To increase autism awareness, Christine Smith of Chattanooga recently presented a check for $10,000 to Anna Shaw Children’s Institute (ASCI) in honor of her son, Noah. Smith raised the funds by holding a dart-throwing competition, an annual event that has supported ASCI since 2021. From left are Jessica Truelove, ASCI practice manager; Noah; and Jane Snipes, Whitfield Healthcare Foundation. The funds will help provide specialized therapy toys and equipment for treatment purposes.
The Anna Shaw Children’s Institute (ASCI) will host the eighth annual North Georgia Autism Conference on Friday, Oct. 27 at the Dalton Convention Center.
Keynote speakers will include Rodney Kellum, author and inspirational speaker, and Stephanie O. Hubach, a mother, research fellow in disability ministry, and author of “Same Lake Different Boat” & “Parenting and Disabilities.”
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Rodney Kellum
Stephanie O. Hubach
Lindsey Coker
“We are excited to continue our mission in providing a well-rounded conference with presentations to help increase functional skill development and decrease behavioral challenges to ensure individuals with autism can live enriched, successful lives,” said Lindsey Coker, educational resource coordinator. “By bringing speakers such as these, the North Georgia Autism Conference can continue to be viewed as the premiere conference in the region.”
The event is intended for parents, caregivers, educators, professionals, medical providers, young adults on the autism spectrum, self-advocates and other interested individuals.
Anna Shaw Children’s Institute (ASCI) will host an open house for the facility’s gift shop, TreeTop Treasures, on Friday, Aug. 18, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 1201 Burleyson Road.
Attendees should use the lower level entrance.
The event will include a ribbon cutting at 10:30 a.m., an opportunity for shopping and refreshments (lemonade and cookies). ASCI tours will be available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
TreeTop Treasures carries specialty items, including sensory-friendly toys, educational toys, therapy tools, special needs supplies, weighted blankets, puzzles, books, gifts, and more.
Anna Shaw Children’s Institute (ASCI) will host an open house for the facility’s gift shop, TreeTop Treasures, on Friday, Aug. 18, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 1201 Burleyson Road.
Attendees should use the lower level entrance.
The event will include a ribbon cutting at 10:30 a.m., an opportunity for shopping and refreshments (lemonade and cookies). ASCI tours will be available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
TreeTop Treasures carries specialty items, including sensory-friendly toys, educational toys, therapy tools, special needs supplies, weighted blankets, puzzles, books, gifts, and more.
Inside a conference room with dimmed lighting at Anna Shaw Children’s Institute, seated rows of health care workers and community volunteers take turns picking up and swaddling dolls the size of a human newborn.
Instructor Kathi Frankel, owner of Bear With Me Family Physical Therapy in Atlanta, explains in detail where to place the babies’ tiny limbs, how to position their own bodies when transferring the child from one surface to another, and how to assist caregivers in handling their little ones in ways that tune in to their natural reflexes and physiological needs.
It’s all part of the 2 Gen Matters Family Integrated Relationships Based Development Care Initiative being piloted at Hamilton Medical Center to improve outcomes for some of the region’s most vulnerable families.
Babies whose lives begin with a stay in a neonatal intensive care unit – or NICU – often face an uphill battle even after they’re returned to family care. Not only do those children have developmental delays at higher rates than their peers, their parents and other caregivers face greater challenges too.
Hamilton Health Care System associates and community partners recently participated in some training at Anna Shaw Children’s Institute as part of the 2 Gen Matters Family Integrated Relationships Based Development Care program.
NICU stays, while often necessary, are hard on families. Mothers experience higher rates of postpartum mood disorders, children are more likely to have developmental delays, and families must cope with the grief and loss that often come from separation so soon after birth. But a collaborative program being piloted at Hamilton Medical Center aims to reduce that stress as much as possible – and give families a better start.
The care initiative aims to improve outcomes by training healthcare staff on best practices for supporting babies and families during the vulnerable newborn experience and monitoring for additional support needs as those children grow up. Another key component of the program is pulling in community partners and organizations in the best position to support families as their children grow up.
Hamilton Health Care System is piloting the program, which has plans to expand statewide and beyond. Nikki Pasley, clinical nurse manager for Hamilton Medical Center’s NICU, says the facility is continually striving to improve long-term outcomes for babies and foster connection between those babies and their parents.
“We know how vital it is for mom, dad and baby to be together,” Pasley says. “Ensuring that policies, procedures and staff training reflect a family-centered approach is imperative.”
Suzanne Harbin, director of the Early Childhood Initiative of Northwest Georgia, says it’s all part of an effort to address Georgia’s above-average rate for NICU stays and above-average rate for postpartum mood disorders like anxiety and depression. Georgia has one of the highest rates of maternal death and infant mortality of any state in the country. “We must all pull together to collaboratively find solutions for the health of our mothers and their babies,” Harbin says.
“Tremendous innovation and collaboration is happening within our community for our youngest babies and their parents and caregivers,” Harbin says. “Clinicians are learning, families are being reached in innovative ways, and strategic conversations are happening to further this crucial care initiative for our youngest babies.”
The family-centered approach is a huge focus of the program initiative. Health care workers and volunteers who serve as “cuddlers” are attending ongoing training sessions at Dalton’s Anna Shaw Children’s Institute to better understand ways to support families going through a difficult time. ASCI provides services for children with developmental delays.
Participants are also being trained in using language that is sensitive, supportive and encouraging of families during what for many is one of the most difficult and vulnerable times of their lives.
“We know parents are experiencing intense grief and loss (when they are separated from their babies because of a NICU stay), so maybe this bedside support can help them get to the next level,” says Frankel. “We have a lot of power with the words we say.”
Pasley says she and the staff at Hamilton are “beyond excited” to be piloting the FINE Neurodevelopmental Care Initiative. Led by Frankel as well as Emily Rubin, MS, CCC-SLP, Communication Crossroads; and Arianne Weldon, MPH, Georgia Family Connection Partnership, the initiative kicked off in February with plans to continue training through the end of the year.
“Together with our team of excellent nurses, medical providers and ancillary staff, our goal is to be the place families choose to deliver their baby knowing the needs of their baby and their own needs will be our top priority,” Pasley says.
Harbin says when she was initially contacted by state leaders to see if Hamilton Medical Center would be interested in applying for the grant, she didn’t even hesitate.
“Hamilton Medical Center has been a tremendous place to launch this work for NICU babies, their families and their providers,” she says. “The positive experiences families and babies have at Hamilton will impact them for the rest of their lives.”
Anna Shaw Children’s Institute (ASCI) will hold its next CHAMP (Classes to Help, Advise & Motivate Parents) webinar on Tuesday, Aug. 1, at noon. Evan Anderson, pediatric psychologist, will give a presentation on “Helping Your Child Share Their Diagnosis.” Please visit the event section on Facebook.com/HamiltonCares for live-streaming information. For more information, call 706-226-8900.
Anna Shaw Children’s Institute (ASCI) will hold its next CHAMP (Classes to Help, Advise & Motivate Parents) webinar on Tuesday, Aug. 1, at noon. Evan Anderson, pediatric psychologist, will give a presentation on “Helping Your Child Share Their Diagnosis.” Please visit the event section on Facebook.com/HamiltonCares for live-streaming information. For more information, call 706-226-8900.
Anna Shaw Children’s Institute (ASCI) will hold its next CHAMP (Classes to Help, Advise & Motivate Parents) webinar on Tuesday, June 6 at noon. Emily Brandt, MD, developmental-behavioral pediatrician, will give a presentation on “Sharing Your Child’s Diagnosis with Others.” Please visit the event section on Facebook.com/HamiltonCares for live-streaming information. For more information, call 706-226-8900.
Anna Shaw Children’s Institute (ASCI) will hold its next CHAMP (Classes to Help, Advise & Motivate Parents) webinar on Tuesday, June 6 at noon. Emily Brandt, MD, developmental-behavioral pediatrician, will give a presentation on “Sharing Your Child’s Diagnosis with Others.” Please visit the event section on Facebook.com/HamiltonCares for live-streaming information. For more information, call 706-226-8900.
The Whitfield Professional Fire Fighters Association (WPFFA) recently donated $500 to the Anna Shaw Children’s Institute (ASCI). The group recently put together 18 sensory bags to provide to children in the community when needed. Sensory bags help young children to develop their sense of touch and fine motor skills. The bags also can be used to calm children down when first responders arrive in an emergency. After completing the bags, funds were available, and the group decided to donate to ASCI.
From left are Chris West, battalion chief; Edward O’Brien, fire chief; Nathan Callaway, operations chief; Jesse Jones, WPFFA 5416 president; Jessica Truelove, ASCI practice manager; Terri Woodruff, ASCI executive director; Kade West, WPFFA 5416 treasurer; and Brady Walters, WPFFA 5416 Fundraising Committee member.
Anna Shaw Children’s Institute (ASCI) will hold its next CHAMP (Classes to Help, Advise & Motivate Parents) webinar on Tuesday, May 2 at noon. Emily Brandt, MD, developmental-behavioral pediatrician, will give a presentation on “Talking With Your Child About Their Diagnosis.” Please visit the event section on Facebook.com/HamiltonCares for live-streaming information. For more information, call 706-226-8900.
Anna Shaw Children’s Institute (ASCI) will hold its next CHAMP (Classes to Help, Advise & Motivate Parents) webinar on Tuesday, May 2 at noon. Emily Brandt, MD, developmental-behavioral pediatrician, will give a presentation on “Talking With Your Child About Their Diagnosis.” Please visit the event section on Facebook.com/HamiltonCares for live-streaming information. For more information, call 706-226-8900.