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Texas Children's Hospital Autism Center
and
Meyer Center for Developmental Pediatrics
 
We want to thank everyone who participated in our community needs assessment survey! If you haven't already participated, you can do so by clicking the link at the end of this newsletter.

Many parents expressed concerns regarding potential regression in skills if there is a disruption in their child's speech, occupational, and/or physical therapy services. We have heard several updates from providers in the community and while some are continuing to provide in-home therapy services, others have paused services or are pursuing telemedicine options for their patients.

While we do recommend speaking with your child's therapists regarding individual treatment plans, we have also included below some activities that parents can practice with their children at home. Many of these strategies can be used during play time with your child or even in the midst of academic activities.
Occupational Therapy Resources

This type of therapy focuses on the activities and daily tasks that one will need to successfully complete life skills/personal skills and in their occupation. A child's "occupation" is to be a student as well as a developing child. 

CLICK HERE for tips from Vestal Central School District's Occupational Therapists on ways to improve visual perceptive, visual motor, writing and fine motor skills at home! 

CLICK HERE to access The OT Toolbox: 31 Days of Occupational Therapy With Free Materials. 


Games and activities that promote fine motor skills: 
  • Have your child poke pipe cleaners through a colander (the type used to drain your spaghetti). 
  • Let your child use Play-Doh. Focus on your child molding it with their four main fingers, rather than only their thumbs. 
  • Play the game SORRY or a similar game and have your child push the "popper" with their four main fingers, rather than their thumbs. 
  • Have your child put beads on a string, and of course watch younger children closely when using beads or anything they may choke on. You can even use raw spaghetti noodles as your "string" and beads or Cheerios, whatever you have around the house. 
  • Have your child pick up pom poms, or any other small items, with clothespins or kitchen tongs, and put them in a bowl or ice cube tray.


Speech & Language Resources

This type of therapy focuses on helping children develop the skills they need to communicate with others, whether through spoken words or alternatives such as sign language or communication devices.  Even non-verbal children can learn to ask for what they want or make choices by using tools such as a picture exchange system or communication app.


Texas Children's is offering the UpWORDS program for families of babies and toddlers ages 0-24 months and is available in both English and Spanish.  
CLICK HERE for more information about UpWORDS!

 
Visit the website for Mommy Speech Therapy (https://mommyspeechtherapy.com) for an extensive list of resources for parents seeking speech and language development information, including helpful blogs, websites and information about Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and other products.

CLICK HERE for free speech therapy materials, such as games, flashcards and worksheets. 

CLICK HERE for information on free and low-cost digital downloads, including speech and language activity calendars, communication checklists, worksheets and more.

CLICK HERE for information on BOOM Cards, which are tools used by some of Texas Children's own speech-language pathologists.

CLICK HERE to access free online sign language videos for kids.


Games and activities that promote speech and language skills:
  • Sight Word Hopscotch - Make a hopscotch board using colored chalk (or masking tape for an indoor activity).   For older children, write sight words or spelling words in each square; for little ones, write letters of the alphabet.   Have the child throw a small rock or beanbag on a square, then hop to that square and say/sound out/spell the word.  
  • Make a "Power Tower" - Write words that your child is working on on paper cups (or use masking tape on reusable cups).   Have your child choose a cup, then you say the word and ask your child to repeat it.   They can then use the finished cups to build a tower.   Challenge your child to build a tall tower!
  • Use communication boards to help your child tell you what they want or need.   You can download free printables (click here for an example), or make your own using family photos or cutouts from magazines.


Parents can also enroll in online classes that focus on helping children develop their speech and language.   The classes below have an enrollment fee:

CLICK HERE for information on classes for parents of babies and toddlers.  This site also offers free information about language milestones in children birth to age 5, as well as book recommendations for this age group.    
CLICK HERE to access more language development classes for parents of babies and toddlers.
CLICK HERE for more classes, including a baby sign language course.  

 
Physical Therapy Resources

The focus of this type of therapy is to improve your child's large motor skills, or in other words, those bug muscle skills needed to do things like run, jump, and play. The key is to keep your child as active as possible. Physical activity can also be key in managing your child's behavioral concerns and energy level as well. 

CLICK HERE for tips from Vestal Central School District's Physical Therapists on ways to improve large motor skills at home! 

CLICK HERE for physical therapy ideas parents can do with their babies with Down syndrome. 

CLICK HERE to view the Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy's Pinterest board with hundreds of activities that parents can do with their children at home, regardless of diagnosis. 


Games and activities that promote gross motor skills:
  • Play Hopscotch with sidewalk chalk.
  • Simon Says to help with body movement planning (also a great game for body awareness and impulse control).
  • Have your child lay on their stomach on a skateboard and pull themselves up and down the driveway or sidewalk. Watch that fingers are not caught in the wheels!
  • Start playing catch with a large ball and as your child masters the large ball, decrease the size of the ball. 
  • Create an outdoor obstacle course focused on crawling, jumping, and climbing. 
  • Roll a ball back and forth (works great with children who are chronologically or developmentally younger). 

 
Upcoming Programs and Opportunities: 
 
CLICK HERE for access to a free online behavior management programs for parents. Parenting with Love and Logic is an evidence base behavioral training program that teaches parents strategies they can use at home to increase positive behaviors, while decreasing problem behaviors. This program is video-based and self-paced!!
($99 value - FREE through the end of April!)

CLICK HERE for more information on a research opportunity offering treatment for children ages 7-13 years old with Autism and anxiety. Participants must reside in Texas, both parents must speak English, and your child must be able to communicate verbally. 
          Lynn Hana (Coordinator) 
          anxietyandASD@bcm.edu
          713-798-8563

 
See the information and links below for on-going question and answer sessions being held by various community professionals.

 CLICK HERE for information on programs through Partners Resource Network on various topics including special education services, transition, in-home education, and parenting tips.

 CLICK HERE for information on "Gathering of Shared Interventions and Resources for Learning Differences," an open forum. 
 
Medicaid Coverage for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy
 
We have received many inquiries from families regarding Medicaid coverage of ABA in Texas. As many of you know, as of September 2019, Medicaid was required to begin covering ABA therapy in Texas. However, that coverage has not been rolled out yet as many of the administrative details are still being worked out. The anticipated roll-out date was late spring or summer; however, due to the current public health concerns the start date will likely be later than previously expected. 

We will continue to monitor the progress regarding Medicaid coverage of ABA and will post updates in this newsletter as they develop. 

________________________________________________________________________

Cobertura de Medicaid para la terapia de análisis conductual aplicado (ABA)

Hemos recibido muchas preguntas de las familias sobre cuándo Medicaid comenzará a cubrir la terapia ABA. Primero, pensamos que la cobertura comenzaría a fines de la primavera o el verano. Lamentablemente, esta fecha puede retrasarse debido a los problemas actuales de salud pública con COVID_19.

Siga revisando aquí ya que publicaremos las actualizaciones que recibamos en este boletín.
Complete our survey and tell us what you need right now!
 
As we all adapt to the daily changes around us, Texas Children's Autism Center and Meyer Center for Developmental Pediatrics are working to adapt our services to meet your needs. We would like to hear from parents and professionals about ways that we can help you in these stressful times. 


 
Copyright © 2019
Texas Children's Hopsital Autism Center and Meyer Center for Developmental Pediatrics
All rights reserved

Autism Center 
Meyer Center for Developmental Pediatrics
8080 N. Stadium Drive Suite 180 Houston, TX  77054

Autism Center
Patients: 832-822-3704
Meyer Center for Developmental Pediatrics
Patients: 832-822-3400
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