Autism Charlotte

The Autism Society has been celebrating National Autism Awareness Month since the 1970s. The United States recognizes April as a special opportunity for everyone to educate the public about autism and issues within the autism community. Join them and get involved this month.

One suggestion they have is for supporters to go to a movie.  AMC Theatres offer monthly events called Sensory Friendly Films. 

Learn even more by contacting local chapter in Charlotte, Autism Society of Mecklenburg County: www.autismsociety.org

The Autism Society has been celebrating National Autism Awareness Month since the 1970s. The United States recognizes April as a special opportunity for everyone to educate the public about autism and issues within the autism community. Join them and get involved this month.

One suggestion they have is for supporters to contact your state and federal representatives about "Vote 4 Autism." For more information about this legislation, visit:

www.autism-society.org/vote4autism

Learn even more by contacting local chapter in Charlotte, Autism Society of Mecklenburg County:

www.autismsociety.org

The Autism Society has been celebrating National Autism Awareness Month since the 1970s. The United States recognizes April as a special opportunity for everyone to educate the public about autism and issues within the autism community. Join them and get involved this month.

One suggestion they have is for supporters to attend Autism Society events.  1Power4Autism is an online tool that makes it easy to mobilize friends and family and help make a difference.

Learn even more by contacting local chapter in Charlotte, Autism Society of Mecklenburg County: www.autismsociety.org

The Autism Society has been celebrating National Autism Awareness Month since the 1970s. The United States recognizes April as a special opportunity for everyone to educate the public about autism and issues within the autism community. Join them and get involved this month.

One suggestion they have is for supporters to put on the puzzle pin.  This symbol is widely recognized and available on their website: 

http://www.autism-society.org/about-us/puzzle-ribbon.html

Learn even more by contacting local chapter in Charlotte, Autism Society of Mecklenburg County: www.autismsociety.org

Read about each of these suggestions on the Child and Family Development blog this month.

Learn even more by contacting local chapter in Charlotte, Autism Society of Mecklenburg County: www.autismsociety.org

Greetings!

I am so excited to be a part of the Child and Family Development pediatric therapy team!  I want to take this opportunity to introduce myself. 

I moved to Charlotte from Ohio in 2006, after completing my undergraduate and graduate work at Ohio University in Athens, OH.  Since moving here, I have worked with children ages birth to 15 years in a variety of settings including public schools, private schools, home, daycare, and preschool settings.  I have experience working with children with hearing loss, language disorders/delays, learning disabilitites, Autism, developmental delays, articulation/phonological disorders, apraxia, augmentative communication, and other difficulties. 

Since starting at C&FD, I have been extremely impressed with the quality of services and level of knowledge the therapists display, as well as the love, support and motivation of the families and children that come here.  I am so glad to be a part of this TEAM.

To learn more about me, read my biography on the C&FD website.

Augmentive and Alternative Communication or AAC is a resource available for individuals who are unable to effectively use spoken language.  Children that may benefit from using AAC include those that may have diagnoses such as cerebral palsy, autism, genetic disorders, motor speech disorders and brain injury.  Types of AAC range from low tech to high tech.  Low tech AAC does not require the use of batteries or electronics.  Examples include a simple board of letters, words, phrases and/or pictures of symbols that a person can point to for communication.  High tech devices allow the individual to communicate using speech output.  There are many different companies that specialize in making these types of devices.  Many high tech device have the ability for the user to communicate an unlimited variety of messages.

There are great benefits from using AAC.  It allows the child to communicate with other people in the community and not just family or those familiar with the child.  Using AAC helps with development of language and literacy skills.  For children that are able to use some verbal communication, AAC does not interfere with the development of spoken language and in fact actually aids in language acquisition.

If you feel your child may be able to benefit from AAC, please discuss this with your speech therapist.  A speech therapist can complete an Augmentative Communication evaluation to determine if your child would benefit from using AAC as well as what type of AAC would be beneficial for your child.  In Charlotte, the speech therapy team at Child & Family Development offer evaluations for AAC devices.

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Child and Family Development encourages the Charlotte community to join Autism Speaks in their celebration of World Autism Awareness Day on Monday, April 2, 2012 and Light It Up Blue to help shine a light on autism. 

This is the third year of this global initiative to raise awareness and show support. 

On www.lightitupblue.org, see photographs of some iconic world structures, such as the Empire State Buidling and Eiffel Tower, participating in this event. 

On www.autismspeaks.org, get ideas for how to mark this day. 

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Kids are typically referred for a neuropsychological evaluation if they are experiencing difficulty in learning, attention, behavior, socialization, or emotional control, a disease or developmental problem that affects the brain in some way, a brain injury from an accident, birth trauma or some other physical stress.

Testing can determine the effects of developmental, neurological and medical problems, such as epilepsy, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia or a genetic disorder.

Often, a neuropsychological evaluation is part of a collaboration with many professionals, including but not limited to pediatricians, neurologists, psychiatrists, educators and other pediatric therapists. 

At Child and Family Development, there are two neuropsychologists on our team.

• Joy Granetz, Ph.D. @ South Charlotte office
• Gretchen H. Hunter, Ph.D. @ Midtown office

Contact our office to schedule an Intake appointment. 

Could it be autism?
This is a question that arises more and more often for parents, teachers and physicians. At Child and Family Development, we not only answer the question but also provide direction.

Carol Capehart, MA, LPA (Midtown office) and Chris Vrabel, Psy.D. (South Charlotte office) are highly trained and experienced to work with people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Our comprehensive evaluation begins with a thorough clinical interview with the parents and caregivers. A review of medical history and detailed information about early development, family dynamics, family history, daily life, and current concerns are also gathered. A thorough inventory of standardized tests is also available.

We help families negotiate through the IEP process, communicate with school administration and teachers, attend IEP meetings and offer advocacy support when needed. In addition, they help families find the community resources. Here, we offer individual therapy, family therapy, social skills groups and parent support groups.

Contact us for more information about the Autism Spectrum Disorder services, We currently have openings for ASD evaluations with no waiting lists. We work with families to maximize any available insurance benefits and offer payment plans.
 

Looking for pediatric therapy services near Weddington, North Carolina?

Child and Family Development has an office in South Charlotte that is just about 10 miles from there and easily accessible from the 485 loop.

Our multi-disciplinary clinic has been helping children and families since 1980. The team of experienced therapists can assess and treat a wide range of childhood concerns, including autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning disabilities or special needs. Our core services include Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy, Child Psychology and Education. In addition, we offer many specialty services, like aquatic therapy, feeding groups and social skills groups.

The Contact Us tab on our website will link you to our address and Mapquest.

Bounce on down the road to see us!
 

Recently, a handful of the Child and Family Development pediatric therapy team members attended a local education course titled Mealtime Success for Kids on the autism spectrum: Holistic Nutrition for Picky Eaters. 

SOUTH CHARLOTTE OFFICE
Kati Berlin, Occupational Therapist               
Hollie Bowling, Speech Therapist
Beth White, Occupational Therapist 

MIDTOWN OFFICE
Melissa Bradley, Occupational Therapist
Abbey Sipp, Occupational Therapist

This training is useful for both Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy services since we regularly evaluate and treat children with feeding difficulties.

 

Looking for pediatric therapy services near Waxhaw, North Carolina?

Child and Family Development has an office in South Charlotte that is under 20 miles from there and easily accessible from the 485 loop.

Our multi-disciplinary practice has been helping children and families since 1980. The team of experienced therapists can assess and treat a wide range of childhood concerns, including autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning disabilities or special needs. Our core services include Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy, Child Psychology and Education. In addition, we offer specialty services, including aquatic therapy, feeding groups and social skills groups.

The Contact Us tab on our website will link you to our address and Mapquest. 

We are just a hop, skip and jump away!

I have offered a Physical Therapy-based Karate group for many years at Child and Family Development in Charlotte. Last year, I was thrilled to grow this special program with the help of Black Belt Instructor, Riaan Van Scalkwyck. We have a number of regular groups and here is feedback from one family about their experience:

"My son has high-functioning autism and began karate six months ago.  At the first class he was only able to stand in the doorway covering his ears and eyes from the voices of others.  He certainly fit the physical requirements for needing physical therapy, notably a lack of coordination, weak tone and upper body strength, etc. He is too uncoordinated and too distracted to even run.  Amy and Sensei have shown such patience and encouragement with him as he tried to overcome his own issues in order to participate.  I was very surprised to see that he was able to learn physical sequences, which are actually his favorite part!  He has progressed so much that now he participates in the middle of the room, tolerates the shouting of karate commands as well as the cheering and encouragement.  Most of all, he is proud of the fact that he is becoming strong, and that he gets to wear the Gi."

"The day he was awarded his yellow belt was a special one!  I would never have thought he would be able to do more than 35 jumping jacks in 30 seconds, many push ups and other physical tasks.  I am incredibly proud of him, but he is proud of himself.  He looks forward to karate each week and now he enjoys actually competing with the other boys to see who can get the best score.  It's been a blessing for me as a parent to see him accomplish things I didn't imagine he could, and to see the pride in accomplishment he has in himself, to see him do stuff typical boys do, to push himself physically and have so much fun.  It has been a life lesson for him, as well, that when he works through things like loud noises and strangers and fatigue, he can accomplish great things!  Socially, physically, emotionally it has been a gift to him!  I'm so thankful to Amy and Sensei for their patience and commitment to our boys.  As a parent, it touches me that others rejoice and appreciate the accomplishments of my child.  They see the character, sincerity, effort, etiquette, self control in our boys, which most people cannot, or do not bother to see. We love karate!"  - Mother of a 12 year old boy with autism

Right now, I am planning another one for Young Adults and Adults with autism or Asperger's Syndrome. Contact me to learn more by email (asturkey@childandfamilydevelopment.com) or phone (704.332.4834 ext 114).
 

Looking for pediatric therapy services near Lancaster, South Carolina?

Child and Family Development has an office in South Charlotte that is less than 5 miles from the border and easily accessible from I-77 and the 485 loop.

Our multi-disciplinary clinic has been helping children and families since 1980. The team of experienced therapists can assess and treat a wide range of childhood concerns, including autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning disabilities or special needs.

We participate in many insurance plans. Also, some of our Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy providers accept South Carolina Medicaid. 

The Contact Us tab on our website will link you to our address and Mapquest.

Welcome Michelle Ferguson, M.A., CCC-SLP

Michelle has been a Charlotte community colleague for a number of years and joins the Child and Family Development team today. She brings more than twelve years of clinical experience that spans work in public school, hopsital and clinic settings.  Her special areas of experise include autism spectrum disorders, pre-linguistic communication, early language development and cognition. Her training was completed at Appalachian State University (Master's degree) and the University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill (Baccalaureate degree).   

Michelle is based at the Midtown office.   


 
  
 

Looking for pediatric therapy services near Union County, South Carolina?

Child and Family Development has an office in South Charlotte that is from the 485 loop.



Our multi-disciplinary clinic has been helping children and families since 1980. Services include Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy, Child Psychology and Educational Support.  The team of experienced therapists can assess and treat a wide range of childhood concerns, including autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning disabilities or special needs.



We participate in many insurance plans. Also, some of our Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy providers accept South Carolina Medicaid. 



The Contact Us tab on our website will link you to our address and Mapquest.

One member of the Child and Family Development pediatric therapy team has been on the go over the last month!

Kati Berlin, Occupational Therapist, completed two training courses in Charlotte:  

• Developing Daily Modulation Plans & Activities Using the Autism/Sensory Survival Kit for Children & Adolescents
• Therapeutic Listening

Kati was able to immediately incorporate new information from both courses into her therapy sessions.

Looking for pediatric therapy services near Rock Hill, South Carolina?



Child and Family Development has an office in South Charlotte that is less than 5 miles from the border and easily accessible from I-77 and the 485 loop.



Our multi-disciplinary clinic has been helping children and families since 1980. The team of experienced therapists can assess and treat a wide range of childhood concerns, including autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning disabilities or special needs. We participate in many insurance plans. 

Also, some of our Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy providers accept South Carolina Medicaid. 



The Contact Us tab on our website will link you to our address and Mapquest.