The Children's Center

The Children's Center: A special place for special children 

The Children's Center for Neurodevelopmental Studies is a state-certified, non-profit school and therapy center for children with autism and other developmental delays. The Center was founded in 1978, by Lorna Jean King, OTR/L, FAOTA. The Children's Center is internationally known for its unique and effective therapeutic approach to education. The Center's philosophy emphasizes facilitating neurodevelopment,the formation of new neural pathways, rather than simply training the child to act "appropriately". It is based on well-known research demonstrating neuroplasticity and the ability of the brain to continue developing at any age. 

Why is the Center so uniquely qualified to help - and add hope - to the lives of these children and their families? The key lies in the neurodevelopmental needs of the children. One of their defining characteristics is sensory integrative dysfunction - the inability of the brain to process input from various senses to create meaningful information. When neural pathways are damaged or impaired, correct processing cannot be achieved. The Center's primary therapeutic approach, called sensory integration, addresses these dysfunctions. 

To promote the development of new neural pathways and minimize the effect of sensory processing dysfunction, staff provides appropriate forms of sensory input - a sensory diet. These personalized plans may include swinging, deep pressure, music - all aimed at facilitating the processing of information. When sensory issues have been addressed, learning always follows. Sensory integrative therapy helps "get the brain ready to learn".  In over two decades of service, the Center's sensory integrative approach has proven highly effective for hundreds of children in Arizona, across the United States and around the world. The Children’s Center is a private, non-profit corporation (501-c-3) founded in 1978 by a group of health and educational professionals, under the leadership of Lorna Jean King, OTR/L, FAOTA. 

Beginning with just one student, one teacher and one therapist, the Center’s staff now includes occupational, speech, music and recreational therapists and  certified special education teachers.

       

       The above is the center I am working as a substitute teacher's aid. And I am enjoying my time there so far. When I was unemployed for the past almost two years I never envisioned this as my next job. I do more for autistic children then substitute at this learning center. I also have two clients I go to there house and continue to work on their treatment goals one on one in the home "Habilitation". These children are a joy to work with and doing this work is changing me in ways I am also liking. I am return to an attitude and feeling of my younger self. I see myself happy and it isn't just because I am getting paid.. I started with one client 7.5 hours a week for most of February so my first monthly check will not be that big. But now between this job and Hope Group, LLC for habilitation hours I have built my hours up to 19.5 and two days a week I can be called in to substitute as a teacher's aid at The Children's Center. If I am called in both days that is 28.5 hours and the pay which basically will take the place of what i was making on unemployment.. But, my point here is I am getting more out of it then the pay. I didn't intend to go back to a regular 9-5 customer service job but didn't know what that would mean for me...

This job is changing my perspective of people, my outlook on my life, my attitude and it is giving me joy. That alone is worth more to me than how many hours and what my hourly pay is... I can't even take credit for me trying this out as a job. I did not find it on my own. My sister in law Kim is a full time teacher's aid at a different school and suggested the other Hope Group, LLC where she works habilitation for after school. From the Hope Group, LLC job I was introduced the The Children's Center as a place to work with the same population and pick up some additional hours and it is in my town really close to my house. Between the two agencies I made a little niche for myself. I smile at work, I enjoy my co-workers, and my habilitation kids are a breath of fresh air. Maybe my next post I will write about and focus on Hope Group, LLC who started this whole progression but it was The Children's Center that helped me the most. 

I see this as a wonderful new adventure maybe career... it has revived my spirit and not just my employment for sure...

Dawn

There is hope...

Hello friends,


I know it has been some time since I have composed a blog entry. But, I am going to turn that around and get back to putting down my thoughts at least once weekly. 


Part of me feels like I have been just hanging on feeling incomplete without direction. The truth is I have been unemployed and dealing with life issues as a result of my unemployment benefits ending, having to file bankruptcy, and fighting to stay positive with all the changes and challenges I faced head on...


Recently I took some free training to work with individuals with autism. I went to CPR, First Aid, Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA). ABA is the most current, scientifically proven, and efficient method of teaching essential skills to children on the autism spectrum. It is beneficial for individuals with a variety of other developmental disabilities as well. An effective ABA program may incorporate multiple theories and approaches to teaching, including analysis of verbal behavior, picture schedules, play therapy, and discrete trial training. Each program must be tailored to suit the needs of each individual child and the skill levels of those implementing the program. ABA programs are very child friendly, and focus on teaching the function of language in a positive, age appropriate environment. I interview with my first family 1/28/2011 and was offered the provider position for about 10 hours a week. This is a new direction for me to do something fulfilling and get back into regular employment. I need more than 10 hours a week and will be searching for either another client or a part time position to increase my income. I didn't take this job for the money. I was looking to be out of retail or just a customer service position. I wanted the work I was doing to matter and have that feeling of enjoyment. I am also going to take additional training for the habilitation part of my employment so I can offer my clients better teaching skills to assist with their current program goals. Habilitation is one-on-one therapy to teach and/or improve an individual's daily living, social, gross/fine motor, communication, and/or memory and organization skills. Habilitation providers will implement the goals and objectives written by the lead habilitation therapist. I will also do respite care. Respite is a service designed for short-term, temporary care to our clients with the purpose of giving the parents a break from the everyday routine of raising a child with special needs. An important purpose of respite is to provide parents and families temporary relief to relax, run errands, work, etc. I am looking forward to expanding my employment at H.O.P.E. Group, LLC. http://www.hopegroupaz.com/index.htm


Dawn

Auguste Art - Digital and Traditional Fine Art Paintings!

Auguste Art - Digital and Traditional Fine Art Paintings

reneeauguste.blogspot.com

See all my friend's digital and traditional art on her new blog! Maybe she can make something beautiful for you too! She has been selling her art since 1992! Here is Renee Auguste's Art Blog where she now displays the painting she did for me!

Feeling lost!

See this picture of me above looking happy? Well there is a sadness in me lately that I can't seem to shake and I am scared. I have been unemployed for 15 months. I feel as part of me is slipping further away with each rejection of a prospective employer. All I want to do is work and be able to take care of myself. Since I am 15 years of age I have never been without work this long. I feel lost like I don't know how to present myself so they could see how capable I am or that I really would like the opportunity without seeming desperate. I feel as if I am an outsider looking in on my life and nobody can hear me...

So the plan is now that my husbands car has been repossessed and my rental lease is up at my current apartment that we move into a more affordable space and live under my husbands income. This way I can gather my self respect up not feel like a failure and be able to live without so much stress on me getting employment. This was not a easy decision for me. I struggled with it trying to maintain hope I would find something before my unemployment ran out. But, I am emotionally spent for this whole process this past 15 months...

So we gave 60 days notice as requested even though my lease ends Aug 20th. I am not sure how I am going to afford the rent here the last month as a month to month rate of over $1,000.00 and find the money to support the move at the same time. But, I will ease myself through the process and be out of this apartment by 9/30/2010.. Hope to move the weekend of sat 9/25! I wish in some way there was someone to help ease my burden right now...

Dawn

A need to rediscover my self....

Where to begin with this blog.. I have so many things on my mind today.

I am yearning for some changes.. I think I have been loosing parts of the self I used to be and it is to the point I don't recognize the person I am right now.. I have been trying to change that and recapture things that bring me joy and peace again. Part of that awakening was because I had a friend in my life again who also shared some things with me I had packed away. Recently I have been bringing my crystals back into my life and meditating again.. My former self was less into a structured lifestyle... And I have been seeing changes in my attitude since I brought back some of my former selfs rituals.. But, I am longing for more change...

I have become discontent in my surroundings... Yes, I still have the sun and the warmth here in Phoenix, AZ... And for the most part it is beautiful here most of the year through. I think it is apartment living or the vibe in this building lately.. There was a glimmer of hope of maybe some friends moving in to the building and that was a high expectation to put on someone.. No one person can be your hope.. Hope, Joy, and Peace are jobs done from within... My friends found that relocation was a better fit for them and I wish them well on their journey.

What I need is a reinvention of who I am and to find myself... I am not my former job, I am not miss suburban girl, but who have I evolved into? What is the current state of my being? I need to figure out what will make me happy and bring me joy again. I need to find peace and be content with who I am and my surroundings.. Does that mean a relocation for me as well? I need to look inward and start listening to my soul's voice again.. This is a process I need help with.. Where to begin? I know bringing back parts of myself I have shelved and incorporating that into my life tweaked of course to fit my beliefs as they have evolved. But, what do I want and what will bring back the joy in my life again.. Only I can soul search for those answers.. But, I need help on the process.. Any suggestions on an inward journey?

Missing California and Beaches...

I have lived on both the west coast and the east coast... I currently live in Phoenix, AZ

I have to say pools are good to cool off locally.. But, nothing beats swimming in the surf and playing in the waves at the beach. Today I am missing friends in California which got me thinking about the beaches there... the photos above make me want to be there and seeing my friends.

I think I am home sick for the west coast now that I am back in contact with friends from my past there... And the fact things here leave me feeling like something is missing.

Dawn

I am blessed with good friends!

Hello everyone.. As I sit here remembering good times at Karaoke Saturday night for a friends birthday and fond memories from times spent with good friends in college 22 years ago. I realize my life may not be full of historical moments but for the most part I have enjoyed the journey.

I have terrific friends.. And thanks to facebook I have high school and college friends back in my life who I had always kept in my heart but never knew I would speak to again. I want to tell you all who have touched my life then and have returned or are now part of my life that you all make me smile and feel fulfilled. Friends are life's blessings!

Dawn