EDIS hosts back-to-school-night event

  • Published
  • 48th Medical Operations Squadron
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  The 48 Medical Operation Squadron's Educational and Developmental Intervention Services flight hosted a "Back-to-School" Event at Lakenheath Elementary School Sept. 24. 

EDIS is a multidisciplinary specialty clinic whose mission is to provide federally mandated services to children who require early intervention services (ages birth to 3 years) or who are enrolled in special education (ages 3 years to 21 years). 

Maj. Craig Boreman, 48th MDOS EDIS flight commander stated, "The event was a huge success, thanks to the EDIS team of dedicated professionals, several of our spouses, and volunteer students and staff from DoDDS." 

The event brought together 20 parents and 30 children for good food, a chance to meet other parents of children with special needs and some learning and support opportunities for children and parents alike. 

Presentations were offered by the EDIS staff with topics to include: making the most of internet resources, healthy sleep practice, tackling homework, and challenges of parenting a child with special needs. The children attended support groups and participated in yoga, and all the children enjoyed face painting provided by Staff Sgt. Michelle Linn and her daughter. 

Living in a foreign country often means limited support networks for parents who deal with the complicated issues of caring for, advocating for and living with a child with special needs. 

Maj. Deanna Nuttbrock-Allen, an EDIS child psychologist and the event organizer, stated that one of the goals of the event was to create a formal support group in the RAF Lakenheath/RAF Mildenhall area. 

Families who attended this event said, "this was a great opportunity for families with special-needs kid(s) to get together and learn and share successes and failures" and "I loved it; it showed me that there are others in the same boat!" 

The EDIS Back-to-School Event also served as the launch of an area support group for families of children with special needs. In conjunction with DoDDS special educators, monthly support groups for information sharing and support have been scheduled for the months of October and November. For additional information on EDIS services or the monthly support group, which will feature regularly scheduled speakers, contact the EDIS office at 01638-523308 (DSN 226-3308).