Another unique form of therapy available locally can be found at Allied Therapy & Consulting Services of North Little Rock. In partnership with the not-for-profit Beyond Boundaries, the organization effectively utilizes hippotherapy—use of horses—to help autistic children overcome delays in sensory development. “Kiddos with autism have some pretty significant sensory processing issues,” says Lori Tankersley, occupational therapist. “They feel the environment around them in a different way than we do. A bright light or a movement or a smell or a texture, for them, can just be something that’s too much. It sends them over the edge. Tankersley says hippotherapy provides the ideal combination of tactile stimuli. Under the skilled supervision of certified hippotherapists (of which Allied boasts 12) children learn to process the feel of the horse’s mane and hair or the various smells in the barn. Amazingly, learning to process these things on horseback carry over to a range of everyday activities as well. “Physically, it improves their attention, it can be something that is very calming to them,” she says. “It can help them to focus on a self-care task. They might be able to button or zip their jacket because you give them normal sensory input targeting their sensory system. We’ve seen improvements through hippotherapy with everything from them leaving their shoes and socks on for their moms at home to better handwriting.”
JOIN US FOR OUR THIRD ANNUAL
5K FUN RUN/WALK! We are raising funds for community playground projects for children with special needs. Run or walk in this fun, family and pet friendly event! Awards will be given to the top 3 male & female runners, and there will even be a costume contest for your four legged family members! Register online at kidsourcetherapy.com/events/5k/ or Arkansasrunner.com or email Amy Diehl at adiehl@kidsourcetherapy.com for a form
May 30, 2015 • 8 AM Registration @ 7:30 AM Hurricane Lake Estates in Benton, AR Property Owners Association
17706 I-30 Frontage Road • Benton
LEARN MORE
501-315-4414
www.KidsourceTherapy.com
Central Arkansas is blessed with a variety of treatment and therapy options for families dealing with autism, although finding the right fit can take some advanced legwork. Experts stress visiting organizations in advance and to come armed with questions about the consistency of staffing, the length of time treating autistic individuals, relevant certifications and the range of available treatment options. A starter list of organizations includes:
Offices in Little Rock, North Little Rock, Benton, Arkadelphia and Malvern Easy Referral Process · Professional Staff Family Oriented · Assistance with Funding Options
ACCESS Little Rock • 501-217-8600 www.ACCESSGroupInc.org
Allied Therapy & Consulting Services, P.A. North Little Rock, Ward • 501-941-5630 www.allied-therapy.com Arkansas Autism Resource and Outreach Center North Little Rock • 501-682-2209 www.aaroc.org
SERVING Children WITH SPECIAL NEEDS SINCE 1971
Friendship Community Care, Inc. Bryant • 501-847-9711 WWW.fccare.org ■
Helping Hand Children’s Center North Little Rock • 501-791-3331 WWW.helpinghandcc.com Lonoke Exceptional Development Center Lonoke • 501-676-2786 WWW.lonokeexceptional.org Pediatrics Plus Little Rock, North Little Rock, Conway, Russellville • 501-821-5459 www.pediatricsplus.com
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Certified Educational Staff Trained Service Coordinators Occupational, Physical & Speech Therapy Services On-site Physician Monitoring & Nursing Services
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Transportation Available To & From Center Family Education & Support Arkids A, SSI, TEFRA Accepted
www.pathfinderinc.org
Pathfinder, Inc. FOSTERING INDEPENDENCE
PATHFINDER PRESCHOOL 2400 West Main Street / Jacksonville / 501-982-4578 ext. 1400 PATHFINDER PRESCHOOL 2 1410 West Daisy Bates / Little Rock / 501-375-7811 PATHFINDER ACADEMY 2611 West Main Street / Jacksonville / 501-982-0528 ext. 1500 THESAVVYMOMS.COM | APRIL 2015
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