Pasadena Child Development Associates, Inc.
Pasadena Child Development Associates, Inc.
PCDA Newsletter - April 2009
Building Relationships Through Communication with Your Child
By: Kathlyn Fortune, M.S., CCC-SLP, Shannon McGurk, M.S., CCC-SLP
Therapy at PCDA follows a DIRTM framework. "DIR" stands for Development, Individual Differences, and Relationships. This framework considers the child's development across domains (e.g. social, emotional, cognitive, communication, and physical), the child's individual differences in their sensory systems and the way it impacts their learning and development, and the relationship between client-family-therapist. The relationship component of the DIR model is as important to consider in speech and language therapy as the development and individual difference components.
At PCDA parents are involved in sessions. They are encouraged to join in the therapy and practice interaction strategies in order to nurture the naturally occurring communication opportunities that happen at home. Another way that this parent relationship is supported is through the It Takes Two to Talk®--The Hanen Program®. This program is a 10-week course for parents of children with expressive and/or receptive language delays. It is designed to help parents learn how to support their child's language development. It provides parents with the focused opportunity to learn, reflect, and discuss how to apply the information they have learned in class to help their own child under the guidance of a speech language pathologist (SLP).
It Takes to Two Talk can be a good start or addition to an early intervention program. Early intervention helps children get the skills they need for a lifetime of learning. The Hanen Centre describes the goal of It Takes Two to Talk as enabling "parents to become their child's primary language facilitator, thereby maximizing the child's opportunities for communication development in everyday situations." It Takes Two to Talk is recommended for parents with children (8 months to 3 years of age) whose communication abilities range from non-verbal to those who are beginning to combine words. The child may be showing speech and language delays. However, they may or may not have a specific diagnosis such as Autism, Developmental Delay, Apraxia or Speech and Language Disorder. The child may or may not be receiving speech therapy.
Parents attending It Takes Two to Talk participate in ten sessions. During eight of these sessions, they come without their children to a group class with approximately ten other families. During these classes parents learn to apply language facilitation strategies flexibly across contexts. As a result, intervention becomes a natural part of their daily interactions with their child. Strategies highlighted by the SLP for individual parents are specific to supporting their child's communication goals. These goals are developed collaboratively with the parents and modified over the course of the program. Two additional sessions are held one-on-one with the families and the SLP. During these sessions, the SLP videotapes the families and their children in either a daily routine or play activity and provides guidance and coaching. These videotapes are then reviewed and used for reflection. "Since effective and consistent strategy use by parents is critical to the child's progress, video feedback sessions play a major role in helping parents see and modify their interactive behavior with their child."
Following is a detailed description of how It Takes Two to Talk group classes at PCDA are typically formatted:
- Session 1: Let Your Child Lead
- In this session, parents gain insight into how and why their child communicates.
- Session 2: Follow Your Child's Lead
- This session is devoted to one of the most important strategies in the It Takes Two to Talk Program. In this session, parents learn to follow their child's lead so that their interaction grows.
- Session 3: Take Turns to Keep the Interaction Going
- Parents learn how to keep an interaction going by creating opportunities for their child to take turns in a conversation.
- Session 4: Add Language
- Parents learn how to help expand on their child's language by imitating, interpreting and commenting about their child's interests.
- Session 5: Let's Play!
- Parents find out how play can be the best way to help their child learn language.
- Session 6: Sharing Books
- Parents learn to incorporate It Takes Two To Talk Strategies as they share books and enrich their child's language learning opportunities.
- Session 7: Moving Forward with Music
- Parents explore the value of songs and rhymes as a way to encourage interaction and language learning. During this final session parents will also have an opportunity to reflect on what they've learned during the program.
It Takes Two to Talk is an effective program in the way that it teaches families to use the strategies that SLP's use daily, in their home environments. Families make these strategies part of their daily routines and are able to provide language learning opportunities for their children. This experience can be empowering for families and strengthens the relationships between parents and their children.
Welcome to PCDABrian Howes Sophia Cruz Valerie Weich Nathalia Palis
In the CommunitySan Gabriel/Pomona Regional Center Parents' Place INFORMATION FAIR AND FESTIVAL Sunday, April 26, 2009 For more information about this event, please visit www.parentsplacefrc.com
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Introducing... Jumpstart!
By: Melissa St. John , MT-BC
The Music Therapy department would like to introduce a new and exciting program!! "Jumpstart" is a music enrichment program designed for pre-school classrooms which addresses social-emotional development for children 2-5 years of age using the DIR® approach. A music therapist or a music therapy student (with on-site supervision) will provide weekly music enrichment for a class of up to 25 students for 30 minute sessions, over a 6 month period. The music therapist will utilize a variety of musical activities such as musical story telling, musical games, instrument playing, singing, steady rhythms and movement to music within each session.
Now you may be asking, "What are the benefits of music?" Hearing music, singing songs, and moving to the beat are what experts call "a rich sensory environment" for young children. Research has shown that children who are actively involved in music do better in reading & math when they start school, are better able to focus and control their bodies and interact with others & have higher self-esteem. The Jumpstart Music Program utilizes music and music therapy techniques with a DIR®/FloortimeTM approach to assist each child in improving functional emotional capacities including: increasing shared attention with others, engaging in warm intimate pleasurable interactions with others, engaging in back and forth reciprocal interactions with a clear purpose, engaging in shared problem-solving with others, sustaining interactions with others when feeling frustrated, sad, excited, etc., being creative, and logically connecting emotional ideas.
What is included with the Jumpstart program? At the beginning of each "semester" parents are offered a special music class for themselves and their children. Each parent also receives an informational pamphlet when their child starts the program that includes information regarding the benefits of music and how they can use musical activities in the home to support development as well. Teachers will receive a one hour training to discuss musical techniques and ways to use music in the classroom as well as being encouraged to participate in all sessions to learn musical strategies to support development throughout the day. All of this is done in constant collaboration with the directors and teachers throughout the year. After each 6 month period, the therapist will also provide a brief report of each child's participation and growth within the program.
The objective of Jumpstart is to see improvement in each child's social-emotional development. Please contact the music therapy department if you are interested in having this program in your preschool!
Carmine's Italian Restaurant & Bar
to donate 15% of their earning to PCDA on Tuesday, May 26th, 20099
Please join us in our efforts to raise money for PCDA
Simply dine in or pick up take out for lunch and dinner and Carmine's will donate 15% of their earnings to PCDA!
Please visit them at 424 Fair Oaks Ave.
South Pasadena, CA 91030 (626) 799-2266
www.carminesrestaurantandbar.com (Delivery not included)
Budget Cuts Hit PCDA
The State financial crisis has hit home at PCDA. We receive 85% of funding for services from the regional center system, through the State Department of Developmental Services. We were notified that the State has imposed a 3% across the board rate cut, (their term is "discount") beginning February 1, 2009. This discount is to last until June 2010, but whether or not it will ever be reversed is in doubt. In addition, further cuts of additional 7% are threatened.
The regional centers provide funding for therapy services and programs for individuals with developmental disabilities such as autism, mental retardation, and cerebral palsy, from birth to death. The law requires state funds to be used based on an individual's need for services, regardless of financial status. Managing this entitlement program has become more difficult over the years as the ever expanding 'entitlement' must be paired against a fixed budget.
The current financial crisis is the most dire since the regional centers were first created. In an effort to save costs, regional centers are taking dramatic actions. Every service is being scrutinized. Many parents have told us that their services will be cut because the regional centers 'don't have money'. Parents are being asked to choose between services, or to accept fewer hours of service. Some services such as weekly social skills groups, may not be funded every week.
The 3% cuts in rates, combined with decrease in authorized services, has resulted in a net decrease in income substantially more than 3%. We are implementing several actions in our effort to survive this crisis. All PCDA staff have accepted a 3% cut in wages, as well as a decrease in benefits. We have also increased the workload for our administrative staff by eliminating vacant positions.
We know that the children and families who receive help from our therapists and developmental interventionists make substantial progress. We see the benefits everyday for children who achieve developmental milestones and their families who are devoted to helping them overcome challenges. Our staff is communicating as much as possible with regional center service coordinators to provide detailed explanations about the value of continuing services for specific children.
As a non-profit corporation, PCDA is seeking additional funding through foundations and charitable giving to help fill the gap between funding sources and the cost of providing services. Your contribution, of any amount, will be greatly appreciated to support our mission to provide quality services to children with special needs, and training and support to their families and other professionals who serve children and families. Whether you are a parent, grandparent, professional, or a caring person, you can help PCDA to help children and families who benefit from these services.
We appreciate your help, and together we will continue to offer the many services that the children and families deserve.
With our sincere thanks,Diane Cullinane, M.D. and Mimi Winer, MS, RN
Co- Executive Directors
Volunteer opportunities for personal and academic growth!
- Get involved in your community
- Support a good cause
- Increase knowledge regarding child development
- Learn from experienced professionals
- Great opportunity for community service and senior projects
If you are interested in more information about these volunteer opportunities,
please contact Christine Kim at (626) 793-7350 ext. 256
Springtime Gardening
As the days become longer and warmer, springtime is the perfect time to share special time together growing vegetables, herbs or fruit! Helping children grow their own "garden" can also support increased exposure and interest in new foods, which may not be otherwise explored! Many of us do not have the time, experience or gardening space to large garden projects; however, creating simple container gardens (indoor or outdoor) can still create lots of fun and a "good harvest." Lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, squash and corn are all fairly easy vegetables to grow in containers. Herbs are also easy to grow indoors by a sunlit window.
First, choose a flower pot which will allow lots of room for growth. Make sure the pot has small holes on the bottom for the water to drain. Next, fill some potting soil in half of the container. Then, based on the seed directions, place a few seeds in their respective holes before covering again with soil. Looking at the size and shape of the seed is a great interactive process, especially when comparing it with the vegetable/fruit/herb it will eventually produce. Give your new soil and seed a good watering, allowing the excess water to drain out. Finally place it in a bright windowsill, outside on the patio, or in your yard.
Depending on the seed, new growth is seen in one to two weeks. Watering your container garden can be a fun routine for children, either before or after school. However, avoid over watering your new garden too! Kids can help with weeding, pruning (using fingers), watering and fertilizing. Enjoying the first fruits of your container garden calls for a special celebration! Make a new salad with your freshly grown lettuce, taste a just picked tomato right off the vine and bite into a sun-warmed slice, compare the taste between homegrown carrots and store bought carrots, or create a kabob from your own garden harvest.
Summer ProgramsA DIR® relationship-based approach is used in which the children are encouraged to use initiative and a free-flowing interactive process in their creativity process Click below for a registration form for both summer programs with additional info:
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Music & MovementMusic and Movement is a six-week summer program (July 6th-August 12th) for children with special needs. The program is on Monday and Wednesday, 9:30am-11:30am. Music and Movement is a program facilitated by Music Therapists and Developmental Interventionists providing a range of support. This program allows children, ages 4-10 years, an opportunity to discover rhythm, balance, and body awareness through music, dance, and sensory exploration. While engaging in interactive music and movement activities, children also have an opportunity to advance in their social-emotional skills and collaborate with their peers in sensory filled activities to enhance pleasure through relationship. The children move their bodies to music using a variety of props such as scarves, shakers, drums, and guitars. In Music and Movement children interact in song and dance while increasing important social skills. For more information about the program, For registration and vendor information, |
Summer Theater WorkshopSummer Theatre Workshop is an exciting two-week dramatic summer program for children aged 7-13 with special needs at Pasadena Child Development Associates, Inc. Small groups of children work together with talented staff to create short vignettes, including designing sets, costumes, scenery, lighting and makeup. While involved in exploring creative expression they are also advancing social-emotional skills and collaborating with peers in problem-solving, to build self-esteem and confidence, as well as friendships. The children create their own stories, design and plan an entire production. Activities include creating costumes and makeup, set design, singing, acting, theatrical games, music, puppets and dancing. Children interact in groups of 5-6, with 2 drama coaches. There will also be mini workshops led by para-professionals on makeup, music, and costuming. Children will create and present a special performance on the last day of the workshop.
For more information please contact: Felicie Standley, Program Assistant (626)7937350 ext. 257 |
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- Dr. Vera Adler
- Karen Bagnard
- Charles and Diana Boyd
- Love Birds Cafe
- Sebastian and Loann Calabro
- Caltech
- Choice Pest Control
- William Cullinane
- Rick and Michelle Evans
- Vernon L. Margaret Falls
- Pasadena Fire Department
- Cameron Flanagan
- Steven & Jennifer Hronek
- Marlene Khanjian
- Normand Leduc
- Shirley Lee
- David Lew Family
- Lockton Insurance Brokers, LLC
- John Plum
- Ralph's Grocery
- Josh Ross
- Philip Lee and Leslie Rowan
- Kim Sakata
- Lucia and David Shaw
- Chonghyun Shin
- Sonya Pena and Adrian Silva
- Olivia Silva
- Maria Villavicencio
- Alan and Lin Vlacich
- Michael and Anita Yagian
- Gerald Yee
Join us for PCDA Dodgers Night
Friday, May 8, 2009 @ 7:10 p.m.
Dodgers vs. Giants with FIREWORKS immediately following the game!
Tickets $20.00 each (Lower Reserve) available on a first come-first serve basis... so get your order in early!! All PCDA families, staff and friends are eligible to buy tickets. Tickets are non-returnable and non-refundable.
If you have any questions, please contact:
Jennifer Aceves, Program Specialist jennifer@pasadenachilddevelopment.org (626) 793-7350 ext. 222
See you at the ballpark!!!!
Click for more information and an order form (Adobe PDF).
Click here for the Word doc version.
Citrus Slaw Salad
Adapted from the pamphlet "Fast, Fun & Fit... Food for Your Family Vegetable Recipes" by the California Department of Health Services
Salad Ingredients:
- 1 cup of shredded red or green cabbage
- 1 cup of shredded dark green leafy lettuce
- 2 small fruit cups of mandarin
- oranges drained or 2 oranges, peeled and segmented
- 1/2 cup finely sliced celery
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots
Dressing:
2-3 tablespoons of any reduced fat dressing
(we like light Italian seasoning or raspberry vinaigrette);
or 2-3 tablespoons of fruit juice