Community

My soap stockpile shows that the economy is slipping

Webmaster — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 21:10:00 GMT

With the change in the weather, this is the time of year for great travel adventures, but I went I think of travel it reminds me to take stock of my bathroom soap.

I always make a joke about travel because if I am running out of bathroom soap, I know it’s time to take a trip.

Most hotels I stay at have some of the most wonderful bath and face soaps. (I must admit that those soaps are a great promotion since some of the brands I sought out when my samples were long gone.) And I especially like the small sizes for packing in my bag for the gym.

Once I mentioned how much I enjoyed those small sized hotel soaps to my daughter-in-law. She quickly left the room and ran back holding a bag filled with soaps. (What a treat!)

When my son went to Las Vegas last fall for a sales presentation, he said the hotel staff changed his soaps two to three times a day. Too bad he was there only overnight.

But now our economy is in this peculiar pattern where even the stock market can’t decide if we are now on the upswing or still in a downward slide pattern.

And now the hotels are using this change in our economy as their chance to give us only ONE soap for our stay. No more adding fresh soap if you have already used yesterday’s. They say it helps the environment by preventing us from wasting soap, but we know the real reason – they are not willing to share their soap stockpile.

My only concern is that hotels will not reverse this “one soap policy,” even when they see our economy is on a definite upswing.

Autistic kid finds the solution: The London Eye Mystery

Terrie — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 12:46:00 GMT

As the recent publisher of a new kids' book, The Undercover Kids' Holland Adventure, I am always on the lookout for great books for kids. www.theundercoverkids.com

A recent book review blogger said she only reviews books once they come out in paperback. I guess she reasons that we, readers, only buy books or take books out of the library once they are cheap. And so the reviewer waited a year, when the paperback book was finally published, to finally talk about this kid's adventure.

She admitted in her review, she missed the mark in this book by waiting the year. And I agree.

Siobhan Bowd's book, The London Eye Mystery, introduces the readers to Ted, the younger brother of Kat. Ted loves to talk about weather patterns; he has a great memory for facts and has a hand he has difficulty in controlling - it shakes. He also has trouble in dealing with his emotions and can't seem to quite understand the feelings of others. Dowd creates this character Ted with all the revealing symptoms of autism, but the word is never used to describe him. She talks about Ted’s teacher, who advises Ted to smile when others smile because that will help him make friends. And he is leaning other things to: To look in the direction of people who are speaking to him; to understand that if someone is crying they are having a problem and to try an control his shaking hand.

But through it all, he solves the mystery of the disappearance of his visiting cousin, Salim. Ted's favorite thing is to fly the Eye. Like a Ferris Wheel, you sit in a capsule with 21 other folks and twist and turn above London. Salim goes on the first capsule while Ted and Kat wait on the ground for Salim to complete his spin. But the brother and sister don't see Salim get off his capsule. And now the adventure begins.

Dowd is great in getting the true sibling love-hate relationship. We "listen" to Ted work out his frustrations as he tries to get others to listen to the nine scenarios he has created as to what might have happened to his cousin. There is the understanding mom who gets frustrated with Ted's frantic ways. The dad who bulldozes large building to make way for the new. A crazy Aunt Gloria who uses a long cigarette holder as she smokes. And Salim’s dad who is an doctor.

The issues of sibling relationships, relationships with moms and dads and a international flavor that we don’t often see in kids’ books. All this, plus the unusual Ted, makes this a must read for kids and their parents.

I am sorry to report that Siobhan Dowd died of breast cancer on 21 August 2007, aged 47, Just before Dowd's death, the Siobhan Dowd Trust was set up, where all the proceeds from her literary work will be used to assist disadvantaged children with their reading skills.

The Londone Eye Mystery
Siobhan Down
February 2008

Start an internal social media campaign

Terrie Goldstein — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 18:41:00 GMT

Although Christopher Fortune is the new executive director for the Orange County Association for the Help of Retarded Citizens (AHRC), he brings a long history of working in the world of not-for-profits.

He is introducing new ventures that he hopes will bring a new audience to AHRC. This spring they hosted their first jazz concert and hope to conduct another this fall. Chris wants to use these events to attract people who may have never heard of his association.

With over 700 staff and a multi-million dollar budget, AHRC offers a broad array of services, from infant assessments to adult community residences. But Chris feels the agency is not as well known as other agencies in the county.

“Soon we will introduce a rebranding of our association,” says Chris. “The word retarded is out of vogue. We want something that is easily recognized.” Once they develop this new look for the association they will begin marketing the agency more heavily.

In terms of how the downturn economy is affecting the agency, Chris is concerned with New York State’s lack of support and advocacy for those with disabilities. “Our funding base has eroded,” say Chris, “causing us to have to be extremely conservative in how we use our money.

“Job security and maintaining services are continuing. But there will be no raises this year,” says Chris. The agency will continue health benefits are the same level, but will look at variations on co-pays and wellness programs.

How is this forward looking executive using social networking? The agency has introduced a new, easy-to-use website. And they will introduce an online planned giving and donation program. But Chris is concerned about updating the agency’s technology and educating staff on how to use the new web-based tools. “We have to start by teaching staff to use their internal user name and password,” says Chris to make his point about how far they have to go.

AHRC’s schools, which are about 1/3 of the agency’s programs, continue to raise money for add-on programs the old fashioned way - selling chocolate bars and other small items.

If you are looking for a unique fundraising idea that does not involve making selling chocolate, visit www.TheUndercoverKids.com and signup to be a Community Partner. Introduce your kids, and those kids of others you work with, to a new exciting mystery series and earn money too.

Christopher Fortune, executive director

Orange County Association for the Help of Retarded Citizens

249 Broadway

Newburgh, NY 12550

845-561-0670

www.orangeahrc.org

How many meetings do you have to attend to get a good return?

Terrie Goldstein — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 22:08:00 GMT

According to the Nadia Allen, the executive director of the Orange County Mental Health Association, some of their supporters have not been able give at the same level as years before. As an association they recognize that things must change. But how?

This year there will be no raises for the staff, says Nadia. This will help them offset any decreases for this year. She feels they have a very unique corner of the market; they don’t offer direct services but provide support programs through the county, like their rape crisis hotline.

“We have always been very visible,” says Nadia. “And we are always at the table when mental health related issues are discussed.”

Like many high energy, dedicated executives, Nadia is involved in a wide range of professional groups including trade associations and the chamber. She feels her community involvement makes it easier to obtain grants. That is why she works hard during the day and then spends many evenings attending group functions.

When asked about the Mental Health Association’s involvement with the web and social marketing, the answer is ‘not much.’ She will be attending an association conference, where they will discuss effective use of the web for not-for-profits.

Like many associations, the Mental Health Association uses the web’s functionality to keep in touch with current members…usually during their fund drives. When asked if the community uses their site, she proudly says that they have a lot of information on their site that many access.

Sometimes I wonder, if as the web expands our world and our access to information, we should try harder to narrow our focus. For example, if you have a membership list, divide the list into categories: professional groups who donate and individuals, or those in a specific region. Then develop messages for those unique groups and do it with some regularity….once or twice a month. And it is important to provide information that is useful to the reader…rather than focusing on your organization.

With the new ways we communication, it is time to rethink your marketing plan (that assumes you have one) and change how you “speak” to people.

If you are looking for a unique fundraising idea that does not involve attending another dinner or fundraising event visit www.TheUndercoverKids.com and signup to be a Community Partner. You make money will providing kids with a great outlet for their imagination.

Nadia Allen, executive director
Mental Health Association of Orange County
20 Walker St
Goshen, NY 10924
845-294-7411
www.mhaorangeny.com

Brownie Mix and Easy Frost No-Fuss Frosting

Webmaster — Fri, 22 May 2009 18:37:00 GMT

My family and I made the Brownie Minis and used the icing. It is very easy to use. All you have to do is put the brownie mix in a bowl and mix it with water. Then scoop the mix into the little brownie trays that come in the box. After that, just stick into a 350 degree oven to bake. It only takes about 20 minutes until they are done.

We let ours cool off for about 15 minutes. Then we used the cool icing to frost them. It is really easy to use with the cool squeeze top. If you are a busy family like ours, this is a great product for a little homemade taste. They are super easy to make and you still have time left over to do the other things you want to do.

By Trevor Cortes-Lozado

Nature's Peak

Webmaster — Tue, 12 May 2009 19:49:00 GMT

Reviewed by Mary. Z.

As the Organic Guinea Pig, I have pontificated on the evils of convenience foods, so I am happy to bring to you news of a product that can make your life easier without causing fits of conscience as you and your children eat it.

Fresh fruit smoothies – I love them. I have one for breakfast every morning. If I use a banana, it’s easy. Just peel and break off chunks. But what about when I want some variety? Then there’s chopping, coring, maybe even peeling to deal with. Do I really want to be handling a sharp knife while I’m trying to get the morning off to a flying start?

Enter Nature’s Peak, with my hero: a 16 oz bag of top-quality fruit frozen at the peak of ripeness. I just take it out of the freezer the night before and dump it in the blender in the morning. I highly recommend the Sun-Ripened Trio, A Chorus of Strawberries, Mangos, Peaches. Add a fresh banana to it, wow!

Yum. Easy. Guilt-free. I bet you can come up with some great ideas of your own for how to use them. We’re expecting up to 9 varieties to become available soon. Available in a 16-ounce resealable pouch for only $3.49.

Beginning in August, recipes and more interesting information on this lovely product will be available at

www.naturespeakfrozen.com

You can't reach everyone at once.

Terrie Goldstein — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 12:43:00 GMT

Meet Carole Wolf. A woman with a passion for her job. Well connected in her community. And she has an extensive knowledge of how the arts can benefit us all.

But is that enough to stave off firings, cutbacks and fewer fundraising dollars?

Apparently not.

Carole is the successful executive director of the Mill Street Loft, an arts group in Poughkeepsie. They are managing their budget month to month. They track everything very carefully. “Now, more than ever we are looking at where we have spent our money and how it is working,” she emphasizes.

But they, like many groups I have spoken to, had to cut staff positions and limit staff hours. (With hopes to restore them, she says quickly). She knows that unless their current revenues pay for the costs they won’t be in business too long.

Not for profit groups have to make a "profit" to survive and grow

Sometimes we forget, not for profit businesses have to run on a profit model. For these community groups, the profitable dollars go into raising salaries, running new programs and expansion, rather then towards dividends or higher returns for the owner. But, like all of us in business, we must make money to stay in business.

When asked how fundraising is going, Carole talks about their recent Friends of the Arts Awards. Over 300 people showed up and they raised about $75,000. (But she quickly assured me that it was not all profit.) The event was not only about money but about building new audiences, says Carole: “Acknowledging people in our community. Building new partnerships. Creating visibility in the community to other arts groups, cultural organizations and human service agencies.”

Carole’s instincts are sharp. That’s what has allowed her organization to grow in this community, but again I ask, “Is that enough in this new environment?”

Database marketing = the difference between success and failure.

I would love a peek at Carole’s database…or her cell phone directory…or where ever she keeps those valuable names, phone numbers and email addresses.

Here’s an insider tip: if you get an email from Carole it may help your bottom line.

How? Carole can help you make your staff more productive by using creative techniques. Does she use this talent? No.

Many of us are too focused on us and getting our message out about how wonderful we are. In my experience, it doesn’t seem to matter whether it is a for profit business or not for profit . We are all making the same mistakes. When, in fact, if we focus on using the new technologies to help others, they in turn will be more likely to help us in the long run.

Using new technology makes the tasks easier...once you learn the secret.

How does it work?

If you have a large contact database (and what exec doesn’t) separate the names into groups: business, community, political etc. You decide the groups based on their needs, how they operate, and their importance to you. The key word in the past sentence is “them” and “they”. This model is not about you, but it’s about them: those key constituents you would like to reach.
Now see what knowledge you process that you can easily offer. To business executives, Carole could email a weekly tip that would enhance the creativity of their staff at their next staff meeting. I would subscribe to her email.
Now she needs to include a promotion for her email newsletter on her website to encourage sign-ups. She should promote it…promote it …and promote it again. These tips should be archived on her website so that we can access the tips we may have missed. And the trick here is that businesses should have to sign up with a name and email address to gain access. (For Carole, email contacts = new business.)
Each newsletter has a pitch. This is key to this project working. I bet you think she should ask for money. Maybe or maybe not. How about this: “If my creativity tips are working for you, think how much more creative you could be if you attended one of our class series.” Link them back to your website for the class schedule.

Use this time to think about what you offer and how you can use the new technology to promote your skills more effectively.

Want another fundraising tip? If your organization works with kids in your community, we have just created a new fundraising program that doesn’t cost you any money or staff time and helps kid’s creativity at the same time. Visit

The Undercover Kids and become a Community Partner.

Mill Street Loft

45 Pershing Ave

Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

845-471-7477
The Mill Street Loft

Not-for-profit exec looks to increase dollars

Webmaster — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 19:14:00 GMT

We are all hearing that the economy is in a slump. I was curious how community organizations are handling the downturn. After all, they provide valuable services. Read this community group’s story and then see the tips I offer that should increase revenue.

I was a big sister for six years, so I decided to give Big Brothers Big Sisters exec Nancy Kosloski a call and get her take on fundraising and the economy. Nancy has been the executive director for many years, and she says this is the worst downturn she has experienced. Many of her staff has begun to work a four-day week to control payroll costs.

“Previous year’s fundraising dollars moved us ahead and allowed us to introduce new programs,” says Nancy. “Now our fundraisers fill in some of the financial holes we are experiencing.”

Recently they held their annual bowl-a-thon which has always been wildly successful. The bowling event raised $31,000 this year. Last year’s take was $36,000. “But we had 350 people bowl – which I considered great.” Nancy made sure to congratulate the staff on the huge turnout. So what went wrong? Apparently, corporate donations were down. “We have a golf event planned,” continues Nancy. “This year the golf outing will fill in the gaps that the bowling event didn’t earn.”

The organization plans to do more events, but it is touch and go because they have fewer staff who are working fewer hours. “This year we will have our motorcycle ride fundraiser with V Force Customs coordinating the event. We have to look at other events but will try not to repeat events that other organizations are conducting.

What are the major challenges Big Brothers Big Sisters are experiencing and how are they being addressed?

One major challenge for this community group has been the loss of their director of resource development - a key person. According to Nancy, another group offered her more money than Big Brothers and Big Sisters could afford. Because of their limited funding this year, they could only hire a part time staff member for that position.

“In terms of foundations, the help we usually count on has come through at 50% of last year’s levels. We thank them for what they are doing now and hope as the economy turns the foundation money will be restored, admits Nancy. “Also the challenge of getting grants is greater than ever, and there is more competition for the same dollars.

How are you integrating social networking into your fund development planning?

Nancy tells her story:

“We are just starting to do that. For example, people can donate through our website. Those who participate in the motorcycle ride can sign up online. And people who bowled could form their teams online.

“We are looking to set up a Facebook page for special causes. I don’t know the first thing about Facebook, and it requires additional staff time, which we don’t have. I signed up for my own Facebook page just to see how it works, but I don’t have time for more friends. This social marketing is a steep learning curve for me. “

Based on their limited funds what is the best direction for them?

Community organizations have the greatest difficulty moving out of their comfort zone. They know their programs, their staff and their kids. But do they really understand what others think about their program and what would encourage more people to get more involved?

How many of the current 350 bowlers, who they were really proud of, would become team leaders next year? How do they keep in touch with them? Did they collect email addresses? How often do they touch base and with what materials?

Create a blog (or short articles that can be emailed) that is sponsored by local bowling allies. Have the ally manager write about the best bowling techniques? If I only bowl once a year, I would be lucky to break 90 points. But if you send me coupons from local bowling lanes, and give me the needed tips, I may begin to enjoy the sport and get more involved with Nancy’s group.

If bowling is an annual event, have bowling articles on the website and encourage me to sign up for your newsletter or your email blast that offers discounts and information. Encourage me to sign up my friends. Become a bowling resource.

I know this is counter intuitive. Why should I promote bowling when our goal is to offer mentoring programs for kids? First, you need to walk in your bowlers’ shoes and second, you may get more new mentors than you realize.

So collect emails (they are very valuable) and use them effectively so people who participate in your events become engaged based on THEIR interests.

If you are seeking a fundraising raising idea that doesn’t cost you any money or staff time, visit The Undercover Kids and sign up to become a Community Partner.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County

253 South Williams Street

Newburgh, NY12550

845-562-3606

Big Brothers Big Sisters

Find out how kids are getting on track for standardized testing

Webmaster — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 20:56:00 GMT

It was early Saturday morning – one of the coldest days of the year and the school parking lot was filled with cars.

Thanks to the efforts of staff at South Junior High in Newburgh, parents and their kids, teachers, support staff and school administration got together to discuss the upcoming English Language Arts (ELA) standardized testing coming up.

“We want to make sure we are connecting with parents,” says Assistant Principal Mike Ragusa. Ragusa had come up with the idea to bring parents and teachers together in an informal setting to discuss test taking and how their kids are doing. “I thought it important to make a personal connection,” says Ragusa. After discussing the program with Principal Edward Mucci, it was decided to link the program to one of the upcoming standardized tests.

The hook was breakfast for this Books-n-Breakfast event, but much more was going on. Parents and teachers sat around over pancakes, eggs and coffee discussing the upcoming tests and their kids. Who could resist the smell of sweet syrup over pancakes? It helped breaking down any barriers that might inhibit communication. It opened up the dialogue.

Ragusa says that the school makes every effort to let parents know about what’s going on in the classroom. “We send home flyers, have a newsletter and placed articles and announcements in local papers,” say Ragusa. “But some parents still don’t know about the programs we offer.”

Ragusa asked members of his seventh grade teams to identify four to five kids from each team who would benefit from their parents attendance to this program. Once the names were submitted, Ragusa got on the phone to make personal contact. “I was able to get a commitment from half of the parents who guaranteed they would come.”

Ragusa was proud of the effort made by support staff and teachers that made this event a success. Will they do this again? “Maybe close to the end of the year,” says Ragusa. “It’s a lot of volunteer work on behalf of staff.”

Mike Ragusa’s Tips for Parents

· Know when your kids are taking tests.

· Follow-up and ask how things went.

· Check on homework assignments even if done in school.

· Get a class syllabus so you know what to expect from your child.

· Make sure your child goes to school prepared: breakfast in the morning, notebooks and pencils, and homework completed.

· Any questions ask your child’s teacher.

· Be involved.

Terrie Goldstein is publisher of Hudson Valley Parent and Hudson Valley Life magazines.

Cold weather wines from the Rhone Valley to the Hudson Valley

Webmaster — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 20:11:00 GMT

The winter months are upon us..the temperature drops, the fires blaze and we look for the warmth of shared times around the hearth. These times call for heartier "winter wines" that warm the heart and soul.

While there are many options to fulfill this style of wine there are a couple worth taking a little more in depth look at. One of our favorite winter wine options comes from the Rhône Valley in France. While there are many options from the Rhone, let's take a look at some of the great value wines of the Southern Rhône, in particular those of the Cotes Du Rhône.

There are white, rosé and red wines that make up the 420 million bottle production with the majority of the wine being red and white being the lowest percentage of production. Red and rosé wines are made from Grenache Noir, Syrah, Cinsault, Carignane, Counoise and Mourvèdre grape varieties with the requirement that Grenache must be a minimum of 40% to be labeled as a Cotes Du Rhone.

The reds range in color from deep crimson and ruby to almost purple and are generally full-bodied with rich but smooth tannins and all pair very well with game and other rich meat dishes. (Remember there are always style exceptions so there are some cotes Du Rhône that may be a little lighter in body).

The whites must contain a minimum blend of 80% Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Bourboulenc, and Viognier. Ugni Blanc and Picpoul Blanc may be used as secondary varieties. The whites range from dry with a tang of citrus to fuller, rounder wines which may be enjoyed as an aperitif.

Beyond those wines labeled as Cotes Du Rhône, there are those labeled as Cotes Du Rhône-Villages. These wines are produced in 95 designated communes that are viewed as having superior growing climates. And at an even higher rung on the quality ladder are the "Crus"; the most demanding level of distinction, a total of 15 crus are allowed to be recognized by their village name without requiring the mention of Côtes du Rhône on the label. Some of the noted Crus from the Southern Rhône, are Gigondas, Lirac, Vacqueyras, and probably the most famous-Chateauneuf-du-Pape.

If you would like to try some cold weather wines outside of the Rhône Valley, there are a couple of quick tips to indicate they will fit with your cold weather needs. The wine label is in many cases a good indicator of style. One way of discovery is through winemaker comments indicating how the wine was produced; for example, if the wine was fermented or aged in oak, you should expect a little more body than one that hasn't seen oak.

Another trick is looking at alcohol content; a wine with 14% alcohol is going to have more weight than on with 12%. But the best way to learn more is to stop by Vino 100 and have a chat with me...I can recommend the perfect wine for your meal and budget. Enjoy!

The Open House

Webmaster — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 17:53:00 GMT

by Sharon MacGregor

I am a freelance writer and columnist living in Sulllivan County. My husband and I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary last year and are raising our two man-cubs with both old-fashioned and modern parenting styles. Another member of our family is our one-year old, yellow Lab, Maddy. I look forward to sharing a slice of our family life and family related news with the Hudson Valley Parent community!

The College Open House

Your child has expressed an interest in a college, you have done the research and signed up for an Open House. Here’s one family’s point of view…

Upon arrival – you and your future college student are a bit excited, anticipatory and maybe a bit nervous. The college has a continental breakfast for everyone including bagels, coffee, tea, juice and water. The staff and administrators are clicking up and down hallways, some are gathered to meet and greet parents and young adults. The milling about and waiting feels somehow similar to that of a hospital waiting room, my eyes sometimes lock with another mother and we smile, bonded and silently communicate, “I feel it, too.”

Commonly this initial informal gathering is followed by the entire group filing into an auditorium for a formal introduction to information that will interest all potential students including some majors available and a financial aid overview. Almost everyone wants their individual questions answered and if this is your first Open House, please realize not only will you leave without being able to ask all of your questions, new ones may arise by the end of the day. Try to write them down and later organize them by topic; admissions procedures, financial aid, residence or other topic.

Following the formal presentation are usually campus tours. Groups are formed and we file out behind a student. I realize I am the only mother of a son. I can hear the parents questions. What are the rules regarding co-ed living arrangements? Overnight guest policies? How are they enforced? The questions are asked and I smile. I am relieved by their concern, though my son will probably commute to school, not live on campus, it is for his protection as well.

Security, the location of emergency call boxes with cameras and individual picture identification cards necessary for admission to all buildings are explained and the parents nod and sigh.

We are shown cafeterias, libraries, classrooms, lecture halls, computer and science labs, social/gathering rooms and lastly, a residence hall.

Two actual, in use and occupied rooms have been designated a part of the tour. They are decorated in a teen style, complete with posters, and the parents feel the square footage is satisfactory.

“Who cleans the bathroom,” a potential student asks.

The answer? The students who occupy the room attached to the bathroom are responsible for keeping it clean. Single occupancy rooms are not available without a medical reason (wheelchair bound or needing an aid or assistant.)

The tour ends two hours later with lunch. We are ravenous from politely turning down the breakfast treats. Some press on, the next segment is to meet with faculty and others concentrating on your chosen major or course interest.

Our day is concluded. I must find out more about FAFSA for financial aid. Good luck to you and your future college graduate.

A guide to the NYS application process

Webmaster — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 17:13:00 GMT

by Jose E. De Jesus

Determining eligibility to apply for services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities: the process in New York State

In New York State, the Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD), through its Developmental Disabilities Services Offices (DDSO), determine if a person has an intellectual or developmental disability, including Asperger and Autism, and is eligible to apply for OMRDD services.

In order to have a determination of eligibility, individuals/families/advocates need to submit documents to their County’s DDSO to support the intellectual and/or developmental disability. Following is a list of the documents required.

Ö A full scale psychological evaluation, completed within the last 3 years, establishing IQ

Ö An adaptive behavior scale such as the Vineland II or the ABAS II

Ö A psychosocial report, social history or other background report that indicates that the disability occurred before the age of 22

Ö A physical evaluation completed within the last year, including diagnosis

Ö Any specialty reports relevant to the individual (neurological, psychiatric, etc.)

Ö Treatment summaries or reports from any previous or current psychiatric hospitalizations

Ö Any previous evaluations referenced in the above documentation (i.e. a previous psychological evaluation)

Ö Current IEP or Pre-school evaluations

This process is the gateway to apply for services provided by OMRDD, and does not mean that the person is eligible for all the services funded by the state agency. The determination allows the person to apply for other services such a as day programs when the person transitions from school, residential placement and in-home services. Each service has its own requirements.

Sullivan, Orange, Rockland and Westchester Counties comprise the Hudson Valley DDSO, the local OMRDD agency responsible for the coordination and delivery of services to people with developmental disabilities and their families. I have provided for your convenience the address and telephone numbers for the main office, and for Sullivan and Orange Counties.

Main Office

9 Wilbur Road
PO Box 470
Thiells, NY 10984
Phone: (845) 947-6100
Fax: (845) 947-6004

Sullivan County

457 Broadway
Suite 15
Monticello, N.Y. 12701
Phone: (845) 791-7620
Fax: (845) 791-7624

Orange County

42 Rykowski Lane, Suite 2,
Middletown, NY 10941
Phone: (845) 695-7300
Fax: (845) 695-7388 or 695-7398

In Orange you may also access services through the Orange County Department of Community Mental Health by calling 291-2622 or you may visit http://www.orangecountynyddconnection.com.

To learn more about the services provided by OMRDD visit: http://www.omr.state.ny.us.

Jose E. De Jesus, his wife and three adult children are residents of Walden, N.Y. Jose has a Master of Public Administration and over thirty years of experience in community mental health - developmental disabilities services, substance abuse services and alternatives to incarceration.

Currently, he oversees community based services in county government for individuals with developmental disabilities, including eligibility determination to apply for services through the NYS Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities and the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waiver.

Jose has been an Adjunct Instructor at Mt. Saint Mary College, Mercy College and Elizabeth Seton College where he taught courses in Social Welfare Policy, Social Sciences, and American History and Government. Additionally he was an instructor of the NYS Department of Motor Vehicle's Drinking Driver Program at Westchester and Rockland Community Colleges. He owns the Driver Safety Institute which operates the NYS Drinking Driver Program; part of New York State's effort to reduce the personal and property losses caused by drivers under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

Learning how to sign

Webmaster — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 16:51:00 GMT

by Venessa Rinaldi, HVParent.com

My wonderful mother-in-law mentioned to me a few months ago about teaching Ella, my 15 month old, how to communicate with me using sign language.

I figured why not, it can’t hurt to try a few and see how it goes. So I started teaching her the sign language for “more” while she ate by putting my fingers together (picture making a puppet with your fingers) and crashing them together while I said “more?”

This went on for about five days taking turns practicing “more” first I did it and then I put her two hands together in the same fashion and said more. I didn’t think it was working and/or that she understood what I was doing because she would just sit there and demand in her own way for more. So I forgot about it for a while and never really tried it out again until one night during dinner.

My husband and I decided on dining out one night and taking Ella along with us. Halfway through the meal after she was finished with a piece of bread she was munching on I said, “Ella do you want more?” right before my eyes she did the sign for “more” and I looked at my husband and he was just as speechless as I was! Since then, she’s been only using the sign for “more” whenever she really wanted more food or hugs, or even kisses which is great to see her do. We understand each other better without the need for unnecessary tantrums and tears until I can hear her sweet little voice when she finally learns to say “mommy I want more”. What’s next? The sign for “milk”.

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Fruitabu Organic Smooshed Fruit

Webmaster — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 20:27:00 GMT

Fruitabü Organic Smooshed Fruit

Fruitabü was generous enough to send us some of their USDA Organic fruit snacks. We received some fruit twirls which most moms are familiar with. We also got something called a Fruit Sploosher. The twirls are very tasty and all three boxes I got are gone. We went through grape, strawberry and apple. My son liked the apple the best. I was partial to the strawberry. They are a little tart but full of flavor. The sweetness comes just from the fruit itself and the juices that it is made from. Each twirl contains 1 serving of fruit. The Splooshers were a different story in my house. My daughter and youngest son did not appreciate the texture and refused to eat any more. My older son however, ate all of the strawberry Splooshers and wanted to know if we had any more. I tried the grape myself as it was sitting in the drawer looking very alone. It definitely has a texture that one will love or hate. It is very sweet and very grape-y for lack of a better word. I recommend the roll-ups hands down. Even the packaging is recycled. These folks are looking out for our kids and the planet at the same time. Splooshers are great for little kids who love the idea of squeezing things as it comes out like an ice pop from the store.

These can be found at major retailers around the region. They sell for right around $3.50 -$4.00. They are great for lunch boxes and any time you need a sweet but don’t want all the artificial stuff.

You know you're officially a parent when.... (part I)

Webmaster — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 20:22:00 GMT

Sarah Ludwig Rausch is a mom of four and a freelance writer. Sarah specializes in parenting, children’s health, agriculture and family issues and writes a blog, “Parenting By Trial and Error.” She’s written for The Christian Science Monitor, The Progressive Farmer, Farm Industry News, Singapore ’s parenting magazine Motherhood, and a variety of other publications.

You’re inexplicably thrilled beyond measure with the bargain deal you got on four huge bags stuffed with clothes at Kmart.

I never thought about this much, despite the many bargains I’ve discovered as a parent, until about a month ago when I arrived at the check-out stand with my overflowing cart.

The check-out girl was young, maybe in high school even. She scanned all my items while I looked on in barely concealed joy as each piece of clothing was rung up, thinking to myself thoughts such as, “Those pants were only $4! I am Awe. Some!”

“Wow, you got a great deal,” the clerk commented as I, filled with ridiculous elation, wrote out my check.

“I know,” I said smugly.

“Four bags of clothes for that price! Geez, I’m lucky to get one piece of clothing for that,” she said.

Oh yeah. I had forgotten all about the days when shopping at Kmart or other discount stores for clothes was a huge social faux paus (obviously this was when I could afford to buy my own).

I nodded. “I know, when I was your age I didn’t shop for clothes here either,” I told her. “It’s amazing how having kids changes your perspective. Especially when you have four of them to clothe.”

I left the store feeling weirdly old and a teeny bit flustered. What happened to the days when I paid full-price for a piece of clothing without thinking about it? When I saw a pair of sandals I wanted and didn’t wait until they were on sale, or better yet, clearance, before I bought them? I can’t even remember the last time this has happened. Probably before I had kids.

These days I have become quite the bargain shopper. It has turned almost into an addiction to see what I can find for how little. This is really embarrassing to admit because it makes me look really cheap, but I get quite testy if I have to pay over $10 for a pair of shoes. I guess it’s because I know I CAN get them for that price (or less) if I look hard enough. Our closets are filled with the fruit of my purchases, many of which are $5 or less.

It doesn’t make sense either. I’ll happily plop down $50 on a meal with my hubby at Red Lobster (3-1/2 hours away), but I’ll quibble internally with myself as to whether I should spend an extra $2 to get the shoes that don’t lace up. Yes, I know how crazy that sounds, but we all have our idiosyncracies, right? There are just some items we’re willing to spend more on than others.

Bargain shopping is practically a sport where I live, at least among my friends and me. We regale each other with tales of how much we saved on X item, point to our kids and say things like, “I only paid $4 for this dress!” and marvel over each other’s bargain hunting abilities. We trade secrets — “JCPenney has an extra 20% off their clearance clothing!” — and covet the great deals our friends found that we missed out on.

I don’t remember doing this as a teenager or young adult. In fact, it was the opposite. The more a person spent on something, the cooler she was.

So, one way you officially know you’re a parent is when bargain shopping becomes a hobby. Because, after all, you’re saving that extra money to put towards your kids’ braces/school/toys/college tuition, right? Of course you can probably get a bargain on those as well if you try hard enough . . .

Ways to have a positve first dental office experience with your child

Webmaster — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 01:44:00 GMT

Kathy Kastberg has been a Dental Hygienist for over 20 years, working for the last several years at Masci & Hale Advanced Aesthetic & Restorative Dentistry in Walden, NY

Good dental hygiene can avert problems later in life including digestive troubles from not chewing food properly. Begin at age three or once the child has all 20 baby teeth. Prior to their first visit it would be ideal to watch an older sibling or parent have a dental visit.

Parents should be prepared to wait in the waiting room for most of the session, which they are often reluctant to do. However, if there is a parent in the room, it often interferes with communication between the patient and the staff. Siblings can be in the room for emotional support. Staff carefully chooses their wording to be positive, a parent may say “it’s not going to hurt” planting the idea of "hurt", while staff might say “this is going to tickle” which sets a different mood. Also, kids are often better behaved outside of their parents’ care.

Teeth are counted and xrays are not necessary until age 5. Flouride polish is used for cleaning as is a fluoride treatment. Supplimental fluoride sources are discussed as some communities have fluoridated water and some pediatricians prescribe fluoride fortified vitamin suppliments. There are two types of flouride, each performing a different funcion; 1) Ingested is beneficial for forming teeth, and 2) Topical fluoride, toothpaste or rinse for present teeth.

Do not use topical flouride such as "Act" until age 6, ingesting topic fluoride can cause stomach upset. Overall Flouride is very safe and effective, having prevented so much decay, the incident of cavities is greatly decreased since it’s use. Sealants are recommended at the time that 6 year molars come in behind the last baby tooth, traditionally during1^st grade. A coating is placed on the pits and grooves of the biting surface. One concern parents express is the "sealing in" of existing bacteria, which is unwarranted. Bacteria is anaerobic and dies at the time the sealants are placed. This procedure has been in place for twenty years, but many parents are unfamiliar with it. Cost is approximately 30 per tooth for 4 six year molars and most are covered by insurance.. and it only takes 5 mins per tooth.

To read more on this topic check out Kathy’s previous blog…..

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October is Fire Prevention Month

Webmaster — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 01:28:00 GMT

By Jason H. Faso, Firefighter, FDNY for 18 years currently assigned to Rescue One, Volunteer Firefighter for 25 years.

Don’t cast aside all those papers sent home from school.

You are your child’s first teacher and you have knowledge of the unique hazards and features of your home. Kids are wide eyed at the fire apparatus, gear, etc when we visit schools and don’t pay as much attention at what is said.

I have seen some truly preventable situations occur. Among the most truthful tips these materials contain are: 1) Sleep with doors closed, they do provide a “fire break” and keep a remarkable bit of smoke out. 2) Don’t take time to look for or return to the house for pets under any circumstance. As harsh as it sounds, their lungs are smaller and more susceptible to suffocation and it is often too late anyway. 3) Tot Finders are valuable, firefighters do use them, it is the first thing that a chief directs his men toward in a night fire. If you have a special needs child there are special stickers available to you as well. 4) Never feel that your emengency isn’t serious enough or fire large enough to warrant a call to 911, you will not be made to feel that you are a bother or be charged for emergency service… What may appear small, may be a larger hidden problem in walls, attics and other voids or grow rapidly.

Additional things to consider are:

- Any heat generating appliance likely to cause a fire if it malfunctions should be evaluated. Remember that fire burns up, so a boiler fire in your basement may ultimately block your hallway. Have a separate escape plan should common doors be blocked by the fire.

- Keep bushes away from windows to make access easier. Beds under windows are not ideal, as firefighters break windows to gain access and also ventilate smoke and the glass will fall on the bedding or child, as will a firefighter gaining entry.

- Keep boiler room clean and combustables at least three feet away.

- Smoke detectors are valuable because humans don’t wake to smell (like dogs do) humans will only wake to the noise. It is not uncommon for firemen to arrive and not hear smoke detectors. Apartment dwellers don’t abdicate your safety to your landlord, invest in your safety and change those batteries yourself.

- Fireplaces – don’t put ash buckets on wooden decks – place far away from house. Don’t place ashes in plastic recepticles, as the composition of plastic is now very combustable. Coals from a fireplace can stay hot when insulated by the ash for several days.

- Hardwired dectectors are not life long appliances, they should be totally changed over every ten years. Don’t forget to change the the batteries on any non-hardwired smoke or CO (Carbon Monoxide) Detectors in your home when we change the clocks later this month.

- If you can’t get out, have an interior meeting place where you can close the door and open a window.

- Away from home, do take note of the escape route, etc…pay attention to your surroundings during the daylight hours so that you are not caught off guard in the dark of night.

- Drill in your own home… blindfolded, that is what it feels like in a fire with the power off or thick smoke, people do get lost in their own homes.

- A lot of people are found close to the door… Interior keyed locks are dangerous unless you keep the key in the lock!

Have a safe and happy fall and holiday season, always monitor heat generating appliances, food on the stove and candles!

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Fireman Sam to the Rescue! DVD to make learning fire safety fun for your child

Prepare yourself & your child for college

Webmaster — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:53:00 GMT

by Sharon MacGregor

Preparing your child for college? Your child will have probably taken the PSAT, Regents exams, SATs or ACTs, filled out applications and written essays with the hopes of being accepted to the school of their choice. The two of you will tour campuses and attend open houses to make sure you are happy with the colleges you are considering. As a parent, you may struggle to stay focused on the tasks at hand, because after all, one of your babies is temporarily leaving the nest and venturing out into the world without your direct supervision and guidance. Are you both emotionally ready? Take a deep breath.

In a way, you have been preparing for this moment since you child was little. Pre-school and play dates were the foundation for social interaction with others. Think of the first you’re your little one rode the great big school bus away from you. Elementary school also taught your child to go to the nurse’s office when they do not feel well, how to work with a group and how to find others with similar interests outside of the classroom. Junior high provided your child with a bit more freedom and at the same time more responsibility. No longer was the teacher checking to make sure assignments were packed up in back packs, classes were scheduled with a guidance counselor and electives were decided on as well. Socially, your child is probably spending more time away from you either through sleepovers, attending school sporting events or other activities. Though peer pressure was present through all phases to date, it can be most difficult in high school. Add in the stressful milestone of driving a car…take a deep breath again.

When you realize how far your child has already grown away from you and accept that it is just physical distance that will separate you now, you may feel some comfort knowing you have provided a strong base for them to continue their growth. It is your child’s job to become successfully independent and sending them off to college is an admirable beginning.

On the practical side, make arrangements for where and how your child may receive emergency medical care. Will your child be responsible to carry their own insurance card? How will your child access emergency cash or credit? Will you be sending care packages of snack foods, “beauty products” such as shampoo, deodorant or razors or will your child have a way to shop for these items on their own?

Yes, it will probably be emotional for you to leave your child at school. And though they may be excited about their next adventure, it will be for your child as well. To make the transition easier for you, establish times you will talk to your child via telephone, text or email. Set up a few dates when you will visit each other. Generally colleges have parent’s days and if your child is fairly local they may decide to come home one weekend per month or some other schedule. Remember all of the milestones your child has already reached and know this next step will be met with lifelong proof of success! Don’t forget to take a deep breath.

Who says children don't come with directions! (Part IV)

Webmaster — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:46:00 GMT

Patricia S. Phelan runs The Law Office of Patricia S. Phelan - a practice dedicated exclusively to the field of special education law and advocacy. Ms. Phelan has been practicing law for eighteen years and is an experienced litigator as well as a parent of a child with a disability. For guidance about your child's rights under the law, please contact Ms. Phelan by email at PSPESQ@aol.com or telephone at 845-398-3273. For more information about The Law Office of Patricia S. Phelan, go to http://www.phelanspecialedlaw.com/.

PART FOUR

Who Says Children Don’t Come With Directions!

The first day of school is approaching. Knowing that a teacher will be working with your child with special needs for the first time can be unsettling. Will they know how to address her needs? How much do you tell them about your child so that they know how to support her, but are not turned off from working with her? How do you protect your child, without looking like a neurotic parent? How do you make constructive suggestions, without sounding like you question the teacher’s ability or professionalism?

Don’t give up. You will get through this.

As a parent of a child with PDD-NOS, an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), I imagine like many of you I approach my child’s novel experiences with great apprehension. While so many of my friends look forward to the summer, my husband and I struggle with the constant fact that the change in routine and lack of structure are always a challenge for our child.

We have learned over the years, through the benefit of some wonderful professionals as well as trial and error, that certain strategies can be helpful for our children with disabilities to minimize the stress of new transitions.

Based upon my personal and professional experience as a special education attorney, I routinely suggest to my clients that it is a good practice to learn those strategies which can help your child. Once you understand how to help your child, you can convey these strategies to those working with your child.

Create an Instruction Manual

In order to “summarize” your child’s strengths and needs, it is helpful to give professionals working with your child a copy of the PLOP list you created as we discussed in an earlier Part of this Series. This gives the teachers, counselors, etc. an overview of what strengths and needs they can expect from your child.

Critical to your child’s “instruction manual” is also a summary of helpful strategies which people working with your child should use. Show this to professionals before they begin working with your child. In addition to school personnel, these professionals may also include summer camp counselors, people supervising after school activities and childcare workers.

One format I have found helpful in my practice as well as my personal life is: Mark your page with 3 columns (this can easily be created as a “table” in Microsoft Word. The first column lists the problematic or maladaptive behavior your child is likely to display. The second and middle column shows an example of the behavior. Finally, the third and farthest column to the right lists the strategy recommended to deal with the behavior of concern.

I recommend keeping a running tally of this information. Each year, update your entries by adding them in a different color. Hand in this instruction manual at IEP meetings, the beginning of the school year, or the first time anybody new is working with your child.

In my experience, professionals have been appreciative of this valuable, heads-up insight.

Instruction Manual for your Child on the Spectrum

A large part of my practice deals with helping children with ASDs. While nothing serves as a substitute for individual advice from the professionals guiding you and your child, there are a number of strategies suggested below which tend to help many children with an ASD. They are incorporated into a letter written by Jene Aviram which I recently read on the Natural Learning Concepts web site.

If you are a parent of a child with an ASD, consider filling in the blanks and sending in this letter as an instruction manual for your child. If you are an educator, consider implementing these strategies with children with an ASD.

To:________________________________

Thank you for assisting my child. Here are ten points you might find helpful about children on the autism spectrum.

1. Where did he go?

A group of children are all peering into the duck pond while the leader explains their habitat. The counselor looks down at the child she’s been assigned to. Horrified, she notices that he has disappeared. “Where did he go?” she thinks in a wild panic as she races off to find him.

Children on the autism spectrum are easily distracted. If something grabs their attention, their instinct is to check it out. It’s a good idea to remind children on the spectrum that it’s important to stay with the group. Even so, make sure to keep a consistent check on their whereabouts to make sure they are safe.

I would also like to add some extra information about my child:

2. Participation

All the children are happily working on an art project EXCEPT for the child on the autism spectrum. The paraprofessional is trying everything she can to motivate the child and is practically gluing, pasting and coloring with her hand over the child’s hand. The child is still protesting and the paraprofessional feels uneasy. “Should I insist he does this or should I let him off the hook?” She wonders to herself.

Children on the autism spectrum often have different interests to typical kids. While it’s perfectly fine for kids to have their preferences, there are many kids on the autism spectrum who would never participate in activities given the choice. As you can imagine, never participating in life doesn’t hold a very promising outcome. On the other hand, we certainly don’t want to cause undue stress in a child. We do our best to find a balance and a compromise.

Children on the autism spectrum appreciate structure. They might be more willing to do the activity if they know exactly what’s expected of them and when it’s going to end. A couple of strategies that might work are telling the child that he has to do six things in the activity and then he’s done. Make sure you count them down as he does them. Another strategy is to show them the clock or use a timer. Let them know that when the little hand reaches the 3 on the clock, the activity is over and then it’s time for snack. A third idea is to draw a small schedule of the activity. Example, you could draw a scissors, glue, crayons and then the word DONE. Explain the schedule to them in as few words as possible and assist them if needed.

I would also like to add some extra information about my child:

3. Privacy

The children are all excited because it’s time to go swimming. The instructor is explaining the rules and telling the kids where the changing rooms are. Out of the corner of his eye, he is shocked to see that the child on the autism spectrum has already started undressing and is practically naked.

Children on the autism spectrum are not always aware of privacy rules. Sometimes they’re expected to undress in group situations (such as in gym class) and other times, he’s supposed to do this in privacy. It’s all very confusing to the autism spectrum kid. It’s a good idea to let the child know beforehand where the bathrooms are and where he should dress and undress. Explain very clearly where this designated area is and who he should call if he needs help.

I would also like to add some extra information about my child:

4. Turn taking

The children are bowling and the child on the autism spectrum is thrilled. This is his favorite game! There’s just one problem. He is so excited, he can’t wait his turn. He keeps grabbing the ball and knocking down the pins. The other kids are getting really upset and the assistant isn’t sure how to handle it.

Turn taking is a difficult concept for those on the autism spectrum. They will likely need frequent reminders about waiting their turn. A couple of strategies that might work are to use the “Pass the token” method. Get an object, for example a token and direct the children to pass the token to the next child when their turn is finished. When they get the token, they know it’s their turn. Explain this clearly to the child on the spectrum and if he jumps ahead of the line, gently remind him by asking “Do you have the token? When you get it, then it’s your turn.” Another strategy you could try is to help him pay attention to the child before him. You could say something like “This is John. Wait for John to have his turn. You go right after him.”

I would also like to add some extra information about my child:

5. Meltdowns

Without any apparent reason, the child on the autism spectrum throws his things off the table and starts having a screaming fit. The teacher is stunned. She races to him to find out what happened but doesn’t seem able to console him. In a desperate attempt, she tries everything possible to calm him down.

Children on the autism spectrum have difficulty expressing themselves. When it’s all bottled up inside, the result might be an outburst when you least expect it. While each child is different there are some commonalities that cause stress in those with autism. Environmental factors affect their sensory system and they are often unable to tune out information such as noise, smells, textures and things such as flickering lights. If the child next to him is constantly tapping his feet, it might be as simple as to move him to another table. Not knowing what lies ahead can be very stressful to a child on the autism spectrum. An overload of stress often results in a meltdown. You will be doing a great service if you write a schedule for the day and put it on the board or a flip chart that’s always in view. This strategy will benefit others too, as all kids thrive on structure. The schedule needn’t contain small details but rather give an overview of the day. An example would be:

Today is Pirate Day

9:00 Greetings

10:00 Paint a pirate

11:00 Snack

12:00 Treasure Hunt

1:00 Lunch

2:00 Splashing for Diamonds

3:00 Home time

I would also like to add some extra information about my child:

6. Can you repeat that?

“Everyone listen up! You have two minutes to finish decorating your shells. Take them to ledge to dry. Then put your left over beads in the red box and make sure you put all your crayons in the yellow box. When you’ve finished cleaning up, line up to go outside.” A few minutes later, the kids are almost done except for the autism spectrum kid who’s still sitting at the table with his shell and belongings scattered about.

Children on the autism spectrum can find it difficult to follow long verbal instructions. In addition, they typically don’t ask the instructor or a peer for clarification. This may result in the child following part of your instructions or becoming immobilized and doing nothing at all. It’s important to understand the child is not being disobedient, he simply didn’t understand what to do. Call him over to the side where there are fewer distractions and try and explain yourself in as few words as possible. An example would be to say “I need you to do four things.

1. Take your shell to the ledge

2. Put your beads in the red box

3. Put your crayons in the yellow box

4. Line up

To make sure he understood, you can ask him to repeat it by saying “You’re going to take your shell to the ledge and then…” allow him to complete the sentence. Continue by saying “and then…” Once the child has run through all four steps, say “Great. Go and do that now.”

I would also like to add some extra information about my child:

7. Social awareness

Its break time and the children are having fun. The children are playing and laughing together. They’ve made up a game and are all participating. The child on the autism spectrum child seems eager to join in but stands on the sidelines. Then he turns around, sits down and happily occupies himself, ignoring everyone around him. The aide wants to do the right thing and is faced with the decision of trying to get him to join in or allow him to remain alone.

The social world is a mystery to children on the autism spectrum. We all tend to shy away from situations we feel uncomfortable in. Kids on the autism spectrum need a lot of encouragement and assistance in social interactions. Help the child interact wherever possible. If the child needs the glue, tell him to ask another child to pass it to him. Find another kid who is kind and tolerant and pair them up whenever possible. Children on the autism spectrum have many capabilities and strengths. Find out what these are and then engage the other children for help. For example you could say “Gordon has an excellent memory and is really good at math. He can help us with things like that and we can help him learn to play Toss-Across.”

I would also like to add some extra information about my child:

8. Poor motor skills

“Snack time is over” calls out the camp counselor. “It’s time to clean up.” He scans the tables and notices that the autism spectrum child looks very frustrated. He hasn’t even started eating his snack. Walking over to him, he realizes the child is unable to open his water bottle or his sandwich container which is snapped firmly closed. “Do you need help?” he asks. The child looks at the counselor with relief as he hands him his snack.

Fine motor skills can be challenging to those on the autism spectrum. Zippers, buttons, closing and opening items, writing and tasks requiring detailed motor coordination may not be within the child’s capability. Similarly, gross motor activities requiring coordination, such as various types of sport can be difficult for a child with autism. We’re all familiar with the feeling of incompetence and it doesn’t feel good! These are the times we need gentle encouragement. Help the child feel successful by starting the action and allowing the child to complete it. As an example, you could loosen the snack container and let the child take it off. During gross motor activities such as sport, allow for some extra concessions. For example, if the kids are playing t-ball, help the child bat or allow him to run to the next base even if he strikes out.

I would also like to add some extra information about my child:

9. Attention

The teacher is reading a story to the class. The kids are enjoying it thoroughly but the child with autism isn’t paying any attention. She doesn’t want him to miss out on the story, so she calls his name and asks him to listen. He does for a moment but then continues to stare out the window. She tries to talk to him about it later but he avoids her gaze and doesn’t respond.

Children on the autism spectrum have poor attending skills but excellent attendance. That’s right. It often looks like they’re not taking anything in but nothing could be further from the truth. They typically hear everything! Never make the mistake of talking about them from across the hall. They’re bound to hear you and their feelings will be very hurt. However, when it comes to activities they’re not interested in, they often have a short attention span. They might concentrate for a few minutes and then require a break or a schedule to get back on track. It’s a good idea to break activities down into small steps if they having trouble completing a task.

I would also like to add some extra information about my child:

10. Strange Behaviors

The child on the autism spectrum flicks his fingers through the air, makes a fist and bangs his knee. He does it again and again. The camp counselor watches in fascination and wonders if she should stop him. Later she notices that he makes a strange noise every time he stands up. Then she observes that he keeps asking questions he knows the answers to. “Why does he do this?” she asks herself.

Children on the autism spectrum often have behaviors we don’t understand. The child does not do these behaviors to be disruptive, but simply because he feels a need to do them. Compare it to the compelling behavior many of us have of biting one’s nails, twirling one’s hair or cracking one’s knuckles. While we might be confused by their behavior, they are often equally confused by our rules and expectations. Children on the autism spectrum are unique and they all have different behaviors.

I would also like to add some extra information about my child:

Thank you for your dedication in helping my child this summer. My child might stand apart from other kids but just like everyone else, he wants to be loved and accepted for who he is. Your kind and caring attitude will make a big difference in his life - and mine! We are very grateful. Thank you!

- By Jene Aviram

It can be accessed at http://www.nlconcepts.com/autism-summerstress.htm

For guidance on how to determine what strategies might be appropriate for your child with an ASD, you should consult the professional(s) working directly with you. I have also found the book Autism in your Classroom: A General Educator’s Guide to Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders, by Deborah Fein, Ph.D. & Michelle A. Dunn, Ph.D. to be a valuable resource. I strongly recommend it for any educator or parent concerned with educating a child with ASD.

For additional resources, including helpful books and links to other web sites, I encourage you to access my web site at www.phelanspecialedlaw.com.

You don't use it you lose it.

Webmaster — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 22:09:00 GMT

Lana Privitera is the proud Mom of a fun-loving, bilingual "chatterboy" that likes to spice his speeches in English with long-winded Spanish words. Her goal for 2008 is to pack also some French and Italian in his very expandable 3.5 year old brain. Lana still qualifies as a SAHM but uses her "spare" time working as a watercolor artist and Spanish/art teacher

Nickey started school last month and I went back to College. Major changes in our

lives, obviously. Is our Spanish interaction suffering? Definitely YES. Big time.

After packing 80 pages of General PSY (in English) inside my old brain and writing

an average of 3,000 words in English a week, my Spanish doesn’t come out

spontaneously and I keep forgetting to switch languages when addressing Nickey.

I’ve already noticed a subtle decline in his fluency. He doesn’t speak Spanish to me

now unless I prompt him. His grammar is getting all messed up too.

So I guess I’m going to have to make more of an effort from now on. I don’t want him

to end up losing it all.

My daughter keeps me young

Webmaster — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 12:31:00 GMT

by Nancy Phelps

When I was 12 I knew I was going to grow up and have 6 children. It wasn’t my plan, it was just my destiny…or so I thought. Maybe I should have taken more time to actually work on a plan. The plan, most likely, would have included giving birth to my first child before I turned 35.

Well, with no plan in place, my actual destiny took over. I had my first, and only, child when I was 36. Even then I didn’t see the writing on the wall. I had always heard of the dreaded clock, but I wasn’t worried. As far as I was concerned I was still young. Heck, I was even able too get back into my pre-pregnancy weight before my child’s first birthday. It was the clock that no one tells you about that really fouled up my idea of having the 6 kids. You know, the clock that speeds up time after you have a child. All of the sudden the day is gone and you have not accomplished anything. You know, the clock that makes you turn 40 before you can even get dinner on the table. It was that clock that goofed up my plans.

I remember once when my daughter was about two my brother came to visit and I told him I was tired. He looked at me with a strange look in his eyes and said, “Just wait, you’ll see.”

“What?” I asked incredulously.

My brother, who was 38 when he had his first child, answered “It’s tough to have a child when you are old.”

Old? Was I old? I was only 36 years older than my daughter. How was I supposed to know that that meant I would not be able to sit cross-legged with her on the floor, or that I would have more in common with the grandparents of her play dates, or that she would tuck me in most nights by the time she was nine years old.

I learned that having a child IS hard when you are old. You do get tired, but I had some things at age 36 that I did not have when I was young. They were, patience, experience, wisdom, maturity, and a better understanding of the human animal. I was also able to quit my job and savor every moment of my child’s early years.

I think being an older parent makes me better prepared to step back from my daughter’s life and let her make her own decisions. I see myself as more of her guide than her leader. I had many of life’s experiences long before my daughter was born and I think this has made me more willing to let her make her own mistakes.

Today, my daughter is 14 and I that makes me 50 if you do the math. She started High School this year and I told her she was on her own in the morning. She has to get herself up because I just can’t do it. She doesn’t mind because she knows she can stay up as late as she wants since I am asleep long before she hits the hay. I don’t think she minds that I am old, but she hates that I have let my hair go gray. I don’s know if that is because she just doesn’t like what it looks like, or if it just isn’t cool to have a mother with gray hair.

Recently my daughter came home from a friend’s house laughing hysterically. Apparently, while playing Trivia Pursuit, she got a question that started out: “Back in the 70s when your grandparents were kids…” She thought this was funny. Well, I was a kid in the 70s and I’m not her grandparent I’m her mother. As far as I am concerned I am still a kid, and that’s easy because my daughter keeps me young.

Should this be so hard?

Webmaster — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 01:35:00 GMT

by Jennifer Wiegert

I'm having a meltdown a minute. The fist sign was the extreme moodiness. The second sign was the sleeplessness and restlessness. The third sign (and this is a big one) was baking and EATING almost a FULL tray of brownies. (They did taste good, but I felt pretty bad about it!) Initially I didn't see all the signs and put it together. Today I went to work to pick up some things and I was literally shaking. These CAN'T be good reactions to going back to work!

In less than 3 weeks I have to return to work. I'm looking forward to the money and I love my job! I'm COMPLETLY freaking out about leaving Babyface. I don't know how moms do it. Especially the mom's who have to go back to work after 12 weeks. I've had 7 months and I don't know if it's enough. I never pictured myself facing this dilemma as I've always maintained the idea that I'm working girl and not a stay-at-home-mom.

Will Babyface resent me for working? Will she miss me as much as I'll miss her? Will I resent Husband? Will I be a better teacher now that I'm a parent? Am I off the career track? Have I lost my pace? Will I miss out on developmental milestones? Will I resent the person who witnesses them before me? Can I balance work and a baby? Is there room and patience enough in my life for both? When I go back to work will I be more like I was before the baby? Will I like or recognize that person? Should this be so hard?

Jennifer

My name is Jennifer Wiegert. First and foremost, I am mother to Julia, age 2 1/2 and JoeJoe, age 11 months. I’ve been married to my college sweetheart, Joseph for five years. Currently, I have been a stay-at-home mom for the past year. This position will come to an end when I return to teaching in December. Since I have been home, I created a class for toddlers called Lil’ Tots. It’s a class that creates a fun educational experience for toddlers through reading, crafts, and movement activities. In my spare time (when I can find some) I enjoy photography and writing. I even tried (unsuccessfully) to have a children’s book published.

I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from SUNY College at Buffalo. I earned my Master’s Degree through an on-line program at Lesley University in Technology in Education. By trade, I am an elementary school teacher. I always knew that I wanted to be a teacher and figured it was what I was meant to do because it came so naturally. That is, until I had children and I realized that they are the reason for my being. I absolutely love being a mom and it is my greatest achievement!

Do you have concerns about your child's development?

Webmaster — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 17:56:00 GMT

by Donna Greco, Pediatric Physical Therapist

Identifying Developmental Delays in Children

OK, Show of hands. How many moms out there have had concerns about their child’s development? Perhaps your child never crawled, was a late walker, or was simply slower to reach milestones than other children. How many took steps to do something about it? You may have found that it took some serious work to find answers to your questions, and it can become a grueling process, following a twisting and spinning course before discovering what the problem may be, whether or not your concerns are valid, or if there is a problem at all. But if you have some background information to help you along, it may make the path to discovery a little more direct and a little less stressful.

Before we get started it is important to remember that physical development varies from one child to the next, and some children naturally take longer to reach milestones than others. Often a child’s body type is a factor, as some babies are slightly heavier and have a little more trouble moving against gravity. Some babies have long torsos and do not have the strength to lift up into crawling position. Some are simply complacent and have little desire to get moving. These babies are not necessarily delayed; they just need a little extra help that moms can easily provide through play. The problem arises when the natural developmental process is not occurring on its own and becomes overdue, placing the child at risk for further difficulties down the line. Often Moms are the first to notice when their child appears different, or is not doing the same things as other like-aged children. Or perhaps a mother may notice that a younger child is doing more than her child and she may raise an eyebrow, wondering if she should be concerned. When is it suitable to voice a concern? And what should Moms do when concerns arise? Getting your doctor to listen, to take your concerns seriously or to admit there is something amiss can be more of a challenge than you may be ready for. Often mothers voice concerns to their pediatricians, and are told that the child is “fine” and “not to worry”. Mothers often report that their pediatricians disregard their concerns; attempting instead to reassure them, rather than take the Mom seriously. When it is very obvious to you or your family that there is a problem do not allow your concerns to be ignored or discounted. The sooner your child is identified and on the road to reaching milestones, the better the chance of full recovery. Mothers with multiple children are much quicker to pick up on developmental delays, as their experience provides them with a scorecard for comparisons. New moms are more likely to take the advice to “wait and see”, putting their child at risk for further delays by postponing a referral to a professional pediatric therapist for an evaluation. Maybe the child needs a little more time, but it is often better to be safe than sorry. Delaying services comes at a cost, and it is the child who pays the price, especially when the family is not willing to admit there is a problem that needs to be addressed. When a child demonstrates a significant developmental delay, it is important to initiate therapies as soon as possible to prevent further setbacks and help the child get on track. Is your child meeting developmental milestones? Take a good hard look, get past the pain of reality and get your child the help he or she needs. If the child qualifies for services, he will definitely get what he needs from a trained professional. If not, there are things you can do to help him along, and you don’t have to be a therapist to perform simple play activities to help your child’s physical development. But first, before deciding whether there is a developmental delay, let’s understand normal physical development by gaining a bit of background knowledge about a child’s developmental process so that moms are better equipped to make informed choices for their children.

In the next series of articles I will describe, in simple terms, the process of normal development and give you some tips on what to look for in different ages and stages of a baby’s physical development. I will include tips on simple activities you can do to encourage the sequence of physical development for your baby and I will provide red flags that may reveal a problem that may need further assessment by a pediatric therapist. We will begin with an infant at age 0-3 months, and introduce important developmental milestones to look for in each 3 month increments in the first 12 months. Understanding the normal sequence of development will help you determine if your concerns are valid and help you find the right path to addressing the issue promptly.

Donna Greco is a physical therapist who has worked with the pediatric population for over 15 years. She received her Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy from Chapman University of Southern California. Her clinical experience includes a specialist position at the Shriner’s Hospital for Children in Los Angeles. She has presented lectures on many therapy related topics to special education teachers, parents, doctors, therapists and other health professionals to teach therapeutic principles and to help improve awareness of children with special needs. She is currently working with infants and toddlers through the Ulster County Early Intervention Program.

Music for Life, special needs kids and seniors both benefit

Webmaster — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 17:04:00 GMT

by Judith Muir

A remarkable new music program is benefiting children and adults with autism in Dutchess County, NY. Called the Music for Life Program, it gets participants to sing with seniors at Green Briar Adult Home in Millbrook, providing therapeutic as well as musical benefits for both participants and the residents of the home.

The program is run by Peter Muir Ph.D., Director of Center for Personal Development through Music in Verbank, a music center which pioneers this kind of therapeutic approach to music-making. The music outreaches are not like a regular concert performance, but are very informal, with participants and residents closely interacting through the music, often one-on-one. Because of this, the program, which has been running since January 2004, was at first controversial. “People kept telling me that it just wasn’t possible for those with autism to interact as closely as this kind of program requires,” says Dr. Muir. “However, what they hadn’t figured on was that music-making, particularly in the way we approach it, helps those with communication challenges feel safe and far more ready to communicate and socialize than in normal day-to-day situations.”

And, indeed, that is what happens. Donna Zuckermann, mother of program participant Dan, a teenager with Asperger’s Syndrome, believes that the program is the only time her son interacts with people he doesn’t know well. “It just seems so easy for him in that situation,” she says. Another participant is eight-year-old Niklas Watkins who suffers from Fragile X Syndrome, a leading cause of autism. His mother Amy is impressed with his response to the music outreaches: “they allow him to push past social and environmental issues of presenting in public,” she says.

The program is popular with the participants. “I learn lots of interesting songs,” says Michael Beck, 15, who also has Asperger’s, and his father Tom adds: “Michael has a wonderful time. He always looks forward to singing with the seniors.” And just as the participants like singing with the seniors, the seniors love the music and the interaction. “Our residents love the Music for Life Programs,” says Ellen Riccardi, activities director at Green Briar, “it helps stimulate them and encourages them to be active.” Course participant Dan Zuckermann agrees: “It makes them happier. Any time we go, they’re singing along and eager to get up and dance.”

The Music for Life approach is based on the work of John Diamond M.D. Dr. Diamond, a pioneer in the field of holistic medicine, is the world’s leading authority in using music and health modality. Program director Peter Muir has been associated with Dr. Diamond’s work for sixteen years. “It is unique,” he says. “Dr. Diamond has developed a whole new approach with music that is easily accessible for those with special needs and has tremendous benefits for all concerned. And what’s more it’s for everyone. You don’t need to be an experienced or skillful singer to take part. I feel privileged to be among the first implementing this new approach.”

One of the most exciting aspects of the Music for Life Program is that the benefits are not just musical. Indeed, the idea is that the ease of social contact facilitated by the music-making can be generalized into regular communication. This in turn can lead to a marked lessening of the autism. For instance, program participant Kevin Leonard has improved remarkably as a result of the music-making, according to his father Peter, a professor at Vassar College. “Since doing the Music for Life Program, he has become a happier person. He talks more--and eats less!”

The program is currently jointly funded by Autism Directory Services and the Life Energy Foundation. This funding has meant the financial burden to the participants has been minimized. CPD Music, which is running the program till mid-June, plans to restart it in the fall on an expanded basis.

For more information on Music for Life Programs, check out the website of CPD Music: www.cpdmusic.com.

Do you know someone who might like to join the program? If so, contact the program director Dr. Peter Muir on (845) 677-5871.

Dining out with kids got easier

Webmaster — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 13:20:00 GMT

by Leah Black, Editor

We all know how trying it can be to take the kids out for a meal at a restaurant. For Terrence and me, our number one rule is “get in and get out.” The key is to eat our meals fairly quickly before Liam gets antsy and starts to meltdown. There’s nothing worse than trying to keep an active toddler occupied while you’re waiting for your food to come out. This doesn’t do much for digestion, but the strategy has worked for us so far.

To be honest, we’re very lucky. Liam has never thrown a huge tantrum or thrown his food at other patrons (he’s only 20 months old and I know there’s still time for that!). For the most part he’s very well behaved when we dine out. Sitting still for more than five minutes is the challenge, however. The boy does love to explore. It doesn’t take long before he’s demanding to get out of his seat and check out other people in the restaurant.

Usually this means that Terrence and I don’t eat together. I eat my meal first – and quickly at that – while he walks around with Liam. Then we trade off duties so that he eats while I keep Liam entertained.

While we don’t dine out very often, we do want to bring Liam along. I think it’s important for him to learn manners and how to behave in a social setting, even at his young age.

Finding restaurants that are geared toward families makes dining out easier and more relaxing for mom and dad. The three of us once had lunch at the Village Tea Room in New Paltz. It is the ultimate in family-friendly. The small restaurant has a great kids area with a chalkboard on the wall, kid-sized table and chairs, and crayons and paper for drawing. Liam happily busied himself while we waited for our food at the next table.

There are only a few items on the children’s menu, but they are wholesome, organic foods – a far cry from the fried chicken nuggets and fries you find on most kids menus.

Better yet, the bathroom not only has a diaper changing station, but it has free diapers and wipes for parents who forgot them or ran out!

Of course, not every restaurant makes dining out with kids this easy. Some don’t have highchairs or booster seats. Many don’t have a kids menu. And a majority don’t have a diaper changing station in the restroom.

But how do you know which restaurants are more family-friendly than others? Hudson Valley Parent has made the search a lot easier. We’ve created the only restaurant guide in the Hudson Valley just for families. Check out our restaurant guide at www.hvparent.com and you’ll find a list of dining establishments with highchairs and booster seats, children’s menus and diaper changing stations. You will also get all the details on the type of food offered (Italian, Thai, Mexican, etc.) and a description of the restaurant, so you know what to expect when you get there. Several even have full reviews to give you a more in-depth look at each restaurant.

So, the next time you decide to head out to a restaurant with your family, check out out new guide at www.hvparent.com first!