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FOUNTAIN HILL, PA (July 6, 2022)<\/strong>\u00a0–\u00a0Sarah\u2019s Smile<\/em>, KidsPeace\u2019s summer group therapy program for youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders, returns in 2022 – and for the first time in nearly a decade it will be a full-day program.<\/p>\n The expanded hours will provide participants with additional opportunities to learn and practice social, communication and coping skills and, along with early drop-off and late pickup options, offer families a more reasonable treatment schedule.<\/p>\n Sarah\u2019s Smile<\/em>\u00a0<\/strong>serves children and young people aged 6-21 who have an ASD diagnosis.\u00a0 The program is offered at KidsPeace\u2019s Broadway Campus in Fountain Hill and Berks Campus in Temple, PA, and is part of the organization\u2019s Intensive Behavioral Health Services (IBHS) group therapy programs.<\/p>\n KidsPeace IBHS Director Robert Harvey notes that the program is designed to help each child to grow their skills at their own pace.<\/p>\n \u201cThe treatment program in\u00a0Sarah\u2019s Smile<\/em>\u00a0is based entirely on input from the participants and their caregivers, as well as our staff\u2019s observation of their interactions with peers,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cWe are dedicated to providing a fun and immersive environment where each client has the opportunity to learn and practice the skills they need to be successful socially and to be ready for the experiences in life they most look forward to.\u201d<\/p>\n Harvey also noted that with along with the expanded hours,\u00a0Sarah\u2019s Smile<\/em>\u00a0will be joined by KidsPeace\u2019s afterschool ASD group programing in a \u201cyear-round\u201d designation: \u201cThat means children will be able to transition seamlessly from one program to the next, without the need for separate registration and discharge.\u00a0 This will save families additional paperwork, evaluations and waiting to hear if they got into the next program.\u201d<\/p>\n Also new in 2022 \u2013 a quiet room near the Broadway Campus\u2019s gym.\u00a0 The \u201cQuiet Space\u201d provides clients with a space to go when they are overstimulated, need a quiet place to calm down, and\/or need to let out a bit of extra energy. The room features large yoga balls, a small crash pad, a swing frame and detachable hammock swing, and light up\/stackable cubes that can change colors. The space also has pretend\/imaginary play items and areas where staff can work on play skills with clients or engage them in a preferred play activity to decompress. The recreational equipment was obtained with funds from grants from the Leona Gruber Trust and the Wawa Foundation.<\/p>\n Sarah\u2019s Smile<\/em>\u00a0begins July 11, and runs from 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For referrals, more information about the program, or inquiries about employment opportunities, call 610-799-8317.<\/p>\n For 140 years, KidsPeace has been building on its expertise to give hope, help and healing to children, adults and those who love them. Through its comprehensive range of residential treatment programs; accredited educational services; unique psychiatric hospital and foster care and community-based programs, KidsPeace is dedicated to helping people connect, transform and overcome their challenges to ensure a stable future, transition to adulthood and gain independence. Since its doors opened, nearly 300,000 children have participated in one of the multitude of programs KidsPeace offers.<\/em><\/p>\n For additional resources or more information on how to get involved, become a foster parent or make a donation, please visit\u00a0<\/em>www.kidspeace.org<\/em><\/a>. Follow us at\u00a0<\/em>www.facebook.com\/kidspeace.org<\/em><\/a>\u00a0or on Twitter @KidsPeace.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Information Provided By: <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" FOUNTAIN HILL, PA (July 6, 2022)\u00a0–\u00a0Sarah\u2019s Smile, KidsPeace\u2019s summer group therapy program for youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders, returns in 2022 – and for the first time in nearly … Continue reading KidsPeace Summer Autism Program Sarah\u2019s Smile Returns as Full-Day Service<\/span>
\nRobert Martin
\nDirector of Communications<\/p>\n
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