Welcome
to “On the Horizon”

Issue 94: Come to the Edge

On the Horizon is an award winning
weekly ezine for parents of children with developmental disabilities who want simple, effective strategies to reduce stress, support their child’s development, and improve quality of life for the whole family.

To keep receiving On the Horizon,
please add the email address “nicolebeurkens@horizonsdrc.com” to your safe address list.

Helping Children Soar

A Note from Nicole: Watching our Childrens Skills Improve

Idea of the Week:  Family Talent Show

Feature Article: Come to the Edge

The Horizons Team Recommends: Parent Success Cards; Workshops

Upcoming Events:
CORE Approach Parent Teleseminar; Sibshop

Hi Everyone,

I’m not sure if I have mentioned this in a previous newsletter or not, but my three-year-old daughter is taking dance lessons this year.  She started in September and is really enjoying the combined tap and ballet class each week.  I love getting her dressed up in her pink leotard, tights, and dance shoes (with three older boys in our family it’s fun to have a girl).  The dance studio has a camera in each room so that parents can watch the classes from the waiting room.  It’s great to see the kids improving with their skills as the weeks progress.  This week she’s busy running around the house doing her “hands up, hands down, and tuck” somersault moves.  It’s definitely a good way to burn off some of that 3-year-old energy!

As you probably know by now, I am holding two no-cost teleseminars in the near future for parents and professionals.  We have had an amazing response to these, with hundreds of people registered.  If you haven’t yet registered, make sure you get the details now so you don’t miss out (we’re recording them so if you can’t make the call live you can listen later at your convenience).  Parents can click here for the parent teleseminar.  Professionals can click here for the professionals teleseminar.  Feel free to pass the information along to those you know who may want to attend!

Make sure you read Erin’s feature article this week about “coming to the edge.”  It creates a wonderful image of the guided participation process and how we can successfully guide our children and students toward independence.

Enjoy the week ahead!

Looking to the horizon,

Family Talent Show

Putting together a family talent show is a fun thing to do.  Each family member must think of what special thing they are going to do for the show – whether it be singing, playing an instrument, reciting a poem, etc.  Then create a program for the show and any props needed.  Once everyone is ready to perform you can gather together and put on your show.  Invite anyone over that you think would enjoy it – friends, grandparents, or whomever.  You may even want to record your family talent show so that you as a family can go back and watch it again someday.

Come to the Edge

By:
Erin Roon, MA CCC-SLP

Come to the Edge

“Come to the edge.”
“We can’t. We’re afraid.”
“Come to the edge.”
“We can’t. We will fall!”
“Come to the edge.”
And they came.
And he pushed them.
And they flew.

Guillaume Apollinaire,   1880-1918
French Poet, Philosopher

Every day, parents and teachers are coaxing children a little closer to the edge, until eventually they are ready to be pushed off.  To build enough trust in another person to be willing to come to the edge, even when fearful, is the true foundation of a solid relationship.  In the above quote, I think of the fearful responder as the child or apprentice, and the coaxer as the parent or guide.

The idea of guided participation or coaxing is a foundation of the CORE Approach program.  Each parent is equipped with the ability to guide, encourage, scaffold and eventually “push” their child over the edge into independence.  The scenario that is described in the quote is a very common occurrence for the families and children we see on a daily basis in our clinic.  The child with an autism spectrum disorder frequently communicates, “I can’t. I’m afraid. I’ll fail.”  This may not be communicated verbally, but can be seen in the child’s behavior or demeanor.  When parents or teachers are able to provide the right amount of guidance, encouragement and scaffolding, the child begins to trust that the guide will not push them over the edge until they are ready to fly solo.

Continued…

HorizonsDRCWorkshops.com

You Have Questions.
We Have Answers.

Join us for learning experiences designed to provide you with the information, tools, and motivation you need to make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals with autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders.

Horizons
Workshop Opportunities

• Evaluating for Autism: The Nuts and Bolts of Quality School-Based Autism Spectrum Disorder Evaluations

• Autism in the Classroom: Simple & Effective Strategies to Learn Today and Use Tomorrow

• Day of Change: A Groundbreaking Workshop for Parents of Children with Autism and Other Neurodevelopmental Disorders

• Extreme Makeover: Autism Education Edition

For more information, click here

Parent Success Cards

For CORE Approach Program families, these cards provide reminders of the main principles of CORE Approach such as the importance of experience sharing, guiding, slowing down, staying focused on the marathon, finding small moments for remediation, and much more. You will find them an invaluable source of inspiration and guidance as you focus on remediation.

Set of 50 heavyweight full-color cards in a sturdy box with lid – $24.95

Purchase the set or view more samples here

Please join us!

• Horizons Family Fun Event:
  Bounce Party – bouncing, climbing, sliding, fun, and more!
  (Horizons Families Only)
  Saturday, January 30, 2010 from 10:30am-12:00pm $5.00/per child
• CORE Approach Parent Teleseminar: Q&A with Michelle and Courtney
  Topic: Scheduling
  (Horizons Families Only)
  Monday, Feburary 1, 2009 from 1:30-2:30 PM EST
• CORE Approach Parent Teleseminar: Topic:
  Home Schooling
  Two home schooling Moms share their stories
  (Horizons Families Only)
  Thursday, Feburary 18, 2010 from 11:00-12:00 PM EST
• Sibshop- Horizons Sibling Network
  Open to everyone!
  Saturday, Feburary 20, 2010, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM EST
• Workshop – Evaluating for Autism:
  The Nuts and Bolts of Quality School-Based Autism Spectrum Disorder Evaluations
  
• Workshop – Autism in the Classroom:
  Simple & Effective Strategies to Learn Today and Use Tomorrow
  Friday, March 12, 2009
• Workshop – Day of Change:
  A Groundbreaking Workshop for Parents of Children with Autism and Other Neurodevelopmental Disorders
  Saturday, March 13, 2009
• ExtremeMakeover: Autism Education Edition
  August 4-6, 2010