Heartspring

Heartspring’s CARE Summer Vocational Training Program spent the summer exploring career paths at the Wichita Art Museum, completing mock interviews at the Workforce Center, volunteering in the community, and learning digital skills.

These skills and experiences help our CARE Club kids practice interacting with community members and learn valuable skills to gain employment.

Learn more about our CARE Club programs at https://zurl.co/s49w.

Our residential school SLPs held a training for the Kansas Speech-Language-Hearing Association (KSHA) a few weeks ago! This opportunity allowed our staff to share their knowledge with other SLPs and provide valuable training for fellow SLPs, which counts toward continued education requirements to maintain their credentials.

KSHA is a non-profit professional organization comprised of licensed and future professionals in speech, language, and hearing. Its purpose is to provide high-quality, innovative professional development, increase community awareness of the field, and advocate for the professions and individuals with communication disorders.

Our group homes took advantage of Twilight Tuesdays at the Sedgwick County Zoo!

We love taking our students out into the community to help them explore new environments and try new things.

There’s no limit to what we can do at Heartspring. 💙

Music therapy can help your child develop social, sensory processing, communication, and creative expression skills!

Our fall Music Therapy CARE Clubs begin September 9!

We’re offering a 3-5 age group club from 10-11 a.m. every other Monday ($498) and a 6-12 age group club from 5:00-6:30 p.m. every other Wednesday ($750).

Reserve your spot today by submitting an application, which can be found at https://zurl.co/3588

Teen Hangout
5:30-8:30 p.m.
August 16
Heartspring Conference Center

Once a month, our CARE program creates a night where neurodiverse teenagers (12-18 years old) can enjoy a safe night filled with food, refreshments, and games for just $10!

Teens do not need to be current Heartspring clients to join us for fun and friendship. 😄

Limited spots available! Call Heartspring Outpatient Services at 316-634-8710 to register before 4 p.m. on August 9.

🎉 Heartspring’s Therapeutic School’s Residential Program and Pediatric Outpatient Services received a CARF International Three-Year Accreditation! 🎉

We’re thrilled to achieve this milestone, ensuring top-quality care and continuous improvement for children with neurodevelopmental challenges.

CARF accreditation consists of ongoing consultation and in-depth on-site reviews to help our organization achieve the highest quality of care for the children we serve.

Thank you to our amazing team, families, and community for your continued support!

Robert has been at Heartspring for more than 20 years, and his dedication to the students and ability to be a team player earned him the honor of being our newest Values Ambassador!

His nominator, Stephanie Taylor, said, “I see his dedication to the students on a daily basis. I am honored to have learned from someone who has so much integrity. Robert has a smile on his face and a story to tell any time I see him.”

Thank you for all you do for Heartspring and our students, Robert. Your passion for helping students grow and celebrating their wins inspires us all.

Read Robert’s Values Ambassador post at https://zurl.co/PeFz

We’re always looking for people to join our team and support our mission to help neurodiverse children lead more independent lives.

We have opportunities in our outpatient services for part-time and full-time therapists, our residential area for 2nd shift and weekend direct care professionals, and within our school for paras, special education teachers, and SLPs.

See all available positions at https://zurl.co/at71.

Heartspring’s CARE Club had a great time at the Sedgwick County Zoo, helping clean the chimpanzee and orangutan exhibit’s signage and walkways.

Volunteering with the zoo is part of CARE Club’s summer vocational training program. The students get the opportunity to develop necessary job and social skills and make friends with the other CARE Club members at the same time.

Learn more about Heartspring CARE Clubs at https://zurl.co/HqWO.

Take a deep breath in through your nose and exhale out your mouth. 🧘

We're amazed to see how one of our classrooms has flourished following the evidence-based Get Ready to Learn program in just a few short weeks!

This morning routine helps create a safe, calm environment where both students and staff can start their day together in a positive way.

Special Education Teacher Catherine Calderwood says, "There's always something to celebrate at the end of the practice!"

Heartspring School staff are working to implement this program in other classrooms after seeing the positive effect in the pilot group.

Last week, our students were invited to see “Frozen” at Music Theatre Wichita! Once every summer, MTW offers a sensory-sensitive show with production adjustments, reduced sound, and partially dimmed lights so our students can experience a live musical where they’re free to enjoy themselves.



Thanks again to Music Theatre Wichita for putting on this wonderful event!

Heartspring was lucky to host some speech-language pathology students this summer for an augmentative and alternative communication project they were working on!

Ashly Elliott, Heartspring School’s Interdisciplinary Therapies Manager, helped guide Wichita State University - College of Health Professions graduate students through AAC projects by partnering them with Heartspring students and SLPs. The WSU students observed the Heartspring students, developed plans approved by Heartspring SLPs, and implemented their plans with students.

The graduate students benefit from exposure to working with the types of students Heartspring serves, and our students benefit from connecting with new communication partners. Our Heartspring staff also gets the chance to share their expert knowledge with future SLPs!

The project was a success, and there are already plans for next summer’s cohort!

We’re excited to announce that Chelsea Schroeder is our latest Values Ambassador! 🎉

Chelsea goes above and beyond every day to build relationships, provide excellent medical care, and advocate for our students.

She’s an asset to the Heartspring team, and we’re grateful for the collaboration, humor, and expertise she brings to the table.


Read Chelsea’s full Values Ambassador post on our website: https://zurl.co/5lzs

Our kiddos had their very own All Star Adventures at the arcade! 🕹️🎮

These off-campus outings help our students develop their socialization and physical awareness skills. We also love fostering connections between the community and our students to promote Autism and neurodevelopmental awareness.

These photos have us thinking — What was your favorite school field trip?

We’re celebrating Ryan’s graduation! 🎉🎓

His care team said, “He’s just so uniquely himself. You can’t help but love Ryan.”

He enjoys listening to country music, dancing, going on outings and playing at the pool. Ryan is silly, determined, and beloved by his roommates and Heartspring staff.

While he will be missed, we can’t wait to see Ryan thrive in his next chapter!

We celebrate Disability Pride Month in July to commemorate the Americans with Disabilities Act, which the U.S. Congress passed in 1990.

At Heartspring, our goal is to help children with neurodevelopmental disorders and challenges find their path to greater independence. Our mission isn’t possible without the ADA to protect rights and accessibility for individuals with physical or mental disabilities.

🎓 Today, we celebrate Reece's graduation! 🎉

As Reece graduates from Heartspring, he'll be remembered for his love of overalls and playful horseplay with staff. He enjoyed daily trips to his family farm and making and selling dog treats to staff. Reece loved watching and encouraging other students by clapping. In the classroom, he enjoyed sitting in a rocking chair, bouncing on a therapy ball, snacking on pickle chips, drinking flavored water, and taking out the trash with staff. He liked being outdoors and participating in community activities like Meals on Wheels, going out to eat, and movies. Reece was proud of using the microwave independently and loved Music class where he played different instruments.

Reece had a great rapport with staff and enjoyed gaining their attention. One funny habit that always brought smiles was his dosey-doe dance on command. We are very proud of his achievement in self-care skills throughout his years at Heartspring.

Reece will be greatly missed at Heartspring, but we are so excited for him to begin the next adventure in his life! 🌟

🎓 Today, we celebrate Puru's graduation! 🎉

Puru loves to sing, and his good vibe always brings smiles. His enthusiasm for earning icons on his speech device, like tires to Twinkies, is fun to see. He enjoys car rides, walks with staff, and sitting at the top of the slide. His singing often makes others want to join in. It's always a joy when they ask him to sing their favorite songs.

One of the proudest moments for us has been seeing Puru become more relaxed since he came to Heartspring. He has shown great improvement in managing his emotions and is much happier. His progress and his happiness are truly wonderful to see.

Puru will be greatly missed at Heartspring, but we are excited for him to begin his next adventure in life! 🌟

It’s Gregory’s graduation day! 🎓

We’re so proud of him and all he excelled at during his time at Heartspring. Our staff will miss his cheerful, upbeat attitude, beautiful singing voice and bright smile.

Gregory enjoys reading books, listening to music and napping on the bean bag chair.

He also had great success working in the community at the Sedgwick County Zoo and delivering Meals on Wheels.

Happy trails, Gregory! 🎉

Heartspring offers Adapted PE for our students, one of the many ways we ensure they receive the education and experiences they need to become more independent. PE classes play a crucial role in our students' development by offering a variety of activities that enhance their physical and social skills.

Adapted PE stands out as a favorite, providing tailored sports and exercises that make our students happy while improving their coordination and movement. If you'd like to be a part of creating an engaging and fun gym class, ensuring that our students stay active and enjoy their time in PE, there’s an upcoming opening on our team for an Adapted PE teacher!

Today, we celebrated National Donut Day thanks to the generosity of Crispy Donuts Wichita! They arrived early this morning with dozens of freshly made donuts just for us.

The donuts were absolutely delicious, and their staff was incredibly kind. Thank you supporting Heartspring, Crispy Donuts!

Our CARE Club teens are excited to bring back a favorite activity: Caffeine Connection. Through this program, they learn valuable workforce skills by running a coffee shop. This week, they prepared by learning how to use the machines, understand the menu, and practice taking orders.

Caffeine Connection helps our teens build confidence in taking on jobs and engaging with the community. It teaches essential skills like communication and responsibility, while also being a fun activity for everyone involved.

We can't wait to see this program in action again!

As we close out National Speech-Language-Hearing Month, we want to take a moment to say thank you to our outstanding Speech-Language Pathologists at Heartspring. Our SLPs play a crucial role in helping children with neurodevelopmental delays and disabilities develop essential communication skills, empowering them to express themselves and connect with the world around them.

Their commitment and expertise create personalized therapy plans that make a significant difference in each child's progress. By building confidence and improving speech and language abilities, our SLPs contribute greatly to the development and well-being of the children we serve.

We are so proud to honor our very own Hannah Harvey BCBA, LBA, who was recognized in the Wichita Business Journal's Excellence in Health Care 2024. To be honored here is so important because it highlights the dedication and outstanding contributions of health-care professionals who make a significant impact in their field. The WBJ's recognition shows the exceptional work done by individuals like Hannah, who are not only experts in their roles but also passionate about improving the lives of those they serve.

At Heartspring, we are committed to hiring the best of the best because we understand the critical role our staff plays in helping our students and clients develop their independence skills and live full, enriching lives. Working with neurodevelopmental disabilities requires a unique blend of expertise, compassion, and dedication, and Hannah exemplifies these qualities.

We are honored to have Hannah Harvey on our team and congratulate her on this well-deserved recognition. Her hard work and commitment to excellence inspire us all.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to highlight the importance of mental health and well-being. At Heartspring, we serve children with neurodevelopmental disorders through therapies, special education and community engagement.

Our dedicated team of therapists works tirelessly to provide personalized care that makes life-changing differences in each child's life. Their compassion and expertise help children develop resilience, confidence, and emotional health. Thank you to our amazing team of mental health therapists for your commitment and the vital role you play in supporting the well-being of our kids.

🎓 Today, we celebrate Nathan's graduation! 🎉 Nathan is a carefree, go-with-the-flow kind of guy who brings joy to everyone around him.

Nathan enjoys simple pleasures like watching movies and sitting outside on his porch swing. His contagious laugh and unique ways of saying hello always brightened our days. He loves being close to those he knows and creating warm connections with them.

Nathan's presence had a big impact on his classmates and peers. He was like a little brother to many of our students, and his friendly greetings were always cherished. We are especially proud of Nathan's achievements in his personal care skills, household chores, and his ability to enjoy outings in the community. His progress shows his growth and determination.

Nathan will be greatly missed at Heartspring, but we are so excited for him to begin the next adventure in his life! 🌟

🎓 Today, we celebrate Jonas's graduation! 🎉 With his sweet and loving nature, Jonas has brightened our community at Heartspring in so many ways.

Jonas enjoys a variety of activities that showcase his creativity and passion. Whether he's watching movies, playing on his Switch, singing Beatles and Disney songs, building Lego sets, or engaging in art projects, Jonas brings enthusiasm to everything he does. His love for making popcorn and watching movies with housemates, along with his ability to imitate movie characters, has added a unique charm and brought smiles to our community.

Jonas's easygoing and friendly personality makes him a joy to bond and hang out with. We are especially proud of Jonas's achievements, particularly his excellence in cooking and independently handling chores. His progress is a testament to his dedication and hard work.

We are going to feel a big void on campus when Jonas leaves, but we are so excited for him to take on the next adventure! 🌟