PAVE PIPELINE
Summer Edition
June 2011 to September 2011, Vol. 2, Issue 1
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Summer Activities
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Make this summer one to remember for your kids and yourself. Find great resources to camps, and activities for the entire family in these lists below.
Washington State:
Statewide Camps and Activities
Pierce County Activities
Nationwide: Military and Civilian Family Activities
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A Nationwide Effort to Give Individuals with Autism a Chance to See the Big Screen in Comfort
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 In order to provide a more accepting and comfortable setting for this unique audience, the movie auditoriums will have their lights brought up and the sound turned down, families will be able to bring in their own gluten-free, casein-free snacks, and no previews or advertisements will be shown before the movie. Additionally, audience members are welcome to get up and dance, walk, shout or sing - in other words, AMC's "Silence is Golden®" policy will not be enforced unless the safety of the audience is questioned.
Find a Viewing In Your State! |
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Summer Safety Tips
| Summer can be a fun time to get outside and spend it with family. Here are some safety tips to help you avoid tragedy for a safe and fun summer!
Save A Life: Buy A Jacket Water Safety Tips for Families Safe Play Tips for Children With Special Needs |
| View All PAVE Program News and Events or
Previous Pipeline Articles
Here.
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Greetings!
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This edition of the PIPELINE will begin near the end of the school year for some, go through the summer and end at the beginning of the next school year for many. Focusing on the middle -June, July and August - the summer conjures up all kinds of images, memories, hopes and plans. It can be a great time to explore one's strengths and abilities and offer the chance to try new things. The weather helps us to enjoy the outdoors. It may include going to camp and/or a stay-cations. There may even be time to get a jump on the next school year. Whatever is on your calendar keep in mind that each day offers us the opportunity to discover talents, insights, and possible encounters that can strengthen our abilities and provide us with pure summer satisfaction. "Just living is not enough," said the butterfly, "one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower." (Hans Christian Andersen) What do you need this summer? How can we help? We will be here. We hope the articles in this issue helps you find some summer activities and offers information for your family and/or those you know. Enjoy!
Tracy Kahlo,
Executive Director
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A Birth to Three Conference Becomes a Life Changing Event for a Father
By: Andrew Crawmer Ed.M
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The year 2011 was the second year that
my wife, Amanda, and I have attended the Infant Early Childhood Conference (IECC). As parents of two boys, four and five, who are both on the Autism Spectrum, the opportunity of a scholarship to assist in attending makes a world of difference. Aside from the cost of the conference, lodging, food and gas, parents of special needs children also need to find specialized care for those they leave at home. Leaving my boys to the care of someone unfamiliar with their needs would not only be irresponsible of me as a parent, but probably the most traumatic form of torture you could inflict upon an unsuspecting caregiver. Just serving the wrong type of chicken nugget to a child with autism can create World War III. The stress of leaving my boys for three days may be great, but the scholarship provides an affordable opportunity that cannot be passed up.
Read More On This Article
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Paying It Forward:
How One Community Auction is Creating Inclusion for People of All Abilities
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When you talk to Michele Lehosky, Program Director of the Community Inclusion Program (CIP) you can tell that she is proud of what her program and community have accomplished. Community Inclusion Program, one of the many program's of PAVE, is a place where many Pierce County residents with and without disabilities find resources, friendships, community and much, much more.
Read More On This Article
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A Sibling's Perspective: Toy Horses
By: Alexis Ybarra
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 Isabelle, affectionately known as Isa to her family, was diagnosed with Super Ventricular Tachycardia, a heart condition as a result of a virus. The following is a story written by Alexis, Isabelle's older sister, of how her illness impacted her life in a positive way.
Alexis' story begins
like this:
I remember the day Isa almost died. It was the longest week in my life. My baby sister stood on the edge of death. The ordeal taught me at an early age the hardships and cruelties of the world, the uncertainties of the world, and how to overcome them.
Read More Of Alexis' Story
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Success for Every Child
|  For parents, having a child struggle in school can be a frustrating and emotional
experience. But thanks to a process many of our school districts are using it doesn't have to be this way. This process is called, Response to Intervention or "RTI". RTI is a way for schools to identify students in the general education classroom who are struggling in an area (math, reading, etc.) and get them the help they need before they "fail". This process is based on years of research and has been proven to decrease the number of students who are struggling with the classroom material. RTI has varying levels of support that meet the needs of individual children and gets them appropriate supports. Read More On This Article Check Out the New RTI: Info For Families Website by clicking the logo below! 
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IEP Preparedness
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No matter where you live in the US, you have probably experienced some sort of natural disaster. Whether it is floods, tornadoes, winter storms, thunderstorms...the list goes on; we have all experienced a disaster of one type or another. As a result, you know the turmoil a disaster can cause, especially if you aren't prepared for it.
I have taught Disaster Preparedness for the American Red Cross for 15 years, and over and over discussed the importance of preparing before the disaster arrives so that you can do as much as possible to limit its impact on your family. No matter what, a disaster has an impact, but we can make it more manageable by being prepared.
Read More On This Article
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Medical Home
|  First of all, what is a medical home? I used to be a bit confused about the term medical home because I instantly thought it was an actual place. I also didn't know how my child could benefit from one. However, as soon as I understood the "concept" of medical home I became very aware of the importance of having one in place. A concept I wish I had learned about after my youngest was born. Read More On This Article |
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What Is the Kinship Program?
|  According to the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), over 35,000 people in Washington State are caring for a relatives' child. Kinship care was put in place to allow children to keep existing and appropriate relationships and bonds intact with appropriate family members, and to lessen the trauma of separation from the parents. Kinship Programs link grandparents and other relative caregivers to support groups, provide education, and increases access to resources in the community.Services and support when raising a relative's child can be a lifesaver. Read More On This Article |
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A Successful Spanish Speaking Support Group:
Pierce County Parent to Parent finds ways in connecting to all cultures through support groups.
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Pierce County Parent to Parent started Spanish Speaking Support Group in the fall of 2010.
The need was certainly present to help support Latino families who have a child with a disability or chronic health care needs. The group is successfully introducing families to each other to receive parent to parent support while providing vital informational resources.
This monthly support group offers a safe environment for families to share their feelings, thoughts and emotions with one another and obtain support. Gradually individuals attending the support group foster a deeper understanding of what it is like to live their everyday lives with a special needs family member for themselves, with other members and/or within their families. The overarching bond is the true gift, to see and hear families no longer feel alone and to value the uniqueness of their family member with special needs. The meetings include free childcare with a helping parent volunteer present to assist with translation.
Read More On This Article
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We're Glad You Asked!
|  Question: I have a 10 year old who seems to constantly be in trouble at school. I get repeated calls to come and get him for his refusal to complete his work or comply with teacher requests. He doesn't get into fights and isn't considered disruptive. The school knows he is on medication, but the calls continue to come. I will loose my job if I can't find a solution. They have tried a behavior contract with him but he isn't receiving any special services. What can I do?
Get the Answer, and More On This Article
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A Thank You from Our Staff!
Administration - Tracy Kahlo, Heather Hebdon, Elma Rounds, Sandy Trujillo, Kady Duggan
Community Inclusion Program - Michele Lehosky, Susan Jackson, Sarah Miller
Dads Supporting Dads - Michele Lehosky
Early Support for Infant and Toddler Program - Debbie Jackson
Family to Family Health and Information Center - Julie Finholm
Parent To Parent of Pierce County - Michele Lehosky, Susan Jackson
Parent Training and Information Program - Vicky McKinney, Vanessa Lewis, Debbie Snyder,
Sherry Mashburn, Anita Partida, Jeanette Stonecipher, Tiea Tobey, Pat Barkley
Person Centered Planning - Michele Lehosky
Response To Intervention Program - Michaela Duggan
Specialized Training of Military Parents - Heather Hebdon, Adriana Martinez,
Kate Mason, Valerie Patterson, Brianna Ybarra
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