March 2008
| Welcome to Imagine a Child's Capacity's e-newsletter |
We will send this out to our clients, partners and supporters monthly so that you are consistently updated on new programs, special events, free parent trainings, etc. Please feel free to forward this newsletter on to anyone you feel might be interested!
In this issue:
Program Updates
Events
Upcoming Trainings & Presentations
New Partner
Job Openings
WEE ONES (2 - 4) This group is designed for parents of children ages 2-4 years who want support in the areas of sensory processing, communication and social skills. This group is set up as a play group to support children’s success during semi- structured and unstructured play settings. We provide parents with strategies to support their child’s play, social language and sensory-motor skills while being part of a play group and to help their children have fun! One week parents will be involved in training with staff while their children are given developmentally appropriate group play opportunities. The following week, parents play with their children in order to receive direct support by our therapists during group interactions.
MAGICAL MEALTIMES (4-8) This is a play group with a focus on making food and eating fun again! This group is designed for children who are picky in their food preferences and have difficulty taking the leap to try novel foods. We use a heavy sensory exploration approach to this group, first supporting the child’s overall sensory motor system and then incorporating textures and foods into the play. Weekly take home activities will be given in order to support the child to transfer new skill into the home setting.
PLAY PARTNERS (4-12) This social pairing will support children who are at the beginning stages of interaction and communication in a social context. Children will be matched with one other “play partner” for the duration of the 8-week course. The sessions will be led by an occupational therapist, speech therapist, or education specialist and will be supported with a trained volunteer in order to allow the children to benefit from one-on-one support. As the session progresses, a similar aged peer will be invited to the pairing in order to help facilitate peer modeling and expand the interactions. Following this program, children may move on to an integrated play group in order to practice these skills in a larger context.
SENSORY-MOTOR GROUP (4-8) In this group, children with autism will be able to explore social connections and friendships in an environment using movement and sensory activities. Because of the strong movement and sensory processing focus, the skills of motor planning, coordination, and attention will be addressed in addition to the social experience.
PEN PALS (6-10) This group will help maintain and improve your child’s writing skills in a fun and motivating way. We will use elements of various proven handwriting and visual motor programs as well as incorporating movement and fun! The focus will be on helping improve writing legibility, copying skills and ease of writing to help your child meet their full writing potential.
ENGINES (7-10) The Engines program gives children vocabulary and strategies to take an active role in ensuring their activity level is a “match” for the activity that they are engaged in. Children learn how to identify and adapt their internal states of arousal, using words that make sense to them. Parent trainings are provided as part of this class as well as a written follow-up of strategies that are supportive of each child. This group is appropriate for a child who is able to regulate successfully with some support from an adult and who has some communication system in place. The program is effective for children who are developmentally at least 6 years of age.
MOVE AND RELAX (YOGA 7- 12) This movement-based group uses gross motor movement activities, yoga and relaxation training to support focus, concentration, balance and relaxation. This group will also help a child develop coping skills and will support social interaction through the group focus. Activities are presented in a fun and interactive format in order to foster creative expression and imagination.
MAKING AND BEING A FRIEND – TEAM WORK! (8 – 12) This peer group provides children the ability to practice social skills in both structured and natural play settings. We will target the “basics” of friendship, including how to initiate and maintain play with other as well as how to show respect for different points of view. This session will also focus on the skills necessary to be a member of a team (cooperation, flexibility, working for joint outcomes). Children are encouraged to bring along a similar-aged peer to this group to help facilitate peer modeling.
MAKING AND BEING A FRIEND – RELAXATION AND INTERACTION! (8 – 12) This peer group provides children the ability to practice social skills in both structured and natural play settings. We will target the “basics” of friendship, including how to initiate and maintain play with other as well as how to show respect for different points of view. This session will also focus on developing the coping skills necessary for when interacting with others presents challenges. We will provide group members with the opportunity to practice a variety of relaxation techniques, including taking breaks, deep breathing, and systematic relaxation.
KEVA SPORTS GROUP (11 – 17) This group supports teens in developing an active lifestyle while also facilitating peer interactions in a typical community setting. A variety of movement and sports activities will be incorporated to help the participants develop lifelong fitness skills. Strategies are developed with peers in order to support participants in positive peer interactions in an active community context. Activities include total body strengthening, cardio activities, activities with a sports focus and yoga.
PARENT SENSORY SEMINAR (PARENTS) This is an in-depth training opportunity for parents of children with sensory processing disorders. This training will make you comfortable in each area of this disorder and help you to develop a detailed plan of how to help your child at home. This course will be helpful for parents whose children who in the beginning stages of receiving a diagnosis such as autism, developmental delay or sensory processing disorder as well as families who have been receiving other types of services, but are looking for a little more training and education. As this seminar will be limited to 8 families, individual attention will be able to be given to each participant in order to more specifically support your questions and concerns.
|
ALL STAR Saturday for March!
|
A movie experience designed to be enjoyed by all!
Saturday, March 29th, 2008
Doors open at 9:00am, Show starts at 9:30am
Star Cinema
Madison / Fitchburg
6091 McKee Rd – Hwy PD
$5.75 a ticket
(No passes accepted)
Featuring:
Lower movie volume
Higher theatre lights
“Break area” available
Accepting and Inviting atmosphere
This month showing:
Dr. Seuss’ Horton hears a Who!
and another kid friendly movie
Seats are limited:
Please reserve your seats today by calling 204-6246 ex. 62
or e-mailing shammer@icc-wi.org
Portions of proceeds will go to benefit ICC to continue to make events like this possible.
ICC FREE MONTHLY PARENT SEMINARS
Imagine a Child’s Capacity presents
An on-going series of free trainings designed to educate and inform.
Monday March 24th Incorporating Animal-Assisted Therapy
SPECIAL TIME FOR THIS 6:30 – 8:30 PM
Have you ever had the chance to witness the excitement, smiles, calmness, and pure enjoyment a child receives when having contact with an animal? This unspoken connection between child and animal becomes a magical and therapeutic tool for development and growth.
Through interactive therapy with animals, PAWWS to Heal works with service providers to achieve treatment goals. Come learn how as a therapy provider you can utilize the motivating benefits of animal-assisted therapy to achieve occupational, physical, speech, and emotional/behavioral goals. Parents are also encouraged and warmly welcomed to attend, as your input into the services for your children is crucial to their success!
Presenting will be a group of specialists that work with PAWWS and come from a variety of vocational backgrounds including physical therapy, speech therapy, and a member from the Madison School District Positive Behavior Support Team.
March 31st Intro to Autism.
Explore Autism. Lisa Ladson and Sharon Hammer, two of ICC's consultants with school systems, bring their extensive knowledge of autism to you. Bring your questions and thoughts to them as they share and educate!
WHO SHOULD COME?
Immediate Family Members, Extended Family Members, Community Members,
Support Staff
WHERE?
Imagine a Child’s Capacity
14 Ellis Potter Court, Suite 200
Madison, WI 53711
TIME?
6:00-8:00pm
Space is limited, please reserve your seats today
(608) 204-6242 or ggardiner@icc-wi.org
The ICC clinic is excited to announce a new partnership with KEVA Sports & Events Center!
We will be pairing the clinic's expertise with autism, mental health challenges and sensory processing disorders and the KEVA staff's expertise in designing sports and movement curriculum to offer a weekly group for children ages 11-15. Please refer to the group flier to read more specifics on this exciting group. And check out KEVA Sports Center at www.kevasports.com.
Imagine a Child’s Capacity’s
Educational Partnership Team Presents:
Summer Training Series
“Autism: Practical Approaches Based in Neurological Understanding and Compassion”
Presenters: Sharon Hammer M.S., Lisa Hoeme M.S., Lisa Ladson B.C.A.B.A., and Sue Trace M.Ed., O.T.R.
June 20: All About Autism
(Introduction, recent research, diagnostic
information)
June 27: Supporting Individuals with Challenging Behaviors
August 1: Understanding Sensory Regulation
August 8: Building Communication Skills in Individuals
Who are Less Verbal
August 15: Making Inclusion Work for Individuals with
Autism
August 22: Using Visual Strategies:
A Make and Take Opportunity!
Cost:
$100.00 per day
(Discounts for
multiple day
attendance)
Conference Times:
9:00-3:00
Lunch on your own
Location:
Greater Madison area,
exact location to be
determined
For more information, contact Karl:
(608) 204-6247
or
kpierick@icc-wi.org
*trainings can be taken individually or as part of an entire series
**continuing education credits will be available through Silver Lake College
Bi-Lingual Service Coordinator
The Service Coordinator will function as an interdisciplinary team member of the Bridges for Families Birth to 3 Program. This individual will provide specialized services to support families of children with developmental disabilities. The position requires knowledge of principles and intervention practices consistent with Wisconsin’s Birth to 3 Program (HFS90) in providing family-centered services to infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families in natural environments.
Speech and Language Therapist
Position available for the birth to three program.
Please send resume to Karl Pierick 14 Ellis Potter Court Madison, WI 53711 or email to hr@icc-wi.org
|