April|2026

First Words Calendar

Stomp, Swish, Splash—What a Bear Hunt Bash!

The Going on a Bear Hunt Family Engagement event was a roaring success, bringing families together for an adventure filled with discovery, movement, and joy. The journey began as each family met their Buddy and received a map to guide them through four interactive, hands-on experiences.

Children crafted their own binoculars, ventured through a sensory-rich trail in search of a hidden bear—finding it tucked inside a cozy tent—practiced motor movements to a familiar nursery rhyme, and relaxed in a calming campground space.

After completing their adventure, each child received their very own stuffed bear, generously gifted by Cavender Cares. With smiles all around, the day offered countless opportunities for photos, laughter, and meaningful family connection.

This special experience was made even more impactful through a new and promising partnership with Cavender Cares, the philanthropic arm of the Cavender Auto Group. After connecting with ESRC at the end of 2025, they quickly stepped forward to support this event by funding 50% of the cost of the bears—helping ensure each child could take home a lasting reminder of their adventure. Beyond their generosity, their team showed up in full force as volunteers, eager to see our mission in action and explore future opportunities to deepen their impact.

As always, this event would not have been possible without the incredible support of our volunteers. We extend our heartfelt thanks to those who gave their time and energy, including volunteers from UTHSCSA Schools of Nursing and Occupational Therapy, Health Careers High School, Gateway CDC, OLLU Chapter of Delta Xi Nu, Cavender Cares, Easterseals staff, and friends and family of Easterseals.

H-E-B Quiet Hours: A More Comfortable Way to Shop

April is Autism Inclusion Month, and we’re excited to share a meaningful new initiative from H-E-B! Their Diversity and Inclusion team is launching a Quiet Hours pilot program at select stores—and Easterseals was honored to contribute by providing ideas, suggestions, and training to help bring this to life.

During Quiet Hours, stores will create a more sensory-friendly shopping experience by lowering noise, dimming lights where possible, and reducing overall stimulation. The goal is simple: to make grocery shopping more comfortable and accessible for individuals with sensory sensitivities and their families.

We encourage families to take advantage of this opportunity! It’s not only a more relaxed way to shop, but also a great chance to practice important life skills—like navigating community spaces, building tolerance for new environments, and growing independence in everyday routines—all in a supportive setting.

Quiet Hours Schedule:

📅 April 23–30, 2026 (weekdays)

⏰ 9:00–11:00 AM

Participating Locations:

• Bandera & Guilbeau

• DeZavala

• Nogalitos

• Alon Market

We’re so grateful to partner with organizations like H-E-B that are working to create more inclusive spaces in our community. We hope to see you there!

Celebrating a Successful NEURture Event

We’re excited to share the success of our recent NEURture Project event in partnership with the Autism Community Network!

A heartfelt thank you to our incredible ESRC staff who encouraged participation, supported families every step of the way, and helped make this event so impactful. Because of your efforts, we saw an outstanding turnout—85% of registered families attended, a true reflection of the trust and connection you build with families every day.

The Autism Community Network team recognized our staff for the compassion, dedication, and commitment shown throughout the event. Your presence and support did not go unnoticed, and it made a meaningful difference for the families we serve.



Events like NEURture are a powerful reminder of what’s possible when community partnerships come together with a shared purpose. By working alongside organizations like ACN, we’re able to expand access to early identification, provide valuable resources, and continue supporting children and families in reaching their fullest potential.

If you are interested in learning more or potentially having your child participate in a future NEURture Priject event here at Easterseals, please speak with your case manager.

A collaboration between your ECI program and the Autism Community Network (ACN) that supports early identification of developmental differences. Our goal is to help your family access information, resources, and next steps

as soon as possible so that you and your child can benefit fully from specialized therapies and access an inclusive community.

Your Story Matters

We’d love to hear your journey. Whether it’s a small milestone or a life-changing moment, your story can inspire others and help us show the power of possibility.

Introducing The Heart of ECI

At Easterseals ECI, our work is driven by people with big hearts—those who go above and beyond to support children, families, and one another every single day. To celebrate that spirit, we’re introducing a new monthly feature called “The Heart of ECI.” Each month, we’ll spotlight one of our incredible team members who embodies the compassion, dedication, and teamwork that make our mission come alive. These individuals are nominated by their peers—the people who see their kindness, commitment, and impact in action every day.