Newletter Spring FINAL - The Center for Discovery
Transcription
Newletter Spring FINAL - The Center for Discovery
SPRING2014 CenterPoints ACenterforDiscoveryPublication MessagefromPatrickH.Dollard PresidentandCEO Thoseofuswhohavespentourlivesworkingwith the extraordinary individuals we serve are necessarilygroundedinthepresent,andyetweare highlymotivatedbyavisionofbuildingabetterfuture.HereatTheCenterfor Discovery, one aspect of that work in recent years has been our efforts to developathriving,diversecommunitythatiswelcomingandaccessibletoall, andwehavemadegreatstridesindevelopingplanstomakeHurleyvillethat place. Transforming a small town that has long been dormant into a vital moderncommunityisanintricateandcomplicatedprocess,andhasproven tobeagreatchallenge,butwehavedevelopedmeaningfulpartnershipsthat have enabled us to accomplish much and we have now begun to visibly implement our plans. Our long established 300-acre Demeter Certified BiodynamicStonewallPreserveFarmandtheinnovativeMichaelRitchieBig BarnCenterforEnvironmentalHealth,EducationandResearchwillserveas the linchpins, and thanks to the continued generosity of our donors, the communitywillsoonincludetheMainStreetDanceStudio,theWildTurkey Bakery and Market, a Makerʼs Lab and Learning Center, and other exciting businessesthatwillbringpeoplebacktoitsoncebustlingMainStreet. OurlongstandingpartnershipwiththeOpenSpaceInstitutehasallowedus toobtainmorethanninemilesoftheoldO&WRailwaywithHurleyville's MainStreetvirtuallyinthemiddle,andworkhasbeguntotransformitintoa pavedRailTrailthatwillbeaccessibletoeveryone.Inadditiontoproviding an exciting new recreational opportunity for our residents and staff, the RailTrailshoulddrawhikersandbikersandnatureloversfromfarandwideto Hurleyvilleandfurtheroureffortstorebuildthecommunity. Throughprojectsandpartnershipslikethiswearebuildingabetterfuture for our residents and students and their families, for our staff, for the townspeople,foreveryone.Itishardwork,butthatiswhatwehavealways beenabouthereatTheCenterforDiscovery,wherewearecultivatingthe future,todayandeveryday. PatrickH.Dollard PresidentandCEO THE CENTER FOR DISCOVERY GOLF & TENNIS INVITATIONAL SAVETHEDATE-7/28/14 T H ET U XTE DUO PXA REK D- N EOW YCO RLK U B ACenterforDiscoveryPublication CenterPoints THE CENTER FOR DISCOVERY PO BOX 840 HARRIS, NY 12742 For more information visit thecenterfordiscovery.org Dr. eresa Hamlin (third from le) and Dr. Tim Buie, MD from Harvard University (far right). ProgramNotes: TheresaHamlin,Ed.D. AssociateExecutiveDirector AtTheCenterforDiscovery,wehavealwaystakengreatprideinthe innovative service and care models we have developed over the yearsthathaveledtogreatadvancesforourresidentsandstudents while expanding notions about human potential. All of these programs, including our holistic and integrated educational curriculum,aresupportedbyevidence-basedpracticeandagrowing bodyofscientificresearch. Center for Autism Al Ain, UAE Our goal has been nothing less than to change the world's view aboutdisabilitiesbydemonstratingsuccess. It'snowclearthatthe world has taken notice of our remarkable discoveries and transformations. Duringthepastfewmonths,stafffromTheCenterhasbeeninvitedto present at several major international conferences, consult with programsinothercountriesandadvisegovernmentalleadersand policymakerslookingtodevelopstate-of-the-artprogramsserving people with developmental disabilities and complex needs. In March,ItraveledtoSaudiArabiaandtheUnitedArabEmirateswhereI presented at several large conferences, including the Onaizah Association for Development in Human Services, a very large programintheKingdomofQuassim. Ihadtheopportunitytotour severalprogramsitesandtomeetwiththehundredsofprofessionals servingchildrensimilartooursintheUnitedStates.Wehavealready been invited back this year to train physicians and psychologists working in Riyadh City in the King Fahad Medical City, the most advancedmedicalcomplexintheMiddleEast. School in Saudi Arabia Similarly,wehavebeenworkingwithamajorgovernmentprogram inDubaiandalargeprivateprograminAlAin,UAEacityaboutan hoursoutheastofDubai.Onthispasttrip,IpresentedtothestaffinAl Ain,andconductedaprogramreviewbasedoninformationthatwas providedtothemthreeyearsagowhenIvisited.Bothprogramsare servingchildrenwithautismandothercomplexdisabilities. Center for Autism Al Ain, UAE There have also been several high level exchanges with Russia, including Center staff who presented in October at the second international forum in Moscow entitled Every Child Deserves a Family, and another team who provided a week long extended trainingataspecialeducationschoolinSt.PetersburginSeptember. In February, The Center hosted a delegation of special education experts from Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, who were part of the conferenceandstafftrainingprograms. Staff from The Center presented on new housing models at an InvestorsConferenceinSanFranciscosponsoredbyAutismSpeaks whereIalsoserveontheAdvisoryBoardforHousingandResidential Supports. With so many around the world interested in our work, we have recently revised and updated many of our health practices and curriculumintoanewframeworkentitledtheHealthE6Modelofcare. Based upon six core components that we know are essential for healthandwell-being,theHealthE6Modelaimstorestorehealthand vitality to the child as the foundation for learning. This is done throughthecorecomponentsofthemodel.Ourgoalistohelpour childrenandadultsfeelbettersotheycanfunctionbetter.Integrated servicesareprovidedonaconsistentbasisand,atthesametime,we monitorhealth,collectingdata,andmeasureresultstoensurethat ourinterventionsareworking. As many of you know, we have been partnering with researchers from top universities all over the US to continue to validate the efficacyofourprograms.Withourstudiesandresearch,wehopeto improve best practices for evaluation and treatment of people all overtheworld.Thefutureisfullofgreatpossibilities,andIamthrilled thatTheCenterforDiscoveryisattheforefrontofthesechangesand sharingitsfindingswiththeworld. City of Dubai Saudi Arabian Children Abu Dhabi Mosque in Abu Dhabi AtTheMetropolitanClubinNewYorkCity,acapacityaudienceof environmentalists,donorsandsupportersofOSIandTheCenterforDiscovery enjoyedamemorableeventinahistoricsetting. OpenSpaceInstituteHonorsPatrickH. DollardandTheCenterforDiscovery President and C.E.O. Patrick H. Dollard and The Center for Discovery were honoredbytheOpenSpaceInstitutewithits2014LandConservationAward attheInstitute'sannualawardsluncheoninApril.Notedjournalist,humorist and author Calvin Trillin was the guest speaker at the event, held at the MetropolitanClubinManhattan. PatrickH.DollardgreetsguestsAidanQuinn(CenterBoardMember)andMikhail Baryshnikov. TheawardrecognizestheuniquepartnershipbetweenOSIandTheCenter for Discovery and The Centerʼs role in creating sustainable farms, organic foodsandhealthyenvironmentsforindividualsitservesaswellasitsstaff. Thispartnershipdemonstratesthepoweroftheimportantchangesinthe world. Through acquisition, financing, stewardship, research and advocacy, the Open Space Institute protects scenic, natural and historic landscapes to providepublicenjoyment,conservehabitatandworkinglandsandsustain communities.Foundedin1974toprotectsignificantlandscapesinNewYork State,OSIhasbeenapartnerintheprotectionofnearly2.2millionacresin North America. A leader in environmental conservation, the Open Space Institute leverages its knowledge and attracts resources for strategic investmentstomakeinnovativelandconservationhappen. FormerNYSSecretaryofState,NYSDECCommissionerandOSIBoardMemberJohnCahill, congratulatesOSIChairmanJohnH.Adams,PatrickH.DollardandOSIPresidentKim Elliman. PatrickandhiswifeArleen(onhisleft)arejoinedattheirtablebyseveralclosefriendsand supportersofTheCenter. Inannouncingtheaward,OSInotedthat“farmingplaysacentralroleatThe Center for Discovery, providing both local, organic food for the staff and residents, as well as meaningful work and learning opportunities on the properties.In2005,theOpenSpaceInstitutesupportedTheCenter'sfarming efforts by acquiring a conservation easement to protect the 300-acre StonewallPreserveFarm.In2011,OSIhelpedTheCenteracquirethe130-acre ApplebeeFarm,andin2013thetwoorganizationsteamedagaintoacquirea 165‒acrecattlefarmanda9.2‒milerailroadbed.ThefarmwillgiveCenter residents,manywithautism,valuableaccesstothenaturalworldthroughan innovativeeducationalinitiative,whiletherailbedwillbecomearecreational and economic centerpiece for the revitalized hamlet of Hurleyville. OSI is proudtohonorourpartner,TheCenterforDiscovery,astheyadvancethe essentialconnectionbetweenopenspaceandpublichealth.” BuildingBridgesaroundtheWorld The Center's Chief of Psychology Dr. Johanna Lantz and Assistant Chief of TeacherTraining&DevelopmentTiffini AmatospentaweekinSt.Petersburg, Russia in October, consulting to and training staff at the Rehabilitation and Mercy Specialized School #46 for Children with Learning Disabilities. Throughin-classroomobservationand demonstrationfollowedupwithafteraction lectures, they taught strategies TheCenterhostedadelegationofstaffmembersfrom to improve classroom management. thedisabilitiesagency,Veras,inNizhniyNovgorod, Russiathispastwinter.Veraswasstartedbyparents The newly trained teachers saw ofchildrenwithdisabilitiesandnowprovidesarange immediate and gratifying results ofservicestochildrenandyoungadultsaswellas professionaltrainingopportunities. through implementing The Center's “pathways of behavior” concepts, functional communication training, and sensory-movement interventions in their classrooms.ItisgratifyingtoseeTheCenter'smethodologiestranscendlanguageandeven culture. AlsoinOctoberinRussia,TheCenter'sChiefofResidentialServicesAlyceSherwoodand ChiefofClinicalServicesNicoleKinneypresentedattheNakedHeartFoundation'ssecond international forum on autism. The Russian foundation works to provide a platform for communicationandexchangeofexperienceamongRussianspecialistsinASDtreatment andwithparents'organizations,governmentofficialsandinternationalexpertsonautism. Nicole's topic was “Fitness and Physical Therapy for People with ASD” and Alyce's was “RespondingtoAutism:AComprehensiveandIntegrativeApproach.” CongratulationsandthankstothewonderfullyaccomplishedJohannaLantz,TiffiniAmato, AlyceSherwoodandNicoleKinneyforrepresentingthemselvesandTheCentersowell.The Center continues to build international relationships in the conviction that worldwide collaborationwillimprovethelivesofindividualsandfamilieseverywhere‒includinghere athome. JanetCarrus,ataspecialscreeningof“MusicalChairs”atSUNYSullivanon February22nd YOUR COMMUNITY YOUR COLLEGE “MusicalChairs”TakesCenterStage In February, Center for Discovery Board Member Janet Carrus, producerofthefilm“MusicalChairs,”offeredaspecialscreeningof themovieatSUNYSullivanCountyCommunityCollege'sSeelig Theatre.Thefilmisaninspirationalromancesetintheworldof competitivewheelchairballroomdancing,combiningJanet'slove ofballroomdancingwithherpassionandcommitmenttoThe CenterforDiscovery;ithasbeenpickedupbyHBOandhasbeen runningonmanyoftheirchannels.VisitHBO'swebsiteforlistings andvisitwww.musicalchairsthefilm.comtolearnmoreaboutthis movingandjoyfulmotionpicture. PhotocourtesyoftheSullivanCountyDemocrat CollegeCoursesfor TheCenter'sResidents TheCollegeforEducationalEnrichmentatSullivanCountyCommunityCollegeprovides opportunitiesforadultstoexplorenewinterests,meetotherpeoplewithsimilarinterests, andparticipateingroupdiscussions,“hands-on”activitiesortravel.Personalenrichment coursesofferafriendlyenvironmentinwhichtolearnanewskill.Thecollegehasa30-year historyofofferingeducationalopportunitiesforadultswithdevelopmentaldisabilities,and 27membersofTheCenterfamilywereenrolledthereforthefallsemester.Favoriteclasses includeElvis,Beatlemania,cooking,karaoke,andsports;foraresidentwho'sinterestedin wrestling,thecollegehasaddedthatclassforthespringsemester.Residentswithcomputer skillscanevenregisteronline! PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS BY THE CENTER'S STAFF PresentationsatProfessionalConferences “WheelstoWords:TheArtofCommunicationthroughPowerMobility.”John Damiao, MS, OTR/L, ATP/SMS; Coleen Loughney, MS, CCC-SLP. Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) 2014 Conference, January 2014, Orlando,FL. “Therapeutic Power Mobility: Improving Mobility, Function, Cognition and Therapeutic Outcomes.” John Damiao, MS, OTR/L, ATP/SMS. ATIA 2014 Conference,January2014,Orlando,FL. “AdaptingtheExtracurriculars:IWanttoPlayToo!”LindseyVeety,PT,DPT,ATP; AmyBaxter,PT,DPT,ATP.ATIA2014Conference,January2014,Orlando,FL. “Top15ATInterventionsforVocationalSkillBuilding.”AmyBaxter,PT,DPT,ATP; LindseyVeety,PT,DPT,ATP.ATIA2014Conference,January2014,Orlando,FL. “AResearchProposaltoGuideHousingDesignsforIndividualswithAutism” BillEvans,AutismSpeaksInvestorsConference.March2014,SanFrancisco,CA. “DevelopingIndividualizedTherapyProgramtoAddressFeedingChallenges inChildrenwithAutism.”JessicaPiatak,OTD,OTR/L;KristinaCarraccia,MS,CCCSLP. American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference & Expo, April2014,Baltimore,MD. “InnovativePrograms-GettingEveryoneintheWorkshop-Adaptationsfor the Vocational Arena.” Lindsey Veety, PT, DPT, ATP; Peter Dollard, MA, ATP. CerebralPalsyAssociationsofNewYorkStateAnnualConference.October2013, SaratogaSprings,NY. “AllClassesforAllKids!”AmyBaxter,PT,DPT,ATP;LindseyVeety,PT,DPT,ATP.The New York State Association for Computers and Technologies in Education (NYSCATE)AnnualConference2013.November2013,Rochester,NY. PresentationsandTrainingSessionsatTheCenterforDiscovery OccupationalTherapyandSpeechTherapyDepartments “FED: The Food Exploration and Discovery Therapy Program.” Jessica Piatak, OTD,OTR/L,KristinaCarraccia,MS,CCC-SLP. TrainingDepartment “Creative Ideas for Language Rich Activities.”ColeenLoughney,MS,CCC-SLP. Incorporatinglanguageintoactivitiesinanaturalwayusingahands-onapproach tolearning. “Make-and-Take Communication Displays.” Coleen Loughney, MS, CCC-SLP. Participants learn how to use Board Maker to prioritize and organize aidedlanguagecommunicationboardstoteachvocabularyduringactivities. CommunicationEnhancementDepartment Presentationscomparingandcontrastingconceptstoaidindifferentiatingtheir purposesandapplications,including:“OralMotorExerciseforStrengtheningvs. Oral Motor Strategies for Coordination and Motor Planning,” “Food Play vs. IncreasingFoodConsistencies,”“ScriptingandEcholaliavs.PerseverativeSpeech,” and“TeachingPragmaticSkillsvs.TeachingSocialSkills.” SenatorSchumer VisitsTheCenterforDiscovery At The Center's Carrus Institute last November, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer unveiled legislation to help fund continuing services for young adults with autism and other developmental disabilities once they "age out" of the school system. The AGE-In Act (Assistance in Gaining Experience, Independence, and Navigation Act) proposes legislation that would fund research into the best treatments for young adults in transition, while also helping connect them to further educational or employment programs. Senator Schumer said that, based on its long track record of success, The Center is an ideal candidate for this research funding; he described The Center as “a national specialty center for the advanced care and treatment of children and adults with significant disabilities… a research facility, which specializes in providing educational, medical, residential, and training services to individuals with disabilities, as well as research opportunities for medical professionals and technical experts from leading universities around the country.” “My hope,” Senator Schumer said, “is that with this bill we can deliver more Federal research dollars to The Center, to support their research and grow the jobs it supports in Sullivan County.” The Senator was joined by New York State Assemblymember Aileen Gunther and The Center's President and CEO Patrick H. Dollard. The Center continues to monitor this promising legislation as it works its way through the legislative process. TM TheCenter's2014Heirloom Series:Empathy Thesessionsofthisyear'sHeirloomseriesaddressthequestionofempathy‒caring fromtheheart,thequalityinourworkthatmakesthedifference‒andhowtomake thatqualitypartofTheCenter'scurriculum.Canempathybetaught?Ifso,how? The Heirloom series is exploring this question throughout the year in different settings with a number of educators, physicians, parents, individuals from the socialfieldandbiodynamics. InMarchwewelcomedAonghusGordon,founderandexecutivechairofRuskin Mill Trust in England, and Charlotte von Bülow, founder and chief executive of CrossfieldsInstitute,alsoinEngland.Together,theseinstitutions‒oneaseriesof “colleges”withprogramsandmethodssimilartoTheCenter's,theotherdedicated to higher education in the fields of study that make our work possible ‒ are transformingtheircountry'sunderstandingofwhatitmeanstoformcommunities thatworkforalltheirmembers,includingthedisabled. TheMarchHeirloomsessionaddressedseveralthemes.Thefirst,“thefarmasan organism,”isthecoreprincipleofbiodynamics.Theintentofthisdiscussionisto incorporatetheconceptofempathyintoourunderstandingofbiodynamics,with the objective of ensuring the highest quality nutrition possible for our guests, startingwhereitallbegins,thesoil,andsoallalongthefoodchain“fromseedto belly.” Thesecondtheme,“GeniusLoci”(Latinfor“thespiritoftheplace”),turnedtoour aspirations for Hurleyville, a place that of course has been formed by a host of underlyingfactorsovercenturies.TounderstandtheGeniusLociofHurleyville,the essenceofitsuniqueness,fromgeographytonaturalhistorytohumanhabitation, is central to our ability to imagine its future. Empathy ‒ learning to walk in Hurleyville shoes, if you will ‒ will become the basis of our involvement in its renewal. Finally, over the years The Center has built up a vast expertise in the care and educationofthepeoplewholiveatTheCenterorcomehereonadailybasis.The thirdoutcomeofthisHeirloomsessionwasalookathowourexpertisemightbe translated into a comprehensive training program - perhaps even a Master's degreeprogram. OurguestsfromEnglandhavebuiltplaceslikeoursonthesebases,andwerethe bestguideswecouldhavehadfortheseexplorations. As Dr. Hamlin says in her Program Notes at the front of this issue, The Center has revised and updated many of our health practices and our curriculum into a new framework we're calling the HealthE6™ Model of care. It is a holistic and integrated approach that combines bio-medical science (good medicine, diagnosis and assessment), state-of-theart educational practice (at the very vanguard of specialeducation), and lifestyle issues like diet, exercise, and meaningful work. This last factor, especially, is being shown more and more by research to be crucial to healthy development for everyone – but especially for children with challenges. HealthE6 represents the culmination of all our years of experience and practice at The Center. As the chart below shows, HealthE6™ is based on six core components essential for health and well-being: creating and fostering healthy environments, eating a high-nutrient, whole-foods diet, participating in vigorous daily exercise, learning emotional self-regulation, utilizing evidence-based documentation, and educating families and staff. HealthE6™ is designed to restore health and vitality to the child as the foundation for learning. As a result of this approach, children can benefit from their learning environment, while avoiding long-term chronic health issues. So confident are we of the efficacy of HealthE6™ that we have trademarked the name and method, and we are exploring ways of making it more widely available to professionals in the field. Environment Eating Energy Expenditure Emotional Regulation Evidence-Based Education AdventureTeamCorner RecreationtherapystaffmembersKelsi,Chris,Jim,SamandAmanda. NewsfromTheCenter's RecreationalTherapy Department AsMotherNaturegraceduswithasnowy,coldandverylong winter this year, the recreation and adaptive physical education teams collaborated on a number of exciting seasonalsports,includingconstructingaskatingrinkonour ball field! Thanks to prolonged sub-freezing temperatures (andthekindnessofthemembersofourlocalHurleyvilleFire Department, who delivered numerous tanker-truckfulls of water) staff members organized by Thanksgiving Farm CSA managerJustin‒himselfanavidskater‒wereabletocreate anexcitingandadapted-skating-safearea.Itwasgreattobe able to add skating to the long list of fun activities at The Center. In addition, with the generous donation of a kiln and other ceramicsupplies,TheCenterhasintroducedanewceramics program.Theprogramkickedoffinearlyfallwiththemaking of 500 olive-oil dishes for use at special events. This activity now spans across our campuses, with students and staffers excitedlyworkingonprojectswithclay.Mostrecently,some adultstudentsaremasteringthecraftofmakingmugs,plates, bowls and baskets. The program is a collaborative effort facilitatedbyChrisKilgorefromrecreation,AmberRyanfrom residential,andGalileeDamiaofromoccupationaltherapy.It's always great to have staff from different departments collaborateonafunnewproject. FamilyFuninSullivanCounty BethelWoodsMuseum ThursdaysthroughSundays,10:00a.m.to5:00p.m. 200HurdRoad Bethel,NY12720 (866)781-2922 bethelwoodscenter.org KiameshaLanesBowlingAlley Daily 4685NYStateRoute42 KiameshaLake,NY12751 (845)794-5561 SkatersWorldRollerRink 1234OldRoute17 Ferndale,NY12734 (845)292-3288 BarryvilleFarmersMarket May17th 10:00am-1:00pm 3385StateRte.97,Barryville,NY12719 LifeCenter“DayHab”Groups GoEntrepreneurial! GroupsattheLifeCenterhavebeenbusyworkingonprojectstobesoldatThe Center's Little Shop of Discovery. The Day Hab One group husbanded and harvestedplantsfromwhichtheymadenaturaldyes,thenusedthedyestocolor scarvestobesoldattheLittleShop.Usingpaperitsmembershaverecycledby shredding cast-off documents from offices around campus, the group is also making greeting cards as well as seed-paper ornaments for sale. All of these projectsareaccomplishedusingadaptedtoolssuchasthe“glider”tool,usedfor painting,gluing,pressingpaperontocanvas,andevenpushingpaperintothe shredder.Switch-adaptedtoolsarealsousedextensively. Day Hab Two groups continue work on projects for the “Art for a Purpose” initiative;theyareregularlycommissionedtocreateartworktoadornblankwalls throughoutTheCentercampus.Thegroupsuseup-cycledmaterials‒castoff objectslikepapertowelrolls,oldmagazines,etc.‒tomakecollagesdepicting trees,orfaux-metalgratewallhangings.Candygramsandteaboxesaremade usingthedie-cutmachine,andmembersalsocarryonaweeklyprojectmaking dog,cat,horseandrabbittreats‒someofwhichareenjoyedbythegroup'swellcared-forpetrabbit,Sasha. The group at Harvest One Day Hab has been working on sewing projects, including peace dove ornaments, using a switch-activated sewing machine. They'vealsomadeanaturaldyefromamaranthwithwhichtodyefabricfortheir tapestryproject.Themembersofthisgroupstarteverydaywithasong,andenjoy learningabouttheartistandmusicalgenrerepresented,andwhenthey'renot hardatwork,theyrelaxintheirownbookclub;they'recurrentlyreadingthePercy Jacksonseries. DISCOVERY POWERSOCCER! BlueFlamevs.RedDragons Fitness-WellnessPilotStudyWorks forStaffMembers TheCenter'sWellnessDepartment,workingcloselywiththeDepartmentof NourishmentArtsandtheTrainingDepartmentand30volunteeringmembers ofstaff,conductedasix-weekemployeewellness-fitnesspilotstudythiswinter. “Transform Your Well Being” set as its goals increased energy and stamina, bettersleep,improvedmood,andreducedperceptionofstress.Thevolunteers plannedtheirpersonalprogramswithapersonaltrainerandanutritionist,then keptmeticulousdailyjournalsofwhattheyate,theirexercise,andtheirmoods. Theyexercisedfor20ormoreminutesatleastfourtimesaweek,andattended aweeklynutritiontrainingsession. Resultswereevaluatedusingaself-administeredhealthsurveybeforeandafter theprogram.Themajorityoftheparticipantslostweight,weresleepingbetter ‒andreportedasurprisingincreaseinknowledgeaboutfitnessandnutrition. Forsome,theimprovementwasdramatic:payoffsincludedgreatersatisfaction at work and home, and even one participant whose autoimmune-disease symptoms abated significantly. For the fitness and nutrition professionals involved,thestudyalsoprovidesanopportunitytounderscorethelessonthat manypeoplereallydon'tknowthebasics,andoftenharbormisconceptions, abouthealthyeatingandappropriateexercising. PowerSoccerisarecentadditiontoourSportsProgram.Thisisagreatopportunityforour studentsandadultstocompete,socialize,collaborateandhonedrivingskills. Thepilotedprogramisbeingthoroughlyevaluatedandmodificationsmadein light of these findings, with the hope of making its benefits more widely availableamongthestaff. Basedonsoccer,PowerSoccerisplayedwithmodifiedpowerwheelchairs. Athletesuse complexmaneuvers,passing,tactics,andteamworktooutscoretheiropponents. AdaptiveSkiingDayatWindham In January The Center's Outdoor Adventure Team and Adaptive Physical EducationTeamcollaboratedontheannualtrektoWindhamMountainSki Resort,withtenexcitedadultandpediatricskiers.Staffandparentalsupport combined with The Center's longstanding relationship with Windham's AdaptiveSportFoundationallowsustointroduceanumberofkidsandadults, with a multitude of challenges, to the thrill of downhill skiing. The use of constantlyevolvingadaptiveequipmenthasenabledmoreandmoreresidents totakepartinthechallengingsport,asFrankiedemonstratesinthisphoto. TheBlueFlameandRedDragonskickoffinfrontofacrowdofhundreds.Theroaroffellow students,staff,cheerleaders,familyandfriendscanbeheardthroughoutthecampuswith everygoal! President&CEOPatrickH.DollardaddressesanaudienceattendingareceptionatThe FourSeasons.GigiMortimerspeaksabouttheimportanceofTheCentertoherfamily whileManagingPartner,JulianNiccolini,welcomeseveryonetotherestaurant'sfamous GrillRoomandspeaksabouthispartnershipwithTheCenter. FourSeasonsRestaurantHostsa NewYorkCityReceptionforTheCenter ThefamedFourSeasonsRestaurantinManhattanwasthesiteofa special reception for The Center for Discovery in November. The CenterparentsGigiandAvieMortimerservedashosts,andmembers of the board of directors and other special guests enjoyed fresh produce,organicbreadsandotherfeatureditemsdirectfromThe Center'sThanksgivingFarm.JulianNiccolini,managingpartnerofthe Four Seasons and a member of The Center's Da Vinci Master Chef Program,generouslyunderwroteasignificantportionofthecostof theevent. SiblingsConnections TheDiscoveryCircle: CaringBrothers&SistersofourResidents In defiance of bitter New York City winds, a group of brothersandsistersofamazingTheCenterforDiscovery residents met over lasagna last month to talk about theirworkasTheDiscoveryCircle.Therewasalotto discuss! First, they are excited about construction of theUniversalTreehouseatTheCenter,settobeginin thelatespring.Ifyou'dliketosupportthetreehouse, wherepeopleofallabilitieswillbeabletohangout,stay tunedfornewsonaNewYorksummerfundraisingevent. Speakingofprojects,themembersoftheCirclehavehadatrulyremarkabletimeover the last few months interviewing one another about the joys and difficulties of having a disabled brother or sister. Their goal is to put together some helpful materials based on their shared experiences, in an effort to assist the Admissions Departmentinwelcomingincomingfamilies.Ifyou'reinterestedintalkingaboutit, orinattendingaDiscoveryCirclemeetinginNewYork,pleasecallCarlyWelterat [email protected](845)707-8627. MemberLeoKittayaddressestheDiscoveryCircleattheirfundraising eventinNewYorkinJuly,heldtoraisefundsforaUniversalTreeHouse atTheCenter. TheadvertisingfirmOgilvyandMathergenerouslyhostedthe DiscoveryCircle'sfundraisingeventandworkedtoincorporatepictures ofTheCenterintothedécor. EducationTeam: TheDiscoveryCurriculum Asspringfinallyarrivesthingsarebustlingafteraverylongandcoldwinter.Thestudents areveryexcitedwiththereturnofthewarmerweatherandtheirincreasedopportunities toexploreandlearnoutside.Flowersandtreesarebuddingandsoonthestudentswill be tending the Healing and Training Gardens on South Campus, as well as various gardenspotslocatedonNorthCampus,attheRidgeandDiscoverySchool. DuringthemonthofApril,studentshavebeenstudyingsoilcompositionandcompost, aswellasbeneficialinsects. Studentswereinvolvedinavarietyofactivities,ranging from soil testing to the identification of various insects and the role they play in fertilization.Classroomsaremakingplansfortheirgardensandthetypesofplantsthey wouldliketogrowinthetraininggarden. AprilshowersbringMayflowersandwewillbeseeingmorestudentsinthegardens. Mayisthetimewhenseedsstartedinthegreenhousewillbetransplantedintogardens allovertheCenter. Comparingthebenefitsofgrowingplantsinagreenhousetoan outsidegardenareexploredintheclassrooms.Studentsalsostudybeefcowsthatlive attheCenter.Emphasisisplacedonthehabitatofcows,aswellasbyproducts,andthe typesofjobsthatarecreatedbyraisingbeefcows. TheLittleRedSchoolHouseOpens The Little Red School House on the Ridge campus opened over the winter,andit'ssomethingspecial‒a“sensorygym”thatletsstudentsand residents get their heart rates up by means of recreational physical activities. There are mats for tumbling, obstacle courses, ropes for climbing,andevenswings(wonderfulforthemulti-sensoryinputthey afford!).Clinicalstaffevaluateindividualparticipantsanddesigntailored activitiesprogramsforthem.Planscallforextendingtheprogram'shours beyondtheschoolday,forsupervisedafter-schoolactivities. GardeningskillsandeverythingplantsisthefocusofJuneactivities.Studentsspendas muchtimeaspossibleoutsidewatering,tendingandenjoyingthegardens.Mathand science lessons revolve around the life of a farmer. Students will also learn about pheasants,quail,ducks,andgeese. Thisisagoodopportunitytoapplyalltheyknow aboutchickensandturkeysandmakesomecomparisons. DATESTOREMEMBER 2014 MAY 17 2014 MAY 22 2014 MAY 22 2014 MAY SeniorPromforgraduatesandtheirfamilies (BigBarn) 6:00-9:00PM PowerSoccerGame‒ SouthCampusGym 10:30PM PatrickH.DollardtospeakattheMonticelloHigh School'sAcademyofFinanceEventattheBigBarn 5:30PM MemorialDay(SchoolClosed) 26 2014 JUNE 18 2014 JUNE KentuckyBluegrassTrio MaidenRadioPerformsatTheCenter Theup-and-comingBluegrasstrioMaidenRadioisdeartotheheartsof allofushereatTheCenter‒twoofitsmembers,CheyenneMizeandJulia Purcell,aremusictherapistswhocompletedtheirinternshipshere.Along with their partner Joan Shelley, these talented alumnae performed recentlyforourstudentswhoattendclassintheLearningCenteronthe SouthCampus.TheKentucky-borntrioperformedtraditionalsongsfrom theirhomestateaswellastheirownoriginalsongscomposedinthe samestirring,down-homestyle.Thisyearthemusictherapyinternshipat TheCentercelebratesitsfifteenthyearoftrainingcollegestudentsfrom all around the country; many thanks to these talented graduates for comingbacktosharetheirgiftswithus. Graduation(BigBarn) 10:00AM LastDayofSchool 20 2014 JULY SummerSession 7 2014 JULY 28 NOV 2 DiscoveryGolf&TennisInvitational (TuxedoPark) FallHarvestFestival(MilliganHill) 12:00PM “AChristmasCarol” BackinDecemberduringtheHolidayOpenHouse,TheCenterforDiscovery'sDramaticWorkshoppresenteditsproductionof“AChristmasCarol”tofamilies,peersand staff. It was a magical production that captured all the humor, drama, pathos and joy of Dickens' classic tale, and it met with rave reviews from the audience. Congratulationstoalltheperformersandtoallwhoworkedbehindthescenestomakethisplaysuchasuccess. ............................................ StormResponse2014 Thispastwinterhasgoneintothebooksasoneofthecoldest wintersintheNortheastsince1895,whensuchdatawasfirst recorded. With one snow storm after another and the prolongedfrigidtemperaturesthataccompaniedthepolar vortex, it was certainly one of the most taxing winters in recentmemory. Winters are always a challenge for our staff as well as the peopleforwhomwecare,andwhenthebadweatherseems to go on forever, as was the case this year, it becomes psychologicallyaswellaslogisticallytrying. TherapeuticMovement atTheCenter FourofourtalentedballerinastryontheirItsy-Bitsy Spidercostumesforthefirsttimeastheyrehearse for the therapeutic dance department's spring show,“Lights,Camera,Action!”Theshowwilltake place in May and will showcase eleven dance routines featuring 36 dancers from The Center's residentialandcommunityprograms,performing ballet,hiphop,jazz,tap,ballroomandotherstyles ofdance. Andyetourpeopletypicallyrisetotheoccasion,notonlywiththeextraordinaryeffortsofourEarthCare team in keeping paths and roads clear during the storms and cleaning up afterwards, but most importantly,withourprogramstaffintakingcareofourresidentsthroughout. StormpreparationatTheCenterforDiscoveryhasalwaysbeenacollaborativeeffort.Residentialdirectors andprogramcoordinatorscommunicatewithstafftoensuretheywillarrivefortheirshiftsafelyandon time.Manystaffwill“flex”theirschedules,cominginearlyand/orstayinglate.Manystaffwillstayovernight toensurethattheyareavailabletobeatthehousesearlythenextmorning.Thesestaffmembersinclude residentialadministrativeanddirectcare,nursing,andclinical. DuringonemajorstorminFebruary,forexample,TheCenterprovidedovernightaccommodationsfor58 staffmembers,includingshiftsupervisors,integrationspecialists,skillstrainers,dayhabspecialists,food serviceworkers,teachersandnursesinordertoensuretheiravailabilitydespitepoortravelconditions. Thededicationandflexibilityofthestaffiscrucialinallowingustogetthrougheventhemostchallenging stormssafely,whilemaintainingthehighestqualityofcareforthoseweserve. AccessYourOwnPersonal PatientPortalOnline TheDiscoveryHealthCenterhaslaunchedasecurepatientportalwithaccess to our electronic records management system, eClinicalWorks, to provide convenientremoteaccesstoanindividual'smedicalinformation.Participating patientsandfamiliesreceivesecureUserIDsandpasswordsthatenablethem toaccesstheportaltoviewtheirpersonaldocuments,visitsummaries,and personal health records. Information such as allergies, medications, procedures, vital signs, immunizations, lab results and diagnostic imaging, socialandfamilyhistoryandmore‒withproperprivacysafeguards‒isnow accessiblebypatientsandauthorizedfamilymembers,fromanywhere,atany time. Theinvolvementofourpatients'familiesiscentraltoTheCenter'sabilityto provideexcellenceinmedicalcareandcarecoordination.Ifyouareinterested insigningupforpatientportalaccess,simplysubmityournameande-mail a d d r e s s t o t h e D i s c o v e r y H e a l t h C e n t e r O f f i c e M a n a g e r a t patientportal@tcfd.org.Youwillreceiveanautomatice-mailconfirmationof account activation, including your automatically generated sign-on information. Youcanalsovisitwww.thecenterfordiscovery.orgorcall(845)707-8486and leave a voice message for the Discovery Health Center Office Manager. The DiscoveryCenterHealthCareTeamanticipatesexpandingportalfunctionality overtimetoassureseamlessaccesstomedicalinformationfortheparentsand guardiansofourresidents. Taicloselyinspectsastrawberryafterhehasexperiencedit'ssweet,juicyflavor.AndRay observeshimselfinteractingwithamushroomasheexploresit'sdistinctsmellandsmooth texture. FEDTherapy! TheCenter'sFEDprogram(FEDstandsforFoodExplorationandDiscovery)has hadtremendoussuccessinexpandingtherepertoireoffoodsthatstudentsand residents will eat ‒ as well as their overall relationship with food and pleasure surrounding mealtime. The program was developed by occupational therapist JessicaPiatakandspeech-and-languagepathologistKristinaCarracciatoaddress individuals' meal-time and feeding challenges by improving their relationship withfood,increasingthevarietyoffoodstheyeattoprovideadequatenutrition, and decreasing stress and anxiety around meals. FED integrates recognized practices such as Food Chaining, the Sequential Oral Sensory Approach to Feeding,FeedingtheWholeChild,theGetPermissionApproachtoFeedingand ReciprocalImitationTraining.Anoccupationaltherapistandaspeechtherapist collaborate on a comprehensive meal time evaluation, and then work with caregivers,behavioralspecialistsandtheclinicalteamtodevelopindividualized treatmentprograms.Individualsareencouragedtoplay;tointeractandhavefun withfoodinavarietyofways.Whatmakesthisapproachdifferentfromothersis thatitallowstheindividualresidentorstudenttotakethelead,andprogressionis encouraged only when the individual appears to be truly comfortable in interactingwithfood. ProjectMENTISResearchInitiative Project MENTIS, a pilot program developed by Janssen Research and DevelopmentinconjunctionwithTheCenterforDiscoveryandDr.Matthew Goodwin of Northeastern University, is evaluating a groundbreaking information-sharingplatformthroughwhichparents,cliniciansandeducators caneasilyenterandaccessdataaboutresidentsandstudents.Customizedfor TheCenter'sclinicalandeducationalprograms,MENTISallowscaregiversand serviceproviderstousecomputersandhandhelddevices(smartphones,tablet computers)toparticipate.Thepilotisafeasibilitystudyamongtheclinicians, parentsandstaffmemberswhointeractwithagroupof20ofourstudents.If MENTISsucceedsasplanned,TheCenterwillbeabletocontinueusingthe platformandexpandingitsreachtoincludemoreresidentsandstudents. “JingleBellRock” AlsoinDecemberduringtheHolidayOpenHouse,TheCarrusInstituteCaféwas thevenuefora“JingleBellRock”danceperformance,asfourseparateactstookthe stagetowowtheaudienceinturn.BrianandA.J.onceagaindemonstratedtheir tap-dancingskillsinaduetperformedto“SantaClausisComingtoTown.”Then Destiny,apediatricstudentinTheCenter'sschoolprogram,performedalyrical number to “The Christmas Song.” Linda then took the stage dazzle the crowd, dancing to “A Christmas Waltz” with Vice President for Development Richard Humleker.Closingouttheshowwasahip-hopnumberperformedto“AJingleBell Remix”byTommy,A.J.,Brian,John,CraigandJasonoftheadultprogram. o t o h P EmerilLagasseanda“TableforAll” Staff members and students from St. Michael Special School pose with Chef EmerilLagasseandtheirnewdiningtables,donatedbyTheCenterforDiscovery andEmerilLagasseFoundation.ThesepatentedFlexTablesweredesignedat TheCenterandcraftedspecificallyforspecialneedsstudents,sothat“everyone hasaseatatthetable.”ThegiftwasarrangedbyTheCenter'sculinaryconsultant ChefCesareCasella. MapleSugaring TheCenter'smaplesugaringexpert,SamRose,andWaynearetappingatreefor maple-treesapcollection,theinitialstepthatwillleadtoproductionofdelicious maple syrup. Meanwhile, The Center's Recreation Team is fully integrating classrooms, dayhabs and adult residents into the maple sugaring operation. Sugaringisarealteameffort,andacampusfavorite,andwe'vegotourfingers crossedthatthisyear'scoldwintercoupledwiththecomingwarmerweatherwill meanasurfeitofdeliciousmaplesyrupcomespring. “LeeʼsBench” LeeKarasik,trainingsupportspecialistatTheCenter,relaxescontentedlyonthe benchthathedonatedrecentlytoTheCenter.“Lee'sBench”nowhasprideof placeonthesidewalkoverlookingMainStreetinHurleyville.Lee,whowasan outpatientatTheCenterfor18yearsandnowhasbeenanemployeefor81/2 years,issoenthusiasticaboutTheCenter'splansforHurleyvillethathewanted to contribute something special. Try “Lee's Bench” for yourself the next time you'reintown‒itreallyissomethingspecial! TheCenter'sAppleCropthisYear: 500+Bushels! SpringPlanting The2014springplantingseasonattheThanksgivingFarmhasbegun.Dayhab groupshavebeenfillingflatswithsoilandsowingavarietyofseeds,including onions,scallionsandkale.Eachflathas128cells(holesforplanting),andcan holduptonineseedspercell.That's1,152seedsinoneflat!Overthecourseofa week dayhab sowed 84,608 seeds. In the weeks to come, these seeds will become plants that can be transplanted into The Center's fields to mature. PicturedhereareZacharyandSpencer,bothareadvancedseeders;theyeach canplantavarietyofsizeswithspeedandaccuracy,andtheyplayavitalrolein thevegetableproductionprocessattheThanksgivingFarm.Jobwelldone! TheCenter'sorganicappleorchardsadjacenttotheDiscoveryHealthCenterhave beenproductiveforyears,butthisseason'swasabumpercrop.Thetreeswere preppedandcaredforallyearbystudentsandstaffmembers,andmorethan60 participantshelpedpicktheapplesoncetheywereready,collectingatotalof morethan500bushels‒that'sintheneighborhoodof24,000poundsofdelicious fruit! Many of the apples have been distributed agency-wide for eating, while othersweresetasideforstudentsandstafftopress,andbottlecider.Sofarmore than50gallonsofciderhavebeenproduced.PicturedhereisSamworkingwith Jeffery,whoispartoftheapple-pickingteamofresidentswhouseTheCenter's signaturetrackchairstohelpthemgetthejobdone.
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