A Furry Friend

august2013

Autism and Behavior Consulting Services • 220 Great Circle Rd., Suite 124, Nashville, TN, 37228 • p: 615.331.1141 www.abcservicesllc.com

A publication ofAutism & Behavior

Consulting Services, LLC

Autism Society of Middle Tennessee (ASMT) Second Helping Series August 15, 6:30 - 8:30pm @ the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center This free workshop is a follow-up to Autism Society of Middle Tennessee’s (ASMT) bi-monthly orientation. An autism professional will discuss evidence-based practices for treating autism and introduce other important concepts for understanding and working with people on the autism spectrum. Register online at www.tnautism.org or by calling ASMT at 615.385.2077, ext 1.

Families First Program: Addressing Challenging

Behaviors August 17, 9:00am - 12:00pm @ the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Rm 241 This free workshop for parents of young children with ASD provides parents and caregivers with strategies to use at home, school, and in the community, based on the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Register online by August 13 at kc.vanderbilt.edu/triad under the “Events” tab.

Families First Program: Including Children with ASD and Other Developmental Disabilities in Religious Activities September 14, 9:00am - 12:00pm @ the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center,

Rm 241 This workshop is intended primarily for congregational leaders and religious educators, but parents and others are welcome. Strategies discussed are based on the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Register online by September 10 at kc.vanderbilt.edu/triad under the “Events” tab.

SibSaturdays September 14, 10:00am - 2:00pm @ Grace Community Church in Brentwood SibSaturdays is a family-centered support program for kids (ages 5-12) who have a sibling with an ASD. They’ll play games, have lunch together, and talk about

what it’s like to have a sibling with an ASD. Registration is required and space is limited. $15/child. To register, call 615.385.2077, ext. 3.

August Upon Us (and a little September, too)local autism events & opportunities

ABCMonthly

We’ve been excited and privileged to have a special visitor in the clinic lately: Gracie the golden retriever! Gracie is a friendly, easy-going pup who belongs to an old ABC speech

therapist and friend of ours, Carrie Grunkemeyer.

Gracie can hardly get through our front door before she’s surrounded by kids and staff; not many of us can start an instant party the way she does! Not only

beautiful, she has been patient, gentle, and good-natured as one by one our kids have pet her, fed her doggie treats, jumped on her back,

and tackled her with hugs.

Having a dog like Gracie in the clinic can also be useful during therapy. For instance, if a child is apprehensive about approaching,

we are able to create safety and ease; conversely, if a child is eager to pet her, her presence can be a wonderful motivator.

Thank you to Carrie for bringing her to visit! We hope to see them both again in the not-too-distant future. Gracie showing off her skills.Noe loving on Gracie. He was so excited to wrestle with her!

As you may have heard, we recently lost a significant member of our ABC family, Abram Flores. He received his angel wings in late June following a severe car accident in Franklin, TN, where he was riding home from horse therapy with his mother and younger brother Noe. Having been at ABC for almost a year, he was a familiar and loved part of our clinic family.

To say that Abram’s interests were numerous would be an understatement. He was a Spiderman-adoring, tech-smart six year-old who could light up a room with his sweet voice and contagious laughter. A curious and bright first-grader who loved school, he learned quickly and did his best to master new words, new sounds, and new math problems in spite of any challenges that he faced. He’d often sing phrases like “all done” and “take a bite” to the tune of “Wheels on

the Bus”; he never lacked creativity when communicating his wants and needs (and dislikes!).

Technology was a friend of Abram’s. Computers, iPads, smartphones, video games: you name it, he loved it. He could figure out electronic equipment faster than we could, and it was nearly impossible to pry him away when he was concentrating on a game or video.

Abram was becoming quite the artist as well. In less than a year, his drawing skills progressed from covering the walls of his house with his very own crayon décor – often referred to as “scribble scrabble” – to drawing detailed illustrations of Spiderman (on paper!) with various web designs.

Abram was no stranger to athletics, either.

He loved to climb; keeping his feet on the ground was never his forte if there was anything to be scaled, especially if it meant getting cookies out of the kitchen cabinets. He played baseball and soccer with his family, was learning how to swim, could hold his own in a football game with other boys at school, and got plenty of wrestling practice between tackling his little brother in the pool and tussling with his dog Sanson.

Our staff team is grateful for the time we had with him and we miss him deeply. His mother Maria is recovering from major pelvic surgery following the accident, but thankfully Noe was unharmed. If you have a desire to help the Flores family, we’re accepting toy and food donations at our office, or you can make a monetary donation to the Flores-Zaragoza Fund at any First Tennessee Bank location.

July 31, 2006 - June 30, 2013

In Memory Of

A sensory balloon is a balloon filled with material that kids can squish, squeeze, poke, and mash to their heart’s delight! It’s easy to do and is great practice for gross motor skills. Here’s how.

1. Gather your materials. You’ll need balloons and differently-textured materials to put in them. Try coffee beans, rice, water, flour, sand, liquid gel, cooked pasta, or anything else that might feel cool!

2. Fill the balloons. (A small funnel might help a bit if you have one.)

3. Squeeze out as much air as you can, then tie the balloons.

4. Play!

How did you learn about ABC? Once upon a time I was teaching Pre-K when I happened to have a child with behavioral problems in my class. We contacted ABC Services and that’s when I learned all about ABA. Jane suggested that I observe therapy in action... so I did! And now I am here! I love my job working with little kids and making a difference in their lives and the lives of their parents.How long have you been on staff? Since March, 2011.What’s something you find really challenging, enjoyable, or rewarding about your job? I love that every child is so different from the next and they each present challenges all their own, but I like that because it keeps me motivated to continue doing my job to the best of my ability!Where are you likely to be spotted when you’re not working? Outside! Love being outdoors!What hobbies/interests do you love to spend time on? Reading about history, working out, and watching movies.If you had to eat or drink one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be? Coke Zero and filet cooked medium.What’s one thing you wish every ABC parent knew? You all have amazing kids and I am so grateful I get to work with them!

Amanda loves working with ABC’s wee ones. Ask anyone on our staff and they’ll tell you she is always smiling!

Staff SpotlightAmanda Paul / BCaBA

A Little Sensory Fun

Autism and Behavior Consulting Services • 220 Great Circle Rd., Suite 124, Nashville, TN, 37228 • p: 615.331.1141 www.abcservicesllc.com

Some kids love traveling; for others it’s a huge stressor! A child who gets upset in the car can make even a short drive dangerous, so it is paramount that we ensure our children’s safety when we travel. Here’s a quick reminder of Tennessee law:

• Children under 1 year and/or weighing 20 lbs or less must be secured in a rear-facing car seat. • Children ages 1-3 years and/or weighing more than 20 lbs must be

secured in a forward-facing child restraint seat. • Children ages 4-8 years and/or measuring less than 4’ 9” tall must be secured in a booster seat with an appropriate functioning seatbelt. • Children 9-12 years must be secured in a seatbelt and the law highly recommends a rear, not front, seat.

Does your child struggle in the car? Problems can arise particularly when your child with autism can buckle

and unbuckle her/himself yet may not understand when it’s safe to take the seatbelt on and off. ABC is often able to use functional assessment and antecedent interventions to help break your child’s rigidity and develop a travel plan for your family, so let us know if you need a helping hand. Some school systems also supply families with a four-point harness that is easy to install and can be switched from car to car (particularly for children who ride the bus). Other times, insurance

companies will cover the cost of this type of restraint if a pediatrician writes a prescription or a behavior analyst makes a recommendation. We try to avoid restraints in most situations, but when it comes to the safety of your child, don’t ever be afraid to take necessary steps or ask for help.Have a wonderful August and safe travels.Jane

ExpandingEastward

More great news! We now have a certified ABC consultant in the east Tennessee area and can begin taking

patients with United in that area right away. If you know anyone “east side” who needs ABA services, please

pass along our number!

O Come, All Ye Holiday Gifts

We’re planning our first annual ABC holiday shopping benefit in early November! If you work for a direct-

sales company (like Thirty-One, Pampered Chef, Stella and Dot, etc.), or know someone who does, don’t miss this opporutnity to reach new customers. We’re taking

applications for merchants who would like a table at the event - no entry fee! Call our office at 615.331.1141 to

reserve your space. The deadline is August 15th.