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How Much Monitoring is Healthy? I was recently asked to do a segment on a local television station on how much time should children under the age of 3 be exposed to smart phones, notebooks and tablets. After doing the research, there appeared to be consensus that children under the age of 2 should not be exposed to any devise and children age 3 should not have over 20 minutes of media use because it interferes with the social interaction that they need to learn healthy relational skills according to The American Pediatric Society Many parents will use their phones or tablets to entertain small children and yet they really need one on one interaction to develop normally. When a child is 3, they are much more likely to be able to assimilate the game playing skills that kids need for intellectual brain skill development. However, what we are wondering is at what developmental expense? In today's hectic world it can be difficult for parents to juggle a very full schedule and take care of young ones. As simple as it may sound, handing your child your phone or tablet can often turn into a 45-minute babysitter which can be harmful especially if done several times a day. I know that it certainly can appease a child in a car who is coming home from day care or hanging out with you in the kitchen while you are cooking, but the truth of the matter is that there are 3 major dangers that could be putting your child in harm's way. • There is just not enough research yet to know how tablet/phone usage will affect your child's development. Doctors are already seeing some compulsive behavior that is occurring in children who have open access to these types of devises. I am a therapist who is experiencing a lot of preteens and teens who are coming to the office with gaming addictions. They have had years of playing games on their parents’ phones and tablets.
Parents are concerned that their child is no longer wanting to interact with kids and that his or her first preference is the game • It interferes with a child's natural ability to learn relational skills through faceCarol Juergensen Sheets to-face contact. . Parents are complaining that although they are confiscating their child's phones after hours, their child is sneaking out and grabbing it without their knowledge and are caught playing games in the middle of the night or perusing instagram or snapchatting with pictures which are all artificial ways of contacting others that deprives the child from face-to-face interaction. • You are flirting with the potential of developmental danger. There is some indication that not only is it interfering with relational skills but it may be causing some motor delays and muscular strength issues according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Parents oftentimes believe that it is improving hand eye coordination but at what other expense? So, for now while the jury is still out on how your child is affected .... follow the guidelines that can assist your child in making good healthy decisions. Be the role model for healthy interaction for your child. Keep your phone and tablet use to a minimum and use your drive time, down time and wait time for interacting with your child. Limit everyone's use to 15 minutes and keep the phone and tablets on lockdown whenever possible. There is nothing wrong with a techsavvy family....but moderation is always the key!
Carol Juergensen Sheets LCSW PCC is a psychotherapist and personal life coach. She does motivational speaking and empowerment trainings locally and nationally. To find out more about her services--contact her at www.carolthecoach.com or callher at 317-218-3479. Please say “I found it in the IndyKids’Directory!” Thanks!
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Autism Awareness – From Spectrum to Kaleidoscope Awareness is more than gaining knowledge. It’s about changing your perspective. Consider the history of autism. In the 1960’s, individuals diagnosed with autism were often considered unteachable and ultimately sent to institutions. Behavior analysts, using the principles of applied behavior analysis, questioned that perception and began treating those with autism as individuals who simply learned in different ways. Here’s a new perspective for Autism Awareness Month. Autism is more than a spectrum. Autism is a kaleidoscope. A spectrum conjures up images such as a rainbow, with colors moving from red through orange, yellow, green, and blue to finally arrive at purple. The problem with a spectrum is that it makes it seem like one’s position falls somewhere between two extreme opposites. For autism, those extremes are often labeled high functioning autism and low functioning autism. But terms like high functioning and low functioning tell more about our society than they do the individual with autism. Applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy, an evidence-based treatment for individuals with autism, reminds us that each individual is unique. Like a kaleidoscope, our strengths and challenges create a unique pattern of who we are and how we interact with the world. One individual may relish friendships with others yet have difficulty reading social cues that make those relationships last. Another individual may prefer to do things on their own yet have difficulty finding the way to communicate that preference to others. The way we relate to each other does not fit neatly on a spectrum but rather creates a brilliant pattern of light and dark, brightness and intensity, color and form. At the Applied Behavior Center for Autism we remain committed to helping each individual grow by acknowledging who they are, building on their strengths, and overcoming their challenges. Utilizing the principles of applied behavior analysis, we seek to create an environment in which each individual is successful, each individual has the opportunity to learn, and each individual has a chance to improve their quality of life. The Applied Behavior Center for Autism - building brighter futures, for a kaleidoscope of individuals. Please say “I found it in the IndyKids’Directory!” Thanks!
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& Access Behavioral Solutions Clinic www.accessbehavioralsolutions.com Info@accessbehavioralsolutions.com 317.802.7447
Access Behavioral Solutions is making ABA services available by bringing the therapy to you- in your home, in your community, or in the clinic.
Applied Behavior Center for Autism Pgs 8, 9 & 16
7901 E. 88th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46256 The Applied Behavior Center for Autism is Indiana's longest running ABA provider. With over 20 years of service, ABC is building brighter futures every day. Each of our center offers unique attributes that allows us to provide high quality treatment to children and teens with autism spectrum disorder. With locations in Greenwood, Carmel, Castleton, Terre Haute, Richmond, and West Indianapolis we offer ABA therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, diagnostic testing, special needs swim lessons, and so much more! We are now enrolling for part-time and full-time schedules. Find us on social @ABCforAutism to learn more.
www.AppliedBehaviorCenter.org info@ AppliedBehaviorCenter.org 317-849-5437
Proud Sponsors of Resources for Special Needs Natural Valley Ranch www.NaturalValleyRanch.com www.NaturalValleyTherapeuticRiding.org Marie@NaturalValleyRanch.com 317-509-3577 Birthday Parties, Trail Rides, Lessons, Petting Zoo Hayride/Bonfire, Therapeutic Riding
Phoenix Karate www.phoenixrisingkarate.com 317-228-1872
Martial arts are great for children! A psychological study found that children in martial arts have an increased sense of responsibility, a decrease in the willingness to take foolish risks, and a higher sense of self-esteem.
St. Joseph Institute for the Deaf Pg 3 www.sjid.org 317.471.8560 Leaders in Listening and Spoken Language.
Supervision Infrared Sauna SupervisionWeightLoss.com 317-849-8446 For treatment of autism.
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February February 2nd Sensory Friendly Sundays We are proud to offer families with children and adults with Autism, as well as other sensory or developmental differences, a local attraction with a focused and friendly environment. On February 2nd, Conner Prairie will open for those with sensory differences and their families. Lights will be dimmed and noises will be kept to a minimum to ensure a more sensory friendly environment. Quiet Spots Conner Prairie has four ‘Quiet Spots’ located throughout the grounds where you’ll find sensory kits. These kits contain weighted blankets and soft sensory toys. Please use these spaces as needed.
February 6th Dora and Diego- Leys Explore LOCATION The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, 3000 North Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46208 https://www.childrensmuseum.org/ exhibits/dora-and-diego-lets-explore
February 13th Critter Chat 2-2:30 Drop by Blake’s Garden to meet one of our resident critters. No registration needed, however participants will need to practice social distance protocols when visiting the garden. Garfield Park Conservatory 2505 Conservatory Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46203. https:// www.garfieldgardensconservatory. orgprogramsevents
February 15th Presidents Day at the Indiana State Museum Monday 10 to 5 Join them for a presidential celebration! Design a lunar lander for JFK’s moon mission, try your hand at sending a presidential message, explore Eisenhower’s transportation system and design a system for the future, or become an inventor just like Abe Lincoln. Test your 12
vice-presidential knowledge or deliver a speech from White House Press Room. Indiana State Museum 650 W. Washington St.
Children’s Museum of Indianapolis Open Tuesday through Sunday 10 to 5 The largest children's museum in the world just got even bigger with the addition of a new 7.5-acre outdoor health and fitness area that encourages activity through multiple sports. The new space, called Riley Children's Health Sports Legends Experience includes basketball, football, hockey, soccer, pedal car racing (drag strip and oval track), golf, baseball, and tennis. The indoor portion of the new area includes the National Art Museum of Sport along with the World of Sport and History of Hoops. The Children's Museum of Indianapolis itself is made up of 500,000 square feet with exhibits and activities that are fun and interesting for the entire family as they explore the physical and natural sciences, history, world cultures and the arts through exciting interactive exhibits on five floors. Families will discover some of the rarest dinosaur fossils in the world and see what it's like to live and work in space. There's also a theater with children's plays and live entertainment.
Indianapolis Zoo Open Wednesday through Sunday 9-4 The Indianapolis Zoo is located in White River State Park, conveniently located in beautiful downtown Indianapolis with easy access to walking and biking trails into the city. The Zoo is also just minutes from multiple interstates to make travel convenient for out-of-town visitors. Triple accredited as a zoo, an aquarium and a botanic garden, visitors can experience all of these attractions for one admission price. Open year-round with 64 acres of indoor and outdoor habitats, the Indianapolis Zoo is home to nearly 1,300 animals of
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2021 approximately 230 species as well as 47,000 plant specimens.
Defy Indianapolis Trampoline Park DEFY is an attitude and a rallying cry promoting individualism and freedom from the norm. It’s a collection of extreme air sport parks across America that are rewriting the rules of sport — giving our communities a place where they’re free to express and push themselves. Society has tons of expectations and rules, but DEFY gives everyone a safe place to defy those constraints. We’re for fiercely independent, fearless individuals who pass on organized sports in favor of nonconforming ones that challenge them in non-traditional ways. Defy.com 317 520 5030 Call for hoursgarfieldgardensconservatory.org/ programsevents
February 15th Presidents Day at the Indiana State Museum Monday 10 to 5 Join them for a presidential celebration! Design a lunar lander for JFK’s moon mission, try your hand at sending a presidential message, explore Eisenhower’s transportation system and design a system for the future, or become an inventor just like Abe Lincoln. Test your vice-presidential knowledge or deliver a speech from White House Press Room. Indiana State Museum 650 W. Washington St.
Children’s Museum of Indianapolis Open Tuesday through Sunday 10 to 5 The largest children's museum in the world just got even bigger with the addition of a new 7.5-acre outdoor health and fitness area that encourages activity through multiple sports. The new space, called Riley Children's Health Sports Legends Experience includes basketball, football, hockey, soccer, pedal car racing (drag
strip and oval track), golf, baseball, and tennis. The indoor portion of the new area includes the National Art Museum of Sport along with the World of Sport and History of Hoops. The Children's Museum of Indianapolis itself is made up of 500,000 square feet with exhibits and activities that are fun and interesting for the entire family as they explore the physical and natural sciences, history, world cultures and the arts through exciting interactive exhibits on five floors. Families will discover some of the rarest dinosaur fossils in the world and see what it's like to live and work in space. There's also a theater with children's plays and live entertainment.
Indianapolis Zoo Open Wednesday through Sunday 9-4 The Indianapolis Zoo is located in White River State Park, conveniently located in beautiful downtown Indianapolis with easy access to walking and biking trails into the city. The Zoo is also just minutes from multiple interstates to make travel convenient for out-of-town visitors. Triple accredited as a zoo, an aquarium and a botanic garden, visitors can experience all of these attractions for one admission price. Open year-round with 64 acres of indoor and outdoor habitats, the Indianapolis Zoo is home to nearly 1,300 animals of approximately 230 species as well as 47,000 plant specimens.
If you would like your event included in our monthly calendars, submit it by going to IndyKidsDirectory.com
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Healing through Arts and Education Throughout COVID-19, Ascension St. Vincent has adapted and enhanced existing programs and services to ensure that patients and healthcare heroes are cared for in mind, body, and spirit. Here are highlights of the good work being completed by two programs thanks to donor support of the Ascension St. Vincent Foundation. The Healing Arts Program at Ascension St. Vincent is dedicated to promoting holistic healing through a combination of visual art, music and dance/movement interventions. The program has expanded its normal efforts to support healing throughout COVID-19. • Positivity Boards were introduced around the hospital to bring color, encouraging messages, and uplifting information to patient units. • A fun “Sneeze, Blow, and Throw” song was created to teach hospitalized children the ways to keep themselves and other people safe when they sneeze or cough. • Legacy Prints have been made to help comfort families who lost a loved one to COVID-19, including a digital thumbprint to be shared with family members as a lasting memory. In addition to helping patients, the Healing Arts Program also supports Ascension St. Vincent associates through activities that provide encouragement and stress relief. Along with spiritual care teams, the Healing Arts Program introduced a new “Code Lavender” protocol to provide focused support for associates when they have been involved in a stressful event at the hospital. Carts have been placed in units and include items such as art materials, aromatherapy, scripture, meditation guides, deep breathing exercises, and resources for virtual support. Another crucial program funded by the 14
supporters of the Ascension St. Vincent Foundation is the School Program at Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital at Ascension St. Vincent. This program addresses the educational needs of many patients who are missing time from school as a result of their hospitalization through an on-site school program. The comprehensive assistance provided by the school program helps provide a sense of stability to patients as they battle their respective health issues. The ultimate goal is for all patients who require educational instruction or assistance during their hospitalization to successfully re-acclimate to their home schools with minimal difficulty. When COVID-19 shut down schools in the spring, Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital’s licensed teacher, Heather Wiselogle, began to teach remotely, using tools like Zoom and Skype. She developed creative ways to engage students and continued seeing as many students online as she was seeing in person. Through the Paws to Read program, students were able to read their favorite books to therapy dogs virtually. Heather also helped some high school seniors as they were dealing with the challenges of both online learning and their own health conditions during their final semester. She wrote letters of recommendation for scholarships and assisted with requests for accommodations for college. Funding of programs like Healing Arts and the School Program is crucial in supporting the needs of our patients and healthcare heroes. To learn more about Healing Arts, the School Program, and additional programs funded by the Ascension St. Vincent Foundation, visit give.stvincent.org or call 317-338-2338.
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