Families with special needs find help overseas

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Cary Smith
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  The 31st Medical Operations Squadron's Educational and Developmental Intervention Services program provides services for children with developmental delays. EDIS supports families with special needs with in-home therapy and provides parents with tools to enhance their child's development.

"The specialized practitioners we connect families with, work to improve children's motor skills, hearing, speech and overall health," said Peggy Maloney, 31st MDOS early childhood special educator. "Any family with a child under three years old can request our services."

According to Maloney, networking is just as important for the parents and children as specialized treatment. Every Monday and Thursday, EDIS hosts play time for all children 0-35 months regardless of developmental status. This allows children, with and without disabilities, an opportunity to learn valuable skills from one another in an EDIS' covered, fenced playground.

"EDIS has spent countless hours researching and building an age-appropriate play area," said Maloney. "Any children with or without developmental needs can come here and play together."

The underlying idea behind EDIS is to provide parents with education and a support foundation, whether with music, water play classes, appointments or spending time with other parents.

"We try to build relationships with parents as much as possible," said Megan Trifilo, 31st MDOS occupational therapist. "Each family works with a care provider from our office for all the needs they require."

Living in Europe physically removes families from U.S. medical facilities. For that reason, EDIS is a vital program that helps not only Team Aviano, but U.S. families from several countries in the area.

"EDIS is a unique service because we are overseas," said Louise Abara, 31st MDOS medical support assistant. "Sometimes we are called upon to assist families from U.S. embassies in places like Greece or Africa."

Another distinctive service is Family Advocacy's New Parent Support Program. EDIS and NPSP staff  work collaboratively to bring Aviano families the services they need.

"New parent support has the same target age group as EDIS, but our help provides a different focus," said Jennifer Cooper, 31st MDOS registered nurse. "We provide broad assessments of the families, whereas, EDIS specializes in particular areas, such as physical and speech therapy, to accommodate the children's specific needs."

With many options available, families have the necessary tools to fuel Team Aviano's community and make a stronger network.

"Families benefit more if they seek out all the services this base provides," said Maloney. "We are here because we want to help in whichever way we can."

For more information on EDIS and what specialized services are available for children with special needs, call 632-5459, for Family Advocacy's New Parent Support Program call, 632-5667.