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Seeing Their Challenges as Strength Builders Having a child who has special needs can at times feel overwhelming. Your heart may break when you see your child struggle with the developmental issues that appear to be keeping him or her from living a normal life. Developmental disabilities can keep children from being able to feel confident enough to socialize and develop a peer group that they can count on. Disabilities can keep your child from being able to do activities that require a certain physical aptitude. Regardless of what your child struggles with, there are many gifts to having a disability and it is your job to remind them of what those gifts are. Perhaps the most important life lesson to teach your child is that being different is a good thing because it means that they will be able to look at life in a different way. Help your child to understand that they have unique qualities that make them special. Children can be more sensitive when they struggle with something and they learn skills that actually advance them in other ways. I am sure you've noticed that when your child is having difficulty reading, he or she may excel in math or design. When a child is socially isolated from others because they are not easily accepted into the peer group of their choice, they may resort to filling their time with other activities like drawing, being on the computer, or excelling in reading which may make them much more advanced in their academic skills. Regardless of the disability, find opportunities for your child to socialize that are structured and provide a sense of belonging. Camps, specialized programs, therapy groups are great ways to help your child feel included. Ask your child's school administrator or counselor if there is a mentor or special child in the school that can "buddy up" with your child? Invite
this child over and set up experiences for your child to participate in … like going to the movies, paddle boating at Eagle Creek or the downtown Canal, arcading at Dave and Busters. These field trips will give your child extra opportunities to socialize and feel like one of the gang!
Carol Juergensen Sheets
As you look at your child, ask yourself how has this gift of being different made them stronger? And of course reinforce this with your child. Make sure to comment regularly on those personality strengths that you treasure about your child. Perhaps they're kind, compassionate, generous, honest, or loyal. Reinforcing the strengths helps them to integrate their gifts despite their struggles. Be the “go to person” that they can share their frustrations and heartbreak. This means that you need to cultivate the belief that your child is going to positively grow from disability. As a parent, do you have a support person or resource to turn to share your fears and doubts? Having a special needs kid means lots of selfcare so you so that you can be there for your kids in tough situations. Kids need to know that there is a safe person that they can be "real" with and there is no better person than their parent to share their feelings. You are a mirror for your child, so make sure you are comfortable reflecting back what you hear them say so they know that they know they are heard and have a voice when sharing their thoughts and feelings. Your unconditional love is exactly what they need to recognize their own strengths amongst their challenges!
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 call her at 317 218-3479. You can watch Carol the Coach segments on WTHR’s Channel 13 Wednesdays @ 12:50PM. 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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March March 1 2021 10 t0 1 No One Runs on Empty Mobile Food Pantry
Anyone in need may stop by to receive a FREE pre-filled box of grocery items in your trunk. This is a drive-thu event eligible to all households. No ID or proof of income required.Enter the Fairgrounds through Gate 6 on Fall Creek Parkway. COVID 19 Safety Measures We reserve the right to remove any guest from this event for not following COVID-19 Safety Policies/Guidelines. Venue capacity limited. All Guests, employees, participants, contractors, and vendors will be required to wear a facial covering, at all times. Guests who do not have a mask will be provided one, free of charge. Strict adherence to the CDCrecommended 6’ social distancing will be mandated. Multiple handwashing and hand sanitizing stations will be placed throughout the venue for guest use.
March 6th Fishers and all Saturdays in March YMCA 9012 E 126th St, Fishers, IN
Description The YMCA offers a variety of Basketball Clinics Athletes will run through various skill drills and agilities to improve their footwork and sharpen their practice skills during the off. Mar 6, 10:00 AM – Mar 27, 10:45 AM
The Farm at Prophetstown Saturday March 6th 12 to 2 3534 Prophetstown Rd, Battle Ground, IN
Explore our seed library and take seeds to start your garden. Children will have the opportunity to 12
plant and take seed starters while learning how to care for the plants. A coloring activity will follow.
March 6th 6 to 9 Noblesville First United Methodist Church 2051 Monument St, Noblesville, IN
Noblesville First has developed a NEW , EXCITING & FREE opportunity for parents and caregivers of children (ages 5-18) with mild to moderate disabilities and limited behavior and medical concerns. Drop your child and his/her siblings off at the church with educated and trained volunteers and enjoy yourself an evening of relaxation!
March 12 – 13th INDIANA STATE WRESTLING ASSOCIATION
Venue capacity limited. All Guests, employees, participants, contractors, and vendors will be required to wear a facial covering, at all times. Guests who do not have a mask will be provided one, free of charge. Strict adherence to the CDC-recommended 6’ social distancing will be mandated. Roaming staff will monitor and enforce social distancing. Multiple handwashing and hand sanitizing stations will be placed throughout the venue for guest use. Cashless transactions are strongly encouraged. Feb 16, 4:00 PM – Mar 11, 5:30 PM3500 Brookside Pkwy S Dr, Indianapolis, IN We're sorry, but online registration is not allowed for this activity. Please contact us during regular business hours for registration information. Nine13sports will be
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2021 leading Kids. N ne13 sports will be leading Kids Building Bikes, a STEM program, for children 9-13 years. Children will build a bike during the eight classes. In addition, they will learn safe riding skills and basic mechanical aptitude required to maintain a bicycle. Interested children must commit to the eight classes to be eligible for the loc k, helmet and bicycle.
March 13 March 21 Indiana State Fairgrounds Indiana Flower & Patio Show
Indiana Flower & Patio Show will be bringing you the freshest flowers possible, sourced from around the world. It will help with your selection and answer any flower questions you may have about.
Saturday March 27th The Children's Museum of Indianapolis
Spring has sprung and so have Bunnysaurus Rex eggs all over the Riley Children’s Health Sports Legends Experience. Join us for a dinosaur egg hunt of prehistoric proportions! *In order to provide a safe and fun environment for this program, each registered group will be assigned their own table in the Food Court to enjoy their boxed breakfast & complete their activities. All program supplies will be sanitized, and hand sanitizer & disinfecting wipes will be available. Masks are required when not eating, and capacity will be limited to allow for proper social distancing. All Dates for This Event Saturday, Mar 27, 20218 am-9:30 am Sunday, Mar 28, 2021 8 am-9:30 am
Monday March 29th 4:30 to 5:15 Indianapolis Public Library - Library Services Center 2450 N Meridian St, Indianapolis, IN
Kids and teens, ages 8 to 18, are invited to join the Learning Curve online to learn about Scratch programming language and work on a coding project. The emphasis will be working on different longterm Scratch projects, whether by themselves or with a partner and socializing with other attendees. This event is being held as an online meeting/webinar. You will be emailed login instructions approximately 24 hours before the event.
Mar 26 - Mar 27, 2021 Premier 10 Midwest Elite Sheep Show & Sale Indiana State Fair Grounds Venue capacity limited. All Guests, employees, participants, contractors, and vendors will be required to wear a facial covering, at all times. Guests who do not have a mask will be provided one, free of charge. Strict adherence to the CDCrecommended 6’ social distancing will be mandated. Multiple handwashing and hand sanitizing stations will be placed throughout the venue for guest use. Cashless
transactions are strongly encouraged.
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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