(NewsUSA) - Increasing and upgrading the use of technology in government is essential, but not easy, and it takes more than money, according to Sri Ramaswamy, the Chief Innovation Officer for the NobleReach Foundation, a nonprofit organization that connects top tech talent with government needs. “It takes people, people who understand technology and how it can be applied to create efficiencies, improve service, and upgrade national security,” Mr. Ramaswamy said in a podcast for the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP), a nonprofit and nonpartisan initiative with a goal of making recommendations to strengthen America's long-term competitiveness in AI.

The role of technology in government is threefold, said Mr. Ramaswamy.

-Creating new products and services. For example, new technology allows for new ways to treat cancer, or to fight wars.

-Creating new ways of functioning. For example, technology improves efficiency, so any organization, whether it is the government, a company, or a university, can do their jobs better.

-Adapting to the spillover effects of emerging technology. For example, when any technology makes a leap from an experimental stage to the real world, there is a learning curve that is not captured by any one organization, but spills into the economy.

To take advantage of these technologies, the government must tap into pipelines of the best and brightest tech talent and inspire them to get involved and put their expertise to use, Mr. Ramaswamy said.

To help fill the need for top tech talent, NobleReach has created the NobleReach Scholars Program, which recruits engineering and computer science graduates to enter public service for short-term, high-impact stints. This program also can help create “dual citizens,” who can move fluidly between the public and private sectors to maintain America's technological edge, Mr. Ramaswamy explained.

The NobleReach Scholars’ Program is aimed at bringing in up-and-coming tech talent into government work on a shorter-term basis at the start of their careers, without the pressure of a long-term commitment to government work. They can put their technical skills to good use for a year or two and get experience addressing real and serious problems that our government needs to solve to stay competitive.

“Work in the agencies, work with the people who are trying to tackle these problems, learn from them, see what you can contribute, and then you can get out and do whatever you want in your career,” Mr. Ramaswamy emphasized. “Hopefully the service that spirit will stay with you and you'll find more opportunities to serve down the road. That's the spirit of the Scholars Program,” he said.

Visit scsp.ai to learn more about bridging the tech talent gap and other strategies to help improve American security and competitiveness.

(NewsUSA) - For years, digital marketing strategy revolved around a simple objective: rank high in search results and attract clicks to your website. But a quiet shift in search behavior is changing that equation.

A growing percentage of online searches now end without a click. Known as “zero-click searches,” these queries are answered directly on the search results page through featured snippets, local map listings, knowledge panels, and quick-answer boxes. While convenient for users, the trend is forcing businesses to rethink how they approach visibility online.

According to analysts at iLocal, zero-click searches are becoming a defining factor in how customers discover local businesses — especially in service industries where users want immediate answers.

What Zero-Click Searches Look Like

A zero-click search occurs when a user gets the information they need directly from the search results page without visiting a website.

Examples include:

• A homeowner searching for “emergency plumber near me” and calling a business directly from the local map listing
   
• A user checking business hours from a knowledge panel
   
• A quick answer appearing at the top of results for a question like “how long does roof replacement take”
   

In each case, the search engine delivers the information before the user ever reaches a company’s website.

While this may seem like a loss of traffic, it actually reflects a deeper shift in how digital discovery works.

Visibility Now Happens Before the Click

Businesses used to think of search results as a gateway to their website. Today, the search results page itself has become a critical part of a company’s digital presence.

Listings in the local map pack, review ratings, photos, and business details often form the customer’s first impression. In many cases, they also determine whether a user makes contact immediately.

For service businesses, that contact may happen through a phone call directly from the search listing — bypassing the website entirely.

This means that a company’s visibility strategy must extend beyond website rankings alone.

The Importance of Structured Information

Search engines rely on structured data and clearly organized information to generate quick answers and business summaries. Companies that maintain accurate listings, structured service descriptions, and consistent contact information are more likely to appear in these enhanced search features.

For local businesses, this often includes:

• Fully optimized business profiles
   
• Consistent name, address, and phone number data across platforms
   
• Structured website content that clearly explains services
   
• Customer reviews and updated business details
   

These elements help search engines confidently display a business in quick-answer results.

Traffic Is No Longer the Only Metric

As zero-click searches grow, businesses are beginning to shift how they measure digital success. Instead of focusing solely on website visits, many are evaluating visibility metrics such as calls from search listings, direction requests, and map interactions.

In other words, engagement may occur before the user ever lands on the website.

For companies that depend on inbound inquiries, this shift requires new tracking methods and a broader view of digital performance.

Adapting to the New Search Landscape

The rise of zero-click searches doesn’t mean websites are becoming irrelevant. In fact, they remain critical for credibility, detailed information, and conversion.

However, businesses must now recognize that discovery often happens earlier in the search process. The companies that succeed are those that treat the entire search ecosystem — not just their website — as part of their customer journey.

In a digital environment designed for instant answers, visibility isn’t just about attracting clicks anymore.

It’s about being the answer users see first.

To learn more, visit https://ilocal.net

(NewsUSA) - We’ve all heard of the stereotype of the overscheduled child who has a class for everything; music, robotics, sports, a foreign language. And behind that child is a frazzled parent spending hours in their car ferrying the child from lesson to lesson.

While unstructured play is essential for young children, specialty classes do have their place. When offered in a low-pressure, age-appropriate way, these experiences help children explore new ideas, discover emerging interests, and build confidence, without the stress of making the team or having a flawless recital or winning the competition.

For young learners, enrichment isn’t about mastering a skill. It’s about curiosity, connection, and growth. Small-group classes in areas like language, music, or STEM can strengthen early brain development, support social-emotional skills, and give children a chance to practice problem-solving, communication, and persistence in ways that feel fun and achievable.

Some early learning and child care providers, like KinderCare, offer enrichment classes as an additional experience outside of the regular school day, yet still during school hours. Because the enrichment activities are taught by center teachers, they can observe children closely, respond to their individual interests, and adjust learning experiences to meet each child where they are. For families, having enrichment opportunities integrated into the child care day can also mean fewer extra fees and less time spent driving across town.

Strong enrichment programs are supported by educators who know children well and work closely with families. Teachers regularly communicate with families about their child’s progress, interests, and needs, helping build trust and strong relationships over time. Behind the scenes, teaching teams collaborate to create classrooms that feel warm and welcoming, where children feel safe to explore.

According to Dr. Lisa Grant, Vice President of Education Programs at KinderCare, children who participate in the organization’s phonics enrichment programming have stronger language skills by the end of the year than peers who did not participate.

“Early enrichment experiences support more than just academic readiness,” said Dr. Grant. “High-quality programs help young children develop early literacy, strengthen their ability to communicate ideas, and build confidence as learners. At this age, children’s brains are developing rapidly, and exposure to rich language, hands-on learning, and supportive instruction can have long-lasting benefits, not only for reading and writing, but for attention, problem-solving, and a lifelong love of learning.”

When considering enrichment classes for young children, Dr. Grant encourages parents to look for providers who incorporate these classes into their daily routine. A good enrichment program should include:

• Small group sizes that allow children to engage deeply with concepts while receiving individualized teacher support,
• Opportunity for exploration, giving children the freedom to follow their interests and discover new ones
• Hands-on, age-appropriate activities that keep learning engaging, playful and developmentally appropriate

Enrichment classes can be a meaningful way for children to explore new topics, strengthen foundational skills, and gain confidence, especially when offered as an extension of traditional early childhood education or daycare programming. With knowledgeable educators and the right approach, these experiences can support children’s development without adding financial strain or logistical stress for families.

Families interested in learning more about small-group enrichment opportunities for young children can visit kindercare.com.

(NewsUSA) - Plumbing emergencies can’t wait, and finding a local business with true on-call service can make all the difference in catching problems before they become severe, or in managing even the worst plumbing issues quickly and efficiently.

Beacon Plumbing, is an example of how local businesses thrive by offering outstanding customer service in the Bosie, Idaho area.

“We are proud to offer true on-call services, and our certified technicians are available to visit your home 24/7,” according to the company’s website.

Local businesses such as Beacon Plumbing are invested in their communities, and their dedication to customer satisfaction and willingness to go the extra mile leads to long-term relationships. Beacon Plumbing serves the Boise, Idaho area with a full range of plumbing services, from emergencies to basic repairs to high-level upgrade.

Benefits of choosing local plumbing professionals include: 

Real Expertise: The licensed, certified, and skillful professionals on the Beacon Plumbing team are up-to-date not only on the latest industry trends, but also the latest safety and efficiency regulations.

Customer-Centric Approach: Small businesses such as Beacon Plumbing value customer service and put customers first. The plumbing experts listen to client concerns and offer transparent solutions and guidance through the entire process of every plumbing project.

Prompt Response: Plumbing emergencies can strike at any time, day or night. For same day or emergency plumbing repair, Beacon plumbing offers 24/7 emergency services.

Comprehensive Services: Beyond emergencies, Beacon Plumbing provides routine maintenance and repair, as well as upgrades. Whether you need reliable service to fix a leak, install a water heater, or remodel a bathroom, Beacon Plumbing experts have the skills for any plumbing-related needs.

Quality Assurance: All plumbing repairs and services from Beacon come with a guarantee of satisfaction and commitment to quality workmanship and materials, so clients have peace of mind and confidence that a job has been well done by a company that truly takes pride in its work.

Another example of the benefits of a local plumbing service is Beacon Plumbing’s provision of water line inspection and repair. Water line services are available 24/7, so customers need not wait long to have their broken water lines fixed and normal water flow restored.

For more information about optimal plumbing services right where you live, visit www.beaconplumbing.com  

(NewsUSA) - March is National Reading Month, a time to celebrate the power of reading and the role it plays in shaping a child’s future. Yet for many children living in poverty, access to age-appropriate books is limited. That’s why our Toys for Tots Literacy Program is reaffirming its commitment to delivering books and educational resources to children in low-income communities this year through its Chapters of Change initiative.

Since its inception, our Toys for Tots Literacy Program has provided nearly 63 million books to children in need. In 2025 alone, the Program distributed 2.8 million books to children living in low-income communities and attending Title I funded schools.

Literacy is more than words on a page—it builds confidence, fuels curiosity, and opens doors to opportunity. But without access to books, many children struggle to keep up in school and to see their own potential. This is where our donors help turn the page on poverty.

“Through the generosity of our supporters, the Toys for Tots Literacy Program ensures that books become tools for learning, sources of comfort, and sparks for imagination,” said Lieutenant General Jim Laster, USMC (Retired), CEO of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. “For a child who is struggling, one book can mark the beginning of a brand-new chapter.”

According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), 67% of fourth graders read below the basic level, and one in four children in America will grow up without learning to read. These concerning statistics underscore why our Program is committed to creating Chapters of Change.

We saw this impact firsthand on the faces of young readers in Columbia, South Carolina. Through our partnership with South Carolina First Steps, more than 300 copies of The Smile were distributed to preschool children and their families at EdVenture Children’s Museum. Parents praised the book’s uplifting message and vibrant illustrations, while children embraced stories and characters that looked like them and reflected their dreams. In that moment, reading became more than a skill—it became an invitation.

“Events like this remind us that when children receive meaningful books, they receive more than stories—they receive encouragement, representation, and pride. Those sparks fuel a child’s desire to read, learn, and imagine a future beyond their circumstances,” said Lieutenant General Laster.

This National Reading Month, Toys for Tots invites supporters to help children build a foundation for lifelong learning. Your support ensures that more children have the chance to learn, grow, and thrive through the power of literacy.

To learn more about our Toys for Tots Literacy Program or donate, visit www.toysfortots.org.

(BookTrib) - “Strong Roots, Safe Wings” by Kalyani Gopal, PhD, HSPP

Parenting often begins with the best intentions — yet in moments of stress, many parents find themselves reacting in ways that feel painfully familiar from their own past. In “Strong Roots, Safe Wings,” clinical psychologist Dr. Kalyani Gopal offers a compassionate, evidence-based program designed to help parents understand and heal the deeper patterns that shape their responses to their children.

Grounded in neuroscience, attachment theory and trauma research, this illustrated workbook focuses not on fixing children’s behavior but on helping caregivers regulate their own emotional responses. Through a structured six-week program of reflections, guided exercises and practical tools, readers learn how to stay grounded during difficult moments, set healthy boundaries without shame or punishment, and repair missteps with honesty and connection.

By addressing the lingering effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), Dr. Gopal empowers parents and helping professionals to break harmful cycles — nurturing emotionally secure, resilient children who feel safe enough to grow and thrive.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/4cLPNDo.

“Evil, Goodness, and Creating Active Bystandership” by Ervin Staub

In “Evil, Goodness, and Creating Active Bystandership,” renowned psychologist Ervin Staub reflects on a life shaped by both unimaginable cruelty and extraordinary human courage. A survivor of the Holocaust in Hungary who later escaped communist rule and built an academic career in the United States, Staub has devoted his life to understanding why people harm others — and why some choose to help instead.

Blending memoir, psychology and social insight, Staub traces how his personal experiences led to groundbreaking research on the roots of violence, genocide and altruism. From studying “altruism born of suffering” to promoting reconciliation in post-genocide Rwanda and helping train police officers to intervene when colleagues misuse force, his work explores how ordinary people can become agents of change.

Through powerful stories and decades of research, Staub offers a hopeful message: when individuals step forward as “active bystanders,” they can interrupt harm and help build a more compassionate world.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/4sOXZaR.

“Lost in the Holler” by Michael West

When RJ Burnette leaves behind his high-pressure finance career in New York and returns to the Tennessee mountains, he hopes to reset his life in the quiet rhythms of home. But Gizzard’s Holler has not been waiting patiently for him. Beneath its familiar routines lies a secret the town has kept for decades.

Years earlier, RJ’s sister Sue Ann died under circumstances everyone accepted as tragic misfortune. Now RJ begins to learn that the story he grew up believing may not be the whole truth. As old memories surface and long-held silences begin to crack, he finds himself confronting a past that many in the community would rather leave buried.

“Lost in the Holler” blends Southern Gothic atmosphere with a character-driven mystery, exploring family loyalty, grief and the uneasy balance between protecting those we love and facing the truth.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/40vFRqf.

“Weight Class: A Fighter's Life-or-Death Battle with an Eating Disorder” by Danny O’Connor

What if the most dangerous opponent an elite fighter faces isn’t in the ring — but on the scale?

In “Weight Class,” former Olympian and professional boxer Danny O’Connor delivers a powerful memoir exposing the hidden toll of eating disorders in weight-class sports. From high school wrestling to a world title fight on national television, O’Connor chronicles a decades-long battle with starvation, dehydration and binge cycles that nearly cost him his life.

What looked like discipline from the outside was, in reality, a silent and escalating illness. With raw honesty, he reveals how a culture that rewards extreme weight-cutting can mask serious mental health struggles — especially in men, who are often overlooked in conversations about eating disorders. More than a sports memoir, “Weight Class” is a story of survival, self-reckoning and recovery — and a necessary wake-up call for athletes, coaches and anyone who thinks they know what an eating disorder looks like.

To purchase, visit https://www.bitelikeaman.com/ or https://amzn.to/4bLOzqK.

(NewsUSA) -  

Governors can shape the daily lives of military families more than any other elected officials in America. The decisions made in statehouses often determine whether military families experience stability or strain. With global tensions on the rise, now more than ever, they need to feel a sense of belonging in their communities.

For more than 15 years at Blue Star Families, I've had the privilege of listening to military families all across this country. These families serve alongside their loved ones in uniform and depend on their local communities to help them thrive. No matter where they live, their stories share common challenges—finding jobs, keeping kids in consistent schools, staying healthy, and feeling connected—often shaped most by state policies and local leadership.

That's why I'm writing today with both gratitude and an invitation. Thank you to the growing number of governors already leading through the Do Your Part State Initiative. And to those considering joining this bipartisan effort. This is your moment.

Created in partnership with the National Governors Association, the Do Your Part State Initiative builds on what many of you already know—states are powerful engines for innovation. Across the country, governors are demonstrating that practical, locally driven solutions can make life better for military families. Some of the best solutions are already working in local communities. Now we have a chance to share those ideas, make them stronger, and bring them to more families.

More than 20 governors have already signed on as Do Your Part States! These early leaders are showing that real change doesn't require new bureaucracy or big budgets. It begins with collaboration, visibility, and a shared desire to strengthen the communities military families call home. Their leadership is creating momentum, and it's inspiring others to follow. 

As our nation approaches America's 250th birthday, we have set an ambitious and hopeful goal: all 50 states and U.S. territories united in support of military families through this initiative. Thanks to the leadership already shown, this vision is within reach. Together, we can make this a defining national moment of unity, supporting those who serve. 

Military families live in every ZIP code, and more than 70% live off base. Their daily lives depend on state systems—schools, healthcare, jobs, and housing. Yet our 2025 Military Family Lifestyle Survey shows that only 44% of active-duty families are satisfied with military life. State leadership has the power to ease these burdens. Stability strengthens families, stability drives retention, and retention ensures readiness.

Co-chaired by Governors Spencer Cox and Wes Moore, the Do Your Part State Initiative recognizes the essential role governors play in shaping that stability. Through the toolkit, states can share proven ideas, learn from peers, and take visible steps to support military families.

To the governors already leading as Do Your Part States: thank you. Your leadership sends a clear message to military families that they are valued members of your communities. 

To those considering joining: we invite you to be a part of this growing movement. Explore the toolkit and help shape a future where military families feel supported not only by federal programs, but by the states they proudly call home.

And to residents living in a Do Your Part State, take a moment to thank your leadership for supporting military families. If your state hasn't joined yet, encourage them to take part in this exciting national effort by contacting their office!

Together, we can ensure all military families feel supported everywhere they live— no matter where the mission takes them.

With gratitude,
Kathy Roth-Douquet
CEO, Blue Star Families

(NewsUSA) - In highly competitive local markets, visibility is no longer won solely through content and keywords. Increasingly, it’s determined by infrastructure.

While many business owners invest in branding, paid ads, and social media campaigns, a growing body of SEO audits suggests that technical foundations — often invisible to the end user — are quietly determining who ranks and who doesn’t. According to analysts at iLocal, technical SEO issues are now one of the most common barriers preventing small and mid-sized businesses from gaining traction in search results.

And the cost of neglecting it is compounding.

The Invisible Ranking Factor

Technical SEO refers to the behind-the-scenes elements that allow search engines to properly crawl, index, and evaluate a website. This includes site speed, mobile optimization, clean code, structured data, secure connections (HTTPS), XML sitemaps, and logical internal linking.

When these elements are misconfigured, search engines struggle to interpret the site’s authority and relevance — no matter how strong the content may be.

Common technical oversights include:

• Slow page load times caused by oversized images or poor hosting
   
• Broken links and crawl errors
   
• Duplicate content due to improper URL parameters
   
• Missing schema markup
   
• Poor mobile responsiveness
   

None of these issues are immediately obvious to business owners reviewing their own websites. Yet collectively, they can significantly suppress ranking potential.

The Competitive Shift

Search algorithms have evolved. In crowded industries — legal services, medical practices, home services, financial consulting — competitors often produce similar content targeting similar keywords. When relevance is equal, technical performance becomes the differentiator.

Google increasingly prioritizes user experience signals. Core Web Vitals, page stability, load performance, and mobile usability are no longer secondary considerations. They are ranking signals.

In competitive markets, even marginal technical advantages can shift visibility from page two to page one — or from the bottom of page one to the top three local results.

The Compounding Revenue Impact

The consequences of technical neglect aren’t limited to rankings. Slower websites experience higher bounce rates. Mobile usability issues reduce engagement. Broken pages damage credibility.

For businesses relying on inbound leads, even a modest drop in organic traffic can represent thousands — or tens of thousands — of dollars in unrealized annual revenue.

What makes the issue particularly costly is that many businesses continue increasing ad spend to compensate for declining organic visibility, rather than addressing the structural cause.

From Marketing Expense to Digital Infrastructure

A growing trend among performance-driven firms is the reframing of SEO as infrastructure rather than marketing. Instead of viewing it as a campaign with a start and end date, technical SEO is treated as ongoing maintenance — similar to maintaining a physical storefront.

Proactive businesses are implementing regular technical audits that evaluate:

• Crawlability and indexation
   
• Structured data implementation
   
• Page speed and performance metrics
   
• Security configurations
   
• Internal linking architecture
   

These audits often uncover latent issues that, once resolved, unlock performance gains without additional content production.

The Emerging Divide

As digital competition intensifies, a divide is forming between businesses with optimized technical foundations and those relying on surface-level tactics.

In today’s search landscape, visibility is no longer earned by content alone. It’s supported — and sometimes limited — by code, structure, and performance.

Ignoring technical SEO in a competitive market isn’t just a missed opportunity. It’s a structural disadvantage.

And in an environment where small ranking shifts can dramatically impact lead flow, structural disadvantage carries a measurable cost.

To learn more, visit https://ilocal.net/

(NewsUSA) - For many small and mid-sized businesses, declining local rankings are blamed on competition, algorithm updates, or insufficient ad spend. But according to digital strategists at iLocal, the real issue is often far less dramatic — and far more fixable.

It’s website structure.

While business owners focus on keywords and backlinks, search engines have evolved to prioritize something more foundational: how a website is built, organized, and internally connected. When that structure is flawed, rankings suffer — often quietly and gradually.

The Architecture Problem

Search engines don’t see websites the way humans do. They crawl code, hierarchy, internal linking patterns, and page relationships. If a site lacks clear structure, search engines struggle to determine which pages are most important, which services are primary, and which geographic areas are relevant.

Common structural issues include:

• Multiple services lumped onto a single page
   
• No dedicated pages for specific cities or service areas
   
• Duplicate or thin content spread across pages
   
• Broken internal links
   
• Poor navigation hierarchy
   

From a search engine perspective, this creates ambiguity. And ambiguity reduces authority.

When Google’s algorithms attempt to determine local relevance, they rely on clear signals. If a roofing contractor serves five cities but mentions them only in passing on one generic page, the site may fail to rank strongly in any of them.

The Shift Toward Topical Authority

Search engine updates in recent years have increasingly favored topical depth and clear content silos. Businesses that build structured service clusters — individual pages supporting a primary category — often outperform competitors with broader but shallower websites.

For example, instead of one “Services” page listing plumbing, drain cleaning, and water heater repair, structured sites create separate, optimized pages for each service, internally linked in a logical hierarchy.

This isn’t about keyword stuffing. It’s about clarity.

When structure aligns with search intent, rankings improve naturally because the site better answers specific queries.

User Experience Now Impacts SEO

Another overlooked factor is behavioral data. Slow load times, confusing navigation, and cluttered layouts increase bounce rates and reduce time on site — signals that can indirectly affect ranking performance.

A poorly structured website not only confuses search engines but also frustrates visitors. When users quickly exit a site, it reinforces negative engagement signals.

The technical and user-experience sides of SEO are now inseparable.

The Compounding Effect of Structural Weakness

What makes structural problems particularly costly is that they compound over time. Businesses continue investing in ads, social media, and review acquisition, sending more traffic to a foundation that cannot fully capitalize on it.

In some cases, companies attempt aggressive SEO campaigns without addressing structural flaws first. The result? Limited gains despite significant investment.

The Emerging Best Practice: Structural Audits

Forward-thinking local businesses are increasingly conducting structural audits before expanding marketing efforts. These audits assess:

• URL hierarchy
   
• Internal linking patterns
   
• Page depth and crawlability
   
• Service-to-location alignment
   
• Technical performance factors
   

The goal isn’t cosmetic redesign — it’s architectural clarity.

Businesses that address structural weaknesses often see ranking improvements without increasing content volume or backlink acquisition. By reorganizing and clarifying what already exists, they unlock latent SEO potential.

A Strategic Reframing

The conversation around local rankings is shifting. Instead of asking, “How do we outrank competitors?” the more strategic question may be, “Does our website clearly communicate our expertise and geography to search engines?”

In a digital landscape where search algorithms reward precision and user satisfaction, structure is no longer a background detail.

It’s infrastructure.

And for local businesses competing in crowded markets, infrastructure may be the quiet differentiator between stagnation and sustained visibility.

To learn more, visit: https://ilocal.net/

(NewsUSA) - April is Autism Acceptance Month, and experts now estimate that one in 31 children in the United States has autism spectrum disorder. 

To help parents better understand how to support children on the spectrum, Alexander Lopez, J.D., OT/L, associate professor of occupational therapy at New York Institute of Technology, shares practical guidance and tips—including how exercise can improve motor function (muscle coordination) and cognitive performance.

Children with special needs often have few opportunities to exercise and develop the foundational skills needed for mainstream activities. For example, learning how to swing a baseball bat can advance coordination, balance, attention, and planning. These essential skills can then be transferred to most daily activities.

Lopez, a licensed occupational therapist, has developed targeted athletic programs designed to enable a child’s brain to process sensory information, supporting structural and functional brain changes.

“The brain and body are exceptionally malleable, and occupational therapy interventions that use sports and exercise can improve brain performance and help children develop strategies to minimize or control the effects of unpleasant or confusing sensory information,” says Lopez, who is also the founder of the nonprofit gym Inclusive Sports and Fitness, Inc., which recently opened a location on New York Tech’s Old Westbury, N.Y., campus.

In addition to increased physical abilities, children in Lopez’s exercise-based program gain lasting friendships and confidence, benefits that spill over into nearly all aspects of their lives. Families report improved outcomes at home and school, including enhanced emotional, behavioral, and academic performance. Of course, the lessons and experiences children gain outside the gym are also important. Lopez urges parents to present a united front, including providing their child with consistent messages, enforcing rules and boundaries, and encouraging their child to reach their full, individual potential.  

“Despite having certain developmental challenges, a child with autism is not solely defined by their condition,” Lopez explains. “That child is still a whole person with their own abilities, potential, and strengths. With supportive resources, nurturing parenting, and targeted therapies, many children on the autism spectrum develop greater independence, confidence, and meaningful participation in everyday life. But the foundation for this success begins at home. When parents provide consistent structure and use positive reinforcement, they create an environment where their child can build skills, feel successful, and thrive.” 

Lopez also emphasizes the importance of setting expectations, sticking to daily routines as early as possible, structured schedules, and visual checklists for activities like tooth brushing and getting dressed, which can help children become more self-reliant over time. By using the same foundational strategies with consistency, structure, and positive reinforcement, parents can help foster self-reliance, skill development, and a sense of accomplishment that grows with the child. 

Lopez is one of many New York Tech faculty members lending their expertise to help tackle real-world challenges. Visit nyit.edu to learn more.

Image caption:  Alexander Lopez (left), a licensed occupational therapist at New York Institute of Technology, has developed athletic programs designed to help children with autism.