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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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

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,

Helping Hands Pot

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…

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.

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.

Please join us!

• CORE Approach Parent Teleseminar: Planning for Special Needs with Steve Johnson as our Guest Speaker (Horizons Families Only)
  Thursday, May 21, 2009, 11:00AM to 12:00PM EST
• Horizons Parent Chat: Objective Support with Michelle & Courtney
  (Horizons Families Only)
  Monday, June 1, 2009, 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM EST
• Extreme Makeover: Autism Education Edition
  July 29-31, 2009
• Sibshop – Horizons Sibling Network
  Open to everyone!
  Saturday, July 18, 2009, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM EST
• Summer CAMPS – Zooming into Summer
  Open to everyone!
  July 6-8
• Summer CAMPS – Hawaiian Luau
  Open to everyone!
  July 13-16
• Summer CAMPS – Lions, Tigers, & Bears–Oh My!
  Open to everyone!
  July 20-23
• Summer CAMPS – All About Me
  Open to everyone!
  July 27-30
• Summer CAMPS – It’s A Bug’s Life
  Open to everyone!
  August 3-6
• Summer CAMPS – Wild, Wild West
  Open to everyone!
  August 10-13
• Summer CAMPS – Under The Sea
  Open to everyone!
  August 17-20
• Summer Program – Collaborate and Create!
  Open to everyone!
  Session 1: July 7-July 23
• Summer Program – Collaborate and Create!
  Open to everyone!
  Session 2: July 27-July 30
• Summer Program – Collaborate and Create!
  Open to everyone!
  Session 3: August 4-August 20

See our Event Calendar for more details…