Skills on the Hill

10/17/2025

🎉 October is AAC Awareness Month - a time to amplify all the ways every child can be heard and celebrated.

This month’s newsletter dives into what AAC (Augmentative & Alternative Communication) is, why it matters, and how we can all help make communication more inclusive for children who speak differently.

Additionally, we're highlighting:
🏡 Creative ways to sneak in skill-building at home
👻 Halloween tips for kids with sensory or communication challenges
💗 Celebrating our amazing PT's for National Physical Therapy Month

10/16/2025

OT vs. PT- what’s the difference? Both help kids thrive, but in different ways:
Occupational Therapy (OT): Focuses on daily life skills such as writing, dressing, feeding, and sensory processing, and fine motor skills. 🖐️
Physical Therapy (PT): Focuses on movement such as strength, balance, posture, coordination, and gross motor skills. 🏃‍♀️

Together, OT + PT provide a full approach to help kids grow, play, and succeed! 🌟

10/14/2025

Get your little monsters cooking! 👻🧡 Try this fun and healthy Halloween snack: Pumpkin Banana Bites 🎃
Ingredients:

2 ripe bananas

1/2 cup pumpkin puree

1/2 tsp cinnamon

Mini chocolate chips for eyes

Instructions:

Mash bananas & pumpkin together, stir in cinnamon.

Form small pumpkin-shaped balls.

Add mini chocolate chips for eyes.

Chill for 30 mins & enjoy!

Fun, healthy, and perfect for little hands to practice coordination! ✨

10/12/2025

🌟 Columbus Day OPEN GYM at Skills on the Hill! 🌟

We’re opening our sensory gym space tomorrow to the public and to our current families 🎉

Our gyms feature equipment you won’t find in typical play spaces — think swings, climbing walls, inflatables, scooter boards, tunnels, and crash pads!

It’s the perfect environment for kids to explore, move, and play in a safe, sensory-rich space.

✨ Why come to Open Gym?
• Extra sensory-motor playtime that builds coordination, balance, and confidence
• A soft, safe space for exploration, movement, and fun
• Access to our amazing therapists who can offer tips and answer questions
• A chance to see our gym, meet our team, and connect with other families in the community

👨‍👩‍👧 Open Gym is inclusive and open to children of all abilities!�Please note: this is not a therapy session or a substitute for therapy.

📍 Location: SOTH - Arlington, VA - 2301 Columbia Pike, Suite 125, Arlington, VA 22204

💲 Cost: 1 child $30 - 2 children $55 - 3 children $80

👉 Use this link to visit our web site, register, sign the waiver, and pay: https://skillsonthehill.com/programs/open-gym/

Come play, explore, and experience the joy of movement at Skills on the Hill! 💙

10/09/2025

Writing can be a real challenge for some children, but difficulties with written language are more common than you might think! Kids with a written language disorder may struggle with handwriting, spelling, sentence structure, or organizing their thoughts on paper. This can affect their confidence and success in school, even if their ideas are brilliant.

At Skills on the Hill, our occupational therapists work closely with children to improve fine motor skills, and letter formation. Our speech therapists can support children who have difficulty with spelling, sentence structure, and organizing thoughts.

With targeted support, children can gain the tools and confidence they need to succeed in writing tasks- making schoolwork more manageable and even fun!

10/08/2025

We are excited to be towsonuniversity Occupational Therapy job fair today in Baltimore! It’s fun to meet the OTs of tomorrow 🙂



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10/08/2025

Great idea!!! Especially for AAC month

🎃 YAY for portable AAC this Halloween! 👻🗣️

Comment AAC for this tote (or the printable)!

10/07/2025

MYTH: Boys always start talking later than girls. ❌

FACT: Every child develops at their own pace! Speech, motor skills, and social milestones vary widely, even between siblings. Early support from our Speech, OT & PT team can help your child reach their personal best, no matter their age or gender. 💡💪

10/02/2025

This October, we’re shining a spotlight on the amazing work physical therapists do every day! 🌟 From helping kids build strength and coordination to supporting adults in recovering from injuries, PT empowers people to move better and live better. 🏃‍♀️🧡

Thank you to all the PTs out there making a difference, one step at a time! 🙌

09/29/2025

Is your child having trouble with skills like drawing, buttoning, jumping, or balance? 🧸 Every child develops differently—but sometimes fine & gross motor delays can impact confidence, school readiness, and play. Early support matters! Our latest newsletter explains what to look for & how therapy can help little hands and feet catch up.

Read more here: https://skillsonthehill.com/newsletter/when-little-hands-and-feet-lag-behind-understanding-and-supporting-delayed-motor-skills/

09/25/2025

Does your child struggle with muscular weakness, low endurance, or difficulty with daily activities? 😟 Our pediatric physical therapy programs help kids build strength, improve balance, and gain confidence so they can run, play, and explore without limits! 🌈 Every session is tailored to your child’s unique needs, helping them reach milestones and enjoy life to the fullest. 💪

09/22/2025

Fall is here! 🍂 Time for cozy sweaters, pumpkin spice, and fun new adventures for your little ones! Let’s make this season full of growth and giggles. 🧡