STRIVE Family Newsletter
Spring-Summer 2016
Dates to Remember:
- Friday, May 20th - STRIVE Family Fun Night and Parent Workshop: 6:00-8:00 pm at Patterson Mill Middle School
- Friday, May 27th - Elementary Early Dismissal
- Wednesday, June 15th - Last Day of School
- Wednesday, June 29th - Camp-I-Can Begins
- Tuesday, July 5th - ESY Begins
This event is designed to let individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder
get acclimated to the sights, sounds, and smells of a dental visit with the goal to promote a positive experience for future dental visits.
Register for a chance to be awarded up to five tickets to Autism Awareness Night with the Aberdeen Ironbirds! - See more at: http://www.pathfindersforautism.org/news/view/403#sthash.ZwNusl57.dpuf
SENSORY FRIENDLY FILMS
8141 Honeygo Blvd. White Marsh, MD 21236
(410)933-9428
http://www.amctheatres.com/SFF/
Saturday films start at 10:00 am and Tuesday films start at 7:00 pm
- Saturday, 5/28 - Alice Through the Looking Glass
- Saturday, 6/11 - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows
- Tuesday, 6/14 - X-Men Apocalypse
- Saturday, 6/25 - Finding Dory
- Saturday, 7/9 - The Secret Life of Pets
- Tuesday, 7/12 - The BFG
Family Accessibility Night
Library Accessibility Night is an opportunity for families with diverse needs, abilities and behaviors to use the library after hours and socialize with other similarly diverse families. There will be a story time, geared toward children at 5:45 pm, though all are welcome.
Friday, May 20, 2016
5:15 PM - 6:30 PM
Abingdon Library - Public Area
Autism Speaks - Family Services
Supporting Families Today
Autism Response Team (ART) Coordinators respond to family inquires/requests by phone 888-AUTISM2 (288-4762) and email familyservices@autismspeaks.org. Find out more about the national Autism Speaks Family Services programs which include:
· 100 Day Kit - for newly diagnosed families
· Manual de los 100 Dias- 100 Day Kit in Spanish
· School Community Toolkit - A tool kit to assist members of the school community in understanding and supporting students with autism
· Autism Video Glossary - visual dictionary of autism terms
· Family Services Resource Guide - sortable database of local service providers
· Resource Library - list of books, publications, videos, and multi-media references
· Autism Speaks Baker Summer Camp Program will select eligible Camps to identify qualified campers and will offer up to $5000 in scholarship funds for financially disadvantaged campers with Autism Spectrum Disorders to attend summer camp.
- See more at: http://communities.autismspeaks.org/site/c.ihLPK1PDLoF/b.7512493/k.B716/Maryland_Resources.htm#sthash.aZUMlYvI.dpuf
Planning a Fun and Safe Summer for Kids with Autism
Summer is officially here and along with the joy of concluding another school year, comes the challenge of navigating so many unscheduled, unpredictable and unexpected elements of the season.
Here are some helpful tips for planning your family’s summer activities that we hope will help create more fun and reduce the stress:
Maintain Some Structure
Try to maintain your child’s typical eating and sleeping schedule as much as possible. It’s not easy to stick to a schedule during summer, especially as this is a time when you want to let go a bit and relax. If you can maintain the basic structure of your child’s routine, you are less likely to have an overwhelmed child and the disruptive behavior that results.
Theme Park Programs
Visiting theme parks is a summertime family favorite but it also can bring a host of challenges for any child on the spectrum. Many parks offer Ride Accessibility Programs or Fast Pass programs for individuals with disabilities. If this is not an option for your family, there are other strategies such as planning your route ahead of time, splitting up (one parent goes with one child to an attraction while the other parent goes with another child to a different one), and bringing noise cancelling headphones to give your child a sensory break, etc.
Prepare in Advance
Travel requires specific preparation for children on the spectrum. It is important to familiarize your child ahead of time with the destination using photographs, videos etc. If your child has never flown or stayed in a hotel before, practicing these on a small scale (a one-hour flight first and a one-night stay at a local hotel are a really good idea).
Travel Safety
It is really important to understand a lot about where you will be staying during your vacation and the level of security of those locations. For example, if you are renting an apartment or home, it is critical that you check that each door has a lock and that the perimeter of the house is secure. Check whether your child can exit the location unassisted and be aware of what you need to do to secure the premises.
It Takes a Village
While vacationing, introduce your family. Families who share with those around them, (especially in unfamiliar places like vacation destinations) about their child’s special needs tend to experience a more accommodating and supportive community. Helping others understand how they can help, can make your experience more relaxed and enjoyable.
Get Support From Your Team
Remember to use what works for your child while planning your family’s activities. If you are working with an ABA provider, ask for assistance with goals that support a specific outing or trip.
Here are some additional resources to help make your season great for the whole family:
- Autism Speaks:
- National Autism Society: Big Red Safety Toolkit – to prevent wandering
- Pathfinders for Autism: Parent Tips: Summer Camp
Watch our Parent Video: Summer Activities for Kids with Autism in Your Community
Source: http://autismtherapies.com/blog/planning-a-fun-and-safe-summer-for-kids-with-autism/