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August 2026 Connections
Information for caregivers to help children thrive!
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For Back-to-School Success:
Prepare the Body, Not Just the Backpack!
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Before school starts, help your child's body practice the new routine. Gradually shift bedtime and wake-up times, talk through what mornings will look like, and build in opportunities for movement, connection, and calming throughout the day. A regulated body is more prepared for learning than a perfectly packed backpack.
1) Create an evening routine, focused on connection and predictability, to support restorative sleep:
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Choose a bedtime that allows for elementary aged kids to get 9-12 hours of sleep. Did you know that not getting enough sleep can impact kids' attention, learning, and even growth? Talk with your child's therapist if you have concerns about sleep hygiene.
- Avoid screens for the 2 hours before bedtime, and instead, find activities that promote connection. Some favorites include family reading time (maybe the adult even reads out loud while younger kids play), playing a family game (ask your DFX therapist for child specific recommendations - have you seen the Game Cave?), or taking a walk after dinner together.
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2) Build good nutrition habits to fuel your child throughout the day:
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At breakfast, prioritize protein for long energy! Serve bacon or sausage (maybe batch cooked over the weekend) along with their cereal, or add protein powder to their pancakes (or find frozen pancakes/waffles with protein already added, like Kodiak)
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If you are packing your child's lunch, choose foods that your child can eat efficiently. This might include taking food out of tricky packaging and putting it in an easy-to-open bento box or reusable container that your child can manage independently. Consider adding a higher nutrition/calorie drink to help make sure their belly is getting full in the short lunch period. Milk or milk alternatives (Ripple, Orgain) can be great options for quick protein and calories to support afternoon learning.
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Many kids benefit from eating an early dinner, close to when they get home from school, then having a 'second dinner' or big snack later in the evening before bed.
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Re-think snacks. In feeding therapy, we often talk about all meals and snacks as equal opportunities for nutrition, especially for growing kids, picky eaters, or kids with lower appetites due to ADHD medication. Consider offering a protein, a starch, and a fruit or vegetable at each meal and snack.
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3) Consider what other supports your child might need:
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Talk to your therapist about other concerns or opportunities your child might be having at school. They can be an important sounding board and may incorporate your concerns into therapy or make additional suggestions.
- Ask about DFX’s Resource Library which contains additional materials and supportive resources for your family to test out. DFX is here to be a supportive part of your back-to-school journey.
| | DFX’s Developmental Navigation Program: Sharing Our Expertise in Denver Schools | | DFX’s Developmental Navigation is part of how we share our expertise outside of the clinic and throughout Denver under our Clinic in the Community program area. Currently, we have 15 active partnerships; some collaborations are funded by grants and others operate on a contract basis. In 2021, with support from Caring for Denver and Constellation Philanthropy, we initiated efforts to create a “Supportive Web of Care for Families and Teams (SWIFT)” that is respectful, reflective, responsive, and realistic. Caring for Denver renewed their generous support for this work in 2024 and 2026, allowing us to support early childhood education programs in Denver County. The current grant funding this work is called Addressing the Intersection of Mental Health and Development (AIM). Through this program, we focus on supporting the mental health of educators and the intersection of mental health and development for their students. | |  | A DFX Developmental Navigator (DN) - one of our skilled occupational therapists - walks alongside educators to support their understanding of children’s needs at the intersection of development and mental health. The DN offers strategies and tools to educators so they feel supported, knowledgeable, and empowered to handle challenges and create an optimal learning environment for all the children in their care. Our grant-funded Developmental Navigation program offers institutions specialized support they might not otherwise be able to access, and the model can be adapted to serve any organization interested in elevating their understanding of the intersection of development and mental health. | | |
Join us for August DFX Dialogues
On August 19, we'll be discussing the book "Healthy Kids, Happy Kids" by Dr. Elisa Song.
"In this groundbreaking, evidence-based guide to gut health for kids in our modern world, Dr. Elisa Song bridges the gap between conventional and holistic pediatrics and delivers a clear roadmap to help kids thrive."
This is a "come as you are" gathering, so no matter how much of the book you've gotten through, you're welcome to join the conversation.
| | | Join us at our Annual Soirée! | | |
DFX's 4th Annual Soiree is only one month away! Join us for our biggest event of the year on Thursday, September 10, 2026 at The Denver Museum of Nature and Science. You will have the chance to learn more about our work and talk with members of DFX's team and board while enjoying beverages and a delicious buffet dinner.
Show your support for DFX as we continue to elevate care for children with developmental differences and create a culture of engaged belonging!
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Thank You To Our Incredible Event Sponsors! | | | | |
Last Chance to
Claim Your FREE Tee!
Time is running out to get your complimentary T-Shirt!
For just a few more days, we are thanking every person who gives $25 or more with a stylish DFX T-Shirt of their choice.
Show your impact in style, knowing that every dollar helps us create a culture of engaged belonging with more children. Don't miss out on this special offer!
| | Thank you for being part of the DFX family and helping us bring Therapy that fits® to more kids! | |
| DFX is working to create systemic change by establishing a culture of engaged belonging in which children of all abilities and backgrounds will thrive. | | | | |
