This week, we speak with Beyond the Spectrum’s Program Director, Laura Ryan-Leverett. Laura walks us through how she creates summer activities for students, variables to consider when planning an activity, and ideas for engaging and educational activities.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Summer Updates

(01:00) Introducing Laura Ryan-Leverett

(03:45) Creating meaningful summer activities

(06:25) Summer activity ideas for children on the spectrum

(12:00) Non-arts and crafts activities

(13:20) Sensory activities

(14:25) Helping with sensory challenges

(16:00) Outdoor activities and structure

(19:00) Interoception considerations

(20:30) Social activities and benefits

(22:40) Common challenges during summer

(24:50) Tips for returning to school

(26:00) Skills to develop over the summer

Join us every month for a new episode of Helping Families Go Beyond. Visit beyondthespectrum.org for more information.

This week, we speak with Elena Cassella, Executive Director of Foundation for Dreams. Foundation for Dreams, through their signature program Dream Oaks Camp, provides year-round weekend and summer residential camp sessions for all children with varying ability levels and chronic and/or terminal medical conditions.

Dream Oaks Camp is a place where children can go to be "normal" and parents can get a respite from their daily lives. Their unique programs focus on each child’s abilities and are specifically designed to strengthen their social skills, behavioral skills, and comprehensive profound skillset in a safe, barrier-free environment. As a child attends their program, parents collaborate with staff to identify two targeted goals for the child to progress towards while at camp. Dream Oaks Camp makes an astonishing impact on both their campers and parents, with everyone wanting to go back for another weekend!

Timestamps:

(00:00) Episode introduction and updates

(01:00) Introducing Elena Cassella and Foundation for Dreams

(04:25) Dream Oaks Camp Program

(08:00) What has to be considered for total inclusion?

(12:10) Favorite success stories for students and families

(18:50) Progress reports for the family

(20:50) How can families get started with Dream Oaks Camp?

(25:00) What can we look forward to in the future?

(28:10) How can the community help support the Foundation for Dream’s mission?

(30:57) A letter from a camper’s parent

Join us every month for a new episode of Helping Families Go Beyond. Visit beyondthespectrum.org for more information.

This week, we speak with Beyond the Spectrum’s BCBA, Dawn Wisniewski. Dawn walks us through the basics of ABA therapy, strategies that are and are not used, and difficulties in providing therapy. Later in the episode, Dawn busts ABA therapy myths, discusses what families should know when selecting an ABA provider, and shares how ABA techniques are applied in real-world settings.

Dawn also co-hosts a monthly meeting called the Community Insight Series with past podcast guest, Dr. Valerie Roth. In April’s meeting, they cover guardianship and what parents should know as their children grow up. Keep an eye out for May’s Community Insight Series!

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introducing Dawn Wisniewski, BCBA

(01:50) What is ABA therapy?

(05:50) Self advocacy

(07:20) Techniques/strategies used in the field

(10:15) How does data collection help with treatment planning?

(13:30) Difficulties providing therapy

(15:15) How do you work with other professionals to help your learners?

(18:15) Misconceptions/myths about ABA therapy

(22:20) What should families know when picking an ABA provider?

(23:20) What steps should families take to get ABA therapy started?

(26:50) Success stories

(29:30) BCBA requirements

(30:42) Examples of ABA techniques being applied in real world settings

(32:15) Community Insight Series - Next meeting is about Guardianship

Join us every month for a new episode of Helping Families Go Beyond. Visit beyondthespectrum.org for more information.