Autism spectrum disorder refers to a range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication, as well as by unique strengths and differences. The therapists at The Speech Clinic of the Coastal Empire can help assess and treat many of these developmental areas.
The term “spectrum” reflects the wide variation in challenges and strengths possessed by each person with autism. It is important that each person receives an in-depth evaluation and personalized therapy goals to receive the most success. Our therapists have experience with children at all levels on the spectrum and take pride in making therapy as functional for the family as possible.
Do you have concerns about your child’s expressive language? Are they talking as much as they should? Do they understand simple directions? Is it hard to understand your child’s speech?
Children develop speech and language skills at different rates and it can be challenging to determine if they are on the right track. The therapists at The Speech Clinic of the Coastal Empire can help! We complete in-depth evaluations and assess all aspects of communication.
If you are interested in scheduling an evaluation, please contact The Speech Clinic of the Coastal Empire office: 912 712 3999
***CURRENTLY NO WAITLIST***
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The park off Pope Avenue near the Coligny Beach parking lot and Coligny Beach Park features: *The Adventure Playground, named after the ship Captain William Hilton was on when he discovered Hilton Head Island. It features a reimagined design of the ship, playground, wading pool/splash pad and more. The ship includes: cannons that spray a light mist, crow’s nests, swing bridges, port holes, rope nets, periscopes. *An open pavilion and lawn for events. *A perimeter walk *Two fitness stations *Wi-Fi *The Sandbox Children’s Museum *Public restrooms
Summit Gymnastics in Savannah offers birthday party options that include rental of full gym and use of all equipment including the pit, monkey bars, trampoline, the upstairs party room as well as two coaches to overlook the play time. Cost $225 for 1-15 children then $15 per additional child up to 20.
The Speech Clinic of the Coastal Empire is happy to offer FREE speech/language screenings to children 1-6 years old. These screenings can be completed at either of our convenient office locations or at your child’s daycare or private preschool. Screenings only take ~5 minutes to complete. Scores will be pass/fail, and the results will give a brief look at the child’s speech/language development.
School-wide free speech/language screenings
Hello school directors! Would you like to offer your students a FREE speech/language screening this year?
The Speech Clinic of the Coastal Empire is happy to offer this service school-wide at the beginning of the school year, allowing plenty of time to see progress this year.
Please contact The Speech Clinic for more information- 912 712 3999
***CURRENTLY NO WAITLIST***
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Create magical mornings of art and dance for ages 2 to 12 at the Savannah Cultural Arts Center. From movement classes and ballet to mixed media art, there’s a little something for every young mind.
Parent/Child Movement (Ages 2-3 years) – Tuesdays 9:15-10AM
Pre-Ballet (Ages 4-5 years)- Tuesdays 10:30-11AM
Homeschool Art (Ages 6-12)- Tuesdays 11AM-12PM
Youth Intro to Ballet (Ages 6-8 years)- Wednesdays 9:15-10AM
Update: The 10AM playdate is now full so Kindermusik Savannah added a second playdate @ 11AM Sat. Aug. 27 2022.
Enroll today!
Parents and children together will engage with instruments, singing, moving, dancing, story time, and more delightful activities in this exciting one-time Kindermusik class.
Limited spaces. Claim your child’s spot before it fills. Register @ kindermusikwith88keys.com or call/ text 912-432-5885.
Kindermusik…A Good Beginning Never Ends
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Savannah Adventist Christian School — which offers preschool starting at age 3 through 9th grade — is a small, private school with a family feel and Christian curriculum.
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Weekend admission is free for residents of Chatham, Bryan, Effingham, and Liberty (Georgia), and Beaufort and Jasper (South Carolina) (Excludes the Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters.)
The Jepson Center and the Telfair Academy are open daily from 10AM-5PM. Investment in the new free-admission program is provided by the City of Savannah, the Georgia Council for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, and other funding partners.
When: 10AM-5PM Saturdays and Sundays, April 2-Aug. 28 2022 Where: Jepson Center and Telfair Academy, on Telfair Square in downtown Savannah What: Free museum admission for locals; parking is free in Savannah on Sundays Who: All residents of Chatham, Bryan, Effingham, and Liberty (Georgia), and Beaufort and Jasper (South Carolina) counties
Telfair offers this back-to-school family event with inflatable fun and art activities based on the museum’s exhibition ‘Blow Up: Inflatable Contemporary Art!’
The event from 1-5PM will include balloon sculpture demonstrations and inflatable inflatable games, art making projects, a family tour of ‘Blow Up,’ and more.
Still room left for your 0-7 year old in Kindermusik Savannah’s brand new evening Kindermusik class: Little Stars!
The class meets Mondays at 6:30PM to accommodate families’ busy schedules. Round off your day with some together time, watching your child blossom through the power of music!
At these appointments counselor will typically discuss the basics of breastfeed, the importance of staying on a regular schedule to maintain a supply of breast milk, and give guidance on positioning, latching techniques, and ways to increase comfort for the mother.
“We have seen many new mothers on the verge of giving up breastfeeding,” said SouthCoast Health lactation specialist Alisha Bennett (pictured). “ But with the support of our breastfeeding specialists at SouthCoast Health, we are able to help the majority of these women successfully overcome the hurdles that come with breastfeeding.”
If you are a new mom looking for support or guidance on this issue, call SouthCoast Health at 912-691-3600 or request an appointment here.
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Soccer Shots is kicking off the season and they wan your child to join them on Soccer Island.
Visit Soccershots.org/savannah to learn more about this program! Or go straight to the enrollment page and sign up for a location near you that meets at a time that fits your schedule at savannah.soccershots.com.
Soccer Shots has locations all throughout Savannah, Wilmington Island, Pooler, Richmond Hill, Rincon and Bluffton!
Want to try the program and meet Soccer Shots’ awesome coaches before you enroll? Come to a free soccer day at Forsyth Park on September 102022 for all children ages 2-8. You must preregister for this free event. Visit savannah.soccershots.com and search by the keyword “free” to be directed to the registration page.
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Cannon Firings & Fort Talk @ Fort Pulaski National Monument
Fort Pulaski National Monument just outside Savannah on the way to Tybee Island has Saturday weekly cannon firings @ 11AM, 1PM and 3PM.
Park staff and volunteers in living history attire conduct a program that concludes with the firing of reproduction cannons. Come learn how Civil War cannons were fired – and why it matters.
Cannon demonstrations last about twenty minutes, with time afterward for visitor questions.
Experience the joy of performing! The Tybee Ballet Theatre is holding open dance auditions for roles in The Land of the Sweets, their rendition of the beloved holiday classic, The Nutcracker. Ages 6 and older (yes adults, too!) are encouraged to join – dance experience is recommended but is not a requirement.
If selected, dancers will be required to attend weekend rehearsals beginning Sept. 10 2022 leading up to the final showcase, presented for free on Nov. 19 2022 at the Savannah Cultural Arts Center. More details will be available at the audition.
Sat. Aug. 20 2022 Audition Schedule:
Noon – Check in Begins
12:30PM – Ages 6-7 years
1:30PM – Ages 8-12 years
2:30PM – Ages 13- Adult
Auditions will take place at the Savannah Cultural Arts Center at 201 Montgomery St.
Please arrive 30 minutes ahead of your time slot to register you or your child.
Please wear dance cloths (leotard, tights, ballet slippers) or tight clothing you can move comfortably in. Parents are asked to stay at the Center for the duration of the audition segment.
An additional day of auditions will take place at the Tybee Arts Association Studio on Sunday, August 21. Learn more here.
Interested in joining? Please fill out the interest form online here.
The Land of the Sweets is presented for free by the Tybee Ballet Theater as part of the City of Savannah’s Spotlight investment program.
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This event, which is free and open to the public, will offer opportunities for community members to increase the peace, counter violence, become conflict-resilient and encourage unity.
The Savannah Day of Peace will feature a Peace Parade led by Savannah Mayor Van Johnson and Savannah City Council members, Courageous Conversation Circles designed to encourage deeper dialogue to promote peacebuilding, a wellness area for mental health and a Youth Artists Corner. The 2022 Peacebuilder Award Honoree will also be announced, and the City of Savannah’s new Peace Proclamation will be on display.
The Mediation Center plans to maintain the momentum and to create a larger movement by organizing monthly peacebuilding events at different locations across Chatham County. These events will feature neighborhood-based activities designed to engage local community members, youth, faith leaders, law enforcement, business and professional associations in peacebuilding efforts.
According to the Savannah Police Department, Savannah had 1,134 violent crimes in 2021, including 34 homicides and 788 aggravated assaults. Violent crime categories that saw increases in Savannah from 2020 and 2021 include homicide (9%) and residential robbery (41%).
Community mediation provides more than just an alternative to litigation or violence — it offers constructive, intentional processes for resolving differences and conflicts between individuals, groups and organizations. Ultimately, mediation reinforces the social infrastructure undergirding society and builds bridges across identity, sector, class and ideological divides.
Think free access to Georgia State Parks for a year – a year’s worth of access to mountains, hiking, leaf peeping, swimming, lakes, beaches, trails, biking, waterfalls, exploring, sight-seeing, rivers and more.
Winners will also each receive a Friends of Georgia State Park backpack and waterbottle.
To enter to win, visit this giveaway post on our SouthernMamas.com Facebook page. Comment on the FB giveway post, telling us what you are most looking forward to doing outdoors this Fall 2022. Entry will be open until Aug. 11 2022. Then we’ll pick two names at random and announce the winners.
Thanks Friends of Georgia State Parks for giving our readers this special late summer/fall discount!
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LateSummer State Park Events @ Nearby Parks
Wormsloe Historic Site, Savannah
Aug. 27 2022: Tools & skills that built a colony, 10AM-4PM. What did those first colonists do to survive when they arrived in 1733? Find out if you have what it took to build a colony. See craft demonstrations such as blacksmithing, spinning, cooking, and more. $2 – $10. 912-353-3023.
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Skidaway Island State Park, Savannah
Aug. 12 2022: Campfire Night, 6-7PM. Gather round the campfire with us and unwind. We will have free marshmallows and sticks to toast them. Meet at the firepit behind the Interpretive Center. $5 parking. 912-598-2300.
Sat. Aug. 20 2022: Archery. 9-10AM, 10:30-11:30AM, 2:30-3:30PM. Learn the basics of archery and test your skills on our archery range. This program will cover basic safety and technique. Equipment will be provided. Participants must be at least 10 years old. Please call the Visitors Center to sign up. Please arrive 10 minutes ahead to go to the Visitors Center first. $10 plus $5 parking. 912-598-2300.
Sat.Aug. 27 2022: Sand Art. 2-3PM. Make summertime-themed pictures using sand and glue. This will be fun for both children and those that are kids at heart. Materials will be provided. Location: Interpretive Center. $5 parking. 912-598-2300.
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Fort McAllister State Park, Richmond Hill
Sun. Aug. 28 2022: Shrimping class, 3-5PM. Limited space available, please RSVP. Have you ever wanted to learn how to shrimp? Learn the basics of how to throw a cast net. Short shuttle by boat to a sand bar across river so you can spread out and practice or casting skills. Must have own cast net! $5 plus $5 parking. 912-727-2339.
Sun. Sept. 4 2022: Labor Day Festivities 10AM-1PM & The Great Ogeechee Water Fight 1-2PM. Civil War interpreters will fire muskets throughout the day 10AM-1PM. $9. For the water fight 1-2PM, bring your water blaster, super soaker, or entire H20 arsenal to this water fight extravaganza. Play games like fortress destruction, and soak a ranger, and end with free play. Pre-register by calling park office. $2 plus $5 parking. 912-727-2339.
The event is open to girls in grades 4-12 and is free. Interested participants must register by Sept. 14 2022. Younger participants must have a parent with them.
Sheltair, Fly Corps, and their supporting partners for the event will host many different aviation themed activities including a maintenance display, aircraft marshaling workshops, glider making, radio basics, and more! There will be a panel of accomplished women from various aviation fields to answer any questions you may have about pursuing aviation.