Special Programs

Good to Grow Developmental Play Group **new program** Program Description  Good to Grow is a comprehensive, multidisciplinary (occupational, physical and speech therapy) program designed for children from 18 to 36 months of age who are demonstrating mild to moderate delays in development with a sensory and/or motor based origin, difficulties in social-emotional and communication skills, or are at risk for or have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).    It is a semi-structured, but flexible preschool-like environment for up to 10 children per group.  Good to Grow is based upon the SCERTS model:  Social Communication (SC), Emotional Regulation (ER), and Transactional Support (TS).  This model is designed to enhance the social, emotional, and communication abilities of young children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.     Natural routines across home, school, and community environments provide the contexts for increasing competence and active participation in daily experiences.  Parents receive education through participation in the program one day per week and through the weekly parent meeting.   Goals  The overall goal of Good to Grow is to facilitate development in all areas (social-emotional, communication, gross motor, fine motor, and self care) with a focus on: Early communication skills (communicative intent, joint attention, communicative means, and symbolic behavior) Emotional regulation (supporting emotional well-being to enable children to be more available for learning and social engagement) Sensory processing Peer interaction Play skills Acquisition of motor skills Successful transitions between activities Meaningful parent and caregiver education Schedule  The Good to Grow Play Group meets Monday through Thursday.  If a monthly home visit is considered beneficial, it is generally scheduled on Friday mornings.  9:00 - 9:25       Hello/Attention to Regulation (arousal) 9:25 - 9:45       Circle/Music Time 9:45 -10:10      Gross Motor/Sensorimotor 10:10 -10:30     Snack Time/ADL (hand washing, tooth brushing) 10:30 -10:50     Sensorimotor 10:50 -11:00     Tactile Exploration (processing and discrimination) 11:00 -11:20     Directed/Fine Motor Play Time 11:20 -11:30     Goodbye Circle (daily parent participation)  This program is not necessarily in lieu of individual services.  Some children may require individual speech, physical, and/or occupational therapy in order to maximize their ability to engage in the Good to Grow Developmental Play Group curriculum or for transition to community based programs with typically developing peers.  Private or Regional Center Funding Accepted. Contact: Chris Luther, PT (626) 564-2700 Vendor #: PD-1939   ___________________________________________________   Kids Connection Programs Age of Members: 3 to 18 years; Groups formed with similar age peers and areas of need General Intake Description: A brief evaluation may be conducted by an occupational therapist or speech and language pathologist if he or she is not a current client of Center for Developing Kids.  The evaluation entails observations of a child socially interacting with the evaluating therapist, as well as a parent interview.       General Program Description: Social skill intervention is provided in a small group format. The group format utilizes opportunities for social interaction and peer modeling to facilitate positive social interaction experiences. Social skill intervention programs are led occupational, physical, or speech therapists trained in social skill intervention. Each of the Kids Connection programs emphasize the acquisition of various social skills including: sharing, turn taking, initiating and maintaining conversation, joining a group, understanding nonverbal cues, eye contact, personal space, problem solving/conflict resolution, self-esteem, winning/losing, and making and keeping friends. The next Kids Connection programs will run for 14 weeks from September 17 through the end of December. Sessions will also run once weekly from September through April. Funding is available for most of our programs. Current Programs iConnect focuses on teaching social skills through a sensory motor and cognitive based instructional approach for children ages 4-14 Wee Talk focuses on language development through social interaction and peer modeling for children ages 3-5 S.O.A.R. focuses on sensory organization and regulation for children ages 6-10 using concepts from the ALERT program  Life Wise focuses on functional life skills through social interaction and peer modeling Healthy U focuses on social skills through a fitness, nutrition, and health approach for children ages 7-12 Get Fit Kids focuses on social skills through a fitness, nutrition, and health approach for children ages 4-6 Contact: Dana Fox, OTR/L (626) 564-2700   ___________________________________________________   Feeding Programs   Age of Members: Birth to 16 years General Assessment Description      Team Feeding Assessment: A comprehensive team feeding assessment includes an interdisciplinary team of specialists (occupational therapist, dietitian, and community based pediatrician) in order to address the multiple factors involved with eating. This approach allows for increased professional collaboration in order to assess how a child’s medical, developmental, behavioral, oral sensory, oral motor and nutritional status impact the child’s participation in mealtime.      Individual Feeding Assessment: If a comprehensive team approach is not indicated, an evaluation may be conducted by an occupational therapist to address specific oral sensory, oral motor, or behavioral issues or by a dietitian when there are only nutrition concerns. Program Description: When indicated, feeding intervention may be provided in an individual or group format. Feeding intervention programs are led by an occupational therapist trained in feeding, eating and swallowing and collaboration with a speech therapist and/or dietitian may be incorporated depending upon the specific needs of the child. The group format utilizes opportunities for social interaction and peer modeling to facilitate a positive mealtime experience. Both individual and group programs emphasize the acquisition of oral sensory and oral motor skills and address behavioral feeding issues while providing family education and support for effective carry over at home. Currently, the Yummy Tummies program focuses on feeding aversion for two and three year olds, The Breakfast Club focuses on oral-motor skill development for two and two and a half year olds and The Food Network focuses on oral motor and feeding aversions for four to six year olds. Sessions are ongoing throughout the year. Funding is available for most of our programs. Contact: Center for Developing Kids (626) 564-2700   ___________________________________________________   Therapeutic Listening Program   General Information: Therapeutic Listening uses sound in combination with sensory integrative treatment techniques. Therapeutic Listening selectively combines a number of electronically altered compact discs, which vary in musical style, quality of sounds and level of enhancement. Individual listening programs are created to address each child’s specific problem. The choice of music and type of modulation, as well as the listening time and accompanying activity program varies depending on the treatment goals of the child. Home Program: Listen for 30 minutes 2 times a day. Each session should be separated by 3 hours. The listening sessions should be completed at least 2 hours before bedtime. Recommended Equipment: Portable CD player- should have random play feature Headphones- impedance of 150 ohms and sensitivity range to 22,000 Hertz Tune Belt- allows for greater mobility while listening Costs and Fees: (will be invoiced at the end of each month) Consult Fee- $105/month This fee includes: Therapist certified in Therapeutic Listening consults twice a month with the child’s therapist Therapist certified in Therapeutic Listening consults once a month with the child’s parents CD Rental- $10 per CD Every two to three weeks the child will be changing CD’s.  Headphone Rental- $10 per week For children participating in a Therapeutic Listening program, it is strongly recommended that appropriate headphones are purchased.  Contact: Michelle Knight, MS, OTR/L (626) 564-2700   ___________________________________________________   Write-On Program   Age of Members: Level I (pre and beginner printers): 4 to 6 yrs Level II (intermediate printers):  7 to 10 yrs General Description: Through the use of sensory integrative concepts, the Write-On group targets improving the foundations of efficient handwriting, including visual motor skills, postural strength and endurance, functional upper extremity control, fine motor dexterity and coordination, motor planning and praxis skills, as well as organization of behavior.  Letter formation, sizing, alignment, and spacing are reinforced through the use of a writing program that is appropriate to the child’s needs.  Within the group setting, peers motivate each other and learn that writing can be fun! Contact: Sue Trautman, MA, OTR/L, SWC (626) 564-2700   __________________________________________________   McKee Music Therapy Services LLC** ** Although both organizations function as separate entities, Center for Developing Kids and McKee Music Therapy Services have established a collaborative relationship to better serve our children. If you are interested in music therapy for your child, please contact McKee Music Therapy Services directly (see contact information below).   General Information: Music Therapy is the use of music by a trained and board certified music therapist in the accomplishment of therapeutic aims: the restoration, maintenance, and improvement of mental and physical health. Music Therapy is a systematic process of intervention wherein the therapist helps the client achieve behavioral, social, emotional, sensory, cognitive, communication and physical goals and objectives using musical experiences and the relationships that develop through them as dynamic forces of change. It is valid and effective with persons who have functional deficits in any of the above goal areas. Because music therapy is a powerful non-threatening medium, unique outcomes are possible. The ultimate goal of music therapy is to help clients achieve their full potential and enhance their quality of life. Because music is pervasive, flexible, and structured, music therapy can be used in several effective ways, and responses may be immediate and readily apparent. Contact: Christine (McKee) Deelo, MT-BC, NMT                (818) 692-5073                www.mckeemusictherapy.com Vendor #: PD-1841     SUMMER PROGRAMS     Sunkids Summer Camp   General Description: Sunkids is a therapeutic summer program run by occupational, physical, and speech therapists as well as trained volunteers.  Planned events and activities include pool/water play, music, pet day, crafts, walking field trips, and sensory motor play.  These activities are used to facilitate gross and fine motor skills, social interaction, and play in a safe and fun environment. Eligibility Criteria: Open to all children 3-10 years old. Siblings and friends are encouraged to register, and siblings receive a 10% discount. Dates and Time: August 4-8; August 11-15; August 18-22, 2008 Cost and Fees: Registration fee:  $75 non refundable $425 per week (some insurance companies and regional centers will fund) Contact:   Dana Fox, OTR/L & Tammy Mitchell, MA, OTR/L (626) 564-2700     ___________________________________________________   Write-On Handwriting Clinic   General Description: A one-week handwriting clinic designed to give children a jump-start on handwriting prior to starting the new school year.  The development of skills necessary to provide foundations for good handwriting are addressed through a multi-sensory approach, including upper body strength and stability, postural control, fine motor skills and dexterity, visual perceptual skills, and eye-hand coordination. This clinic is taught by occupational therapists that specialize in handwriting. Eligibility Criteria: Open to the community Children are grouped according to age and ability into a pre-writers group (ages 4-5), a beginning writers group (ages 6-8), and an intermediate/advanced writers group (ages 8-12) Dates:August 11-15 & 18-22 Times: 2008 Times TBA Cost: $300 per week (some insurance companies and regional centers will fund) Contact: Center for Developing Kids (626) 564-2700