Join a group for parents raising little ones and interact with VitalGuides with expertise in all areas of early development and intervention.  
Very active group with useful resources shared daily.  50+ members.
Group moderated by VitalGuides: Crystal Covington, Pediatric Occupational Therapist & Parent Mentor, Allyson Owen, Pediatric Occupational Therapist

VX Early Development

Vitalxchange

After learning about your child and your environment, I will provide you with play-based exercises and activities to promote gross motor development with your child using household items such as painter's tape, a ball, or a stuffed animal.  Your child will learn things like balance, strength, negotiating obstacles, and motor planning.

Your child will truly enjoy the personalized athletic activities when they're just learning master skills like jumping.  I've been coaching gymnastics for more than 25 years where I saw a need for gross motor development in kids.

At home activities and exercises for your child to promote gross motor development

Christy Gardner @Balance Beans Pathways

Do you want to reinforce your child's therapy and/or IEP goals at home? I can help you brainstorm some fun ways you can enrich your child's continued engagement, growth, and learning through creative activities.

Enrichment Activities for Your Neurodiverse Child

Jennifer Rainey

Choosing the right therapist for your child can be difficult.  Learn where to access therapy and what to ask a therapy provider, so you choose the right therapy provider for your child.

In this session, we will discuss the following:
1.Where and what sources you can potentially access therapy for your child 
2. Discuss questions you should ask your child's therapist before starting treatment
3. Learn what questions you should ask about the therapy being recommended for your child

Understanding and accessing therapies for your child with developmental delays

Do you want to communicate more effectively with your nonspeaking or unreliably speaking child?  If traditional speech therapy approaches are not getting the results you're hoping for or if you just want to explore some new options, I would love to share the "outside the box" interventions that have worked for my son, including Spelling to Communicate, Son Rise, and PROMPT therapy.  Let's discuss your child's specific communication challenges and some options that may work for you!

Communication Challenges in Children with Autism

As the mom of a teen with autism and sensory processing challenges, I've learned a lot about how to set up our home to make it a sensory friendly environment and I'd love to help you do the same.  Let's discuss your child's specific sensory needs and find creative solutions that will help your home to be a comfortable and calming place.

Creating a Sensory Friendly Home Environment

I’m a parent to an autistic child with extreme sensory needs (this includes dysfunction in every sensory system) and another child whose giftedness was originally thought to be ADHD. I share what I have learned from my own experience and by talking to others to help you in getting a diagnosis for your special child.

Strategies for getting a diagnosis from a Mom who's been there

Heidi Hughes

I'm a parent to an autistic child with extreme sensory needs with some dysfunction in every sensory system. For many people a child with sensory issues can seem unhappy, I'll walk you through each of the sensory systems and solutions for each one. I'll share what I have learned from others to help you.

Solutions for Children with Sensory Issues

I am a nutritionist and a mom with a son with extreme sensory challenges.  I have researched and developed many nutritious meal preparations and recipes without sensory triggers that I am excited to share with you!

Creative and tasty meal prep ideas and recipes to add nutrition to foods without sensory triggers

Eating the same foods everyday can be exhausting but for many of our sensory kiddos it is a comfort. Using a list of foods and food textures your child already eats I'll help you expand those options so everyone isn't eating the same thing everyday. We will also go over how to incorporate your child's favorite foods into other dishes. We will also work with what local foods you have access to in your area of the world.  
At the end of the session I will email a list of recipe suggestions tailored to the dietary and preference needs of your child. 
Food should be enjoyable and not stressful; Let me help bring the joy back to eating for your family.

How to use your childs prefered foods to your advantage

Using my experience as an occupational therapist and working with children with early developmental delays, I will help you with what to look for in an Occupational Therapist to provide therapy for your child.  We will discuss your child's situation and questions you should ask to ensure you are choosing the right person for your child's care.

Finding the right occupational therapist for my child's early development issues

Kiera Rohan

Get help from an occupational therapist to understand the goals and objectives of the therapy your child is receiving.  We will discuss the details of your child's situation and ensure you understand the goals and objectives for the therapy they are receiving.  We will also discuss expectations and how to engage your therapist to review progress.

Understanding the goals and objectives treatment my child is receiving

Work with an occupational therapist to review your therapy goals and objectives and the progress of your child.  We will help you understand expectations and generate a list of questions specific to you and your child's situation to ask your therapist.

What to do if you believe your child is not making progress with their treatment

Are you longing to connect with your autistic child on a deeper level?  That is exactly what The Son-Rise Program helped me to do with my own son and I would love to share my experiences with you.  I can tell you about my journey with Son-Rise, including how I got started, how I found and trained volunteers, and how it helped my son and our entire family. If you’re considering The Son-Rise Program, let’s talk!

Let's Talk About the Son-Rise Program

I have 20+ years of parenting experience raising my two boys on the autism spectrum.  I have expertise that includes getting a diagnosis and dealing with both physicians and school systems.  I am here to support you along your journey to be the best parent you can be to your child.

Let's talk about getting a diagnosis

Suzanne Shaft

As a parent of two boys with autism, I have experience dealing with many professionals who provided care for my child.  Being an active parent sometimes means you have to question if the care your child is receiving is the best for your child.  In this appointment, I'll walk you through my tips in getting a second opinion.

How to go about getting a second opinion

Having raised two boys with autism, I have been in your shoes before. As a parent mentor, I'm here whether you need to vent or talk about IEPs, seizures, puberty issues, transition, or guardianship, I am here to help you. Let's talk!

Let's talk about you

Spend time to chat about Behavior Services.

What are Behavior Services: What can I expect

Rita M. Cooper M.Ed. BCBA, LBA (MO)

What to prepare for and what to expect when you have behavior services in your child's IEP

IEP's with Behavior Services included

This group is a special space dedicated to special needs adults and caregivers.  We share and support each other to live our best lives.  Seek help by posting your concern and share your support when some one else reaches out!

VX Special Needs Community

Everyone in the Vitalxchange family belongs to this group.  While we will share topics of interest and announcements useful to members, this is a place where any member can post their questions to seek help or respond to someone else asking for help.  SAFE, PRIVATE AND JUDGEMENT FREE.  We like it like that.  Use anonymous mode while posting or commenting or extra privacy.  Group is moderated by Vitalxchange to keep you safe.

The Vitalxchange Community

Welcome to the Dad's Community.  This is a group specifically for fathers of special needs children to discuss 'Dad' topics.  Post your questions and parents and VitalGuides will respond.  You can also share links, images, or videos that might interest this community.

VX Dad's Community

Medications represent an essential element of the patient care plan; however, they also present many challenges, such as: assessing the effectiveness and managing unwanted side effects; safely combining prescription medications with OTC or herbals and supplements, and navigating employer-based prescription medication benefits, and the high costs of therapies. This 1:1 coaching session will assist you with any, or all, of these challenges

Medication Coaching Session

Profero Team

If you decide my occupational therapy services are a good fit, you may choose this 30 minute session option for evaluation and treatment. During our time together, please provide me with your child’s age and any pertinent medical information. I will then be able to help you and your child with fine motor, visual motor, self-help abilities as well as sensory processing skills. I can help you ask the right questions of your therapy providers as well as provide you with things you can do at home.

Occupational Therapy Session

Jessica Glenbocki

Dealing with a child who is a picky eater or who exhibits challenging behaviors when eating/feeding such as gagging, coughing, or refusal to eat can be stressful and exhausting.  I have professional experience working with children who are picky eaters from a sensory standpoint.  This half hour appointment will allow us to chat about your child's difficulties, the role that sensory processing and developing motor skills play in eating and feeding, how to help your child develop some of those skills, and the importance of identifying behaviors that are hindering your child's progress.  Learn simple, yet effective strategies that could help your child become more interested in eating, and leave with a better understanding of the developmental progression of feeding and eating so that you are better able to help your child on a daily basis.

Get a better understanding of sensory issues and eating

Triennial review meetings can be overwhelming, especially if you're not prepared ahead of time. There are typically several evaluations to decipher, and you'll have many questions like, "Will my child still qualify for special ed? What do all these test scores mean exactly?" As a school-based therapist for 15 years, and a mom of a now-adult child with learning differences, I can help you navigate through the questions you may have. In our chat, we can iron out the layers of reports, review progress, and get your child's needs met.

How to Prepare for Key Meetings like Triennial Reviews

Dani Reichert

Let's solve specific problems related to things like SSI/SSDI, Medicaid and waivers. We can talk about eligibility, ongoing use responsibilities and work incentives related to benefits.

Benefits - SSI/SSDI, Medicaid, and Waivers

Visioneers DD Navigation and Benefits

Your child has a 504 plan, but your intuition tells you that your child could benefit more or more could be done.  Let’s discuss your child’s situation and review your current 504 plan.  We can then brainstorm ways to get more our of your 504 plan.

Maximize your 504 plan?

Your child has been using early intervention services provided by your state, but what’s next?  Let’s discuss what services your child may be eligible for and strategies to find those services, as well as ways to find support for paying for these resources.

Learn the Landscape of Early Intervention Services

What is sensory processing? Sensory integration? Sensory seeking? Self-regulation? How do these things impact my child? 
This 1:1 consult will answer all of these questions and more! This offer also includes 3 handouts on sensory processing and regulation, a personalized sensory diet template for your child for you to complete/use at home, and demonstration of 3 different simple sensory activities during the meeting.

Sensory Integra—whaaat??

Catie Madison, OTR/L

Are you concerned about your child’s relationship with screens and technology? Wondering what level of screen use is appropriate? I’m here to help! In this 1:1 consultation I will walk you through the warning signs for tech addiction, age appropriate levels of screen use and what type of screen use, and offer simple strategies to create a healthy relationship with screens for your whole family. This offer includes a warning signs checklist, personalized notes from your meeting, and a list of sensory and regulation activities to support your child.

Help! My child is hooked on screens!

Are you worried that your child is too dependent on TV, movies, ipad or other 'screen time' distractions during mealtimes?  Wondering what level of dependence is appropriate?  As a therapist certified in tech addiction, I can offer simple strategies to reduce or eliminate dependence on screen times during feeding and other ways to build positive relationships with food as well as technology!

Learn strategies to reduce screen time dependence during mealtimes

A 30-minute video call to discuss your questions and concerns. Want to learn what OT is? Processing a new ASD diagnosis? I would love to help! This offer includes a complete write-up of topics discussed during the meeting as well as tip sheets and activity ideas to support your areas of concern.

In this session, we will discuss:
1. Learn more about OT and how an OT can help children with developmental delays
2. Discuss your child's situation and specifically how occupational therapy could help.
3. Learn what you should ask for from an Occupational Therapist before beginning therapy

Learn how Occupational Therapy (OT) can help your child

Does your child have extreme aversions to certain foods? Do they seem worried during meals? I am here to help! I will walk you through 5 simple yet effective themes drawing from the Get Permission feeding therapy approach to create a safe and inviting space for your child to experience food and form a sustainable and healthy relationship with eating. This offer includes a comprehensive guide outlining the 5 themes and tips for implementation, personalized notes from the meeting, and a refrigerator affirmation printable for your family to encourage you on your journey toward more peaceful and happy meals together.

5 Steps to Creating a Safe Space for your Anxious Eater

I am here to help you find the right behavioral challenges expert for your child's situation.

Chat with a behavioral challenges concierge

Your Concierge

Hello!  I am Sara, your care concierge on Vitalxchange.  Tell me about your situation, and I can point you to the right VitalGuide solutions on Vitalxchange.

Chat with a Care Concierge

I am here to help you find the right developmental delays expert for your child's situation.

Chat with a developmental delays concierge

I am here to help you find the right parental guidance for your child with Down Syndrome.

Chat with an Down Syndrome concierge

I am here to help you find the right parental guidance for your child with autism.

Chat with an autism spectrum disorder concierge

We are here to help you find the right developmental delays expert for your child's situation.

Video call with a developmental delays concierge

We are here to help you find the right parental guidance for your child.  Set up a complimentary appointment with a care concierge to help find the right VitalGuide for your situation.  [Don't forget to ask for a discount coupon for your first session!]

Video Call with a Care Concierge

We are here to help you find the right behavioral challenges expert for your child's situation.

Video call with a behavioral challenges concierge

We are here to help you find the right parental guidance for your child with autism.

Video call with an autism spectrum disorder concierge

Hello!  Let's have a brief chat to figure out your unique picky eater challenge and point you to a VitalGuide solution that's perfect for your situation.

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