A vital part of our World Reach initiative, the Teacher Exchange Program brings professionals from across the United States and around the world to our campus in Wichita. Professionals from Heartspring have also visited programs in China, India, Romania and Croatia, to conduct training and provide support. You can make a difference in the lives of children with special needs all around the world. Donate to the Teacher Exchange Program today.

When Lily, Lion and Hope from China’s Stars and Rain were asked how they would implement what they have learned at Heartspring, Lily answered, “We will implement many things, like using new tasks and adding additional structured teaching stations.” They also took home many new “prizes”, as the group began calling the items they began collecting during their time here. The “prizes” consisted of visual aids and tasks that teachers and therapists had given to them and toys and therapy materials they purchased.

October 15, 2008 was a day of growth and opportunity for service providers from China, India and Wichita, Kansas.  Teachers from China and India observed outpatient therapies provided at Heartspring Pediatric Services.  Lion, Lily, and Hope from Stars and Rain, along with their interpreter, Camilla, and Preeti and Jayati from Open Door School, spent the day watching occupational, physical, and speech therapists work with children of varying degrees of skill level and disabilities.

Adding visual supports that enhance a child’s ability to understand what the activity is and how they can do it, as well as giving them a compensatory way to express themselves can help everyone enjoy the activity and the holiday season!  Instructions for creating a thanksgiving turkey using visual supports.

The chill of winter is right around the corner as the leaves change colors and fall from the tress.  Stores are busy setting out holiday decorations in preparation for the season as festive music plays in the background, and travel plans begin to take shape for your visit to family and friends... Snap!  Reality sets in, and you begin to imagine how to prepare for the holidays while meeting the unique needs of your child with autism. Santa's wish list for parents >

Kristina Baker has been at Heartspring since April of 2003.  She started as an Admissions Specialist, worked for a year as a Marketing Associate and in February of 2007 she was named the Coordinator of Outreach Programs.  It is through this position that Kristina has become involved in our World Reach Program.