Welcome to “On the Horizon”

Issue 128:  Holiday Tips (and a few great excuses) for Families

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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Holiday Fun

A Note from Nicole:   Reducing Stress During the Holidays

Idea of the Week:  Melty the Snowman

Feature Article: Holiday Tips (and a few great excuses) for Families 

The Horizons Team Recommends: Holiday Sale!; Do Something Daily

Allergen-Free Recipe of the Week: Chocolate Pudding Tart

Upcoming Events: 
Horizons Events & Workshops

Hi Everyone,

We had a wonderful time last weekend with many of our client families at our annual Horizons Holiday Party!  There were lots of games, crafts, treats, and pictures with Santa.  It was so fun to see everyone enjoying themselves and getting into the holiday spirit.  For some of the kids who are easily overwhelmed, this party provides them the opportunity to enjoy holiday fun in a calm and supportive environment.  We will have pictures of the party uploaded soon on the website!

Speaking of calm and supportive holiday fun, this week’s feature article provides ideas for reducing stress and overwhelm for children with neurodevelopmental issues.  I’ve also provided some creative excuses you can use to avoid that not-so-enjoyable holiday get together!  If you’ve got some holiday tips you find helpful, please click through to read the entire article and leave your ideas in the comments.

Just a reminder that our holiday sale is going on for 3 more days – until December 17th.  When you use the coupon code HOLIDAY10 at checkout you will save 25% off your total purchase amount.  Check out our store for some great holiday gifts!

Enjoy your week!

Looking to the horizon,

Melty the Snowman

Materials:

• White and colored felt
• Tacky glue
• White cotton ball
• Black puffy paint
• Craft foam (for nose) or orange puff paint
• Twigs (for arms)

Instructions:

• Cut a puddle shape from white felt and use tacky glue to attach a white cotton ball to the top.
• With black puffy paint, add eyes, a mouth, and buttons. Glue on a craft foam nose and twig arms.
• Wrap a felt scarf around Melty’s neck and glue it in place.

Holiday Tips (and a few great excuses) for Families

By: Nicole Beurkens, M.Ed.

The holidays can be both a joyful and stressful time for all families.  This can especially be the case for families of individuals with autism or other neuro-developmental disabilities.  If you’re racking your brain to come up with some excuses you can use to avoid a holiday event you dread, here are a few you can try out this year:

Top 10 Great Excuses to Use at the Holidays

1. There is a Sponge Bob marathon on TV, and we have to be home to tape it…all 24 hours of it.
2. The neighbors have had the flu, and I’m pretty sure we’re going to come down with it.
3. The kids hid the car keys—both sets.
4. Oh, was that today?  I thought you said NEXT week!
5. The dog ate the green bean casserole we were supposed to bring, and we’d hate to show up empty handed.
6. I’ve gained a bunch of weight this year, and just won’t fit with 7 other people at a card table made for 4.

Read more …

Chocolate Pudding Tart

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.  Enjoy!

Chocolate Pudding Tart

(Recipe comes from “The Allergen-Free Baker’s Handbook,” by Cybele Pascal!)

Ingredients:

• 1 shortbread Tart Crust (recipe follows)
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup cornstarch
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 ½ cups rice milk
• 1 tablespoon Ener-G egg replacer
• 2 ounces unsweetened baking chocolate, in small pieces
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Get the complete recipe… 

Please join us!

• Sibshop
  (for Everyone)
  January 15th from 10:00-2:00 PM
• Horizons Family Fun Event – Bounce Party
  (for Horizons client families only)
  January 29th
• Rhythmic Movement Training Levels 3 and 4
  Hosted by Horizons
  See http://www.rhythmicmovement.com for details
  February 24th – 27th
• Michigan Council for Exceptional Children annual convention in Grand Rapids
  Nicole and Erin will be presenting
  March 3rd & 4th
• It’s Your Time Conference at GVSU in Grand Rapids
  Nicole and Erin will be presenting
  March 5th
• Autism Society of Wisconsin Annual Conference
  Nicole will be presenting
  April 14th – 16th