Kid of the Week - Tom

 

Meet Tom!

In the above pictures Tom is getting Speech Therapy he also receives Occupational Therapy at TEAM. Tom is a very loving and active little boy. He loves to fish with his Dad and brothers. Tom loves to play soccor and hanging out with his siblings watching cartoons. Tom is a fun little boy and loves his family very much. A note from Tom's Speech Language Pathologist. Tom began speech/language treatment last year a very somber, almost non-verbal child with anyone besides his family. He had been attending an English-speaking preschool and I believe, just needed supports in Spanish to help him overcome his extreme shyness with adults outside of the home. In one year, Tom has made the equivalent to over 3 years in expressive language and the shy little boy that wouldn't even make eye contact with me a year ago, talks my leg off now! He thinks girls are gross, so any language tasks that use words like "girl", "woman", "kiss", "pretty", "heart", "love" he refuses to participate in saying "Ewwww! That's speenky!" (stinky). Tom is an absolute delight to instruct and has taught this therapist all about trout fishing and all things out-doorsy. I am so very proud of Tom Murphy Garcia-Rodriguez!!

Spanish Tranlation:

Tom Murphy es un nino muy activo y cariñoso. le gusta ir a pescar con su papá y sus hermanos. A el gusta jugar futbol (soccer) y tambien ver caricaturas con los hermanos. Tom es muy divertido y quiere mucho a toda su familia. Tom comenzo terapia de habla-lenguaje el año pasado con una actitud muy seria, con una comunicavion verval muy pobre hacia extraños, pero no hacia su familia.Tom asiste a pre-escolar en donde solo es habla Ingles y, yo creeo que el solo se necesita suportes en español para ayudarle a superar su verguenza con los adultos fuerra de su casa. En un año, Tom he progresado el equivalente a más de tres años en enguaje expresivo y el niño avergonzado que no podia hacer contactos visual conmigo, hoy despues de un año “habla hasta por los codos” El piensa que las ninas son repugnante, entonces trabajo de lenguaje que usa las palabras como "nina", "mujer", "beso", "bonita", "corazon" o "amor", el se nega a participar, diciendo ""Ewwww! That's speenky!" (stinky). El enseñarle es una alegria absoluta, tambien el me ha enseñado todo hacerca de la pesca y de las cosas afuera en el campo. Tengo mucho orgullo de Tom Murphy Garcia-Rodriguez!!

Water Week at TEAM!

Last week was our annual water week at TEAM. The children had a blast! During the week our OT's worked on sensory integration, motor planning, fine motor skills, eye hand coordination, bilateral coordination, and socialization. It is one of my favorite weeks at TEAM the kids have so much fun and are working hard!

Special Needs Trust Seminar at TEAM!

Please join us for an informational seminar

“Special Needs …Caring for Loved Ones Under Unique Circumstances”

Review the many issues you face as parents of special needs children.  Discover how government programs may pay for basic living expenses.  Examine some of the steps you can take to make sure your special needs children have the lifestyle you prefer, not only during your life, but also after your death.

 Sponsored By: Adam Wheeler, Agent New York Life Insurance Company 

Date: July 26, 2011

Time: 6:30 p.m.

Children’s Therapy T.E.A.M Fayetteville Clinic

Sign up at front desk or email alwheeler@ft.nyl.com

(Child care provided)

Kid of the Week - Berkeley

Meet Berkeley!

Above Berkeley is getting Physical therapy with Mrs. Danielle. Berkeley has been coming to TEAM since her family moved to Arkansas in January. She also receives Occupational and Speech therapy at TEAM. Mom and Berkeley's sisters were at her session today. Berkeley loves to play with her baby dolls, her piano, and guitars. Her favorite foods are yogurt, crackers, and frozen veggies. Her older sister Brighton is her biggest cheerleader. She was giving her lots of love yesterday. Mom has seen great changes in Berkeley over the last few months. Mom said her confidence is improving and she is now standing independently. Yesterday Berkeley was showing off and pushed to stand for the first time at the clinic. We were all cheering for her! Danielle is so proud of Berkeley and was excited to tell me that Berkeley is almost walking! In speech Berkeley is also making great progress babbling, doing sign language, and saying some words. Berkeley has a great smile and loves to sing songs. Her favorite song is Jesus Loves Me! I had so much fun watching this precious family yesterday!

TEAM Family Shares Story During Autism Awareness Month - Part 2

Check out our video on KNWA http://nwahomepage.com/fulltext-news/?nxd_id=229666

"No one gives you a package and says, 'Now this is where you go'," she said looking at her son jumping on the trampoline. Traci Sickels is still navigating her way around raising a child with Autism. "You're not used to that, no family is," she said. Nine-year-old Dallas requires speech and occupational therapy, in addition to powerful prescription medications. "Many families dip into retirement just to pay for it," Sickels said. "You would do anything for your child. But to what degree? Some people are going broke just to pay for it."Sickels and her family relocated to Northwest Arkansas shortly before Dallas underwent his first evaluation.
"That was $1,200. There was no way we could have paid for that," she said. "Luckily, we sold our home and then put that with our savings." Oftentimes, parents find themselves lost.
"There's a lot of families looking for services wherever they can," Sickels said. "When you meet another parent dealing with Autism, you immediately ask them what they do, where they go for treatment. There's no crash-course for this. You learn from parents who have already been down this road.

Searching for ways to pay for treatment can become a maze of money management.

"We hear that over and over again. I'm so glad you told me about this, I didn't know about this option," Children's Therapy T.E.A.M. Family Support Member Amber Spencer said. Many private insurance providers don't cover Autism claims. "Sadly, a lot of insurance companies have begun saying that they don't cover developmental disabilities or delays," said Billing Analyst Amanda Clark. "That's their way of getting around children with Autism.""I'm a public school teacher, so you know that extra money is not there. The insurance doesn't cover that," Sickels said. Traci Sickels, and mothers like her, have to jump through hoops to apply for Medicaid coverage. "I pay a monthly premium. It's not like I get anything handed to me free," she said. But there's a long waiting list. "It's a hefty packet, and it's about a four to six month wait once you get in," Spencer said. With possible federal budget cuts making Medicaid harder to come by, the costs could continue to climb."I am scared," Sickels said. "If any of that was cut, there's no way I could afford you know all the therapy."It's another worry for families looking forward. "There's a lot of struggles. It's not just medicine, it's not just therapy, it's your everyday life," Sickels said. It's a challenge Traci Sickels hopes she and Dallas can look back on as one they conquered so he could lead the healthy life every kid deserves.

Traci Sickels heads the NWA Autism Support Group to provide resources for parents who are just starting out on the journey of living with Autism or those who need a community of understanding. The group often hosts workshops to help parents apply for waiver programs and other funding opportunities.  You can click here to find out more.

You can also help support Autism Awareness on May 7, 2011 through the 5k Autism Walk to help families obtain mini-grants for support. It's happening at Gracepoint Church, 1201 McCollum Road, Bentonville, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.