Contact: Kenneth Billings
STARKVILLE, Miss.--Teachers and therapists at the Mississippi State University T.K. Martin Center for Technology and Disability soon will have another tool at their disposal to help children with developmental delays.
The center, which provides state-of-the-art clinical, research and training programs focused on modern technologies, will have a public groundbreaking ceremony Dec. 20 for a new therapeutic motor lab. The 10 a.m. event will include comments from College of Education Dean Richard Blackbourn, followed by a musical presentation from Project Impact students. A reception will follow.
The new outdoor laboratory will enhance the Martin Center's ongoing efforts in its Project Impact for infants, toddlers and preschoolers. Project Impact provides evaluation and intervention services for those with cognitive, language, social skills, motor development, and self-help needs.
T.K. Martin Director Janie Cirlot-New said having the new motor lab, essentially a highly specialized playground, will provide an outside environment for children enrolled in the program to work on motor therapy goals such as running, climbing and walking in a low-stress atmosphere.
"Most of the children in our program have developmental disabilities and many have delayed gross motor skill development," Cirlot-New said. "This will allow them to work on their motor skills and balance in a play environment by giving them a safe place to do many of their normal play activities, as well as a place to learn to ride tricycles and bicycles."
She added that another component of the playground would be socialization. "This setting also will give youngsters a place to work on social and interaction skills development outside of the classroom."
The motor lab will include a rubber play surface, as well as a wheelchair-accessible main playground structure. Construction is expected to be complete in about two months.
Primary funding for the project was provided by a grant from Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation of Mississippi and individual fundraising efforts spearheaded by Jim Wilson of Columbus.
"Jim's child participates in Project Impact, and he was assisted by staff and other parents whose children have benefited from the project," Cirlot-New explained.
The Project IMPACT Team works under the auspices of the state Department of Health, First Steps Early Intervention System, and the Mississippi Department of Education.
For more information about the event, Project Impact, or the new Motor Lab, telephone Cirlot-New at 662-325-1028 or visit www.tkmartin.msstate.edu.
For more information about Mississippi State University, see http://www.msstate.edu/.