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PAVE's Pipeline
Spring Edition
March 2012 - June 2012,  Vol. 2, Issue 4
In This Issue
PAVE's Upcoming Events
Bullying Among Children and Youth
Camps for Your Child with Special Needs
DD Life Opportunities Foundation
Light It Up Blue!
PICU and the Professionals that Serve Our Children
A Successful CIP Retreat
Impact of the Proposed DSM
No Child Left Behind: Changes
TSA Helpline for Travelers with Disabilities
We're Glad You Asked
PAVE's Upcoming Events

Bullying Among Children and Youth with Disabilities and Special Health Needs
Unfortunately bullying has been around for as long as anyone can remember. This widespread and serious problem can happen anywhere.  It is not a phase children have to go through, it is not "just messing around", and it is not something to grow out of.  Bullying isn't always as innocuous as it seems. It can cause serious and lasting harm. Many of us have grown up with the old adage   'sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me'. Words do hurt. They don't hurt you physically but emotionally and mentally. Moreover, the scars are there even when you can't see them.

 

 

Camps for Your Child with Special Needs
Summer camp can be wonderful for children - their self-esteem, self-confidence and social skills not to mention all the new things they learn. Choosing the right summer camp for children with special needs takes planning and research so you and your child will feel comfortable. Learn how to find the information you need and what questions you should ask before you pack those suitcases. Hurry camps fill up early and fast!

 

DD Life Opportunities Foundation Seeking Members for Board of Directors
If you have an interest in seeing people with developmental  disabilities build assets and set aside resources for their futures, the Developmental Disabilities
Life Opportunities Foundation (DDLOF) needs your help.

 

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Volunteer Appreciation Month

Greetings!  

This month, we are celebrating two important parts of our organization. The first is that April is Autism Awareness Month, and the second that it is Volunteer Appreciation Month. All of the PAVE volunteers who give their time, energy and wisdom to our programs to help families who have family members with disabilities are what keep our organization in full swing. Our volunteers give us their time in so many ways from helping in the office, at workshops, auctions, serving on associate committees and the Board of Directors...the list is endless. They serve out of passion and dedication - to make our work possible. Our "shining stars" give so selflessly of their time- it speaks volumes. We, as a staff, are profoundly grateful for all of you.

Thank you!!!

Sincerely,

Tracy Kahlo,

Executive Director  

Light It Up Blue!
If you didn't already know that April is National Autism Awareness Month, you may be wondering why some of your neighbors or businesses have blue lights shining throughout the sky. PAVE is proud to announce their partnership with Special Families of Pierce County in our 2nd Annual Autism Awareness Day, April 27, 2012,  held at Barnes and Noble in Lakewood, WA. The best news is that if Lakewood is too far, or you can't make it on our specific day, you can still purchase your favorite book from Barnes and Noble and donate toward the case the week of April 27th!


and get more information on the event or our Voucher Opportunities.

Make sure to shop Barnes and Noble April 27th through May 3rd to donate toward Autism Awareness for Families!
 Use Voucher # 10719128
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and the Professionals that Serve Our Children
It can be very scary when you are told that your child needs to be admitted to the PICU. Especially, when you have no idea what it means. I can remember thinking to myself, "what is a PICK U"? Why does my child need to go to there? After my son's first emergency department visit, I was told my son would be admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) for observation. I had no idea what to expect.   No one handed me a pamphlet on what to expect and at that time, I was not sure what to ask.

 

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A Successful Community Inclusion Program Retreat
The first weekend in February was a chilly one, but the sun shined bright in the Tahuya Forest. Over 40 Youth from the Pierce County Community Inclusion Program (CIP) enjoyed a fun-filled retreat at Camp Lyle McLeod. Campers arrived Saturday afternoon and quickly explored the beautiful lakeside retreat nestled among evergreens. The overnight stay had plenty of outdoor activities that included hiking around the picturesque lake, a scavenger hunt, and campfire.

 

Impact of the Proposed DSM Definition for Autism... One Parent's Perspective
A great deal has been written about the proposed changes to the definition of Autism in the new Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). There are concerns that there will be a very different definition of autism. The proposed change would collapse three autism subtypes - Asperger syndrome, autism spectrum disorder and pervasive developmental disorder - into one the one category called Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). ASD will focus on communication and cognitive challenges vs. communication challenges only. For those who have a strong level of academic skill and communication skills, even if not at a level of that of their peers, may not be seen as having ASD. Some experts believe changes are needed because the current definitions of autism are too cloudy, leading perhaps to an over-diagnosis of the condition.

 

No Child Left Behind: Changes That Are Taking Place for States
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The beginning of the 2011-2012 school year brought with it some major changes to the ways in which schools are operating. President Obama and Secretary Arne Duncan have been assisting schools in being able to waive parts of the No Child Left Behind Act (more commonly known as NCLB). To date, 39 states as well as the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico have shown interest in applying for the waivers. However, in this second round of waiver requests, only Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Washington are the only states that have officially applied. The next round of applications will be in September. As more states express a desire to sign onto the waivers and become involved in this new flexible arrangement in education, parents and communities begin to wonder what may be changing within their child's school.

 

TSA Helpline for Travelers with Disabilities

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced the launch of TSA Cares, a new helpline number designed to assist travelers with disabilities and medical conditions, prior to getting to the airport. Travelers may call TSA Cares toll free at 1-855-787 2227 prior to traveling with questions about screening policies, procedures and what to expect at the security checkpoint. 

"TSA Cares provides passengers with disabilities and medical needs another resource to use before they fly, so they know what to expect when going through the screening process," said TSA Administrator John Pistole. This additional level of personal communication helps ensure that even those who do not travel often are aware of our screening policies before they arrive at the airport.  

 

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We're Glad You Asked!
Question One
My son has been diagnosed with Severe Anxiety Disorder. He has a 504 plan that provides him with accommodations in the classroom. It is working very well for him. However, his anxiety is preventing him from being outside alone. Since he has to walk to school, this is becoming impossible. I have asked for transportation, but because we live within a mile of the school, the request was denied. I am not able to take him and I just don't know what to do. Are there other alternatives?   

 

 

Partnerships for Action, Voices for Empowerment

 

Administration - Tracy Kahlo, Heather Hebdon, Elma Rounds, Sandy Trujillo, Kady Duggan 

360 Military Family Center - Jill McCormick, Sybille White, Stacey Luffy 

Community Inclusion Program - Michele Lehosky, Susan Jackson, Sarah Miller

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,  

Sherry Mashburn, Anita Partida, Jeanette Stonecipher, Jessica Kaluza, Pat Barkley  

PAVE's Locate - Kady Duggan, Tracy Kahlo 

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