News for Winter and Spring, 2010

• Susan's Early Childhood Assessment course has been approved for credit at Bank Street College.  This is now the second course that she teaches for credit, with the other being in Applied Behavior Analysis.  Dates for Early Childhood Assessment are April 16th and 17th; dates for Applied Behavioral Analysis are April 23rd and 24th. The third course, Understanding the Learner with Autism is still offered, but not for credit (yet!).  However, you can take it online beginning March 1st, 2010! Go to Bank Street's Continuing Professional Studies website for registration information.
  
• In addition, DOLPHIN ASSISTED THERAPY is now offered in the Bahamas. Our September program had an amazing turnout of 10 people from all over the country.  The participants all left feeling grounded and centered and full of joy!  Call the office to inquire about our next trips beginning in March of 2010.
  
• CranioSacral Therapy and Reiki are offered at the center.  Call for an appointment.  To learn more about CranioSacral Therapy, go to www.upledger.com
• It's been seven years since we launched our "Technology Learning Center" program. Students have registered for half hour or one hour sessions to work on individual goals such as reading comprehension, visual sequencing, and auditory processing. Sessions can be in isolation or scheduled as a "back to back" service before or after OT, Speech, Nutrition, or Educational Services. To determine whether the "Technology Learning Center" is right for your child, call the center for details.
• Our Social Skills Groups are growing!  We are currently screening children for our 3-4 year old group in the early afternoon once weekly.  Parents can simultaneously meet as a group for support and information while the pre-schoolers learn together.  Sensory-motor and fine motor activities are developed as a medium to focus on social skills, including active listening, taking turns, self-regulation, and resolving conflict. For our 7-10 year olds, the  Tuesday group  lead by Eric Soldano and Dana Caretta is at 4:30 PM.  Parents can drop off, or can inquire about meeting together as a group in a separate space at the center.
• Speech Therapy continues to grow at the Holistic Learning Center.  Alexandra  Barone,  Michael Rhenn, and Daina Delborgo, CCC/SLP are with us after school on weekdays. All are pediatric language pathologists who specialize in oral motor PROMPT training, setting up augmentative communication, and promoting language development with young children.  Please call the center to book appointments ASAP.
  
• Susan's book, I've Just Been Told My Child Has...Autistic Spectrum Disorder: A Parent's Guide for Support and Information, can be purchased at our online shop or at the center, located at 571 A White Plains Road in Eastchester, NY.  In addition, Susan has contributed a chapter to Patricia Lemer's text titled Envisioning A Bright Future.  It can be purchased thought the website as well.
  
• Gel Toys are available for sale through teh web site store.  Weighted lap pads, visual tracking toys, and fine motor strengthening toys are all available at  discount  prices.  Click on the store to link into a secure shopping experience.
• Our holistic nutritionist, Nancy Guberti, continues to consult with our families offering both day time and evening appointments.  By assessing labratory tests, she can determine nutritional deficiencies, toxic substances in the body that need to be eliminated, and if the body is actually absorbing the foods you are feeding it!  Her talents are greatly appreciated by our clients, and we are seeing successful outcomes. Please visit our "Services" page and click on "Nutrition Consultation/Lifestyle Coaching Services" for more information.
• Nancy is also leading a monthly support group for parents.  This is an opportunity to pair up with other families that are also implementing individualized healthy diets for the sake of their child/ren.  Don't do it alone! Visit our "Services" page and click on "Support Group for Parents of Children with Biomedical Disorders" to learn more about this group, which focuses on nutritional considerations in supporting the body to heal itself.  Upcoming meeting dates are February 18th, March 18th, and April 15th, 2010.
  
• The Holistic Learning Center's Educational Director is available to provide home visits to assist you in organizing your home for your child using visual supports and increase structure in the environment are critical to enhance creative play and independent task completion.  Click on the link below to learn how this service can have a positive impact on behavior and learning.

 Organize Your Home for a Child with Special Needs