Disability Awareness

July 25, 2023

Disability Does Not Mean Inability

Having a child with a disability can be challenging and expensive. Sometimes it’s hard to find the right resources to help financially, emotionally, and physically depending on your child’s diagnosis and needs. Knowing the resources available to you can help ease some of the burden from your shoulders. PMC has put together a list of resources in our area that can help you and your family.
Resources:

Local Resources:

Community Resources:

  • Apples for Children

Offers a computerized listing of all regulated forms of child care (licensed family child-care providers, licensed center-based and school-age programs, certified camp programs, certified nursery schools, kindergartens, and Head Start programs). Group Details: Facilitated by the Alliance for Parent, Provider, and Local Employer Solutions, website: www.applesforchildren.org, contact: 301-733-0000

  • Birth Injury Center

The birth Injury Center provides assistance to anyone who has been affected by a birth injury. They offer resources to assist the injured and their families. More information can be found online at: www.birthinjurycenter.org

  • Sargent Shriver Head Start Center

This Federally funded program offers comprehensive child development and family support services to income-eligible families. Preventative health and nutrition services are included. Children with disabilities are welcome. Part-day and full-day programming available. Group Details: website: http://headstartwashco.org, contact: 301-733-4640

Community Partners:

  • Equipped for Life
  • Ability Prosthetics & Orthotics Inc.
  • National Mobility & Seating
  • Variety Children's Charity
  • Potomac Case Management
  • Cornerstone Physical Therapy
  • Bester Community of Hope
  • NuMotion
  • Orthotic Solutions

Funding Resources:

  • Tri-State Civitan
  • Variety Children's Charity
  • The Angel Fund

Special Education Resources:

  • Washington County Public Schools Special Education

Specifically designed instruction, at no cost to the parents, to meet the unique needs of a child with a disability. Additionally, once Special Education is determined, related services may also be implemented based on student need. Group Details: Facilitated by Washington County Public Schools, website: http://wcpsmd.com/special-education


  • Infants and Toddlers Program

Washington County Public School’s Infants and Toddlers Program is a countywide system of coordinated, interagency and multidisciplinary early intervention services for children ages birth to five who are suspected of having a disability. Group Details: Facilitated by Washington County Public Schools, website: http://wcpsmd.com/

Mental Health Resources:

  • Maryland Coalition of Families for Children's Mental Health

If you are caring for a child with a mental health, behavioral or education issue, a developmental disability or involvement with the juvenile justice system, you may need Family Navigator services. Any parent or caregiver can call a Family Navigator to request assistance for their child, age 0-21 years, with special needs. Group Details: website: http://www.mdcoalition.org, contact: 410-730-8267 or Youth Crisis Hotline 1-888-607-3637

 

  • Brooklane Health Services, Inc.

Offers outpatient and short-term inpatient hospitalization services, substance abuse treatment, and a variety of other services for children, adolescents, and adults. Group Details: website: www.brooklane.org, contact: 301-733-0330

 

  • Change Health Systems

Services include: outpatient mental health clinic, psychiatric rehabilitation program, therapeutic behavioral services, autism waiver services, special education services and respite services. Group Details: website: www.change-health.com, contact: 240-420-1850

 

  • The Mental Health Center of Western Maryland, Inc.

Providing outpatient treatment for children, teens, and adults, rehabilitation services, after-school programs, mobil treatment, school based treatment, medication evaluation and follow-up, monitoring, and community education. Group Details: website: www.thementalhealthcenter.net, contact: 301-791-3045

 

  • Villa Maria of Washington County

Catholic Charities provides outpatient services in Washington County. These services include individual and family therapy as well as medication management. In addition, all sites provide child and adolescent psychiatric rehabilitation services in conjunction with outpatient services. Group Details: www.catholiccharities-md.org, contact: 301-733-5858

 

  • QCI Behavioral Health

Provides mental health outpatient and mobile treatment services to children, adolescents and adults with medical assistance only. Group Details: website: www.qcihealth.com.hagerstown, contact: 301-791-2660

Local, Statewide, & National Caregiver Resources:

  • Potomac Case Management

Office provides services to families through our Mental Health Care Coordination (MHCC) serving children 5 – 18 years of age, including transportation. Potomac Case Management also provides services to adults through our Targeted Case Management (TCM) serving adults 18 and older. Group Details: website: https://www.pcmsinc.org, contact 301-791-3087

 

  • Family Caregiver/Grandparent Support Groups

Support groups meet the first Tuesday of every month from 10:00am-12:00pm and provide support to caregivers caring for seniors 60 and older or grandparents and other relative caregivers over the age of 60 who are caring for a child age 18 or under. Group Details: Facilitated by Washington County Commission on Aging, website: wccoaging.org, contact 301-790-0275 ext. 205

 

  • Cerebral Palsy Resource Guide

Cerebral Palsy Guide is a national support organization dedicated to educating individuals and families about Cerebral Palsy. They strive to provide answers and guidance to ensure that families receive the assistance that they need to help improve their overall quality of life. Group Details: Information at https://www.cerebralpalsyguide.com


  • Parenting Classes

An eight week parenting course every Tuesday from 6:00-8:00pm with open and free enrollment. Group Details: Facilitated by the Parent Child Center, website: www.hagerstownparent-childcenter.com, contact 301-791-2224

 

  • Family Support Center

Assists parents of children and young adults with special needs. Is a resource between family, school and community and offers a full range of support for families of children with special needs, from birth to 21 years. Group Details: Facilitated by the Washington County Public Schools, website: http://wcpsmd.com/special-education/family-support-resource-center, contact 301-766-8221

 

  • The Dad's Connection

Offers Fathers 101 group, individual and group counseling, job readiness and other case management services to men in the fathering role. Group Details: Facilitated at the Washington County Family Center, contact 301-790-4005

 

  • The Family Tree

The toll-free stress line provides confidential information, referrals and support for parents and other individuals in care giving roles, professionals, community members, children, adolescents, families, educators, and more. Available to families 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is Maryland’s leading child abuse prevention organization. Group Details: Facilitated by the Parenting Help Line, website: familytreemd.org, contact: 1-800-243-7337

 

  • Parent's Place of Maryland

A statewide parent-directed free resource for families of children and young adults with all disabilities.  Provides information on laws, resources, family rights, and the school system. Group Details: website: www.ppmd.org, contact: 1-800-394-5694 or 410-768-9100

 

  • Maryland Community Services Locator

A statewide, interactive online director developed to assist in locating community resources. It allows users to get organizational contact information, map resources by location and instant directions. Group Details: website: www.mdcsl.org

 

  • Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

A national healthcare insurance program. Group Details: website: https://www.healthcare.gove/medicaid-chip/childrenshealth-insurance-program.


Educational Resources:

        https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/disabilityandhealth/disability-inclusion.html

Articleon CP Equipment and Adaptive Equipment:

         https://www.flintrehab.com/adaptive-equipment-for-cerebral-palsy

Statistical Resources:

Selective Eating - Give Permission

July 2, 2025
Getting a selective eater to try new foods is a process. Keep in mind that the goal is to provide your child with the opportunity to be exposed to new foods. Continue to introduce them to unfamiliar foods, have them see that you eat and enjoy them, all the while making sure they have safe foods that they know they can count on. Giving your child permission helps to reduce anxiety around new foods. Inviting your child to be around and try new foods is a very different experience than forcing them to try new foods.

Summer: Snacks + Crafts

July 1, 2025
With summer here, your kiddos are likely on a constant hunt for snacks. To help them develop healthy eating habits, try spacing meals and snacks about two hours apart. This gives their little tummies time to feel hungry, enjoy a snack, and recognize when they’re full. When kids “graze” throughout the day—eating small amounts here and there—their bodies have a harder time learning to recognize hunger and fullness cues. Grazing can also lead to more frequent choices of less nutritious, grab-and-go snacks. Let's Support Healthier Habits To support healthier habits, pre-plan snack options and post a visual snack “menu” on the fridge. This gives kids structure, helps them feel independent, and encourages better choices. And why not make snack time fun and educational? Try simple food crafts together—it’s a great way to bond with your child(ren), have fun in the kitchen, and explore possible new foods at the same time! UNDER THE SEA: Shark Snack Cups from Mommy's Fabulous Finds Festive treat made with yogurt, jello, cool whip, graham crackers and optional gummy shark Shark Week Bait from Alex Daynes A lighter treat that includes popcorn, white chocolate chips, f ood coloring/sprinkles, Sixlet Candies, gummy sharks, and pretzel goldfish Candy Sushi from Happy Family Recipes Themed snack made with Rice Krispie Treats (butter, marshmallows, vanilla, Rice Krispie Cereal) Fruit Roll-Ups, large Swedish fish, mini Swedish Fish BEACH + ANIMAL THEMES: Beach Bear Dirt Cups from Made To Be A Momma Celebrate summer with pool inspired lounging! Ingredients include: Teddy Grahams, white chocolate pudding, milk, cool whip, graham crackers, gummy life savers Curious George Snack from Mess for Less (tip, Read a Curious George book to go along with this one!) Enjoy a book and a snack with this Curious George inspired snack! Ingredients include: Nutella, s liced bananas, b lueberries, r ice cakes Animal Tracks Snacks from Loreen Leedy Great snack for the outdoorsy kid who enjoys animals! You can use a variety of ingredients including: cheese, crackers, pretzels, cream cheese, almonds and pepperoni FOR THE NATURE LOVER: Nature Snacks : Edible Crafts for Kids - Parties With A Cause A large variety of snacks for nature lover of all kinds including all sorts of flora and fauna options! POPSICLES: Fresh Fruit Popsicles from One Little Project How to Make Fruit Popsicles with Real, Fresh Fruit Strawberry Breakfast Popsicles from Fraiche Living We can imagine all sorts of variations of this recipe! Start with the following simple ingredients: yogurt, fresh strawberries, milk (or your choice) lemon juice and granola Frozen Yogurt Banana Pops from Kalejunkie Such a simple, yet festive recipe that uses ingredients commonly found in the kitchen such as bananas, yogurt and sprinkes! FOOD IMPOSTERS: Pancake Donuts from Balanced with Babies Made with just two ingredients: pancake mix and milk! You will need a fun donut shaped mold for this recipe Breakfast Banana Split - Art From My Table Ingredients include: banana, yogurt, blackberries, raspberries, granola, mini chocolate chips Fruit Cracker Pizzas from Sunshine & Hurricanes Crackers + cream cheese + fruit! Watermelon Rice Krispy Treats from My Heavenly Recipes Festive treat to be shared! Made with butter, marshmallows, R ice Krispies, food coloring and chocolate chips

What is Kyphosis?

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What is kyphosis? Can I prevent it? Can I address the symptoms? Can a physical therapist at the Pediatric Movement Center help? We'll answer all these questions and more it today's blog post!

What is Developmental Coordination Disorder

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Think your child is "just" clumsy? They may have Developmental Coordination Disorder, DCD, an infrequently known, but very treatable condition that affects 5%-6% of school aged children! Medical specialists, such as pediatric physical therapists, pediatric occupational therapists, and neurologists can help address the underlying nervous system and muscular issues contributing to DCD.

Bilateral Coordination

By Brian Snyder • June 16, 2025
Bilateral Coordination

Snacklaces

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Exposing children to food through various activities like cooking, coloring and sensory play/projects enhances their understanding of food, leading to healthier eating habits. Try a sensory project, like making snacklaces!
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