Blue Bird Day

12/30/2025

As the end of the year approaches and the chilly winter weather sets in, it's the perfect time for a warm summer throwback! ☀️

12/29/2025

Thank you to all our wonderful staff who joined us for our holiday Sip & Shops! We had so much fun with all the activities, including spinning to win raffle prizes, enjoying delicious food and drinks, shopping for new Birdie Swag, and playing games together. Events like these remind us how fortunate we are to have such an incredible and dedicated team. Thank you all for making this holiday season brighter!

12/27/2025

Happy Kwanzaa! We made kinara crafts to celebrate the seven principles of the holiday! crafts

12/26/2025

Is your family starting the potty training journey? For parents of neurodiverse children, standard advice doesn't always apply. We understand that this milestone involves navigating unique sensory sensitivities, communication differences, and new routines. That’s why we’ve created a comprehensive guide designed specifically to support your child’s individual developmental path.

In our latest article, "How to Potty Train a Neurodiverse Child," we dive deep into:
🔹 Tailored Strategies: Practical tips that respect your child's sensory and cognitive needs.
🔹 Creating Success: How to set up a comfortable, low-pressure environment.
🔹 The Team Approach: The critical role Occupational, Speech, and Behavioral therapists play in supporting your family.

Read the full guide here to empower your child's journey toward independence:
https://bluebirddayprogram.com/potty-train-an-autistic-child/

Potty training is a significant milestone for all children, especially for those on the autism spectrum. As a parent of a neurodiverse child, you have discovered that milestones like potty training do not always follow the "standard" timeline outlined in typical parenting books. The

12/25/2025

Merry Christmas! 🎄

12/23/2025

Our Blue Bird of the Week is Nora! Nora has a song for every occasion and is always ready to share with the class! She is endlessly curious, familiarizing herself with new classroom books and excitedly sharing them with her peers. She is able to work her way around any buckle, velcro, or lace she encounters. We can't wait to see where Nora’s natural curiosity and can-do attitude will take her!

12/20/2025

Happy Hanukkah!

12/19/2025

Choosing the right preschool for your child can feel like a huge decision. Do you know the difference between a traditional preschool and a therapeutic one? For parents of children with developmental delays or special needs, understanding this distinction is crucial.

🔹 Regular Preschools: Focus on general learning and social skills in a group setting.
🔹 Therapeutic Preschools: Integrate specialized therapies (like speech, occupational, and physical therapy) directly into your child's day, with individualized support.

The right environment can help your child thrive. Our new guide breaks down everything you need to know—from staffing and curriculum to family support—so you can make a confident choice.

Ready to find the best fit for your little one? Read our complete guide: https://bluebirddayprogram.com/therapeutic-vs-regular-preschool/

When it comes to choosing the right early education for your neurodiverse child, one of the biggest questions parents face is: Should my child attend a traditional preschool, or would a therapeutic preschool be a better fit? This decision is critical if your child

12/17/2025

Join Speech-Language Pathologists Abbey (M.S., CCC-SLP) and Julia (M.S., CCC-SLP) for a virtual Beyond the Nest educational and caregiver workshop on Wednesday, January 14th at 6:00pm on Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). They will cover a brief introduction to AAC and how to implement the use of AAC in the home. Continuing education credits are available for OT, PT, ST, and SW Illinois licensure. RSVP: https://forms.office.com/r/1E2qvQRHyB

12/16/2025

Our Blue Bird of the Week is Xander! Xander is so playful, affectionate, and determined. He has the most contagious giggle that never fails to brighten our day, and is always seeking a big hug or a hand squeeze. He is a class role model, helping newer friends acclimate to routines. We're so proud of all his hard work and are excited to watch him continue to grow!

12/13/2025

Here’s to more adventures, goals met, and countless smiles over the last few weeks of 2025!

12/12/2025

Trusting your parental instincts is powerful. When it comes to your child's development, you know them best.

Early signs of autism can appear between 12-24 months. Look for differences in social communication, like limited eye contact or not responding to their name, and unique sensory responses.

If you have questions, you're not alone. Speaking with a pediatrician can provide clarity and support. Read the full article for more information: https://bluebirddayprogram.com/early-signs-of-autism/

If you're reading this, chances are you've noticed something about your child's development that's prompted you to seek answers. Maybe your little one doesn't seem to respond when you call their name. Perhaps they're not making eye contact the way you expected. Or maybe a well-meaning relative menti...