Educating Future Generations on Disability Awareness | |
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As both a teacher and the mother of a child with a rare disease, Karen Weckman has seen firsthand the confusion and limited exposure that neurotypical children have with children with disabilities. She started the All-Abilities Fair in the Western Springs school district to help lead to better understanding and inclusion on a wide range of disabilities.
Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley Occupational Therapist, Linda Merry, provided her invention, the Functionalhand, for children to try. Linda shared, "Karen's ultimate goal was not for people to experience a disability. That makes them feel they understand it, which none of us ever will. The ability fair focuses on an experience, what tools the person may use to help them and how other individuals can support them."
To promote inclusion, kindness and understanding, the fair featured activity stations that helped students broaden their perspective on disability. Station examples included dyslexia, augmentative devices, fine motor, visual impairment and learning style stations. We thank Karen for her fantastic advocacy and for the unique experience she created to help young children better understand disabilities!
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Clinical News & Recognition | |
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Introducing our New Director of Speech-Language, Feeding and Assistive Technology: Mindy Vasilakopoulos
With 23 years of experience in the field of speech-language therapy, Mindy is specially proficient with American Sign Language and has experience working with children who are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing. She holds a credential as a State of Illinois Early Intervention Provider and Initial Evaluator. Previously, Mindy worked with the LaGrange Area Department of Special Education (L.A.D.S.E.) and founded Pediaprogress, a multidisciplinary private practice. We are proud to welcome Mindy to our team.
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IEP Resources
Learn more about individualized educational plans (IEP) and the steps to help your child succeed in school with our recent webinar series. This resource provides an overview of the process and helps empower caregivers with the knowledge to know the steps each school year, during transitions or other changes.
View our IEP resources here.
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Mental Health Awareness Month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month! Thank you to our Mental Health & Family Support Team for all the fantastic support they provide to children and their families.
Our team includes Director Brittany Wilkie, Licensed Clinical Social Workers: Yvonne D. Anderson, Natalie Donald and Angelique White Millwood, Licensed Social Workers: Sue Diver, Katelyn Bentel and Lauren Rapp, Bilingual Clinical Psychologist Citlaly Gonzalez, and Care Coordinator Annemarie LeCompte.
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Better Speech and Hearing Month
May is Better Hearing and Speech Month, and the 2023 theme “Building a Strong Foundation" speaks to the hundreds of children our incredible clinicians help every year. Speech-language and hearing services help lay fundamental skills that children continue to build upon as they grow.
We thank and appreciate our spectacular Audiology and Speech Language Pathology team for their work that makes a world of difference in children's hearing, speech and communication needs.
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Maureen's Early Childhood Advocacy
Vice President of Clinical Services, Maureen Karwowski, was invited to provide public comments on the statewide early intervention (EI) program for the Joint Committee on Early Childhood. Thank you to State Senator Cristina H. Pacione-Zayas and State Representative Joyce Mason for hosting and listening to the needs of our families. We thank Maureen for providing members with a better understanding of the importance of supporting the early childhood workforce.
Share your Early Intervention story with legislators & program administrators. Let them know that babies can't wait!
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On the Blog: Executive Functioning Strategies
Almost all tasks kids do during the day involve executive functioning skills. Getting dressed, doing homework or other important daily tasks can be especially difficult for children with ADHD, Autism, or who have mental health concerns that affect executive functioning.
Our latest blog from Occupational Therapist Kelly, provides a helpful overview of the topic with signs to look for struggles and strategies to help children thrive.
Read the blog here.
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R-Games Returns!
We had a triumphant return of R-Games For Chair-ity last Thursday, May 11th. With all our supporter's help, we were able to raise more than $16,000 net! The event consists of corporate teams playing volleyball while seated in office chairs to raise funds for our Positioning & Mobility Clinic.
Thank You to Rieke Interiors for organizing the event and to all the participating companies. An additional thank you to Meghan, who spoke about the benefits of the clinic for her son, Benjamin’s, independence. Congratulations to Sierra Forest Products and Eurotech, who participated in the championship game. Sierra won the sleek new Eurotech office chairs after a hard-fought match.
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Upcoming Easterseals Events | |
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When Children Won’t Eat (and how to help!) Parent/Caregiver Feeding Workshop
Join our upcoming parent workshop in Villa Park on June 9, which will provide adult caregivers with a basic understanding of the complexity of feeding and why children don’t eat. Practical strategies will be given to assist the typically eating child, the “picky eater” or the “problem feeder.” Caregivers will also be given a screening method to identify when their children need to go into therapy.
Learn more and register here.
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Save the Date for Run for the Kids!
Join our 20th Annual Run for the Kids: Superhero Hustle on September 30. Save the date to volunteer, sponsor, attend and start your teams! Registration will be opening soon.
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Special Kids Day- City Works
Save the date for “Special Kids Day, City Works!” on Saturday, June 10, 2023, from noon – 4 p.m., located at Elmhurst City Hall (209 N. York St.). This family event, designed for kids & adults, is organized by Special Kids Day Organization and the City of Elmhurst and allows children to explore and learn from Elmhurst's Firefighters, Paramedics, Police Officers, and Public Works Team. Enjoy a quiet space for story time by the Elmhurst History Museum. The Elmhurst’s Mayor will take your “vote” to find out some of the City’s 2023 favorite stories!
Learn more here.
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Kids Tri Camp
Kids Tri Camp is held on July 18 & 19 in Chicago's 63rd Street Beach and open to individuals ages 6-21, who have a physical disability or visual impairment. The daily activities will provide an incredible opportunity to learn how to swim, bike, and run in a fun, relaxed environment.
There are multiple volunteers and mentors available to support kids during their time at camp. Ground transportation to/from camp is available for participants who live within the Chicago city limits who request it.
Learn more and register here.
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