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Mindfulness
Recent years have seen a growing portion of school aged children experiencing a range of social, emotional, and behavioral problems that interfere with their interpersonal relationships and school success. With approximately one in five children and adolescents experiencing problems severe enough to seek mental health services, now more than ever before do we need to promote protective factors and foster resiliency among all children and adolescents. Research consistently highlights the need for interventions targeting children’s social and emotional skills early before mental health difficulties emerge. One such intervention is the introduction of Mindfulness training.
Mindfulness training is a form of mental training that develops skills to willfully direct and redirect attention and awareness to particular behviours, such as breathing, thought processes, etc. in order to carry them out in a purposeful manner. This practice offers the opportunity to develop hardiness in the face of uncomfortable feelings that otherwise might provoke a more harmful response (i.e., ‘acting out’ by participating in high-risk behaviours, or ‘acting in’ by becoming more depressed or anxious). Additionally, mindfulness training can complement and strengthen other approaches that promote emotion regulation, reduce stress, and develop attention.
While Mindfulness training is still relatively young in it's implementation with youth, early research has demonstrated significant improvements in social and emotional competence of children and adolescents. Many schools are introducing Mindfulness training into the classroom, and this is a practice that can be used at home as well. Sites such as
mindfulteachers.org
and
kidsrelaxation.com
are both excellent resources, as are books such as
A Handful of Quiet
(T.N. Hahn) and
Wide Awake
(D. Winston).
Please note that our Mindfulness Parent Workshop for March is full. To learn more, check out some of the resources above to learn more about Mindfulness.
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Spring Programs Start in April and May
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There are four new Amicus Recreation programs starting in April and May. Back by popular demand, we are offering MultiSport, 3D Printing and Engineering. For those who are new to Amicus Recreation or like variety, a new program is being offered called BITE - Taste of Amicus Recreation. BITE will provide participants with a taste of what Amicus Recreation has to offer - baking, sports, screen printing, outdoor adventures and more!
Financial assistance is available on a sliding scale basis thanks to the generosity of donors.
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Parent Workshop - Tuesday, April 18th
Can We All Calm Down?? Emotional Regulation in the Face of LD &/or ADHD
Even though managing emotions is not a defining feature of the LD &/or ADHD diagnoses, it is something that many families struggle to address. Young people with LD &/or ADHD can be slow to develop the ability to manage their emotions. They can be very reactive, be easily overwhelmed or frustrated, and appear to others as less emotionally mature than their peers. In this workshop we will explore why emotional self-regulation can be a struggle for young people with LD &/or ADHD, and how you can support their development.
Presenter: Dr. Karen MacMillan, Co-Executive Director Foothills Academy Society
Mindful Schools states that mindfulness means ‘maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, emotions, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment’. Ayra will share specific techniques to help children with Learning Disorders and/or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) manage stress and develop mindful ways of thinking in order to help them regulate their emotions both at home and at school. Parents will leave with simple and easy ways to integrate these methods into their home.
Presenter: Ayra Kelly/Darrin Bullivant
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This Spring we are offering three different small group programs to choose from.
Girls Only!
gives girls with LD/ADHD a chance to get together with other girls who understand their challenges and frustrations.
Survive & Thrive in Junior High is for students moving on to or already at Middle School or Junior High. A variety of topics related to challenges with executive functioning and social skill expectations at the junior high level are covered.
All programs begin Saturday, April 22nd. All programs can be claimed as psychological fees on most health care plans. Let's Be Social! and Girls Only! are also eligible for FSCD funding. Financial assistance through our bursary fund is also available on a sliding scale basis.
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Wednesdays, 5 - 8 pm
April 12 - June 7
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The transition to adulthood can be a difficult one for many but for young adults with LD/ADHD, it can present extra challenges and many find themselves without direction or running into barriers and feeling isolated.
This spring, Moving Forward is offering an 8 week group program for young adults (ages 18 – 25 with a LD and/or ADHD diagnosis) where they can find support during this important life transition. To find out more, click here.
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Don't Delay! Camps are over 50% Full!
We have so many exciting things planned for Camp Amicus this year including a new option for our older teens. POLARIS is a a teen leadership daycamp with an two night/three day overnight hike as an important component. Click on the images below to find out more details about each of our camp options. Or, you can download a copy of our camp brochure here.
For new campers, an intake process must take place before registration. To learn more about our intake process, click here.
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Overnight Camp for 9 - 16 Year Olds - 60% Full!
3 Sessions to Choose From Starting July 2
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Day Camp for 8 - 15 Year Olds
3 Sessions to Choose From starting July 24th
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POLARIS - NEW!
Teen Leadership Camp 16 - 18 Year Olds
Aug. 14 - 25
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Two Free Online Resources for Parents
of Children with LD or ADHD
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ADHD 101 for Parents workshop featuring Dr. Karen MacMillan (registered psychologist and our co-ED) is
a free nine-part interactive workshop that aims to help inform parents about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), examine it’s impact on families and provide awareness about a range of supports that exist to support young people with ADHD.
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Parent Online LD Workshop
incorporates video clips and short readings.
Topics covered include:
* General overview of Learning Disabilities
* Organization tricks to use at home
* Homework tips
* How to make transitions go more smoothly
* Memory tricks
* Listening strategies for your child
* Assistive technology
* Encouragement strategies to keep kids motivated
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One to One Personalized Instruction
The Read/Write Program provides remedial assistance for children, youth, and adults from the general community experiencing reading or writing difficulties and performing at least one year below expected functioning level. Our trained, qualified and experienced educational staff create a personalized program for each client.
* Alberta curriculum math
* Chisanbop math (calculation strategy)
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Additional Ongoing Programs & Services
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Thanks for Coming to Family Fun Night!
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Thank you to everyone who came out to support us for our Family Fun Night in February. What a fun night! And, it raised more than $50,000 (net) to support the Foothills Academy Society Bursary Fund to support families accessing our programs and services. We look forward to seeing you in 2018!
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COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND LINKS
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Workshops & Educational Opportunities
CADDAC online ADHD webinars
Topics include Emotional Regulation and the use of the ABC Chart, ADHD in the home, Parenting and Behavioural Strategies
and more. Webinars are $10 each or free with a CADDAC membership.
Information Resource Links
Support Groups
- ADDults Calgary Support Group: A Support group for adults in Calgary with ADHD and/or their spouses. Meets the last Wednesday of the month (excl. July & August)
- CHADD Calgary: Free Parent & Adult Support Meetings - First Wednesday of the month at (Alberta Children's Hospital, 4th Flr, 7-9 pm)
- Cochrane Parent Support Group - FOCUS for Attention
- ADHD Links Calgary - Jamie Gelfand (ggelfand@shaw.ca or 403-253-2988) or Katie McCumm (kmccunn@shaw.ca or 403-278-5182)
Research Studies
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Community Services| Foothills Academy Society| 403.270.9400 | info@foothillsacademy.org | www.foothillsacademy.org
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