Welcome to “On the Horizon”
Issue 27: Communication is Dynamic
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.
To keep receiving On the Horizon, please add the email address “nicolebeurkens@horizonsdrc.com” to your safe address list.
Communication Is More Than Words
 A Note from Nicole: Children in School, Communication, Supporting Parents
Idea of the Week: Sorting Old Magazines
Feature Article: Communication is Dynamic
The Horizons Team Recommends: Parent Success Cards; CORE Approach Program
Upcoming Events: CORE Approach Parent Chat; Sibshop; CORE Approach Parent Teleseminar
 
Hi Everyone!
It’s back to school time in West Michigan! Yesterday marked the first day of school for public school students here. At our house we had one very excited child, one lukewarm child, and one unhappy child. Everyone survived the first day back and had some positive experiences to show for it. So for all of you who homeschool, send your children to school, or work with children in school – I hope the start of your year has been a good one!
I can’t tell you how excited I am about Erin’s article this week on communication. This is such an important and often misunderstood topic in the field of autism/related disorders. The first in a series she is writing about communication, this article covers the basics about communication, including differences between speech, language, and communication. This is critical information to consider when addressing the communication obstacles faced by children on the spectrum.
Thank you to everyone who has purchased a set of Parent Success Cards and sent us positive feedback. We love reading your emails and are so excited that you are finding them to be a great resource! We’re working on getting the website updated to include your comments and ideas.
Looking to the horizon,
Sorting Old Magazines!
Spend some time with your child sorting through all of your magazines. Decide what months to keep and what months should be thrown away. Spotlight how you are thinking about those decisions. Why do you want to keep some and not others? Once the magazines have been sorted, place them back neatly in their assigned area or nicely displayed on a coffee table. Your old magazines can be either thrown away, recycled, or saved for rainy day art projects.
Communication is Dynamic
By: Erin Roon, MA CCC-SLP
Communication is a dynamic process. It goes way beyond the words we say. Many people interchange the words communication, language, and speech; but these terms are not synonymous. Speech refers to the actual words or sounds that are coming from your mouth. Language is the grammar, meaning and ability to use the words you have. When people talk about language, they are referring to both verbal and non-verbal language. Communication encompasses both language and speech, but it is more than that. It is the ability to share thoughts and experiences in a meaningful way while taking in, processing, and responding to the person you are talking with.
When you stop to think about all the elements of communication, it is a wonder that we don’t have more miscommunication. It is such a multi-level skill! The ability to hear the words someone else is saying is only one small part of dynamic communication that involves the ability to read facial expressions, gestures, tone of voice, and body posture at the same time as listening to what the person has to say. Once you’ve taken in all of this information, then you need to process it and decide how to respond.
Parent Success Cards
For RDI® Program families, these cards provide reminders of the main principles of RDI® 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
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.
- CORE Approach Parent Chat
Horizons Families Only
Tuesday September 9, 8:30 PM to 9:30 PM EST
- Sibshop – Horizons Sibling Network
Open to everyone!
Saturday September 13, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM EST
- CORE Approach Parent Teleseminar
Horizons Families Only
Tuesday September 23, 8:30 PM to 9:30 PM EST
- Sibshop – Horizons Sibling Network
Open to everyone!
Saturday November 1, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM EST
- CORE Approach Parent Day
Remediation-Friendly Treatments for Feeding Problems and Sensory Processing Disorders
Friday November 7, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM EST
- Beginning CORE Approach 4-day Parent Seminar – Chicago, IL area
November 10-13
Registration and Location Information To Be Announced…
- Sibshop – Horizons Sibling Network
Open to everyone!
Saturday January 17 2009, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM EST
- Sibshop – Horizons Sibling Network
Open to everyone!
Saturday March 14 2009, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM EST
- Sibshop – Horizons Sibling Network
Open to everyone!
Saturday May 9 2009, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM EST
- Sibshop – Horizons Sibling Network
Open to everyone!
Saturday July 18 2009, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM EST
See our Event Calendar for more details…
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