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Your Child's Progress is Our Passion sm
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News, Research & Links of Interest
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Early Intervention Support Links
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Ask A Therapist
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The American Psychological Association reports that 8 out of 10 people anticipate their stress to be higher during the holiday season and have suggested the following recommendations:
- Set realistic expectations-be open with kids if money is tight & take small steps to achieve holiday goals so as not to overwhelm yourself at the last minute
- Keep things in perspective-don't blow things out of proportion
- Make connections-reconnect with friends, family, volunteer for those less fortunate
- Take care of YOURSELF- attend to your own needs, emotional & physical well being
As therapists parent's often ask us about using walkers, exersaucers and other baby equipment with their children. Our feature article explores what research has shown about the developmental impact of using this type of equipment with young children.
We also feature our fifth installment of Meet a TEIS Therapist, so be sure to read about the expertise of one of our TEIS Physical Therapists and remember if you know a child in need of early intervention services in Allegheny County-CHOOSE TEIS! Looking for simple child-friendly recipes that your kids will love? Look no further...enTEISment now brings you some easy, tasty recipes that kids will love!
If you missed our last issue of enTEISment in November you may wish to read our article on Teaching Two Languages to Children with Special Needs. The team at Early Intervention Support and TEIS wish you all many holiday blessings and a Happy & Healthy 2012! 
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The Impact of Walkers, Jumpers and Exersaucers on a Baby's Development
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By Tamara Guo, M.Ed. TEIS Developmental Specialist
More and more baby "exercise equipment" becomes available to parents every year and often parents ask us questions during therapy sessions and evaluations such as "Should I get a walker for my baby?" or "Will using a bouncer help strengthen my babies leg muscles?". You will find varying opinions on the use of baby equipment depending on whom you ask, and even among physicians, physical therapists and developmentalists the views will vary. Some therapists are adamantly against using this type of equipment, however, many therapists I have talked to recently agree that "in moderation" the supervised use of stationary exersaucers & jumpers can be fine, while agreeing these items should never be used as a "babysitter".
One thing you should know is that the American Academy of Pediatrics has called for a ban on walkers with wheels. The APP has stated that over 8,000 babies per year are injured by using walkers on wheels. Injuries include burns (the walker makes them higher off the ground & more easily able to reach the stove & table top), falling down stairs (child pushes into door while in walker), drowning (falling into bathtub or pool while in walker) and even poisoning (again by being able to reach things they ordinarily could not if they were not seated in a mobile walker).
New Guidelines and Recommendations
New guidelines for the manufacture of walkers on wheels were put into place in 1997, which required them to be wider so they did not fit through doorways, as well as including lock in place brakes. But, this has not dramatically decreased injuries since most babies in walkers on wheels are obviously "on the move". The APP suggests never buying a walker on wheels for any child & if you own one they suggest you throw it out (May 13, 2011).
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Meet a TEIS Therapist
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Lori Novak, PT
TEIS Physical Therapist 
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Graduated with BS in physical therapy from Temple University
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27 years clinical experience as a physical therapist
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Started in rehabilitation facility for both children and adults (6 years)
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Private practice pediatric outpatient clinic and school system (9 years)
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Worked in the Early Intervention system for the past 12 years
I have always enjoyed being physically active and working with children, which was a perfect fit for pediatric physical therapy! After having my own children, I realized the importance of working with families and teaching them ways to incorporate physical therapy goals and activities into their daily routines. Whether it is a backyard swing set, a walk to the park, or organized play groups, our children with special needs benefit from being physically active. There are now many opportunities for inclusive as well as adaptive athletic activities available in many communities.
We have two children, Nicholas (21) and Alex (19). Through Nicholas, we learned to negotiate the joys and hectic schedules involved in activities like karate, baseball, soccer, and basketball. Nick currently plays basketball for the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. And although our younger son, Alex, has Down syndrome, we wanted him to have a physically active lifestyle as well. He has participated in community soccer teams, and school cross country and track and field teams, as well as theater productions. He was one of the first high school students in Pennsylvania to receive a Varsity Letter that was achieved through a combination of Special Olympics and school sports participation. As a young adult, he now participates in the Miracle League baseball program, Buddy-Up Tennis, and Special Olympics basketball and track and field. He also rides a tandem bike with us on family biking trips on Rails to Trails. My own personal interests include yoga, dance, hiking and biking. My husband and I coach the Special Olympics basketball program in our community.
Professional areas of expertise include NDT (neurodevelopmental treatment), myofascial release, orthotics management, treatment of torticollis, and of course I have personal knowledge of the ups and downs of raising a child with Down syndrome! Because we have a child with special needs, I feel I bring a little more understanding to the families and children who receive early intervention for I have walked in their shoes!
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| NEW FEATURE!
Easy Kid Friendly Recipes
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Apple Walnut Puree & Fruit Smoothie
Apple Walnut Puree
Place 2 cored and peeled apples with 1/4 cup walnuts (shelled and halved) in a steamer basket over boiling water. Cover and cook 7-10 minutes or until apples are fork tender. Place apples, walnuts, 1/8tsp cinnamon, and a pinch of nutmeg (if desired, to taste) and 3 tbsp of water from the steamer into a food processor. Cover and process until smooth. Sprinkle cinnamon on top!
Fruit Smoothie
1 banana 1/4 cup frozen blueberries 5-6 frozen strawberries 1 yogurt (vanilla works well) 6 oz of milk (any milk can be used, soy and almond milk work well) Put all ingredients into a mini food processor or a blender and blend until smooth! Voila! Done. Can be served on a spoon for younger children but it is great through a straw. The thickness helps get a strong suck through a straw.
Thanks to TEIS SLP Julie S. for the recipes!
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Visit our Early Intervention Support website to discover a wealth of information on early childhood development, developmental milestones, early intervention resources, pediatric therapy & our unique Ask A Therapist forum.  TEIS is a company that provides therapeutic early intervention services to young children in Allegheny, Westmoreland and Beaver Counties in south western Pennsylvania. TEIS employs pediatric physical, occupational, speech, vision, developmental & nutrition therapists.  If you know a child in Allegheny County PA who is in need of early intervention services, call The Alliance for Infants & Toddlers at (412) 885-6000 to request an evaluation & choose TEIS as your child's service provider.If you know a child in Beaver County PA who is in need of early intervention services , call the Beaver County Direct Services Unit (724) 891-2827 and request TEIS to provide your child's initial evaluation. TEIS3 Parkway Center East 2020 Ardmore Blvd. Suite 295
Forest Hills, PA 15221 Phone: 412-271-TEIS (8347)
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"I heard a bird sing
In the dark of December
A magical thing
And sweet to remember.
'We are nearer to Spring
Than we were in September,'
I heard a bird sing
In the dark of December."
~ Oliver Herford, I Heard a Bird Sing
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