In This Issue:
March is National Nutrition Month
What is National School Breakfast Week?
Self Esteem and Autism: Powerful Strategies You Need to Know
"Hallelujah! My Son Cleaned His Room" (Use these tips to nudge your child with Autism Spectrum Disorder into responsibility and independence)
Recipe: Best Mini Shepherds Pie
March Family Fun Activities
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National Nutrition Month® is a nutrition education and information campaign created annually in March by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The campaign focuses attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day, also celebrated in March, increases awareness of registered dietitian nutritionists as the indispensable providers of food and nutrition services and recognizes RDNs for their commitment to helping people enjoy healthy lives.
https://www.eatrightpro.org/media/multimedia-news-center/national-nutrition-month-media-materials
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National School Breakfast Week March 4-8
National School Breakfast Week, referred to as NSBW, promotes the importance of healthy choices for breakfast by getting parents and students involved. Through social media, newsletters and various other channels, parents are encouraged to learn more about their local school nutrition program and initiatives in local schools to help children make healthy choices in the morning. National School Breakfast Week also encourages schools to participate to increase breakfast participation among students.
What breakfast can do for kids:
Fun Ideas to make students excited about Breakfast:
-Breakfast burrito bar, waffle bar, oatmeal bar-the list is endless! The
growing trend of customization for breakfast options is such a fun way to let kids pick what they are eating for breakfast. Letting kids choose their toppings is a creative way to increase breakfast participation!
-Use fun combos to get kids excited about school breakfast:
protein and carbohydrate combos like fruit and yogurt, whole-grain cereal with milk or a whole-grain waffle with nut butter.
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Grab-and-go breakfast items have become increasingly popular within schools. Sometimes students are getting to school right before the bell rings, so offering a grab-and-go option gives more kids an opportunity to have a nutritious breakfast!
Check back to see our next blog post to see how some school districts have gotten creative with how they are serving breakfast to celebrate National School Breakfast Week!
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Self-Esteem and Autism: Powerful Strategies You Need to Know
In my work in the autism community, as an autism specialist for the past 20 years, I have seen there is no goal more important than helping your child cultivate self-esteem and an overall positive sense of self. This is important not only because it will help your child experience more confidence, happiness, and fulfillment in life (what is more important than that?!), but it also helps your child be in a more open, receptive, and inspired position to learn the specific skills that may be challenging for him/her.
So, if this is not something you are focusing on right now, I want to really encourage you to prioritize helping your child to develop self-esteem and a positive sense of self.
Below I have listed the five most powerful strategies you can implement to begin this process right away and embark on a journey that will be deeply meaningful for you and your child.
1. Identify and cultivate your child's strengths and passions
To explain this strategy more fully, I want to share a story about a Mom named Mary and her son Jason. Mary was telling me about the ways that Jason loves songs from the synagogue services she takes him to on Saturday mornings. One of her son's therapists, with the best intention in the world, encouraged her to stop taking him to synagogue because the songs were distracting him from the other learning he was doing at school (he would continue to hum and sing the songs during the week). So Mary listened, and they stopped going to weekly synagogue services.
What happened next is the important part. Mary reported to me that it was like his light started to dim. He became depressive and unmotivated to do or learn anything.
I suggested we rethink this plan and I strongly advocated that she take him back to synagogue. He loves those songs; they are his passion, and they light him up. I explained that from those songs you could teach him a variety of different skills...and that's exactly what happened. Mary took her son back to synagogue, and he was thrilled!
From the love of prayers and songs, he learned to play the piano. From that love of piano, he learned to be a community leader, and he performed at a very successful autism fundraiser in their home, in front of a group of people and even makes money playing in a home for the elderly.
Imagine what kind of self- esteem that built?
So, instead of trying to put aside, ignore or repress your child's strengths and passions, identify them and cultivate them. Nothing will give your child a stronger send of self than validating what he/she loves, what's important to him/her and what your child is good at.
2. Develop your child's independence
To explain this strategy more clearly, I'd like to share a story of something that happened with my 11-year-old son. We were baking together, and he was in charge of mixing the batter. When he was done, I said "Great job!" then took the bowl and mixed a couple more times. He looked at me directly, and he said: "I hate it when you do that." And you know what, he was right!
At that moment, I undermined his contribution by basically communicating, by mixing more, that the way he did it was not good enough. I apologized, and I have been very aware of not doing that again since. At that moment I was prioritizing getting the job done the way I wanted it done (no lumps in the batter!) over his experience of independence and meaningful contribution. This is exactly the point I want to address here.
Find the places where you can help your child become more independent, for example; getting your child dressed in the morning or preparing some of his/her own food. Identify the times where you might hover or come in and adjust something he/she is doing and instead take a step back and allow your child to be truly independent. Prioritize the experience of independence over getting something done the way you want it done. Select one activity, every day, where your child can be truly independent and then you can build from there.
3. Speak to your child's TRUE intelligence
If there is anything I would scream from the rooftops, it would be this.
Your child's ability to communicate verbally means nothing, and I mean NOTHING, about your child's comprehension. This point has been confirmed over and over again, by people with autism who are non-verbal and then learn to communicate via typing or pointing. Suddenly, the incredible depth and intelligence of a person that others thought was impossible began to emerge.
Your child's intelligence is not reflected in verbal communication. So be aware of not doing baby talk, talking about your child in front of him/her as if there is no understanding or talk down to your child. Tell your child what you are doing and why, what you believe he/she is capable of, etc. Talking to your child in this way will help him/her see his/her self in a different way; as someone who is capable of that kind of understanding and relationship.
4. Teach to your child's TRUE intelligence
As I mentioned above, many people on the autism spectrum understand way more than they are able to demonstrate. However, because of a challenge to demonstrate knowledge, it is often a mistaken assumption that a child does not understand. A perfect example of this is an 11-year-old boy I am working with from Norway who is able to communicate in depth by typing and tapping. When doing his daily exercises, his mother asks him to touch his head and he simply cannot. Most people may assume that he must not understand the concept of 'head', or where his head is. However, he has explained that he knows what his head is, but his challenge is in the motor planning required to do what his brain wants him to do.
This is true for so many kids. So, instead of teaching the same basic things over, and over again (like misunderstanding his inability to touch his head and teaching him 'head' day after day), teach to your child's true intelligence. Teach about the weather patterns, the cycles of the year, how his body works, etc. Gaining this knowledge, that all other kids get, not only empowers your child to feel that he/she is seen for the truly intelligent child that he/she is, but it also allows the child to make sense of the seemingly chaotic world. The more he/she can understand how the world and even the body works, the more the child can relate to it in a calm and orderly way. This will not only help to increase self-esteem but also help to decrease anxiety and overwhelm as your child begins to understand how things work and why.
5. Surround your child with the people who accept and believe in him/her
Reflect on the people in your life and the life of your child and consider those that tend to judge you, your parenting and your child. These people bring stress and anxiety and can be toxic, in many ways, to you and your child. Do your best to minimize having people like this in your life and instead surround yourself and your child with people who love who your child is today, believe in his/her true intelligence and the possibilities that lie ahead.
So, there you have it, five strategies to help your child develop self-esteem and a positive sense of self. As a way to avoid overwhelm and inspire action, pick one of these strategies to focus on. Select the one that you feel most inspired to implement and that you believe will make the biggest impact on your child developing sense of self. Once you feel you have been fairly, consistent with that one, you can revisit this list and implement the next one. This way, one-step at a time, you are on your way to helping your child develop the confidence and empowerment that every child deserves.
Tali Berman is an autism specialist and author and has worked with hundreds of children from over 30 different countries since 1997. She has authored the book "
Play to Grow! Over 200 Games to Help Your Special Child Develop Fundamental Social Skills," which is now sold in four languages and was voted as a Top 5 resource by the Special Needs Book Review. She has been an ongoing contributor to the Generation Rescue Blog, Autism File Magazine, and presented at the National Autism Association Conference in 2017 on autism and self-esteem. Tali currently lives with her husband and three children in Israel.
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"Hallelujah! My Son Cleaned His Room"
Use these tips to nudge your child with autism spectrum disorder into responsibility and independence.
BY DIANE MAYER CHRISTIANSEN
My son is on the autism spectrum and motivating him to do anything outside his "personal fun list" sometimes feels impossible. Pushing too hard often leads to anger and arguing. Foisting full responsibility on to him is still a dream. But that doesn't mean it's not getting closer to reality every day, through a dozen small steps taken in the right direction. Here is how we are inching our way toward independence.
Make It Fun:
Right, how do you make cleaning a messy bedroom fun? Start off small with making the bed. Have timed races to see who can do it faster. Try using only your right hand or find out how many times you can sing the alphabet before finishing. Move to the next level with cleaning off nightstands or light dusting. Make organizing fun with colorful bins or a label maker.
When you're ready to move on to the rest of the house, make a list of to-do items and let him pick a few. I've actually put my son in the bathtub in his swimsuit with soap and a sponge to clean the tub as he plays. If you like music, turn up the volume and dance with your broom. These are all ways to show your child that even some of our everyday jobs can be fun.
Make It Mean Something:
Try not to push too hard too soon. Taking on responsibility is a part of maturity. Kids with ASD mature at a slower rate than do their peers, so it's critical to talk with your child about how families work and how every member has a job to do. Every child can (and should) make a contribution.
Help your child feel a sense of pride in what they accomplish - even the smallest task. Things like clearing the table after dinner or sweeping off the front porch can be a really big help. Steer clear of the idea of "obligation" and focus instead on the benefits of helping out. This will help your child learn firsthand what it means to be a part of a community and feel the reward of contributing. Be patient, it won't happen all at once. My son still has trouble with the idea of doing a chore when no tangible reward is waiting for him on the other end. It's a work in progress.
Make it Real:
Give your child an idea of why cleaning is important. A mess makes it tough to find things. Dust can cause allergies. A dirty bathroom stinks. Explain what germs are and sickness follows. Since my son is older, we talk about what life will be like when he has his own place, his own laundry to do, and his own refrigerator to clean out.
Once your child's bedroom is clean and organized, talk about how nice it is to have everything in its place and how much easier tidying up becomes if he keeps it that way. We want our children with ASD to become adults with a sense of pride in their abilities to take care of themselves. Putting it all in a real-life context, makes it easier to understand.
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Best Mini Shepherds Pie
Yields:
12
Prep Time:
10 mins
Cook Time:
40 mins
Total Time:
50mins
Ingredients
Cooking spray, for muffin tin
2 tbsp.
all-purpose flour, plus more for work surface
2 lb.
sheets refrigerated pie crust
1 tbsp.
extra-virgin olive oil
1
large onion, chopped
2
Carrots, peeled and chopped
2
cloves garlic, minced
1 lb.
ground beef
1 c.
frozen peas
1 c.
frozen or canned corn
2 tbsp.
butter
1/2 c.
low-sodium beef broth
1 1/2 c.
prepared mashed potatoes
Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Directions
Preheat oven to 375º and coat a muffin tin with cooking spray. Lightly flour a work surface. Using a glass, cut pie crust into rounds for your muffin tin. Place pie crust in each cup and gently press down.
- Bake until lightly golden, 6 to 8 minutes. Heat broiler.
- Meanwhile, make beef mixture: In a large skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Add onion, carrots, and garlic and cook until softened, 5 minutes. Add ground beef and cook until no longer pink, 5 minutes more. Drain fat.
- Stir in frozen peas and corn and cook until warmed through, 3 minutes more.
- Move mixture to one side of skillet and melt butter in empty side. Add flour and whisk until combined and golden, 1 minute, then pour in beef broth.
- Combine with mixture and cook until thickened, 3 minutes.
- Fill baked pie crusts with ground beef mixture and top with a big spoonful of mashed potatoes.
- Broil until golden, 5 minutes.
- Garnish with parsley and serve.
https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/recipes/a50736/best-mini-shepherds-pies-recipe/
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March Fun Family Activities
11/29/2018 - 5/30/2019
Tyke's Tuesdays and Thursday's
ISC Cherry Hill
650 Kresson Road
Cherry Hill 08034
CALL TO CONFIRM TIMES
REGISTRATION NOT REQUIRED
AGE RANGE: Preschoolers
CALL: 856-428-8588
Thursday (Begins September 20, 2018 and runs through May 30, 2019. Closed for Thanksgiving)Tyke's Thursday's 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. $8 Per Child Includes: Fun and energetic soccer lesson, time in our FunZone, snack and juice. Ages 6 and under
March 1, 2019
Paws Discovery Farm
1105 HAINESPORT-MOUNT LAUREL ROAD
MOUNT LAUREL, NJ 08054
Enjoy acres of family fun!
Learning is designed to be fun at PAWS DISCOVERY FARM!
We offer classes and story hours, animal programs and birthday parties, as well as special events throughout the year. All visitors enjoy and learn from many interactive exhibits and over 80 birds and animals housed here.
March 01, 2019
Paws Discovery Farm
Toddler Time
Come join us for stories and crafts every Friday morning! $10 per child; adults are FREE. Admission includes story time, crafts and animal encounters
3/2/19
Youth Art Contest - "Heroes for Children: Shine Bright"
10:30 AM Submit before 3/14/2019
The New Jersey Children's Alliance is excited to announce a youth art contest, featuring the subject "Heroes for Children: Shine Bright." The subject incorporates the theme of our annual statewide charity run/walk, "Heroes for Children", along with the SHINE campaign led by the National Children's Alliance to improve support for survivors of child abuse. We are looking for artwork that shows how children can be heroes to one another, and how each individual can shine their own special light to create a brighter world for children everywhere. Youth are invited to submit artwork for our "Heroes for Children: Shine Bright" Youth Art Contest prior to March 14th. Winners will be announced and notified on or about March 25th. All artwork should express the following themes: Grades K-3: Being a hero to other children Grades 4-6: Being a shining light to create a brighter world for all children All artwork must be on 8 ½ x 11 paper, and can use any paint, markers, pencils, crayons, or flat collage. In order to participate in the New Jersey Children's Alliance (NJCA) Heroes for Children: Shine Bright Youth Art Contest, each entrant (and a parent/legal guardian if the entrant is a minor) must complete and email a scanned or photographed Entry Form and fully executed Certificate of Originality and Artwork Release with the artwork. The forms, along with information about prizes, are available for download on the NJCA blog at http://njcainc.org/njca-announces-youth-art-contest/. ;
Free
New Jersey Children's Alliance
703-303-8070
3/2/19 and 3/3/19
Adventure Aquarium
African Penguin Feeding 11:15 3:30 PM
Come hear our biologists talk about our African penguins while they give them a snack.
Hippo Bedtime 4:45 PM
Before you leave for the day, wish the girls sweet dreams and end the day by helping our biologists bring Button and Genny to bed.
Hippo Feeding 10:30 AM, 11:30 AM, 1:30 PM, 2:30 PM
Watch as our biologists toss treats to Nile Hippos Button and Genny at Hippo Haven.
Little Blue Penguin Feeding 4:00 PM
Come watch our biologists feed the little blue penguins from inside Little Blue Beach (Zone A). 10:00 AM
Meet the Divers 11:30 AM 2:30 PM
3/2/19
NOW OPEN: Diggerland USA America's ONLY construction theme park!
Diggerland USA is located in West Berlin, New Jersey and features 25 on-site attractions comprised of REAL, life-sized construction equipment. Children and their families can get behind the wheel of a JCB Backhoe, dig up some dirt with excavators, go off-roading in an 8- wheeled ARGO and climb the country's tallest ropes course. Kids of all ages (adults, too) won't soon forget an experience at Diggerland!
100 Pinedge Drive, West Berlin, NJ 08091
856-768-1110
3/2/19
Miller Farms -Horseback Trail Rides & Lessons in Camden County!
Come enjoy the beautiful scenery at the only horseback/trail riding available in Camden County. Trail riding is offered Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 4pm year round (Weather permitting). Children must be at least 7 years old to trail ride. Cost is $30/person for approximately an hour-long trail ride. Hand-led rides are also available for those younger than 7 and cost $5.
Reservations are strongly suggested.
We offer a great place for family fun, birthday parties, girl scouts and youth groups. Summer horse camp, riding lessons, and horse drawn wagon rides are also available.
1 Hour Trail Rides are $30 Per Person | Call for reservations | Trail Rides Sat and Sun Only | Open Year round
Miller Farms
134 N. Grove Street, Berlin, NJ 08009
856-728-3500
March 09, 2019
Paws Discovery Farm
Over the Rainbow
Look for the rainbows and see if you can find the magic! Rainbow crafts, experiments, and more!
March 16,, 2019 to Mar 17, 2019
Spring Fever Market
McNaughton's Garden Center
351 Kresson Road
Cherry Hill, NJ
856-429-6745
Don't miss this awesome market celebrating the start of spring at McNaughton's Garden Center in Cherry Hill, NJ! There will be over 30 local artists selling their handmade creations of everything from jewelry to honey, macrame to string art, embroidery, stationery, fudge and MORE! Plus there will be kids activities through out the day! And new plants in the greenhouse! Event takes place in the cozy greenhouse from 10-4pm on March 16 and 17th.
Mar 26, 2019
06:30 PM until 08:30 PM
MANAGING STRESS FOR CAREGIVERS OF THOSE WITH ASD
311 Walton Ave
Mt Laurel, NJ
ASPEN Chapter invited guest Speaker will be Mara Humphreys, M.S., BCBA, Asst Director of Behavior Frontiers, who will speak on the topic of Managing Stress for Parents / Caregivers of those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Annual membership is $35 for families and $55 for professionals, and includes access to our Lending Library, Free Meetings, a Resource Directory, Newsletter and Reduced Costs at ASPEN'S Spring and Fall Conferences. The one family membership fee encompasses parents and grandparents. Individual speaker meeting fees for non-members are $5.00/ person.
ISC - ISC (International Sport, Skating & Fun Centre) Cherry Hill
Cherry Hill, NJ 08034
Classes: Sports
Camps: All, Sports
HOURS: Our offices are open 9 AM - 5 PM daily. Give us a buzz for more information!
CALL: 856-428-8588
MORE DETAILS: ISC (International Sport, Skating & Fun Centre) Cherry Hill is any family's destination for fun!
Located off of Kresson Road (behind the 7Eleven) in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, we offer skating, a FunZone & Inflatable (10 & Under), and an arcade. Our facility also includes a cafè with pizza, hot dogs, popcorn, nachos, drinks and more!
ISC Cherry Hill offers activities for all ages, no matter the season.
Our youth & adult sports leagues run year round and include:
- Soccer
- Lacrosse
- Field Hockey
- Volleyball
- Roller Hockey
ISC Cherry Hill also offers School & Summer Camp programs for ages 3 ½ through Grade 8. Call for more information!
Jellybean Jungle
Crispin Square Shopping Center
Monday - Wednesday 9:30 - 5:00
Thursday 9:30 - 6:00
Friday 9:30 - 8:00
Saturday 9:30 - 2:30
Sunday - Closed for Private Parties
Jellybean Jungle is a play and learn adventure that is exclusively for children 5 and under. Our facility is a bright and stimulating environment created just for your little ones.
Jellybean Jungle was designed by a New Jersey Early Childhood certified teacher. Safe, age appropriate equipment has been selected for your children's enjoyment. We offer a large variety of imaginative and developmentally appropriate activities that will lead your child on an adventure of social exploration! As your child plays, you will gain insight into their development, as well as enjoy a great time of bonding.
3111 Route 38, Ste. 14 Mount Laurel, NJ 08054
856-242-9354 info@werockthespectrummountlaurel.com Call or email in advance to make sure facility is not booked for a party. Open 7 days a week We Rock the Spectrum Kid's Gym is the first of its kind in New Jersey, offering fitness and play space for children of all abilities, including those with sensory issues. Our Gym Includes: Suspended equipment with swings - for balance and vestibular treatment Crash mats and crash pillows - for fun, motor planning, and strength Zip line - for stress release and joint and body relaxation Trampoline - for building leg and core strength Indoor play structure - for climbing and increasing playground skills Sensory-based toys - for improved auditory processing and fine motor skills
Fine Motor and Arts and Crafts Area - for improved hand-eye coordination
Mon. - Sun.: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
1 Riverside Drive Camden, NJ 08103 PH: 844-474-FISH (3474)
Adventure Aquarium is just minutes from downtown Philadelphia on the Camden Waterfront and features one-of-a-kind exhibits with more than 8,500 aquatic species throughout two million gallons of water. The Aquarium is home to the largest collection of sharks on the East Coast, including the only great hammerhead shark on exhibit in the United States, the only
aquarium in the world to exhibit hippos, one of only six facilities in the US to have Little Blue penguins as permanent residents and exhibits the longest Shark Bridge in the world, a unique V-shaped rope suspension bridge just inches over Shark Realm. Adventure Aquarium is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), and is held to the absolute highest standards in animal care and exhibition.
AMC is proud to partner with the Autism Society to offer unique movie showings where we turn the lights up, and turn the sound down, so you can get up, dance, walk, shout or sing! Our Sensory Friendly Film program is available on the second and fourth Saturday (family-friendly) and Tuesday evenings (mature audiences) of every month. Please check your local theater listings for specific show times, and don't forget to share your family fun with #AMCSensoryFriendly.
62 Battleship Pl, Camden, NJ 08103-3302
Located on the Camden Waterfront, NJ, across the Delaware River from Center City Philadelphia the Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial offers guided and self-guided tours. Climb inside the 16" gun turrets, learn explore the captain's cabins and crew's quarters and discover what life was like for a Battleship sailor. Group packages and educational programs are available for school. You can rent space aboard the Battleship for meetings and social events. Families and youth groups can spend the night aboard the Battleship as part of the overnight program.
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Careers
Would you like to make a difference in your community or an individual's life?
Apply to New Behavioral Network today!
We are now hiring . . . Licensed Mobile Therapists Behavior Interventionists Behavioral Assistants BCBAs & BCaBAs
We offer competitive pay, flexible schedules, and a supportive work environment.
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