NEWS FROM TLC'S PEDIATRIC OUTPATIENT SERVICES DECEMBER 2025
KIDS MAKING STRIDES
A MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR OF CLINICAL PROGRAMS BRIGID BAKER, OTR/L Welcome to the Winter Edition of Kids Making Strides! As the season of celebration and cozy moments unfolds, we’re excited to share this edition of Kids Making Strides to help families thrive. In this issue, we are excited to announce Playful Connections - our TLC preschool opening in the Fall of 2026. Inside, you will find a holiday toy guide organized by age to make gift-giving easier. There is also more news about our toddler evaluations and the importance of early intervention—because every child deserves the best start. Let’s stride into winter together with knowledge, joy, and support for your child’s growth!
Brigid Baker, OTR/L KIDS MAKING STRIDES DECEMBER 2025
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NEW AT TLC! Coming Soon...
Playful Connections Preschool Playful Connections is a full-day, play-based preschool for 4-yearolds, designed to support growth in communication, social, sensory, and motor skills — led by expert teachers experienced with neurodiverse learners. Nurturing and inclusive child centered program where neurodiversity is celebrated. Small group learning, 1:5 ratio. Multisensory approach to develop kindergarten readiness skills through exploration, curiosity, creativity, and problem solving. Weekly groups led by a speech-language pathologist, dance/movement therapist, and occupational therapist https://ttlc.org/playful-connections-preschool/ PlayfulConnectionsPreschool@TTLC.org
KIDS MAKING STRIDES DECEMBER 2025
1390 Piccard Dr, Suite 210 Rockville, MD 20850
(301) 424-5201 PAGE 3
HOLIDAY TOY GUIDE WITH AN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY FOCUS
FOR CHILDREN AGES BIRTH TO 10 YEARS Infants (0–12 Infants (0–12 months) months) Rain Sticks Rain Sticks
Auditory and visual sensory engagement Soft Crinkle Soft Crinkle Books Books
Tactile exploration and fine motor skills High-Contrast Cards: High-Contrast Cards:
Visual tracking and attention Ring Stackers Ring Stackers & & Stacking Stacking Cups Cups
Hand-eye coordination
Textured Silicone Textured Silicone Pull Pull Toys Toys
Sensory input and bilateral coordination KIDS MAKING STRIDES DECEMBER 2025
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Toddlers (1–3 Toddlers (1–3 years) years) Pegboards & Pegboards & Simple Simple Puzzles Puzzles
Visual-motor integration
Stringing Beads Stringing Beads & & Button Button Art Art
Pincer grasp & coordination
Balance Bike Balance Bike & & Stepping Stepping Stones Stones
Gross motor skills & balance Collapsible Tunnel/Tent Collapsible Tunnel/Tent
Vestibular input & imaginative play Musical Toys Musical Toys
Rhythm, sensory processing, & motor planning
Preschoolers (3–5 Preschoolers (3–5 years) years) Play-Doh or Play-Doh or TheraPutty TheraPutty
Hand strength & sensory regulation Lacing Cards Lacing Cards & & Tongs Tongs Games Games
Fine motor precision & pre-writing skills Pretend Play Pretend Play Sets Sets
Sequencing, social skills, & functional play Obstacle Course Obstacle Course Kits Kits
Core strength & coordination Marble Run Marble Run Sets Sets
Visual tracking & cognitive planning
School-Age (6–10 School-Age (6–10 years) years) Board Games Board Games (Rush (Rush Hour Hour Jr, Jr, Qwirkle) Qwirkle)
Executive functioning & visual perception
STEM Kits STEM Kits (Building (Building Blocks, Blocks, Magnetic Magnetic Tiles) Tiles)
Problem-solving & coordination
Mini Trampoline Mini Trampoline or or Therapy Therapy Ball Ball
Proprioceptive input & posture
Sensory Swings Sensory Swings or or Weighted Weighted Blankets Blankets
Calming & body awareness
Art Kits Art Kits (Spirograph, (Spirograph, Craft Craft Sets) Sets)
Creativity & fine motor control
KIDS MAKING STRIDES DECEMBER 2025
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WHEN TO ACT: TODDLER AUTISM EVALUATIONS At TLC, we know that parents know their children better than anyone else. When something feels “different,” whether it’s speech delays, limited eye contact, or difficulty engaging with others, it’s natural to wonder what it means. These early signs can be the first indicators of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) If you notice your toddler isn’t meeting social or language milestones, or you see repetitive behaviors, sensory sensitivities, or a strong need for routines, you may wonder what these signs mean. Early questions deserve early answers, and that’s where our Toddler Autism Evaluations can help.
Early Signs to Watch Autism looks different in every child, but some signs often appear between 12 and 24 months: Limited eye contact or not responding to their name Preferring to play alone rather than with caregivers or peers Delayed speech or fewer gestures like pointing or waving Strong attachment to routines or repetitive behaviors (lining up toys, flapping hands) Noticing one of these behaviors doesn’t mean a child is Autistic, but if concerns persist, an evaluation can provide peace of mind and a clear path forward.
Why Early Evaluation Matters The first three years of life are a window of incredible growth. Research shows that children who receive timely autism evaluations and support experience significant gains in communication, social skills, and independence. Early identification opens the door to therapies and resources that can make a lasting difference for your child and your family. KIDS MAKING STRIDES DECEMBER 2025
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Interventions That Work Families have effective options that teach, support, and empower: Speech-language therapy targets communication delays, using strategies like play-based language intervention and parent coaching Occupational and physical therapy support self-care, fine motor strength, and sensory integration. Social-skills programs, like IG group, focus on peer interactions Parent coaching, empowering families to integrate strategies into daily life Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) uses positive reinforcement, often through playful, routine-based learning, to help children acquire independent living skills
What Makes TLC’s Toddler Autism Evaluations Unique? Our interdisciplinary team of psychologists, speech-language pathologists, and occupational therapists uses gold-standard tools (like the ADOS-2) to provide a complete picture of your child’s strengths and needs. We offer flexible scheduling, minimal wait times, and clear communication at every step. Most families complete the process in just a few visits, with results and recommendations delivered promptly. We focus on empowering parents with knowledge, resources, and next steps. Our team is here to answer your questions, connect you to early intervention services, and support your child’s journey toward independence and joy. KIDS MAKING STRIDES DECEMBER 2025
What to Do if You Have Concerns If you’re noticing signs or simply have questions, seeking an evaluation is a proactive step. TLC’s autism evaluations are warm and supportive, focusing on understanding each child as an individual. Early action leads to brighter futures. Contact TLC’s Testing, Tutoring, and Counseling Department today to schedule your Toddler Autism Evaluation. Contact Us: Phone: 301-424-5200 x306 Email: ttandc@ttlc.org PAGE 7
NEWS FROM TLC'S PEDIATRIC OUTPATIENT SERVICES DECEMBER 2025