A Message from the Executive Director 
Spring is here, and we are looking forward to sunnier days ahead! We are so grateful for our entire community displaying great strength and flexibility this winter, as we have all pivoted to ensure quality programming continues so those we serve can continue to make strides and progress despite living life in a pandemic!

We are cautiously optimistic about increasing our in-person services, following all CDC Guidelines for health and safety; we will continue to offer virtual programming, because we want you to have options for your comfort! 

With great excitement, we are holding are 30th Annual Golf Classic in-person this year at P.B. Dye Golf Course on June 11, 2021. The Classic will have enhanced health and safety protocols, but we are looking forward to some normalcy and careful fun returning.

The KTS Parent Association (KTSPA) is hosting a virtual NoGo Casino Night Fundraising Event. The KTSPA is committed more than ever to our wonderful community and don't want to stop the positive momentum moving forward, so they’re going virtual! For more information about this fun event, check out the webpage.

We will continue to closely follow the pandemic situation and make programmatic decisions based on all appropriate information. We are hopeful that we can hold our 70th Anniversary Celebration in 2021 and will keep you updated.

Enjoy the warmer weather, be safe, and we hope to see you in person soon!
 
Patricia A. Ritter, PhD
Executive Director, The Treatment and Learning Centers 
Occupational Therapy and Speech-Language Pathology Departments
Free Speech-Language and Occupational Therapy Screenings
TLC is offering FREE Speech-Language and Occupational Therapy Screenings for ages 3+ starting the month of April! Pick your location, in our Rockville Outpatient office or Zoom.

Did you know, that from birth through five years, your child should reach certain play, learning, movement, and language milestones? Do not delay on scheduling a free speech-language and/or occupational therapy screening for your child. Swift action can help your child reach their potential!

Some common red flags are:
  • Not reaching milestones of sitting, crawling or walking
  • Struggling with writing, coloring, drawing, or cutting
  • Clumsiness when running or climbing
  • Bothered by tags in clothing
  • Annoyed by messy hands
  • Difficulty pronouncing words correctly
  • Difficulty following directions &/or always “on the go”

TLC is following all CDC guidelines for health and safety, including:
  • Social Distancing
  • Deep Cleaning and Disinfection
  • Daily Staff and Client Health Screenings
  • Stringent Handwashing
  • PPE for All Staff

Screenings are by appointment only! Call or Email us to schedule your child's free screening! (301) 424-5200 x159 or NHerndon@ttlc.org
Speech-Language and Occupational Therapy Summer Camps
TLC is excited to offer both in-person and virtual Speech-Language and Occupational Therapy Summer Camp, you pick! In-person camp will be held June 28-August 13th, and Virtual Camp will be held June 29-August 19. Your child will have a fun, engaging, and therapeutic summer, with exciting weekly themes, arts and crafts, outdoor water activities.

Camper-to-staff ratio is 2:1. We are following all CDC guidelines for health and safety, including:
  • Social Distancing
  • Deep Cleaning and Disinfection
  • Daily Staff and Client Health Screenings
  • Stringent Handwashing
  • PPE for All Staff
  • Facemasks for campers as tolerated

Our "Little Friends" (Ages 3-5) and "Friends Together" (Ages 5-7) camps are led each day by BOTH a Speech-Language Pathologist and an Occupational Therapist, The focus is on building communication and social-pragmatic language skills as well as addressing areas of sensory processing and motor planning, through interactive summer themes, active play and use of our three sensory gyms.

Virtual Camp (Ages 5-10) is led by a Speech-Language Pathologist and Occupational Therapist, targeting gross motor, sensory processing, communication and social interaction skills.

Interaction Group (Ages 2.5-5) is led by two professional staff, which may include Occupational Therapists, Psychologists and/or Counselors to improve your child’s communication, sensory motor, and peer play skills. Contact Julie Bobrow at 301-424-5200 x147 or jbobrow@ttlc.org for more information and to schedule a required play visit.

For more camp information and registration, contact Lisa Torvik at (301) 424-5200 x306 or LTorvik@ttlc.org Check out our website: www.ttlc.org/summer-programs
We are holding a VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE for Summer Camp on Tuesday, April 13, 2021 at 12:00pm and 7:00pm. Please Register to receive a Zoom link by contacting Lisa Torvik at (301) 424-5200 x306 or LTorvik@ttlc.org
Feeding Therapy Department
At TLC, our goal is to make mealtimes an enjoyable experience for families. Therapists work with children and their families to determine the cause of feeding challenges and to develop personalized plans to promote healthy eating habits.

Contact The Treatment and Learning Centers (TLC) if your child displays any of the common feeding red flags below:
  • Has difficulty transitioning to purees by 10 months of age
  • Has difficulty eating solid foods by 12 months of age
  • Has difficulty drinking from an open cup by 16 months of age
  • Continues to eat only purees by 16 months of age
  • Cries or arches back at most meals
  • Is called a “picky eater” at age 2 or older
  • Chokes, gags, coughs, vomits during/after meals
  • Exhibits ongoing poor weight gain or weight loss
  • Eats a limited range of foods
  • Takes longer than 30 minutes to eat
  • Has difficulty chewing foods

If you are concerned about your child’s eating, please contact us to schedule an appointment: (301) 424-5200 x159 or speech@ttlc.org
Testing, Tutoring, and Counseling Department
Managing the Transition to In-School Learning
At long last, many more schools are transitioning to in-person learning. Although this was the usual way kids were educated pre-Covid-19, it has been over a year since some of them have learned in this format. As a result, the transition to in-person learning may not be a smooth as we would hope. Use these four steps to manage the transition for your child:

1.    Expect some anxiety – This will be a process for children, and they may have a lot of unspoken anxiety about being back in the school building, being with of kids they have never seen in person and staying in school all day. To help mitigate anxiety, provide your child with as much detail as they can handle about their transition. This includes what their schedule will look like, how to plan for lunch, new school rules, and any changes they can expect. Talk frequently with your child about their feelings so you are aware how they are doing. And provide an open ear if they express anxiety to you. Having someone to listen to their distress can go a long way in easing their discomfort.

2.    Make sure they have the supplies they need – There may be supplies that were not needed during distance learning, that are now essential. Speak with your child’s teachers about important supplies and ensure your child has them in their backpack. Being prepared will help ease your child’s distress and help them adjust better to in-person learning.

3.    Set up a structured after school routine – What worked well for the evenings during in person learning? Did your child have a snack first? Was there a set space for homework? Try to go back to that schedule. This will help children adjust better into the routine of the in-person schedule.

4.    Think of this transition as a process -  In-person learning is not a panacea to all academic woes. While your child may be more attentive in class, and have more dedicated time for schoolwork, they may also be more fatigued with the longer school day and increased social expectations. Allow your child to adjust to in-person learning before expecting increased academic performance and improved work completion.

In-person learning is a blessing to many children and families. But it will be a big transition for children who have been home for 12 months or longer. However, proper planning, good structure, active listening, and patience can go a long way to helping children finish out the school year strong. 
Lower/Middle School
We are so excited to now be in phase 2 of our hybrid learning plan! It’s great to have some of our students and staff back in the building and learning in person on the hybrid schedule.
The DMV is turning pink as the cherry blossoms bloom across the area. Mr. Tim Herzet, the lower and middle school art teacher, tied in his lessons this week with the theme of cherry blossoms, by teaching the students about the history of these trees found the Tidal Basin in Washington D.C., followed by asking the students to draw a cherry blossom tree branch with flowers. The 8th grade student shown in the image below decided to take his drawing one step further by including the Washington Monument and the Memorial Bridge.  
Upper School
The high school students have been returning to the school building! Approximately half the students are remaining fully virtual, but the other half have chosen in-person instruction 2 days per week. The in-person students are divided into 2 cohorts, with one group attending on Mondays and Tuesdays and the other group coming into school on Thursdays and Fridays. The staff have been doing an amazing job with the hybrid schedule, ensuring that all virtual and in-person students are accessing the curriculum and engaged in learning. The positive energy from the students and staff in the school building has been a highlight, and at dismissal time, one student exclaimed, "Today was a lot of fun!"  
Top 2021 Interview Questions by TLC Outcomes Employment Support Team
You applied for a job and now you have an interview scheduled. Congratulations! You are excited to sell yourself to the employer, but then realize you now need to talk to someone. A moment of fear comes over you and you start asking yourself what types of questions will be asked how should I respond? You can have a successful interview with a bit of preparation. First, research the company online and learn about what they do and determine what interests you about the company. Then prepare for top interview questions. What are some of the top interview questions you may be asked in today’s world? See below, by the Outcomes Employment Support Team.
A Day in the Life of TLC Outcomes Community Development Specialist – Owen Zack
As the Community Development Specialist at the Treatment and Learning Centers, my job focuses heavily on building relationships/partnerships with primarily small to medium sized businesses that can provide employment opportunities to the participants we serve. I work with individuals that receive funding from the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA), the Maryland Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS) and private pay for adults with disabilities that do not have funding with DDA or DORS. 

Additionally, I am tasked with attending various Chamber of Commerce and Council meetings to advocate on behalf of our participants and identify potential employers who may have employment opportunities that are a good fit for the various participants we serve. Once I have established a relationship with a business, I screen potential participants who are interested in the job prior to having them apply to ensure they meet the job requirements and can perform the various tasks. Finally, once a screened participant obtains employment from a business, I assist with the on-boarding process through orientation the first few weeks on the job site. If an employer is interested in tax credits for hiring a person with a disability, I work with them to help them complete required forms. 

Finally, I am a member of the Employment Support Team and prepare for and facilitate a virtual job club group on Wednesday with a focus on paid and volunteer jobs available in the community. When possible, job leads that are shared are based on the participants that attend the club job interests.
Hearing Aids and Cognition: More Important Than You Think
TLC’s Family Hearing Center has been busy learning about new hearing aid technologies and how we can help our patients get better benefit from their hearing aids. Research is addressing the areas of hearing aids and cognition. This will remain one of the most important topics in hearing healthcare for years to come. One of the biggest challenges is adequately addressing the needs of the largest senior population in history. There are different hypotheses as to how hearing loss and listening disorders might be associated with cognitive decline and dementia. Additionally, untreated hearing loss can cause communication difficulty, stress, depression, anxiety and have a negative impact on life.  

Advances in hearing aids allow us to better address the needs of the human brain. It seems likely that better hearing and improved hearing in noise allows us to engage in mentally stimulating and challenging activities which generally have a positive impact on our brain. The risk of untreated hearing loss is often substantial and hearing aids are an effective intervention for age related hearing loss with little risk.

To schedule a hearing evaluation and consultation at our center, please do not hesitate to contact us at 301-738-1415.
Remember, The Family Hearing Center Has Contactless Repair Service if You Don’t Want to Come In! 
KTS NoGo Casino Event – April 22nd at 7:00 p.m
The KTS Parent Association (KTSPA) is hosting a virtual NoGo Casino Night Fundraising Event. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, they are unable to host an in-person event this year. However, the pandemic has not eliminated the many needs our school has to fully support our wonderful children every day, and the KTS Parent Association is committed more than ever to helping make our school and students successful. 

On Thursday, April 22nd at 7:00 p.m. the KTSPA will be hosting a night at the NoGo Casino, complete with inspiration, a magic show, and prizes from a giant spinning wheel all from the comfort of your couch.  If interested in learning more, go to https://www.ttlc.org/nogocasino
TLC Golf Classic - June 11th 
The TLC Golf Classic is back! We are enthusiastically planning our first in-person golf event. Join us for the 30th Annual TLC Golf Classic scheduled for FRIDAY June 11th at P.B. Dye Golf Club in Ijamsville, MD. TLC and the P.B. Dye Golf Club are preparing simple Covid-ready protocols to make this tournament a relaxing and stress-free experience!

This incredible tournament has raised more than $1.2M to support individuals with disabilities over the last 29 years. The Classic offers a superb day of golf, food, fun and an opportunity to help individuals in our community. Learn more at https://www.ttlc.org/support-tlc/golf
BE A GEM – Give Every Month to TLC
Special thanks to our GEM members! Our monthly donors truly are GEMs to TLC. These individuals make monthly donations to sustain our organization throughout the year. Monthly support helps us reduce costs and makes a huge impact. We are so grateful to those who have joined this prestigious group and made a commitment to TLC all year long.
Planning Tip: Planning for Taxes
Now is an excellent time to review your financial plans to ensure that you will take full advantage of all of the tax-saving deductions available to you in 2021. Below are a few ideas for that may benefit you, as well as support your TLC community.

Consider a Gift of Stock to Reduce Tax Exposure in 2021
When you donate long-term appreciated stock (held more than a year) to TLC, no one pays tax and you get a charitable deduction for the full market value of the stock, just as you would if your gift was made with cash. Such gifts are deductible up to 30% of your adjusted gross income and you can carry the deduction forward for up to five additional years.

You can also consider selling depreciated stock/mutual fund and gift the proceeds. If your unwanted stock has depreciated in value and you make a charitable gift, you have a capital loss for tax purposes and a charitable tax deduction.

Utilize the IRA Charitable Rollover in 2021
Transfer up to $100,000 directly from your IRA to TLC without paying federal income tax.

To learn more about tax wise tips or other giving plans options, reach out to Director of Development, Teresa Witt at Twitt@ttlc.org
The Treatment and Learning Centers
2092 Gaither Rd Ste 100 Rockville, MD 20850 | 301-424-5200 | www.ttlc.org