“Nothing will work unless you do.”
“All great achievements require time.”
Both of these quotes are by poet and writer Maya Angelou. I find many of her quotes very inspiring, but when I read these two quotes I immediately thought of RDI®.
When I looked at the first quote I thought about how RDI® takes work. This is not just some program where you as the parent bring your child somewhere drop them off and come back an hour later after the therapist has “done” something with him/her. In RDI® if you really want to see results and build true relationships that lead to a quality of life for your child you need to put the work in. The other thing that amazes me is that you can really tell when families are putting work into their program because the child starts to master objectives as a steady pace. I love to see this happen. Remediation works when the family puts work into it.
The second quote actually made me think of one of my favorite Dr. Gutstein quotes “RDI® is a marathon not a sprint.” To achieve something truly great it takes a lot of time and hard work. To have a true quality of life it requires that we work at it every day. Do not be daunted by the time it takes every minute you spend is worth it.
Put on your running shoes and prepare to work hard to as you run the marathon of remediation. Your achievements will be great in the end!
Talk to you soon,
Erin
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Family Autism Treatment Scholarships
Right now in Michigan there is an insurance parity law attempting to make it's way through the legislature. The bills call for coverage of autism and related conditions, including a variety of therapies. While there is much I could write about this topic, and the Michigan legislation in particular, I'll save that for another day. The reason I bring it up in this post is because this legislation spotlights the significant need many families (in Michigan and everywhere else) have for financial support of treatment for their children.
In the absence of state or insurance-funded financial support for treatment, families are left to pay out-of-pocket. While this is an option for many families, it is not an option for others. This is why scholarship funds, such as the RDI® Scholarship Fund, are so important. These groups provide families that have significant financial limitations access to funding for treatment. The RDI® Fund specifically supports families who wish to pursue Relationship Development Intervention (RDI®) treatment. Like the majority of scholarship funds, there are far more families requesting funding than there are funds to go around.
In an effort to increase awareness about autism, remediation, RDI®, and the RDI® Scholarship Fund, we are proud to be providing donations to the scholarship fund this month (National Autism Awareness Month). For every person who signs up for our weekly email newsletter, On the Horizon, at www.horizonsautism.com, we will make a donation to the scholarship fund. If you haven't already signed up for the newsletter - please click here now and help us reach our goal of 1,000 new subscribers this month!! We also encourage you to pass this information along to everyone you know who can benefit. You are not only helping to spread the word about remediation, but you are also helping support the much-needed RDI® Scholarship Fund.
Until next week,
Nicole
In the absence of state or insurance-funded financial support for treatment, families are left to pay out-of-pocket. While this is an option for many families, it is not an option for others. This is why scholarship funds, such as the RDI® Scholarship Fund, are so important. These groups provide families that have significant financial limitations access to funding for treatment. The RDI® Fund specifically supports families who wish to pursue Relationship Development Intervention (RDI®) treatment. Like the majority of scholarship funds, there are far more families requesting funding than there are funds to go around.
In an effort to increase awareness about autism, remediation, RDI®, and the RDI® Scholarship Fund, we are proud to be providing donations to the scholarship fund this month (National Autism Awareness Month). For every person who signs up for our weekly email newsletter, On the Horizon, at www.horizonsautism.com, we will make a donation to the scholarship fund. If you haven't already signed up for the newsletter - please click here now and help us reach our goal of 1,000 new subscribers this month!! We also encourage you to pass this information along to everyone you know who can benefit. You are not only helping to spread the word about remediation, but you are also helping support the much-needed RDI® Scholarship Fund.
Until next week,
Nicole
Monday, April 7, 2008
Spring Break Survival
Many families here is West Michigan are gearing up for spring break, which for most starts today. For those of you who are not traveling, here are a few ideas and activities to keep your kids and yourself busy and happy during spring break:
~Spring Cleaning--Have everyone help clean/organize the house. It could be fun to work as a family and go room to room together. It is amazing what you can find under cushions or in the back of the closet!
~Yard Work--Now that the snow is hopefully done for the season, it might be a good time to get outside and clean up your yard. You could rake leaves, pull weeds, till dirt, and plan what you will plant in order to get ready for the spring and summer seasons.
~Smoke Alarms--It is important to check/change the batteries in your smoke detectors several times per year. You could work as a team to check/change the batteries.
~Sort Clothes--Now that spring is approaching, it is a good time to go through your clothes from last year and see what fits and what does not.
~Cook Creatively--There are so many different recipes available online now that it is easy to find something that sounds good and is different than the normal family dinner. You can choose a recipe a cook together.
Hope you find these ideas helpful during spring break!
~Courtney
~Spring Cleaning--Have everyone help clean/organize the house. It could be fun to work as a family and go room to room together. It is amazing what you can find under cushions or in the back of the closet!
~Yard Work--Now that the snow is hopefully done for the season, it might be a good time to get outside and clean up your yard. You could rake leaves, pull weeds, till dirt, and plan what you will plant in order to get ready for the spring and summer seasons.
~Smoke Alarms--It is important to check/change the batteries in your smoke detectors several times per year. You could work as a team to check/change the batteries.
~Sort Clothes--Now that spring is approaching, it is a good time to go through your clothes from last year and see what fits and what does not.
~Cook Creatively--There are so many different recipes available online now that it is easy to find something that sounds good and is different than the normal family dinner. You can choose a recipe a cook together.
Hope you find these ideas helpful during spring break!
~Courtney
Friday, April 4, 2008
Summer Programs 2008
We offer a great Summer Program here at Horizons. We're very excited about this summer as it sounds like it's going to be filled with a lot of fun! All of the information is found on our website and you can even register online as well, or if you'd rather have me mail you the information you can call the office at any time as well too because maybe you have additional questions. We hope you will join us this summer.
-Betsy
* Summer Fun CAMPS Sessions for Children
* Group Activities for Teens
* Parent Groups
* Feeding Therapy
* Individualized Instruction Program
Information & Registration online
Registration Deadline—May 30, 2008
3120 68th Street SE * Caledonia, MI 49316 * info@horizonsdrc.com
(616) 698-0306
www.horizonsdrc.com
-Betsy
* Summer Fun CAMPS Sessions for Children
* Group Activities for Teens
* Parent Groups
* Feeding Therapy
* Individualized Instruction Program
Information & Registration online
Registration Deadline—May 30, 2008
3120 68th Street SE * Caledonia, MI 49316 * info@horizonsdrc.com
(616) 698-0306
www.horizonsdrc.com
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Taking a Break
Taking a break is so critical for all of us. Many of the schools in this area will be starting their spring breaks tomorrow. Many others around the country have just had break or will have a break coming shortly. I have often thought about how spring break came to be, but after the many years working in the schools I know how important this break is. After the long winter months without a break both the adults and children need some time to rest and regroup.
We all need breaks to rest and be refreshed. Even if you don’t work in a school I’m sure you feel the need for short breaks throughout your year. Although I will only be taking a few days off next week I am looking forward to a break. My mind needs a rest and a chance to refresh.
As difficult as it may be for those of you with children on the spectrum to find a time for a break I think it is so very important even if the break is a 30 minute trip to the mall or a walk around the block. This is critical for you.
Please take some time over the next week to take a break. Refresh, regroup and look at your situation anew.
Talk to you soon,
Erin
We all need breaks to rest and be refreshed. Even if you don’t work in a school I’m sure you feel the need for short breaks throughout your year. Although I will only be taking a few days off next week I am looking forward to a break. My mind needs a rest and a chance to refresh.
As difficult as it may be for those of you with children on the spectrum to find a time for a break I think it is so very important even if the break is a 30 minute trip to the mall or a walk around the block. This is critical for you.
Please take some time over the next week to take a break. Refresh, regroup and look at your situation anew.
Talk to you soon,
Erin
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Autism Awareness Month 2008
In honor of Autism Awareness Month 2008, Horizons Developmental Remediation Center is helping to raise funds for the RDI Scholarship Fund. For every person who signs up to receive our free weekly email newsletter, Horizons will make a donation to the Scholarship Fund.
On the Horizon is a free weekly email newsletter for parents and others affected by autism / developmental disabilities who want simple, effective strategies to reduce stress, support their child's development, and improve quality of life for the whole family.
The link to sign up is www.horizonsautism.com . Sign-up today and forward this information on to everyone you know who can benefit. Let's spread the word about autism remediation, support the scholarship fund, and help families who need financial help to access treatment!
On the Horizon is a free weekly email newsletter for parents and others affected by autism / developmental disabilities who want simple, effective strategies to reduce stress, support their child's development, and improve quality of life for the whole family.
The link to sign up is www.horizonsautism.com . Sign-up today and forward this information on to everyone you know who can benefit. Let's spread the word about autism remediation, support the scholarship fund, and help families who need financial help to access treatment!
Take Care of YOU Tuesday - Read Something Fun
I do a lot of reading in a week. I read textbooks and articles for the courses I am taking. I read autism research. I read reports from other clinicians. I read education journals. I read books to my kids. You get the picture - lots of reading.
Then there's the list of books I want to read someday - books that people have recommended, books that I have seen on TV or in a magazine that look interesting, books that people have loaned me - lots of books I want to read.
In the business of life I always read the stuff that has to get read, but I don't often make time for the things I truly want to read. Sometimes I just want to read a gossip magazine, a great new novel, or something completely different from what I immerse myself in for work. There are a few times when I know I'll get time for fun reading - when I'm getting a pedicure, getting my hair colored (I'm not naturally quite this blond!), or when I'm sitting on an airplane. When my colleagues and I travel together, we all buy different magazines and then trade throughout the flight. It feels good to just sit there and read about shoes, jewelry, home decor, and whatever happens to be going on in Hollywood that week!
I have decided that if I don't make some time for reading the stuff I want to read, it doesn't happen. In her book The Seven Minute Difference, Allyson Lewis says that if we just read 10 pages a day, in one month's time we can finish an entire 300 page book! We all have time to sit down and read 10 pages - even if it's every-other day. So, I'm starting to carve out small times throughout the week to read things I want to read - not just the stuff I have to read. I'm encouraging you this week to do the same. Pull out something you have been wanting to read and commit to spend a few minutes each day reading. If you'd like to, post a comment to share what you're reading. Maybe you'll give someone else an idea for what they can read next!
Until next week,
Nicole
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