Welcome to “On the Horizon”
Issue 19: Getting Through the Valley
On the Horizon is a 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.
Highs and Lows
 A Note from Nicole: Summer Activities, Surviving the "Lows"
Idea of the Week: Handprint Butterflies
Feature Article: Getting Through the Valley
The Horizons Team Recommends: Do Something Daily Calendar; CORE Approach Program
Upcoming Events: Summer CAMPS; Parent Chat; CORE Approach
Hi Everyone!
Can you even believe it’s the first day of July? I hope you all are enjoying your summer thus far. With the upcoming holiday on Friday here in the States, I’m sure many of you are looking forward to a long weekend! We’re looking forward to three days of hanging out and hopefully enjoying some sunshine.
Michelle wrote the feature article this week, and it speaks to an issue that affects all of us at one time or another. We’ve all experienced the highs and lows of life and, for those of us who are parents, of raising children. If you’re experience a personal “valley” right now, I now you’ll find the message of this week’s article helpful.
Looking for ideas to pass the time with your kids this summer? Make sure you check out the Do Something Daily Calendar spotlighted below. Parents and professionals rave about it, and you’re sure to get some new ideas!
Looking to the horizon,
Handprint Butterflies!
Here are two different ways you can make beautiful butterflies with your kids:
- Paint the palms of your hands and press them on paper to make the wings. You can draw or cut out a body for the butterflies, and add some antennae, eyes, etc.
- Trace your hands on paper and cut them out to make wings. Cut out a body and glue the handprints to the body. Add decorations, eyes, antennae, etc.
You’ve got some “same but different” butterflies!
Getting Through the Valley
By: Michelle VanderHeide
I’ve just returned to work after having several weeks off for maternity leave. (I have the most fabulous little boy added to my family!) Upon my return, I found that a handful of my families have entered into crisis mode. It’s a hard place to be, and my heart hurts for them. It’s a place in which we all have found ourselves; and when the journey is complete, we always find ourselves in a better place. It’s the “you have to go through the valley to get to the mountains” outlook. In my years of consulting, I’ve seen many families travel through valleys. Development (autism or not) does that! As children grow, they have to find themselves, test the boundaries, and find out where the boundaries lie. It’s hard, very hard to get them through these times; but wow is it cool to see the view on the other side!
There are several things that bring families to these valleys and once we get through the initial hurdles (stress about money, school, children’s behavioral issues, etc.) we are able to move forward and make some beautiful progress! We begin to climb the mountain, and the beauty is already evident. Life is getting better! We’ve already forgotten about how hard life used to be and BAM the child is acting out again, is doing things “we haven’t seen in months!”, and suddenly a family begins the slippery slope back into crisis. So what can you do if you find yourself heading toward or already in crisis?
Do Something Daily Calendar
$19.95 (Per Calendar) Each day includes ideas to inspire you and your children. Calendars are assembled by clients in our EmployAbilities program. $1.00 from every calendar will be donated to FARR.
Click on the image below to visit our store!
CORE Approach Program!
Finally – Hope and Real Improvement is Possible for Individuals with Autism and Their Families!
If your child has been diagnosed on the autism spectrum, or with a related neuro-developmental condition, you simply cannot afford not to investigate the RDI® Program. If you are ready for a change; ready to step away from the status-quo; ready to stop doing things that aren’t getting you where you want to be; ready to really understand the core deficits creating obstacles for your child; ready to significantly impact your child and your family for the better – then you are ready for RDI®.
Watch the video and learn more here
Please join us!
For more information on Summer CAMPS and Collaborate and Create, click here.
- Parent Chat – Struggles
Horizons Parents Only
Tuesday July 1, 8:30 PM to 9:30 PM EST
- Summer CAMPS July 7-10: Down on the Farm
- Summer CAMPS July 14-17: Adventures in the Great Outdoors
- Summer CAMPS July 28-31: Let’s Experiment
- Collaborate and Create! Session 2: July 29-Aug 14:
Environmental Experiences
- Summer CAMPS August 4-7: Pirates of the High Seas
- Summer CAMPS August 11-14: Wet N Wild
- Sibshop – Horizons Sibling Network
Open to everyone!
Saturday September 13, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM EST
- Beginning CORE Approach 4-day Parent Seminar – Lansing, MI
November 10-13
Registration and Location Information To Be Announced…
See our Event Calendar for more details…
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