Children

Celebrating the Schreiber 2024 Summer Olympics

During the Schreiber 2024 Summer Olympics our #SchreiberKids kids engaged in specially adapted Olympic-themed activities designed to integrate therapy goals with imaginative play. From field hockey and tennis to judo and boxing, every Schreiber Olympic activity was crafted to be both fun and therapeutic.

Bernie Hershey, a dedicated Occupational Therapist with over 21 years of experience at the Schreiber Center, masterminded the Summer Olympics. “The goal of these two weeks of themed activities is to celebrate the amazing accomplishments of our kids in a way that makes them feel special, while also keeping them on track with their therapy goals,” she explains.

OT Bernie and Lillian

Throughout the event, kids participated in Olympic-themed games, sensory bins, and even worksheets. Kyrain’s mom, Tyara Borsella, shared, “Schreiber always makes Kyrain feel like a champion, but special activities and events like the Schreiber Summer Olympics bring it to a whole new level of inclusion that I’m so grateful for.”

Tyara, Kyrain, and PT Alexa

Grayson’s mom, Brittany Smith, echoed this sentiment, “Grayson always has a blast in his sessions, but events like the Schreiber Summer Olympics add an extra layer of excitement and motivation. We’re so grateful for the creativity and care that goes into making therapy fun and effective.”

OT Bernie and Grayson

Angie Rice, Director of Therapy Services, praised the event, saying, “Occupational therapist Bernie Hershey’s dedication to creating engaging activities for our kids not only benefits her clients but also provides a fantastic opportunity for all the kiddos at the Schreiber Center to enjoy and thrive. This innovative approach to therapy is part of what makes our center so special.”

As we close the chapter on the 2024 Schreiber Summer Olympics, we celebrate the hard work, determination, and achievements of all our Schreiber kids. They are truly gold medalists in every sense, embodying the spirit of perseverance and joy that defines our center.


Support inclusive and innovative therapies like the Schreiber 2024 Summer Olympics by donating to our Kids’ Care Fund today. Your generosity helps us continue to create these joyful, impactful events, ensuring every child can achieve their therapy goals in a fun and supportive environment.


As a nationally recognized pediatric facility, the Schreiber Center for Pediatric Development provides family-centered education and therapy programs for infants, children and adolescents with disabilities, developmental delays, and acquired injuries. Our goal-oriented approach maximizes each child’s ability to function independently within the community.


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Technology and Your Child’s Developing Brain

In today’s digital age, technology has become an integral part of our lives. From smartphones to tablets, screens are everywhere, and children are increasingly exposed to them. However, this exposure comes with significant consequences for the developing brain. At the Schreiber Center for Pediatric Development, we believe it is essential to understand these effects and advocate for balanced screen time to ensure healthy development in children.

The Risks of Excessive Screen Time

Research indicates that excessive screen time can negatively impact various aspects of a child’s development, including dopamine overload, executive function skills, stress levels, myelin development, social skills, emotional development, impulse control, and perseverance. Let’s take a closer look.

The Importance of Interactive Play

Interactive play is crucial for healthy brain development. Engaging in activities such as reading, playing with peers, and participating in physical activities helps children develop imagination, improve vocabulary, enhance listening skills, and build strong social connections. These activities lay the foundation for academic success and overall well-being.

Guidelines for Screen Time

The American Academy of Pediatrics provides clear guidelines for technology use in children. By adhering to these guidelines, parents can help ensure their children maintain a healthy balance between screen time and other essential activities.

Practical Tips for Limiting Screen Time

Here are some strategies to help manage your child’s screen time:

Balancing screen time with interactive play and face-to-face interactions is essential for fostering a well-rounded and healthy development in our children. At the Schreiber Center for Pediatric Development, we are committed to promoting the healthy development of children. By understanding the impact of technology on a developing brain and implementing practical strategies to limit screen time, we can help our children thrive. For more detailed information, you can refer to the two documents linked below from the Lancaster County IU13 Preschool Early Intervention Program.

How does Technology Affect A Developing Brain
Screen Time Negative Effects


Contribute to the Kids’ Care Fund now to ensure that children in need, both present and future, receive these essential services regardless of their family’s financial situation.


As a nationally recognized pediatric facility, the Schreiber Center for Pediatric Development provides family-centered education and therapy programs for infants, children and adolescents with disabilities, developmental delays, and acquired injuries. Our goal-oriented approach maximizes each child’s ability to function independently within the community.


Schreiber’s Community Grand Re-Opening & Donor Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

On Thursday April 25, 2024, we celebrated the completion of our nearly two years of construction, expansion, and renovations with a Grand Re-Opening Community Open House, where we invited all our Schreiber friends and families as well as our greater community to join us for an evening of connection and fun. A large tent was erected in our parking lot by Shumaker Plan, Design, Transform and we filled it with a few of our favorite Duckie Festival games and delicious fun fair food from Cracked Pepper Catering. We opened the doors of our facility for tours of the new and renovated spaces and even set up a fun scavenger hunt for the kids to learn more about different spaces throughout the building. For anyone who missed the event, or wants to relive it again, professional photos taken by Nick Gould Photography can be found on our Facebook page.

Friday night, April 26, 2024, we welcomed donors, partners, and supporters of our Where Heroes Are Made capital campaign to visit the center for a special ribbon cutting ceremony and reception to thank them for their contributions to this project. During the night James DeBord, president of The Schreiber Center, and Samuel N. Lombardo our largest campaign donor of $2.5 million who received naming rights of the new three-story addition both spoke about the importance of this project and expressed their thanks to the community and all donors for their part in making it happen. A video presentation showcasing the Future of Schreiber followed prior to the official ribbon cutting and finally a tour of the new space. To see the incredible photos from the ribbon cutting ceremony and reception taken by Nick Gould Photography visit our Facebook page.

It was an honor to host this ribbon cutting ceremony and reception for the donors, partners, and supporters of our Where Heroes Are Made campaign as a token of our appreciation for their generosity and support. It was because of these incredible donors that we were able to raise $13 million and expand the center by 21,000 square feet. This additional space will allow us to bring in more therapists, and ultimately provide life-changing therapy services to more children in central Pennsylvania in need. We are already starting to see the effects of this added space and are excited for the opportunity to provide a larger impact to our community as we move forward.

To begin expanding our space and impact, Benchmark Construction built a three-story addition to our existing facility. On the first floor of this addition, we created a brand-new Physical Therapy Gym, which houses the state-of-the-art OASUS system, treadmills, therapy mats and tables, a rock wall, a universal exercise unit, and plenty of space for our kiddos to perform a variety of physical therapy activities. New administrative offices were built on the second and third floors, which allowed us to stop renting off-site office space and bring our entire staff back under one roof.  

Once the new PT Gym was set up and ready for clients, renovations began on the old PT gym area. This entire section of the building was blocked off while walls were removed and rebuilt in a new configuration to better serve the needs of our clients. This area was renovated into more spacious and accessible locker rooms for our indoor therapy pool and a Therapy Treatment Suite. The Therapy Treatment Suite includes private treatment rooms for pelvic floor therapy, casting, sensory sensitive therapy sessions, and other therapies that benefit from private spaces. The new Nutrition and Feeding Room is also located in the Therapy Treatment Suite and is perfect for our kiddos receiving Vital Stim Therapy or other feeding therapies which are better provided in a private space.  It also includes a Hearing and Vision Room which can be immersed in total darkness for the use of low-vision therapy techniques and allows a quiet space for hearing therapy testing and treatment.

Moving the administrative offices to the new addition allowed us to reimagine the space of our old admin offices and renovate that entire wing into our new Behavioral Health Suite, which includes eight individual private treatment rooms, a sensory room, and a group activity room, where our LEGO Social Skills Camp is held. During all these construction projects and renovations, new flooring was installed throughout the center, the walls were repainted (without losing our #SchreiberKids handprints) and both our Occupational Therapy Gym and Speech Therapy Suite were updated, creating the feel of a brand-new facility throughout our entire center.

We are thrilled that the construction and renovations throughout the entire center have wrapped up and are so grateful not only to everyone who helped make this project a success over the last few years, but also to our families for bearing with us through the growing pains that come with construction and expansion. Now that everything is complete, we hope that current and future Schreiber families enjoy the new and updated spaces as much as we do.


Contribute to the Kids’ Care Fund now to ensure that children in need, both present and future, receive these essential services regardless of their family’s financial situation.


As a nationally recognized pediatric facility, the Schreiber Center for Pediatric Development provides family-centered education and therapy programs for infants, children and adolescents with disabilities, developmental delays, and acquired injuries. Our goal-oriented approach maximizes each child’s ability to function independently within the community.


Encouraging Crawling: Tips for a Strong Start

Once your baby starts showing interest in being mobile you might be tempted to rush them through the crawling stage and start to encourage them to get up and moving on their feet, but our physical therapists recommend not rushing this important milestone and instead encouraging the crawling stage as it provides your kiddo with so many benefits you may not have considered.

Walking takes strength, why does my baby need to crawl before they walk to develop their strength?

It’s true that learning to walk will require your baby to build their leg strength, but what about all the arm strengthening they’re missing out on by not crawling first? Crawling is not only the first time your baby puts significant weight on their hands, wrists, arms, and shoulders, but also the longest amount of time they’ll spend developing these muscles. Muscles that will later be used to feed themselves, play with toys, color, and dress themselves. The muscles in their legs and core will also strengthen during this time, which will make transitioning to walking even easier.

You need postural control to walk, why can’t my baby learn both at the same time?

While your baby could learn postural control while they tackle the task of learning to walk, crawling will provide them with more stability and practice while they gain the postural control skills required to walk properly. Crawling requires your baby to engage their core muscles to support their body weight which is essential for maintaining an upright posture when standing and walking.  

Since my baby has great hand-eye coordination when sitting and playing with toys, why do they need to crawl before they walk?

Good hand-eye coordination is an important skill for babies to learn, but coordination of their limbs is necessary for crawling, walking, and more advanced movements. Crawling encourages babies to learn how to simultaneously move their arms and legs in a coordinated manner, which helps control their balance, which in turn improves their ability to maintain appropriate posture when they eventually begin to walk.

My baby recognizes themselves in the mirror and engages appropriately with their play mats and stacking toys, what more awareness and motor planning do they need to walk?

Crawling helps babies establish their body awareness within space safely, so that they can learn how to maneuver around their environment with minimal risk. It helps to teach them an understanding of their own movement, and helps enhance their depth perception, so that when they begin walking, they will be less likely to trip, fall, or run into things.

My baby gathers information about their surroundings whether they’re in a highchair, on a playmat, or in my arms, doesn’t that make them ready to walk?

Some of the most important information gathering and processing skills that your baby gains through crawling are done by sensory exploration and multisensory integration. Crawling allows babies to explore their environment through touch, sight, and sound. While they touch different surfaces and textures, they are learning to integrate this sensory information with their motor planning to adapt to various terrains and surfaces as they grow.

Tips for Encouraging Crawling

  • Practice tummy time early and often.
  • Use play mats and play gyms.
  • Create a safe and open space for exploration.
  • Babyproof their environment.
  • Focus on floor-based activities.
  • Invest in crawl through tunnels.
  • Avoid walkers and exersaucers.
  • Offer motivating toys.
  • Provide interaction and praise.
  • Be patient.

Author’s Note:
The valuable insights and information shared in this article were provided by the Schreiber Center for Pediatric Development’s pediatric physical therapist Rachel D’Arcy. Rachel’s extensive knowledge and experience in pediatric physical therapy was instrumental in crafting the content of this piece.


As a nationally recognized pediatric facility, the Schreiber Center for Pediatric Development provides family-centered education and therapy programs for infants, children and adolescents with disabilities, developmental delays, and acquired injuries. Our goal-oriented approach maximizes each child’s ability to function independently within the community.


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2024 Schreiber Ambassadors Announced at the 40th Annual Schreiber Gala!

Every year we choose a few lucky kiddos to be Ambassadors of our mission. To join us as special guests at our events. To share their stories with our families and friends. To highlight the life-changing services our therapists are providing every day to those who need them most. This year we’re proud to announce that we have four amazing kiddos serving as Schreiber Ambassadors.

From oldest to youngest, we’d like to now introduce you to our 2024 Ambassadors, Aubrey Jacoby, Allegra Essis, Colton Kiss, and Grayson Smith.

Aubrey Jacoby

Aubrey is an 18-year-old, senior in high school, with a passion for video editing and a love of music. She has been a Schreiber client since she was three years old, when she began therapy sessions to counteract the physical effects of her cerebral palsy diagnosis. Through physical therapy and occupational therapy sessions Aubrey has gained and sustained both gross and fine motor skills that help her navigate through life as independently as possible.

Aubrey has undergone over 80 surgeries in her lifetime to combat difficulties associated with her diagnoses of both cerebral palsy and Treacher Collins syndrome. Because she had difficulty breathing one of these surgeries was to insert a tracheostomy tube, creating an opening in her trachea from the outside of the neck to help oxygen reach her lungs. She began speech therapy at Schreiber after that surgery and re-learned how to speak with the trach and use an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device to communicate with the world and has since graduated from speech therapy. Just like most 18-year-olds she’s excited to graduate from high school next, and start working on building a career for herself.

Allegra Essis

Allegra is 13 years old and in her last year of middle school, where she is a social butterfly with a flair for theater. When she was just an infant her parents enrolled her in early intervention therapy care to combat challenges she was facing with her gross motor skills. At five years old she was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and has been a frequent flyer at Schreiber for physical therapy ever since. During her time at Schreiber sha has gained a lot of core strength, flexibility, balance, and of course confidence which all help her pursue her interests in dance, horseback riding, and skiing.

Early on, Allegra had difficulties standing up, walking, running, balancing, and using stairs. Her parents’ initial goals were for her to gain the strength and balance needed to walk independently. She was fitted for orthotics to help stabilize her gait and help her do these activities, which she continues to use today. A recent surgery on her hamstrings set back her progress slightly when it left her wheelchair bound for a time. Through dedicated physical therapy sessions at Schreiber three times per week, she is now back to her normal, walking independently and participating in her many activities.

Colton Kiss

Colton is almost four years old, and attends our Circle of Friends Academy preschool, where he enjoys learning and playing with his friends. He has attended therapy at the Schreiber center for three years, after a complication at birth resulted in four brain hemorrhages as well as a blood clot on his cerebellum that caused permanent damage. Shortly after he was born his mom was told by doctors that he may never walk or talk due to the damage done. His mom was familiar with Schreiber and knew that our center was his best chance at beating those odds.

He currently participates in all four of our offered therapies, physical, occupational, speech, and behavioral health to help him combat the challenges of his diagnosis. Please who have known Colton through his entire journey have witnessed the miracle of his transformation. And people who meet Colton today would never believe that there was ever a chance that he may have never learned to walk or talk. His physical therapy sessions have helped him build core strength and balance needed to sit, stand, and walk on his own. Occupational therapy has helped him develop the coordination and focus needed to perform self-care tasks like dressing himself and feeding himself. Speech therapy has given him the ability to communicate his wants and needs with those around him. And behavioral health therapy has taught him how to communicate those wants and needs more appropriately.

Grayson Smith

Grayson is three years old and has attended therapy at Schreiber since he was just nine months old. First for physical therapy to address a diagnosis of low tone, where he built the strength and coordination required to sit, stand, walk, and run on his own. A year after starting and later graduating from physical therapy he was also diagnosed with level 1 autism. At which time he began speech therapy and occupational therapy to help him gain both physical and social skills.

Once a week, he still comes to the Schreiber center to work on his sensory processing skills, social skills, and self-care tasks in occupational therapy. He uses the skills he learns in therapy every day to express his wants and needs effectively with those around him and navigate through new social situations that would have had him shutting down in the past. Thanks to occupational therapy he is also now able and willing to perform daily self-care tasks on his own and with the help of his parents without a struggle. His parents are confident that the tools he’s learning in therapy will ensure that he is developmentally ready for school in the next few years. His confidence has already grown tremendously as he learns to self-advocate and even initiate new friendships on the playground.

While each of our 2024 ambassadors have been attending therapies at the Schreiber center for a few years, we will be highlighting their progress and achievements on our social media channels this year to allow our friends and supporters to witness firsthand what makes our pediatric therapy center so special. So, make sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram to watch their stories unfold.

We’ve also made fun collectible trading cards for each of our 2024 ambassadors to hand out to fellow Schreiber families, friends, and supporters during our various fundraising and community events throughout the year. These cards highlight the therapy journey of each ambassador and celebrate how far they have each come. Attend all our events and collect each ambassadors trading card for special keepsake showcasing your support of all Schreiber kids.  


Help Schreiber Kids like our Ambassadors receive the care they need, by donating in support of our Kids’ Care Fund, a long and short term savings account used to cover the costs of uncompensated care.


As a nationally recognized pediatric facility, the Schreiber Center for Pediatric Development provides family-centered education and therapy programs for infants, children and adolescents with disabilities, developmental delays, and acquired injuries. Our goal-oriented approach maximizes each child’s ability to function independently within the community.


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Therapists at Schreiber Went Above and Beyond to Help My Son Thrive: A Personal Testimonial

Written by: Schreiber Client Brayden’s Mom, Alicia Earnesty

Brayden has been attending therapy at Schreiber Center for Pediatric Development for over 5 years now. As a medically complex child, Brayden has many diagnosis and challenges including intractable epilepsy(LGS) and cortical visual impairment. He first began receiving PT, OT, Speech, Feeding and Aqua therapy as we desperately searched for ways to help. He was unable to hold his head up, bare weight, sit up, functional use his hands or share any form of communication. 

Brayden and PT Libby

The amazing therapist at Schreiber immediately began to create a plan. His team has went above and beyond to research, learn other strategies and implement accommodations to help him thrive. The begin years were a true struggle to make progress in the midst of survival mode between hospitalizations and seizures. Covid hit which forced us to pivot to virtual therapy for 2 years working remotely from our basement therapy room. The amazing therapist never gave up and little by little we celebrated Brayden’s inch stones. We celebrated sitting on his own, sit to stand, learning to crawl, standing with support, utilizing both hands, grabbing/holding objects, pointing, saying his first words, making choices and using a communication device. Brayden underwent several brain surgeries over the years and the therapist never skipped a beat to help him rehab, bounce back and make leaps of progress. 

Looking back upon all the years of intensive therapy, it brings joyful tears to our eyes as to how far Brayden has come. Today, Brayden is a walking talking miracle and true representation to never give up hope. Brayden can voice, sign and use his adapted communication device to share what he is thinking, needing and even what he doesn’t want. Brayden can now eat foods by mouth and working so hard on independent fine motor skills. Brayden can now independently walk, go up/down stairs, squat to pick up items, and even run! 

Brayden & PT Libby on Stairs

Brayden waves and squeals with excitement on therapy days. We love calling “the duck duck place” (as Brayden calls it) home as Schreiber has become family and we are forever grateful for the staff and therapists. Thank you to Lisa, Maddy, Rebecca, Libby, Deanna, Meghan, Sarah, Christen, Adrian and so many more for your impact on his journey. To other families looking for the supports your child needs, Schreiber is the BEST in the area hands down. Partnering with them and continuing to implement at home, the sky is the limit! 


Help Schreiber Clients like Brayden receive the care they need, consider donating in support of our Kids’ Care Fund, a long and short term savings account used to cover the costs of uncompensated care.


As a nationally recognized pediatric facility, the Schreiber Center for Pediatric Development provides family-centered education and therapy programs for infants, children and adolescents with disabilities, developmental delays, and acquired injuries. Our goal-oriented approach maximizes each child’s ability to function independently within the community.


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The Myth and Reality of In-Toeing and Out-Toeing

Have you ever found yourself marveling at your little one’s unique walking style? Those adorable little toes of theirs pointing inward or outward might seem like a quirky phase they’ll grow out of, but that’s a common misconception. Let’s dive into the myth and reality of in-toeing and out-toeing in kids and why pediatric physical therapy might be just what the doctor ordered.

When little ones initially start walking, it is common to see some bowing (bending outwards) at the knees, while maintaining knee and foot alignment. At two years-old, we expect our tiny tots to conquer walking, stairs, and climbing with their feet pointing forward. By three years-old, those little piggies should ideally be in line, meaning their feet should be in line with their knees and tibias. But what happens when the journey takes a zigzag detour?

The easiest way to tell if your child is in-toeing or out-toeing is to watch their feet while they walk. If their feet are not facing forward in a straight line, they may need professional intervention. Another way to determine if they may be exhibiting signs of this is if their legs look like they’re making the letter W while they’re sitting and playing on the floor, or if they’re falling over or losing their balance more often than what seems normal for their age. In all these cases you should ask your pediatrician or primary care provider to make a referral to have their stance and gait reviewed by a pediatric physical therapist to determine if they would benefit from ongoing physical therapist at the Schreiber Center for Pediatric Development to retrain their gait and posture. 

Toddler playing in w-sitting position

Ignoring in- and out-toeing can lead to several more serious complications. These rotational deviations can cause muscle imbalances, gait inefficiencies, and even osteoarthritis of the knee. While muscle imbalances and gait inefficiencies can be worked on and improved in physical therapy as your child ages, once osteoarthritis of the knee begins, there is no way to reverse it, which is why pediatric physical therapy for in- and out-toeing is so important. Another common issue seen with in-toeing and out-toeing is foot overpronation, which can cause the arches of their tiny feet to flatten more than they normally would, which increases their risk of foot and leg injury. It is critical to address any rotational issues as soon as possible because as children age, it is hard to make changes to their bony structure. 

Balance beam physical therapy

There are another several reasons behind why a child might walk in a in-toe or out-toe style including: w-sitting habits, ligament laxity, pelvic instability, low muscle tone, poor trunk control or femoral rotation, and the solution to them all is pediatric physical therapy. By working with a pediatric physical therapist at the Schreiber Center, kids can work on targeted exercise to strengthen the muscles in the affected areas and learn how to use these strengthened muscles to stand and walk with correct posture promoting neutral alignment. They may also be fitted for orthotics or Togrite Strapping to support their feet and promote proper alignment while they attend physical therapy sessions to improve their balance, coordination, and flexibility.

Toddler orthotics

The most important and impactful aspect though, is making sure that in- and out-toeing is caught early, and addressed through pediatric physical therapy as soon as possible. By addressing these concerns as soon as you notice them, you are providing your child with a greater chance to develop healthy posture and gait and minimize the risks of long-term complications associated with in- and out-toeing.

Author’s Note:
The valuable insights and information shared in this article were provided by the Schreiber Center for Pediatric Development’s pediatric physical therapist Rachel D’Arcy. Rachel has a wealth of experience in pediatric physical therapy, and her expertise has been instrumental in crafting the content of this piece.


If you are interested in learning more about how Schreiber’s Pediatric Physical Therapy Services can help your child visit https://www.schreiberpediatric.org/physical-therapy/


As a nationally recognized pediatric facility, the Schreiber Center for Pediatric Development provides family-centered education and therapy programs for infants, children and adolescents with disabilities, developmental delays, and acquired injuries. Our goal-oriented approach maximizes each child’s ability to function independently within the community.


How Schreiber Transformed Our Son’s Feeding Challenges: A Personal Testimonial

Written by: Schreiber Client Finn’s Mom, Danielle Gwilt

Our son Finn was diagnosed with food allergies shortly after his first birthday, and a chronic digestive condition called Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) about a year after that. Due to allergies and discomfort due to EoE, feeding Finn was a challenge pretty quickly after he began solid foods. He was incredibly reluctant to try or even touch new foods or drinks. Finn started occupational therapy, prior to coming to Schreiber, at 18 months for these feeding aversions and sensory issues. While this initial round of OT helped us to learn about Finn’s sensory needs, we made no progress at all with his eating and decided to stop the therapy. We were then referred to a speech therapist outside of the Schreiber Center to see if they could help. After about a year of visits with them, while Finn had made minor progress, they felt we didn’t have anything new to try and we were discharged from their care. 

During a visit with his nutritionist around Finn’s third birthday we were discussing his ongoing feeding issues and she recommended that we reach out to the Schreiber Center for Pediatric Development. She recommended we try to see Sarah Terry specifically if she was available, as she had heard Sarah was especially good with strong-willed, picky eaters. We quickly realized how right she was! A few months after Finn turned 3 we had our evaluation and acceptance into Schreiber’s OT program, and were lucky enough to get a slot in Sarah’s schedule. 

Finn working with Sarah to drink from a training cup

At the time of our admission, Finn (3 years old) was drinking from a bottle only, would only drink oat milk, and refused every type of cup offered. He was only eating 8-10 foods with regularity. He was also still eating baby food purees every day as one of his main foods. Our initial goals with Schreiber were to get Finn to try new foods, add new foods into his diet as regularly accepted foods, and to drink out of anything other than a bottle. 

Initially, Finn was very reluctant to attending therapy, likely because he had been through other programs. What Schreiber offers is so different from anywhere else we had been. Schreiber allows for kids to make their own choices (toys they want to play with, a certain apparatus they may want to try, etc.) while still working toward the child’s goals and setting clear boundaries. Finn quickly warmed up to Schreiber and to Sarah due to the fun atmosphere and the incredible patience and understanding she showed while working with us. Sarah employed a wide array of play-based OT to entice Finn to try new foods. He was able to get the needed sensory input to his body by jumping and climbing in the large OT room before moving to a smaller room for therapy. Sarah would spend time playing with toys, games, painting, etc. in exchange for Finn touching, playing with, and eventually tasting the new foods. 

Finn trying new foods in OT at Schreiber

Sarah took the time to get to know Finn and his interests and form a true relationship with him. She made his appointments fun and silly, all while working towards his goals.  She was never visibly frustrated with him, even through some incredibly frustrating visits where he would flat-out refuse to cooperate. And she celebrated each win with us – no matter how small. Her positive and good-natured attitude made returning each week a pleasure, rather than the chore that therapy can often feel like. Sarah gave us suggestions on foods to try, ways to make slight alterations to foods to get him to accept new things, and a ton of tools to use at home as well.

We’d be remiss if we didn’t also mention Lisa at the front desk! She always welcomed our family with a smile and would greet Finn by name within just a few short weeks of his attending Schreiber. She truly assists in making Schreiber feel welcoming from the time you walk in the front door. 

The progress Finn made through our time at Schreiber is truly remarkable.  His willingness to try new foods, and to try foods more than once, has grown exponentially. He has a much larger catalog of widely accepted foods he’ll eat on a routine basis. He no longer drinks out of a bottle and will drink more than just one type of drink. 

Finn posing excitedly with his Schreiber OT graduation handprint

There are no words to express how much Schreiber positively impacted our lives. We are forever grateful to Sarah and the team at Schreiber for all they did for us and would highly recommend them to anyone whose child needs assistance! 


Help Schreiber Clients like Finn receive the care they need, consider donating in support of our Kids’ Care Fund, a long and short term savings account used to cover the costs of uncompensated care.


As a nationally recognized pediatric facility, the Schreiber Center for Pediatric Development provides family-centered education and therapy programs for infants, children and adolescents with disabilities, developmental delays, and acquired injuries. Our goal-oriented approach maximizes each child’s ability to function independently within the community.


Embracing the Chill: The Many Benefits of Playing in the Snow

The temperature is dropping, and those beautiful snowflakes are falling from the sky. You might be thinking that you’re stuck inside with the kids until it gets warmer, and that snow starts to melt. But our occupational therapists say it’s the perfect time to bundle up those kiddos and send them outside for some snowy adventures. Playing in the snow offers a ton of benefits for children, from physical activity to sensory awareness. So go ahead and embrace the winter wonderland while it lasts!

Snowcializing through Physical Play

From snowball fights to sledding adventures, each snowy activity becomes a way for your kiddo to connect with others and improve their socialization skills. Not to mention the fact that all that snow is the perfect backdrop for some serious fun physical activity! Whether they’re making snow angels, building igloos, or helping shovel, they’ll be getting in some exercise without even realizing it!

Frost-ivating Creativity and Imagination

Snow play is a great way to stimulate a child’s natural creativity and imagination. Building forts and snowmen are great examples of ways to let their creativity shine. Once the building is done you can even use washable paints and brushes to color and decorate their masterpieces.

Snowmazing Sensory Skills

Snowy terrain is a natural playground that can help kids improve their fine and gross motor skills and even engage their sensory awareness. Using all five senses they can see the snow falling, hear it crunch under their boots, smell the fresh air as it falls, touch it with their hands or feel it under their feet, and even taste the freshly fallen snow. Not to mention the fact that playing in the snow is a WORKOUT, providing deep pressure and heavy work/play which promotes sensory awareness.

SnowGuard: Boosting Immune Systems

Did you know that research shows that children who come into regular contact with dirt, trees, grass, and snow in an outdoor setting are less likely to develop autoimmune disorders and allergies? It’s true. So just by simply being outside in the snow their health is benefiting, not to mention that when the sun shines through those clouds they’ll be getting a much-needed dose of Vitamin D.

Frosty Fun and Positive Flurries

Outdoor snow play is a great way for kids to expend all that pent up energy they have from sitting in a classroom all day. The cold air invigorates them, and the positive interactions they have with friends while playing help to create an exciting and happy atmosphere. A bonus for mom and dad? After playing in the snow kids are more likely to enjoy a long restful night of sleep, setting them up for a happy tomorrow.

Snowpuzzling Problem Solving

Navigating the snowy landscape can be challenging for kids, but with that challenge comes the development of some pretty solid problem-solving skills. From figuring out the best way to build a sturdy snowman, to strategizing the construction of their snow fort, each adventure becomes a playful puzzle. Suddenly their fun snow adventure is a frosty classroom in nature.

Snowlective Language Development

Engaging in snowy escapades can also help improve your child’s language development. Use the new environment to teach and promote new vocabulary related to the weather and play. Whether they’re just starting to form words like cold, soft, hard, and white, or they’re working on their auditory processing skills to practice following more than one direction at a time, playing in the snow can be a tool to improvement. Allow them to build and shape their expressive communication while they work to build and shape their snowy play.

Don’t be afraid of the winter months. Learn to embrace the cold and encourage outdoor play even in the snow. By dressing appropriately and venturing outside, children gain significant sensory information that contributes to their overall well-being. From the cold wind on their faces to the visual tracking of falling snowflakes, every aspect of snow play becomes an exercise in mindfulness. Moreover, it creates common ground for bonding across generations, as everyone can participate in the joy of winter activities. So, let the kids play, explore, and revel in the magical world that snowy days bring. Just don’t forget the gloves!

Author’s Note:
The information shared in this article was provided by the Schreiber Center for Pediatric Development’s occupational therapists Angie Rice and Bernie Hershey. Their extensive knowledge and experience has been essential in shaping the content of this piece.


If you are interested in learning about how Schreiber’s Pediatric Occupational Therapy Services can benefit your child visit http://www.schreiberpediatric.org/behavioral-health/


As a nationally recognized pediatric facility, the Schreiber Center for Pediatric Development provides family-centered education and therapy programs for infants, children and adolescents with disabilities, developmental delays, and acquired injuries. Our goal-oriented approach maximizes each child’s ability to function independently within the community.


OASUS Harness System Takes Pediatric Physical Therapy to New Heights at Schreiber Center

The new physical therapy gym at the Schreiber Center for Pediatric Development is now open! This state-of-the-art facility is equipped with a range of innovative equipment and open spaces, all meticulously designed to enhance therapy sessions for all our PT patients. This environment allows for more personalized therapy in a warm and inviting atmosphere, filled with natural light, vibrant colors, and a sense of fun. It is particularly welcoming to our young patients, putting them at ease, making them more receptive to therapy, and eager to engage in their rehabilitation.

The Schreiber Center’s New PT Gym

One of the most exciting features of our new gym is the introduction of the OASUS Harness System, a cutting-edge bodyweight support system that takes pediatric physical therapy to the next level. Provided by Enliten LLC, this system offers a flexible and dynamic approach to gait training, enabling our young patients to experience a greater range of motion, including rotational and frontal plane movement. This added versatility is crucial in helping our children develop their motor skills, balance, and coordination. The OASUS system also incorporates bungee cords, encouraging active engagement and fostering independence, thus strengthening their muscles and overall physical development. Furthermore, it simplifies therapists’ work on important milestones like stair climbing.

Schreiber Client Elijah Using the OASUS System

Our new rock wall adds a fun and challenging element to physical therapy sessions for many of our clients. Climbing the rock wall helps children build strength, coordination, and self-confidence while enjoying the process. Combining engaging activities with therapeutic methods is just one way our physical therapists help children reach goals others didn’t believe possible. We’ve expanded our gym to include new exercise equipment, including stationary bikes, to further this goal.

Safety is a top priority at Schreiber, and we’ve updated our mat tables to provide a comfortable and safe surface for various therapeutic exercises and activities in the new gym. These tables offer enhanced support for our children during stretching and strengthening routines, creating a more conducive environment for their rehabilitation.

“The new gym has provided us with more space and flexibility for personalized therapy.  It is very inviting and bright and fun. The several new additions including the OASUS, rock wall, and new mat tables allow us to have even more treatment options to provide the best therapy to the kids that we serve.”

– Laurie Panther, Physical Therapist at the Schreiber Center.
Schreiber Client Lucas working with PT Laurie

Have you ever seen a tree in the middle of a PT gym? If you’ve had sessions in ours, you have. And soon, we’ll be introducing sensory boards and other vertical play areas to enhance our therapy sessions even further on this tree. These additions will provide opportunities for sensory integration and cognitive development. Just another example of how we’re making therapy not only effective but also enjoyable for our young patients.

While the main gym is complete and open to clients, we are still working on completing extra treatment rooms dedicated to casting and pelvic floor treatments, greatly enhancing the level of care we can offer. These specialized rooms will ensure that our children receive the individualized attention they deserve, with access to the specific therapies they require.

The new physical therapy gym at the Schreiber Center stands as a testament to our commitment to the children and families we serve. We are deeply grateful to our supporters, donors, and partners who have made this space possible. Stay tuned for updates as we continue our renovations throughout the center to bring our clients the most innovative and up-to-date technology and services available. The future is bright at the Schreiber Center, and we can’t wait to share it with you!

The Schreiber Center’s New PT Gym

Donate today to help us continue to update and improve our spaces so that we can provide quality care to more children in need.


As a nationally recognized pediatric facility, the Schreiber Center for Pediatric Development provides family-centered education and therapy programs for infants, children and adolescents with disabilities, developmental delays, and acquired injuries. Our goal-oriented approach maximizes each child’s ability to function independently within the community.