Fall 2022 Newsletter
Fall Schedule Changes
If you need to change your schedule for the school year, please contact us as soon as possible. We also appreciate advance notice about travel plans so we can staff accordingly or use those appointment times for make-up sessions for other clients.
Clinic Closures
Our clinic will be closed on September 5 in observance of Labor Day and November 24 and 25 for Thanksgiving.
Like and Follow us on Facebook
Did you know Metro Therapy is on Facebook? Like and follow our page for important updates such as weather closures, fun photos of therapy in action, announcements about upcoming events and community activities, and useful information about topics related to speech therapy and occupational therapy.
We Appreciate Your Reviews
Leaving us a positive review on Facebook or Google can help other families find our services. If you have a moment, we’d love to hear your feedback.
Continuing Education
Lindsey Brown completed Certificate Course to Integrate Primitive Reflexes for Optimal Function: Neurological Approaches from Early Intervention to Adolescence
Sarah Hetz completed the courses Autism in Girls: A Harmful Oversimplification and Effects of Diverse Cultural Experiences on Clinical Practices
Clinic Expansion and Open House
We appreciate your patience during our clinic construction and expansion. We are excited to welcome you to the new space and will be hosting an open house once everything is complete. Be on the lookout for details later this fall.
Skills for School
Going to school, especially for the first time, requires a lot of skills! Here are some things to practice and try before school gets underway to make sure things go smoothly. Your child’s therapists can help with building these skills.
Navigating the school building to find classroom
Learning and saying names of teachers and classmates
Sharing personal information such as name and age
Memorizing bus number and lunch number
Working fasteners on clothing, jacket, and backpack
Opening food and drink containers during lunch and snack time
Using the toilet and washing hands independently
School District Services Before Kindergarten
Did you know that school districts provide therapy and other intervention services for children before they reach kindergarten age? These services fall into two broad categories: Early Intervention services for qualifying children age birth to 3 years old and Early Childhood Special Education for qualifying children age 3 to 5 years old. Many of our clients and families benefit from involvement in both services at Metro and through their school district programs.
In addition to special education services, many families enjoy and benefit from Early Childhood Family Education programs that are also provided by school districts The Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) program offers fun, interactive and educational activities to parents and children ages birth to five years. The goal of the program is to strengthen families and help parents and children grow and develop within a circle of support. Caregivers and children participate in fun activities that encourage learning. Caregivers participate in discussions led by a parent educator while their children play, learn and socialize with other children.
Contact information for these programs for Metro Therapy’s surrounding school districts can be found below.
Birth to 3 services are provided in-home or at the child’s daycare. To begin the intake process for birth-3 services, contact Help Me Grow at 1-866-693-4769 or http://helpmegrowmn.org/HMG/Refer/index.htm
Fridley Public Schools
Early Childhood Special Education: 763-502-5126
Early Childhood Family Education: 763-502-5143
Columbia Heights Public Schools
Early Childhood Special Education: 763-528-4431
Early Childhood Family Education: 763-528-4426
Spring Lake Park Public Schools
Early Childhood Special Education: 763-600-5900
Early Childhood Family Education: 763-600-5900
Anoka-Hennepin Schools
Early Childhood Special Education: 763-506-7924
Early Childhood Family Education: 763-506-1275
More specific information about each district’s programs can be found on the district websites.