Welcome to “On the Horizon”

Issue 111: Fun Family Activities for Any Occasion

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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Great Information

A Note from Nicole: Beautiful San Diego

Idea of the Week:  Ants on a Log

Feature Article: Fun Family Activities for Any Occasion

The Horizons Team Recommends: Extreme Makeover: Autism Education Workshop

NEW! Allergen-Free Recipe of the Week: Turkey Meatloaf

NEW! Allergen-Free Product of the Month: Gluten Free Dreams Pancake Mix

Upcoming Events: Summer CAMPS; Workshops/Conferences

Hi Everyone,

I just returned from spending a few days in beautiful San Diego.  While the weather wasn’t as perfect as it has been on previous trips, Erin and I did get to spend some time outdoors in the sun in between lots of meetings.  We also had the opportunity to brainstorm and plan upcoming opportunities for parents and professionals to learn how to make a huge difference in the lives of individuals with autism and related disorders.  Stay tuned for some exciting announcements in the near future!

In this week’s feature article Courtney shares some great indoor activity ideas.  Let’s face it, we are all stuck indoors with the kids at one time or another whether it be at home or school.  Next time that happens to you, pull out this list and have some fun inside! 

Just a reminder that Extreme Makeover: Autism Education Edition is coming up in August.  If you are an education professional who desires to make an even greater impact on the lives of your students with autism and related disorders, this is the event to attend!  Parents, we are going to have some sessions specifically for you as well so feel free to join us.  Check out the details at
www.ExtremeMakeoverAutism.com.

Have a great week!

Looking to the horizon,

Ants on a Log

This is a great summer snack!  Family members can assist with washing the celery, spreading the peanut butter on the celery, and placing raisins on top of the peanut butter.  Think about other food items could be used instead of celery, peanut butter, and raisins.  Can you come up with new names for your creations?  Get creative with the new food choices!

Fun Family Activities for Any Occasion

By: Courtney Kowalczyk, M.Ed.

With the constant change in weather patterns here in Michigan and the world abroad, I have begun to appreciate a variety of activities that I can do with my family whether we are stuck indoors due to rain or snow, extreme hot or cold.  Although it is hard to find an activity that they whole family can enjoy together, it is not impossible.  Here are a variety of ideas that you can use when you are stuck indoors with your family, and unsure of what to do.

Play “Simon Says” or “Hide-And-Go-Seek.”  All too often, I forget about these fun games that I used to play as a child.  The best part is, you don’t need to have any materials in order to play them.  Simon Says and Hide-And-Go-Seek are wonderful games for the whole family that even teens can enjoy! 

Look at old photo albums together.  It is fun to reminisce about past experiences and trips.  It is especially fun when parents pull out their wedding or college photo albums, as our kids seem to get a real “kick” out of them.

Read more …

Extreme Makeover: Autism Education Edition Workshop

August 4-6 • 2010 Grand Rapids, MI

Put together the
soaring increase in children 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.

Turkey Meatloaf

(From The Whole Foods Allergy Cookbook)

Whether you have just started a special diet with your child or you have been following one for years, it can be difficult to come up with what to serve. We decided to try to make that just a bit easier by providing you with a new allergen free recipe each week. While it is impossible to meet every person’s unique food sensitivity needs, we hope you will find these recipes helpful and delicious. Please feel free to adapt the recipes to meet your needs and taste buds; we do it all the time. In addition to the weekly recipes, we will be highlighting a specific allergen free product of the month. Enjoy!

Turkey Meatloaf

2 lbs chopped turkey meat
½ cup minced yellow or red onion
1 cup crumbled unsweetened corn flakes, rice flakes, or oat flakes
1 ¼ cup red sauce (The Lady from Naples Red Sauce or Simple Red Sauce, or store-bought sauce, or chopped fresh or canned tomatoes)
1 ½ tsp Ener-G egg Replacer mixed with 2 Tbsp. Water
1 tsp salt
¼ cup chopped parsley
Black pepper to taste
Ketchup, mustard, hot sauce, or mushroom sauce

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all the ingredients in a large bowl. Pat into a greased or no-stick loaf pan, or mound into a loaf on a greased shallow baking pan. Bake for 1 hour (top should be browned, sides should just be pulling away from pan a bit, and loaf should feel firm to the touch in the center.) When done, remove from oven and let stand at least 15 minutes before cutting. Serve hot with ketchup, mustard, hot sauce, or mushroom sauce.

Serves 6-8

Gluten
Free Dreams Pancake Mix (plain or chocolate chip)

Get this pancake mix and other allergen-free products at CherrybrookKitchen.com.

Please join us!

• Summer CAMPS – Red, White, & Blue
  (ages 4-7 morning  & ages 8-12 afternoon)
  June 28 – July 1
• Summer CAMPS – Let’s Make Music
  (ages 4-7 morning  & ages 8-12 afternoon)
  July 12 – 15
• Summer CAMPS – All About Pets
  (ages 4-7 morning  & ages 8-12 afternoon)
  July 26 – 29
• Summer CAMPS – Fun in the Sun
  (ages 4-7 morning  & ages 8-12 afternoon)
  August 9 – 12
• Summer Program – Collaborate and Create:
  Session 1
  Ages 11-18, 9am-12pm, Tues & Thurs
  June 29, July 1-15
• Summer Program – Collaborate and Create:
  Session 2
  Ages 11-18, 9am-12am, Mon-Weds, 9am-1pm Thurs
  July 26 – 29
• Extreme
  Makeover: Autism Education Edition
  August 4-6, 2010