July 2019
In This Issue:
- Upcoming Events At-a-Glance
- People of PCDA
- Support PCDA
- Programs & Services
- Resources for Families
- Job Posting!
|
|
Dear Friends,
The summer weather is finally here! The PCDA summer Arts Camp is at full capacity and ready to start a fun-filled 2 weeks!
Our Special Olympics Young Athletes program is ready to start their Softball session. And our talented NoteAbles Choir is all set to sing the National Anthem with Maximo Marcuso at the Rose Bowl 4
th
of July celebration. Please read about all the fun activities at PCDA below. We welcome you to visit or join our amazing team of volunteers.
Enjoy your summer!
Dr. Diane
Executive Director
|
|
Please help us help children with autism
and special needs.
|
|
|
Upcoming Events At-A-Glance
|
|
July 4:
NoteAbles Performance at the Rose Bowl's
Americafest
July 13-September 7:
SOYAP
Softball Session
November 10:
11th Annual Harvest Moon Gala
|
|
Developmental Interventionist (DI) of the Month:
Mandeep
|
|
Mandeep Kaur graduated for California State University, Fullerton with her Bachelor's in Psychology. Prior to working at PCDA, Mandeep had a background working with children with special needs, both in work and volunteering experiences. She also has a large family and enjoys her role as an “auntie."
Mandeep started working at PCDA in June of 2018 and has flourished in her role of Developmental Interventionist. She currently works with the SEDI in-home program, Social Skills program, Teen Buddies and the Young Athletes program. Mandeep is punctual in her administrative skills and seeks out support from her Program Supervisor on a regular basis to learn new ideas to implement in her sessions. She is well liked by all of her co-facilitators and is always willing to go the extra mile in her work with clients and co-workers.
We are honored to have Mandeep as Developmental Interventionist of the Month.
Congratulations Mandeep!
|
|
Department Spotlight:
Speech and Language
|
|
Why do we talk?
Today I want to spend a little time talking about the reasons we talk to each other.
Think about a recent phone call you made. What was the purpose of that call? Why did you choose to call instead of text or email? Did you need information that you could not get in another way? Were you seeking the human connection of hearing a specific person’s voice? We now have many options for
how
we communicate, but the why of communication remains the same.
People talk to each other:
1.
To make a request
2.
To protest (complain or reject)
3.
To greet or take leave
4.
To respond
5.
To ask for information
6.
To think, plan and problem solve
7.
To share feelings, ideas and interests
|
|
Often when a child is just beginning to communicate, their first words are requests, or labeling. Labeling, or saying the name of an object or person, can serve more than one function.
When a child says “truck”, she might be asking to play with a truck. She also could be asking “Is that noise outside a truck?”, or she might be saying “Remember that big truck we saw today. You made a funny noise when the truck surprised you. Can you make that noise again?” She most likely is not thinking in adult sentences in questions, however, you as the parent, can have fun expanding on how you respond to the single words your child says. You might say, “Truck? Yes. I hear the truck.” Or “Yes! A big truck!” or “Loud truck” or “We did see a big truck!” or even simply “Wow! A truck!” When you respond to your child by acknowledging and expanding on his words, you not only help him learn to pronounce the words, but begin to have a real conversation.
If your child is not producing speech, you can still begin the conversation. You’ll need to be especially attuned to your child’s body, facial expressions, eyes, or how they move their body. By watching for these cues you’ll be able to gain of how your child’s emotions and what he wants to tell you.
Have fun talking to your child!
Best regards,
Anne Davis (Head of Speech and Language)
|
|
Program Spotlight:
Teen Club & Teen Budies
|
|
Car Wash
: Our annual Teen Club/Teen Buddies car wash was successful thanks to our hardworking teens! We also want to thank those who donated supplies and food for the event. It was great to see the teens in each station eager to help each other through the process. We are so proud of them!
|
|
Cooking Class
: In June, the Chevy Chase Country Club graciously hosted a private cooking class for our teens. It was led by Chef Crista and David who taught the teens how to make homemade pasta from scratch. The teens really enjoyed connecting with the chefs and learning cooking techniques to support with life skills in cooking. Chef Crista also discussed the vocational opportunities in culinary services. It was an amazing experience for our teens. Thank you to Nick and Laura Agakanian for the opportunity and the staff at Chevy Chase country club!
|
|
July Volunteer Highlights
|
|
PCDA’s New Volunteers:
Welcome Angie Delgado, Sophia Garcia, Kyle Woo, Nikhil Misrai-Bhambri, and Molly Tran!
Summer is always a time for bittersweet transitions as we bid farewell to some of our dedicated volunteers and welcome new ones! We’ve enjoyed making fun memories and are grateful for the time and commitment volunteers have generously given to our programs.
JOIN PCDA’S VOLUNTEER TEAM!
PCDA is currently recruiting for playful and energetic volunteers to join our Creative Arts Summer Camp team!
July 22 - August 2, 2019 (2-weeks)
8:30am-12:30pm, M-F
PCDA is also recruiting enthusiastic volunteers for our year-round programs. Volunteers must be able to commit to 2 hours or more per week for a minimum of 6 months. Volunteers gain hands on experience working directly with children! The following programs are ready to welcome new volunteers:
Building Blocks Groups
Social Skills Groups
Teen Buddies and Teen Club Programs
Special Olympics Young Athletes Program
Sibling Saturdays Programs
Middle-School students (10-13 yrs), High School students (14-17 yrs), and college/adult volunteers are welcomed to join our amazing team of volunteers!
|
|
Fête d'été
PCDA's Summer Party
Sunday, July 28
5:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Bistro 45, 45 S. Mentor Avenue, Pasadena
|
|
Save the Date!
11th Annual Harvest Moon Gala
November 10, 2019
La Canada Country Club
|
|
September 27-28, 2019
City of Greenwood Village Community Room
6060 S. Quebec Street
Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111
Speakers include:
Diane Cullinane, MD,
PCDA Executive Director
Anne Davis, MS, CCC-SLP,
Head of Speech and Language Services at PCDA
Julie Miller, MOT, OTR/L, SWC,
Director of the PCDA Occupational Therapy Department and coordinator of the interdisciplinary feeding team
Jonae Perez, MPH, RD,
Member of the PCDA interdisciplinary feeding and nutrition team
|
|
This month the PCDA Speech and Language Team would like to introduce you to a helpful resource, The Hanen Centre’s Book Nook!
|
|
Clink
HERE
to gain a new understanding of how to use Eric Carle’s book
Head to Toe
to further your child’s language development.
Keep on reading!
Regards from,
PCDA Speech and Language Team,
Anne, Preetha, Ella, Chaya, Lauren and Crystal
|
|
Nutrient of the Month:
Choline
|
|
Choline is a nutrient that is very important to maintaining healthy cells all over the body, exchanging signals in the brain, and moving your muscles. Eggs, meats, fish, quinoa, dark-leafy greens, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and milk are good sources of choline. Try offering this flavorful Brussels sprout dish at a family dinner. Don’t be surprised if your children enjoy it!
|
|
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds Brussels sprouts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 6 slices bacon
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
- Cut each Brussels sprout in half.
- In a large bowl, mix Brussels sprouts with olive oil.
- Pour Brussels sprouts onto a large sheet pan and evenly sprinkle salt and pepper over them.
- Cut bacon in to 1 inch pieces and evenly place them throughout Brussels sprouts.
- Roast in the oven for 20-30 minutes.
- Enjoy!
|
|
PCDA is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to providing children with developmental challenges and their families the best possible programs. Your donations directly support children with special needs and their families.
Please click here to donate today.
Thank you for your generous support!
|
|
PCDA's Mission
The mission of PCDA is to help children with autism and other developmental challenges increase their capacity for communication, problem-solving, creativity and reflective thinking, and engage in joyful interactions and warm relationships with family and friends.
|
|
Follow us on social media!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
