Where: Leaps and Bounds

Interacting with peers can be a challenge for many kids.
This is a FREE parent seminar where you will learn about the necessary social skills your child needs to appropriately interact with peers. Therapists will also discuss ideas for promoting socialization throughout their development.

Who should attend:
• Parents/guardians
• Teachers
• Therapists
• OT/PT/ST Students

**There will be no cost for this seminar. Seating is limited. Please call or email to RSVP

Where: Leaps and Bounds

Leap and Learn Group

Tuesdays:March 27th through May 29th(9:30-11:00)

This group is for children 2 1/2 - 4 years old. It will provide structed activities designed to prepare kids for a preschol environment. This groups will address the following areas:
-Pre-academic skills
-Language enrichment
-Classroom readiness
-Sensorimotor development
-Participation in sturctured activities

Chit Chat Group

Mondays: March 26th through May 28th (9:30-10:30)

This group is for children 18 months - 3 years. It is designed for kids that are not talking yet or need a boost in their vocabulary. A portion of this group will include parents participation, and will address the following areas:
-Social Language
-Increased vocabulary
-Ideas to encourage speech/language development in the home

**An intake assessment will be required for children not already attending Leaps and Bounds to ensure all of the children will recieve maximum benefit from their group.

Please call today if you are interested in registering your child for any of the groups and for further information.

Where: Leaps and Bounds

Each group is led by and Occupational therapist trained in teaching handwriting.

Pre-writing 4-5 years old

Wednesdays-March 28th - May 30 (4:30-5:30 pm)

This group is for children aged 4-5 years old. The handwriting group will focus on the foundational skills of handwriting. Sessions will include direct instruction in handwriting as well as postural skills, strength/dexter​​​​ity, visual processing, etc. Activities will be introduced to promote pre-writing and fine motor skills and begin the introduction to letter formation.

Upper and Lowercase Letters 5-6 years old

Wednesdays- March 28- May 30th (5:45-6:45pm)

This group is for children aged 5-6 years old. The handwriting group will focus on the foundational skills of handwriting. Sessions will include direct instruction in handwriting as well as postural skills, strength/dexter​​​​ity, visual processing, etc. Activities will be introduced to promote pre-writing and fine motor skills and begin the introduction to letter formation.

Upper and Lowercase Letters 4-6 years old

Saturdays- March 17th- May 19th (12:30-1:30pm)

This group is for children aged 4-6 years old. The handwriting group will focus on the foundational skills of handwriting. Sessions will include direct instruction in handwriting as well as postural skills, strength/dexter​​​​ity, visual processing, etc. Activities will be introduced to promote pre-writing and fine motor skills and begin the introduction to letter formation.

**An intake assessment will be required for children not already attending Leaps and Bounds to ensure all of the children will recieve maximum benefit from their group.

Please call if you are interested in registering your child for any of the groups.

When: Fridays or Saturdays: March 16- May 29th

Where: Leaps and Bounds

Each group is led by an Occupational therapist trained in teaching social skills.

Buddy Builders 3-6 years old

Saturdays - March 17th-May 19th(9:15-10:15 am)

This group is for children who are working on engaging and playing with their peers appropriately. The group will also be working on turn taking, sharing, coping strategies, and using words to communicate frustration.

Out & About 7-10 years old

Fridays - March 16th - May 18th (4:30-5:30)

This group will meet weekly, yet will alternate between meeting at Leaps and Bounds and meeting in the community. Sessions at Leaps and Bounds will focus on instruction and preparation for the community outings. Meetings in the community will put those skills learned into practice.

Out & About 11-15 years old

Fridays - March 16th - May 18th (5:45-6:45 pm)

This group will meet weekly, yet will alternate between meeting at Leaps and Bounds and meeting in the community. Sessions at Leaps and Bounds will focus on instruction and preparation for the community outings. Meetings in the community will put those skills learned into practice.

Life Skills Pre-teen/Teenagers

Saturdays- March 17th- May 19th (10:45-11:45 am)

This group is tailored to pre-teens/ teenagers to address skills such as money management, cooking, budgeting, goal setting, etc. This group will work on helping teenagers understand these skills from a fun and interactive perspective.

Girlfriend Group 7-11 years old

Tuesday- March 27th- May 29th (6:00-7:00 pm)

This group was created to help girls 7-11 years old connect and establish positive friendships with each other. The group will foster self confidence, communication, conflict resolution, and other issues that directly affect young girls. This group will end on May 29th.

**An intake assessment will be required for children not already attending Leaps and Bounds to ensure all of the children will receive maximum benefit from their group.

Please call if you are interested in registering your child for any of the groups.

Where:Leaps and Bounds

Along with giving thanks, Thanksgiving also brings new foods, new smells, new people, hectic schedules, different environments, etc.

Leaps and Bounds is hosting a Thanksgiving Dinner. Therapists will use sensory strategies and other teachniques to help your child better prepare for the coming holiday. Each child will be responsible for bringing a dish to share at a family style meal on the 18th.

*This group is a two day event and is tailored towards children aged 4-16 years old.

**If you would like your child to participate, please call 636-928-LEAP(5327)

Leaps and Bounds was created to provide a unique therapy experience for children and their families. Our caring, well-trained professional staff provides one-of-a-kind, individualized therapy to meet the specific needs of each child and family. At Leaps and Bounds, many parents experience relief in finding professionals who understand their child and the unique struggles their family faces each day.

Each therapist at Leaps and Bounds is highly trained to provide top-quality therapy. Our therapists use a comprehensive approach to assess each child’s needs. We ensure that our therapists are trained in the latest, most up-to-date therapies, including but not limited to: Sensory Integration Therapy, The Listening Program, Therapeutic Listening, Handwriting Without Tears, Talk Tools, Beckman Oral-Motor Treatment, CranioSacral Therapy, and Myofascial Release.

We have found that children make the most progress when parents understand why their child is having difficulties. Therefore, we spend a significant amount of time educating parents about how sensory processing is impacting their child’s performance. We want parents to fully understand the underlying causes of their child’s difficulties, how therapy services would benefit their child, and strategies they can use at home, at school, and in the community.

Our center provides a safe environment for parents to express concerns, share their feelings and frustrations, and celebrate their child’s successes. Parents frequently call or stop by the center just to ask questions or to share stories. We are always ready with an ear to listen, a shoulder to cry on, and a smile of support. We often start as a professional resource for families but remain friends long after therapy has ended.

It is our passion to provide children and families with a positive, memorable experience. We get to celebrate with families when their child can verbalize his requests, make it through a store without a meltdown, sit for a family meal, wear hair bows without tears, walk barefoot in the sand, and enjoy raindrops on her face. We can help your child succeed, and we can guarantee that you will not have a similar experience anywhere else!

Come experience the difference at Leaps and Bounds!

Where:Leaps and Bounds

Can your little pumpkin say “BOO”

Are you concerned with your child’s speech and language skills?

Free speech screenings are being offered for children ages 2-8 years old. Screenings will be a 30 minute session with a speech/language pathogist that will determine if there is any need for further speech/language evaluation.

**Please call Leaps and Bounds to make an appointment!

We walk for awareness, unity, research, and to support families. Most importantly, we walk for “our kiddos”. Join our team today!

All participants can sign up or donate by visiting:
www.walknowforautismspeaks.org/stlouis/leapsandbounds
Team Name: Leaps and Bounds

**All walk participants will receive a free Leaps and Bounds team t-shirt.
**For questions please call Leaps and Bounds, Inc. at 636-928-LEAP(5327). Thank you for your support!

Where: Tan-Tar-A-Resort, Osage Beach, MO

Carrie Salyer will be presenting:

Sensory Processing: A Foundation for Skill Development

Sunday, April 18, 2010 8:00 AM -11:00 AM

Sensory processing is a foundation for skill development. This seminar will emphasize the importance of efficient sensory processing for a child’s attention, learning, behavior, and general skill development, including language and articulation. A child learns best when his body is organized and ready to receive the information presented. Understanding the impact that improved sensory processing can have on a child’s ability to engage and learn can have a dramatic impact on the effectiveness of intervention. Participants will learn effective treatment strategies that can improve attention and learning and enhance language and articulation skills.

Learning Outcomes:
(1) Explain sensory processing and its impact on attention, learning, behavior, and skill development
(2) Recognize signs of sensory processing disorder impacting children on their caseload
(3) Identify effective treatment strategies to increase a child’s attention, learning, behavior, and skill development

Level of Instruction: Intermediate

Where: First Evangelical Free Church, 1375 Carman Road, Manchester, MO 63021

Carrie Salyer will be presenting:

Sensory Make and Take

Saturday, April 10, 10:00-11:00 am, Room 313
In this session, you will learn how to make a variety of sensory tools that can be used throughout the day to enhance your child’s attention and learning. You will actually make items to take home and learn how and when to use them effectively.

Music and Learning - How Music Enhances Your Child’s Learning Environment

Saturday, April 10, 12:30-1:30 pm, Room 313.
This seminar will provide you with information about why and how to use music and rhythm to enhance your child’s attention and learning. Discussion will range from basic rhythmical strategies to therapeutic auditory programs.

For additional information, please visit www.stlhomeschoolexpo.com