LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Dr. Patricia Ritter
Dear TLC Community,
Mark your calendars! We are thrilled to celebrate another milestone in TLC’s journey of improving lives and expanding possibilities This year in November, we commemorate TLC’s 75th anniversary and the Katherine Thomas School’s (KTS) 30th anniversary. These milestones are a testament to the dedication, passion, and impact of our incredible community. Stay tuned for details on how we will celebrate together!
A big congratulations to TLC’s Occupational Therapy Department and The Katherine Thomas School for being recognized in Washington Parent Magazine’s Reader’s Poll ‘Best of’ Contest! This welldeserved honor highlights the outstanding commitment of our teams to excellence in education and therapy. We are TLC Proud!
This year’s Fall Luncheon brought together TLC trustees, local government and community leaders, business partners, TLC staff and families, generous donors, and friends of TLC for a truly
inspiring day. A special highlight was honoring the Rotary Club of Rockville as this year’s TLC Champion! Additionally, Christy and Josh Phillips shared their heartfelt TLC journey, reminding us all of the profound impact our work has on individuals and their families
TLC’s 220+ faculty and staff came together for our annual Fall Lunch! It was a fantastic opportunity to relax, enjoy great food, and reconnect. We celebrated milestone anniversaries and shared some fun giveaways. I was able to enjoy my traditional T-shirt and candy toss, Oprah-style! Here’s to team spirit and many more memorable moments!
Our much-anticipated playground, started in August and completed in October, is now open! We know it will bring joy and development opportunities for many in the TLC community, including this year’s summer programs. Check out the pictures of this vibrant new space that encourages play, learning, and inclusion.
We are so proud of our TLC participants who joined forces to remove 1,000 pounds of trash from seven parks during 16 cleanup events in 2024! A huge thank-you to The MarylandNational Capital Park and Planning Commission for providing this opportunity. Through their hard work, our participants are gaining new skills, engaging with the community, and making a lasting environmental impact. Together, we are creating cleaner, greener spaces for all!
Thank you for being part of TLC’s mission and success Your dedication and support continue to make a profound difference in the lives of those we serve. Here’s to another year of growth, achievement, and community impact!
Patricia Ritter, Ph.D. Executive Director, TLC - The Treatment
Learning Centers
and
Exciting News: A New Playground at TLC’s Piccard
Drive Location!
We’re thrilled to announce that TLC’s Piccard Drive location now has a brand-new playground! Designed with both safety and fun in mind, the playground is securely fenced and features a soft rubber surface. Plus, shaded areas provide protection vities comfortably.
space is perfect for our s i l kill Th j be n. nd
2025 TLC SUMMER
PROGRAMS
JUNE 30, 2025 - AUGUST 15, 2025
SMALL GROUPS (2:1 RATIO)
EXCITING WEEKLY THEMES ARTS AND CRAFTS
OUTDOOR WATER FUN
Designed for young children with speech-language and/or occupational therapy needs. Although chronological age is used as a guideline (summer programs are for children ages 3-7), we also consider the developmental age and needs of the child when determining program placement. SPEECH-LANGUAGE AND OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY SUMMER PROGRAMS
New location! TLC’s Outpatient Office: 1390 Piccard Dr, Ste 210 Rockville, MD 20850
Contact us: 301-424-5202
Email: summerprograms@ttlc.org Website: www.ttlc.org
WHY SCREEN FOR A SPEECH-LANGUAGE AND/OR OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY DELAY?
Early identification of delays and difficulties in children, with appropriate and timely action, has been shown to produce better life outcomes in social development, speech-language skills, fine and gross motor skills, emotional development, and increased independence.
Ifyourchilddisplaysanyredflags,suchasstruggling withhandwriting,coloring,drawing,orcutting, clumsinessanddifficultylearningnewmotortasks, botheredbytagsinclothing,annoyedbymessyhands, difficultyfollowingdirections,troublepronouncing soundsorwordscorrectly,callTLC.Wecanhelp!
ContactTLC:301-424-5200ext.159
OutpatientScheduling@ttlc.org
We’re excited to announce that our 2nd Annual AAC Intensive is happening over MCPS Spring Break, April 14-18!
This week-long program is designed to help participants expand their Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) skills through engaging, fun activities in small peer groups. It’s a great opportunity to build confidence, make connections, and practice AAC in a supportive and interactive environment
Stay tuned for more details—we can’t wait
dates Pathology herapy Counseling
ADVANCING OUR EXPERTISE: PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN FLUENCY AND BILINGUALISM
Our team is staying engaged in professional development! Joe Nicol attended the Holistic Stuttering Therapy course at the American Institute of Stuttering and shared valuable fluency therapy strategies with the TLC SLP team. Additionally, Allison Sorto will be leading a training in March on language development in bilingual children, providing insights to support diverse learners
NEW SERVICE
Toddler (18-36 months) Autism
Evaluations
TLC offers a specialized autism diagnostic program to help families get answers faster We understand that many parents face long wait times when seeking evaluations and support for their younger children Our new program is designed to connect children to neurodiversity-affirming early intervention services sooner.
TLC’s Testing, Tutoring, and Counseling Department
We provide psychoeducational assessments throughout the lifespan, including psychoeducational evaluations, neuropsychological evaluations, and autism diagnostic evaluations for older children and adults. This new interdisciplinary collaboration will allow for a more streamlined autism diagnostic assessment of younger children (18-36 months). With this earlier identification comes customized recommendations to support each child and improve access to early intervention therapy services.
Comprehensive Autism Assessments at TLC
Includes occupational therapy screenings to assess sensory and motor needs. Plus, our Family Hearing Center provides specialized testing for children with hearing concerns.
Expert Assessments
TLC’sinterdisciplinaryteamofPsychologists& Speech-LanguagePathologistscollaborativelyconduct evaluationsusingtheADOS-2,agold-standardtoolfor observingbehaviorsrelatedtoautism Combinedwitha child’ssocialhistoryanddevelopmentalimpact,this assessmenthelpsdetermineiftheymeetDSM-5 diagnosticcriteria.
Comprehensiveandevidence-based
Collaborativeexpertevaluation
Fasteraccesstoearlyintervention
Signs of Autism May Include:
Not responding to name Limited eye contact
Not speaking as much or in the same way as peers
Not initiating play
Limited pointing or showing items of interest to others, or difficulty shifting attention to others’ interests.
Email: testingtutoringcounseling@ttlc org
Phone: 301-424-5200 x306
Repetitive interests or behaviors
Difficulty with changes in routine Sensory sensitivities (sound, textures, touch, flavors).
Website: www ttlc org Address
The Katherine Thomas School
Snowcoming 2024: A Night of Reunion, Celebration, and Friendly Competition!
The high school program hosted its annual homecoming dance, Snowcoming!, the day before winter break. There was a wonderful turn out of alumni who graduated between 2020 and 2024. Everyone enjoyed dining together, catching up, and dancing the night away! The next morning, the alumni took on the high school staff in an exciting and competitive basketball game. Our lips are sealed about the winning team because we supported them all!
Building Bright Futures:
Job Internship Students Thrive with Community Partn
The job internship students, led by Shelley McGinness and Kami Cooper, have been enjoying learning and enhancing their employment skills, thanks to our many community partners. These partners include the TLC development office and speechlanguage department, 4 CVS locations, Walgreens, Comfort Cases, Mamma Lucia, Ledo Pizza, Shady Grove Hospital, Academy Stone Mill, The Villages at Rockville, Ingleside at King Farm, Brightview Senior Living, Dufief Elementary 5th Grade Learning Center, Kentlands Veterinary Hospital, and the KTS facilities department!
The Katherine Thomas School
KTS MIDDLE SCHOOL SHINES AT ANNUAL WINTER GLOW PARTY!
The KTS middle school held their annual Winter Glow Party on Friday, February 14th. Students and staff enjoyed an evening of music, snacks, dancing, games, and other great fun as they grooved to the sounds of DJ Mark. A great time was had by all!
WELCOMING LEGISLATIVE LEADERS TO THE KATHERINE THOMAS SCHOOL
We were honored to welcome Senator Brian Feldman, Delegate David Fraser-Hidalgo, Delegate Linda Foley, and Delegate Lily Qi to The Katherine Thomas School!
Dr. Patricia Ritter, TLC Executive Director, along with Rhona Schwartz (Director of the High School Program) and Jennifer Connerton (Education Director of the Lower and Middle School Programs), guided a tour highlighting our incredible students and programs The visit showcased the vital role special education nonpublic schools play in supporting our community We appreciate the support of our legislative leaders.
LOWER AND MIDDLE SCHOOL DAY OF GIVING
In November, students came together for their annual Day of Giving!
They spent the afternoon:
Writing notes of appreciation Stuffing treat bags for bus drivers Volunteering to read and craft with our elementary students
A beautiful reminder that giving back makes a big difference!
KTS RECENT UPDATES
Celebrating Talent and Togetherness at the High School Thanksgiving Feast!
The high school Thanksgiving feast was more than just a special gathering it was a celebration of delicious food, togetherness, and community spirit. In addition to the warm atmosphere, KTS students demonstrated remarkable talent. From heartfelt performances at the feast to the winter concert and District 15 legislative visits, their skills in singing, ASL signing, and playing instruments have been truly inspiring. Their dedication and passion continue to shine, making each event a memorable experience!
KTS Girls on the s Strong!
A huge shoutout to our KTS Girls on the Run team for an amazing season! These incredible athletes put in weeks of hard work and dedication, culminating in a fantastic performance at the Fall 5K race at Montgomery Mall. We also want to extend a big THANK YOU to our amazing GOTR coaches for their time, talent, and unwavering support. Your encouragement and leadership make all the difference!
Congratulations to our runners you inspire us all! Go KTS!
The FamilyHearing Center
Meet Lucas Kadri-Rodriguez, Au.D., Ph.D., CCC-A, New Director of Audiology at The Family Hearing Center
Dr. Lucas Kadri-Rodriguez brings nearly a decade of experience to the Family Hearing Center. He earned his Doctorate of Audiology from Gallaudet University, where he later served as clinical faculty, providing care to both pediatric and adult patients. Dr. KadriRodriguez has worked in diverse settings, including academic, research, community-based, and hospital environments, giving him a well-rounded perspective on healthcare. He specializes in diagnosing and treating hearing disorders in both adults and children, as well as in conducting vestibular and balance evaluations. His expertise also includes hearing aids, holistic tinnitus management, clinical research, and tele-audiology.
Fluent in English, Spanish, and American Sign Language, Dr. Kadri-Rodriguez is passionate about providing accessible, inclusive care and advancing healthcare equity for linguistic and cultural minorities. He is committed to ensuring that every patient receives personalized care and support on their hearing health journey. As Director of Audiology, Dr. Kadri-Rodriguez leads with a focus on interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative approaches to enhance patient care.
Dr. Kadri-Rodriguez states, “I am honored to join the Family Hearing Center and look forward to making a positive impact on our community and the lives of our patients. Dr. Kadri-Rodriguez states, "I am honored to join the Family Hearing Center and look forward to making a positive impact on our community and the lives of our patients. My goal is to expand our services, empower our patients through education, and continue the Center’s legacy of excellence in hearing healthcare."
The Family Hearing Center
Program Updates: Expanding Services for Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD)
We’re excited to announce the expansion of our services to include testing and intervention for Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD). CAPD affects individuals especially children who struggle to process sounds accurately, even with normal hearing. Our specialized auditory training protocols are designed to enhance listening skills, improve comprehension, and support overall communication development. With this addition, we’re committed to helping more individuals overcome auditory challenges and thrive in their daily lives. Contact us to learn more about our CAPD services: (301) 738-1415.
Upcoming Programs: Expanding Support for Hearing Health
We’re excited to announce new services aimed at supporting individuals with tinnitus and hearing loss. Soon, we will offer tinnitus evaluations and integrate Progressive Tinnitus Management (PTM) into our treatment plans. PTM is an evidence-based approach designed to help individuals manage the impact of tinnitus on their daily lives
Dr. Michal Schimmel is launching a Hearing Loss Support Group at Asbury Methodist Village, a local retirement community. This group will focus on aural rehabilitation, equipping individuals with strategies and tools to improve communication, enhance listening skills, and stay socially engaged. Stay tuned for more details on these valuable programs!
TLC Outcomes Service
Program Updates: Advocacy Needed
WeareactivelyadvocatingagainstGovernorMoore’sproposed budgetcuts,whichwouldsignificantlyimpactservicesfundedby theDevelopmentalDisabilitiesAdministration(DDA).Oneproposal toeliminatethegeographicdifferentialrateforprovidersin MontgomeryCountyandotherhigh-costareaswouldplacesevere financialstrainonserviceprovidersandreduceaccesstoessential supportforindividualswithdevelopmentaldisabilities. MontgomeryCountyhaslongreceivedthisadjustmenttoaccount forhigherwagesandlivingcosts.Cuttingthisfundingwould directlyaffectourabilitytoprovidehigh-qualityservices,retain skilledstaff,andmaintaincriticalprograms ThestabilityandwellbeingofthosewhorelyonDDA-fundedservicesareatstake.
We urge community members to contact their state legislators and advocate for the preservation of this funding. Strong collective advocacy is essential to protect services for individuals with disabilities. Find your representatives and send a message here: Maryland General Assembly.
TLC Participants Are Making a Difference!
In 2024, our incredible TLC participants joined forces to remove 1,000 pounds of trash from seven parks during 16 cleanup events!
A huge thank-you to The MarylandNational Capital Park and Planning Commission for giving our participants the opportunity to engage with the community, gain new skills, and protect the environment. Together, we’re creating cleaner, greener spaces for everyone to enjoy!
TLC Outcomes In the Community
TLC Outcomes participants making an impact— volunteering, working, and strengthening our community!
The pictures below are from the inaugural Everyone Works Collaborative Job Fair, hosted by TLC, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Cornerstone Montgomery, and SEEC. This event connected employers with talented job seekers with disabilities, creating meaningful opportunities and lasting connections.
THE TLC 34TH GOLF CLASSIC
Thursday, June 12, 2025
PB Dye Golf Club – Ijamsville,
Current and Alumni KTS Parents and Friends–come enjoy the casino-style games, a silent auction, raffle prizes and more. Invite your friends and family members to come too! Dinner and alcohol will be served–this is an adults-only event. Casino Night is a great way to get to know others in our KTS community.
How You Can Help
Join the Fun! Buy a ticket to join us. If you are unable to attend, then buy one for your favorite staff member. You can also be an event sponsor and earn perks! Sponsorships range from $250 to $5,000 and sponsors are recognized on social media, the web and on the night of the event.
Volunteer! We need all KTS Parents to chip in to make this event a success for our kids. We can help match your skills and availability to a need we have. Even if you only have a few hours to give! Email the event chair Taylor Craig
ACE OF SPADES SPONSOR
$5,000
Prominent logo placement on TLC website with link to your company website
Signage at Casino Night event
Opportunity to display or distribute products/information at event
10 event admissions and 750 Dragon Dollars
KING OF DIAMONDS SPONSOR $2,500
Logo placement on TLC website with link to your company website
Signage at Casino Night event
Opportunity to display or distribute products/information at event
8 event admissions and 500 Dragon Dollars
QUEEN OF HEARTS SPONSOR $1,000
Recognition on TLC website
Signage at Casino Night Event
6 event admissions and 250 Dragon Dollars
JACK OF CLUBS SPONSOR
$500
Recognition on TLC website and at Casino Night Event
4 event admissions and 150 Dragon Dollars
JOKERS WILD SPONSOR
$250
Recognition on TLC website and at Casino Night Event
2 event admissions and 100 Dragon Dollars
