February 2005

Community Information

Kindermusic is a curriculum designed to teach music to children from birth to 5 years of age. Through music, children become better learners. It is a program designed to provide movement, listening and expression for young children. Classes are held in Alexandria at St. Mark’s Church. Please call 703.966-7329 for further details.

A parent of one of our patients has a case of high caloric frozen shakes (Nervados health shakes) which she is willing to give to any family who is in need of such an item. Please call Rebecca at 703.764-2006.

Parents have been recommending a new book entitled The Happiest Baby on the Block. This is a book of strategies for parents who may be dealing with crying babies or babies who are not sleeping through the night.

Children in wheelchairs are very prone to decubitus ulcers, especially if they are immobile and spend a majority of their day in the chair. Make sure that their weight is shifted often during the day. This could be as simple as having them lean from side to side periodically or having the caregiver or teacher do this for them. If the child has function in his/her upper extremities, a wheelchair push-up would serve the purpose if performed periodically throughout the day. Also, remember that there are many wheelchair cushions/inserts that can be purchased to eliminate this problem. Ask your therapist if you need specific advice.

Resurrection Children’s Center is a parent cooperative preschool. It is a well known program that integrates preschoolers with disabilities into the mainstream. They are accepting applications for fall enrollment for ages 2-1/2 through 5 years. Tuition assistance is available. Call 703.578-1314 for more details.

Carol Kranowitz, author of the book The Out of Sync Child, will be offering a course on Sensory Processing Disorders. It is open to parents as well as professionals. You may register by phone at 1.888.357-5867. The course will be offered in Baltimore, MD, on February 25, 2005.

Parktakes, a quarterly guide to recreation in Fairfax County, has their spring catalog available. We have several copies in the office. There are many inexpensive classes for children with disabilities. Please look into their aquatics program, spring and summer camps, adapted soccer and dance.

Our staff continues to learn:

• Jennifer Kemp attended a workshop at Kluge Children’s Hospital on current research on Spasticity.
• Mia McCloy attended a conference on “The NDT Approach to Treatment of the Shoulder Girdle.”
• Alice Blair will be attending a conference covering the topic: “Assessing and Treating Regulatory, Emotional and Sensory Deficits in Children.”
• Darcie Sheffler has attended several symposiums on “Floor Time” strategies for children with autism, presented by Dr. Stan Greenspan.
• Stacy Welsh has attended her Annual Conference presented by The American Speech and Hearing Association. Many seminars on dyspraxia and oral motor deficits were presented.