Autism Awareness Month at TPP: Building Community Connections

Written By: Amy Wolcott M.S., CCC-SLP

April is Autism Awareness Month! At The Pediatric Place, we celebrate what makes each client unique while providing services that support the everyday needs of the families we serve. Read on to learn about the range of services we offer and some exciting upcoming events!

Communication Boards in Parks—Support Outside the Clinic Walls

We are thrilled to announce the unveiling of our first community communication boards at Kids’ World Inclusive Park in Clinton, in partnership with Healthy Blue. The communication boards, specific to activities located in the park, will enable kids with communication challenges to connect with friends and family members while they play.

“At The Pediatric Place, we understand how important it is for children to have access to the tools they need—no matter where they are,” said Brittany Hendrick, TPP’s Marketing Manager who spearheaded this project. “We truly believe that if the plan only works in the clinic, it’s not a great plan. That’s why we are committed to bringing support into real-life environments—like parks—so all children have the opportunity to communicate, engage, and feel included.”

And this is only the beginning! We are currently working with the city of Knob Noster to install communication boards in their parks. Knob Noster high school students are even involved in the project! We are actively exploring other nearby communities and connecting with potential partners with the goal of bringing communication to everyone, everywhere!

Autism & Neurodevelopmental Resource Fair—Connecting Families to Resources

Everyone is invited to join us for our annual Autism & Neurodevelopmental Resource Fair on April 18 from 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at our Clinton location. This annual event connects families to the amazing resources and support opportunities available in our community.

“At The Pediatric Place, we are more than just therapists—we are moms, aunts, family members, and advocates who have either personally experienced or witnessed how difficult it can be to find and access the right resources,” Brittany said. “Living in rural Missouri can make that even more challenging. That’s why we believe it’s so important to bring resources together in one place. By partnering with other organizations and providers, we can help families make meaningful connections, reduce barriers, and ensure they know what support is available to them.” This event would not be possible without our sponsors Healthy Blue and Home State Health.

At this year’s event, you can connect with representatives from the following organizations:

Sensory-Friendly Events—From Holidays to Haircuts

Everybody should have the opportunity to participate in fun holiday events and everyday experiences. For kids with sensory processing differences, the environments in which these events take place can often feel overwhelming. That’s why our team of therapists offers sensory friendly events throughout the year, from haircuts to visits with Santa and the Easter Bunny to our annual sensory-friendly trick-or-treat. Connect with us on Facebook or Instagram to stay in the know about upcoming events!

Clinic-Based Therapy—Collaborative Care for Successful Futures

At The Pediatric Place, you can find all the therapy services you need under one roof! Our team of experts works together to create collaborative plans of care that meet the needs of the whole child. We offer state-of-the-art ABA services, speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, mental health therapy, and medical nutritional therapy to support families in our community and help each child reach their full potential! Visit our website or call us today to learn more!

Questions or comments? Contact us