MindWorks Rehabilitation Center

Registration now open!

https://teammario.org/event/fun-fridays-summer-camp-3/

Not the same as picky eating...

Understanding leads to compassion.

Inclosing out Occupational Therapy Month, we would like to pay a special tribute to our very own Belinda Aguilar, Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). We are sadden to announce Belinda's passing on April 5th, 2024. 💔MindWorks was blessed to have Belle employed with us from 2006-2015. Belle's dedication and passion for helping children will always be remembered and cherished. She was special not only to us but to all those lives she touched. On a personal note, Dawn & Vanessa have tremendous grief over the loss of their dear friend and will miss their crazy, dare-devil, Dallas Cowboy fanatic. Thank you, Belle, for your incredible work and for making a lasting impact on the lives of so many. Rest in peace dear friend 🙏

We will never stop being in our ✨OT Era✨!

Thank you to our wonderful OT Department for helping your patients Shake It Off 💃 when they encounter any challenges and Swift-ly 💁🏼‍♀️💁🏽💁🏻‍♂️ embrace all their 💪🏻 strengths!

Who knew pizza would bring us together for Autism Awareness? We did! All Peter Piper Pizza across the Rio Grande Valley will be hosting a fundraiser for TEAM MARIO and autism awareness from 11am to 9 pm! Please be sure to stop by and meet up with our team at the following locations from 6:30PM to 8:30PM:

Alamo
Brownsville
Edinburg
McAllen (on Nolana)
Pharr
Weslaco

Dine in or carry out - just mention Team Mario Fundraiser - 15% of proceeds go back to Team Mario!

Please share for your chance to win a Team Mario Swag bag! Raffle will be on Friday! All those who "Share" our todays post on Facebook today will be entered in the raffle!

Hope to see you there!

Today we thank you, Ms. Clarissa!

Clarissa is originally from McAllen, TX and graduated from University of Texas - Rio Grande Valley in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology, and later graduated with an Associates in Applied Sciences in Occupational Therapy from South Texas College in 2021. Clarissa has experience in providing occupational therapy services with pediatrics and adults in multiple settings and populations such as Autism specialty outpatient clinic, home health, and neuro- rehabilitation for a variety of diagnoses.
Through her continued experience and training, she implements functional play along with behavioral modification strategies, sensory integration, education training, and therapeutic exercise to provide client-centered interventions.

🎯 Bingo to Mindworks for having the best front office staff!!

Without our Front Office staff we wouldn’t be the well-oiled machine we need to be! Happy Administrative Professionals Day to our amazing front office team.

(Posting a day late due to having too much fun yesterday! 😅🤩)

Today we celebrate Ms. Abril!

Abril is a dedicated pediatric occupational therapist with a passion for helping children reach their fullest potential. Abril obtained a Master of Sciene in Occupational Therapy and a Bachelor's degree in exercise science from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Abril specializes in providing comprehensive therapy services to children with a variety of developmental challenges. Abril employs creative and innovative strategies to engage children in therapy activities, making sessions enjoyable while striving towards meeting their therapeutic goals.

Today we highlight you, Ms. Melissa!

Melissa A. Olivarez is a native from Mission, TX. She graduated from Del Mar College with an Associates in Applied Science degree in 2010. Melissa's passion for working with children has driven her to dedicate her skills and knowledge to working with the pediatric population since 2010. Melissa has experience in outpatient and home health settings with a background in treating a significant amount of different diagnoses. Melissa joined the MindWorks Rehabilitation team in 2023 and continues to strive to advance her knowledge in ASD and Occupational Therapy.

Today we recognize Ms. Lucy!

Lucy is a dedicated occupational therapist who believes in building upon her patients' strengths and abilities, and incorporating elements of play in her treatment sessions. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology in 2015 from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, She then pursued her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy and graduated with high honors from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in Austin, Tx in 2018. Lucy has been working with children since 2019. She is trained in Therapeutic Listening, a sound-based intervention that is embedded in a developmental and sensory integration perspective. She enjoys seeing her patients achieve skills to help them thrive in their daily lives.

(Patient photo posted with parent permission)

For today, we’d like to recognize Ms. Felicia.

Felicia believes play is a powerful tool in child development. Felicia earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology at University of Texas-Pan American in 2010. She later received a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from University of Texas-Pan American in 2014. Since working with MindWorks, Felicia has incorporated behavioral modification techniques and strategies in her treatment approach. She also incorporates Therapeutic Listening, a sound-based intervention as a a tool to complement other sensory based strategies.

To close out OT month we would like to highlight and honor the members of our Occupational Therapy Department. The very people that give so much of themselves to ensure our patients have improved quality of life.

Ms. Dawn is our fearless leader, mentor, veteran OTR, and administrator. She believes that it’s the quality of the practice and not the quantity of the patients that makes a practice successful. Since 2000, she has watched children in the autism spectrum grow with every stride. She graduated from Creighton University in 2000 with a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy. She is certified to administer the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule to detect if a child falls within the spectrum. She provides observations and assessments to help neurologists give a more thorough diagnosis. She is proud of her patients, who thrive and face challenges with the strength and the courage that continues to inspire her.

https://www.facebook.com/100064795413934/posts/828433502659823/?d=n

Registration now open!

https://teammario.org/event/basketball-camp-at-elias-longoria-middle-school/

Bebo's Angels Bebo's Angels is a non profit organization created to provide education and support to families with

MindWorks Rehabilitation Center is an outpatient clinic offering speech and occupational therapy services to children on the autism spectrum. For 17 years, we have been given opportunity to work with children and families across the RGV. We are seeking a COTA to join our team!

April is Autism Awareness and Acceptance month! ❤️💙💛💚

However, as we all know, spreading awareness and education about Autism and promoting inclusion and acceptance is a 365-day a year event for Mindworks and all our families.

We would like to take this moment to thank all of our incredible clinicians for all the wonderful love and support they give our patients every single day.

To our amazing families: Thank you for allowing us to be a integral part of your team. We will continue to do all we can to support and empower your children, and we are honored to watch them grow each and every day.

Bounce into autism awareness and acceptance month with us and the Rio Grande Valley Vipers this Friday! Registration now open!
~ Únete a nosotros en el mes de concienciación y aceptación del autismo y con los Rio Grande Valley Vipers este viernes. ¡Registraste hoy!
https://forms.gle/R5JW83xmvTaJZ4sYA

Thanks for waiting!! Check out this list of HUGE AAC and Special Education app and product deals. Mark your calendars carefully!

UPDATE 03/28/24: For a screenreader-friendly document providing all sale details and information, use https://bit.ly/AllTextSpringAACAppSales24

For a PDF with clickable links to websites, the U.S. App Store, and the U.S. Google Play Store, use https://bit.ly/SpringAACAppSales24

I’m not able to answer individual requests for app recommendations. There are no more hours in the day. 😩

Hey STRIDES Community! Check out this Parent Advisory Committee Meeting happening March 27th! There is an in person and virtual option!

Zoom link: https://mcallenisd-net.zoom.us/j/95182468077?tk=QcZbA0F38QxBv7KQ0_Dfe6usXNStBYfcDhA-p1jgft4.DQUAAAAWKVEz7RZlUHotS3Z2alEyR1I2anJFVXcwV2RRHjk5OTg1NkBzdHVkZW50cy5tY2FsbGVuaXNkLm5ldAdBbG9uZHJhCEhpbm9qb3NhAAAAASA1MWRkYTMyZmRkZjk0Mzk1YmQ1NzE1MmY3MTcxMmU2MwAAAYuwjpkEAAACWAAAAAAAAAA&_x_zm_rtaid=uISW6UhOTpi3MkS4LPYtdQ.1699474120983.2d798de800589360bd6f1b7d1879e621&_x_zm_rhtaid=727

Don't forget to Rock Your Socks tomorrow! Please share your pictures with us!

Clapping Games are an Awesome Way to Work on Motor Skills

Miss Jaime writes "As a school-based OT, I use clapping games often with individual children, small groups, and whole classes. The things that I can learn about a child from watching them learn a clapping game are amazing. I thought I would break it down for the rest of the world so I can spread the love of clapping games!"

Read more here > https://missjaimeot.com/why-you-should-teach-your-child-clapping-games/?utm_campaign=meetedgar&utm_medium=social&utm_source=meetedgar.com