I Can - News and Events for Firefly Autism Supporters

June 2013

Issue 24

Can't to Can - Kiddo Accomplishments

One of our early childhood kiddos who has a history of peer aggression has started requesting peer attention by using names, high fiving peers, and has begun initiating "chase" games.

One of our parents who currently receives Firefly outreach services has received an extra grant to support any services she needs for her child. She spoke with the outreach teacher and shared that she is using this grant completely for Firefly Services due to the fact that this is where she is seeing the greatest amount of benefit and growth.......yeah outreach keep up the good work.

An Early Childhood kiddo started out with us struggling with behavioral issues and no vocabulary. Recently she graduated form Firefly and is currently attending a DPS contract school. She is using extensive sign language to communicate and she is flourishing

"I started working with a 12-yr old boy diagnosed with autism and fragile x in August of last year. At that point he did not use any vocal language to request for his needs and wants (He only used occasional prompted signs). His vocal language has completely emerged to at least one word phrases, and has even formulated at least one full sentence."

Late Summer Social Skills Camp

During the first week of August, we will be holding a one week intensive social skills camp with the structure of a school day, and the fun activities of a camp. Firefly strives to provide a naturalistic setting for a high rate of social learning opportunities for kids on the autism spectrum, or for children with social deficits. Social learning opportunities will be embedded within activities that occur typically within a camp setting, such as music, arts and crafts, cooperative projects, outdoor games and technology driven activities.

Please sign up on our website by July 19th in order to confirm whether or not a group with the appropriate skills and ages will be available for your child.

Firefly Autism Receives Donation!

Firefly was the proud recipient of a $10,000 donation from the Daniel's Fund as they had promised to match any new donors to Firefly Autism for the night of our Laugh Yourself Blue Event on April 18th. Thank you Daniel's Fund, we appreciate your support.

Sibling Tree

Firefly is happy to announce it's sponsorship of a new summer program called Sibling Tree. Sandra Tucker founded Sibling Tree stemming from a similar concept called SibShops. The purpose of the program is to support the siblings of children with special needs.

Sibling Tree program will be this summer beginning May 25th through August 3rd, every other Saturday from 9:00-10:45 a.m. at Firefly Autism. The program is free to attend. Snacks and/or material donations are welcome but not necessary.

For more information please contact Sandra Tucker at 720-840-3001 or via e-mail siblingtree@gmail.com.

Firefly's Wish List

Looking for an easy way to help out our kiddos? Consider purchasing one of the items below for our programs. It's easy and greatly appreciated by both our team and kiddos!

Needs: gently used iPods and iPhones; gift cards for staff appreciation; yoga mats; bean bags, paper towels, Anti-microbial Hand Soap, Hand Sanitizer, Disney DVD's.

Survey

We are conducting our 1st Annual Firefly Family Survey so that we can ensure we are hearing your voice, and understanding your experience with Firefly. The ultimate purpose of this survey is to ensure we are constantly improving as an organization. We are committed to life-long learning, and this is a tool that many organizations use to help support that initiative.

As always, we are honored to work with your children and serve your families with the best evidentiary based treatment and education in the Rocky Mountain Region.

Please click this link to take the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/V3WBPLF

Western Slope Behavioral Services

Two years after Western Slope Behavior Services opened its doors, it became a division of Firefly Autism. This occurred in December 2012. This change enabled Western Slope Behavior Services (WSBS) become a not-for-profit organization and receive support from a highly respected and successful organization...Firefly Autism! Firefly's proven track record utilizing the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) model and decade of history working with children with autism and generating incredible outcomes made the relationship a perfect fit! Firefly provides the "back office" needs for Western Slope Behavior Services...essentially, enabling us to focus on what we do best...work with kiddos. The new relationship also enabled WSBS to have greater depth and expertise to call upon and utilize. Our team of professionals have received additional training, the latest in technology, and we're expanding the team to accommodate an increase in clients.

ED Update

Camille Kolu, Ph.D., BCBA-D named as Firefly Autism's new Center Clinical Director

We are pleased to announce the addition of Dr. Camille Kolu, Ph.D., BCBA-D, as our Center Clinical Director. In this role, Dr. Kolu will be responsible for Early Childhood and School Age Programs, and Clinical Training. Dr. Kolu comes to Firefly with over 15 years of experience in the field. As well as studying under leaders in the field, Dr. Kolu is well published and has vast hands-on clinical experience working with children living with Autism. Most recently Dr. Kolu had a private practice treating children with Autism, and worked for Imagine Behavioral Health Services, a Colorado Community Center Board. In addition, Dr. Kolu is an adjunct professor at the University of Colorado at Denver where she teaches Applied Behavior Analysis.
Firefly is extremely excited to have Camille join its ranks. At Firefly, our kids come first, and along those lines we must continuously improve Quality of Treatment and Education. Dr. Kolu's experience and skill set is a significant addition to the already formidable clinical expertise at Firefly Autism.
Dr. Kolu will join Firefly beginning July 15th 2013.

Thank you to Rita Coltrane and Signature Interiors, for sponsoring Firefly Autism to receive email marketing from Constant Contact, through their Cares4Kids program.

Rita recognizes the relevance of this program to Firefly
Autism and initiated sponsorship to enable the ongoing
delivery of Sparks to our friends and families.

"I Can" Quick Picks - Issue Highlights

Can't to Can - Kiddo Accomplishments

Sibling Tree

Survey

ED Update