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.

It’s been two years since Daytona Beach native Patricia Potts joined the Easterseals Northeast Central Florida family as a volunteer, and she continues to be a proud part of the organization.

Patricia is a virtual “Jill of All Trades” in her weekly volunteer role in the Easterseals Autism Center of Excellence, handling everything from filing therapy notes to updating medical records. She assists staff with making copies, keeps tabs on important office supplies and equipment and organizes information packets about Easterseals, among many other tasks.

Patricia’s love of Easterseals and organizations that assist children with disabilities blossomed at an early age. Her heart was forever changed by early interactions with them, so when it came time for her to seek volunteer work, she returned to support their missions.

“When I was a little girl growing up in Daytona Beach, my grandmother worked at a school for children with physical and mental disabilities,” said Patricia. “My school was next door, so I walked over after school and waited for my grandmother to get off work before we walked home together.

“During that time, I attended many field trips with grandma and the school’s teachers and children,” she continued. “I made friends with the students; we walked and talked and played games together. I was curious about them. I think that even as a child I knew I was seeing children who many other children never even knew about. It always has left a special place in my heart.”

Patricia is particularly impressed by the role Easterseals plays in supporting families of children with autism.

“I believe Easterseals’ work with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is especially important in our community,” she said. “Under Dorothy (Lefford)’s direction, the therapists and everyone involved have so many resources to assist children with autism.”

One of her favorite events at Easterseals Northeast Central Florida is World Autism Day.

“World Autism Day at Easterseals the most awesome thing I’ve ever seen,” remarked Patricia. “Educated people from all over come to this event and offer their time and expertise to help parents, grandparents, guardians, family members and friends who are affected by autism. I encourage everyone to take part!”
Patricia said supporting the staff is her goal in volunteering at Easterseals.

“I want to help them have a good day at work,” she said, “and take a little stress off their day.”
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Each year, Easterseals Northeast Central Florida serves more than 500 children who have been diagnosed with ASD. The nonprofit agency also operates the Autism Center of Excellence – a one-stop center for diagnosis, interventions and case management for children who were referred by their physician for evaluation of ASD. To learn more about Easterseals’ autism services, visit http://www.easterseals.com/necfl/our-programs/.  ​For questions about the free autism screenings, please call 386-944-7815 or email Davine Vincent at dvincent@esnecfl.org. 

​Easterseals Northeast Central Florida is offering free autism spectrum disorder (ASD) screenings for children ages 18 months to 17 years at its Daytona Beach location, 1219 Dunn Ave.

Walk-ins are welcome weekdays from 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Parents and guardians should allow 20-30 minutes for the screening once the appointment begins.
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More than 2 million Americans live with ASD, a neurological developmental disorder that impairs the ability to communicate and interact. With love and community support, they can live independent and productive lives.

Each year, Easterseals Northeast Central Florida serves more than 500 children who have been diagnosed with ASD. The nonprofit agency also operates the Autism Center of Excellence – a one-stop center for diagnosis, interventions and case management for children who were referred by their physician for evaluation of ASD.

To learn more about Easterseals’ autism services, visit http://www.easterseals.com/necfl/our-programs/. ​For questions about the free autism screenings, please call 386-944-7815 or email Davine Vincent at dvincent@esnecfl.org.

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are the fastest growing developmental disabilities in the world today, affecting 1 in 59 children. Receiving the right support at the earliest stage of life can help an individual gain the skills they need to live, work and play.

Easterseals’ Autism Center of Excellence in Daytona Beach is a highly recognized leader offering early diagnosis, functional assessment and intervention treatments for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) in the Northeast and East Central Florida regions. Each year, Easterseals serves more than 500 children who have been diagnosed with ASD. And, it operates the Autism Center of Excellence – a one-stop center for diagnosis, interventions and case management for children who were referred by their physician for evaluation of ASD.

Easterseals has published several articles on its blog that help families and caregivers understand more about autism and how the community can help children with autism reach their fullest potential. (Click below on a title to read more!)

To learn more about Easterseals’ autism services and its Autism Center of Excellence, visit its webpage or call (386) 944-7833.

Easterseals’ Blog Articles: Autism Spectrum Disorders
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• Parents, caregivers incorporate ASK strategies in caring for children with autism
• 3 Steps to Help Parents Identify Autism Early
• Toys and Gifts for Children with Autism
• News-Journal: "Easterseals offer hope, support on Autism Awareness Day"
• Free autism screenings now offered at Easterseals
• Easterseals is diagnosing autism at the earliest ages ever recorded locally
• Neller committed to providing exceptional care for exceptional children
• Autism intervention program says “Yay!” to PLAY
• Will your child be a picky eater forever?
• Why childcare centers and their staff need autism training

​More than 2 million Americans live with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a neurological developmental disorder that impairs the ability to communicate and interact. With love and community support, they can live independent and productive lives.

Show your support by wearing blue and attending the Autism Resource Fair from 9 to 11 a.m. Monday, April 2, followed by educational workshops by local experts from 11 am to 1 pm, at Easterseals of Northeast Central Florida, 1219 Dunn Ave., Daytona Beach. The Autism Resource Fair coincides with World Autism Awareness Day, which also is April 2.

The event will include autism-friendly events, educational activities and refreshments. Attendees can test their knowledge of autism, create awareness art, and learn more about autism spectrum disorder. 

Experts will be on hand from Easterseals’ Autism Center of Excellence, Volusia County Schools, Welcoming Hearts, doTERRA Wellness, Early Learning Coalition of Volusia & Flagler Counties, Tobii Dynavox (assistive technology for communication), Strategies, ADAPT, Special Olympics Volusia, The House Next Door, WORC, Beachside Music Therapy, Neural Balance, University of Central Florida Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD) , Marcody Ranch, Disability Solutions, Brail and Talking Books Library, Blue Jay Academy, Chase Academy, City of Ormond, Hope Reigns and more. 

Each year, Easterseals of Northeast Central Florida serves more than 500 children who have been diagnosed with ASD. The nonprofit agency also operates the Autism Center of Excellence – a one-stop center for diagnosis, interventions and case management for children who were referred by their physician for evaluation of ASD. To learn more about Easterseals’ autism services, visit http://www.easterseals.com/necfl/our-programs/.  

For more information about the Autism Resource Fair or World Autism Day, contact Dorothy Lefford, OTL/R, Vice President – Clinical Services, at 386-944-7856 or dlefford@esnecfl.org. 

Easterseals of Northeast Central Florida recently announced that through early intervention and targeted education in collaboration with several community partners it has seen a significant reduction in the age of autism diagnosis in the children in our communities over the past 18 months.
 
In July 2017, the average age of children diagnosed with Autism by Easterseals in Volusia and Flagler Counties was 7.9 years old. (The average age of diagnosis across the country is 4.8 years old). From July 1, 2017 through Aug. 31, 2018, due to a targeted effort toward parent and caregiver education, Easterseals Northeast Central Florida saw a decrease in the age of diagnosis to 5.87 years old. Children presenting for diagnosis ranged in age from 18 months - 18 years.
 
Easterseals is the Help Me Grow Volusia-Flagler affiliate at United Way of Volusia-Flagler Counties, the agency to whom the data was reported.
 
“Early identification and intervention of autism is crucial in order to maximize a child’s development and progress,” said Dorothy Lefford, OTR/L, VP Clinical Services at Easterseals of Northeast Central Florida. “Research shows early intervention makes a big difference to a child’s development leading to improved outcomes for children with autism, including higher intelligence, adaptive skills, and increased social and daily living skills.”
 
“We are thrilled that our Help Me Grow Volusia-Flagler affiliate at United Way of Volusia-Flagler Counties was a part of the effort that helped reduce the age of detection for autism in Volusia county from 7.9 to 5.8 this year,” Help Me Grow Florida posted recently on its Facebook page, adding that “early detection and intervention are key in autism treatment.”
 
The local leader in autism resources, Easterseals is teaching parents how to incorporate these research-based techniques into homelife and prioritizes educating parents and caregivers. Strategies that the highly recognized Easterseals’ Autism Center of Excellence employs include Autism Early Diagnostic and Functional Assessment Clinic, The PLAY Project (Play and Language for Autistic Youngsters), ASK: Autism Strategies Know-How behavior-modification educational clinics, TR-eat® Model (Transdisciplinary Effective Assessment and Treatment) behavior strategies for food aversion, free “ACT Now!” Autism Community Training events that offer CEU opportunities for staff and direct consultation with Easterseals’ autism experts, and more.
 
Autism Center of Excellence in Daytona Beach and serves more than 500 children annually who have been diagnosed with autism. It’s premier local resource for diagnosis, interventions, resource and referral and case management for children who were referred by their physician for evaluation of autism spectrum disorder.
 
To learn more about Easterseals’ autism services and its Autism Center of Excellence, visit its webpage or call (386) 944-7833.
 
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Easterseals of Northeast Central Florida serves more than 17,500 individuals and families with a range of disabilities to achieve their full potential. Easterseals of Northeast Central Florida serves the region with facilities in Daytona Beach, DeLand, Bunnell, and Leesburg. To learn more about Easterseals of Northeast Central Florida, please visit www.eastersealsnecfl.org or connect to our online community on Facebook.

Did you know Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are the fastest growing developmental disabilities in the world today, affecting 1 in 59 children?
 
It takes a team approach to deliver exceptional care to children with ASD. Nowhere is that more evident than at Easterseals of Northeast Central Florida.
 
As the clinical coordinator for Easterseals’ Autism Center of Excellence, Debbie Neller, OTR/L, has the privilege of meeting with families, conducting autism diagnostic testing, and presenting her findings to physicians.
 
“Every day I am able to discuss observations, situations and unusual findings with others on our team who have wisdom and knowledge I may not have,” Neller said. “I don’t have to look far to find resources for myself as well as for the families I interact with.”
 
As the mother of a special needs child, she understands the alternating emotions of fear and hope that many parents experience.
 
“I am inspired every day by the children we serve and their families who come with concerns, hopes and fears,” she said. “To be able to speak to their concerns, maybe even alleviate some, and connect on common ground is so fulfilling. Having ‘walked a mile in their shoes,’ it is the ultimate full circle to be able to offer guidance and help to families who may feel lost.”
 
Since she joined the Easterseals in 1995, Neller has gained confidence, a sense of purpose, and a drive to help these families. She has also found the uncommon element of pure joy in her work.
 
“I can make a difference,” she said. “On a professional level, I am stretched each and every day. Children are amazing in all they are, and no two are alike. Working together with these amazing children and their parents, the Easterseals team is able to provide quality and compassionate care.”
 
Easterseals’ Autism Center of Excellence is a recognized leader in providing early diagnosis, functional assessment and intervention treatments for children with ASD. Learn more about Easterseals at www.eastersealsnecfl.org.

Need support in addressing challenging behaviors in children with autism? Just ASK.
 
Easterseals’ Autism Center of Excellence’s Debbie Neller, OTL/R, is spearheading a program with parents and caregivers in which she provides behavior-modification tactics through ASK: Autism Strategies Know-How. The one-hour program is empowering parents by improving their understanding of autism and increasing their confidence in supporting children on the autism spectrum.
 
Neller begins each session by explaining what autism is: A neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by difficulty with communication and socialization and often displayed with restricted interests and repetitive behaviors. According to statistics by Autism Speaks, autism occurs in 1 in 59 births and is 4-5 times more common in boys.
 
Common challenging areas for children with autism usually include anything sensory related, such as feeding, toileting, speech and oral or physical hygiene. Throughout each training, Neller encourages parents and caregivers to be astute observers of their children, and to not be afraid to implement new tactics. She recommends five research-supported strategies:

• First/Then Boards – These boards or visual displays (created with pictures, objects, in writing or by using apps), simply show what the child needs to do now (first) and what she needs to do next (then). First/Then Boards often are used before misbehavior and/or when a child refuses to complete a task.
• ShoeBoxTasks – ShoeBoxTasks® support a child who’s learning how to learn. The program presents a work flow from left to right; children understand the work that needs to be accomplished based on the visual structure of the task. Children are encouraged to move from one task to the next through positive reinforcement.
• Contingency Maps - Contingency maps can help a child understand the consequences of behavior choices. They graphically organize a child’s behavior into positive and negative and illustrate results of the path the child chooses.
• Visual Schedules – Visual schedules are simple schedules of the day and can entail more detailed schedule of a section of the day, too. For example, a visual schedule can be created as an overview of the primary tasks of the day – breakfast, resting time and sports. Ruther, morning time, for example, can be visually comprised of getting dressed, eating breakfast and brushing teeth.
• Time/Timer – Timers can help in showing a child "how much longer" remains for a task and can increasing his confidence and independence.

 
Neller encourages parents and caregivers of children with autism to be patient with themselves and remain hopeful on their journey while she illustrates the many strategies they can employ.
 
“I remind parents that their child is still the child they know and love and many methods exist to help their child in the most beneficial ways,” said Neller. “The ASK program helps adults understand the mind of a child with autism, while adding tools to the toolbox if and when they are needed.”
 
“We want these children’s homes to be filled with enthusiasm and laughter,” said Neller. “Empowering parents to be more effective in how interact with their children is an important step toward that reality.”
 
For more information about ASK or to schedule a presentation, contact Easterseals’ Autism Center of Excellence at 386-255-4568.

Easterseals of Northeast Central Florida’s Autism Center of Excellence has partnered with The PLAY Project™ to offer home-based consultations for families of children with autism. The PLAY Project, which represents “Play and Language for Autistic Youngsters,” is an evidence-based, parent-implemented and intensive early intervention program for young people with autism.
 
The program is cost effective, easy to bring into a home setting and has proven results in improving the social challenges associated with autism spectrum disorder.
 
The PLAY Project focuses on two key aspects to ensure greatest success: time intensity and the child’s age. Experts recommend 15-25 hours of engagement per week, and home consultants with Easterseals train the parents on what kinds of engagement are most beneficial. Starting early is equally important. Parents are encouraged to start The PLAY Project with their children before age five due to the significant brain growth experienced during that early life stage.
 
To learn more about The PLAY Project, contact Easterseals’ Autism Center of Excellence at 386-944-7815 or email info@esnecfl.org.  It’s time to play!

You've put butter on them, loaded them with cheese and buried them in macaroni noodles, but your child still won't eat what's for dinner. Or breakfast. Or lunch.
 
If this sounds more familiar than foreign, you already know you have a picky eater on your hands. But did you know there’s treatment for it? That there’s a program available in our community that doesn’t incite tantrums by your child…or you?
 
It’s called the TR-eat® Model (Transdisciplinary Effective Assessment and Treatment) and it’s now available through Easterseals of Northeast Central Florida. The TR-eat Model includes behavior strategies that are combined with skill building, facilitation, sensory desensitization, and oral motor intervention.
 
Is this program for your child? Self-assess by answering the following:
 
         Does your child eat less than 15 foods consistently, maybe as few as 1-3?
         Does your child gag, shudder or vomit at the sight or taste of foods?
         Does your child become emotionally upset when they’re encouraged to interact with non-preferred foods?
         Are there large categories of foods your child refuses to eat?
         Does your child have sensory issues with food, such as not liking the way it smells, looks or feels?
 
Contact Dorothy Lefford today at 386-944-7856 or dlefford@esnecfl.org for more information on this evidence-based model that’s been found to have consistently positive results for picky eaters. Your child may not be ready for a salad bar, but enlisting Easterseals’ help with food aversion could be a sweet TR-eat.