Fun Times at Learning Spot!

One loooong Update!

Hello all TEAMworks blog followers! So sorry for the late update! We have had a few issues with internet, but…WE MADE IT!
After a smooth check in and on time flights, we arrived in Guatemala late on Friday night. We were welcomed by two of our favorite people (Diana and Anita) who graciously picked us up at a late hour and whisked us of to our home for the week!

Before we begin, a history lesson…

On one of our first trips to Guatemala, we met a woman named Diana. She was a special education student at a university here in Guatemala. Upon graduation, she had a dream to start her own therapy clinic where she would serve kids who couldn’t afford therapy. She dreamt she would provide special education services and basic therapy services for a fraction of the price families would typically pay for outside services!  Learning Spot was born! Diana has been a great connection for us during our many years of serving in Guatemala and we occasionally helped out by seeing some of her kiddos on previous trips, but THIS time we wanted to collaborate to establish long term therapy care of the kids she serves at Learning Spot. 

So, lets meet our very own TEAMworks/Learning Spot Fab 5 and see what they have been up to for the past couple of days with our therapy team!

Nicolle
Nicole has been working hard in speech on feeding. She works really well with Alyson who has been working extra hard to help her and her mom get a more coordinated feeding routine down. In OT, Nicole has been enjoying her time with Mary Claire rolling and popping bubbles. Nicole LOVES bubbles! In PT, Nicole was fitted with some braces so she could stand upright in a stander. This is the first time she has been in a standing position!! Also, JUST LOOK AT THAT SWEET SMILE!!!

Angel
This spunky boy has had us all on our toes this week! He’s got AMAZING potential…if only one of us could get him to sit still. Just kidding (sort of…). With only two days of speech therapy with Paige, Angel has been using a communication device to request items he wants, as well as gain multiple sounds using tactile cues.  OT has been working on sitting to play at the table with different fine motor activities for up to 3-5 minutes, which is a significant fete for this little Tasmanian devil!  PT is working on controlled movement and strengthening. He really enjoyed popping bubbles with his toes!

 

Karla
This sassy, yet non-verbal, little lady is learning to use PECS (picture exchange) with Paige and Alyson and has rapidly gained the skills to request what she wants and it has made a HUGE difference.  OT has been working hard at actively engaging Karla in puzzles, learning her shapes, and arm exercises using weights and popping bubbles! PT is waiting to see Karla for the week, but it is sure to be a good time working on balance, coordination, and gaining strength for improved walking patterns.

 

Esteban
This handsome face is familiar to some veteran TEAMworks therapists and stole the hearts of our new therapists! He has been working on oral motor exercises and tolerance with Alyson and Paige; as well as eye gaze communication on an eye gaze  board.  PT had a successful day today with extra hard work in hands and knees, side sitting, and neck exercises for strengthening.  OT has been working on activating toys and playing with hands in midline by lying on his side with good success!

 

Sophie
Sophie is our jokester! If you’re not careful she will show up behind you with a sneaky tickle! Sophie has been working SO hard in OT with Katie and Mary Claire to write her name and today she wrote it for the first time by herself! In Speech therapy, Alyson and Paige have been working on breaking down syllables for word production and improving Sophie’s clarity when she talks. And PT….well PT is not Sophie’s favorite, but she worked hard today to strengthen her legs and improve coordination.

Every day we have given a staff training to those who work and intern at Learning Spot in hopes they will be able to use some of these more advanced techniques to further the therapy of the kiddos once we leave. We have been so encouraged by their engagement in each training and are POSITIVE they will do great things when we are gone. Additionally, we have given a parent training at the end of the day for simple ways to incorporate speech, OT, and PT into the home with their kiddos! They have been so responsive and have been asking really great questions! We are so blessed to be in such a collaborative environment with all of these professionals and families working to help each of these sweet children! We are excited to see what these last few days have in store!

Stay tuned!

 

Oh… and we hiked a volcano!