Blog, Parent News, Therapy Services & Specialty Programs
If you’re a parent or caregiver, the feeling of panic can be indescribable when your child has wandered off or stepped out of your sightline. This happens at grocery stores, malls, parks, and many other busy places. For parents who have children with autism, the alarm is heightened because their children may not be able to communicate how to find their families.
According to a study from 2012 published in Pediatrics, “Of the 1,218 children with ASD who were studied, almost half of those children had wandered off from home, school, or another safe place at least once after age 4” (https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/Autism/Pages/Autism-Wandering-Tips-AAP.aspx).
The American Academy of Pediatrics has provided tips for parents who have children with autism. These tips include:
- Being aware of wandering triggers
- Securing your home
- Setting expectations and setting a regular sleep schedule for your child.
Read the article here for more details: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/Autism/Pages/Autism-Wandering-Tips-AAP.aspx.
Plan for wandering emergencies with your child’s pediatrician. The National Autism Association (NAA), has a Big Red Safety Box. This box is free and contains tools for autism families. It contains:
- Family Wandering Emergency Plan
- Emotion identification cards
- First-responder profile form
- RoadID bracelet
- Red safety alert wristband and more
Click here to see more details: https://nationalautismassociation.org/big-red-safety-box/. Children who have autism and who have a risk of wandering from a safe environment, qualify to receive this box free-of-charge.
Another tool to have for your autistic child is a medical ID bracelet. This ID comes with a red medic alert badge and allows you to customize five lines of text. If someone finds your child, they could contact you easily with this bracelet. This ID is $24.99 and you can find more information here: https://www.roadid.com/products/stretch-medical-rugged-silicone-id-bracelet.
AngelSense has created the only non-removable GPS tracking device for children with special needs. This device comes with an app for the parent. It has 1-way and 2-way voice to listen and talk to your child at any time. This device has elopement alerts, which will notify you every time your child leaves or arrives at a location. Find more information here: https://www.angelsense.com/. Click the link here for a coupon: https://www.angelsense.com/lp/invite-a-friend/beckyg0814%40yahoo.com/?v=20161211.
Elite Therapy Center cares about your child and their safety. It’s important to plan for these types of emergencies before they happen.
#JourneyElite #SafetyFirst
Blog, Holiday, Parent News, Special Events, Therapy Services & Specialty Programs
Communicating with Sensory Santa
Our patients don’t skip a beat when it comes to visiting with our special Sensory Santa! Many of our speech patients use communication speech tablets which allow them to hear, speak, and press picture buttons to communicate with people.
Dakota was SO excited to use her tablet from tobii dynavox™ to wish Santa a Merry Christmas and share her holiday spirit. Working with her therapist, she was able to practice and prepare and come in with time and confidence.
Elite Therapy Center works to make sure each child is able to maximize their full potential in communication. Our new Temple office is located directly off I-35 and Midway Drive on S. General Bruce Dr. Our clinic faces the highway and you can see our sign out front.
If you’re interested in speech, occupational or physical therapy service, please click below to request services.
Request Services
Blog, Feature Slider, Holiday, Parent News, Special Events
Sensory Santa is visiting Waco and Temple this week and next! What a grand time it has been celebrating our kid’s hard work and spending some precious moments making memories for a lifetime.
Sensory Santa provides a quiet and low stimulus environment for kids to come in and spend as much time as they need to feel comfortable with the decorations and Santa’s presence. Many children like to sit and visit while others like to hop on his lap and give high fives. Each experience is unique and set up to accommodate all children’s abilities and unique needs so they can enjoy a fun experience with Santa and not worry about loud and busy distractions.
Sensory Santa visits our Waco and Temple clinics. Please see our schedule below if your child or their siblings would like a chance to visit with Santa and have their picture taken.
#SensorySanta #JingleElite #ChristmasInclusion #JourneyElite
Blog, Feature Slider, Holiday, Parent News, Special Events
Sensory Friendly Santa is coming to Elite Therapy Center in Waco and Temple!
WACO Clinic
Monday, December 9th • 1pm-3pm
Thursday, December 12th • 1pm-3pm
TEMPLE Clinic
Monday, December 16th • 1pm-3pm
Thursday, December 19th • 1pm-3pm
#JourneyElite #SensorySanta #SensoryFriendlySanta
Blog, Parent News, Special Events, Therapy Services & Specialty Programs
We are moving! Our new clinic is located just around the corner from our current space. Easily accessible and viewable from the Midway access road, our new space is larger and our current staff is thrilled to be continuing our quality Elite Therapy services for your children! With the ease of CTBS around the corner, we can work to accommodate those who have ABA therapy as well.
All children will receive a special social story to help the transition go smoothly. We appreciate all the help and assistance with our staff and families to make this new move a great one!
See close up shots of our interior showcased in our video above!
