DFWChild Special Needs Fall 2019 by DFWChild

FA L L 2019

MUST-HAVE SPECIAL NEEDS RESOURCES

MEET AUTISM BLOGGER

KRISTEN CREEL

FINDING YOUR KIDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S FIRST JOB

FIVE THINGS TO DO THIS FALL

PUBLISHED BY

DFW

V O L . 11 I S S U E N O. 3

CLASS NOTES WHAT TEACHERS WANT YOU TO KNOW

Early Intervention Program 2–5 yrs old

Bridge Program

Transition Program

(preschool-aged) 4–6 yrs old

(school-aged) 7–10 yrs old

Maintenance Program (school-aged) 8–13 yrs old

COGNITIVE BEHAVIOR THERAPY (CBT) • • • • • •

APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS (ABA) • • • • • •

PLAY THERAPY • • • • • •

SOCIAL SKILLS TRAINING AND PROBLEM SOLVING • • • • • •

THERAPEUTIC GAMES AND BOOKS • • • • • •

SOLUTION FOCUSED • • • • • •

PARENTING/BEHAVIOR SOLUTIONS—PARENT TRAINING AND COACHING We serve children whose diagnoses may include Autism, ADHD, ADD, OCD and ODD LOCATIONS IN FLOWER MOUND, GRAPEVINE & TROPHY CLUB Office: (972) 410-5297 | Fax: (972) 410-5270 | abc-pediatrics.com

pages

Special Needs D F WCH I L D

VOL. 11 NO. 2

formerly Thrive Magazine

TABLE OF CONTENTS

F A L L 2 019

Departments TAKE NOTE

5 Job Support

6 A Sense of Fun

Why your young adult is ready for the workforce 6 6 ABOVE // Kristen Creel, of McKinney, is helping her son recover from low-functioning autism, page 9.

Feature 16 11 Things We Wish Parents Knew Teachers and therapists sound off with advice for you, Mom and Dad

words Gina Calvert

Column

The More You Know

A new awareness program hopes to break down barriers

A Head Start

Daily tasks turn into lifelong abilities

REAL MOMS 9 Mom Next Door / Kristen Creel

The autism blogger and mom of three shares her success with biomedical treatment 12 Help / Starter Kit Resources for families who are new to autism, as recommended by our Mom Next Door 14 Mommy Diary / Monica Piper The mom of two spends her time balancing her ABA therapy consulting services and her son with autism’s singing schedule

26 Humor Me / Mom Truths

ID CULTURE K 17 Five Things To Do Special needs–friendly events for the family in August, September and October

compiled by Lisa Salinas

DIRECTORY 22 Special Needs Resources

LOL parenting moments for some comic relief

A box and a little imagination go a long way

COVER PHOTOGRAPHY Nick Prendergast

Listings every family should have at their fingertips

staff box Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Joylyn Niebes

Creative + Content Director PHOTOGRAPHY BY NICK PRENDERGAST; ©ISTOCK

Heather Vance Devers

Editorial

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Carrie Steingruber MANAGING EDITOR Elizabeth Quinn ASSISTANT EDITOR Lisa Salinas

CALENDAR EDITOR Elizabeth Smith CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Stephanie Sarles

Art

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Susan Horn CONTRIBUTING DESIGNER Lesley Busby CREATIVE DIRECTOR AT LARGE Lauren Niebes

Advertising

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Diana Whitworth Nelson ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Alison Davis, Kristen Gramling, Mendy Lea, Nancy McDaniel, Sandi Tijerina ADVERTISING COORDINATOR Alexa Wilder

PR/Marketing

AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Candace Emerson MARKETING ASSISTANT Corey Tate

Administrative

BUSINESS MANAGER Leah Wagner ACCOUNTING Jeanie Vance

DFWChild Special Needs is published four times a year by Lauren Publications, Inc. Address: 4275 Kellway Circle, Ste. 146, Addison, TX, 75001. Phone: 972/447-9188. Fax: 972/447-0633. Online: dfwchild.com/specialneeds. DFWChild Special Needs is distributed free of charge, one copy per reader. Only DFWChild Special Needs authorized distributors may deliver or pick up the magazines. We reserve the right to edit, reject or comment editorially on all material contributed. We cannot be responsible for the return of any unsolicited material. DFWChild Special Needs is ©2019 by Lauren Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without express written permission prohibited.

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NEWS

take note

ETC.

role for similar reasons. “He does not mind doing routine, repetitive tasks,” Beno says. Moreover, a major component of any job is friendliness, a trait that Tom Landis, founder of Dallas ice cream shop Howdy Homemade, says comes naturally to young adults with some disabilities, including Down syndrome. “God seems to have replaced their egos and pride with smiles and humility,” he shares. Howdy Homemade employs adults with diagnoses ranging from Down syndrome to autism “and everyone in between,” says Landis. His goal is for his employees to thrive in the workplace and beyond. “[Here] they learn customer service and how to work as a team,” he shares. “Our goal is for them to not be mascots but managers and eventually franchisees.” Landis has found that his employees pay attention to specifics and rules Ask Around that a typical employee might miss. “Many employees might think AUSTEN’S AUTISTIC something like, ‘I know I should ADVENTURES wash my hands after changing the Its goal is to connect group members with companies and trash can, but I’m too busy,’” he employers to help find them says. “But those with special needs employment. Email jamie@ are going to follow rules.” Howdy autismadventures.org for more Homemade recently partnered with information. austensautisticad- Central Market to offer ice cream ventures.squarespace.com in stores. This partnership also provides more jobs. “Our goal is LAUNCHABILITY to create about 8–10 jobs for those The organization within My with special needs at each Central Possibilities helps adults with Market,” Landis shares. “With 10 intellectual and developmenthe goal of improving their Central Markets throughout Texas, tal delays find employment social skills so they are more that’s about 100 jobs!” through partnerships in the employable. It was through Other companies in Dallas-Fort community. mypossibilities.org this group that Joseph, now Worth seem to be catching on to 23, found a corporate job the value of employees with IDD, doing office support work; he including Goodwill Industries of recently celebrated his first anniversary there. Dallas, Kroger, Walgreens and Market Street.

Job Support

There are job opportunities for the IDD community WORDS LISA SALINAS

©ISTOCK

S A PARENT, it’s natural to be a tad fearful for your child’s firsts—their first steps, first day of school, first outing with their friends. For Jeanmarie Beno, Plano mom of four, one of her worries was finding that first job for her son Joseph, who has autism. “My greatest fears about finding a job for Joseph were that he would be treated unfairly, get picked on or bullied on the job,” she recalls. Beno began looking for a job for Joseph when he was 16; they first tried Kroger, as it was a place Joseph was familiar with—he grew up shopping there with his mom. “He got dressed up nicely, including a tie, and we did not tell them about his autism, but I imagine they picked up on it,” she says. “He was hired and ended up working for them for four and a half years.” Joseph joined a group called Austen’s Autistic Adventures, founded by Jamie Wheeler, whose daughter Austen also has autism. The group takes young adults (age 16 and up) who are on the spectrum to job sites and local businesses throughout Dallas-Fort Worth, with

ROAD TO SUCCESS

Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) tend to shine in service roles. Opened in 2017, Bridget’s Pet Resort in Colleyville hires high-functioning adults with special needs such as autism. Founders Frank and Christine Goeyvaerts began the pet care facility to create opportunities for their son Frankie, who has autism, and others like him. Tasks for employees include taking care of the dogs and cleaning. Christine says the work is ideal for people with autism, as dogs thrive on a structure, and her employees typically work well on a structure, too. “They are fantastic with the dogs,” she says. “Folks with autism love rules.” Joseph has succeeded in his office support

FORWARD THROUGH FEAR

Despite Beno’s initial fears, she shares excitement about her son’s corporate job, which she says he has grown in. “The biggest gains I have seen have been social ones,” she says. “He has learned to get along with all kinds of people.” Beno’s best advice for parents is to become exposed to the various opportunities in your community—they are out there. She says it’s a job in itself trying to find a job your child—“lots of role playing to get ready for interviews, getting along with bosses, co-workers and customers, etc.”—but a rewarding one, nonetheless. “Most of all,” she says, “don’t be afraid to just straight out ask about employing their kid, like I did!” dfwchild.com

tn: I N

BRIEF

WORDS ELIZABETH QUINN

The More You Know

After a freak accident, Audrey Stewart’s daughter underwent brain surgery. Although the Fort Worth mom says you can’t tell her daughter had brain damage, she did have to go to therapy (speech, occupational and physical). The tasks included lots of sensory play—talking about colors and smells and using fine motor skills to pour, scoop and shake things. Inspired by their therapy homework, Stewart started selling the L E T T H E M B E L I T T L E B O X , a sensory box that comes to your

door every month. Inside, kiddos can expect different textures and toys, such as colored rice with various scoops and containers. Little ones who need more practice with physical, speech or social skills can benefit from the themed boxes, which can be purchased individually or by subscription; past themes include birthday, garden and safari. New themed boxes are announced on the 15th of every month. Let Them Be Little Box, $30 per box letthembelittlebox.com

To Be Like Me Tolleson Family Activity Center 5817 Hillcrest Ave., Dallas tobelikeme.org

A HEAD START

When the F R I S C O P U B L I C L I B R A R Y partnered with Frisco Independent School District’s special education program a year ago, it was clear this partnership had a lot of potential to help kids with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Last school year, the Frisco Public Library welcomed seven high school students in the fall and eight in the spring to volunteer every other Wednesday afternoon. From going over schedules to sorting and labeling DVDs to cleaning tables and blocks, these teens were able to practice their life skills independently, which is a large part of their academic progress. The partnership with FISD will continue, so if your student is interested, ask their ACCESS teacher to reach out to the library to set up a volunteering opportunity. 6 special needs

fall 2019

PHOTOS COURTESY OF MADDY ROSE PHOTOGRAPHY; O&H BRAND DESIGN/STEPHEN HURLEY; FRISCO PUBLIC LIBRARY

A Sense of Fun

Despite good intentions, your kiddo’s peers (and their parents!) might not understand how best to engage with your child. But starting this December, late elementary-age kids (primarily fourth-graders) and other local groups can participate in a two-hour interactive experience at the Tolleson Family Activity Center in Dallas. The nonprofit program, called TO BE LIKE ME, will be led by speakers with disabilities, and participants will go through a few simulated environments—a school classroom, a flight, a restaurant—to learn how to better interact with people who have disabilities and learning differences, from autism to deafness to dietary differences. A soft launch will be held in the fall; to support the program or get involved, email hello@ tobelikeme.org.

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LOCAL

real moms

Mom Next Door Kristen Creel WORDS NICOLE JORDAN PHOTOGRAPHY NICK PRENDERGAST

EARLY A DECADE AGO , Kristen Creel and her husband of nine years, Joshua, moved from their native Mississippi to Dallas-Fort Worth so Joshua could attend chiropractic school at Parker University. Creel worked in advertising sales for a small firm in Plano and spent time as a marketing

STORIES

director for Chick-fil-A before trading in her born one month later. corporate career for a different (albeit no less These days, Creel spends her time caring for demanding) gig: stay-at-home mom. the kids and navigating the ins and outs of Creel says it’s hard to rememparenting a child with autism. ber what life was like before she Since seeing vast improvebecame a mom. Even as a little ments in Maxwell through biogirl, the 31-year-old dreamed medical treatment, she’s made “Hearing that we of growing up to have a it her mission to help him helped one family house full of kids, biological recover from autism and to and adopted. help others by documenting keeps us pushing Now residing in her story on recoveringmaxthrough and sharing McKinney, where Joshua well.com. practices, the Creel brood SPECIAL NEEDS: What our story.” includes 6-year-old Bennett was it like to adopt a newborn and 3-year-olds Evie and and give birth a month later? Maxwell. KRISTEN CREEL: It’s not how we In a turn of events no one could have planned it. We were six months into the anticipated, Creel was eight months pregnant adoption process when we found out we were with Maxwell when the adoption agency she pregnant with Maxwell, which was a complete and Joshua had been working with called to say surprise. So we called the agency, and the director they’d been matched. Evie came home shortly told us we could remain active. Then, we got a thereafter, and Maxwell, who has autism, was call that a birth mom had chosen us. She knew we

ABOVE / McKinney mom Kristen Creel believes that through biomedical treatment, her son Maxwell can recover from autism; she blogs about his journey at recoveringmaxwell.com. dfwchild.com

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NEXT DOOR

were pregnant and wanted her child to go to a family that had siblings. SN: What put adoption on your heart? KC: It’s something I’ve wanted to do since I was

a little girl. A family in my hometown adopted from China and I was captivated by their story.

SN: When did you begin to have concerns about Maxwell? KC: Once he hit 15 months,

we started to notice a regression. He went from a happy baby to crying constantly, almost overnight. It kept getting worse and our pediatrician urged us to see a doctor for autism testing. She told us that it was level three, low-functioning autism.

SN: What went through your mind as you heard that? KC: We were completely devas-

tated. We did some research online and read that parents of kids with similar diagnoses were told to start looking at institutions. We left that appointment feeling hopeless. SN: When did you discover MAPS? KC:

I had one friend with a child with autism, so I gave her a call. She said, “I’m going to give you some hope. There’s something called biomedical treatment with specially trained doctors. They’re called MAPS doctors, which stands for Medical Academy of Pediatric Special Needs, and they’re recovering kids from autism.” I immediately bought every single book I could find on the topic. I became obsessed with it. We got the diagnosis in January of 2017 and had our first appointment with a MAPS doctor in May 2017. We started a treatment plan, and within a couple of days, Maxwell began to respond really well.

SN: What does his treatment plan entail? KC:

fall 2019

SN: How have you coped with all of this? KC: It’s been really difficult. Basically, it’s a

full-time job. I feel like I’m in the car all day taking him to and from therapy. He does 30 hours a week of ABA, speech and occupational therapy. Thankfully, Josh is available to help at night, and I’m a stay-at-home mom, so I’m able to devote all of my time and attention toward getting him better. SN: What led you to launch the blog, Recovering Maxwell? KC: Josh actually came

to me and said, “We need to put this out there so other families know this is an option.” Hearing that we helped one family keeps us pushing through and sharing our story. When any parent hears this diagnosis, it’s devastating. I think parents are ecstatic to learn there’s another option. SN: How have you and Josh navigated this as a couple? KC: We try to take a vacation

together without the kids once a year. We do date nights. I think it also helps that we’re both 110% on board with this treatment, because it’s financially draining. We’re also really grounded in our faith.

“WE WERE SIX MONTHS INTO THE ADOPTION PROCESS WHEN WE FOUND OUT WE WERE PREGNANT WITH MAXWELL.”

The first step was removing dairy and gluten. When we did that, his crying stopped. Then, we did blood testing to figure out Maxwell’s nutritional and mineral levels. From there, the doctor put together a customized plan. A large percentage of children with autism have comorbid medical conditions, ranging from mitochondrial dysfunction to yeast or bacterial overgrowth and seizures. We just found out Maxwell has Lyme disease. He also has a potentially life-threatening peanut allergy and gut issues. Basically, by treating these comorbid medical conditions, some children with autism can fully recover. SN: And how is he doing today? KC: It’s been up and down, but right now he’s doing really well. He has over 300 words. He’s happy. By kindergarten, we expect for there to be enough healing that he can go to a 10 s p e c i a l n e e d s

mainstream classroom.

SN: How do you balance Maxwell’s care with Bennett and Evie’s needs? KC: We

do one-on-one date nights on the weekends. Like last weekend Josh took our oldest to the movies and to dinner. SN: And how about you? Are you always an afterthought? KC: I try to

take time out of the house without the kids to go to the mall or get a pedicure. I do girls’ dinners every now and then. SN: How has being Maxwell’s mom changed you as a person? KC: It’s

made me so much stronger as a person. It’s changed our whole family. It’s made us more compassionate to families that have kids with special needs. SN: What advice do you give to families just starting their journey with autism? KC:

Dig into research. If you have a doctor that’s telling you there’s nothing you can do, move on to a different doctor. Keep that hope and keep fighting for your kid.

SN: Do you think about where you’ll be as a family five or 10 years down the road? KC: I

do. I’m so futuristic. I just see us as a happy family, with Maxwell recovered, doing well in school and having friends. That helps me stay focused in this journey. Hopefully, in five years we’re past autism. But I want to remain a family that continues to pour into others.

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free, fun, and reimagined! Sensory Explorations Saturday, November 9 10 a.m.–noon

A program for children of all ages on the autism spectrum and their families

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HELP

Starter Kit Our Mom Next Door shares her favorite autism reads, resources and more WORDS NICOLE JORDAN

HER FAVORITE ORGANIZATIONS MEDICAL ACADEMY OF PEDIATRIC SPECIAL NEEDS (MAPS) // Features a MAPS doctor directory. medmaps.org

TACA IS AN AMAZING ORGANIZATION AND WE HAVE A GREAT LOCAL CHAPTER THAT PROVIDES EDUCATION, SUPPORT AND HOPE TO FAMILIES LIVING WITH AUTISM.”

THE AUTISM COMMUNITY IN ACTION (TACA) // tacanow.org

AUTISM INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION A nonprofit organization that offers an annual conference and online videos for families doing biomedical treatment. autismone.org

12 s p e c i a l n e e d s

fall 2019

HER LOCAL HANGOUTS

“Maxwell loves the outdoor pool and slides at Apex Centre, so we go there every weekend during the summer. He also enjoys playing on the playground at Hat Creek Burger Company. Our favorite park is Hope Park in Frisco, which has playgrounds and a splash pad.” APEX CENTRE // 3003 Alma Road, McKinney; 972/547-2739; mckinneytexas.org HAT CREEK BURGER COMPANY // Multiple locations; hatcreekburgers.com HOPE PARK // 8000 McKinney Road, Frisco

HER SENSORY SOUTIONS

“There’s a fantastic store in North Dallas called STACY’S SENSORY SOLUTIONS. We also love the high-quality toys at PLAY STREET MUSEUM.”

STACY’S SENSORY SOLUTIONS // 16910 Dallas Parkway, Suite 102,

Dallas; 469/209-5896; stacyssensorysolutions.com PLAY STREET MUSEUM // Multiple locations; playstreetmuseum.com

3 HER TOP READS

HEALING THE NEW CHILDHOOD EPIDEMICS BY DR. KENNETH BOCK DR. BOCK SHARES A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM TARGETING ALL FOUR OF THE 4-A DISORDERS. THE AUTISM BOOK BY DR. ROBERT SEARS DR. SEARS OFFERS GUIDANCE ON HOW PARENTS CAN PROCEED ONCE AN AUTISM DIAGNOSIS HAS BEEN MADE. “MY FAVORITE BLOG AND FACEBOOK GROUP IS RECOVERING KIDS.” RECOVERINGKIDS.COM

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CARTER ROSE; PHOTOS COURTESY OF HAT CREEK BURGER COMPANY; BALLANTINE BOOKS

MOMMY DIARY

A Day in the Life of Monica Piper

Board-certified behavior analyst and mom of two Monica Piper lives in Frisco with her husband, Jeff, and two boys: Shawn, 16, who has autism, and Aidan, 9. She is the founder of Stepping Stones Consulting Services, which provides in-home ABA therapy to kids with special needs. She stays busy managing Shawn’s singing schedule— he sings in perfect pitch and performs at various charity and sporting events.

14 s p e c i a l n e e d s

fall 2019

AM Wake up Aidan for school. I make his lunch and make my coffee while he gets ready. 7:20AM Aidan eats breakfast, a protein bar, and we talk about the upcoming day. 7:30AM Drop off Aidan at school. On the way, we listen to a radio station in the morning that plays a fun game. When a song comes on, listeners call in to pick the next song that starts with the last letter of the current song. (Example: The current song is “Shake It Off”; listener calls in and asks for “Forever Young.”) We try to see if we can think of a song starting with that letter. 7:45AM Get Shawn ready for school. He gets dressed, and I help him brush his teeth. He has started making his own bed, which has been great! He eats breakfast while we wait for the bus. 8:15AM The bus picks up Shawn from school. He walks on his own to the bus and sits down and waits for the aide to put on his seat belt. The bus driver and aides tell me that Shawn sings the entire bus ride. 8:30AM I spend the morning making phone calls to insurance for authorizations for ABA assessments and services. I interview potential candidates for job opportunities and talk to new parents interested in starting ABA services for their child. 11AM I grab a quick lunch at Zoës Kitchen—one of my favorite places to eat lunch. I have the chicken kabobs with rice and a Greek salad—a regular for me. 12PM Meet with one of my clients and my ABA therapist at the client’s home

for supervision. We discuss our client’s current goals, what they have mastered and new goals we want to add. 1:30PM Meet with another client and ABA therapist to review programs and goals. 2:50PM Pick up Aidan from school. Some days, he’s talkative and wants to tell me a few specific things that happened during the day. Other days, he’s quiet and wants to just relax. On those days, I wait and ask questions later when he’s relaxed and rested. 3PM Snack time for Aidan and some down time for him. We talk about school and how his day was. He eats Cheez-Its (his favorite). He relaxes on the iPad watching some videos. He likes videos that kids make. 4PM Aidan starts homework, and I start thinking about what’s for dinner. I decide I will do Mexican tonight. 5PM Shawn comes home on the bus. Every day when he comes in, I ask him, “Shawn, what did you do?” And he tells me simple answers on what he did. He tells me he went to school and calls his teacher “beautiful queen.” His previous teacher taught him to call her “beautiful queen.” 5:15PM Shawn’s ABA therapist arrives, and he does ABA therapy upstairs. They work on reading comprehension and other academic skills using an app. They also spend a lot of time on physical exercises. He does crunches, leg lifts, Superman, pushups and other drills. 5:30PM I put ground meat for soft tacos in the Instant Pot. (I’m obsessed with the Instant Pot.) 6:15PM Shawn comes down from therapy, and he tells me exactly what he did during therapy. He lists the activities in the exact order in which he worked on them. 6:30PM Jeff comes home from work and catches up with us on our days. We eat dinner and play a fun game together around the dinner table—the same game that we hear on the radio each morning, but we change up the categories. Today, we pick the category of sports. So, we go around the table and think of words related to anything about sports starting with the last letter of the previous word that was said. (Example: baseball, Luka Doncic, catcher, running...) 7PM We watch America’s Got Talent together—a favorite show for the whole family. Aidan votes for his favorite acts on the AGT app. 8PM I put Aidan to bed. We always end the day with one quick game that he picks. Tonight, he picks the “sentence game” where one person says a word to start a sentence; we take turns saying words to create a silly sentence. We do

PHOTO COURTESY OF GALLEMORE PHOTOGRAPHY

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Communication Struggles?

All About Monica

Rule out hearing loss first

WHAT’S IN HER NETFLIX QUEUE:

Mindhunter, Stranger Things, After Life FAVORITE MOVIE: Bridesmaids or The Hangover FAVORITE DATE NIGHT SPOT:

NOW EN ROLLIN G

Crudo, but we like to try different restaurants a lot. FAVORITE SCENTS: Clinique Happy in Bloom, Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue BEAUTY PRODUCTS SHE CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT: Estée Lauder Double Wear foundation and Revlon eyeliner WHAT SHE DOES WHEN LIFE GETS

• Pediatric Hearing Evaluation • Hearing Aid Consultation • Auditory Processing Testing

STRESSFUL: Breathe SELF-CARE SPOT: Stonebriar Spa BEST VACATIONS: New Zealand, Greece HOW SHE MET HER HUSBAND:

The Ashford Rise School of Dallas is an NAEYC-accredited preschool that serves children

with and without special needs in an inclusive environment for ages 6 months to 6 years.

Student-to-staff ratio 3–4:1

Working together at Price

Heard it Through The Grapevine Audiology, PC

Waterhouse in Chicago WHY SHE CHOSE WHERE SHE LIVES: My

190 S. Peytonville, #120, Southlake | 817-803-6116

husband’s job brought us

grapevineaudiology.com

to Dallas; we chose Frisco for its special education

“Taking Care of Ears Throughout the Years”

services. SOMETHING SHE LEARNED

+ Occupational, Speech, Physical and Music Therapy in the classroom setting + Educational assessment + Year-round schedule + Full day program 8:00a–2:30p + YMCA after-care available 2:30–5:30p

RISEDALLAS.ORG

THIS WEEK: How to create something on the computer for 3D printing (from my younger son) SHE’S REALLY GOOD AT: Talking and listening to people SHE’S REALLY BAD AT: Arts and crafts (seriously intimidates me) HABIT SHE CAN’T QUIT: Twirling my hair IF SHE HAD TO CHANGE CAREERS, SHE’D BE A: Backup dancer

this a couple of times then give hugs and kisses. 8:45PM Jeff puts Shawn to bed. Shawn has a full bedtime routine, and he seems to prefer Dad to do it over any of us. Shawn goes to the bathroom and changes his clothes all by himself. Once he is in bed, we have a whole list of sayings. First we say, “Mommy loves…” and he says, “Shawnu.” Then we say, “God bless…” and he says, “Shawnu.” Then we say, “Mommy, Daddy and Aidan are…” and he says, “So proud of you.” 9PM Downtime for Jeff and me. We chill on the couch with our phones, talk about our day and watch one of our binge-watching shows. Tonight we watch Stranger Things. 10PM Jeff goes to bed, and I stay up, work a little, and then chill out with my phone. I also do a few crossword puzzles on my phone because that calms me. 11PM Go to bed and start the day again…

Behavioral Concerns? S T . T IMOTHY C H R I ST I A N A C A D E M Y a Christian School for students with learning differences

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PHOTO COURTESY OF CLINIQUE; ©ISTOCK

for P!nk (a girl can dream)

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• Autism • ADD/ADHD • Learning Disorders

• Anxiety • Depression • Neuropsychological Disorders

Marcy L. Berry, MD, FAAP BOARD CERTIFIED IN PEDIATRICS

Concerning behavior can be a symptom of many neurological or psychological diagnoses, not bad parenting. As a mother of a child with Special Needs, I understand the unique challenges faced in every aspect of your lives and the ripple effect they have on the entire family.

Now Scheduling ADOS-2 Assessments! 2100 Hedgcoxe Rd., Ste. 190, Plano 75025 | 972-208-8668

www.abfpediatrics.com dfwchild.com

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Things We Wish Parents Knew WHAT TEACHERS AND THERAPISTS WANT FOR YOU AND YOUR CHILD WORDS

GINA CALVERT

D ©ISTOCK

onna Cordon, a kindergarten teacher in Frisco Independent School District, has an integrated class of general education, English as a second language (ESL) and special education kids. She speaks lovingly of her “little friends” and their parents: “Right from the beginning, I want to help parents feel that I’m taking care of their baby.” Special needs professionals who love their job tend to use that kind of language. They understand that parents can be overwhelmed with the massive task of daily care. But that’s just the start. They regularly see you wondering how to determine therapeutic and educational priorities while wrestling with conflicting ideas about what’s best for your child. And they know that getting the help and support you need often falls to the bottom of the list. We asked Cordon, along with Christa Martinez, a special education teacher; Ashley Bower, an occupational therapist and owner of Envision Hope Pediatric Therapy; Holly Willis, a licensed speech-language pathologist at Small Talk Pediatric Speech Therapy; and Mary Villareal, an occupational therapist and founder of Journey Learning Center and Journey Pediatric Rehabilitation; to share their experiences. Because knowledge is power, here are a few things they want you to know:

dfwchild.com

WE’RE ON THE SAME TEAM.

“The most important thing for parents to know is that we want the same thing, which is for your child to be as functional and independent in the real world as possible,” says Christa Martinez, a special education teacher. This partnership requires a great deal of communication. The more the special needs professional knows about what’s going on in your life and in your child’s life, the better. “I want parents to contact me multiple times a day, if needed,” Martinez adds. “We need to be on the same page.” Cordon echoes that sentiment: “Constant communication is important because the reinforcement system between school and home has to be in sync,” she says. “It helps the kids learn better. The kids need to know we’re in communication, too. It keeps them from trying to play us against each other. I’ll take the communication any way parents want, including sticky notes! We’re on your team. We’re your cheerleader and coach.” Sometimes parents have had to do battle to get what their kids need in previous environments. “We know you may have had some not-so-fun experiences,” says Martinez. “Going in with an open mind can help get the relationship off on the right foot.”

parisons, but in my opinion, the most important thing is allowing a child to be a child, letting them do things when they’re developmentally ready.” Bower ties this idea to her job title: “[A] kid’s occupation is playing and learning,” she says. “Playing is primary, because it’s how they learn. Due to technology and more pressure to push kids ahead, even neurotypical kids’ developmental skills aren’t up to par. They don’t have the core and upper body strength that they should, which are precursors to fine motor skills like holding a pencil. All kids need more opportunities for unstructured play, climbing, using their bodies, digging in the dirt.” Speech therapist Holly Willis agrees. “Parents often set aside learning times, but it’s better to pick up a toy and show the child how to play,” she says. “Incorporating learning into play is more effective than trying to get them to sit still for a lesson.” “A lot of parents actually need to learn how to play, too,” she adds. Willis believes that developing functional language skills—the ability to convey their wants and needs—should be your child’s first learning priority and that play is the best way to accomplish that as well. (See sidebar at right.)

by that, I mean being in clubs or having play dates—not just therapy sessions. Sports, such as the Miracle League, and scouts are incredibly beneficial. It may be hard or even embarrassing, but kids’ level of comfort in groups will never improve without practice.” In her class, Cordon has seen that the blending of different developmental and educational levels helps all the groups, not just the ones with special needs. “Gen Ed kids experience the diversity of different abilities that they will see in the world,” she observes. “ESL students are encouraged to actively participate and learn from their peers, which builds confidence and relationships. Special needs children benefit from a less restrictive environment for learning and socializing.” Just as racial diversity can foster compas” sion and enlarge our understanding and ability to collaborate with peers from different cultures and backgrounds, spending time with kids with different abilities cultivates citizenship in general and prepares them for an increasingly global world.

NO MATTER THEIR LEVEL OF DISABILIT Y, EVERY KID NEEDS TO BE INCLUDED IN THE MAINSTREAM WORLD.

It’s not uncommon for parents to experience guilt for not managing as well as they’d like. This often prevents parents from holding their child accountable to limits and expectations. Even parents of kids without disabilities struggle with this. “But if kids don’t learn boundaries and rules while they’re kids, it’s going to be much harder as an adult,” says occupational

“THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS ALLOWING A CHILD TO BE A CHILD, LETTING THEM DO THINGS WHEN THEY’RE DEVELOPMENTALLY READY.

YOUR CHILD’S FIRST JOB IS PL AY.

When play isn’t easy or doesn’t occur naturally, parents can inadvertently deprioritize it. As an occupational therapist, Ashley Bower is concerned about the reduction in play and movement she sees all kids experiencing. “Over the years, academics have been pushed harder in the schools,” she says. “Kindergarten has changed dramatically since we were kids. Parents deal with a lot of competitive pressure and com18 s p e c i a l n e e d s

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Parents sometimes avoid social settings because of their child’s severe social challenges. “Socializing is the key to helping students feel more comfortable in the classroom,” says Martinez. “And

DISCIPLINING NON-NEUROT YPICAL CHILDREN IS ONE OF THE BEST THINGS YOU CAN DO FOR THEM.

therapist Mary Villareal. “Set limits, and stick with it!” Special care professionals stress that learning can’t even begin until your child’s behavior aligns with the standards set for a particular environment. “Parents are very concerned about their kids’ academics,” says Cordon. “But progress is not measured by academics. Their behavior is the first thing we work on. It sets a foundation for better academic learning. And positive reinforcement is the most effective form of discipline.” For parents who are worried and apologetic about their child’s behavior, Martinez notes that after a few weeks, kids with special needs often behave better for someone else because of higher expectations and consistent reinforcement structures. “They’re very routine- and procedure-oriented,” she says.

BEHAVIORAL AND PHYSICAL ISSUES MIGHT BE REL ATED TO A SENSORY PROCESSING DISORDER.

“I wish more parents understood sensory processing disorder,” says Bower. “It can be an underlying cause of the behaviors a child is presenting, such as the inability to sit still or tolerate sound, touch or movement.” She explains that in addition to our five senses, we also have two sensory processing systems: proprioception, our sense of body awareness, and the vestibular system, which governs our sense of movement in space through the auditory system. “It’s not widely known that delayed speech may be tied to these systems,” she says. “I once worked with a nonverbal child who became verbal after working in the gym. Movement has the power to impact development and behavior.” Sensory processing disorders are an overlooked factor in many diagnoses, with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

being a common example. “Wiggly kids don’t necessarily have ADHD,” Bower adds. “In fact, in my opinion over 90% of kids diagnosed with ADHD have a sensory processing disorder too, or instead. Some kids may just need more opportunities to move. Get them involved in Little Gym, Gymboree, sports, martial arts, swimming or gymnastics. Get them off the devices!”

BE AN ADVOCATE FOR YOUR CHILD.

Sometimes parents are afraid to speak up. “You know your child better than anyone,” says Martinez. “If there’s something your child needs, feel free to bring it up. There might be things we’re unable to do, but always ask. We want to make sure you understand everything.” Advocating for your child might sometimes require extreme measures. Villareal recalls a girl with cerebral palsy she worked with years ago. The girl was being denied the right to attend a public school. Her mother took her grievance all the way to a federal court to get this decision overturned. “She recently tracked me down in another state to share that her daughter had graduated from college!” Villareal says. To succeed with their unique set of challenges, kids with special needs can only benefit from fearless and determined parents who will stand in whatever gap presents itself. For all the wonderful and caring professionals you will encounter, there might still be occasions when you have to step up and advocate for your child’s needs.

DON’T DEL AY GETTING HELP BECAUSE OF YOUR FEAR OF A DIAGNOSIS.

Dread of a diagnosis is a common driver in parents’ reluctance to seek out help. They can be afraid

that a diagnosis will follow them their whole life. “That’s not how it works,” Willis reassures. “It’s important not to delay seeking services if you suspect something; early intervention makes a big difference in your child’s progress. Don’t keep waiting for them to outgrow it. If a therapist loves what they do, it opens up a whole world for your child.” Similarly, parents aren’t always keen on special accommodations, either. Preferential seating, extra time to complete work, or leaving the classroom to finish work can make parents feel like their child is being labeled. If your child has an educational need, don’t be afraid to ask for accommodations. “Accommodations are nothing to be ashamed of,” says Cordon. “Kids may really benefit from that extra support. And accommodations can be removed as they’re no longer needed.”

OCCUPATIONAL AND SPEECH THERAPY ARE GREAT PL ACES TO START TO PINPOINT YOUR CHILD’S NEEDS.

Because pediatricians only look at a few developmental benchmarks, parents who suspect delays in their children might feel that their concerns are not being addressed. Bower says, “Trust your gut and seek help elsewhere. The school’s occupational therapist is only going to look at fine motor skills. I wish more parents knew how much can be impacted by occupational therapy and that most insurances pay for it. We make a big difference in kids’ lives.” Occupational therapists can have great insight into the direction you might need to go for your child’s specific challenges. They work with social skills, play, daily living skills, feeding, dressing, handwriting, sensory systems, learning disabilities, strength and coordination, even speech. In fact, there is some overlap between occupational and speech therapies. “People would be surprised at what speech therapists can do,”

says Willis. “We are trained to diagnose and treat speech, language, fluency and feeding/swallowing disorders. We diagnose childhood apraxia of speech. We also explore external factors such as sleep, nutrition and any emotional components kids and parents may be facing. We can recognize the need for early intervention.”

KEEP HIGH EXPECTATIONS FOR YOUR CHILD.

With a diagnosis, it’s normal to feel discouraged and even hopeless about the so-called realistic outcomes parents might be advised to expect, but Villareal wants parents to remain hopeful and pursue all the help they can. “I’ve seen some great success stories,” she reveals. “One boy I worked with who had Asperger’s (before it was an officially known diagnosis) is now a preacher with three parishes. Another child who was expected to remain in a vegetative state his whole life graduated from college. I even

saw a child who was never expected to read or write eventually go to medical school.”

IT’S OK IF YOUR CHILD FAILS.

Watching our children fail isn’t easy for any parent, but it can be particularly difficult for those who have children with special needs. Cordon notes that parents want to take away difficult obstacles for their children, but that in the real world, this isn’t possible. She wants parents to know that it’s OK if a child fails or gets frustrated or disappointed. “It helps them become resilient, determined and motivated,” she says. “We need to help them build these characteristics and behaviors so they can learn to navigate through the world around them.” She emphasizes that all kids, need to be loved, to play and to make mistakes. “Encourage them,” Cordon says. “Let them feel it.”

Ancient Rhythms To Synchronize the Brain The science of rhythmic entrainment intervention (REI), developed by the Strong Institute, is based on ancient cultures’ awareness that specific rhythms soothe various states, such as focus, anxiety, depression and energy. More recent studies document that parent-selected lullabies and rhythmic intervention impact vital signs, feeding, respiratory distress and sleep in premature infants, whereas recorded music risks overstimulating them. Strong Institute’s founder, ethnomusicologist Jeff Strong, was drawn to the similar uses of auditory rhythms over tens of thousands of years and across multiple societies with no contact with each other: “You can affect consciousness,

cognition and behavior by employing only two specific rhythmic techniques,” he explained in a 2008 article. “One consists of a repetitive pulse while the other employs complex rhythmic structures.” The institute is a pioneer in the field of custom auditory brain stimulation. Known primarily for its work with individuals on the autism spectrum, the institute also has a major impact in ADHD, anxiety disorders, traumatic brain injury, PTSD and sleep disorders, among others. Occupational therapist Mary Villareal, founder of Journey Learning Center and mother of 11 children, is a believer. “Two of my children have been able to avoid medication through the use of REI,” she says. dfwchild.com

Come join us • Bring your friends EXPERIENCE THE

Magic

OF LIVE THEATER!

2019-20 SEASON

SPECIAL TICKET PRICE

SENSORY-FRIENDLY PERFORMANCES

PER PERSON

Specifically designed for children with autism, Down syndrome and other sensory processing disorders and special needs. Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Music by Alan Menken Lyrics by Howard Ashman & Tim Rice Book by Linda Woolverton Directed by Nancy Schaeffer

Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST JR is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. MTIShows.com

Saturday, October 12, 2019 1:30 PM

LAST STOP ON MARKET STREET

By Matt de la Peña, Illustrated by Christian Robinson Winner of the 2016 Newbery Medal Adapted by Gloria Bond Clunie Directed by vickie washington

Saturday, March 28, 2020 1:30 PM Recommended for ages 4 and up

Recommended for ages 5 and up

BALLOONACY

THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR CHRISTMAS SHOW

Created by Jonathan Rockefeller Presented in association with Rockefeller Productions Based on four Eric Carle books Directed by Douglass Burks

Saturday, November 16, 2019 1:30 PM Enjoyed by all ages

Adapted for the stage by Barry Kornhauser Directed by Dick Monday

Saturday, April 25, 2020 1:30 PM & 4:30 PM

Recommended for squirmy toddlers and their families

THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE

SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK LIVE!

Originally Conceived and Directed by Scott Ferguson Book by Scott Ferguson, Kyle Hall, and George Keating Music and Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, Bob Dorough, Dave Frishberg, Kathy Mandry, George Newall, and Tom Yohe Directed by Nancy Schaeffer SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK LIVE! JR is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. MTIShows.com

Saturday, February 15, 2020 1:30 PM Recommended for ages 5 and up

Adapted by Joseph Robinette Based on the book by C.S. Lewis Directed by Artie Olaisen

Saturday, May 9, 2020 1:30 PM Recommended for ages 7 and up

DCT’s NATIONAL TOURING PRODUCTION

MISS NELSON HAS A FIELD DAY

Book, Music & Lyrics by Joan Cushing Based on the book by Harry Allard and James Marshall Directed by K. Doug Miller

2019-20 SEASON SENSORY-FRIENDLY SPONSORS INCLUDE:

The Melinda & Jim Johnson Family Charitable Fund, Fichtenbaum Charitable Trust Chi Omega Christmas Market 2018, W.P. & Bulah Luse Foundation Sapphire Foundation, DCT’s Fall Family Party Contributors

Saturday, June 27, 2020 1:30 PM Recommended for ages 5 and up

All performances will take place at the Rosewood Center for Family Arts 5938 Skillman St. Dallas 75231

BUY TICKETS? Call 214-740-0051 MORE INFO? Call or check out dct.org/sensory

kid culture

P L AY

F IVE August, September & October things to do this

WORDS ELIZABETH SMITH

Autism Speaks Walk

Party on the Porch

After a three-month closure, the Amon Carter Museum of American Art reopens on Saturday, Sept. 14, with an all-day party showcasing five new exhibits in the museum’s reimagined plaza and gallery spaces, as well as increased accessibility at the front entrance. The new entry will have a series of blended ramps between Philip Johnson’s iconic terraces, and later in the summer, the museum plans to announce more inclusive programs designed for visitors with special needs. Come on opening day to join art-making in the family popup space, browse the local food trucks and listen to live music outdoors beginning at 6pm. FREE Fort Worth; 817/738-1933 cartermuseum.org

No matter which end of Dallas-Fort Worth you live in, there’s an Autism Speaks event coming near you. Register online for these support walks on Saturday, Sept. 21, at Trinity Park in Fort Worth and Saturday, Sept. 28, at The Campus at Legacy in Plano. Opening ceremonies begin at 9am for both locations. Need a break during the event? Head over to the Quiet Zone if you or your loved one living with autism becomes overwhelmed. Fundraising is encouraged. Fort Worth and Plano; 469/810-1158 autismspeakswalk.org/dfw

PHOTOS COURTESY OF AMON CARTER MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART; AUTISM SPEAKS DALLAS/ FORT WORTH; DALLAS MUSEUM OF ART; HOPEKIDS; DALLAS HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Sensory Day at the DMA

The party goes down on Saturday, Oct. 19 when the Dallas Museum of Art opens up two hours early for children with autism or other sensory sensitivities. Meet in the Center for Creative Connections for a music therapy performance, art-making with staff and more activities in the sensory room facilitated by occupational therapy students from Texas Woman’s University. Registration opens a month in advance. Admission is free, and families are welcome to stay for more family programming when the museum opens at 11am. Dallas; 214/922-1200 dma.org/accessavailable HopeWalk For more events tailored to you, sign up for the special needs newsletter at dfwchild.com/newsletter.

Hope is more than a feeling; it’s standing in solidarity with families who have a child with a life-threatening medical condition and taking action to support each other. Help bring hope to fellow families by joining the North Texas Chapter of HopeKids at Brookhaven College for the annual HopeWalk on Saturday, Oct. 19. Check-in begins at 7:30am, followed by special guests and entertainment before the family walk begins at 9am. Free to register but teams are asked to raise at least $100. Farmers Branch; 469/925-3174; hopekids.org/hopewalktexas

Fair Park Sensory-Friendly Morning

Visit the Children’s Aquarium at Fair Park, the glass butterfly house at Texas Discovery Gardens and the art deco-style Hall of State run by the Dallas Historical Society during a special day offered for those with sensory sensitivities on Sunday, Aug. 11. Each organization will have hands-on activity stations and designated quiet spaces. Look online for the social story on what to expect when visiting the aquarium. Tickets are $15 for adults, and the first adult ticket includes a free child admission. Additional children or adults are $9. Dallas; 214/421-4500 dallaszoo.com/education/ sensory-friendly-events dfwchild.com

texas.org. Nonprofit day care and day habilitation center for children and adults with disabilities or other special needs. Also offers arts exploration, educational assistance and community inclusion. Brighter Day Academy Dallas; 214/2658585. Fully inclusive day care for nonaggressive children with special needs, infant to age 12. Medications and breathing treatments can be given on-site if necessary. Children accepted case by case. BrightStar Care Multiple locations, 866/618-7827; brightstarcare.com. In-home care for high-functioning children with special needs, including autism, cerebral palsy, spina bifida and more. Availability of services is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Calab, Inc. Multiple locations; calabinc. com. Provides quality individualized child care that encourages independence in individuals with disabilities.

Take advantage of class times

during slow-traffic WE KNOW SHOPPING FOR RESOURCES hours at EMLER PROBABLY ISN’T AT THE TOP OF YOUR SWIM SCHOOL for a quieter, DAY-OFF TO-DO LIST, so we’ve packed calmer learning this handy directory with as many local support environment. groups, recreational activities and respite programs in Dallas-Fort Worth as we could find. If you know of something we missed or have an idea for a new listing, send your recommendations to editorial@dfwchild.com.

ADD & ADHD

Attention Deficit Disorders Association (ADDA) Southern Region Mesquite; 972/882-7519; adda-sr.org. Designed to be a resource network to support individuals with ADHD and/or related conditions and to advocate for community resources. Support group meets from 7–8:30pm every other month during the school year (the second Tuesday of the month in February, April, September and November) at the Mesquite ISD Professional Development Center. Email opal.harris@ att.net or kesmith@mesquiteisd.org for more information. Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) ntxchadd.com. Works to educate and empower others with information about ADD/ADHD by providing parents with tools and information to help their child reach their full potential. Tarrant County support group meets the fourth Monday of each month from 7–9pm at the White’s

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Chapel United Methodist Church in Southlake. Call 817/707-6264 or 304/834-5678 for more information.

ASPERGER’S & AUTISM

AUsome Moms Flower Mound; ausomemoms.org. A nonprofit that provides support, social opportunities and education to Dallas-Fort Worth families with children on the autism spectrum. Families for Effective Autism Treatment (FEAT-NT) Richland Hills; 682/6265000; featnt.org. Provides resources, support, education and advocacy for families in the autism community. Our Children’s Circle McKinney. Support group of parents, educators and community leaders that strives to provide resources for parents of children with autism spectrum disorders. Find information on Facebook.

CHILD CARE

Achievement Center of Texas Garland; 972/414-7700; achievementcenterof-

The Clubhouse for Special Needs Bedford; 817/285-0885; theclubhouse. org. After-school programs, school holiday programs, summer programs and all-day programs for teens and young adults (ages 13–22) with special needs. Easterseals North Texas Child Development Center Carrollton; 972/394-8900; easterseals.com/ northtexas. Provides a preschool program for children with autism ages 6 weeks–6 years and typically developing children to learn alongside one another. Emma’s House Irving; 972/839-1502; emmashouse.net. Provides functional, vocational and life skills to promote independence and self-sufficiency for teens and young adults with disabilities. After-school and summer programming is also available. KinderFrogs School at TCU Fort Worth; 817/257-6828; kinderfrogs.tcu. edu. Early childhood program (ages 18 months–6 years) designed to accommodate children with Down syndrome and other developmental delays. The Kristine Project Plano; 469/2124254. A respite service on the east side of Plano with 35 years of experience serving children with special needs. For more information, email colleeneggert@yahoo.com.

SUPPORT

Mary’s House Dalworthington Gardens; 817/459-4494; maryshouseinc. org. Provides before- and afterschool care (Monday–Friday), day habilitation, activities and therapeutic options for teens ages 13 and older and adults with disabilities. Mom’s Best Friend Carrollton; 972/446-0500; momsbestfriend.com. The nanny agency and babysitter service provides referrals for in-home care for children of all ages with special needs throughout the DallasFort Worth area.

CYSTIC FIBROSIS

Blue Caboose Children’s Fund Dallas; 228/341-0403; bluecaboose4cf.org. Provides back-to-school assistance, a Christmas toy drive and a parent network for the families of children with cystic fibrosis. The adults-only support group meets on the second Monday of each month (location varies; see Facebook page for details or email kiri@ bluecaboose4cf.org).

DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

North Texas FASD Network Richardson. Support group for parents of children and adults with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Meets the fourth Monday of every month (except May and December) from 7–8:30pm in the Activities Center at First Baptist Richardson; email northtexasfasd@gmail.com for more information.

DOWN SYNDROME

Down Syndrome Partnership of North Texas Fort Worth; 682/3163121; dspnt.org. Provides information, social and educational activities and events, and support for new parents, families and caregivers of those with Down syndrome.

DYSLEXIA

International Dyslexia Association – Dallas Branch Dallas; 972/233-9107; dal. dyslexiaida.org. The Dallas branch provides information and resources concerning learning differences to parents, educators, professionals and anyone who wants to be more informed about dyslexia. The group meets from 7–8:30pm on the second Monday of each month (except July and December). Discussion topics change monthly; check the website for the meeting topic and location.

EQUESTRIAN THERAPY

Blue Sky Therapeutic Riding & Respite Krugerville; 469/450-9594; blueskytexas.org. Provides a safe, happy and

PHOTO COURTESY OF EMLER SWIM SCHOOL; EASTERSEALS