Laughlin Children's Center

04/28/2026

Meet our occupational therapy staff!

Need an occupational therapy evaluation? Visit https://laughlincenter.org/ot-evaluations/

04/20/2026

Here's a sneak peek of all the different tools our occupational therapists use, all while during play, to support a child being able to complete their daily activities, develop the skills needed for success, and meet their goals!

Learn more about occupational therapy at Laughlin Children's Center here: https://laughlincenter.org/occupational-therapy-services/

04/09/2026

Families with preschool-age children are invited to a fun, free morning of story time, interactive play, and early literacy learning at Laughlin Children's Center.

Led by our amazing speech-language pathologists, this playful event is designed to help caregivers learn simple, everyday ways to support reading, writing, and communication skills through play. 💬✨

🗓 May 1, 2026
⏰ 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
📍 424 Frederick Ave. Sewickley, PA 15143
💲 Free to attend

Spots are limited, so be sure to register!



https://laughlincenter.org/event/party-day-an-early-literacy-play-date/

04/08/2026

Families with preschool-age children are invited to a fun, free morning of story time, interactive play, and early literacy learning at Laughlin Children's Center.

Led by our amazing speech-language pathologists, this playful event is designed to help caregivers learn simple, everyday ways to support reading, writing, and communication skills through play. 💬✨

🗓 May 1, 2026
⏰ 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
📍 424 Frederick Ave. Sewickley, PA 15143
💲 Free to attend

Spots are limited, so be sure to register!

https://laughlincenter.org/event/party-day-an-early-literacy-play-date/

04/08/2026

04/07/2026

Spring is full of exciting opportunities at Laughlin Children’s Center 🌷✨ Join us for upcoming events designed to support children, families, and our community—from practical parent/caregiver training to fun literacy and wellness-focused events.

📅 Upcoming Events:
• April 9 – CARE Training (Morning + Evening Sessions)
• May 1 – Party Day! An Early Literacy Play Date
• May 16 – Sewickley Classic 5K Run & Festival
• May 22 – Free Screening Day

Whether you’re looking to learn, connect, play, or access helpful child development resources, we’d love to see you there.

🔗 Reserve your spot: laughlincenter.org/events

📍 Learn more about services and support at www.laughlincenter.org

04/06/2026

April is Occupational Therapy Month! We are so grateful for all our OTs at Laughlin Children's Center enriching caregivers and children's' lives through meaningful engagement in their daily activities.

https://laughlincenter.org/occupational-therapy/

03/31/2026

Did you know your child’s sensory system can impact how they communicate?

For children who use gestalt language (learning in phrases or “chunks”), their sensory experiences and emotions are deeply connected to the words they use.

Here’s how they work together:

✨ Feelings and experiences shape language
Children often learn phrases during meaningful moments—along with the sounds, sights, and feelings around them. Those experiences help “store” the language in their brain.

✨ Regulation comes first
When a child feels overwhelmed (too noisy, too bright, uncomfortable), it’s hard for them to communicate. Feeling calm and safe helps language come more easily.

✨ Repeating phrases can be calming
If your child repeats lines from shows or familiar phrases, they may be helping themselves feel regulated. Those scripts are meaningful—and they matter.

✨ The environment makes a difference
A sensory-friendly space helps children feel safe enough to try new ways of communicating and grow their language skills.

💭 Have you noticed your child using the same phrases in certain situations?
💭 Do they communicate more when they’re calm and comfortable?
💭 Are there environments where communication feels easier—or harder?


To learn more about communication and sensory coming together join our upcoming event: Building Communication: A Parents Guide to Gestalt Language Learning and Sensory Support

03/25/2026

Have you ever wondered why your child loves certain sounds, avoids others, or seems constantly on the move?

Sensory processing is how your child takes in information from the world—what they see, hear, smell, touch, and feel in their body—and decides how to respond.

Every child experiences this differently. Some kids seek out more movement or touch, while others may feel overwhelmed by things like noise, clothing textures, or busy environments.

That’s where our occupational therapists come in. They’re like sensory detectives—helping you better understand what your child is experiencing and how to support them in feeling comfortable, calm, and ready to learn.

Does your child seem extra sensitive to sounds or textures?
Do they crave movement, jumping, or crashing?
Are transitions or busy environments challenging?

You’re not alone—and support is available.

Want to learn more about how sensory regulation connects to communication? Join our upcoming parent event:
Building Communication: A Parent’s Guide to Gestalt Language and Sensory Processing
https://laughlincenter.org/event/building-communication-a-parents-guide-to-gestalt-language-and-sensory-support/

Curious about an OT evaluation or have questions about your child’s sensory needs?
Visit: https://laughlincenter.org/occupational-therapy-services/

03/25/2026

Are you ready to simplify your interactions with children? Look no further than our Child-Adult Relationship Enhancement (CARE) Workshop!

CARE isn’t therapy—it’s a dynamic, informative, and engaging set of skills for adults who interact with children and teens.

CARE suits a diverse range of roles:

Parents and Foster parents
Clinicians
Receptionists
Preschool teachers
Daycare providers
Medical professionals

The CARE workshop provides adults with practical and effective techniques for building positive connections with children and teens:

Master the art of Praise, Paraphrase, and Point Out to connect with kids.
Effective Commands: Learn how to make compliance and following directions easier for children and teens.

Attend our CARE Workshop and earn Act 48 hours.

Join us at the CARE Workshop—you and the children in your life will be glad you did!

https://laughlincenter.org/event/care-training-workshop-thursday-april-9-am-workshop/

03/24/2026

In the Village Preschool, the kids had a fun day creating leprechaun traps for St. Patty's Day and going on a scavenger hunt to find a sweet surprise at the end! ☘️ Thank you to our wonderful teachers for all the creative ideas they come up with to make learning fun!

To learn more about The Village Preschool at Laughlin Children's Center visit: https://laughlincenter.org/village-preschool/

Registration is open for the Fall 2026 School Year!

03/23/2026

Building Communication: A Parent’s Guide to Gestalt Language and Sensory Support

Join a Speech Therapist and Occupational Therapist on Tuesday, April 7th for a 1-hour workshop at Laughlin Children's Center focused on helping your child thrive through language and sensory support.

You'll learn about:
✅ Gestalt Language Processing
✅ How sensory regulation affects communication
✅ Movement-based strategies that support language
✅ Easy, practical tools for home

🕕 6:00 – 7:00 PM | $25 per individual | $35 per couple

Leave feeling empowered — not overwhelmed. Spots are limited, so register today! 👇
https://laughlincenter.org/event/building-communication-a-parents-guide-to-gestalt-language-and-sensory-support/