Easterseals Celebrates Occupational Therapy Month

The room is quiet as a two-and-a-half-year-old girl waits patiently for her favorite song to
come through the speaker but when it does, the silence is broken by laughter, jumping, clapping, and Evelyn
“Evie” Scott, of Newark, ready to shake her sillies out. Her parents, Natalie and Nicholas, know that without
the help of Easterseals Children’s Therapy program, these joy-filled moments may never be possible.

“It is hard to understand when your child develops typically how big the small milestones are for a child who
struggles,” Natalie says. “It took Evie so long to learn how to clap, but when she did, it was a big deal and
Easterseals therapists were right there celebrating with us. Unlike our friends, the therapists understood this
was the first step to bigger things.”

When Evie started receiving Occupational Therapy, she was not able to sit up unsupported, reach, bring her
hands together, or hold anything. Easterseals therapists helped her learn to play, hold toys, clap, hold her
spoon correctly so she can effectively feed herself, color, and safely use scissors.

“With the help of Easterseals dedicated therapists, I have watched Evie blossom into this amazing little girl I
never thought she could be. I was always included in her therapy plan and that is important to me,” Natalie
says. “Easterseals therapists wrapped themselves around my family, caring about each of the members and
their role in Evie’s life. They shared the highs and lows and helped me help her.”

April is National Occupational Therapy Month, a time to celebrate the important roles that Occupational
Therapists play in the lives of people of all ages. Like all Easterseals services, Children’s Therapy is
comprehensive and individualized to meet each child’s needs, family-focused to meet each family member's
concerns and have the goal of enhanced independence.

“Easterseals is the expert in therapies, but they respected that I am the expert in Evie,” Natalie says.
“Honestly, I don’t know where Evie would be without Easterseals therapies. I was so worried about her going
to preschool. I never thought she’d be prepared enough. I feel more confident as she transitions to school
thanks to all the skills she has learned with the help of Easterseals.”

Along with Occupational Therapy, Evie benefited from Speech, Feeding and Physical therapies with
Easterseals. She learned to say her first words “Mama” and “dog”, be receptive to eating different textures
and took her first steps and learned to jump thanks to the support of the Easterseals team.

“When Evie leaves the safety of her Easterseals family, it will be a mixture of feelings,” Natalie says. “I will
miss the therapists and their incredible support, but I know because of them, she is exactly where she needs
to be, more independent and prepared for the next big thing, preschool. Their impact in her life, and mine, is
immeasurable. I can never thank them enough.”

A trusted provider of children’s therapy services, Easterseals Delaware & Maryland’s Eastern Shore
specializes in treating children ages birth through eighteen years with a variety of challenges. Easterseals
specializes in meeting the needs of children and their families through creative, playful activities that go
beyond traditional services.

Easterseals Delaware & Maryland’s Eastern Shoreis leading the way to an inclusive community
through its innovative services, which include: children’s therapies, day programs for adults with
physical or intellectual disabilities, supported employment, senior services, recreational camping,
respite services, and services for caregivers. To learn more about Easterseals, call 1-800-677-3800
or visit www.de.easterseals.com.

Photo: Evie learns to use scissors safely with the support of her Easterseals Occupational Therapist. She is more
prepared for preschool thanks to this new skill.

# # #