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Intervention coordinator helps families, organizes event

Daily Item - 8/16/2017

Aug. 16--DANVILLE -- Chelsea Levan's son has made significant improvements since he enrolled in the early intervention program of the Danville Child Development Center.

Two-year-old Talon was busy measuring sand and sifting it into the sand box at the center's Wall Street location Tuesday during a family picnic.

"He is understanding commands more and has picked up more words," she said of his work with a speech therapist the past five months.

A therapist, from the center, visits their Berwick home once a week to work with Talon.

"It has helped him communicate and given us tools to use to facilitate with his communication," Tina Naylor, of Catawissa, said of their son Peter, 2, who has been working with a speech therapist since April.

She and her husband, Jake Naylor, were among kids and parents at the picnic that Renea Poust, early intervention coordinator, said was a first.

With the playground equipment, sandbox and cars to ride in all new to Peter, he was scurrying around "trying out a little bit of everything," his mother said.

Poust said the picnic also provided a way for families to network among themselves and "to share stories."

Donie Aulenbach, of Danville, said their son, Luc, 2, has been working with a speech therapist for six months.

"If you say a cup or blocks, he will now hand you the cup or the block. He really has come a long way," she said. The therapist meets with him for one hour each week and brings new activities each time, she said.

The program serves early ages from birth through 3 of children needing help with their development, Poust said. The program provides speech, occupational and physical therapists and special instructors who work with the children in their homes, she said.

About 90 youngsters in Columbia, Montour, Union, Snyder and Northumberland counties are enrolled.

Center Executive Director Diana Verbeck said the early intervention program has been part of the center since 1974.

Poust hopes to make the picnic an annual event.

Email comments to kblackledge@thedanvillenews.com. Follow Karen on Twitter @KLBlackledge.

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