Beyond Boundaries: Therapy for Kids

11/12/2025

✨You're Invited!✨

FOR: Parents/caregivers/community who may find this topic interesting or useful.

DATE: Wednesday, November 19

TIME: 6:30 p.m.

LOCATION: Watch the livestream on the Buffalo Toronto Public Media YouTube channel.
https://www.youtube.com//streams

Recent public statements by federal sources and “influencer” culture have contributed to confusion and fear around vaccines, and Tylenol use during pregnancy. They have also exposed harsher fault lines between the reality of science and evidence, and myths and misinformation that swirl online.

Join local experts and advocates for a virtual discussion about autism. Learn the facts around autism, including what we know and don’t know about its causes and learn about community resources. Make informed decisions based on science, not speculation.

The panelists, guided by Buffalo Toronto Public Media (WBFO) Disabilities Beat Reporter Emyle Watkins, will explore the evidence about false claims about autism, and how such claims may undermine health professional and advocacy efforts. Whether you're a parent, healthcare provider, educator or interested member of the public, you will find tools to navigate these complex health narratives and support informed decision-making.

Don’t miss this opportunity to separate fact from fear and get information directly from trusted voices in medicine and advocacy.

Participants:

Introduction: Gale Burstein, MD, MPH, Erie County Commissioner of Health
Moderator: Emyle Watkins, BTPM Disabilities Beat Reporter. Emyle is a neurodivergent journalist.
Stephen Anderson, Ph.D., Autism Expert, The Summit Center
Hannah Brecher, Self-Advocate and Peer Mentor David Herring, Ph.D., Parent and Advocate, Neurodiversity Network of WNY
Michelle Hartley-McAndrew, MD, FAAP, Medical Director, Robert Warner Center for Developmental Pediatrics and Rehabilitation, Oishei Children’s Hospital, Pediatric Developmental Health Expert
Mark Hicar, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Vaccine Expert
J'Leise Sosa, MD, Medical Director, John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital OBGYN Centers
Closing: Pastor George Nicholas, Buffalo Center for Health Equity

Buffalo Toronto Public Media engages with our communities through exploration and entertainment – everywhere. On this channel find original content produced by our member-supported services include BTPM PBS, BTPM NPR, BTPM Classical, BTPM The Bridge, Radio Bilingüe, BTPM Create, and BTPM PBS KIDS...

11/10/2025

🌟 We’re Hiring! 🌟

Beyond Boundaries: Therapy for Kids is looking for a Speech-Language Pathology Clinical Fellow (SLP CF) to join our team!

Join a supportive and collaborative environment where you can grow, learn, and make a real difference in the lives of children. 💛

📍 Location: Home and Community-based in Orchard Park, West Seneca, and South Buffalo.

💼 Apply now and become part of a team that values mentorship, professional development, and fun along the way!

11/04/2025

🍂 Fall fun in the Village of Hamburg! Here at Beyond Boundaries in the historic Community House on Main Street, we’re soaking up the vibrant autumn colors—and enjoying time with friends! 🍁

Our shared space is full of talented professionals, creativity, and a strong sense of community.

10/30/2025

Story time with Aggie! 🐶

🎃 Happy Halloween!! 👻

10/29/2025

🌟PT Month Spotlight!🌟

In honor of Physical Therapy Month, we're highlighting our amazing PT's and what they love most about what they do!

💬Donna Graham shared: "I love being a pediatric therapist because I get to play!! All the magic of development occurs during play and to help foster this is a joy!"

💬Laura Toth shared: "I love pediatrics because each session is different and unique. It allows me to use my creative mind every session to fit the personality and gross motor needs of each kid.

My favorite activity is fishing while standing on a rocker board to improve bilateral hand-eye coordination, dynamic balance and lower extremity strength."

From first steps to high fives, our PT's love every moment of helping kids grow stronger, braver, and more confident. 💪🌟

10/28/2025

🌟PT Month Spotlight!🌟

In honor of Physical Therapy Month, we're highlighting our amazing PT's and what they love most about what they do!

💬This week, Stephanie Fitzsimmons shared: "My favorite part of being a PT is seeing a child's face light up with joy and confidence when he or she accomplishes a goal. I also love empowering parents, building their confidence in their ability to help their children grow."

10/27/2025

👶PT Month Myth Busters!👣

Our PT team is busting a few common myths they hear all the time! 👇🏻

🚫MYTH: "PT is just exercises."
☑️FACT: "Pediatric PT is play! Obstacle courses, games, and toys make learning new skills fun."
-Meg Sommer

🚫MYTH: "Newborns are too young to do tummy time."
☑️FACT: "Babies can start tummy time on day one! The easiest place to start is on your chest while you are lying down. Supervised tummy time while your baby is awake is safe, and starting early and consistently will teach your baby to enjoy tummy time while building a strong foundation for future gross motor skills."
-Stephanie Fitzsimmons

🚫MYTH: "It's okay if your little one skips crawling."
☑️FACT: "While crawling is a skill that can still be worked on even when a kiddo is older, crawling is so important for shoulder, belly and hip strengthening, visual motor skills like reading, and can translate to school skills like handwriting!"
-Mallory Delaney

Big thanks to our amazing PT's for helping kids move, play, and reach new milestones every day! 💙

10/23/2025

🧙‍♀️ Bubble, Bubble, Loan Closet Trouble? Not on our watch!
Beyond Boundaries kicked off our Lounge & Learn series with cozy clothes and spellbinding insights from our adaptive equipment expert, Elizabeth Bailey Sands Clay. 🎃🛁🦽

Every third Thursday of the month, we gather (virtually!) to learn, laugh, and level up together—because at Beyond Boundaries, we believe professional growth should be fun, supportive, and just a little bit magical. ✨

10/22/2025

🧠💚 It's Lead Poisoning Prevention Week in Erie County! 💚🧠

At Beyond Boundaries: Therapy for Kids, we are committed to protecting our youngest community members from the dangers of lead exposure. As part of our efforts, we proudly support the Lead It Go program, which provides education and resources to families with children from birth to age three.

🫶 Why It Matters:

Lead poisoning is a serious health risk for children, especially those under six. In Erie County, over 580 children were diagnosed with elevated blood lead levels in 2024 alone University at Buffalo. The Buffalo and Erie County Lead Safe Task Force, a coalition of local government agencies, community organizations, and universities, is dedicated to eliminating childhood lead poisoning through increased lead testing, improved remediation efforts, and policy change University at Buffalo.

👉🏻 Get Involved:

This week, the Erie County Department of Health is offering resources to help families protect their homes from lead hazards. If your home was built before 1978, it's important to take steps to reduce the risk of lead exposure. The department provides information on lead-safe work practices, free training for homeowners, and a tool borrowing program to assist with lead-safe renovations Erie County.

🗓 Upcoming Event:

Join us for the "Building a Lead-Safe and Healthy Future in Western New York" mini-conference on Saturday, October 25, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Hayes Hall, 3435 Main St., UB South Campus. This free event will feature:

🎬 A new film debut

Panels on rental inspections and early intervention

Presentations by University at Buffalo researchers

Remarks from state Sen. Sean Ryan and Sen. April Baskin

Breakfast, lunch, and child care will be provided. Space is limited, so please register as soon as possible University at Buffalo.

10/21/2025

🌟PT Month Spotlight!🌟

In honor of Physical Therapy Month, we're highlighting our amazing PT's and what they love most about what they do!

💬This week, Mallory Delaney shared: "As a pediatric PT, I love being able to see my client's progress week to week and cheering on with their caregivers as they achieve a new milestone!"

10/20/2025

Happy PT Month! 🎈

Milestones & movement tips - straight from our own PT's! Check out these easy ideas to keep kids moving and growing strong. 💫

🏃‍♂️ This Monday milestones/movement tip brought to you by PT, Donna Graham: "My favorite website to share with parents regarding gross motor milestones is Pathways.org. There are month by month examples of milestones and great suggestions to promote Tummy time and motor development. Check it out!"

&

🤸‍♀️ This Monday milestones/movement tip brought to you by PT, Stephanie Fitzsimmons: "Stuck inside on a rainy day? Create an obstacle course using pillows and couch cushions on the floor for your kids to crawl or walk across. They can play the floor is lava while challenging their balance and coordination. "