Young Athletes is on for tonight

Just saw Heidi Dougan in the hall over at Sandy Knoll and Young Athletes is a go for tonight.  They will be meeting at 6:30 in the gym-- not enough snow for snow shoeing tonight so you can leave the snow pants at home.

They will continue to try to meet monthly through May.

http://www.autism-society.org/news/press-releases/autism-society-applauds.html

http://www.autism-society.org/news/press-releases/autism-society-applauds.html

S.P.E.A.K.S. Education -- employment opportunity

I recently learned about an education and advocacy group located in Newberry, MI called S.P.E.A.K.S. Education (Students Parents Educators Alliance to Know).  This group was formed about three years ago by a parent who'd been working with and within the system for about 20 years.  They've been serving the Eastern U.P., but seem interested in expanding into our area.  I recently heard from Dorie France, their Executive Director, and she said she is working on finding someone for the Central/Western area that is knowledgeable in special education, IEP's, and can be a parent mentor to parents and also schedule trainings for me to come and do. This is a 20 hours a week position, and pays $1,000.00 per month before taxes.  If you or someone you know would be interested in this position, you can contact Dorie France at 906-293-8984 or advocatedorie@live.com

Notes from February meeting

There were five people in attendance last night.  A couple from downstate that was visiting in the area came to learn more about brain balance, thinking it might help their grandson recently diagnosed with bi-polar disorder. Tarra, new to the area, came to learn more about autism services and needs in this area.  She is a trained autism educator, having worked as an autism consultant and having taught in an autism classroom downstate.  She is very knowledgeable about services available in Michigan and had some good recommendations.

Kristen gave a very engaging talk, sharing her knowledge and experience with the Brain Balance program.  She explained that there are three main components of this program:  diet, vitamins, and exercise.  The program began with an extensive evaluation that includes blood work that determines any vitamin, mineral or other deficiencies.

Her initial contact with Brain Balance took place at their Kingsford franchise (near Iron Mountain).  After it became apparant that her daughter needed more one on one contact, she was referred to the center in Peach Tree, Georgia.  After talking it over with her family, they managed to raise money and move the family to Georgia for a year where both her daughter and son received services.

The diet, she said, is one of the more difficult aspects of the program.  They are dairy and gluten free in their household.  As other allergies were discovered with the tests that were ran by the center, they have also had to eliminate eggs and other items.  The Brain Balance diet puts an emphasis on eating foods that  rate low on the Glycemic Index.  They choose organic foods as much as they can afford and drink a lot of purified water.  The instructors in the program taught her about a problem known as leaky gut that they've identified as being a problem with ASD kids.  Diet is seen as a way to help these kids. 

Exercise is another big part of the picture.  Not only do the kids work with Brain Balance therapists three hours a week at the center on fine motor and gross motor skills, they are assigned exercises to do each day at home.  Kristen has the kids doing jumping jacks, running in place, jumping on mini-trampoline and working with an exercise ball.  The goal for many of the exercises they did was to work on the primitive reflexes.

Kristen spoke frankly about the program, acknowledging that many mainstream practitioners do not support it and that it is costly and not covered by insurance.  However, she had been frustrated by her experience with conventional methods, such as the medications doctors had prescribed for her daughter, and she saw results with course of action they followed with the Brain Balance program that made the personal sacrifices involved worth it for her.

After Kristen's talk, I made announcements, wanting remind everyone that Barb Nelson, Autism Consultant for MARESA, will be our guest at the March 2 meeting (7 pm, Lions Room).  Also coming up are the SAIL chocolate fundraiser event at the Marquette Mall next Saturday from 1-4 pm, The showing of Temple Grandin at the Peter White Public Library on April 11, and the talk by Dr. Foster Cline at Upfront in May.

I had also meant to mention that Dr. Hill called me last week to let me know that Dr. Ralph Olson (PhD. in psychology) has opened a private practice and is taking clients.  He has experience working with Pathways and is skilled in Applied Behavior Analysis.  I've added his name to the resources page. 

Tarra, who has been working UPAN (Upper Peninsula Autism Network), mentioned that Project ImPACT (Improving Parents as Communication Teachers) will be holding a workshop at Lake Superior State on August 25 (or 26?).  This program comes from Michigan State University and as the name implies, is aimed at helping parents help their kids.  Stay tuned for more information.

Movie night at the Commons

Got a note from the people at SPAR (Single Point for Activities and Recreation) that they will be hosting two movie nights at the Marquette Commons.  These are free events.

Wednesday, February 16, 6:30 pm:  The Pursuit of Happyness
Wednesday, March 23, 6:30 pm:  Radio

Young Athletes canceled for this Monday

Sandy Knoll School will be hosting a family dance event with the Marquette High School dance team this Monday, 2/7/2011.  As a result, there will be no Young Athletes tomorrow night.

The next Young Athletes will be held Monday, February 28.  Dress warmly as Heidi will be bringing snow shoes that all participants will be able to try.  This event will be held at Sandy Knoll school in Marquette at 6:30 p.m.

Future Young Athletes events are currently being planned.  If you have a preference for a particular time, contact Heidi Dougan at hdougan@mapsnet.org.

Interview with Early On Co-Coordinator-- Services for children birth to three

I recently spoke with Ann Gendron, Co-coordinator of MARESA’s Early-On program.  My goal is to start a series of interviews of local professionals who help families get the support and care they need for their loved ones on the autism spectrum.  I started with Ann because she works with the youngest group.  I’d like to talk with representative professionals for each of life’s stages.  If you’d like to recommend someone for this (yourself or someone you know), please let me know.

My first question for Ann (she is so approachable in person, it seems natural to call her by her first name) was how she’d like to introduce herself.  She said she is a native Yooper.  She studied Audiology and Speech at Michigan State and earned a Masters in Speech and Communication here in Marquette at NMU.   She has worked as a Speech Language Therapist for over 20 years, working with all age groups in different positions, mostly in Michigan.  Now she serves at Early On Co-coordinator with Cara Zanetti, who’s background is in social work. 

My first exposure to MARESA and Early On was hearing about the playgroup they hold on Tuesday mornings from another mom whose son had spent time in the NICU when he was born.  For that reason, I thought they were connected to the hospital.  Obviously, I am not from Michigan and am still learning how the different agencies work here.  MARESA, is the Marquette-Alger Regional Education Service Agency, serving the nine local school districts, such as MAPS (Marquette Area Public Schools)) of Marquette and Alger County.  Early On is a statewide program that serves the birth to three-year-old population.

 As Ann said when I interviewed her, all states are required to have birth-to-three programs.  When I asked her where this requirement originated, she said it goes back to IDEA (The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act).  As she explained, Part C of IDEA sets up interventions for children from birth to three and Part B addresses special education.  Just as children with disabilities in school are given an IEP (Individual Education Plan), the families who qualify for services from Early On are set up with an IFSP (Individual Family Service Plan) that outlines specific goals and objectives for each child based on their individual needs.

 I asked Ann what would happen if a parent or other concerned family member were to call the main MARESA number to say they were worried about a young child.  She said their secretary would ask questions to collect demographic information and then the call would be referred to one of the co-coordinators.  After an initial phone consultation, they would offer to give an assessment that would entail completing questionnaires and allowing the child to be observed and tested for whatever delays might be present.  She said she likes to make sure families have a clear understanding of what to expect from the assessment process. 

As described, assessments aren’t like a medical diagnosis; they are looking to see if there is a developmental need for their services, and how can Early On provide support to a family.  There are two ways individuals meet eligibility criteria for Early On services.  The first would be if the child is found to have a 20% or greater delay in one or more areas (such as communication or gross motor development) and the second would be if the child has an established condition identified by another entity such as a doctor, clinic, or other agency.

 The next question, then, was what services Early On provided, once they identified an eligible child.  Ann explained that, that depends on the child and what the needs are.  They have speech language therapists, physical therapists, social workers, and occupational therapists that work with families in their homes.  They also provide a weekly playgroup for children who need socialization with peers.  They also work with other agencies such as Pathways, the Marquette County Health Department, and Early Head Start that might be better equipped to meet a particular family’s needs.

 “So, then, the phone calls go in both directions?” I asked.

 “Absolutely,” said Ann.

Many of their referrals come from doctors and from the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) at the hospital.   As I mentioned, people can just call on their own.  And there is an online form on the state website.  Online referrals to the state site will be forwarded to the local office.  For Marquette and Alger Counties, the local office is on E. Ohio Street in Marquette.

I asked about what happens when a child turns three.  I knew from experience that after age three, services are available through the local school district.  What I didn’t know before I talked with Ann was that by the time a child in the Early On program is 33 months old, there is a plan in place for how that transition will be handled.

For more information about Early On, check out their website.  There are lots of cool resources, many of them fun and interactive, linked to their site that are appropriate for children (and their parents).  If you check out the disabilities tab, their are many resources listed, specific to autism and aspergers syndrome.

Tonight's meeting is on!

Just in case you were wondering, the library's been open all day, despite all the local closings and lock downs, and I have every reason to believe it will remain so. 

The sun shine is also helping clear the roads.

Therefore, I hope people can come tonight.  I've heard from Kristen that she will be able to make it and share some of her experience with the Brain Balance program.

Dr. Foster Cline Speaking at Upfront

Mark your calendars--Dr. Cline, co-author of the Love and Logic books will be speaking at Upfront & Company on Thursday, May 5 from 6-8 pm.  His topic is Overstressed Parents/Overstressed Kids.  His visit to Marquette is hosted by Child & Family Services of the U.P. and is made possible because of grant monies from the Marquette Alger Child Abuse and Neglect Council.  I've reviewed some of his titles and like his approach.  I some of the books in this series are especially applicable to our group:  Parenting Children with Health Issues and Special Needs, Meeting the Challenge:  Using Love & Logic to help children develop attention and behavior skills, and Uncontrollable Kids:  From heartbreak to hope.

On a tangent: U.P. Kids with diabetes

When I first started thinking about starting a support group, I got a lot of emotional support from my friend and co-worker, Dana.  She doesn't have a kid on the spectrum, but she is a mom and she knows a thing or two about special needs and support groups.  She started a group for parents of kids with diabetes and now she has a blog.  If you know anyone who could benefit from such a group, check out U.P. Kids with Diabetes and pass along the URL.