Programs – Easter Seals Central Alabama

Food School

Varina Mead — Mon, 13 May 2019 17:05:56 +0000

Easterseals Central Alabama now offers a multidisciplinary Food School for children with feeding and growth challenges. The program uses the SOS (Sequential-Oral-Sensory) Approach to Feeding, developed by Dr. Kay Toomey. This program is based on the “normal” developmental steps, stages, and skills of feeding found in typically developing children. It works on motor, oral, behavioral/learning, medical, sensory, and nutritional factors in order to fully evaluate and address feeding and growth challenges.

This program may be beneficial for children with serious sensory aversions (fruit, veggies, protein, foods of a certain color, shape, texture…), and/or oral-motor challenges.

To learn more or to see about scheduling an evaluation, please call 334.387.3281!

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Pediatric Occupational Therapy

Varina Mead — Mon, 18 Jun 2018 16:00:35 +0000

Pediatric Occupational Therapy (OT) focuses on helping children participate in meaningful occupations through promoting the development of new skills, rehabilitation, or adapting activities, materials, or the environment so they can succeed across settings (home, school, community).

For children, meaningful activities include learning and developing life skills (such as self-care, education, and relationships with others) and creativity and enjoyment (play).

Our experienced therapists, Crystal Coffman and Emily Guarino, and our large, bright, new OT space make it a fun and engaging place for your child to get started. With speech therapy and ABA on-site as well, Easterseals Central Alabama can make quality therapy more convenient.

Call 334.387.3281 or email info@eastersealsa.org to learn more.

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HAVE AN APPOINTMENT? CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD AND PRINT THE INTAKE PACKET!

In order to make the most out of your child’s first visit with us, please get this information back to us no later than 24 hours ahead of time. This is mandatory so the therapist knows information about your child prior to working with them. Once completed, the intake packet can be emailed to ccoffman@eastersealsca.org, dropped off at our location at 2185 Normandie Drive, Montgomery, or faxed to 334-288.7171!

Our Pediatric Occupational Therapy Department is still growing and has needs! We are looking for in-kind donations of certain play equipment used for therapy. Please click here to view our Pediatric OT wish list!

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Ready Readers Dyslexia Testing & Therapy

Varina Mead — Tue, 20 Mar 2018 21:05:58 +0000

Ready Readers provides quality dyslexia testing and therapy for students who have a reading learning disability, and want to feel comfortable with and develop a lifelong love of reading!

Our Ready Readers Reading Development Program provides testing and therapy using the SPIRE testing and therapy curriculum to assess the child’s needs and work with them intensely in their challenging areas. Most children make significant progress fairly quickly and develop a more confident approach to learning!

To learn more about the testing and therapy, please call 334.288.0240 or email info@eastersealsca.org.

“My son was diagnosed with a reading learning disability and avoided reading every chance he could. I could tell his confidence was low and at times, he was embarrassed. In the short time we have been coming, he has made tremendous progress and now asks if he can read me stories at night! I’m grateful for the gift that Easterseals Central Alabama has given that will benefit him for the rest of his life.” – Mother of Gavin

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Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Clinic

Nancy Fields — Tue, 02 Feb 2016 00:26:09 +0000

When you, or your child’s Pediatrician suspects autism, you want quality and timely testing as soon as possible. Easterseals Central Alabama’s ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) Diagnostic Clinic features a team of specialists including a speech pathologist and a child psychologist from Alabama Psychiatry. Each specialist conducts a thorough evaluation and provides detailed reports to the parents so interventions can begin right away.

Benefits of our ASD Clinic include:

Results are provided in four weeks.
Little-to-no waiting list.
Limited scholarships available.
All major insurance accepted and costs are based on the individual’s coverage.
Children who are diagnosed with ASD are given priority for our speech therapy services.
The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) is administered to each individual.

To learn more about the ASD Clinic or to make an appointment, please call 334.387.3265 or email mrussell@eastersealsca.org.

“Without the help of the ESCA Autism Diagnostic Clinic and speech therapy, my child would have never said ‘momma’ for the first time.” Mother of Landon

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ASL Interpreting Program

Nancy Fields — Tue, 02 Feb 2016 00:24:43 +0000

The American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreting Program at Easterseals Central Alabama strives to promote maximum productivity by providing equal access to communication by offering a Sign Language Interpreter to help meet consumer needs. Barriers between English language users interacting with ASL language users can be eliminated by using our interpreting services. Settings requiring interpreting services include, but are not limited to: medical, mental health, legal, educational, performing arts, religious and business and/or community events. Anyone can access our interpreting services to ensure clear effective communication.

To schedule an interpreter, or to learn more about the ASL Interpreting Program, please call Vicki Wood at 334.549.5507 or email vwood28@gmail.com.

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CARE PROJECT

Nancy Fields — Tue, 02 Feb 2016 00:22:50 +0000

Living with a disability or other special circumstance can depend on the availability of highly specialized equipment…usually costly equipment. The Care project helps people acquire no-cost medical equipment that has been refurbished, repaired and sanitized, in order to live, learn, work and play more independently. Examples include equipment, devices, products and services used to maintain, increase or improve the lives of individuals with disabilities.

“I spend my time helping seniors who don’t have help getting equipment they need. When I found the program, it was a blessing. They are a tremendous help to the needy when they can’t get help anywhere else.” Josephine

Some examples of equipment collected and distributed are: Computers and computer equipment, manual and power wheelchairs for adults and children, bedside commodes and shower chairs, hospital beds, personal mobility devices, wheelchair lifts for vehicles, portable wheelchair ramps, geriatric and seat lift chairs, patient lifts, breathing equipment, canes, crutches and walkers, sensory aids, other durable medical equipment.

If you would like to request an item or device, please click here to complete our online request form.

If you are with an organization that would like to request the use of an item or device, please click here to download a request form.

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Certified Nurse Aide (CNA)

Nancy Fields — Thu, 28 Jan 2016 05:35:20 +0000

Easterseals Central Alabama is committed to providing specialized training that will enable others to provide exceptional care whenever it’s needed. The demand for Nurse Aides continues to increase in nursing homes, hospitals, rehab facilities, with home health agencies and private providers. Easterseals Central Alabama offers a five-week Nurse Aide Training Program designed to provide quality education for entry into the healthcare field. The curriculum consists of classroom and practical instruction in the areas of health, nutrition, safety, personal care, developmental and emotional needs. 93% of graduates obtain employment in the healthcare field and many are offered jobs prior to completing the class.

Cost of class is $1,425 and includes: Intensive training, instruction by a qualified Registered Nurse, 2 uniforms, 1 lab coat, 1 pair of shoes, watch, stethoscope, textbook, the fee for the CNA exam, background check, drug screen, TB test, and job placement assistance. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE MAY BE AVAILABLE THROUGH YOUR LOCAL CAREER CENTER. IN MONTGOMERY, CALL: 334.286.1746 to see if you are eligible! To learn more, or to pre-register, call 334.288.0240.

“We hire Easterseals nursing graduates because they are customer focused and have excellent nursing skills.” Hillview Terrace Nursing Home

“The CNA’s educated by your facility and staff are definitely marked and groomed for success.” Father Walter Memorial Child Care Center

The 2019 class schedule is as follows:

January 22nd – CLASS FULL

April 1st – CLASS FULL

May 13th – CLASS FULL

July 15th – CLASS FULL

September 9th

October 28th

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Employment

Nancy Fields — Tue, 02 Feb 2016 00:27:48 +0000

The first step to freedom is simply being able to provide for yourself. Easterseals Central Alabama works with job-ready individuals to place them into jobs in the community. Our full-time job development specialists help individuals find employment and assist employers in meeting manpower needs. Whether it is someone looking for a first time job or re-entering the workforce, or it is an entry level or professional position, care is taken to develop a good match between the new employee and employer. Employment of people living with a disability is simply good business. For every dollar spent on assisting an individual with re-entry into the workforce, $20.69 is returned to the economy through their employment.

“Without the support, interaction and encouragement of the job placement specialist, I wouldn’t have had the motivation necessary to have a successful job search.” Mary

The Employment Program with Easterseals Central Alabama, is a referral-only program. Interested participants must come through the Alabama Department of Rehab Services (ADRS). Contact your local ADRS office to learn how you can get involved in this program!

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Learning Disabilities

Nancy Fields — Tue, 02 Feb 2016 00:30:04 +0000

The goal of this program is to ease the transition from high school to college for students with learning disabilities and their families. Services are also offered to adults of any age who have learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder, and other cognitive disabilities. What does the Learning Disabilities program offer? Assistance with securing educational accommodations that will help enhance academic success and completion of required coursework. Students will explore their learning style and identify academic accommodations and strategies that will help them succeed in college. To further aid in the student’s success in college, students and families participate in a family conference to discuss the results of the evaluation.

A summer College Prep program gives students a taste of college life and helps them prepare for success in college by learning to advocate for themselves, take good notes, use a variety of test-taking strategies, improve their reading, writing and math skills and manage their time well.

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Project Search

Nancy Fields — Tue, 02 Feb 2016 00:32:55 +0000

Project Search Montgomery is a unique, business-led transition program for students with significant disabilities. It provides high school students with the opportunity to explore careers and develop transferable job skills, while allowing the host placement site, Baptist Health, a chance to assess or “audition” potential employees at no cost. In their final year of high school, students are immersed in the workplace and participate in three 10-week rotating internships that help them acquire the skills needed to be successful and enables them to explore a variety of career paths.

The program is designed to break down stereotypes by increasing the public’s expectations about people with significant disabilities. Project Search Montgomery provides these young people with the opportunity to contribute to their communities, and society, by providing support to help them work and earn a living.

Project Search Montgomery is a collaborative partnership between Easterseals Central Alabama, the Alabama State Department of Education, Baptist Health, the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services, The Alabama Department of Mental Health and the Alabama Counsel of Developmental Disabilities.

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