LaurenWelle.com

As most of you know I work with children with autism and I love these kids with all my heart. They are smart, loving, funny and have so many UNIQUE abilities but stuggle with many daily life skills that seem simple to you and me. I am so proud to say that I am a part of my students lives and hopefully making this world a more calming place for them to live.

I am walking in the fight against autism at Walk Now for Autism. If you would like to walk or if you can not walk and would like to donate, please visit: www.walknowforautism.org .

If you would like to mail a check please fill out a donation form and make your check payable to Autism Speaks. Mail to:

Autism Speaks/Walk Now for Autism
5455 Wilshire Blvd, Ste 2250
Los Angeles, CA 90036

Below is the date, time and location if you are able to walk.

The walk Date: Saturday, November 8, 2008
Location: The National Mall
15th St. at Constitution Ave., NW
Washington, DC
Registration: 8:30 am
Walk Starts: 10:00 am
Distance: Approximately 2 miles miles
Map: Washington Monument Grounds
Parking: On-street parking; local garages.
Activities: Face painting; carnival games; roaming entertainers; snacks and drinks; autism resource fair

The money raised at Walk Now for Autism supports Autism Speaks mission to finding the causes, effective treatments and a cure for autism through funding essential biomedical research. One in every 150 children is diagnosed with autism.

Thank you for taking an important step in the fight against autism.

 Please join us for a night of

shopping and fun

Friday, August 29th

8:30 - ?

 You will be treated to refreshments and a personal shopping experience after normal store hours.

 –  Please RSVP to poec@poec.org  –

 Fairfax Corner
11945 Grand Commons Avenue
Suite A
Fairfax, VA 22030
703-266-3448

 Portion of the proceeds to benefit Parents of Exceptional Children

http://www.poec.org

Having a child who is about to enter Kindergarten is a very exciting experience.  Your child is growing up and will be starting one of the most important and memorable years of their life. I am sure that you might also be anxious.  Your child will be going to a new school, will have a different daily routine than previous years, and will be in a classroom with lots of kids. Don’t worry, you are not the only one feeling anxious! Many other parents and children are feeling the same way. Help your child adjust and plan for the upcoming year by creating a Kindergarten social story.

Take your child to their new school and walk around. Play on the playground, walk around the building and down the halls. Show your child the cafeteria, gym and music room. You might also be able to peak in their new classroom. At every juncture, take a picture. Put the pictures in a book, possibly on index cards and write captions on each page. Have your child create the book with you. Read your child the book every night before bed. Most children are visual learners. Providing your child with a picture book about the upcoming year will give them confidence, make them feel excited and help them adjust.

Don’t forget to take pictures of your child on their first day. You will want to remember this forever!

hildren who have an articulation delay have difficulty pronouncing age appropriate sounds. Listed below are a few easy and successful suggestions that you can do at home. In class, I have found my students have fun with these activities and do not realize that I am actually working with them on something that is challenging.

1) Buy small plastic trinkets that start with the letter you are trying to address. For example, if you are targeting the letter “B” you should buy items such as a ball, bat, bear, bike, and bee. Often, the dollar store has an array of these items. I would buy 7 or more of these items. Put the items in a bag and have your child reach in and feel around. Have them guess what they are feeling. When they pull the item out, help them identify the object and produce the targeted beginning sound. Your child might have difficulty. Make sure to give gentle reminders and repeat the sound twice per object.

2) Place pictures that start with the targeted sound on the ground. Spread them out and have your child throw a bean bag onto each card. Have them identify each picture and assist them in producing the sound. This is a good language and gross motor activity.

3) Place cards that begin with the targeted sound on blocks. Give your child a ball and have them bowl to knock down each block and produce the sound.

Summer is almost over! Are you looking for another camp? You still have time. The Young Athletes Sports Camp starts next weekend. The camp specializes in instructing children with special needs and their siblings, ages 3-7, in sports including soccer, basketball, baseball, bowling, putt putt and kickball. The camp also provides sensory activities including jumping on trampolines, ball pits and deep pressure techniques. The goal of the program is to provide an environment that accommodates the needs of the children and to provide a family centered approach. Parents are welcome to stay and cheer their children on or volunteer.

The camp meets on:

July 26th from 9-11

August 2nd from 9-11:45

August 9th from 9-11:45

August 16th from 9-11:45

August 23rd from 9-11:45

August 30th from 9-11:45

Place:
The Northern Virginia Training Center
9901 Braddock Rd
Fairfax, VA 22032-1941

Please contact:
Beth Frank at 703.359.4301 to register