Does your child engage in behaviors that drive you crazy? Wondering how you can capitalize on learning during playtime with your kiddo? Determined to stay close to your child though they’re growing up quickly?
If these or other parenting questions and challenges vex you from time to time, Easterseals Northeast Central Florida’s Parent Training Series by Behavior Analyst Allison Berard, M.S., BCBA, is for you.
In the series, Berard, a board-certified Behavior Analyst, offers a series of parent education tools – including handouts and videos – centered on children’s typical behaviors and coping skills for adults. She’s keen on helping children and parents change for the better and grow together in the process.
“Behavior change isn’t magic,” says Berard. “The desired outcome usually takes a lot of time, dedication and consistency. However, the outcomes can be magical!"
In her role at Easterseals, Berard is responsible for training teachers, parents and caregivers how to teach school readiness, play and social interaction skills as well as how to positively and successfully manage problem behavior. The Parent Training education handouts are available online here, or parents may receive them directly by emailing a request to aberard@esnecfl.org. Additionally, the first in the series of videos also are posted online and linked here:

• Teaching Play video
• Junk Behavior video
  

For individual support or for more information about parent training or working with children with autism and other developmental disabilities, parents and caregivers may contact Allison Berard at 386-944-7801 or aberard@esnecfl.org.
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Easterseals is changing the way the world defines and views disability – whether physical, intellectual, emotional or social – by making profound, positive differences in people's lives every day. To learn more about the many programs and offerings of Easterseals Northeast Central Florida, visit eastersealsnecfl.org or call (386) 255-4568.

Bring on the babies!
Easterseals Early Childhood Center Daytona, 1219 Dunn Ave., Daytona Beach, now is accepting infants ages 6 weeks and older for its fulltime daycare program. The program is set to begin in August, though it may open in July if demand necessitates.
The cost of the program is $225 per week, and Easterseals accepts Early Learning Coalition funding. Program hours are from 6:30 a.m. – 6 p.m, Monday through Friday.
Easterseals is committed to the needs and concerns of parents with children of all abilities by offering, top-quality, inclusive childcare; a safe and nurturing environment for children; low child-adult ratios; highly qualified teachers; and low staff turnover.
Space is limited, so families are encouraged to contact program coordinator Laurie Broad at (386) 944-7816.
***
Easterseals is changing the way the world defines and views disability – whether physical, intellectual, emotional or social – by making profound, positive differences in people's lives every day. To learn more about the many programs and offerings of Easterseals Northeast Central Florida, visit eastersealsnecfl.org or call (386) 255-4568.

Local teens with special needs are invited to SOAR through summer with fun and confidence-building activities this July with Easterseals Northeast Central Florida.
 
Easterseals will be hosting SOAR (School’s Out Afternoon Recreation), which will be offered in collaboration with YMCA, from July 13 through 31. The mini-program will be from 1 – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at Easterseals Daytona Center, 1219 Dunn Avenue in Daytona Beach. The registration fee is $50 but will be waived for the first 5 clients with completed registration packets and financial assistance may be available for those who qualify.
 
SOAR is for teens with special needs who are ready to pursue a higher level of independence in the areas of life skills, social skills, health, and wellness and successfully preparing for the workplace. The program is designed to encourage young people to their next level of independence and help them gain confidence in their abilities. Highly trained Easterseals employees who specialize in working with children and young adults with disabilities will staff the program.
 
SOAR’s July mini-program is a precursor to a fall 2020 SOAR program in August and September and will be in an after-school program format.
 
Parents and caregivers are encouraged to sign up for July or fall SOAR programs by contacting program coordinator Davine Vincent at (386) 944-7815 or dvincent@esnecfl.org.
 
Easterseals is changing the way the world defines and views disability – whether physical, intellectual, emotional or social – by making profound, positive differences in people's lives every day. To learn more about the many programs and offerings of Easterseals Northeast Central Florida, visit eastersealsnecfl.org or call (386) 255-4568.

The following is shared with permission from Easterseals staffer Shari MacFarlane, who is more importantly an extraordinary mom of two children with autism, a devoted special needs advocate and a skilled case manager within Easterseals Autism Center of Excellence. Shari shares her thoughts with our President/CEO Bev Johnson in response to Bev's "Daily Tip" sent to Easterseals employees with daily updates, motivation and positive thoughts during this pandemic. Shari's perspective is a good reminder for even those who work on the front lines of the special needs community.  May we all "get back to normal" with a deeper understanding.

“I have been reading your daily tips, I felt the need to share a little perspective.  You have done a great job of keeping everyone focused on the recovery side of things, not losing hope or getting too caught up in this moment of distress because it will pass.  But what about those of us for whom this moment isn’t just a moment?
 
With all the talk from all directions about families feeling trapped at home, how hard it is to keep up with your kids without school and the social isolation that comes with 24/7 life at home, there is very little discussion about how this is the life of a special needs family most of the time.  My life has changed very little as a result of the pandemic, other than working from home which has actually made things easier. 
 
With complex medical challenges, we have always been a little “germaphobic”.  Three developmental regressions due to various viruses over the years and many flares of PANDAS makes me want to put my kids in a bubble every cold and flu season.
 
With autism, we don’t get to participate in many of life’s social activities and milestones.  Most self-contained ESE kids do not get to participate in the lower grade graduations or field trips or really anything else that many people think of as a “normal” school experience.  And dinner out with friends, that takes an act of Congress to happen, especially if the friends are also special needs families.  Even shopping in a store is challenging, which is why Amazon loves me so much.
 
From my perspective, everyone has been getting to walk in my shoes just a bit.  Maybe now others can have a glimmer of understanding of how truly challenging being a special needs family is all the time, not just for a month or two.  To all the people saying they can’t handle this any longer and can’t wait for life to be back to normal, this IS my normal!  
 
I know there are many special needs parents feeling the same way.  Since we have many of them coming back for therapy and summer programs, maybe this is a golden opportunity for our staff without special needs kids at home to realize a different side of things.  I don’t want anyone to feel sorry for me or any other special needs family, I honestly didn’t realize just how different our lives were until this all happened.  For me, this is about inclusion once our society starts opening up again.  Inclusion starts with an understanding of how much someone has been excluded and marginalized all along.  Our programs are inclusive, but sometimes each person’s attitude or expectations are not.  Our families would probably appreciate some extra patience and support because they are worried about the lost progress from the past 2 months, the mental health toll on the parents and the kids, the loss of supporting programs, friends and family due to social distancing, not to mention the physical health of their fragile child now that other people are not being so cautious with their behavior.  And that’s on top of all the other worries we are all experiencing.
 
We have wonderful, compassionate people working for Easterseals, now is our chance to really show that off.”

Scout is our 3rd child, the youngest of three girls. Both of our oldest children are perfectly healthy and pregnancies were normal. When we found out that we were expecting our 3rd we had no idea how different things would be; and in our story different changed our lives in the most beautiful ways.
 
I was 35 years old for this pregnancy and considered advanced maternal age. At 9 weeks gestation my OBGYN did an ultrasound to ensure viability; and at 11 weeks blood testing which ruled out other abnormalities, everything was normal. 
 
Then at 18 weeks an anatomy scan, and the next day the OBGYN called with the stomach churning news "there are abnormalities in the baby's brain". She said that she didn't know enough to make any diagnoses and that we would be referred to a perinatologist- a specialist for further assessment. We saw him 3 days later and within seconds of reviewing her imaging, he said "your baby has Spina Bifida and she is going to need surgery". As devastating as that news was he also told us about the options,  one being fetal surgery. 
 
3 weeks later after extensive testing we were referred to CHOP in Philadelphia for fetal surgery because this was not offered in Florida at the time. On 11/16/2016 one day shy of 23 weeks gestation Scout and I went into fetal surgery to repair her L4 Myelomenengocele.
 
We had to stay in Philadelphia for the next 30 days under close observation and then were released to the care of Winnie Palmer Hospital, Orlando Fl. We were the first fetal family ever discharged from CHOP to Winnie Palmer and Scout was the first baby born at Winnie post fetal repair.
 
Scout was born at 36 weeks gestation via c-section weighing 6lbs15oz. She was sent to the NICU as a precaution, however everything was normal with the exception of enlarged ventricles and she was discharged home with mom after 3 days.
 
We knew there would be challenges and did our best to prepare. At 8 weeks old Scout started early intervention with Early Steps Volusia County and she continued with them until the age of 3. She had an EP Shunt at 9 months old and she started walking independently at 2 years old. She does not use a walker or have braces and she graduated from OT early at about 18 months old. She has no cognitive deficits and does not qualify for an IEP at this time. 
 
We continue to watch her closely and have found great support in a network of children's services through Early Steps and Arnold Palmer Children's Hospital. We always have kept the attitude that as long as we see progress we are headed in the right direction. We don't compare Scout to her sisters or any other child, she is uniquely who she is and although we acknowledge her differences we do not limit her.
 
Beyond being our miracle, Scout is the perfect outcome of early detection and early intervention. Her life and our lives are the best they can be because of the services that have been offered to her.
 
Every child deserves the best life possible and that is made possible through programs like Early Steps.
 
We are forever grateful and share Scouts story to keep the share hope, empower and inspire.
 
The Watkins family,
Ty, Liz, Maya, Rue and Scout

There’s no escaping the news coverage of the coronavirus pandemic these days. Caring for children – including those with special needs -- during this event, which seemingly has no end in sight as of this writing, can be extremely daunting.
 
Though there’s no denying this difficult time in our history, it’s also helpful to remember that faring well in any crisis is largely about preparedness. And, our reactions to what’s happening around us are actions we can control when there’s little else.
 
Aside from physical preparations a family may need to undertake, the emotional and psychological trauma of uncertain times can be challenging for children. To help keep youngsters – and yourself – calm during the health crisis, we offer several ideas:
 

1. Demonstrate and encourage calm behavior. Calm parents and caregivers help children remain calm too. Limit news coverage to only the necessary messages and monitor the media entering the child’s world. Non-stop commentary can overwhelm anyone.
2. Explore the science of viruses. Though we often don’t think about it, epidemiology is a scientific marvel. If your child is curious about what’s happening in the world today and about the coronavirus itself, gear up with some educational resources to help explain and entertain. Websites like Child Mind Institute and activities such as those on Brain Pop can educate and empower children and adults alike.
3. Keep routine as much as possible. Maintaining as much consistency in schedules as possible can help a child feel secure. If your child finds comfort in routine, keep the elements you can, such as eating lunch at a certain time or playing a favorite game after dinner.
4. Be honest and confident. If your child asks questions about the virus, answer them honestly; it’s okay to be brief. Confidently explain the measures the family has taken to ensure you’re safe, you’re well prepared, and are following recommended precautions. Encouraging children’s questions will help them express their fears.
5. Give kids a job. Feeling helpful can bring purpose to uncomfortable situations. Let your kids be helpers if possible. It’s a great time to train kids on household chores to not only give them a sense of control and teamwork but also to teach them valuable life skills.

 
The coronavirus outbreak doesn’t have to be a chaotic, anxious time. Make the best of this time by employing activities and mindsets that can help bring the calm to any mind at any age.

Recent public health issues have forced us to limit our operations, including face-to-face contact in our programs. We want to assure you as a valuable donor that Easterseals Northeast Central Florida is dedicated to our local children with disabilities, their families and caregivers and our community.

We are still open and working, albeit very differently than we did even a week ago. Our primary programs are still open, and as we focus on direct care, treatment and intervention services, a decline in utilization has greatly challenged our funding.

Our clinical and early intervention services are hardest hit, with almost a 50% decline for reasons that neither we, or our most vulnerable families, have control. However, we have moved swiftly to re-invent nearly all of our service lines, such as shifting clinical services and early intervention services to tele-health and opening additional child care slots, for example. This has challenged our team and will require additional expense beyond our capacity.

Please donate so that we can continue to creatively serve and go the extra mile for our children with special needs — and the families who love them. Donate a gift of any amount today. Please share with your networks and send us a message with any questions to smoor@esnecfl.org. 

​Thank you!

​Easterseals Northeast Central Florida is proud to announce Ivan David Garcia Rolon as a 2020 Easterseals “Walk With Me” Ambassador. 

Ivan is a student at Easterseals Charter School in DeLand and Easterseals Autism Center of Excellence in Daytona Beach. This spunky four-year-old is a hard-working boy who’s focused on becoming a proficient walker and expert in potty training at home and at school.

He’s learning shapes, the alphabet, numbers and colors too. 

Teachers Susan Nathan and Rebekah Lay and Constance Ellis are proud of all of the strides Ivan has made since joining the Easterseals family only 18 months ago.  

“Ivan has blossomed through having dedicated teachers and a consistent peer group for the last couple of years at the charter school,” said Susan Nathan. “His trust and communication are improving with adults and peers alike.”

A happy, shy little guy, Ivan is coming out of his shell and is more social in the Easterseals environment, say his teachers, and he’s becoming a more confident walker too.  His mother, Amarilis Rolon, is one of his biggest fans.

"Ivan is a charming and sweet little boy. I believe he has a big calling in this world, and he will be a great musician and or a great engineer," said Rolon. "He has a beautiful, big smile that can melt any heart. He is a very strong and determine little boy who won't give up on himself; he works hard every day to accomplish every milestone every goal set for him.

"Ivan is power, strength, love and hope," added his mom. "He is our sunshine in a cloudy day. You just have to see him to know how awesome he is." 

Easterseals welcomes Ivan Garcia and his family, including parents Amarilis Rolon and Jose Garcia, to the “Walk With Me” ambassador team of families!

You, too, can join the fun of “Walk With Me.” Mark your calendars for 5 p.m. Friday, May 22, at Lakeside Community Center in Port Orange.

When you register as an individual or a team for Walk With Me Daytona, you show love and support for Easterseals Northeast Central Florida clients -- as well as the 1 in 5 Americans facing life-altering disabilities -- and the families who love them. Join our Facebook event today and stay tuned for more news about “Walk With Me 2020” on our website. 

Giovanni Garcia, 5, has been named as an Easterseals Northeast Central Florida 2020 Ambassador.

Giovanni is an outgoing, and contagiously happy little boy who enjoys dancing and music. The only child of Susana and Carmelo Garcia, Giovanni is a student at Easterseals Charter School and receives occupational and language therapy services from Easterseals as well. 

At Easterseals, Giovanni has flourished. When he arrived, he wasn’t vocal and demonstrated little cognitive ability, according to Assistant Principal Christina Hopkins. He was timid and shy.

Today, however, Giovanni is blossoming. Not only is he outgoing, he's often the life of the party. Whenever he talks with peers and adults, he even invites them to play! He has learned his colors, can count to five, can name familiar objects in the classroom, and can verbally express his wants and needs.

Giovanni will be attending to Kindergarten next year, and with Easterseals' help, he’s learning and growing while reaching significant and age-appropriate milestones. 
​
Easterseals is proud to welcome Giovanni to the Easterseals Ambassador family. Mark your calendars to meet Giovanni and support Easterseals in its annual Walk With Me event in 2020. Details coming soon!

The last decade has brought greater awareness and advances in understanding autism. Each person is unique just as the autism awareness puzzle piece symbol reflects. There are no two cases alike.

Welcome to autism 101!

Autism, also referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges in three main areas: social skills, restrictive and repetitive behaviors and language /communication delays. According to the Center of Disease Control (CDC), autism affects an estimated 1 in 59 children in the United States, affecting boys four times more often than girls. Locally, Volusia County Schools data reveals serving 15,361 Exceptional Student Educational Students ( ESE); 3,168 of which are served under the primary exceptionality of Autism. This accounts for 22 % of the total recorded Exceptional Student Education population within Volusia County schools.

ASD does not discriminate across racial, ethnic or socioeconomic groups. Minority groups tend to be diagnosed late and less often. The average age of diagnosis is 4.4 years of age according to the CDC but can be reliably diagnosed as early as 18 months by a skilled team. 1 in 37 boys will be diagnosed with autism as compared to 1 in 150 girls. More recent studies are beginning to show an elevation in data of females being diagnosed in adulthood. According to the CDC (CDC 2014), 1% of the World population has autism spectrum disorder. More than 3.5 million Americans are living with ASD (Buescher et al., 2014) which is comparable to statistics in Asia, Europe and North America reporting an average prevalence between 1-2 % (CDC, 2014). The prevalence in Autism in U.S. children has increased from 1 in 150 births in 2000 to 1 in 59 in 2018, a staggering increase of 39%. Autism services cost the United States citizens $236-262 billion dollars annually with the majority of these costs centered on adult services (Bloomberg new report 2014-06-09/Autism costs).
 
Autism Spectrum Disorder is an umbrella term /diagnosis. In 2013 the Psychiatric Association merged four distinct diagnoses to include the following: Autistic Disorder, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, Pervasive Developmental Disorder –Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) and Asperger’s Syndrome. Autism is diagnosed through the use of the Diagnostic Statistical Manual, 5th Edition ( DSM-5) which notes that individuals previously diagnosed with Asperger’s  Disorder or Pervasive Developmental Disorder should be given  a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder ( DSM-5, page 51). Additionally, another change in the DSM-5 indicated individuals who have significant deficits in social communication, but whose symptoms do not otherwise meet criteria for autism/ASD, should be evaluated for Social (pragmatic) Communication Disorder
 (DSM-5, pg. 47, 51).
 
The average age of diagnosis nationally is 4.4 years which is derived from the CDC’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities (ADDM) Network. The ADDM is an active surveillance system that estimates autism prevalence among children aged 8 years old whose parents reside in the 11 ADDM sites within Unites States ( CDC 2016). All cases of autism have varying abilities. Upon diagnosis, a level of support (DSM-5; 3 levels: support, substantial support and very substantial support) is provided based on the child’s level of symptomology. Research determined 31 % of the children with ASD have an intellectual disability (IQ<70: Autism speaks), 25% are in the borderline range (IQ 71-85) and 44% have IQ scores in the average to above average range (greater than 85).
 
What causes autism?
The cause of autism is largely unknown however the vast majority of cases indicate genetic involvement. Research shows there are both genetic and environmental links that place a child at a higher risk for autism. Studies show children born to older parents are at higher risk. Parents who have a child with autism have a 2-18% chance of having a second child on the Spectrum. In the case of twin births, if one twin has autism then the second will be affected about 36-95% of the time. With non-identical twins, the second child is affected with ASD 31 % of the time. Vaccines do NOT cause autism. Because children receive early immunizations around the same age autism symptoms become more visible, thus, parents may link the two. Science proves that vaccines protect against disease and strengthen the immune system. There is no medical detection such as blood tests or brain scans to diagnose autism. The goal is to lessen the symptoms and build skills to support success. 
 
Autism does not typically result in obvious appearance differences. People with ASD may communicate, interact and behave in different ways. The hallmark of autism is having impaired social skills. They have difficulty engaging with others. Eye contact and physical affection may be uncomfortable. They may struggle with reciprocal interactions, sustaining conversations and building relationships. Anxiety, depression and social isolation often occur into adulthood. Children with ASD may also demonstrate repetitive behaviors such as hand flapping, lining up objects or repeating select sounds or phrases. They often struggle with changes in routines and may refuse or act out when changes in their predictable schedule are altered.  Transitions between places or activities is a common challenge as this may produce mild-severe anxiety resulting in what appears as a meltdown of varying degree. This could be met with refusal, screaming, aggression, and elopement and even self-harm. Children on the spectrum may also have different ways of learning, paying attention or reacting to sensations from their environment. Common red flags of autism might include: delays in speech or language (verbal and non-verbal), lack of pretend play, repetition of words/phrases, obsessive interests, upset with minor changes, rocking and hand flapping, picky eater or unusual reactions to the ways things look, taste, smell or feel. Many children with autism find comfort in visually stimulating activities specifically technology (TV, phone, computer). Lining up objects, sorting by category, looking at objects from odd angles are common visually stimulating behaviors.
 
Children with ASD develop at different rates. Some may have delays in language and others demonstrate above average vocabulary. A child may demonstrate gifted abilities with computers but struggle with basic self-care tasks and making friends. There are age specific developmental milestones families should be aware of and discuss any developmental gaps with their child’s pediatrician. Early screening for autism should be completed at 18, 24 and 36 months during well visits.

The M-CHAT (Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers) is a psychological questionnaire that evaluates risk for autism spectrum for ages 16-30 months. Additionally, general developmental screenings can also be beneficial to identify developmental gaps and need for more specific testing for autism. Local resources for early developmental screenings and autism can be found through local programs with Easterseals, Early Steps (ages 0-3), Help Me Grow with the United Way and Ages and Stages screening found within many childcare facilities via the Early Learning Coalition.  Screening young children is an effective way for parents and professionals to identify children’s delays or disorders in the critical early years in order to act swiftly with interventions for best results.
 
Diagnosing Autism can be a difficult task because it is based on systematic observations. There is no medical test to identify autism. Doctor’s evaluate a child’s behaviors and development to make a diagnosis. A Comprehensive Diagnostic Evaluation (CDE) is best practice. A pediatrician may refer parents to a specialist such as a neurologist, developmental pediatrician, psychiatrist or psychologist. An intensive parent interview and the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) is considered the gold standard for diagnostic testing. The ADOS is a standardized test to observe the presence or absence of common behaviors in children with autism. Once a diagnosis is levied an individual treatment plan can be developed which often includes applied behavior analysis (ABA-behavior), Play and Language for Autistic Youngsters (PLAY Project), developmental therapies such as occupational, speech/language and physical therapies as well as medication in some cases. Medication does not cure autism but it can alleviate some intense symptoms associated with autism such as seizures, anxiety, attention challenges, and aggression and self-harm. Complimentary interventions may also be recommended to include the following: child counseling, family counseling and training, assistive technology, nutrition/feeding aversion interventions, as well as environmental and educational supports.
 
Additionally, complementary and alternative treatments may also present as a choice to parents to decrease symptomology of autism. Examples might include: specialty diets, chelation therapy (removal of lead/metals from the body), biologicals (i.e. Secretin). These types of interventions are very controversial and should be well researched and discussed with your child’s pediatrician in advance.
 
Caregivers also need support as caring for a child with autism can be overwhelming both emotionally and financially. Parents are encouraged to build their knowledge of autism and local resources and supports. Enlist extended family members and neighbors to strengthen your support and safety circle. It is equally important for parents to take time for themselves. Studies have shown 50% of married couples with a child with autism will end in divorce. Build in date time, ask for help, accept help and know your community resources. A balance of work rest and play is essential for EVERYbody.  Act now and get connected. Easterseals is the local trusted provider for comprehensive diagnostic and treatment for autism as well as respite services. Call or stop by today for more information.
 
Autism is a lifelong disorder requiring lifelong support. Over the next decade, an estimated 500,000 teens (50,000 per year) will enter adulthood and age out of the school system. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics (News Release Feb 26,2019), 19.1% of people with disabilities in the U.S. are employed as compared to those without a disability at 65.9%. More than half of young adults with ASD remain unemployed and unenrolled in higher education in the two years after high school . This is a lower rate of young adults than other disability categories including learning disabilities, intellectual disability or speech–language impairment according to Autism Speaks. Nearly half of the 25 year olds with autism have never held a paying job. Research continues to support job tasks that encourage independence, reduce autism symptoms and increase daily living skills. The majority of autism costs in the US are for adult services. We can do better!

Costs and level of support can be greatly reduced with early intervention. Children can make gains and live productive, fulling lives. There is hope. There is a future.  There is Easterseals! Early detection and intervention is essential.
 
Contact Easterseals Autism Center of Excellence at 386-944-7856 to learn more about comprehensive services and resources available in your community. Financial assistance available.  Act now! Let’s get started together.
 
Dorothy Lefford, OTR/L, CPHC
Vice President - Clinical Services
Easterseals Northeast Central Florida