Welcome to “On the Horizon”
Issue 62: Summer’s Here! 5 Helpful Tips for Parents
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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Summer Fun
 A Note from Nicole: It’s Possible!; Ready for Summer? Idea of the Week: Lemonade Stand
Feature Article: Summer’s Here! 5 Helpful Tips for Parents
The Horizons Team Recommends: Extreme Makeover: Autism Education Edition; Summer CAMPS
Upcoming Events: CORE Approach Parent Teleseminar; Sibshop
Hi Everyone!
As some of you already know, I am a collector of interesting and inspiring quotes. I rediscovered this one recently: “We would accomplish many more things if we did not think of them as impossible (C. Malesherbes).” The mindset that we bring to things is so influential in determining whether or not we succeed. Even if we persevere with something and don’t end up achieving what we set out to do, there is benefit in making the effort. What would be different if we viewed the things that we have thought of as impossible as possible? What would you set out to do that you haven’t before?
With summer upon us once again, this week’s feature article is especially relevant. Whether you’re planning to spend the summer hanging out at home or going away on vacation, there are a few important tips that will help things go better for everyone in the family. I also wanted to remind you that we’re getting ready to close camps registration for this summer. There are a few spaces left, so if you haven’t registered yet make sure you do it this week.
Have a wonderful week!
Looking to the horizon,
Lemonade Stand
Remember how much fun it was to have a lemonade stand as a kid? Now you can share the same fun experience with your own children by setting up a lemonade stand in front of your house! Decide what kind to make, the supplies you will need, how much to charge per cup of lemonade—it could be a great family project. You may even want to bake some treats to go along with their glass of lemonade as an extra bonus! What a great thing to do on a warm day – and lots of great learning and fun for the entire family
Summer’s Here! 5 Helpful Tips for Parents
By: Nicole Beurkens, M.Ed.
Many parents both love and hate the thought of summer vacation. On the one hand, you’re ready to be done with the homework, backpacks full of papers, seemingly endless fundraisers, and getting the kids up and out the door to catch the bus every morning. Summer holds the possibility of a slower pace, fun times together as a family, and the kids being able to wrestle each other outside instead of in the family room! But then there’s the other side of the summer vacation coin: refereeing the kids’ fights (also know as “too much togetherness syndrome”), blocking out the whines of “but there’s nothing to dooooo,” shuttling kids around from one activity to the next, and discovering that there is only so much time you can be around your children before you start to lose your mind. It seems every season has its pluses and minuses!.
A little summer pre-planning can go a long way in maximizing summer benefits for any family—especially families living with autism or other disabilities. Here are 5 helpful tips for thinking about and planning your summer months.
- Plan ahead! The key is not to let summer sneak up on you, and overwhelm you in the process. You know summer’s coming, so commit to making it a great experience for everyone involved instead of a stress-fest for your family. Begin looking into options in your area such as camps, community events, local attractions, parks, and other options that may be available. There are many things that are free or low cost if you take the time to look for them. Just exploring the variety of parks and playgrounds in your area can make for great inexpensive fun. Most, larger communities have recreation departments that offer summer activities ranging from sports to art to science.
- Ensure adequate support for your child. Make sure whatever activities you choose for your child include adequate support for him/her to have a successful experience. There can be a tendency to think that because summer activities don’t involve “academics,” children with autism and other disabilities won’t need as much support. The reality is that these kids need support to navigate the social complexities and expectations of seasonal environments such as camp, vacation Bible school, local recreation events, etc. Supports vary according to the needs of each child, but it is best to determine potential needs and accommodations ahead of time to ensure a positive and productive experience for your child, and less worry for you.
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 educate students with autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders.
Click here for more information!
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 
Please join us!
- CORE Approach Parent Teleseminar: Gayle Noble, author of It’s All About
Attitude: Loving and Living Well with Autism(Horizons Families Only)
Thursday, June 18, 2009, 11:00AM to 12:00PM 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
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