CITY FOCUS:30 years of helping families

They teach physical balance to babies and emotional balance to parents.

The Assistance League of Laguna Beach will celebrate the 30th anniversary of their Early Intervention Program on Oct. 25, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at its Chapter House, 527 Catalina St.

The program is geared toward developmentally delayed infants and their families. Five paid professional therapists work with the parents and babies, teaching feeding and child-rearing techniques to the former, and motor skills to the latter.

Babies will wear Halloween costumes at the event, where the public is invited to learn about the program, enjoy refreshments, meet therapists and graduates, and tour the facility.

“We’re really looking forward to seeing our alumni — when families start in this program, it’s really a significant time for them,” program director Pam Alexander said.

They’re hoping that one of their alumni, William Pestolessi, now 23, will serve as deejay for the event.

Pestolessi today lives in an apartment and works full-time at a grocery store in Irvine.

The money raised from the Assistance League’s thrift store on Glenneyre helps pay for the program, and they also receive grants from other organizations and auxiliary groups. The Red Cross also recently honored the program.

Anywhere from 12 to 20 babies are enrolled in the program at any given time; a wait list is enacted when need be. Hundreds of babies and their families have been served to date.

EIP is the only program of its kind from what the League has been able to determine; none of the 120 chapters around the country offers anything similar, said Jean Fitzgerald of the Assistance League.

Parents from Orange County and surrounding areas come to the center every Wednesday for a structured environment where parents can vent and learn, and babies can explore their limits in a colorful, friendly atmosphere.

“They basically try to stimulate the babies as much as possible,” Fitzgerald said.

Using colorful parachutes, exercise balls, inner-tube swings and other creative tools, the therapists and babies work on several skills at different revolving stations throughout the morning.

A ringing bell signifies the change of station, where babies are sent to feeding, gross motor skills, fine motor skills and music areas.

Moms and dads are given the chance to share their experiences with schools and programs, but they primarily value the ability to be around other people with similar life experiences, Fitzgerald said.

“They think they’re on an island,” therapist Cayley Macdonald said. She hopes that the program removes the sense of isolation and guilt that many parents suffer.

“This is so invaluable. They bond together and help each other,” Fitzgerald said.

When the babies “graduate” at around one year of age, they are given caps and gowns, and “Pomp and Circumstance” is played.

At the gross motor skills area, Macdonald advised a father how to help his daughter right herself, teaching about the importance of the eye and inner ear in achieving balance.

“Everybody’s head control is getting so nice,” she said, pleased.

While his mother, Lupe Rodriguez, listened to the conversation on motor skills, little Jose of Laguna Hills happily drifted to sleep in the inner-tube swing.

The swing is a favorite for babies and parents alike, and was designed by an engineer father several years ago. Fitzgerald said that plans for the design are available to parents who wish to make their own.

“I need one of these at home,” she said.

Moms generally find it easier to come to the weekday sessions than dads, but four dads were present on Wednesday. One mother took home videos of her husband interacting with their child.

“I work in many other centers, but this is the one I’ll never give up,” Macdonald said.

For information on the anniversary event, call (949) 376-6908.