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

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.

Chat with me about your unique picky eater situation

Your Concierge

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

Chat with a behavioral challenges 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 developmental delays expert for your child's situation.

Chat with a developmental delays concierge

For years, puzzle pieces and the color blue have symbolized autism, but many autistic adults are forging the path to change the way we view, think about, and talk about autism. Let's dive into the topic of neurodiversity, person first versus identify first language, puzzle pieces versus infinity symbols, supporting autonomy and identity, access to communication/AAC, prioritizing autistic voices, and the hot topic of ABA.

Autism: The Neurodiversity Movement & Respecting Autonomy...and What About ABA?

Marla Davis

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

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

Heidi Hughes

DIR (Developmental, Individual-differences, & Relationship-based model) is a framework for understanding human development and highlights the important role of social-emotional development on overall human development.  It also provides a framework for understanding how each person individually perceives and interacts with the world differently. DIR Floortime focuses on building relationships through developmentally appropriate activities that respect your child's individual differences. We will talk briefly about the model, and then talk about some of the easy to incorporate strategies associated with this model so that you can start to use them right away!

Floortime, all the time! Using the DIR Floortime Model to Support Your Child's Social and Emotional Development.

Have you ever wondered if your child is holding their pencil correctly? Wondering if it is normal for their age or if you should be concerned? Let's talk about the different stages of pencil grasp development, and some simple tips and tricks to help little hands get ready for writing!

Let's Talk About Pencil Grasp!

Have you dreamt of having a playground to go to that welcomes your child with open arms? You may envision ramps, flat rubber surfacing, increased seating and rest areas, supportive swings, or ground-level play panels. Not sure where to start? Then this is for you! We will go over equipment, vendors, funding, grants, and helpful tips.

Inclusive Playgrounds: How to Bring 'Play for All' to Your Town

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

Chat with a Care navigator

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

As a pediatric occupational therapist, I have a lot of experience helping parents expose their families to new foods and overcome certain obsessive behaviors like eating only certain brands or at certain times of the day or certain colors!  Kids are incredibly unique when it comes to such behaviors and parents are wit's end with power struggles and catering to these behaviors!  I love to work with you to create new habits that reduce stress and improve your child's eating habits

Tips and tricks to exposing your child to new foods and new habits

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

Chat with an autism spectrum disorder concierge

Spend time to chat about Behavior Services.

What are Behavior Services: What can I expect

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

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

I will guide you step-by-step on how to write your
Request for an Eligibility Meeting & Evaluation, what is the best way to approach the school about your child's performance in school, & provide you with guidelines on how to address the IEP eligibility team during your first meeting.

Advocating for your child - When & How do I request an evaluation.

Beverly Reyes PT

Programa tu sesión de terapia física privada.


Convierte tu sesión de terapia en una sesión divertida con estrategias basadas en juego y que se amoldan a las destrezas de tu peque.

Esta oferta incluye estrategias y actividades diseñadas con tu familia y hogar en mente para optimizar el desarrollo motor de tu peque.

Dado a restricciones en la licencia de practica de Terapia Física, este servicio solo puede ser ofrecido a residentes de FL.

Intervención Temprana (PT)- Sesión Virtuales solo para residentes en FL (60 minutos)

Beverly: Enriqueciendo tu desarrollo (Apoyo y recursos en Español)

As a mom of a child with exceptionalities and a physical therapist by profession I have unique experience advocating for  resources for special needs children…both medical and at school.  Let's discuss your situation and how things I have found may be of use to you.

Advocating for Your Child - Health and School Resources

This service provides a 30 minutes virtual consult with a downloadable document.

Each document is customized based on your kid's needs and curated to reflect *meaningful parental input* throughout the IEP process.

I need an IEP Evaluation Request (in writing) for my kid.

I am a mom of a child with exceptionalities and a physical therapist by profession.  My areas of expertise are early intervention, motor development for your little one.

Early Intervention Motor Development Challenges

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

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

Get an overview of your concerns and support needs, so that I can provide you with a comprehensive action plan if you decide to continue working with me.

30 minute FREE consultation

Jennifer @Hulme Resources

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

Reserva tu sesión virtual de terapia física pediátrica para discutir tus preocupaciones con respecto al desarrollo motor de tu peque. 
Cernimientos son un proceso de entrevista y avaluó para determinar la necesidad de servicios de habilitación y rehabilitación.

Cernimiento Pediátrico en Español

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

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

Whether you're new to early intervention, physical therapy, or your child has been receiving physical therapy services, I can help you think about additional ways you may be able to help your child. As a Mom and a PT, my unique experience can help you help your child.

Helping your child with Gross Motor Issues

If you feel confused by what developmental milestones your baby 'should' reach and when, or if you'd like some tips on how to help facilitate certain movements, I'm here to provide easy strategies that you can work into your everyday lives!

Meeting Developmental Milestones (an OT's Perspective)?

Allyson Owen

Have you been referred to Occupational Therapy but you feel overwhelmed by all you don’t know about the profession and how your kiddo(s) could benefit? I’d love to answer any questions you might have :)

What is OT?!

Have you ever been overwhelmed about what your baby needs most to optimize their development? What should you put on your baby registry, what you should have your infant and toddler play with to expand their play skills, how much you should be involved, etc? I’m here to help you navigate the muddy waters and ensure your little one is engaged in experiences that will enhance their development!

What Does My Baby Even Need?

New mommas, let's talk about your new occupational role of motherhood and how you can best settle into being a new mother. I’m happy to provide you with the support you need in any way!

Supporting the 4th Trimester

Are you struggling to get your picky eater to eat a variety of nutrients?
Are you, as a parent, struggling to know which foods are most nutritious for your kiddos?
I'm a Certified Holistic Nutritionist as well as an OT, so I am very passionate about holistic nutrition and fueling our bodies with the nutrients that help us thrive in all of our occupations! I am here for you to discuss options based on your specific needs in your personal budget!

Holistic Nutrition Consultation

Meet with me to figure out how to protect your kids from the negative cascade of effects that sugar (both natural and artificial) can have on their little bodies.

Sugar-Proof Your Kids

Decreasing our toxic burden can do wonders for our health. I feel like a new person since cutting many environmental toxins out of my life, and I want to help others feel the same! Let's chat about common heavy hitters in the home (i.e. unfiltered water, soaps, candles, air fresheners, personal care products, cleaning products, cookware, etc.) and about ways to make safer swaps in order to decrease your toxic load.

Detox Your Cabinets

I am here to help you with mealtime struggles and provide you with strategies from my perspective as an Occupational Therapist and feeding expert for your family.

Learn how to manage mealtime madness

Michele Robinson, MS OTR/L - Occupational Therapist and Handwriting Specialist

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?

Visioneers DD Navigation and Benefits

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

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

As an Occupational Therapist and Holistic Nutritionist I am here to help you understand how food is related to a child's overall behavior and work with you to optimize your child's diet in order to enhance their mood and level of focus/attention. I will help you analyze your kiddo’s tricky behaviors and determine if the food they are eating might be exacerbating the situation. Navigating nutrition for your kids can feel overwhelming - I’m here to decrease your overwhelm and help you understand how to read food labels to avoid ingredients that will mess with the gut-brain connection in your kids. Happy & healthy kids are within your reach, I’m here to help you get there!

Understanding the link between food, focus, and behavior and what you can do about it.

Everything is connected in the gut. From when food enters the mouth to when it is eliminated, it has an effect on our gastrointestinal tract. As an Occupational Therapist and Holistic Nutritionist, I will help you understand how some foods can do more harm than good for your child's digestive system.

Understanding how a child's diet may be causing GI issues

I am an Occupational Therapist and Holistic Nutritionist, and I can help with your nutrition concerns and advise you on swaps you can make to optimize your child's nutrient intake based on where their food preferences currently stand.

Addressing nutrition concerns for your child

Are you looking to ensure that you little ones have a healthy orientation towards eating right from the start and through adulthood? Prevention is paramount. Especially when it comes to your child's nutrition, as it forms the foundation for all growth and development. As an Occupational Therapist and Holistic Nutritionist, I will help you get your child started on the right path and ensure they have a healthy orientation towards food for their life. It's easier to create helpful habits instead of breaking harmful ones, and I am here to help you do just that when it comes to setting your child up for a nutritious and vibrant life!

Getting your child started right on the path to good nutrition from first solids

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

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

Suzanne Shaft

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

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

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

Catie Madison, OTR/L

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??

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.

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

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!

Sometimes special interests that individuals hyper-fixate on can consume their thoughts, time, and energy and distract them from what's going on around them.  In this meeting, we'll discuss areas of engagement that are affected and strategies to incorporate that special interest into the context to encourage interaction.  This can be a way for your child to create meaningful connections with their surroundings to curate an intrinsic motivation to engage.

How to Utilize Your Child's Special Interest to Engage with the World

Comprehensive Behavioral Coaching by Emma

Children with disabilities often crave social connections just like their neurotypical peers, but may struggle in translating this desire into action.  In this meeting we'll discuss your child's social background and gauge their interest in social interactions to deduce what blockages are in between them and leading the social life they desire, and then determine tangible steps to take in removing these blockages.

How to Encourage Your Child to Socialize

I am passionate about find the missing piece of the developmental puzzle for both the child and the family. Through experience working in early intervention, schools, and outpatient clinics, I can provide strategies and ideas to address gross motor development for your little one.  We will find ways to assist you and your family to promote development and address specific goals which we will outline during our initial meeting or conversation.

Early Development Gross Motor Development Strategies

Carolyn O'Leary

Let’s talk! I am available to offer expert advice, guidance, or recommendations for caregivers or persons with any needs in the following areas:

- Speech (articulation, intelligibility, accent modification)
- Language (developmental skills, new onset difficulties such as aphasia)
- Cognition (developmental, rehabilitation)

Those are just general areas in which I can help, please feel free to reach out and I can assess on a case-by-case basis!

Discuss your child's speech, language, or cognition issues

Jeanan Sfeir, Well Fed & Well Said

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

Let’s talk! I am available to offer expert advice, guidance, or recommendations for caregivers or persons with any needs in the following areas:
- Feeding (developmental, picky eaters, oral dysphagia)
- Swallowing dysfunction (rehabilitation, oropharyngeal dysphagia, pharyngeal dysphagia)
- Bottle feeding and/or breast feeding
- Speech (articulation, intelligibility, accent modification)
- Language (developmental skills, new onset difficulties such as aphasia)
- Cognition (developmental, rehabilitation)

Those are just general areas in which I can help, please feel free to reach out and I can assess on a case-by-case basis!

Speech or feeding therapy with a certified speech therapist

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

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

Let’s talk! I am available to offer expert advice, guidance, or recommendations for caregivers or persons with any needs in the following areas:
- Feeding (developmental, picky eaters, oral dysphagia)
- Swallowing dysfunction (rehabilitation, oropharyngeal dysphagia, pharyngeal dysphagia)
- Bottle feeding and/or breastfeeding

Discuss your infant child's feeding or swallowing issues

Navigating the DMH waivers can be difficult! Let me help your family by offering tips, professional knowledge, and loopholes that will get you or your person the supports they need to thrive in their own environment! After our consultation, I will include two follow-up sessions via email to ensure that you have received the information and resources discussed in our 1:1 chat!  Use code: ANDREA50 to receive 50% off of your first consultation!

Navigating the Department of Mental Health Waivers

Andrea Wooley

While many children may avoid toothbrushing in favor of other activities, children diagnosed with autism may dislike brushing their teeth due to sensitivity issues. Medical professionals typically categorize these issues as either hyposensitivity or hypersensitivity. Hyposensitivity refers to limited sensation or numbness in the oral region. After our consultation, I will include two follow-up sessions via email to ensure that you have received the information and resources discussed in our 1:1 chat!  Use code: ANDREA50 to receive 50% off of your first consultation!

ASD and dental hygiene

In this session, we will discuss your child's situation and determine how to best advocate for your child to receive the resources they need.  We will discuss what organization you may contact and how to discuss your child's needs.  At the end of our session, you will have actionable information to advocate for your child.  After our consultation, I will include two follow-up sessions via email to ensure that you have received the information and resources discussed in our 1:1 chat!  Use code: ANDREA50 to receive 50% off of your first consultation!

Learn to advocate for your child

Picky eaters can come at any age, but children are perhaps the group with the most significant concentration of picky eaters. This can be for many reasons, such as being nervous to try new food, sensory, disliking the color of something, or maybe just being stubborn, color contrast on their plate, but what it amounts to every time are frustrated parents trying to make sure their children eat healthily and grow up strong. Does this sound like your life? The good news is, there are many surprising ways you can easily get your children to eat healthily! After our consultation, I will include two follow-up sessions via email to ensure that you have received the information and resources discussed in our 1:1 chat!  Use code: ANDREA50 to receive 50% off of your first consultation!

Picky eater? I would love to help!

If you're frustrated with mealtime struggles and want help navigating these situations, I am here to help you brainstorm strategies to get your children to have a better attitude towards food.

Managing mealtime struggles for the whole family

Would you like to request an IEP meeting? Possibly and ARD review or even an evaluation? I am here to help! During this session, I will guide you through the process of making parent requests. I will also provide a template to use as you draft your request letter.

Parent Request

Dr. Emily Smith

Has your child recently been evaluated for Special Education? Are you confused about what the results show or simply don't understand the process? During this session, I will take time to decipher and explain the sections of your child's evaluation. We will spend time discussing your questions and concerns as well as the next steps in the special education process. You are not alone in this, I am happy to help!

Evaluation Review

New to the Special Education world or have something on your mind that you would like clarification for? I am here to help! During this session, I will answer your special education questions, whatever they may be. I will also provide a special education terminology document for you to use as a reference.

Special Education 101

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

VitalGuide™ Solutions for

Collections