Every child’s brain is equipped with a remarkable ability known as neuroplasticity—the capacity to adapt, reorganize, and form new neural connections in response to experiences and learning. This adaptability is especially potent during early childhood, making timely intervention crucial for children facing developmental challenges, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
In a recent discussion, Tia Moss and Kathleen Lewandowski, Regional Discipline Directors at MetroEHS Pediatric Therapy, emphasized the significance of early intervention and the role of neuroplasticity in shaping a child’s developmental trajectory.
Understanding Neuroplasticity in Early Childhood
Neuroplasticity refers to the brain’s ability to change and adapt throughout life. In early childhood, this adaptability is at its peak, with the brain forming over a million new neural connections every second. These connections lay the foundation for essential skills such as language, social interaction, and problem-solving.
The Importance of Early Intervention
Research consistently shows that early diagnosis and intervention for autism can lead to significant improvements in communication, social skills, and overall development. Intervening during the brain’s most malleable stages allows therapists to harness neuroplasticity effectively, promoting positive behavioral and cognitive changes.
Creating an Environment That Fosters Brain Development
To optimize neuroplasticity, it’s essential to provide children with stimulating environments that encourage exploration and learning. Engaging in play, encouraging movement, and stimulating the senses can all contribute to healthy brain development . Such environments support the formation of new neural pathways, reinforcing learning and skill acquisition.
Supporting Families Through Early Intervention
MetroEHS Pediatric Therapy is dedicated to helping families navigate the journey of early intervention. Their team of professionals offers comprehensive services, including ABA therapy, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and more, tailored to meet each child’s unique needs.
For more information on how MetroEHS can support your child’s development, visit metroehs.com or call 248-970-8402
What is the Intensive Feeding Therapy Program Like at MetroEHS?
As we dive into the details of the Intensive Feeding Therapy Program at MetroEHS, hear from the experts at MetroEHS and how they collaborate on the most wholistic approach to Intensive Feeding Therapy.
Jessica Hunt (Occupational Therapist/Feeding Specialist): When it comes to treating children who have complex feeding difficulties and pediatric feeding issues, there's a multitude of things that are typically at the root of the problem. So what's very unique about the program that we have here is that we have involvement from both occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, physical therapy, a dietician, as well as psychology.
Rose Britt (Registered Dietitian): So it's all five disciplines. Spending time together with the family, with the patient, with each other, all talking at one cohesive time, making a plan instead of grabbing pieces from all over the place and putting them together. I think it makes it a lot smoother for us and the families as well.
Kris Krajewski (Director PT, OT, and Speech Services/SLP): Each of our disciplines really does have something to offer to this process, but when we work all together, we have the ability to help our kiddos make more progress more quickly.
Kayla Daniels (Physical Therapist): At Metro, we really take a whole body approach. We don't just look at one aspect of the child. And a lot of people don't think of physical therapy as part of the feeding team, but in order to eat, you have to use all of these posture and muscles, you have to hold yourself up. You have to hold your head up to be able to swallow. So really focusing on all of those aspects of your body is really important to be able to make the progress.
Azari Haygood (Psychologist): As a psychologist on staff for the Intensive Feeding Program, I offer mental health services to the families and to some of the clients. It's very stressful for a lot of these families. It's stressful for the clients that we see. And so, I offer just another support for them, where I'm helping them kind of overcome some of the stressors that they're experiencing around feeding.
Rose Britt (Registered Dietitian): It's not just me telling you what to do. There's so much more going into that, and you get to really listen to the families and hear why it's not working and problem solve together.
Kayla Daniels (Physical Therapist): The impact you can make, not only on the child's life, but on the family's life as a whole is huge.
Azari Haygood (Psychologist): Seeing that improvement in their family's lives feels really great all around.
Jessica Hunt (Occupational Therapist/Feeding Specialist): One in 23 children have a pediatric feeding issue. And so, to truly be able to address all of the aspects of that in one place, that's where we get to make a difference every single day.
Kris Krajewski (Director PT, OT, and Speech Services/SLP): It's like when you have a jigsaw puzzle and you're missing one piece, you can still tell what the picture of the jigsaw puzzle is going to be, but when you have all of the pieces together, integrated into this treatment, the result is just something so much more beautiful.
We love working in Southeastern Michigan as we get to work with hard-working families and amazing businesses like Emagine who intentionally create special experiences for members of the community that can get overlooked.
Join Emagine For A Sensory Friendly Movie!
Sensory Friendly Screenings provide modifications to the theatre atmosphere without modifying the film for those who experience sensory issues.
Sensory Friendly Film Screenings
Select Emagine locations will host a unique, sensory friendly screening twice a month, with specific modifications made to ensure an enjoyable experience for individuals with sensory needs and their supporters. Their sensory friendly programing makes going to the movies a more enjoyable experience for families, children, and teens with sensory needs. All sensory friendly films will be shown in 2D. *Note there are no modifications made to the film.
What does Sensory Friendly mean?
First, it means sensory friendly experience (lights up a bit, sound down a bit). Second, if your child needs to get up, move, dance, sing…No problem. Third, guests are welcome to bring a safe snack for any food allergies or food avoidance/restrictions.
First Showing of the Day. On-Sale dates vary. Check the website or Emagine app for theatres and showtimes.
The Little Mermaid Saturday, June 3, 2023
Elemental Saturday, June 17, 2023
Where
Tickets are available at the box office, online at Emagine-Entertainment.com or through the Emagine App. To purchase tickets and for a full list of showtimes visit Emagine-Entertainment.com On-Sale dates vary. All films, locations, dates, and times are subject to change.
Film Synopsis
The Little Mermaid (Rated PG) The Little Mermaid is the beloved story of Ariel, a beautiful and spirited young mermaid with a thirst for adventure. The youngest of King Triton’s daughters and the most defiant, Ariel longs to find out more about the world beyond the sea and, while visiting the surface, falls for the dashing Prince Eric. While mermaids are forbidden to interact with humans, Ariel must follow her heart. She makes a deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula, which gives her a chance to experience life on land but ultimately places her life – and her father’s crown – in jeopardy.
Elemental (Rated Pg) Follows Ember and Wade, in a city where fire-, water-, land- and air-residents live together.
In addition to Sensory Friendly Movies
Join Emagine Entertainment For A Variety Of Specialty Screenings
Providing Open Caption, Sensory Friendly, Dementia Friendly, Breakfast & a Movie, and Lunch & a Movie Screenings
Join Emagine Entertainment this June as they host a variety of specialty screenings for their guests. Each month guests can watch some of the newest film releases with an enhanced experience. Open Caption screenings provide subtitles for those with hearing impairments. Sensory Friendly Screenings provide modifications to the theatre atmosphere without modifying the film for those who experience sensory issues. Dementia Friendly screenings provide exclusively selected classic movies and musicals and encourage audience participation while providing guests with special door-to-door service. The Breakfast and a Movie and Lunch and a Movie allow guests to enjoy a full meal and concessions while they enjoy their film.
Open Caption Film Screenings
Select Emagine locations will host Open Caption showings of some of the newest film releases on Sunday and Wednesday afternoons all month long. Guests who experience hearing impairments will be able to enjoy the movie-going experience with audio subtitles displayed on the big screen for all to see. All open caption movies are shown in 2D. *Note: there are no modifications made to the film.
Locations: (Michigan) Novi, Rochester Hills, Royal Oak, Hartland, Woodhaven, Quality 10 Powered by Emagine, (Minnesota) Eagan, Lakeville, Monticello, Rogers, White Bear, Willow Creek, (Wisconsin) Geneva Lakes, (Illinois) Frankfort, (Indiana) Noblesville, Portage
Films: On-Sale dates vary. Check the website or Emagine app for theatres and showtimes.
Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse Sunday, June 4, 2023 Wednesday, June 7, 2023
Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts Sunday, June 11, 2023 Wednesday, June 14, 2023
Elemental Sunday, June 18, 2023 Wednesday, June 21, 2023
The Flash Sunday, June 25, 2023 Wednesday, June 28, 2023
Dementia Friendly Screening
Dementia Friendly Screenings include exclusively selected classic movies and musicals presented in a unique setting with softer sound and ambient lighting. Guests are able to interact during the presentation and encouraged to talk back, clap, tap their feet, sway, sing along and get up and dance. Emagine works with Dementia Friendly Saline to provide guests with a special door-to-door experience guided by a team of dementia friendly “Purple Angels.” These staff and volunteers act as guides for the guests beginning the moment they arrive until the moment they leave. More information can be found on Emagine’s website. Tickets can be purchaseddirectly through Dementia Friendly Saline.
Location: Emagine Saline
Films: Showings are the second Wednesday of each month.
Meet Me In St. Louis Wednesday, June 14, 2023 Pre-Show Mingling: 1:15-2:00PM Film Begins: 2:00PM
Breakfast And A Movie Screening
Each month, Emagine hosts a Breakfast and a Movie showing, at select theatres, of one of the newest family-film releases. Tickets are $24 each and include a full breakfast buffet, a 44oz. popcorn, and a 21oz fountain drink as well as a ticket to the showing.
Location: Emagine Royal Oak, Emagine Palladium, Emagine Canton
Film: On-Sale dates vary. Check the website or Emagine app for more information.
The Little Mermaid* Sunday, May 28, 2023
Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse Sunday, June 4, 2023
Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse Sunday, June 4, 2023
Senior Lunch And A Movie Screening
Each month, Emagine Royal Oak hosts a special Senior Citizen Lunch and a Movie. Tickets are $24 each and include a full lunch buffet, a 44oz. popcorn and a 21oz. fountain drink as well as a ticket to the showing. This offer is valid for guests aged 55 and up.
Location: Emagine Royal Oak
Film: On-Sale dates vary. Check the website or Emagine app for more information.
About My Father Tuesday, June 20, 2023
Where: Tickets are available at the box office, online at Emagine-Entertainment.com or through the Emagine App.
Film Synopsis
Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse (Rated P) Miles Morales returns for the next chapter of the Oscar®-winning Spider-Verse saga, an epic adventure that will transport Brooklyn’s full-time, friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man across the Multiverse to join forces with Gwen Stacy and a new team of Spider-People to face off with a villain more powerful than anything they have ever encountered.
Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts (Rated P-13) Returning to the action and spectacle that have captured moviegoers around the world, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts will take audiences on a ‘90s globetrotting adventure with the Autobots and introduce a whole new breed of Transformer – the Maximals – to the existing battle on earth between Autobots and Decepticons. Directed by Steven Caple Jr. and starring Anthony Ramos and Dominique Fishback, the film arrives in theatres June 9, 2023.
The Flash (Rated P-13) Worlds collide in “The Flash” when Barry uses his superpowers to travel back in time in order to change the events of the past. But when his attempt to save his family inadvertently alters the future, Barry becomes trapped in a reality in which General Zod has returned, threatening annihilation, and there are no Super Heroes to turn to. That is unless Barry can coax a very different Batman out of retirement and rescue an imprisoned Kryptonian… albeit not the one he’s looking for. Ultimately, to save the world that he is in and return to the future that he knows, Barry’s only hope is to race for his life. But will making the ultimate sacrifice be enough to reset the universe?
He Little Mermaid (Rated PG) The Little Mermaid is the beloved story of Ariel, a beautiful and spirited young mermaid with a thirst for adventure. The youngest of King Triton’s daughters and the most defiant, Ariel longs to find out more about the world beyond the sea and, while visiting the surface, falls for the dashing Prince Eric. While mermaids are forbidden to interact with humans, Ariel must follow her heart. She makes a deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula, which gives her a chance to experience life on land but ultimately places her life – and her father’s crown – in jeopardy.
Elemental (Rated PG) Follows Ember and Wade, in a city where fire-, water-, land- and air-residents live together.
About My Father (Rated PG-13) The hottest comic in America, Sebastian Maniscalco joins forces with legendary Italian-American and two-time Oscar® winner, Robert De Niro (Best Actor, Raging Bull, 1980), in the new comedy ABOUT MY FATHER. The film centers around Sebastian (Maniscalco) who is encouraged by his fiancée (Leslie Bibb) to bring his immigrant, hairdresser father, Salvo (De Niro), to a weekend get-together with her super-rich and exceedingly eccentric family (Kim Cattrall, Anders Holm, Brett Dier, David Rasche). The weekend develops into what can only be described as a culture clash, leaving Sebastian and Salvo to discover that the great thing about family is everything about family.
Meet Me In St. Louis St. Louis 1903. The well-off Smith family has four beautiful daughters, including Esther and little Tootie. 17-year-old Esther has fallen in love with the boy next door who has just moved in, John. He however barely notices her at first. The family is shocked when Mr. Smith reveals that he has been transferred to a nice position in New York, which means that the family has to leave St. Louis and the St. Louis Fair.
Every child’s brain is equipped with a remarkable ability known as neuroplasticity—the capacity to adapt, reorganize, and form new neural connections in response to experiences and learning. This adaptability is especially potent during early childhood, making timely intervention crucial for children facing developmental challenges, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
In a recent discussion, Tia Moss and Kathleen Lewandowski, Regional Discipline Directors at MetroEHS Pediatric Therapy, emphasized the significance of early intervention and the role of neuroplasticity in shaping a child’s developmental trajectory.
Understanding Neuroplasticity in Early Childhood
Neuroplasticity refers to the brain’s ability to change and adapt throughout life. In early childhood, this adaptability is at its peak, with the brain forming over a million new neural connections every second. These connections lay the foundation for essential skills such as language, social interaction, and problem-solving.
The Importance of Early Intervention
Research consistently shows that early diagnosis and intervention for autism can lead to significant improvements in communication, social skills, and overall development. Intervening during the brain’s most malleable stages allows therapists to harness neuroplasticity effectively, promoting positive behavioral and cognitive changes.
Creating an Environment That Fosters Brain Development
To optimize neuroplasticity, it’s essential to provide children with stimulating environments that encourage exploration and learning. Engaging in play, encouraging movement, and stimulating the senses can all contribute to healthy brain development . Such environments support the formation of new neural pathways, reinforcing learning and skill acquisition.
Supporting Families Through Early Intervention
MetroEHS Pediatric Therapy is dedicated to helping families navigate the journey of early intervention. Their team of professionals offers comprehensive services, including ABA therapy, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and more, tailored to meet each child’s unique needs.
For more information on how MetroEHS can support your child’s development, visit metroehs.com or call 248-970-8402
