It's hard to believe that summer is over. Brightsong has been very busy this summer enjoying the Summer Steps program, expanding our team and planning for future events and workshops.

In this newsletter, you will find more information about our new team members, the Summer Steps program and Jessie Smart, one of our volunteers from the Summer Steps program. There's also information about the P.L.A.Y. Project and back to school lunch ideas.

We are looking forward to a great Fall and hope you and your child have a wonderful school year!

The Brightsong Team

5 Tips for Your Child's Lunch

A new school year is upon us and you may be wondering what your child will eat for lunch each day. Whether your child buys their lunch at school or you pack a lunch for them, here are 5 tips for your child's lunch.

1). If your child buys lunch at school, review the menu with them and help them understand which foods would be good choices and why. (continue reading)

Summer Steps

This summer, eleven children attended the Summer Steps program created by Brightsong, LLC and the Down Syndrome Association of Memphis and the Mid-South (DSAM). Summer Steps is an inclusive preschool development program for children with special needs from 3 - 5 years of age. In a small group setting, a variety of activities were provided in order to address each child's goals.

Germantown United Methodist Church and Germantown United Methodist Preschool (GUMP) provided a wonderful classroom for us to use. Summer Steps met twice a week from June to August. Amy Foster (special education teacher), Lindsey Morris (speech pathologist) and Liz McMahon (speech pathologist) led the program along with Jessica Smart (teacher assistant).

We had so much fun learning about each other, summer plants and food, animals, bugs and making new friends! Thank you to all the children, parents and our numerous volunteers (Jessie, Nikkia, Asia, Brandon, Garrett, Allison, Hannah, Allie, Daniel and Shaina).

Thank you to Medtronic for sponsoring the Summer Steps program and to GUMP for providing the wonderful space for us to use! We are looking forward to next year!

A Summer of Inclusion

Jessie and Mary Lynn, age 5

This summer, the Summer Steps program was inclusive and 3 "typical" children were enrolled in the program. A different lesson was targeted each week and focused on all areas of development. Throughout the summer, we had several volunteers help in the classroom. One of our wonderful volunteers was a remarkable young lady named Jessie Smart.

Jessie is a 24 year old woman with Down syndrome. She lives in Mississippi and works in the Desoto County Schools. You can find her at Lewisburg Primary school as a teacher assistant. Jessie has attended college courses at Northwest Community College and is interested in studying Theology. She is also a member of her church choir and loves to sing. Jessie enjoys working with children and she has been a wonderful teacher for the children at Summer Steps.

Not only is Jessie interested in working with children, but she is also very involved with her community. Jessie serves as a self-advocate on the Board of Directors of the DSAM. She recently attended the National Down Syndrome Congress Convention, which was located in Colorado this year. She is thinking about running for the board of the National Down Syndrome Congress next year as a self-advocate board member.

Jessie and Matthew, age 4

Jessie has been an asset to the Summer Steps program. Not only was she wonderful with the children, but she brought a lot of creative ideas to the program as well. The children loved working with her and so did we. Having Jessie in the Summer Steps program brought inclusion into every component of the program. At Brightsong, we define inclusion as, "the full and active participation of children and adults with special needs in activities with their typically developing peers." Jessie showed us all the possibilities and abilities of someone with Down syndrome. But, most of all, she showed us how to have fun, dance and just be ourselves. We are looking forward to working with Jessie again next year!

Introducing the P.L.A.Y. Project at Brightsong

Brightsong is excited to announce that Joan Byrne, MOT (occupational therapist) will be joining our team in September 2013. Joan comes to us with more than 30 years of experience as a pediatric OT. Over the last 2 years, she has spent numerous hours becoming a certified Home Consultant for the P.L.A.Y. project. Joan is the only certified P.L.A.Y. Project Home Consultant in the state of Tennessee.

The P.L.A.Y. Project� (Play & Language for Autistic Youngsters) is an evidence-based developmental intervention for families of young children with autism spectrum disorders. The P.L.A.Y. Project is the pragmatic application of the theory of DIR� (Developmental Individual Differences & Relationship-Based)/Floortime™. The program was founded in 2001 by Richard Solomon, M.D. out of Ann Arbor, Michigan. It is a cost effective, practical approach to autism intervention that has helped thousands of families in close to 30 states and 7 countries.

The P.L.A.Y. Project emphasizes the importance of helping parents become their child's best PLAY partner. Using this approach, the Home Consultant goes to the child's home to work with parents to show them how to engage with their child, develop positive social emotional interactions and have fun while doing so. A home based program is developed by the P.L.A.Y. Project Consultant that is tailored to the child's individual needs and is useful for parents during day-to-day interactions with their child.

For detailed information about The P.L.A.Y. Project, please visit their website www.playproject.org. If you would like more information about the P.L.A.Y. Project program at Brightsong, please call our office at (901) 309-3077.

Meet Lindsey Morris, MS, CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

Lindsey Morris received her Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Tennessee State University in 2011. Since then, she has worked in the Fayette County School system and private rehab companies.

Lindsey has experience evaluating and treating children with language disorders, articulation delays, neurological deficits, autism spectrum disorders and a variety of other speech and language issues. Lindsey joined the Brightsong team in June 2013 and served as a member of the Summer Steps team. She also provides individual speech and language therapy to children in Shelby and Fayette County.

We are excited to have Lindsey on the Brightsong team!

Meet Anne Myers, OTR/L

Occupational Therapist

Anne Myers received her degree in Occupational Therapy from The Pennsylvania State University in 2005. Prior to earning her degree in Occupational Therapy, she worked as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) from 2002 - 2006.

As an Occupational Therapist, Anne has worked exclusively in pediatrics. She has worked in a variety of settings, including private practice, early intervention programs and school systems in Pennsylvania and Texas.

Anne has extensive experience evaluating and treating children with fine motor, self-help, feeding, sensory processing and handwriting delays. Anne joined the Brightsong team in July 2013 and will be providing therapy to children throughout Shelby County.

Welcome to the team Anne!

Meet Joan Byrne, MOTR/L

Occupational Therapist

Originally from Ireland, Joan Byrne moved to the United States in1966 to pursue her education. She received her degree in Occupational Therapy from Texas Woman's University. Joan has over 30 years experience working with children with special needs from birth to high school.

As an Occupational Therapist, Joan has worked exclusively in pediatrics. She has worked in a variety of settings, such as non-profits, early intervention programs, private practice and private schools. The Daily News featured Joan in an article in their paper in March 2012.

Joan has extensive experience evaluating and treating children with fine motor, self-help and sensory processing and handwriting delays. Over the past few years, Joan has completed the process to become a certified P.L.A.Y. Project Home Consultant. Joan is excited to bring the P.L.A.Y. Project to Brightsong and she will be joining the Brightsong team in September 2013.

Join Our Team!

Brightsong is growing and we are looking for a speech-language pathologist to join our team.

Full-time or part-time hours are available. Flexible schedule.

Please visit our website for more information.

www.brightsong.net