Open Mic

April is National Autism Awareness Month, and several area businesses and support groups have stepped up to help parents navigate autism diagnoses. 

The Woodlands LearningRx, in cooperation with LearningRx Spring-Champions and the Creekside YMCA, recently hosted a Community Resources Forum to introduce businesses in The Woodlands area that cater to children with autism.

“Once a child is diagnosed with autism, parents can become overwhelmed,” Kim Bellini, director of The Woodlands LearningRx, said. “There’s so much to consider – from diet to medicine, health insurance to finances. Most importantly, parents need to know the best way to stay informed.”

Providers attending the resource forum included My Fit Foods, the YMCA, Panther Creek Inspiration Ranch, Social Skills Playhouse, Lighthouse Learning & Resource and Achievebalance.org. They were also joined by Macaroni Kid Greater North Houston, Parents Supporting Parents - The Woodlands, The Woodlands Institute for Health & Wellness, Focus Initiative, the Learning Lane, the Archer Consulting Group and Carlin Speech Pathology & Associates.

Phil and Amy Parham, contestants from season six of “The Biggest Loser,” served as keynotes for the Community Resource Forum, sharing their experience of having a son with autism.

The couple said brain-training exercises at LearningRx dramatically improved his life – eventually helping him read at grade level.

According to the advocacy group Autism Speaks, autism affects one in 110 children born in this country. “More people than ever before are being diagnosed with autism,” Bellini said. “The goal is to help parents understand the diagnosis and handle it in the best way possible.”

Bellini offers several tips for parents. “Receiving an autism diagnosis may seem difficult, but there are so many support groups and services in our area to help you along your journey,” she said.

A second opinion may be a good start. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, Bellini suggests finding support groups and a compatible medical professional. 

Next, parents should create a plan to help children learn. For example, The Woodlands LearningRx has programs to help build cognitive skills in autistic students.

“Brain training can actually improve lives of those with autism,” Bellini said.

Creating ways to build cognitive skills is one of the main goals of The Woodlands LearningRx, a brain-training center that offers unique programs to transform a student’s ability to learn at a core level. The center is located at 4840 West Panther Creek, Suite 205.

For more information, please call the center at (832)482-3082 or visit their web site www.learningrx.com/the-woodlands.

About LearningRx
LearningRx specializes in identifying and correcting the underlying cognitive skill deficiencies that keep people from achieving their full potential in school, business or life. The program was pioneered by Dr. Ken Gibson. Using a comprehensive skills assessment test and intensive one-on-one training, certified trainers enhance weak
cognitive skills such as attention, memory, processing speed and problem solving.

Photo courtesy of The Woodlands LearningRx

Kim Bellini and Beth Buzbee, directors at The Woodlands LearningRx, hosted Phil and Amy Parham, contestants on the NBC TV show “The Biggest Loser” in 2008, who served as speakers at the recent Community Autism Resource Forum.