Newsletter

Small Miracles

May 2008

Holidays

Abilities will be closed Monday May 26 for Memorial Day. Tuesday May 27, our summer schedule will begin. Have a safe holiday.

Suite for Rent:

Commercial/office space available as of June 1, 2008. 500 sq feet, all utilities included, reception area, 2 offices and restroom.
18268 Petroleum Drive, Suite A. $850.00 per month

Summer Groups:

Sign up now for groups beginning in June. There are still openings for most of our groups, check with the front desk for a registration form and availability.

Therapist's Corner:

With summer just around the corner, it's not too early to begin planning summer activities. Whether you are going on a vacation or just staying around the house, making your summer stress-free can be a challenge. Here are some tips to help your child transition into summer and things to help you plan a fun, enjoyable, and safe summer:

1. Less is more. Don't overbook your schedules. With end of year concerts and other special school events on top of the daily workload, your kid has plenty to do. Think twice before adding any other extracurricular activities during this hectic, transitional time.

2. Is your child worried that he/she won't be able to see his/her friends during the summer? Have him/her collect school friends' phone numbers as well as snail mail and email addresses.

3. Arrange play dates ahead of time for when school is out. How about a reunion picnic with school friends as one 'get together' idea? And don't forget meeting at the movies or the local swimming hole.

4. Talk with your child about what they want to do in the summer. Is it camp or your town's recreation program? Enroll him/her in a program to that will help him/her make new friends and encourage summer learning. Abilities offers several summer group programs that address a variety of skills, including reading, writing, math, spelling, phonics, and social skills.

5. Above all, relax and enjoy the change of season. Try to build in a family walk or bike ride after dinner as a way of connecting with your kids.

A few suggestions to help you avoid hectic, stress filled summer days:
• Keep and display a family calendar. A calendar from the end of the school year to next fall listing the child's and family activities is a great way to organize new routines and schedules for the upcoming summer months. This gives children an idea of what is going on and gives parents an idea of potential scheduling conflicts.
• Visit the library. Children and adults can participate in activities that include reading aloud, storytelling, and plays. Younger children may enjoy puppet shows, and arts and crafts activities. Many libraries may also offer training courses for computer programs for children of all ages.
• Enroll in a summer camp. There are many summer camps that have specific activities tailored to a child's interests and the parents' needs. Abilities now offers “Camp-Abilities” for students K-2nd for a one-week day camp providing a structured but flexible learning environment.

Information compiled from www.justice.gov (DEA Employee Assistance Program library) & www.familyeducation.com

Our Parents' Turn

When our son Frank was diagnosed with autism two years ago at age 3 ½, we had little idea what that really meant. A couple of months after he was diagnosed, we heard about occupational therapy and Abilities. After meeting with a therapist at Abilities, and having an initial evaluation, a whole new world of knowledge was opened for us. We learned that every child with autism also has Sensory Processing Disorder, and that this could actually be the cause of Frank's issues. So we began OT. And what a change it made! When Frank was regulated, he was so much more focused than he had ever been before. He also became physically affectionate, which he had not previously been. In fact, he used to cry while being held even as an infant.

We also learned some ways to help regulate him at home. Chewing gum, carrying groceries, swinging, and riding his bike are all things that help Frank a lot. He is more successful and more confident when he is regulated. Frank has OT twice a week at Abilities with his therapist Kelly, and it has made a huge difference in all of our lives.

This August, Frank will be starting kindergarten at the Dunham School, which is now partnered with Abilities. Dunham has a new Academic Center on campus for children with learning differences, including autism. A couple of months ago we received a call from Leah, who will be Frank's teacher next year. Abilities is making it possible for the kids in Frank's class to start sessions with her early. They started out as individual sessions, and now they are group sessions. This will allow these kids to be on the same learning level in August, and already know each other as well, so that at least there will be some continuity for them in starting a new school, which is difficult, even more so with children on the autism spectrum. So now Frank sees Leah once a week, along with his new friends from Dunham as well.

We will always be grateful to Jeff and Carol and the terrific staff of Abilities for providing such a wonderful and much-needed service. Frank has always been an amazing person, but he has grown in ways that we would not have thought possible without your help. He loves to give really long, tight hugs, and that might be the best part!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Cara and Jeff Kearns