NACD Newsletter: Volume 1, Issue 4

NACD - The National Association for Child Development Newsletter

Volume 1, Issue 4

May 2008

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Simply Smarter

The Project: 9 +/- 2

Seen a Good Movie Lately?

Bob and Kids

Because NACD's Targeted Developmental Interventions are so individualized and innovative, some parents have difficulty explaining the benefit of NACD's approach to their families and friends.

Problem solved.

There are now three short video clips on the NACD website that can help introduce and explain NACD to your family and friends.

http://www.nacd.org/tour/videosection.html

The first, Introduction to NACD (7 min) outlines NACD's belief that children with challenges can become typical, typical children can become exceptional, and exceptional children can change the world. This video clip highlights three dramatic success stories.

The second, Autism: What Works (5 min), explains that for NACD, our job is to help children on the autism spectrum achieve their innate potential. Our goal is to eliminate the symptoms of autism.

The third, Learning Disabilities and Attention Deficit Disorder (3 min) explains that for NACD, learning and attention problems are the easiest things to fix. We urge parents: Don't accept labels and think your child will have that label for life. Understand their issues and fix those issues.

Who do you know that would benefit from this information? Forward this newsletter to them today.

Program: Know Your Race...Pace Yourself for Success
by Lyn Waldeck

Evan Waldeck Run When I was in Junior High, I happened to be a very versatile track runner. Whether I was needed for a 50 yard dash, or a 4 mile relay, I could usually step in and take up the challenge. I had no idea at the time that some important lessons would be learned during those years that would help me both as a mother and as an NACD Developmentalist. I had a great coach who would harp on a specific phrase every time it was my turn to compete.Right before the race, with great intensity, he would remind me "Use your head; know your race and set your pace."

So often, I think about giving those same words to mothers on my caseload. Use your head; know your race, and set your pace. In our family I have had to run multiple races at various paces. Many of you share similar challenges in your own household.It was a marathon that first brought us to NACD. I am the very proud mother of a 19 year old brain-injured son who has far surpassed the original prognosis that was given to us. "Never walk, never talk, never see" were words that he chose to ignore and NACD gave us the means by which to surpass them. In a beautiful irony, he is actually in training to someday run his own version of a marathon. He has now completed a few 5K races and plans to start with a 10k after recovering from upcoming oral surgery. However, our race did not get us to this point in the time of a dash. Evan has been a marathon on program as well.

To read more

We Had a Blast!
By Kris McLain

Ian When I heard about last year's Rendezvous and knew that many of the evaluators would be there, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to meet them face-to-face. I brought my son Ian who has been on program since 2002. Ian was struck by lightning when he was nine years old and suffered an anoxic brain injury, which has resulted in mobility, vision, speech, and learning challenges. At the Rendezvous, I shared a condo with another NACD mom. It had two floors, separate bedrooms and a nice kitchen. The mountain setting was so beautiful.

It was wonderful to meet and socialize with other parents who understand what NACD is all about. I enjoyed the informal conversations with other parents. To hear their successes reaffirmed to me that we're on the right track with Ian and that the program work we're doing is worth it.

I liked the way the Rendezvous was planned, with classes and workshops in the morning and fun activities in the afternoons. It was nice not to have every minute scheduled. As Bob said to me, "the parents work so hard, this conference has to be not only educational, but also FUN." I also enjoyed having an evaluation for Ian with Ellen Doman, who helped us find the right curriculum for this past school year.

Ian loved the skydiving activity at the sports center. We also went up to the top of a ski mountain in a gondola, took bragging pictures and called Ian's dad. But the most exciting event for Ian was after the barbecue -- riding a huge inner tube pulled by a speed boat. He wore a lifejacket and rode with two neuro-typical teenage boys. They had a wild, fast ride, and Ian was thrilled. He has happy memories that will last forever.

We had a blast. I was inspired by the workshops and the other parents. I came back home, all fired up and ready to work on Ian's program.

We're coming this year - we wouldn't miss it.

For more information about the upcoming Rendezvous

NACD Puts on Walking Shoes

NACD participated in the Walk Now for Autism sponsored by Autism Speaks

It was beautiful, clear Saturday morning, May 3rd in Murray, Utah - the perfect sort of day for a fundraising and awareness-raising event sponsored by Autism Speaks. NACD was one of 25 local groups participating in the Resource Fair.

We passed out flyers about our approach to children on the Autism Specturm, talked to parents and grandparents, gave balloons to the kids. The turnout was huge with over 4,000 in attendance.

A BIG THANK YOU for the NACD families who came out and participated in the walk and made NACD's presence known and felt.