Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley

08/04/2026

Take your clinical skills to the next level! 👏

Join instructors Rona Alexander, PhD, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, C/NDT and Christine Cayo, OTR/L, C/NDT for Integrated Ribcage and Upper Body Strategies, October 16–18, 2026, at Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley in Villa Park.

This 3-day intermediate, hands-on course is designed for physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, and therapy assistants looking to strengthen their assessment and treatment of the rib cage, shoulder girdle, and upper extremities in children with neuromuscular impairments.

Learn practical strategies you can immediately apply in your practice while building confidence in treating complex pediatric cases.

🔗 Register today: https://bit.ly/4h1UvPv

08/03/2026

Back-to-school season is almost here, and Brody is looking sharp thanks to Keisha at April 2 Style! ✂️📚

Getting a haircut is a big milestone for Brody, who has spent weeks building the regulation and sensory processing skills needed to tolerate the experience. With Keisha's skill, patience, and kindness to take things one small step at a time, what began with a few snips over several visits became a successful haircut.

The best part? Brody was so proud that he helped sweep up the hair afterward! 💙

We're grateful for community members like Keisha who creates welcoming spaces where every child can feel comfortable, confident, and celebrated.

08/02/2026

The second session of Music Together with Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley at the Villa Park Public Libary is just a week away! 🎵✨

Join us on Friday, August 7th, from 10:45–11:30 AM to sing, dance, laugh, learn, and play in a free, mixed-ages class. No registration required!

We’d also like to extend a special thank you to a friend of Easterseals for their generous support of our Music Together® program, helping more families experience the joy of music.

08/01/2026

5 ways to support your child's emotional regulation:

1️⃣ Prioritize secure relationships.
2️⃣ Reassure them they are safe.
3️⃣ Stay close and be present.
4️⃣ Help them put their feelings into words.
5️⃣ Encourage reconnection after difficult moments.

As the new school year approaches, take advantage of our FREE, confidential Ages & Stages Questionnaires® (ASQ-3 & ASQ:SE-2). Trusted by pediatricians and families for more than 20 years, these developmental screenings help track your child's development and social-emotional skills from 1 month to 5 years of age.

Get started today at askeasterseals.com.

5 maneras de apoyar la regulación emocional de su hijo(a):

1️⃣ Fortalezca relaciones seguras.
2️⃣ Recuérdele que está seguro(a).
3️⃣ Manténgase cerca y acompáñelo(a).
4️⃣ Ayúdele a expresar sus emociones con palabras.
5️⃣ Fomente la reconexión después de momentos difíciles.

Antes de que comience el nuevo año escolar, aproveche el Cuestionario de Edades y Etapas® (ASQ-3 y ASQ), una evaluación gratuita y confidencial en la que confían pediatras y familias desde hace más de 20 años. Esta herramienta ayuda a dar seguimiento al desarrollo y a las habilidades socioemocionales de niños desde 1 mes hasta los 5 años de edad.

Comience hoy mismo en askeasterseals.com o visite el enlace en nuestra biografía.

07/31/2026

Always eager to try something new, Lola recently took on an incredible challenge: an adaptive shark dive at Wonders of Wildlife! With the right supports, adaptive equipment, and trained staff, she was able to experience the excitement of swimming alongside sharks.

Lola's story shows what's possible when accessibility and inclusion open doors to new experiences. Everyone deserves the opportunity to chase their next adventure.

Watch her dive and hear more from Lola: https://bit.ly/3Rqukrt

Lola is an adrenaline seeker. At just 17 years old, she loves the thrill of rollercoasters and surfing. For Lola, though, access to these

07/30/2026

Meet Anastasia!

This summer, Anastasia set one big goal: to ride her bike independently to her neighborhood ice cream shop and park.

Working alongside Physical Therapist Josephine Hipolito, PT, C/NDT, Anastasia started on a balance bike but struggled translating it to pedaling and riding on a two-wheel bike. Using activities like balancing on a foam roller and practicing on a bolster swing, Anastasia strengthened her balance, coordination, and midline control, helping her reach her goal.

Today, Anastasia is riding her bike independently and is already mastering turns around cones, braking, and stopping. She is keeping up with her cousins and enjoying stops to the park and getting ice cream!

Celebrate milestone moments like Anastasia's at Ride to Thrive: Bike for the Kids on Saturday, August 23, at Panton Mill Park in South Elgin. Enjoy new bike routes, live entertainment, refreshments, a sensory tent, games, and fun for the whole family while supporting life-changing therapy services.

🚴 Register today at eastersealsdfvr.org/ridetothrive.

07/28/2026

Our Ride to Thrive: Bike for the Kids is rolling into Panton Mill Park on Sunday, August 23! 🚴

Join us and ride for a great cause with rest stops and new route options!
Don't plan to ride? You can join the festival fun for $10 featuring:

🎶 Live Music & DJ
💦 Splash Pad & Sensory Tent
🍔 Food & Drinks
🫧 Bubbles
🎪 Carnival Games
✨ And more!

Don't miss early registration discount before July 31 for just $40! Register today to secure your event T-shirt and join us for a day of fun, community, and impact.

🔗 Register now: https://bit.ly/4x2bgzw

07/27/2026

We're Hiring! 🎉

Join a team that's making a meaningful difference every day. At Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley, you'll have the opportunity to grow your career while helping empower children with disabilities and their families to thrive in an inclusive community.

If you're passionate about making an impact, we'd love to hear from you.

View our current openings and apply today: https://bit.ly/3L95Cbm

07/26/2026

Thirty-six years after the Americans with Disabilities Act became law, its promise is still worth protecting.

The ADA affirmed that people with disabilities deserve the opportunity to live, work, and participate fully in their communities. But independence doesn't happen through civil rights alone. For millions of people with disabilities and older adults, Medicaid-funded disability services provide the support that makes those rights possible.

They help people stay in their homes, get to work, manage daily needs, and remain connected to the people and places they love.
Now, those services are at risk.

This ADA anniversary, let's honor the promise of the law by protecting the services that help people live independently every day.

Sign up for Easterseals Action, and you'll immediately receive a message you can send to your local legislators, plus future opportunities to advocate for people with disabilities delivered directly to your inbox: https://hq.easterseals.com/ProtectMedicaidDisabilityServices

07/24/2026

Play, movement, and a little dancing can go a long way! Addy enjoys turning her morning Physical Therapy sessions into a dance party!

Working with Josephine Hipolito, PT, C/NDT, Addy is building postural control as she sits and stands. As she plays, she's practicing weight bearing, and using her right hand to reach for and track toys. She's also continuing to work on her goal of independent walking—making every step towards Dad a milestone worth celebrating.

At Easterseals, we know children learn best through play. Every song, dance move, and playful moment helps build the strength, confidence, and skills they need to thrive.

Way to move and bring joy, Addy! 🎉