TLC - THE TREATMENT AND LEARING CENTERS
FROM THE DESK OF DR. PATRICIA RITTER
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
DearTLCCommunity,
Asweenterthefallseason,I’mfilledwith gratitudefortheenergy,dedication,and compassionthatcontinuetodefinethis incrediblecommunity.
Overthepastfewmonths,we'vecelebrated notonlytheendoftheschoolyear,butthe strengthandspiritthatmakeTLCsuchaspecial place.OurannualTLCStaffPicnicatSmokey GlenFarmmayhavebeenalittlesoggy,butthe enthusiasmwasundampened.Itwasajoyto seesomanyofourteammemberscome togetherforlaughter,games,greatfood and tohonorourAnnualandAnniversaryAward recipients,whosededicationtoourmissionis nothingshortofinspiring.
OneofthemostmeaningfulmomentsthisspringwasseeingRhonaSchwartzreceive theMANSEF“InspiringDreams,ChangingLives”Award.Rhona’slegacyiswovenintothe fabricofTheKatherineThomasSchool,particularlythehighschoolprogramshehelped buildandlead.Hervisionandhearthaveempoweredhundredsofstudentsandfamilies, anditwasanhonortocelebrateheratthestatewideMANSEFluncheoninMay.
InJune,ourcommunitycametogetheronceagainforthe34thTLCGolfClassic,where players,sponsors,andfriendsenjoyedadayofsunshineandcompetition,allinsupport ofagreatcause.Thankstoeveryonewhomadethisyear’seventasuccess especially BMWofRockvilleforsponsoringourHole-in-OneContestandThePioneersteam,our 2025champions.Thefundsraisedthisyearwillgotowardcriticaltechnologyupgrades acrossTLCandKTS.
TheenergycarriedthroughtoourKTSend-of-yearcelebrations fromamagical, EnchantedForest-themedprom,toastandoutstudentproductionofThePiratesof Penzance,toourdeeplymovinggraduationandpromotionceremonies.Theseevents reflecttheheartofourwork:empoweringstudentstosharetheirvoices,build confidence,andcelebratetheiruniquejourneys.
OurSummerProgramwasahugesuccess,thankstotheflexibilityandcreativityofstaff who’vegoneaboveandbeyondtomakethisseasonjoyfulforourstudents.Whether throughclassroomlessonsorspecialmusicanddanceactivities,thecommitmentto studentgrowthandconnectionshinesthrough.
Andlookingahead wearethrilledtoinviteyoutoTLC’sCelebrating75Yearsof ExpandingPossibilities:HonoringthePast,EmpoweringtheFutureGalaonSaturday, November1,2025.Thiswillbeaneveningtoreflectonourrichhistoryandlookaheadto ourfuture.Ihopeyou’lljoinusaswehonorthelegacywe’vebuilttogetherandcommit toexpandingpossibilitiesforthenextgeneration.
Thankyouforyourcontinuedsupport,encouragement,andbeliefintheworkwedo.
DEPARTMENT
Celebrating75YearsofExpandingPossibilities: DEVELOPMENT
Honoring the Past, Empowering the Future TheTreatment
Celebrating Improving Lives and Expanding Possibilities
The Treatment and Learning Centers 75+ Years
The Katherine Thomas School 30+ Years
Saturday, November 1, 2025
Cocktails 6:00 p m – 7:00 p m TLC Champions
Dinner and Program 7:00 p m – 9:30 p m
SONIA
Bethesda North Marriott Hotel 5701 Marinelli Road, Rockville, MD
Semi-Formal Attire
RSVP by October 6 to Turk Lewis at tlewis@ttlcorg (301) 424-5200 x122 or visit wwwttlcorg/gala
J.RichardWard
Gala Champion
JimandCarolTrawickFoundation
Foundation Champion
RobertsOxygenCompany
Corporate Champion
StateLegislativeDistrict15
and L
Keynote Speaker
Judy Woodruff
Senior Correspondent, Former Anchor & Managing Editor, PBS NewsHour
Raffle will be held on October 7, 2025 at 11:00 a.m.
Raffle Sales end on October 7 at 10:00 a.m.
TLC’s mission is to improve lives and expand possibilities for individuals with disabilities
Beautiful St. Barths
Studio Apartment in Gustavia
2 Guests, 3 Nights, King Bed
Minutes from the pristine sands of Shell Beach
Travel between April 15 – December 14
Package valued at $2,900
Magical Montreal
Chic City Apartment in Old Montreal
4 Guests, 3 Nights, 2 Bedrooms, 2 Baths
Aura Light Show in the Notre-Dame Basilica
Package valued at $3,150 Winner’s Choice –3 Great Destinations to Choose From Plus $1,000 Travel Voucher Purchase a
Year-round except Formula 1, Christmas week, and New Year’s week
Package valued at $2,950
Tuscany Treasures
Historic Apartment in the heart of Cortona
4 Guests, 7 Nights, 2 Bedrooms, 2 Baths
Quintessential Tuscan Views from apartment
Private Walking Tour
Wine tasting
For
Year-round except the weeks of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s
Purchase Raffle Tickets at ttlc.org/donate/tlc-raffle
s $1,000 for 16 tickets
SNAPSHOTS FROM THE 2025 TLC GOLF CLASSIC
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2025 TLC GOLF
CLASSIC CHAMPIONS–THE PIONEERS
CharlesLee|GeraldZapol|AndreJaundoo|SaeOh
THE
JOINUSFORTHISFREEEVENT!
We’lldiscusseverythingfromhearing lossandthelatestinhearing healthcaretothenewest advancementsinhearingaid technology,includingtheall-new AudéoSphere™InfiniofromPhonak andtheRogerOnmicrophone.
THURSDAY
09|18|2025
4:30pm-6:30pm
TheFamilyHearingCenter 1390PiccardDrive,Suite120 Rockville,MD20850
ALLATTENDEESWILL: Learnaboutthelatestin hearingcare&technology. Enjoyalisteningexperience withtheAudéoSphere™Infinio technology. Indulgeinwineandcheese Experienceademonstrationof RogerOntechnology
mentalhealthfield.Shehasalreadymadeapositiveimpactbyleading CommunityDevelopmentServicesgroupsanddevelopingcreative, engagingactivitiesthatparticipantstrulyenjoy.
SoniajoinedinMayafterearningherdegreefromtheUniversityof Marylandandhasquicklysteppedinwithenergyandcommitment supportingvirtualprogramming,managingherowncaseload,andproviding thoughtfulcarewhereverit’sneeded.
We’resogladtohavebothofyouwithus welcometotheteam!
FY 2025 YEAR-END SUMMARY: TLC OUTCOMES
SONIA
FY2025wasayearofgrowthandimpactforTLCOutcomes.Wedoubled participationintheTickettoWorkprogramasanADENAffiliate,expandedour privatepayprogram,andservedapproximately500individualsacrossallprograms.
KeyHighlights:
HighSatisfaction:Over85%ofparticipantsreportedsatisfactionwithstaff, activities,andsupport.
Employment:DORSparticipantsearned$20.96/hour(30hrs/week);DDA participantsearned$19.63/hour(24hrs/week).
CommunityEngagement:Participantsvolunteered4,914hoursat14localsites, contributinganestimated$174,594incommunityvalue.
Theseaccomplishmentsreflectourongoingcommitmenttoempowering individualsthroughmeaningfulservicesandcommunityconnections.
Arrianna Donovan
Sonia Anger
OUTPATIENT SERVICES
SUMMER PROGRAMS 2025: HIGHLIGHTS AND SMILES
Thissummerwasfullofenergy,learning,and connection!Ourprogramswelcomed34unique participants,including14returningcampersfrom previousyears.Manyofourreturningfamiliessigned upforfull-daysessionsacrossallsevenweeks, showingjusthowmuchtheyvaluetheexperience.In total,wereachedanimpressive237program enrollments(measuredinhalf-day,full-week sessions).
Highlightsincludedspecialvisitsfromtherapistswith musicanddancebackgrounds,whichbroughtjoyand movementintoourdays.Avisitfromthefire departmentwasanotherbighitwithcampers, sparkingexcitementandcuriosity.
Inadditiontothefun,wealsofocusedonfamily supportandsafety.PartneringwithMCPD,wehosted parentinformationsessionsoncreatingsafetyplans andwhattodoincaseofelopement valuabletools forpeaceofmind.
Wearesogratefultoourdedicatedstaff,families, andcommunitypartnersformakingthissummera success.Thememoriesmadewillcarryusintothe yearaheadwithexcitementandpride
SPEECH AND OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIES IN THE COMMUNITY
ThisyearourtherapistspartneredwithNewDayPreschoolinRockvilletoprovide screeningsinthespring andwe’reexcitedtoreturnthisfall!WealsovisitedSandySpring FriendsSchool,B’naiIsraelSchilitNurserySchool,andWholeKidsAcademyearlierthisyear. Inadditiontothesecommunityvisits,wecontinuetoprovideoccupationaltherapyand speech-languagescreeningsinourclinic,andwe’llbebackoutinlocalprivateschoolsthis fall.Interestedinafreespeech/languagescreeningforachildages0–7?Contact outpatientscheduling@ttlc.orgtolearnmore.
Frombirththroughfivey childshouldreachcertai learning,movement,and milestones.
Donotdelayonschedulin foryourchild.Swiftactio yourchildreachtheirpot
ByAppointmentOnly!
Email:OutpatientScheduling@ttlc.org
Phone:(301)424-5200,ext.159
Website:www.ttlc.org
Address:1390PiccardDr,Ste210 Rockville,MD20850
Speech-Language,Occupational Therapy,andHearingRedFlags
Strugglingwithhandwriting, coloring,drawing,orcutting
Clumsinessanddifficulty learningnewmotortasks
Botheredbytagsinclothingor loudnoises
Annoyedbymessyhandsand fingers
Difficultyfollowing1-or2-step directions
Speechthatisunclearand/or difficultypronouncingspecific sounds
Usingshortersentencesor moregrammarmistakesthan peers
Frequentlyaskstohavethings repeated
OUTPATIENT SERVICES
TODDLER (18-36 MONTHS) AUTISM EVALUATIONS
TLCoffersaspecializedautismdiagnostic programtohelpfamiliesgetanswersfaster.We understandthatmanyparentsfacelongwait timeswhenseekingevaluationsandsupportfor theiryoungerchildren.Ournewprogramis designedtoconnectchildrentoneurodiversityaffirmingearlyinterventionservicessooner.
ExpertAssessments
TLC’sinterdisciplinaryteamofPsychologists& Speech-LanguagePathologistscollaboratively conductevaluationsusingtheADOS-2,agoldstandardtoolforobservingbehaviorsrelatedto autism.Combinedwithachild’ssocialhistoryand developmentalimpact,thisassessmenthelps determineiftheymeetDSM-5diagnosticcriteria.
ComprehensiveAutismAssessmentsatTLC
Comprehensiveandevidence-based Collaborativeexpertevaluation Fasteraccesstoearlyintervention
Assessmentincludesoccupationaltherapy screeningstoassesssensoryandmotor needs.Plus,ourFamilyHearingCenter providesspecializedtestingforchildrenwith hearingconcerns.
TLC’sTesting,Tutoring,andCounseling DepartmentExpertAssessments
Weprovidepsychoeducationalassessments throughoutthelifespan,including psychoeducationalevaluations, neuropsychologicalevaluations,andautism diagnosticevaluationsforolderchildrenand adults.Thisnewinterdisciplinarycollaboration willallowforamorestreamlinedautism diagnosticassessmentofyoungerchildren (18-36months).Withthisearlieridentification comescustomizedrecommendationsto supporteachchildandimproveaccessto earlyinterventiontherapyservices.
ContactusformoreInformationorto scheduleanassessment:
Email:testingtutoringcounseling@ttlc.org
Phone:301-424-5200x306
Did You Know? Outpatient Occupational Therapists Offer Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP)
OuroutpatientOccupationalTherapistsarecertifiedprovidersofUnyte’sSafeandSound Protocol(SSP).Thisevidence-based,trauma-informedlisteningtherapyisdesignedtohelp regulatethenervoussystem,makingiteasierforclientstofeelpresent,connected,and receptivetoothertherapies.Tolearnmoreaboutthisinnovativeprogram,visitUnyte IntegratedListening:https://integratedlisteningcom/
PENING FALL OF 2026
PlayfulConnectionsisafull-day, play-basedpreschoolforchildren whoare4yearsoldbySeptember 1,2026.Designedforpreschoolers whomayneedextrasupportwith communication,socialinteraction, sensoryprocessing,andmotor skills,theprogramcelebrates neurodiversityinanurturing,childcenteredenvironment.
Withsmallgrouplearning(1:5ratio),amultisensoryapproachtokindergartenreadiness, andweeklygroupsledbyaspeech-languagepathologist,dance/movementtherapist,and occupationaltherapist,PlayfulConnectionsoffersauniqueearlylearningexperience.
AninformationsessionwillbeheldinOctober.Tosignuporlearnmore,contactYolonda Vaughanat301-424-5200x157oremailPlayfulConnectionsPreschool@TTLC.org
Thisyear,ourtutoringteamwent onamissiontobetter understandandstrengthenone ofthemostimportantkeysto learningsuccess:executive functions.Thesebrain-based skills,suchasplanning,staying organized,managingemotions, andadaptingwhenthingsdon’t goasexpected,arewhathelpus setgoalsandseethemthrough.
disabilities,executive functioningchallengescan standinthewayofstudents reachingtheirfullpotential.
Overthepastyear,ourtutors mmersedthemselvesinayearongdeepdiveintoexecutive functioning.Theyexplored whattheseskillsare,how they’reassessed,howdeficits showupatdifferentages,and, mostimportantly,howto supportstudentswhostruggle inthisarea.Together,they unpackedhowweaknessesin organization,workingmemory, taskinitiation,andemotional regulationcanimpacta student’slearningand confidence.
Mostimportantly,ourtutors learnedpractical,evidencebasedstrategiestosupport studentswithexecutivefunction deficitsduringtutoringsessions. Thesestrategiesincludehelping studentsbreakdown assignmentsintomanageable steps,teachingtheuseofvisual schedulesandchecklists, modelingplanningandselfmonitoringtechniques,and stayingflexiblewhenchallenges arise.Thesesupportsaremaking arealdifference,notonly academically,butinbuilding independenceandconfidence.
Becauseourtutorswork withlearnersofallages, fromyoungchildrento adults,they’velearnedto tailortheirapproachesto meeteverystudentwhere theyare.Theresult?
Studentsarebuilding strongerexecutive functioningskillsalongside theiracademicgrowth, empoweringthemtothrive bothinandoutofthe classroom. Contactustodaytolearn howwecansupportyouor yourchildinbuilding strongerexecutive functioningskillsand achievingsuccess,bothin schoolandbeyond!
(301)424-5200ext.306 testingtutoringcounseling@ttlc.org
KTS PROM
Ourhighschoolstudentsdancedthe nightawayinanEnchantedForestthemedpromatLakewoodCountry Club.Thankstoourincredibleteamfor creatingatrulymagicalnightfilledwith highschoolandcelebratedour5th graders’achievementswithaheartfelt ceremonyandmusicalperformance. HugethankstoMr.Vadneyandthe teamforleadingtheefforts.
STUDENT PERFORMANCE: THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE
Ashow-stoppingperformancefromour talentedstudentslitupthestage.Their hardwork,comedictiming,andmusical skillsshonethroughineveryact!
KTS BOCCE TEAM TAKES 3RD PLACE!
AbigcheerforCoachKahn,Coach Mavros,andourstudentsforasuccessful seasonandapodiumfinish!
andhumorousspeech.
Graduationwasapowerfulsendoff,witheach studentsharingreflectionsandfutureplans,backed bytouchingperformancesfromourstudentchorus.
THE KATHERINE THOMAS SCHOOL
CLASS OF 2025 GRADUATION
THE KATHERINE THOMAS SCHOOL
KTS SPECIAL OLYMPICS
BASKETBALL TEAMS
BRING HOME MEDALS!
WhatanamazingseasonforourKTSmiddle schoolandhighschoolteams!Bothteams playedtheirheartsoutattheState ChampionshipsonSundayattheUniversityof
KTS LOWER SCHOOL HAS MOVED!
Thisschoolyear,ourKTSLower School(gradesK–2)openedin itsnewPiccardDrivelocation. Studentsandstaffwereexcited tokickoffayearoflearningand funintheirnewspace.
