A Message from the Executive Director |
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In the last 6 months, since the start of the pandemic, we have all had to develop grit and find ourselves relying on perseverance, flexibility, and the need to adapt to new situations quickly. I am so proud of our entire TLC Community, with our transition to new program models, technologies, and new routines in the pandemic environment.
We have not slowed down in response to our changing world; we have quickly and safely adapted our therapies and services so that our community can continue to receive services and move forward on a path of progress, triumphs, and success!
This was our first year of virtual summer camp, and it was a success! Students were able to attend camp via Zoom and participate in fun and engaging activities virtually, never stopping towards meeting therapeutic goals. Great and Small and TLC Riding Together Camp was different this year with all of the safety preacautions in place. It was still fun, and campers gained self-confidence, communication, and social skills alongside the camping staff. The Katherine Thomas School also held virtual extended school year. We are so proud of our team of clinicians, teachers, campers, and students, for being flexible and adapting to our new normal.
We are thankful for the generosity of our TLC friends who continue to support us through this challenging time. We need you now more than ever to support additional and needed technology, resources, PPE, and assist families with financial needs. We appreciate your commitment to our mission.
With health and safety in the forefront of our decisions, we have successfully been able to offer both in-person and virtual services. TLC’s values of quality in everything we do,
innovation in all our work, valuing each other, growth, and professionalism, will continue to guide us through any challenges we encounter. Please don't hesitate to contact us for questions that may arise.
Patricia A. Ritter, PhD
Executive Director, The Treatment and Learning Centers
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The Outpatient Department |
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Occupational Therapy News
Throughout the summer, we provided individual therapies, small sessions with 2 peers/parents for social interaction, screenings as well as evaluations via telehealth. While we resumed modified in-person sessions, telehealth remains in place as a possible – and therapeutic – option for our families. TLC Staff have continued balancing the hybrid model of therapies to include staggered schedules and use of PPE as well as maintaining the quality of telehealth sessions. Families who have returned to in person are pleased with the safety measures we have in place. Our Summer Interaction group Dyads – in person – were held mostly outside and we worked with nearly 30 families. Parents were thrilled with this option.
Some comments from our virtual summer camp families:
"The staff is friendly, attentive, patient, and knowledgeable."
"Thank you for giving kids an option who can't attend sessions in person!"
"Virtual camps are incredibly difficult to do well, particularly when it comes to working on social skills with kids who have specific challenges in that area. Ashley and Ariel did a great job of providing a structured and supportive environment to foster real social interaction and reciprocal communication in that very challenging environment. They were also very receptive to our ideas and flexible with finding modalities that improved our experience tremendously."
"The teachers (SLP/OT) were excellent."
"The staff were knowledgeable, friendly and very helpful."
"The staff are very kind and patient."
"TLC should be proud of the quality of experience their camp provided, given the extraordinary circumstances."
"Looking forward to next year summer camp."
Speech-Language Pathology News
We have some exciting updates from the Speech-Language Pathology Department to share!
We are growing our Feeding Clinic and are proud to introduce two new clinicians who specialize in pediatric feeding disorders. Meika Billings, M.S., CCC-SLP and Cristin Garfield, M.S., CCC-SLP, CLC join Tina Gicale, M.A., CCC-SLP to provide feeding therapy services to children from birth through adolescence. All of our therapists are trained in the SOS Approach to Feeding and we offer in-person and teletherapy sessions.
We are also excited to offer Spanish speech-language therapy and evaluation services. These can be provided in-person and via teletherapy.
This fall we are also offering free hearing, speech-language, and occupational therapy screenings. If you have concerns about your child’s feeding, articulation, language, or hearing skills please contact us to schedule a free in-person or teletherapy screening. Hearing screenings must be conducted in-person.
If you would like to schedule a screening or have questions about our Feeding Clinic or Spanish language services, please contact Nina Herndon at NHerndon@TTLC.org or 301-424-5200 x159
Virtual Services via Zoom
Our amazing OTs and SLPs now have many tools in their toolbox to use virtual platforms to provide screenings, evaluations and weekly therapies from the safety and comfort of your home. If you are not sure if your child will benefit from telehealth, please contact us for more information or for a trial session, 301-424-5200 x159 or speech@ttlc.org or occupationaltherapy@ttlc.org
In-Person Services
Our doors are now re-opened, even if things look a little different. We are providing weekly therapy, evaluations and screenings while following all safety precautions. Our experienced staff is back in the clinic and able to resume in person therapies using parts of our sensory motor gyms and other therapy equipment. We are thrilled to be able to also provide therapy with groups of two children for socially distanced fun using the great outdoors!
Testing, Tutoring, and Counseling
This summer TT&C was engaged in interaction group Dyads Coled by occupational therapy.
- We transitioned all of our services to online. We're happy to provide psychoeducational evaluations, along with evaluations for ADHD or autism.
- Dr. Melissa Smith gave a virtual talk on supporting clients with ADHD in a virtual world.
- We engaged with our YMCA partners, working with families to help assist in wrap around support
TLC Tutoring this summer
- Tutors were all trained on our online platform and are successfully tutoring students virtually.
- Tutors provided extensive tutoring over the summer to replace public school programs.
- Tutors are preparing to assist parents with different virtual learning modes needed this fall. Please call and let us know how we can help you (301) 424-5200 x306
Classes/Groups
The Circle of Security® Parenting™ Program
The Circle of Security® Parenting™ program is an evidenced-based program that promotes and strengthens secure parent-child relationships.
- Presented by: The Treatment and Learning Centers (TLC)
- Presenter: Robyn Davy, MA, BC-DMT, LCPC-S
- Location: Virtual
- Dates: Monday Sep. 14 – Nov 2
- Times: 3:45-5:00PM 8-week parenting program
- Cost: $50 (75min. session), per person over “Zoom”
- Who should attend: Parents/Caregivers
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How to register: Register online: https://conta.cc/3gCl1wN or contact Robyn Davy, 301-424-5200 ext.229
Social Interaction Group
This Occupational Therapist/ Psychologist co-led group uses a Relationship-Based model, which examines how children integrate their motor-planning, sensory, emotional, verbal/ nonverbal, & executive functioning skills to interact, communicate, and play together. We help children learn to attend to each other and organize themselves in a calm, regulated state, in which they look, listen, and follow each other. Interaction is key to facilitating social and emotional development, and to address core deficits of emotional regulation, relating to each other, and communicating needs. Therapists help children develop skills to focus, initiate with peers, and elaborate on their ideas and conversations. Contact us to learn more, (301) 424-5200 x147 or occupationaltherapy@ttlc.org
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The Katherine Thomas School |
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The Katherine Thomas School welcomes our community back to school! Check out the video of our staff saying (or singing) their welcome back messages: https://youtu.be/_EBkOIk0c18
This year's theme is Staying Connected in the Cloud! Throughout the year, we plan to provide training and support to staff and students as we all navigate online programs and platforms together. We will also increase our students' use of online computer software, supplemental aids and supports to help students access the curriculum through our virtual platform, Zoom for Education.
Extracurricular Classes/Groups
TLC and ArtStream Virtual Broadway Song and Dance
Let’s explore the wonderful world of musicals & theatre from the comfort of your own home! Join us in the online classroom as we sing songs and act out scenes from our favorite productions. The final class will be a virtual sharing performance for family and friends to join.
- Mondays, 10/5/20 to 11/23/20
- 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
- Grades 6-12
- Cost: $200 for the 8 weeks
- All classes will meet at online with a link provided by Artstream
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To register: https://conta.cc/3gWFdc5
- For questions, call Lisa Torvik, TLC Executive Assistant at 301-424-5200 x306
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The Family Hearing Center |
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You are invited to attend a one-hour virtual event on September 16, 2020, from 12:00pm to 1:00pm. Discover how hearing loss affects our everyday lives and how we can treat it.
We will be joined by our special guest, Dr. James Martin, Au.D., from Widex USA.
During this special event, you will learn about:
- How hearing loss affects you, your family, friends, and co-workers
- Correlation between hearing loss and cognitive function
- WIDEX MOMENT™ — the new advanced hearing technology from Widex
You won’t want to miss this informative virtual seminar! Click here to register today.
Special Offer for Seminar Attendees!
$400 OFF
of a pair of WIDEX MOMENT™ 440 or 330 premium hearing aids.
Offer expires 10/15/2020
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TLC Outcomes has provided the majority of services virtually due to the pandemic. We have a wide variety of groups, and our groups have been developed based on interest and consumer input. Some of the groups on the calendar (not all!) include Social Communication Groups, Social Skills Groups, Discussion of feelings and how to manage anxiety, Movie Day, Bingo Day, Virtual Activities, Virtual Field Trips, Virtual Walks, and more. This is in addition to our job club and other DORS groups that were launched over the summer. We also had the Plant Project that our social worker Donna facilitated, in which participants planted flowers and herbs, and took care of them and watched them grow and flourish! Donna also created YouTube videos called "Start your Day with Donna," in which she helped people feel a part of the community and give hope.
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We are beginning the Giving Season. Please consider TLC as your charity of choice during the season. Here are several ways you can make an impact.
- Choose TLC during your Workplace Giving Campaigns
- CFC # 35945
- United Way#9861
- All other campaigns use #52-0607924
Giving Tuesday is December 1st this year. If you are giving on that special day consider TLC.
Be a TLC GEM (Giving Every Month)
Being a GEM is a way to give a gift every month to make bigger impact. Learn more: https://www.ttlc.org/start-giving-monthly/ This has been an unprecedented year with a pandemic. TLC has seen a decrease in revenues and increases in expenses. Please consider becoming a GEM and support individuals with disabilities.
New, create a peer2peer fundraising page and help TLC to improve lives and expand possibilities for individuals (and their families) with special needs. Contact Teresa Witt for instructions on setting up your very own page and start making a difference for TLC.
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If you haven’t liked us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, please do, and encourage your friends to as well! Help up help others improve lives and expand possibilities.
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