Welcome to “On the Horizon”
Issue 85: What is Remediation?
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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Remedy for Problems
 A Note from Nicole: Back from Vegas
Idea of the Week: Mopping the Floors
Feature Article: What is Remediation?
The Horizons Team Recommends: Raising Minds®; Horizons Workshops
Upcoming Events: CORE Approach Parent Teleseminar; Family Fun Night
Hi Everyone!
I just got back from 4 days at a conference in Las Vegas and it was great. I have been to many different places in my life, but I have to say that the “people watching” opportunities in Vegas are second to none! While it’s fun to be away, it’s always good to get home to my family and the normal routine. Now I just need to get myself back on Eastern time.
This week’s feature article is one I wrote on remediation. It’s a word we use often here at our office, but I recognize that many people may have no idea what it is or why we talk about it! In the article I describe what it means, how it applies to people with neurodevelopmental challenges, and why it’s so important when considering treatment.
Speaking of remediation, if you haven’t yet signed up for the day-long parent or professional workshops, this is a reminder to do it this week. You can get details here.
If you’re at all interested in learning about applying new strategies
aimed at the core issues for individuals on the autism spectrum (or
with related disorders) then these workshops are for you. We’re going
to have a great day of learning and fun together!
Enjoy the week ahead!
Looking to the horizon,
Mopping the Floors
After coming in and out of the house during this time of year it’s a good thing to mop the floors a little more often so they stay nice and clean. You can clean the floors a lot of different ways – it’s always good to start by getting all the big pieces of dirt and dust off the floor first by vacuuming or sweeping. Then you can get started on cleaning – you can get on your hands and knees and scrub the floor, you can use a mop, or any other creative way to get your floors shining.
What is Remediation?
By: Nicole Beurkens, M.Ed.
The word “remediation” is very important in the work my colleagues and I do with families affected by autism and other neuro-developmental disabilities, but it is a word that is unfamiliar to many people. I thought I would take a moment this week to talk about what remediation means in general, and specifically in the realm of autism.
Let’s start with some basic dictionary definitions:
Remediate (verb) – To remedy a problem
Remedial (adjective) – Intended to correct or improve one’s skill in a specific field; therapeutic, corrective, restorative
Remediation (noun) – Use of remedial methods to improve skills; the act or process of correcting a deficiency
Dr. Steven Gutstein’s definition of remediation: Correcting a deficit to the point where it no longer constitutes and obstacle
My definition: Work ON something, not just around it
Whether you are a parent or professional, it is critical to understand what remediation is, and the distinction between remediation and compensation. Perhaps the most common application of this distinction is in the area of reading problems. If a child is diagnosed with a reading disability, we typically apply remediation approaches to help them learn to read. At various points we may use compensations, such as books on tape, to support them. However, our goal is to remediate, or correct, the problem that is preventing them from reading so they can become functional readers. In my professional experience, I have yet to come across a situation where adults believe that if an 8 year old child is not yet reading, that we should just compensate for that and give them books on tape to listen to for the rest of their lives. Remedial efforts are taken to get to the root of the problem and overcome the issues that are preventing successful reading.
You Have Questions.
We Have Answers.
Join us for learning experiences designed to provide you with the information, tools, and motivation you need to make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals with autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders.
Horizons
Workshop Opportunities
-
Evaluating for Autism: The Nuts and Bolts of Quality School-Based Autism Spectrum Disorder Evaluations
-
Autism in the Classroom: Simple & Effective Strategies to Learn Today and Use Tomorrow
-
Day of Change: A Groundbreaking Workshop for Parents of Children with Autism and Other Neurodevelopmental Disorders
-
Extreme Makeover: Autism Education Edition
For more information, click here
Discover a Source of Information
and Support for Parents Just Like You!
Imagine for a moment what your life would be like if you knew how to
identify and address the biggest obstacles facing your child. I’m
talking about the core issues that create difficulties for your child,
for you, for your family, and for anyone else involved in your child’s
life. What would it be like if you could help your child learn to:
- Attend to the right things at the right time
- Thoughtfully communicate—not just talk in memorized or mechanical ways
- Be genuinely interested in the emotions, ideas, and actions of others
- Take responsibility for actions
- Flexibly adapt to change
- Understand the intentions of others
- Come up with creative ideas and solutions
- Have meaningful conversations
- Develop curiosity about other people, events, and things in the environment
- Be self-aware—know who s/he is as a person and how s/he is being perceived by others
The information available at Raising Minds® will help you understand exactly what deficit areas require treatment and how to accomplish that, while lowering your stress in the process.
Now, just imagine the peace you will bring to yourself and your
family, not to mention the results you’ll create for your child, when
you have 24/7 access to the information, resources, and motivation you
need to understand your child’s needs and powerfully impact his/her
development.
For more information, click here 
Please join us!
- CORE Approach Parent Teleseminar: Topic: Anxiety with Nicole Beurkens as the guest speaker
(Horizons Families Only)
Thursday, November 19, 2009 from 11:00-12:00 PM EST
- Workshop – Autism in the Classroom: Simple &
Effective Strategies to Learn Today and Use Tomorrow
Friday, November 20, 2009
- Workshop – Day of Change: A
Groundbreaking Workshop for Parents of Children with Autism and Other Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Saturday, November 21, 2009
- CORE Approach Parent Teleseminar: Q&A with Michelle and Courtney
(Horizons Families Only)
Monday, December 7, 2009 from 1:00-2:00 PM EST
- Family Fun Event: Holiday Santa Event – Santa, cookies (sugar & gluten-free), crafts, games, and more!
(Horizons Families Only)
Friday, December 11, 2009 from 5:00-8:00 PM EST
- Holiday CAMP: This is a great opportunity to let the kids come and enjoy some time away while you finish up holiday shopping or preparations that are more easily done without them!
Children ages 4-12 with neurodevelopmental disorders.
Monday, December 20, 2009 from 9:00 AM-1:00 PM EST
- Holiday CAMP: This is a great opportunity to let the kids come and enjoy some time away while you finish up holiday shopping or preparations that are more easily done without them!
Children ages 4-12 with neurodevelopmental disorders.
Monday, December 21, 2009 from 9:00 AM-1:00 PM EST
- Workshop – Evaluating for Autism: The
Nuts and Bolts of Quality School-Based Autism Spectrum Disorder Evaluations
Thursday, Feburary 11, 2009
- Workshop – Autism in the Classroom: Simple &
Effective Strategies to Learn Today and Use Tomorrow
Friday, March 12, 2009
- Workshop – Day of Change: A
Groundbreaking Workshop for Parents of Children with Autism and Other Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Saturday, March 13, 2009
- Extreme Makeover: Autism Education Edition
August 4-6, 2010
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