Welcome to “On the
Horizon”
Issue 67: Are You a Peacock or a Penguin?
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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Hot Topics for Summer
 A Note from Nicole: Summer Activities
Idea of the Week: Fruit Cone
Feature Article: Are You a Peacock or a Penguin?
The Horizons Team Recommends: Extreme Makeover: Autism Education Edition; Parent Success Cards
Upcoming Events: CORE Approach Parent Teleseminar; Sibshop
 
Hi Everyone!
Our summer program is in full swing this week and it’s wonderful to have kids around again! It always seems strangely quiet during the weeks of no instructional or summer programming. We’re excited about seeing old friends and meeting new ones as the summer progresses. If you want to follow along with the summer adventures around here, keep checking the photo gallery on our website for updated pictures.
The countdown to the Extreme Makeover: Autism Education Edition Workshop is on. In just three short weeks we will be holding this event, and the seats are almost full. In fact, we have just 2 more seats available before registration will close for good. If you’ve been thinking about attending, now is the time to register. Remember that CEUs are now available for teacher, school psychologists, and speech pathologists. Click here www.extrememakeoverautism.com for more details.
This week’s feature article focuses on the importance of being open to change in our lives. So often we get stuck in a rut and close ourselves off to new opportunities for growth. Erin reminds us of the importance of staying open to change by asking if we are penguins or peacocks. Read the article to figure out which you are!
Have a wonderful week!
Looking to the horizon,
Fruit Cone
Instead of filling your ice cream cone up with ice cream, use that delicious fresh fruit that we enjoy during the summer and fill up an ice cream cone. Drizzle it with some honey and top it with granola. You could probably even stir some yogurt into your fresh fruit before filling your cone as well. Yet another delicious fresh summer treat you can enjoy after a hot summer day!
 
Are You a Peacock or a Penguin?
By: Erin Roon, MA CCC-SLP
I found this great little movie on the internet at www.simpletruths.com, and was inspired to write about the message it conveyed. The story begins by talking about how the penguins were the leaders in many organizations. One day, a peacock comes along and begins spreading his creativity and ingenuity. At first, the penguins were excited by the new ideas; but as time went on they became uncomfortable with the changes, and decided to go back to their old ways. The peacock was disheartened until he met a seagull that took him to the “Land of Opportunity.” Here the peacock met birds of many different shapes, sizes, and abilities. Their shared knowledge of the world made them successful. The peacock discovered that to find opportunity, you must be open to new ideas, be willing to listen, be eager to learn, have a desire to grow, and be flexible enough to change. He found that we can all live in the “Land of Opportunity” if we choose to see beyond ourselves, open our hearts, and be who we are.
When we get bogged down in the day to day “ho hum” of our lives, we can miss the little opportunities that present themselves. I will readily admit that I miss daily opportunities for making new discoveries when my eyes are closed and my heart is not open. On the days when I take the time to slow down, look beyond myself and open my heart, the opportunities seem endless. Sometimes the multitude of opportunities can feel daunting, and making a change can be scary; but it can be completely awesome as well.
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!
Parent Success Cards
For CORE Approach Program families, these cards provide reminders of the main principles of CORE Approach such as the importance of experience sharing, guiding, slowing down, staying focused on the marathon, finding small moments for remediation, and much more. You will find them an invaluable source of inspiration and guidance as you focus on remediation.
Set of 50 heavyweight full-color cards in a sturdy box with lid – $24.95
Purchase the set or view more samples here
Please join us!
- Sibshop
– Horizons Sibling Network
Open to everyone!
Saturday, July 11, 2009, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM EST
- CORE Approach Parent Teleseminar:
Nutrition and Supplements with Erin Roon as our Guest Speaker (Horizons
Families Only)
Thursday, July 16, 2009, 11:00AM to 12:00PM
EST
- Extreme Makeover: Autism
Education Edition
July 29-31, 2009
- CORE Approach Parent Teleseminar:
Q&A with Michelle & Courtney (Horizons
Families Only)
Monday, August 3, 2009, 1:30PM to 2:30PM
EST
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