Students Show Kids They're Born to Ride

SPAN provides a valuable support network for West Texas families affected by autism.

SPAN provides a valuable support network for West Texas families affected by autism.

The School of Allied Health Sciences’ South Plains Autism Network (SPAN) at the Speech-Language and Hearing Clinic recently celebrated the start of the school year with a bike rodeo.

At the event, students from the Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences collaborated with occupational therapy and exercise and sports sciences students to provide activities for children in the SPAN program while their parents attended an informative meeting.

The students used instructional tips from Bike New York’s program to help children in SPAN learn to ride bicycles or tricycles.

SPAN provides critical services and a support network for West Texas families who have children with autism. Although there is no known cure for autism, studies show that early diagnosis and intervention lead to vastly improved outcomes. SPAN professionals assist families with early diagnosis, treatment and support through educational seminars, group support meetings, a loaner library, and help navigating community resources.

Gallery

Check out more pictures from the bike rodeo on Flickr.

Related Stories

TTUHSC Names New Regional Dean for the School of Nursing

Louise Rice, DNP, RN, has been named regional dean of the TTUHSC School of Nursing on the Amarillo campus.

A Call for Change: Addressing the Invisible Workload of School-Based SLPs

Tobias Kroll, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, an Associate Professor in the Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, discusses the workloads and expectations of school-based SLPs.

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in Rural Adolescents

Leigh Ann Reel, Au.D., Ph.D., CCC-A, discussed the causes and prevention strategies for noise-induced hearing loss, particularly for adolescents in rural areas.

Recent Stories

Education

TTUHSC MAT Students Receive Coveted NFL Internships

Jill Manners, ScD, LAT, ATC, PT, NREMT, COMT, FNAP, is giving us a closer look into the NFL internship opportunities that some of the MAT students are experiencing over the summer.

Research

Collaborative Team Earns Five-Year Renewal Grant from NINDS to Continue Stroke Research

Due to this high level of productivity and potential to create new medications for stroke injury, NINDS recently awarded a new $3 million competitive renewal that extends the grant for an additional five years.

Education

Keep Pushing: PA Alumni Gives Back

Jemimah Omavuezi, DMS, MPAS, PA-C, used her own story as inspiration to create the Omavuezi Scholarship for others.