Get the most out of your Summer!

Camp

We have three therapeutic day camp programs, offering three levels of staffing, depending on your child’s needs. We are located in West Seattle and open during school holiday and summer breaks for children needing specialized care due to behavioral difficulties. Staffed transportation is available!

Our therapeutic recreational camps are unique because they are designed for children with behavioral issues, mental health diagnoses, developmental challenges, or for those in special education.

Our camps feature fun, physical, and therapeutic activities in our recreation spaces and in the greater West Seattle community. Staffed by our skilled and trained behavior specialists, the camps are open for children ages 5-18 or up to 21 for those still enrolled in school and living in King County. Camp runs during Winter, mid-Winter, Spring, and Summer breaks and staffed van transportation is available for specific pick up/drop off sites.

Camp Specifics and Structure

Our camps are staffed according to the camper’s specific needs, with a variety of staff to camper ratio options including 1:1, 1:2 and 1:3 ratios. Campers are assigned to a “POD,” a family-like group with whom they stay all day. Every morning the POD meets to review goals, behavioral expectations, and activities for the day. A lead staff supervises and works with his or her POD throughout the scheduled activities and programming. Campers are engaged in activities including board games, task boxes, and POD outings, including activities at the park, geocaching, swimming, beach, hiking, crafts, science experiments and more.

Staffed van transportation

Campers may also be dropped off and picked up at camp. Camp rates vary from $350-$1,250 per week depending upon the level of staffing, and transportation needs.

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Now accepting applications for 2018 camps

• Spring Break Camp April 9th-13th
• Summer Camp June 26th-August 24th

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Click here to register for camp today!

Sensory Day at the Museum of Flight for Autism Awareness

Date: 

Sunday, April 8, 2018 - 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM

What: 

Family Activity

Location: 

T.A. Wilson Great Gallery and J. Elroy McCaw Personal Courage Wing

In recognition of World Autism Awareness Day, the Museum invites children with autism and their families to join us for a FREE early opening to visit exhibits in a sensory-friendly environment, enjoy a special hands-on family activity, receive information from local organizations, and get 10% off purchases in the Museum Store.

Museum will open early at 8:00 AM for children with autism and their families.
The J. Elroy McCaw Personal Courage Wing and T. A. Wilson Great Gallery will have adjusted lighting and sound to provide the best possible experience.

 Buy Tickets here.

Printable Books for Your Family : Little Cloud

http://www.ric.edu/sherlockcenter/dsi/littlecloud.pdf

What is Autism?

Check out this youtube video!


 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aisLvQIP9FE

Classroom Suggestions for Children Who Stutter

Myths About Stuttering

Little Hats, Big Hearts

The American Heart Association and The Children's Heart Foundations are looking for help from anyone who can kit or crochet to make red hats for babies born in February. 

"Little Hats, Big Hearts" started in February of 2014 and collected 300 hats that first year in Chicago. It has since expanded to 40 states, including Washington! 

The specifics for these hats include red yarn, cotton or acrylic, medium to heavy weight and machine washable/dryable. 

They also are accepting donations of yarn! 

Check out their website to learn more about the specifics and to find free patterns. 

Winter DIY Crafts

Winter DIY Mason Jars

Easy Do-It-Yourself Mason Jars or Candle holders

Supplies you will need: You can find these at any Walmart and Dollar Store

Mason Jar or Candle holder

Glitter (Any type in any color)

Paint brush

Mod Podge 

Project will be messy! 

             

*You can add ribbon, charms, jewels and much more!

Facts About Holidays

Facts About Holidays

                                        

 Christmas

• The poinsettia, a traditional Christmas flower, originally grew in Mexico, where it is also known as the ‘Flower of the Holy Night’. Joel Poinsett first brought it to America in 1829.
• The first Christmas was celebrated on December 25, AD 336 in Rome.
• Artificial Christmas trees have outsold real ones since 1991.

                                   

Hanukkah

• Hanukkah is celebrated around the world for eight days and nights.
• The word ‘Hanukkah’ means dedication, and honors one of the greatest miracles in Jewish history.
• In ancient times, oil was used in the menorah. Over time, candles were substituted for the oil.

                                  

Kwanzaa

• Kwanzaa is not religion based, but cultural celebration of African heritage, Spirits of Nature, and togetherness.
• Kwanzaa is rooted in African culture, however, people from all racial and ethnic backgrounds are welcomed to join in the celebration. 
• Kwanzaa is represented by three colors - red, green, and black.

International Day of Person's with Disabilities

December 3rd, 2017 is the international person's with disabilities day. 

This international observance promoted by the United Nations since 1992. This day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights, and well-being of persons with disabilities.

This years theme is Transformation towards Sustainable and Resilient Society for all. Check out this website for more information.

Thanksgiving Fun Facts

In celebration of thanksgiving this week, here are 5 Thanksgiving fun facts! 

• Americans eat 46 million turkeys each thanksgiving 
• The very first Thanksgiving was held in 1621
• Thanksgiving is the reason for TV Dinners! - There was so much left over turkey someone had the idea to put it in an aluminum tray to heat up later. 
• Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade began in 1924
• There were no forks at the first Thanksgiving! Only spoons and knifes. 

American Speech-Language Hearing Association Conference 2017

This past week our office was closed on Thursday and Friday.

The therapists took a trip to Los Angeles, California to attend the yearly ASHA conference.

The ASHA Convention is the strongest educational program for speech-language pathologists, audiologists, speech and hearing scientists, and related professionals.

Make sure to ask your therapist how the conference was!

"This was my first time at ASHA and I had an awesome experience! I am excited to apply everything I learned from the conference into therapy.  It was amazing to be surrounded by thousands of people who share the same passion as me."  

- Adina (SLPA)

World Origami Days

October 24th through November 11th is "World Origami Days." 

World Origami days began on October 24th and will last until November 11th.

October 24th is the birthday of Lillian Oppenheimer (1898 - 1992), who founded the first origami group in America. November 11th is Origami Day in Japan where the paper crane has become a symbol of peace. 

Celebrate by creating your own origami creation! 

Click here for a link to an online template for creating the paper crane!

Dyslexia Awareness Month

Dyslexia Awareness Month

Dyslexia is defined as difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and poor spelling and decoding abilities. Typically, Dyslexia results from a deficit in the phonological component of language. 

Dyslexia Awareness month was first celebrated in 2002. 

You can help raise awareness by using the hashtag #DyslexiaAwarenessMonth on social media! 

Resources:

• http://nild.org/october-is-national-dyslexia-month-do-you-know-the-signs/

National Bullying Prevention Month

National Bullying Prevention Month

1 out of every 5 students report being bullied according to PACER's National Bullying Prevention Center. 

October is the National Bullying Prevention Month. October 25th is unity day. Where we raise awareness by wearing and sharing orange. This day was initiated by PACER's National Bullying Prevention Center in October of 2006. It has since grown to an entire month of raising awareness to prevent bullying. 

This year, for every #CleantheMean post on Facebook or Instagram, clarisonic will donate $1 to PACER's National Prevention Center (up to $100,000.) Get involved and help raise awareness by posting using the hashtag #CleantheMean! 

Resources:

• http://www.pacer.org/bullying/nbpm/

International Stuttering Awareness Day

International Stuttering Awareness Day

International Stuttering Awareness Day is Oct. 22nd. To help raise awareness and celebrate here are some fun facts and myths about stuttering:

• Over three million Americans stutter
• Children who stutter are at a higher risk for bullying
• Stuttering affects three to four times as many males as females
• Approximately 5% of all children go through a period of stuttering that last six months or more. 3 quarters will recover by late childhood, leaving 1% with a long term stutter.
• Studies show that people who stutter are as intelligent and well-adjusted as those who don't. 
• Nervousness does NOT cause stuttering
• Famous people who stutter include Emily Blunt, Joe Biden, and Marilyn Monroe

Your response when conversing with a person who stutters is important. It is not an appropriate response to tell them to "think about what you say first" or to "take a deep breath before talking." It is also not favorable to finish their sentences. A more appropriate response would be to listen patiently and treat them as you normally would treat someone in a conversation.  

Our very own speech language pathologist, Tiffani, has written a wonderful article regarding her journey with stuttering and her own fluency disorder. Check it out here! 

National Down Syndrome Awareness Month

National Down Syndrome Awareness Month

Down Syndrome is a condition where a person is born with an extra chromosome. The physical features and medical problems associated with down syndrome can vary widely from child-to-child. Kids with Down Syndrome tend to share certain physical features such as a flat facial profile, an upward slant to the eyes, small ears, and protruding tongue. Some also may have low muscle tone (called hypotonia), which is also a characteristic.

Today, many kids with down syndrome go to school, hold jobs, and enjoy many of the same activities as other kids their age. They go to college, and transition to semi-independent living as well. 

This month is not about celebrating disabilities, it's about celebrating abilities! Join us in celebrating and raising awareness. 

Resources:

• http://www.ndss.org/Down-Syndrome/
• http://downsyndromecommunity.org

International Augmentative & Alternative Communication Awareness Month

October is the International AAC Awareness month!

PrAACticialAAC.org has many resources to help raise awareness of AAC and resources for those who have devices. 

This site also has a printable file flip chart called "Everyone Deserves a Voice" AAC Strategies for Success. 

Here is a blurb from the pamphlet: 

Students who use AAC need their communication systems within arms reach at all times. If you can see the student, you should also be able to see their AAC. Its never okay to turn it off or take it away. For students to learn to use AAC, they need to see adults & peers using it, too. Immerse them in an environment that is rich in AAC use throughout the day. Point to the AAC symbols as you speak. Use the AAC devise or app OR make a non-electoronic mock-up. 

We have a laminated version of this flip chart in our lobby at all times. 

However, during this month we will have multiple on the desk for you to take home and share with friends and family! 

Screen Time

As technology continues to grow, there is a common concern of language development in young children who spend ample amount of time on tablets. 

A study from the University of Toronto found that every 30 minutes of daily screen usage increases a child's risk of developing speech and language delays by 49% for ages 6 months to 2 years. They specifically found that there were difficulties with expressive language. However, the author cautions that their study does show a direct correlation between device use and language difficulties but there needs to be more research completed in order to signify the correlation. 

So how much screen time should you allow your child to have?
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no screen time at all for children younger than 18 months. Children learn language by exposure, and birth to 2 or 3 year range is a time of massive advances in language development. 

Of course, Alternative Augmentative Communication (AAC) is an exception as it is vital in the development of language for non-verbal users. 

10 Benefits of Building Blocks

Did you know the benefits of development when it comes to building with blocks or legos?

1. Problem Solving 

Problem solving is beneficial in block building as it requires the builder to think about how to make this block structure stand on it's on. Problem solving on how to place the pieces to benefit the structure. 

2. Imagination

Imagination comes into play when the builder decides what to build. Sometimes it is thought of beforehand and sometimes the structure just comes together as they problem solve. They get to follow their own plan or work together as a team to create the structure they envision. 

3. Self-Expression

When children get to express themselves through art no matter if they are drawing, dancing, or building they are expressing their thoughts and in turn themselves. 

4. Mathematics

Carefully calculating the number of blocks on each side or tall is vital in the building process. You must calculate out the blocks in order to create a sturdy structure. 

5. Continuity & Permanence

Building block engages spatial awareness and mobile abilities. It can be in the sense of parallel play or working together as a group. 

6. Creativity 

Along with self-expression, children get to be creative on what they build. They use their imaginations to come up with a concept and problem solve to make it come to life!

7. Science

This activity is an opportunity to test hypotheses and build scientific reasoning through play and imagination. 

8. Self-Esteem

Children discover that they have ideas and that they can bring their ideas to life by creating, transforming, demolishing, and re-creating something unique. 

9. Social and Emotional Growth

Blocks help children learn to take turns and share, develop friendships, become self-reliant, increases attention span, follow directions, and develop confidence in their abilities. 

10. Fine Motor Skills

Using your fingers to manipulate different size and textures of blocks helps in the development of fine motor skills.