkins Lifeline as a critical care transport coordinator.

They each work at their full-time jobs on Mondays through Wednesdays, leaving Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays as The Skill Tree’s operating days.

The pair are aided daily by their 4-year-old bulldog, Forza, who is a psychiatric service dog and office manager, according to her business card. Born with paralyzed back legs, she gets around by using two-wheeled stroller attached to her body. Forza greets clients when they enter through the front door and plays an active role in the Della Vecchias’ operation.

The idea to establish The Skill Tree came to Steve and Tasha as Steve’s son, who is now 22, was getting older and assistive services for individuals with autism were becoming increasingly limited. Tasha said that most neurodivergent people his age are faced with just two options: getting a job or going to school, both of which are difficult for Steve’s son.

The pair found that programs and services for neurodivergent people are few and far between, and those that do exist typically have lengthy waitlists that can extend for months. They also noticed that many programs run sessions just six to eight weeks at a time or only operate in the summer.

Seeing the need for a reliable, brick-and-mortar establishment that offers services to older neurodivergent folks, Steve and Tasha purchased the building that once housed a boutique and transformed it into a welcoming activity space with a living-room-like feel that encourages clients to feel comfortable.

According to Tasha, The Skill Tree is the only program in Carroll County that is led by a board-certified psychologist. While other programs are commonly led by clinical social workers, The Skill Tree provides a therapy component in both group and individual settings. On Sundays, the couple’s one day off together, they sit down and develop lesson plans that are administered to middle school, high school and adult groups.

Tasha said that while the studio does not yet host sessions for elementary schoolers, there is a plan to do so in the future.

Group skill sessions are three hours long and cost $40 each, according to The Skill Tree’s website, with the first two sessions being free of charge. Each session focuses on a specific topic relating to social skills or personal development, and the time is separated by a discussion period, hands-on activities that encourage learning, and practice with real-life scenarios in neurodivergent individuals showcase their new skills.

“We’re telling these neurodivergent individuals, ‘Come to our studio and we’re going to teach you how to deal with the rest of the world,’” Tasha said. “We want to teach them how to advocate for themselves, teach them how to figure out adaptive devices, what to do in social situations and things like that.”

Steve and Tasha also wanted to provide services for those who cannot afford to pay session fees, and the result was offering free community events twice per month for both neurodivergent people and neurotypical folks who wish to visit the location.

Tasha said that her goal for The Skill Tree in the coming months is to expand community outreach and deliver a clear sense of their mission to the public. While her free community events have not been the most well-attended yet, she has seen one to two more visitors come through the door each time.

“I think because people don’t know what we do, they’re a little bit hesitant to come to the community event. So, we’re just going to keep doing it,” Tasha said.

Another goal is to increase the number of group outings. Tasha noted that many of their older clients, particularly those in the high school groups, want to be out in the community rather than always meeting on Main Street. The couple have planned a bowling trip for several clients in the near future and are looking to host trips to the beach in the summer.

These outings are designed to create friendships between clients, and give them a sense that they are responsible for selecting what activities are on the agenda that day. Tasha said bowling and going to the beach were both ideas from her clients.

“The first thing most of our clients are saying is, ‘I just want to make friends.’ That’s like their biggest, most important thing,” she said. “Every time we go somewhere it builds their confidence. They’re just gonna get stronger and stronger.”

Those interested in scheduling a consultation with the Della Vecchias can contact Tasha by calling or texting 443-900-3999, or emailing info@theskilltreemd.com.

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