On the Horizon – 04/08/2009

Home   /   On the Horizon – 04/08/2009
Horizons Developmental Remediation Center
On the Horizon
On the Horizon

Welcome to “On the Horizon”

Issue 55: Optimism versus Pessimism

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.

If this email was forwarded to you, and you’d like to receive On the Horizon in your email inbox, sign up here.

In This Issue

How Our Perceptions Impact

A Note from Nicole: Traveling; Thanks for the responses

Idea of the Week:  Design Your Own Stickers

Feature Article: Optimism versus Pessimism

The Horizons Team Recommends: Learning
as we Grow; Summer CAMPS

Upcoming Events: CORE Approach Parent Teleseminar; Sibshop

A Note From Nicole
Nicole Beurkens

Hi Everyone!

I have been traveling a lot recently, and have been from one coast to the other in the past week. I am so glad to be back home for a while! Luckily we didn’t end up getting the 6-10 inches of snow that were forecast today; and hopefully there won’t be any more threats of snow until at least October!

With all the doom and gloom in the news these days, it is a good time to consider the benefits of retaining a sense of optimism. In this week’s feature article, Erin explores the topic of optimism versus pessimism – do we see the glass as half full or half empty? Whether life is going smoothly or full of challenges right now, it is important to consider how our perceptions impact the way we cope with our circumstances.

I want to thank those of you who have emailed to let us know how much you like our new book, Learning as we Grow.  We shipped pre-orders last week, so if you ordered but haven’t received your copy yet it is on its way! Please be sure to let us know what you think once you have the chance to read it. And, for those of you thinking about summer plans already, our summer camps registration is now open!

Enjoy the week!

Looking to the horizon,

Nicole Signature

Idea of the Week

Stickers!

Design Your Own Stickers

All you need are some different sized office labels and some markers. Figure out what you’d like your sticker to look like and start designing – you can be as creative as you want. With larger office labels you can even use stencils on them to get certain images drawn on them and then color them in. You can even make a themed set like you’d see in the store. Share your stickers with others when you are finished – they will probably think they are really neat!

Feature Article
Is the Glass Half Full?

Spring Break is Back

By: Erin Roon, MA CCC-SLP

Is Your Glass Half Full or Half Empty?

Are you a glass half full or a glass half empty kind of person? Does it really make a difference? I think it makes a huge difference in your overall functioning, and the quality of your life.

Optimism can lead to accomplishment. If you think something is possible, you will generally work harder to achieve it. Believing in the positive allows you to feel good about life in general. Being optimistic can lead to an overall mood of happiness, and enjoyment in life. While most optimists understand that not everything works out as planned, they recognize that some good can come from the unexpected.

Pessimism can lead to defeat and despair. When you are doubtful that things will happen or be accomplished, you tend not to try as hard – which then leads to failure. Approaching everyday tasks with a negative attitude quickly leads to a negative outlook on life.

I see optimism in the faces of those with whom I work each day. I think it is this positive upbeat attitude that allows us to be productive and love the work we do with families. Oh, we feel frustrated and concerned from time to time; but we have been in this profession long enough to know that if we just stay positive and wait it out, we will either find a solution or the difficulty will pass. I truly believe that our optimistic attitude is what provides us with our sense of fulfillment, and improves our overall quality of life.

Unfortunately, I encounter many pessimistic people in a variety of settings. It may be that some of those people are just having a bad day; but so often it is a way of life for people. We can become pessimistic about things we have no control over – like the economy and the weather. We do not have control of either; but we can determine what it is about those two things that we do have control over, and take action there. I can manage my own finances, for example, and make sure that I am spending within my means. I can also make sure that I am putting money aside in the event that something unexpected happens. In terms of the weather, I cannot control the temperature or even precipitation; but I can decide how I will dress each day based on what is happening outside. If I spend all of my time focusing on and worrying about all of the things that I cannot change and do not have control over, I create an even bleaker picture; and other parts of my life begin to suffer.

Continued…

Are you a glass half full or a glass half empty type of person? To find out more about how optimism can propel you forward and improve your overall quality of life, please visit our website at www.horizonsdrc.com.

The Horizons Team Recommends

Learning as we Grow

Learning as we Grow

You’ve Been Asking For It – The Resource for Applying Principles of Remediation in School Settings is Finally Here!

This long-awaited book is written for parents and professionals who want to be more effective in their work with students who have neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism.

You will learn how to:

  • Identify the core features of neurodevelopmental disorders that create communication, learning, and relationship challenges for your students
  • Shift from a mindset of working around deficits (compensation) to correcting the root issues that create obstacles for your students (remediation)
  • Modify your communication to promote your students’ communication and thinking abilities
  • Identify the unique strengths and obstacles of each student in order to determine appropriate placement and programming
  • Achieve meaningful outcomes for students that allow them to reach their greatest potential
For more information, click here

Summer CAMPS 2009

Summer
CAMPS 2009

Your child is going to LOVE the exciting adventures we have planned for
this summer! Each week we will explore a different theme together,
complete with lots of opportunities for movement, music, problem
solving, working together, and indoor and outdoor fun. Our camps are
designed to offer a fun, safe, and therapeutic environment for children
with developmental disabilities to engage with peers, try new things,
and retain skills over the summer months. A low staff to child ratio
ensures that everyone is supported. Principles of the Relationship
Development Intervention (RDI)® Program are integrated throughout all activities, which provides opportunities for campers to improve
communication, increase competence, enhance regulation, and build
relationships.

For more details on our Summer Programs,  click here

Upcoming Events

Please join us!

See our Event Calendar for more details…
On the Horizon is a weekly ezine for parents of children with developmental disabilities who want simple, effective strategies to reduce stress, support their child¹s development, and improve quality of life for the whole family.

Our mailing address is:

Horizons Developmental Remediation Center

3120 68th Street SE

Caledonia, MI  49316

Our telephone:

(616) 698-0306

Our email address:

info@horizonsdrc.com

Copyright (C) 2009 Horizons DRC All rights reserved.

To unsubscribe, see the links below.
MENU