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Parent Resource Newsletter

Children's Therapy

January/February 2018

Bringing Active Play to the Waiting Room

Many of our families find themselves in the waiting room for extended periods of time. Gaps between different therapy appointments for your child; waiting for transportation home; or waiting with siblings during your child’s therapy session. With technology at our fingertips, it can be easy to hand your child a phone or tablet to entertain them in the waiting room. We get it! However…

Limiting electronic screen time is important for your child’s cognitive development, based on recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics. At Children's Therapy, we are all about active play so why not start as you walk through our door?

Here are some fun, interactive ideas for play and learning time while waiting:

• Read a book together

• Work on homework from school

• Activity books: mazes, word search, connect the dots, color by number, picture searches

• Small toys: action figures, stuffed animals, dolls

• Play verbal games: I Spy, 20 Questions, Simon Says

• Small travel board games: Connect 4, Checkers, Uno

• Sensory items: light up toys, spinning toys, squishy balls, bumpy cushion, weighted blanket or chewy toys

• Rhyming games: “How many words can we think of that rhyme with cat?”

• Association games: “What goes with a shoe? A sock or a baseball?”

• Category games: “Let’s think of ten different vehicles.”

• Special toys: bring some toys that the child only gets to play with when they are in the waiting room to keep their attention

• Meet a friend

If you have questions or would like to see how this might look, ask your therapist to model activities during your session that you can use next time in the waiting room.

New School for Children on the Autism Spectrum Opening in Issaquah!

Gersh Academy at Cougar Mountain is a world where individuals on the autism spectrum, from ages 5 – 21 years, are empowered to thrive. Gersh Academy in Issaquah will be the first school for children with autism in the country that has a zoo on campus! Research has shown introducing an animal to children with ASD can promote a more relaxed environment and result in a reduction of stress, anxiety and irritation. Social behaviors have been shown to improve after even a short play period with a live animal. Bonding with an animal can also improve physical, mental, and social difficulties. Learn more about Gersh Academy.

Check Children’s Therapy Lost & Found

Have you or your child left behind an item at the clinic? We keep a lost and found box including items such as coats, gloves, umbrellas, papers, etc. that get left behind in the waiting room or treatment rooms. If you’ve lost something, ask at the front desk to see if we have it. The box gets emptied and donated to a charity monthly, so check as soon as you think you might have lost something.

Free Gift of Time Event for Parents/Caregivers & Children with AutismMLK Day, Monday, Jan. 15, 11 AM – 3 PM, Register by Jan. 8

Washington Autism Alliance and Advocacy is offering the “Gift of Time” respite program to strengthen families with children age 5 – 10 with autism. Parents or caregivers are given a much-needed break while youth enjoy a fun day of recreation and socialization at We Rock the Spectrum Kids Gym in Bellevue. The next one will be on MLK day on January 15, 2018 from 11 AM – 3 PM. While the program is free, space is limited. Families must RSVP and complete a registration process by Jan. 8 to ensure your child is served safely and effectively.

Shop on Amazon? Support Valley with purchases made at smile.amazon.com!

Help Valley Medical Center as you shop throughout the year on Amazon by selecting Public Hospital District No. 1 of King County as the charity to support at smile.amazon.com. When you register your charity with Amazon and purchase through smile.amazon.com, Amazon will donate 0.5% of your spending to benefit Valley’s patients in South King County. Thank you!

If This is Your First Parent Resource Newsletter

Welcome to all of our new families! The Parent Resource is our bi-monthly e-newsletter, keeping you current with what's going on that may be of interest to your family. Printed copies are also available at Children's Therapy. We'll keep you up-to-date about resources and events in the area, while providing information about Children's Therapy policies and changes. We welcome your comments—please tell your therapist if you have any suggestions or input. Information about non-VMC sponsored events is for your consideration only: we cannot guarantee the accuracy/content of the listed events and services.

Like Us on FacebookIf you have a good experience at Children's Therapy, we invite you to let others know with your comments.

LINK OF THE WEEK

View Link of the Week & Link Archives

RESOURCES

Check Urgent Care Wait Times & Hop In Line From Your Phone!

Conveniently access the wait times in all of our Urgent Care clinics and check in at the clinic with the shortest

wait. From your phone or computer, click on “WAIT TIMES” from the left of the top menu bar of Valley's home page.

Wonder whether to choose urgent or emergency care?

Here’s a guide to help you decide.

SEMINARS AND EVENTS

Prenatal Water Fitness

Tuesdays & Thursdays, 6:15 – 7 PM

4 week sessions $50

Low-impact conditioning, strength training and flexibility exercises, allowing expectant mothers the ability to continue their fitness & wellness routine with minimal risk. Hydrostatic pressure and buoyancy components of exercise are just two of the benefits of exercising during pregnancy.

Learn more | Register

FREE CLASSES & SUPPORT GROUPS

Adjusting to Parenting Support GroupWednesdays, 1 – 2:30 PM

Is my baby doing ok? Am I doing ok? Join other new parents to ask questions and talk about finding your new "normal." Share worries, celebrations and resources. Learn about infant play, development, health, safety, feeding and sleeping while creating friendships for yourself and your child. Real people, real life, real honest discussion. Parents and newborns to 8 months in age.

Learn more | Register

Parenting Connections Support GroupWednesdays, 10 – 11:30 AM

Find a community for you and your child by connecting with a group of new parents to share the feelings, needs and challenges of older, more active crawlers and toddlers. The little ones play together while parents build lifelong friendships in a safe and consistent setting. Continuing support, education and resources for parents. Get out of the house and join in. Parents and children from 9 months to 2 years.

Learn more | Register

Circle of Security™ – Relationship Building for Parent & BabyThursdays, January 11 – February 22, 6:30 – 7:30 PM

The award-winning Circle of Security™ program will teach you the skills you need to enhance a close relationship between you and your child. Learn to read your child’s signals, so you can be a more perceptive, responsive and effective parent during those formative first years of life. For parents and caregivers of children ages birth to 2 years. This FREE 8-week program is facilitated by Sandra Renner, MA.

Learn more | Register

Creative Development Art ClassThursdays, 12 – 1 PM

Join us for free weekly art sessions at Children's Therapy. Children will be provided an opportunity to learn through a variety of sensory experiences by participating in art activities. Art activities can be used as an opportunity to allow children to develop social skills, express emotions, follow structural activities and improve coping skills. Children of all ages and families welcome.

Learn more | Register

BodyWorks — A Toolkit for Teens & Strong FamiliesTuesday, February 6, 6 – 9:30 PM

BodyWorks is a program that provides parents and caregivers of students ages 9-14 with tools to help improve family eating and physical activity. The materials include a recipe book, food and fitness journals, and other health materials.

Learn more | Register

Prescriptive Exercise Information SessionsGet a prescription for a lifetime of good health. Attend this free, 1-hour presentation to learn about our specialized, prescriptive exercise programs, Healthy Foundations and Lifestyle 365.

Learn more | Register

DONOR CORNER

DonationsNow through the Starlight Foundation’s website, Children’s Therapy has a “wish list” of items we’d love to have donated to our department!

If you are interested in purchasing an item for Children’s Therapy, please do so directly through the above website.

We welcome donations and especially have a need for new construction paper and new, sealed bubbles. Unfortunately, we cannot accept plush toys or wooden toys (unless the wooden toys are certified to be lead-free).

CHILDREN'S THERAPY WEBSITE

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