Program Stories
The Importance of Supportive Standing for Children with Mobility Disabilities
Thank you to Rifton for Giving the Gift of Supportive Standing to Smile A While Foundation What is Supportive Standing? For individuals with a physical disability, the ability to stand may not be possible without an assistive device. Supported-standing is defined as using a device to maintain an aligned, upright, weight-bearing position. These assistive devices…
Read MoreECHO Autism Role Call
Get to Know the ECHO Autism Team Expanding Access to Care ECHO Autism is a virtual learning network of providers offering real-time access to autism and behavioral experts. In Spring 2024, Smile A While Foundation will be rolling out ECHO Autism Jamaica to expand access to therapy resources for special needs children and families. The…
Read MoreNew Partnership with ECHO Autism To Move Knowledge, Not People
Smile A While’s new program as part of ECHO Autism will connect knowledge to children and families in Jamaica for better care. Moving Knowledge, Not People Earlier this year, our Founder and Executive Director, Joanne Oates, connected with ECHO Autism Project with a dream of bringing better care to children with autism in Jamaica. We…
Read MoreSplinting Clinic Shines Light on Challenges to Serve Special Needs Youth in Jamaica
Our vision that every disabled child in the Caribbean leads a fulfilling life is no small undertaking, yet we believe that every step forward is one that creates impact. We were excited to spend our time with a group of 15 Jamaican medical professionals during our recent volunteer week on the island (read more about…
Read MoreSplinting Clinic Impact!
Our team of volunteers is back from Jamaica and excited to share the great impact we created during Smile A While’s first group clinic week! In total, four therapists travelled to Jamaica to improve services for special needs youth. Our first stop was to provide a 4-hour workshop to 15 Jamaican medical professionals on…
Read MoreSplinting Clinic – Meet Our Therapists!
As a volunteer in our upcoming splinting clinic, Debby Schwartz is excited to finally put her knowledge and expertise to use in a very impactful way. “I am excited because every year I have offered these splints to therapists going on trips like this, but I have never gone on one,” she said. “I am…
Read MoreITTS Program Paves Way for Increased ‘Autism-Friendly’ Approach in Jamaica
Hear from (4) professional therapists who attended a virtual conference, ‘Autism: Beyond Limits‘ through our Interdisciplinary Team Training Series (ITTS) program. The importance of continuing education In our world, information and technology is constantly changing. This makes the need for continuing education essential for occupational therapists to maintain clinical excellence and update their skills, knowledge…
Read MoreCustom Splints Offer Individual Care to Jamaican Kids in 2023
Have you heard? We’re launching a splinting clinic! Every special needs child in the Caribbean should lead a fulfilling life. Our mission is to provide therapy services to disabled children in areas where access to such support is not widely available. We are excited to be partnering with Elaine Allen-Bradley who is currently managing a…
Read MoreEducation Creates Accessibility, Opportunity for Occupational Therapy in Jamaica
In a constantly changing world, education is key to providing quality care and therapy. Smile a While Foundation is happy to announce the first professionals benefiting with training scholarships through our Interdisciplinary Team Training Series (ITTS). Everyday, information and technology is changing. This makes the need for continuing education essential for occupational therapists to…
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