Puppet
Shows Puppet
Shows Puppet
Shows For For All All
Occasions For Occasions
All Occasions
(703) 444-9426
(703) 444-9426
(703)444-9426 Large and
and colorful
• Large
marionettes and colorful marionettes
• • Large
colorful marionettes
hand puppets
puppets and hand puppets
and and hand
Lively music
music • Lively music
• • Lively
• • Audience
participation Audience participation
• Audience participation
• • Puppet-making
Puppet-making workshops
• workshops
Puppet-making workshops
• • Goody
Goody bags
bags • Goody bags
Susan Wall's Susan Wall's
www.carouselpuppets.com www.carouselpuppets.com
PayYourNanny.com We’re here to help families
Payyournanny.com provides payroll
and tax compliance services
to household employers
(703) 819-9796
byudd@payyournanny.com payyournanny.com
goosecreekmontessori.com info@goosecreekmontessori.com
Tours available by appointment.
Discover this brand-new Montessori
school in the Broadlands area of Ashburn.
All of the classrooms are spacious with
an abundance of natural lighting. The
classrooms open to the playground
with patios allowing children to freely
work inside and outside. Goose Creek
offers a complete educational and social
environment and uses the discoveries and
methods of Dr. Montessori to help a child
develop more fully the potential within
him or her.
MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF
CEDAR LANE
3035 Cedar Lane
Fairfax, VA 22031
703-560-4379 preschoolmontessori.com
info@cedarlanemontessori.com Open House: Call to schedule a tour.
Montessori School of Cedar Lane
has been providing over 40 years
of Montessori tradition to Northern
Virginia. We offer a complete educational
and social environment and use the
discoveries and methods of Dr. Montessori
to help a child develop more fully the
potential within him or her.
(703) 819-9796
(703) 819-9796
(THE) MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF
MCLEAN 1711 Kirby Road
McLean, VA 22101
703-790-1049 mcleanmontessori.org
Ages: 2 -12
Open House: Call to schedule a tour.
Offering preschool and elementary
classes, Spanish, French, science, drama,
music, physical education, computer,
art and summer school. Transportation
available. NYSMITH SCHOOL FOR THE GIFTED
13625 EDS Drive
Herndon, VA 20171
703-713-3332 nysmith.com
ebalberde@nysmith.com Ages Served: 3 years old to
eighth grade
Hours: 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Open House: Call to schedule a tour.
The award-winning Nysmith School for
the Gifted is committed to making school
fun. Staff nurture your student’s love of
learning and help your children learn
to their potential. A 1-to-9 ratio allows
Nysmith to differentiate the academic
program up to four levels above a
student’s current grade.
PINECREST SCHOOL
7209 Quiet Cove
Alexandria, VA 22003
703-354-3446 pinecrestschool.org
admissions@pinecrestschool.org Ages: 3-12
Hours: 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
Please email for more information.
Pinecrest School is a fully accredited
progressive school offering small
class sizes, hands-on curriculum,
an individualized approach and a
focus on a balance of academics
and social and emotional well-being.
Offers preschool through sixth grades,
summer camp and before- and after-
care services.
SUNSET HILLS MONTESSORI SCHOOL
11180 Ridge Heights Road
Reston, VA 20191
703-476-7477 sunsethillsmontessori.com
office@sunsethillsmontessori.com At South Hills Montessori School, we are
committed to recognizing and cultivating
the uniqueness of each individual child.
SHMS has a community of educators, and
wonderful families, who have chosen the
school because of a shared vision for early
childhood and elementary education. n
CELEBRATING 60 YEARS OF MONTESSORI EXCELLENCE
VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSES
NOVEMBER 5 & 17 | DECEMBER 3 | JANUARY 7 & 13
AGE 18 MONTHS TO GRADE 6
SCHEDULE YOUR VISIT AT AIDANSCHOOL .ORG | 202.387.2700 | 2700 27TH STREET NW, WASHINGTON, DC
22 WashingtonFAMILY NOVEMBER 2021
AUTISM:
Sensory Issues
- & -
Therapy Solutions
BY ANGELA WEST
CHILDREN DIAGNOSED WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER (ASD) can often exhibit sensory
issues such as hyper- or hypo-sensitivity to various stimuli. As many as 70% to 96%
of those diagnosed with autism can display signs of sensory dysfunction. In 2013, the
American Psychiatric Association added sensory sensitivity to a list of symptoms that
help diagnose ASD. Much like symptoms of autism, sensory dysfunction can vary widely.
Children can quickly become overwhelmed and manifest their anxiety in disruptive
behaviors. Those with sensory issues can have both hyper- and hypo-sensitivity across
multiple senses or even the same sense at times.
ZSV3207/ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS
B oth types of sensory sensitivity affect
how a child with autism processes
and reacts to various stimuli. Some
children may under-respond to stimuli and have
low sensitivity to pain, which can cause them
to rub their arms or legs, wear tight clothing or
look for things to touch and taste. Others might
recoil at loud sounds or bright lights.
To determine the best therapy solutions for
your child, you should ask, “Is it a sensory issue
that is causing a behavioral response?” The first
step is to observe your child’s behaviors and
what leads to the reactions. Is there a loud noise
before your child acts out? Does your child
seek sensory experiences by taste and touch?
These responses could be signs of hyper- or
hypo-sensitivity. Since sensory dysfunction
can cause added stress and anxiety, therapy is
beneficial for mitigating responses and easing
a child’s fears.
A few therapy solutions can help your
child and your family work through sensory
dysfunction. Applied Behavioral Analysis
(ABA) Therapy is a scientific, evidence-based
treatment that uses positive reinforcement,
data analysis, visual supports and parent
and caregiver involvement. Board-Certified
Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) can provide
sensory mitigation techniques through
sensory integration therapy and may work
collaboratively with occupational and
speech therapists.
Occupational therapy uses physical activities
and strategies to guide children gradually
through processing the sensory stimuli they
encounter in their environment. Speech
therapy can help with sensory-rich or sensory-
reducing activities depending on the child’s
specific needs. Cognitive behavioral therapy
uses gradual introduction to sensory stimuli to
increase a child’s tolerance as time progresses.
The best way to determine the most
appropriate therapy for your child is to seek
an assessment with an autism service provider.
During the evaluation, a therapist can test your
child’s sensory sensitivities and help work with
you to find the best course of treatment.
In the meantime, you can also engage
your child with sensory toys such as sensory
mats, putty, sand, slime, squeezy balls, fidget
spinners and more. A quick internet search
for sensory toys for autism can provide
additional options. T
Angela West, M.S., BCBA, LBA, founder and
chief clinical officer of Behavioral Framework
(behavioralframework.com), is board-certified
and licensed as a behavior analyst in Virginia
and Maryland. With more than 15 years of
mental health and ABA experience, Angela has
diverse programming and behavior management
knowledge. Angela has developed and expanded
ABA programs in Maryland and Virginia.
WashingtonFAMILY.com 23