On the Horizon – 05/05/2009

Horizons Developmental Remediation Center
On the Horizon
On the Horizon

Welcome to “On the Horizon”

Issue 58: Finding Peace

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.

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In This Issue

Ideas for Summer

A Note from Nicole: Heading to Chicago; Extreme Makeover: Autism Education Edition

Idea of the Week:  Helping Hands Pot

Feature Article: Finding Peace

The Horizons Team Recommends: Extreme Makeover: Autism Education Edition; Summer CAMPS

Upcoming Events: CORE Approach Parent Teleseminar; Sibshop

A Note From Nicole
Nicole Beurkens

Hi Everyone!

I’m enjoying a busy week with clients here at the office, and I’ll be heading off to Chicago this weekend.

Many of you have been asking when we are going to offer workshops for school professionals again. I am very excited to announce that we now have an amazing 3-day workshop event happening in July! It’s going to be a completely unique experience that will be so transformational we are calling it “Extreme Makeover: Autism Education Edition.” You can get all the details here, and then pass them along to school professionals you know. This opportunity is available to a limited number of participants, and we look forward to seeing some of you there!

The feature article for this week originally ran last year, and many of you have told me it’s your favorite. Enjoy it and I wish you much peace in the midst of the noise, trouble, and work the week may bring you.

Have a great week!

Looking to the horizon,

Nicole Signature

Idea of the Week

Helping Hands

Helping Hands Pot

Since Mother’s Day is next Sunday, getting started now on your gift for mom is a good idea. Have someone trace your hand 4-6 times on colored paper and cut them out. Attach them to Popsicle sticks. Come up with different messages for your mom including ways that you can help her out, and write them on the hands. Get a clay pot (which you can decorate or keep plain) and fill it with her favorite candy. Stick the Popsicle sticks in the pot and give it to her for Mother’s Day. She may redeem a helping hand when she would like your help some day. These make great gifts for grandmothers as well!

Feature Article
Brushing Teeth

Finding Peace

By: Nicole Beurkens, M.Ed.

As I was wandering around the Minneapolis airport recently, I found a store with a variety of posters, cards, and wall hangings with quotes and sayings on them.  As I perused the options, I found one that I had to purchase and bring back to the office.  Here is the quote:

Peace.  It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work.  It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart. (Author unknown)

This conceptualization of peace resonates with me in all aspects of my life.  As a parent to four children under the age of 9, there are many times when there is noise, trouble, and hard work all at once!  Yet, I am still able to be at peace, knowing that this is part of the process of parenting, and that this too shall pass.  Parenting is generally far from an easy or trouble-free process, but knowing in my heart that I am doing the right things for my kids allows me to be at peace during the messiest parts of the journey.

In my life as a professional there are also many times of noise, trouble, and hard work.  Yet, even in the midst of those times I am able to be at peace knowing that I am doing what I was meant to do, and that everyone involved will grow through the problems we are facing.  Feeling confident about my abilities to manage and overcome the obstacles that present themselves allows me to feel at peace amidst the challenges that arise.

Continued…

The Horizons Team Recommends

Extreme Makeover

Extreme Makeover: Autism Education Edition Workshop

July 29-31, 2009 Grand Rapids, MI

Put together the soaring increase in students diagnosed with autism and related impairments, a group of dedicated educators seeking solutions to the challenges they face daily, a team of been-in-the-trenches experts, three days of amazing content and hands-on experience, and what do you get?

An amazing 3-day workshop that will transform how you understand and education students with autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders.

Click here for more information!

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

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