Welcome to our October Newsletter!
We hope you are having a nice fall and enjoying the changes in the weather. We have lots of information to share in this newsletter edition!
In this issue:
- Arlington Thrive & Skills on the Hill Partnership
- New Infant Services Programming
- Equipment Evaluations Now Available
- Tips for Supporting Sensory & Language Challenges During Halloween
- Father’s of Superheroes Event Tid-Bits
- Physical Therapy Month
- AAC Awareness Month
- New Insurance Contracts @ SOTH
- Attendance Policy Reminders
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Skills on the Hill is thrilled to announce our new partnership with Arlington Thrive! Over the past 48 years, Arlington Thrive has evolved from an informal volunteer initiative into a key component of the social safety net and a valued partner to the county government.
Today, Thrive provides timely assistance to help neighbors in need so they can develop the capacity to be stable, secure and thrive in their jobs, health and homes. Arlington Thrive offers grants cover emergency rent payments to prevent eviction, utility payments to avoid heat and water disconnections, provide healthcare, access to food, much-needed medication for clients facing serious health issues, and more.
Stay tuned for more information about this exciting partnership.
New Infant Services @ Skills on the Hill
Skills on the Hill clinicians are highly trained in infant development, and we have created a new curriculum for parents and babies. Additionally, Jennifer Coyne just became a Certified Lactation Consultant (CLC). In the coming months, we will be initiating additional services for parents including lactation and bottle feeding support as well as services geared toward transitioning to solid foods for infants.
Introducing……… Baby Skills: A Caregiver/Infant Guided Development Program
This program is designed for caregivers and babies to learn helpful tips and tricks to facilitate and nurture development. Led by experienced pediatric therapists (PTs, OTs, and/or SLPs), this class will cover positioning and mobility techniques from tummy time to cruising, explore engaging and interactive ways to play with age-appropriate toys, support early language development, give you confidence in feeding your baby, and connect you with other new parents in the DMV!
Join our supportive community where you will have the opportunity to ask questions, share insights, and receive personalized feedback, empowering you to guide your baby through every milestone with confidence and ease
When:
Starting 11/18 – two sessions a week!!!
- TUESDAYS 10-10:55AM: Pre-Crawlers
- TUESDAYS 11AM-11:55AM: Pre-Walkers
Cost: $250 per six session package or $50 for one session
These sessions will be ongoing and parents can “drop in” when they choose. Click HERE to sign up!
Equipment Evaluations Now Available!
How to Schedule:
Contact us today to book a PT Equipment Evaluation for your child. Our team is dedicated to providing the best possible support and ensuring your child has access to the right tools for their development and comfort.
Visit our web site here and click here GET STARTED TODAY
Equipment May Include:
- Wheelchairs
- Gait Trainers
- Walkers
- Bath Chairs
- Adaptive Strollers
- Special Needs Car Seats
- Activity Chairs
- Standers
What to Expect:
- Our experienced physical therapists will conduct a detailed evaluation to determine the best equipment for your child.
- Based on the assessment, we’ll recommend the most suitable equipment to enhance your child’s mobility and independence.
- This type of evaluation is designed for a one-time assessment with the option for a follow up positioning check, making it convenient and efficient for you.
- Upon delivery, we’ll perform a positioning check if requested or deemed necessary by the evaluating therapist, to ensure the equipment fits perfectly and functions optimally
🎃👻Tips for Supporting Sensory & Language Challenges During Halloween👻🎃
Halloween is a time of fun costumes, decorations, and treats, but for children with sensory and communication challenges, it can be a tricky holiday to navigate. With unfamiliar sights, sounds, and social interactions, the excitement can quickly become overwhelming. By preparing ahead of time, you can help your child feel more comfortable and ensure they enjoy Halloween in their own way.Here are some tips to make Halloween a sensory and communication-friendly experience for your child.
Tips for Kids with Communication Challenges
Use Visual Supports and Social Stories
Visual aids and social stories can help children understand Halloween activities, like trick-or-treating. These can be customized with images of the child’s neighborhood and costume.
Prepare a “Trick-or-Treat” Card
For nonverbal children, a card explaining their participation can ease communication during trick-or-treating.
Practice Key Phrases
Role-playing common phrases like “trick or treat” and “thank you” can build confidence for children who feel nervous speaking.
Plan for Nonverbal Communication
Encourage nonverbal gestures, like pointing to their candy bag, and inform neighbors if necessary.
Be Mindful of Social Fatigue
Plan breaks during trick-or-treating, as social interactions can be tiring
Offer Alternatives to Verbal Communication
Make sure AAC devices or picture boards are available, and practice using them for Halloween phrases.
Create a Comfortable Environment for Parties
Ensure the party space accommodates communication needs, and provide quiet areas for breaks.
Give Your Child an “Out” Option
Prepare a way for your child to signal when they need a break or want to go home.
Conclusion: By preparing in advance, you can help make Halloween more enjoyable for children with communication needs. Small adjustments can make a significant difference, ensuring a fun and comfortable holiday experience.
At Skills on the Hill, we’re committed to helping families navigate holidays like Halloween with confidence and joy. If you’d like more tips or guidance for your child’s specific needs, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help you and your child have a happy, comfortable Halloween!
Happy Halloween!👻
Tips for Kids with Sensory Challenges:
Choose the Right Costume
Select soft, comfortable costumes, allowing your child to try them on in advance. Sensory-friendly options like themed t-shirts or soothing fabrics are great alternatives.
Practice Trick-or-Treating
Simulate the experience beforehand to build familiarity, reducing anxiety through practice and repetition.
Plan a Sensory-Friendly Route
Tailor trick-or-treating to your child’s needs, choosing a short route or avoiding houses with intense decorations or loud noises.
Bring a Sensory Kit
Include calming items like noise-canceling headphones or fidget toys to help your child regulate sensory input during Halloween activities.
Prepare for Candy Preferences
Discuss candy options with your child to avoid unwanted textures or tastes. Have non-candy alternatives ready, and offer trades for preferred treats.
Host a Sensory-Friendly Celebration at Home
Create a familiar and controlled environment with activities like trick-or-treat stations and Halloween-themed sensory play.
Discuss the Plan in Advance
Go over the evening’s events with your child, using visual aids if helpful, to prepare them for what to expect
Set Realistic Expectations
Respect your child’s limits, focusing on activities that make them happy, whether it’s a short trick-or-treat outing, watching a Halloween movie, or celebrating quietly at home.
Father’s of Superheroes Event 10/20
On Sunday, 10/20, SOTH hosted fathers for a very special presentation from two presenters!
| author of The Out of Sync Child taught the dads about the sensory systems and empowered them to communicate with their children’s teachers using a team approach to support use of sensory strategies in school. Here are some terrific resources Carol provided to the group. |
| OutAndAboutWithTheOoSC.FUNctional Strategies 2022.pdf StretchYourChild’sPassionsUsingSensoryActivities 2022.pdf |
| who is a psychotherapist and does coaching with parents, presented on the Circle of Security and the dads watched a really great video to learn more about this approach to parenting. |
| Here is a helpful visual of the Circle of Security Ch-2-Full-Circle-w-Hands.pdf Here is the link to the video so you can watch it too! https://www.circleofsecurityinternational.com/resources-for-parents/ https://www.asilvapsychotherapy.com/ |
October is AAC Awareness Month
October is Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Month. AAC empowers individuals with speech and communication challenges to express themselves in their own way. From high-tech devices to simple picture boards, AAC opens doors to connection, independence, and self-expression. Let’s spread the word, support inclusivity, and celebrate every voice—because communication is a fundamental right for all.
Click HERE to read more about ACC
Attendance Policy Reminders for Current Clients
As you and your child have made the commitment to therapy, we have made the same commitment to you in reserving your scheduled weekly time slot(s). Excessive absences affect your child’s rate of progress and take away valuable therapy time another child may need who is on our waiting list.
We expect clients to consistently attend scheduled appointments. Please give us as much advance notice as possible if you need to cancel an appointment. This includes changes in schedules due to school field trips, vacation plans, and medical appointments.
A cancellation made within less than 24 hours or a missed appointment (“no-show”), including evaluations, will be charged $110.00. If a patient misses more than 25% of scheduled appointments within an individual discipline (ie. OT, PT, Speech) for two months in a row, the patient will lose his/her permanent weekly appointment time for that discipline and be given the choice to be on our flex scheduling program which offers more flexibility for families. When you cancel a session, please expect our staff to reschedule the appointment for your child in order to follow our policy.
Exceptions to the above policy may be made in the event of an emergency or illness. Please do not bring a sick child to therapy. A child must be free of fever, pink eye, lice, or diarrhea for 24 hours before resuming therapy sessions. They will not be able to perform to their full potential.
Functional Impact and Suggestion Questionnaire
Thanks to those families who completed our group programming survey last month. We are analyzing the information and using it for upcoming program planning.
We are seeking valuable information from families about your experience at Skills on the Hill. What kind of progress have you seen in your child? Do you have additional areas of concern you would like to be addressed in therapy? Do you have suggestions for us? Please help us improve and share your ideas.
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