DECEMBER 2019
 
In This Issue:
Why Children with Autism Need Family Holiday Traditions

To Parents of Children With Autism Who Worry About the Future

Tech Companies Placing Increased Emphasis 
on Hiring Employees With Autism

Award Winning Turkey Pot Pie Recipe
December Family Fun Activities

 


Is looking for a  Full Time BCBA

As a member of our team at New Behavioral Network your responsibilities include: 


In home cases
Supervise team members
Create training for field team members
Help run autism camp for three weeks in August 

Conduct Functional Behavior Assessments
Create Behavior Plans
Oversee the implementation of Behavior Plans

Email  Megan for more information 
or call our recruiting office at 856-669-0211 Extension 200327




 
 

Why Children with Autism Need Family Holiday Traditions
Parenting Magazine

"But it's not time for lunch!"
I could see Calib beginning to go into hysterics. He began to pace and flap his arms as he continued to tell me it was, in fact, not time for lunch.  First grade always went to lunch at 11:30am.
"Calib," I gently took his shoulders so he would stand still. "I know it's not time for lunch.  Remember? I told you we're having an assembly."
"I don't want the assembly!"
"I am sorry, but I'm not in charge of the assembly. The principal planned it.  But we need to attend, whether we want to or not. The whole school is going."
It didn't matter what I said, however. By the time I got the class into the hallway, Calib was in line, but he made sure to let me know he did not approve. He spent the whole time glaring at the ground as he walked, still muttering, "We don't go to the cafeteria at 10:30."
Children with autism spectrum disorder, or ASD, often have the trait called rigidity.  Rigidity, by definition, means, "emotional inflexibility and resistance to change" (Merriam-Webster 2016).
Children who are rigid struggle with change.  They need their lives to be predictable.  This, in my personal experience with children, can stem directly from  anxiety, as well as from the inability to make the mental shift required when plans have to change. There's a disconnect between the event that the child thinks should happen and the event that is actually happening.  Parents and teachers of children with ASD are familiar with the meltdowns or shutdowns that can occur when a schedule is interrupted. The children no longer feel safe, for the unknown is frightening.
Continue


From Your NBN Group Family!

To Parents of Children With Autism Who Worry About the Future
By Nicole Alovis - The Mighty


Dear parents of children with autism,

You are true warriors. You're the most determined individuals on Earth. You're tired. You're probably in need of a shower because you haven't been able to leave your child's side for even a few minutes. You may be running around trying to balance work and meeting your other family needs. Yet you're here, pushing through each day giving your child with autism the world. You only want him/her to have the very best.

Every day, the thought will cross your mind; as you're driving or as you try to sleep at night, this thought will not leave your head.  The thought of what your child will be like when he/she is older: the future is coming. Will he have friends? Will he be in college? Will he be able to communicate effectively? Will there be a job out there that he will be able to enjoy and keep? Is independent living an option?

Chances are, it'll be way different than you imagined it. This is totally OK! There are no road maps for raising a child with autism. Life after high school looks different for every individual. It's never too early to take this into consideration. My twin brother Daniel has autism and is 27 years old. My parents and I have discussed his future for as long as I can remember. He was nonverbal and struggled with activities of daily living. He could barely get through the days without meltdowns, self injury or elopement. I could see as a child that it was difficult for my parents to take us out in public because of the looks and comments we received. Our lives flew by. Next thing we knew, Daniel and I were graduating from high school. I was heading off to college to study Special Education, our older brother had been attending automotive school, and we were exploring different options for Daniel.

 
Tech Companies Placing Increased Emphasis 
on Hiring Employees With Autism


If you look around the tech industry and study some of the hiring trends in leading organizations, you'll find that many are turning to candidates with autism spectrum disorders. And thanks to new technologies and resources, these effects are mutually beneficial.

Autism as an asset in the workplace
"Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder that affects communication and behavior,"  the National Institute of Mental Health explains. "Although autism can be diagnosed at any age, it is said to be a 'developmental disorder' because symptoms generally appear in the first two years of life."

People with ASD have varying degrees of difficulty with communication and social interaction. They also tend to exhibit restricted interests, repetitive behaviors, and obsessive focuses. Because of these symptoms, people with ASD find it difficult to function typically in school, work, and other social areas of life.

Autism is referred to as a spectrum disorder because of the wide variation in severity of symptoms. Some people can be completely functional and live independently, while other individuals require hands-on caregivers.

According to AutismSpeaks.org,  nearly one in 59 children are diagnosed with some form of ASD. This marks a 15% increase since 2016 and a 211% increase since 2008. Whether there's actually been an increase in autism or these statistics reflect an  increased understanding of what ASD entails is not clear. Either way, millions of autistic children are growing into autistic adults who need employment. And until recently, there haven't been many opportunities available. In fact, nearly half of people with autism never find work.

"When we learned that last year - that about 40% of people were never getting employment or continuing their education - we wondered, 'Why is that, and what happens to them?''research scientist  Anne Roux tells NPR.

In many cases, face-to-face interviews prevent individuals with autism from getting a fair shake at jobs. They don't tend to excel in this area, which makes it difficult to land competitive roles. They also have difficulty being flexible and adapting to changing job duties. Generally speaking, they're much more comfortable with repetitive, predictable tasks (even ones that are technical or challenging).

But in recent years, more companies have placed an emphasis on hiring people with autism - and not just as a feel-good story or charitable cause. Employers are discovering that people with autism yield immense value in the workplace. In particular, tech companies have taken notice.


 

Contest-Winning Turkey Potpie

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 20 min. Bake: 40 min. YIELD: 6 servings.

My family raves over this comforting dish with its flaky homemade crust and saucy meat and veggie filling. Sometimes, I cook a bird specifically with this potpie in mind-when we just can't wait for leftovers to make it! -Marie Elaine Basinger, Connellsville, Pennsylvania


Ingredients
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1/3 cup butter
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1-3/4 cups chicken broth
  • 2/3 cup whole milk
  • 2 cups cubed cooked turkey
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 2 cups frozen peas and carrots
  • Pastry:
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons celery seed
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons shortening
  • 4 to 5 tablespoons cold water
  • Whole milk, optional
Directions
  • 1. In a saucepan, saute onion in butter. Stir in the flour, salt and pepper until blended. Gradually add broth and milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Add the turkey, cheese and vegetables; cook until the cheese is melted. Set aside and keep warm.
  • 2. For the crust, combine flour, celery seed and salt in a bowl. Cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add enough water until dough forms a ball.
  • 3. Divide dough in half. Line a 9-in. pie plate with bottom pastry; trim even with edge of plate. Pour hot turkey filling into crust. Roll out remaining pastry to fit top of pie; place over the filling. Trim, seal and flute edges. Cut slits in pastry. Brush tops with milk if desired.
  • 4. Bake at 375° for 40-45 minutes or until crust is golden brown.
© 2019 RDA Enthusiast Brands, LLC

December Fun Family Activities 


 
11/2 through 12/29/19
Winterfest at Diggerland
Diggerland USA is located off Cooper Road via Route 73 in West Berlin, NJ.
Join us for Winterfest! Drive, ride and operate all of the amazing machines before the season ends. This is our exclusive winter festival where you can enjoy family activities, specialty food, plenty of fun and games. Don't miss it!
An on-going Winter Festival: Your membership/season pass or a general admission ticket grants you access to ALL our rides and heavy machinery attractions. Plus, the additional experiences and programming that encompass this month-long festival.
 
12/ 1/19
Sensory Santa
8:00 AM
Cherry Hill Mall, Cherry Hill, NJ
The Santa Cares experience creates holiday magic for children and presents sensory-friendly photo sessions with Santa exclusively for families of children with special needs December 1, 2019. Santa Cares welcomes children of all abilities and spectrums of special needs to a photo environment supportive of their sensory, physical and developmental needs. The sensory-friendly event will take place prior to public hours in a comforting and physically accommodating setting designed to lessen behavioral triggers associated with this bustling time of year.
 
12/ 7, 8, 14, 15, 21 & 22, 2019( 9am 10am)
Enjoy Breakfast with Santa before a day of splashing!
Sahara Sam's Oasis
535 North Route 73
West Berlin, NJ 08091
Santa Claus is making his way from the North Pole down to West Berlin, NJ Saturdays and Sundays in December. That's right, Santa will be HERE! Can you believe it? From 9 AM - 10 AM, enjoy a breakfast buffet (see menu) and the opportunity to snap photos with the jolly man himself. After that, Santa will join the kids in the water park. He will be puttin' on his Santa Swimsuit and swimming until 1:00 PM each day of his visit.
 
12/13, 6 - 8 PM
Cherry Hill PD Grinch Holiday Fun Run and Toy Drive
Road Runner Sports
921 Haddonfield Rd, Cherry Hill, NJ
Join Road Runner Sports, Walmart Cherry Hill, Wegmans Cherry Hill, Orangetheory Cherry Hill, and the Cherry Hill Police Department for How the Grinch Stole Fitness Run! We are joining forces as part of the Run with Us Not Away from Us Cherry Hill Police Department initiative. Road Runner Sports and the Cherry Hill Police Department will be holding a toy drive as well to support the families in the area. We are partnering with The Angels Community Outreach to accept toys and/or gift cards for our Toy Drive. Come out for a run and help stop the Grinch from ruining the fun!
 
12/14 - 12/15
Christmas Carol Karaoke
12:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Garden State Discovery Museum
2040 Springdale Rd #100, Cherry Hill, NJ
Join us for Christmas carols in the Horizon Foundation Theater at 12pm, 1pm, and 2pm.
 
12/15/19
Make It, Take It, Fry It, Try It!
2:30 PM
Betty and Milton Katz Jewish Community Center
1301 Springdale Rd, Cherry Hill, NJ
Stop by the Katz JCC for a family Chanukah fun day of latkes, oil and more! Enjoy an inter-generational family cooking event where families will design their own unique latke recipe, prep the ingredients to take home and fry. Children will decorate their own aprons, design their family recipe card and enjoy a special oil-themed STEM activity! Geared for families with children ages 5-12.   The cost of this event is $30 family (2 adults and up to 3 children) JCC Members/ $36 Guest Families. Registration required by December 8, 2019.
 
12/ 12 - 12/22
Scrooge the Musical
The Ritz Theatre Co.
915 White Horse Pike
Theatre District
Haddon Township, NJ
856-858-5230
This annual holiday favorite features the stories of Bob Cratchit, the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future, and of course, Ebenezer Scrooge. Featuring classic songs, such as "Thank You Very Much", "I Hate People", and "Father Christmas", this stage version of the classic Albert Finney movie will set your feet tapping and put you in the perfect holiday spirit! Bring your whole family to see this classic Dickens tale filled with music and dance. It's holiday fun for everyone!
 
11/29 - 12/23
Christmas Light Show & Hay Ride
Friday and Saturday evenings from 5PM to 9 PM. Sunday 11am - 9pm
& Monday thru Thursday evenings from 5 PM to 8 PM.
Johnson's Corner Farm
133 Church Rd.
Medford, NJ 08055
609-654-8643
This event features thousands of Twinkling lights attached to the wagons so that you are surrounded with a computerized light show set to the music of Christmas. Intensify your experience with a pair of 3D snowflake glasses that turn every light into a snowflake.
The Market is transformed into a Christmas wonderland with Gifts, Cookies, Christmas trees, Wreaths and all kinds of fun activities for the family. Visit with Santa and his Reindeer. To complete your holiday experience we will also have a campfire going to roast marshmallows and make s' mores. Bring your own Camera for a great Photo op. Costs for activities vary.
 
11/29 - 12/30
Adventure Aquarium's Christmas Celebration
1 Riverside Dr.
Camden, NJ
856-365-3300
This annual celebration features twinkling lights, glowing trees, gently falling snow, and the return of the man in a red wetsuit, Scuba Santa. Visitors will get to see Scuba Santa and his elf swim alongside rare sharks, gigantic sea turtles and stingrays in the 760,000-gallon Ocean Realm exhibit. Visit him in Ocean Realm as he speads the magic of Christmas to every child and animal and stops for underwater selfies with kids of all ages.
 
PAWS DISCOVERY FARM!
1105 HAINESPORT-MOUNT LAUREL ROAD
MOUNT LAUREL, NJ 08054
Open 10AM to 4 pm Monday - Friday
10am to 6pm Saturday & Sunday 
Enjoy acres of family fun! Paws Discovery Farm promotes a special relationship between people, their local history, and their environment, with an emphasis on reaching out to children. 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.
 
Paint a Treasure
615 Station Ave.
Haddon Heights, NJ 08035
856-617-0602
For ages 5 and up. Come in and get creative anytime during our normal walk in studio hours.  You choose how to play - Pottery Painting or Canvas Painting!  Reservations are suggested for groups of 4 or more.  
Wednesday:  10am - 5pm 
Thursday - 10am - 9pm
Friday:  10am - 9pm
Saturday:  10am - 9pm
Sunday: 12 - 5pm
 (Closed Mon. & Tues. for Private Event Bookings)
 
We Rock the Spectrum
3111 NJ-38, Mt Laurel Township, NJ 08054, USA
856-242-9354 
We Rock the Spectrum Mount Laurel is committed to providing a safe, nurturing, and fun environment to foster learning, exploration and safe sensory experiences. Through our nonprofit My Brother Rocks The Spectrum Foundation, we provide social skills groups and activities for children across the spectrum.
We Rock the Spectrum Mount Laurel provides children with a fun and motivational environment to help them in the areas of strength, movement, sensory processing, communication, positive behavior modification, social interactions, and self-care skills. Our unique equipment assists all children in their neurological growth and development.
 
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
 
ISC - ISC (International Sport, Skating & Fun Centre) Cherry Hill
650 Kresson Rd.
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

Jellybean Jungle
Crispin Square Shopping Center  
230 North Maple Ave
Marlton, NJ 08053
Open Play Hours:
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.

Adventure Aquarium 
Mon. - Sun.: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
CALL:  (856) 365-3300  
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.

Sensory Friendly Movies at AMC
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.

Battleship New Jersey 
62 Battleship Pl, Camden, NJ 08103-3302
866-877-6262
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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2 Pin Oak Lane
Cherry Hill, NJ 08003
(856) 874-1616