December 2018
Rocking Horse Rehab
A Pediatric Rehab and Family Wellness Center
Read on to find out what's happening at Rocking Horse Rehab!

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Message of the Month
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
by Kathy Lutz, LCSW
SAD?

What’s happening to the daylight? The darkness is increasing every day, giving us less exposure to the sunlight and its valuable vitamin D. But that’s not the only challenge for some this time of year. According to the Cleveland Clinic, approximately half a million people in the United States suffer from winter SAD, seasonal affective disorder, a depression that occurs at the same time each year, from fall to spring, with winter being the toughest time for most.

Surprisingly, there is also a summer seasonal affective disorder.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, SAD is only diagnosed in those who also meet the full criteria for major depression for at least 2 years. Some of the Symptoms of the Winter Pattern of SAD include:
  • Having low energy
  • Sleeping excessively
  • Overeating
  • Weight gain
  • Craving for carbohydrates
  • Social withdrawal (feel like “hibernating”)
Symptoms of the less frequently occurring summer seasonal affective disorder include:
  • Poor appetite with associated weight loss
  • Insomnia
  • Agitation
  • Restlessness
  • Anxiety
  • Episodes of violent behavior
SAD is diagnosed 4 times more often in women than men, usually starting in early adulthood, although it can also occur in children and adolescents. Those with a family history of depression are more likely to develop SAD and the symptoms may worsen if one has been diagnosed with bi-polar disorder or other forms of depression.

The causes of SAD are currently unknown but there are some effective treatments. Research now shows that phototherapy (bright light therapy) is an effective treatment for SAD. Sometimes antidepressant medicine is used alone or in combination with light therapy. Spending time outdoors during the day can be helpful, as well as increasing the amount of sunlight you're exposed to at home and in the office.

Additionally, a recent study demonstrated that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, CBT, produced the longest-lasting effects of any treatment approach. Kelly Rohan, a professor of psychology at the University of Vermont, recently  published a clinical trial  comparing cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to light therapy in the treatment of SAD, and found them comparable during the first year of treatment. CBT involves learning to identify patterns and errors in one’s way of thinking and challenging them. In the case of SAD, that could be rephrasing thoughts such as “I hate winter” to “I prefer summer to winter,” or “I can’t do anything in winter” to “It’s harder for me to do things in winter, but if I plan and put in effort I can.”

So, look for the bright side (literally), maintain a positive attitude and, if that’s not enough, seek professional help. Self-care is vital to maintaining balance in life.

Medical disclaimer: The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Staff Member of the Month
Randi
Randi first came to Rocking Horse Rehab in spring semester of 2015 as an intern studying psychology at Fairleigh Dickinson University. Soon after, she began working with our school groups leading equine experiential learning activities. 

Randi continued her studies at Rutgers University where she obtained a Master’s degree in the School of Social Work. She is currently working towards obtaining her state license to practice Social Work. 

Randi currently works with RHR and with our partner organization, the Autism Think Tank, as a College Life Mentor to help individuals with high functioning autism and ADHD succeed in college.

We are so happy to have Randi back on the RHR team working with our Tuesday school group this year!
Horse of the Month
Amber
Amber is a miniature horse who came to live with us just over one year ago! When Amber arrived she was very nervous to be living in a stall where she could not roam free with her old herd. Since then, she has settled in nicely and is very happy with her life at RHR where she is groomed and pampered every day!

Amber loves her turnout time with her buddy, Que, and really enjoys a good roll in the mud! She also loves when she gets to play in the indoor arena and run around as fast as she possibly can!! We love our little Amber and look forward to working with her for many years to come.
Volunteer of the Month
Victoria Szyszkiewicz
Vicki was introduced to RHR by our program assistant, Natalie. She first started to help with our Friday school groups and has since become a regular part of our RHR team!

Vicki is a reliable smiling face who works well with children with various special needs. She is currently a senior at Montclair State University studying Family Science & Human Development. We are grateful to Vicki for her dedication and we look forward to working with Vicki throughout her college career!
Thank you to our grant giver
RHR is a recipient of a generous grant from the Italian Welfare League, an organization which assists children of Italian descent who are ill or have suffered an emotional trauma. Since 2001, the League has donated more than $1,850,000 to over 1,470 recipients for medical bills, special needs equipment, therapeutic services, transportation, and rehabilitation. Their grant helps us to provide services for children of Italian descent who otherwise would not be able to afford our services.

Their recipients have many different diagnoses, such as brain injuries, autism, cerebral palsy, and Down syndrome. For more information on how to receive a grant for our services, please email us at: carey@rockinghorserehab.com .
Thank you to our sponsor
The mission of the Focus for Health Foundation (FFH) is to promote advocacy, education, and research to combat the rise of chronic illness around the world. We support efforts that increase public awareness of the connection between hazardous environmental exposures and the immune system, and address how social determinants of health and inequality within populations create vulnerability to disease.
2018 Favorite Kids' Docs!
Congratulations to our RHR 
therapists who have been voted 
NJ's Favorite Kids' Docs 2018 !

Kathy Lutz, LCSW, CADC

Thank you to all of our clients who voted! Make sure to check out the magazine when it comes out in December!
Check out our partner:
The Autism Think Tank
The Autism Think Tank, NJ is designed to provide a multidisciplinary team approach to the identification and treatment of the complicated medical comorbidities of autism. The Autism Think Tank is comprised of leading experts in autism from renowned teaching hospitals including Harvard/Massachusetts General Hospital and UCLA. 
 
At the Autism Think Tank, the medical experts collaborate from around the U.S. in a video conference with local physicians and families to develop a cohesive plan of care for individuals with medically complex cases of autism. Medically stabilizing a child facilitates greater outcomes in behavioral, therapeutic and educational interventions. The Autism Think Tank has a global reach as we are serving families internationally with the use of telemedicine.

University Partners
Thank you to the following universities and colleges for providing us with wonderful student interns. We are honored to help influence their futures in the health professions as fieldwork educators.

Eastwick College
Fairleigh Dickinson University
Felician College
Kean University
Monmouth University
Montclair State University
New Jersey City University
New York University
Raritan Valley College
Philadelphia University
Queens College
Rutgers Univeristy
Salus University
Seton Hall University
St. Catherine's Univeristy
State College of Pennsylvania
Tauro College
University of Scranton
Villanova University
William Paterson University


To complete an internship at RHR, email:
Field Trip times available!!
Rocking Horse Rehab is open 
Monday-Friday 10am-6pm 
and Sundays from 9am-5pm.

SCHOOLS: TO BOOK A FIELD TRIP, CALL US NOW!

To request a client registration packet, email:
Mission Statement
Rocking Horse Rehab is a pediatric rehabilitation and family wellness center located within the Essex Equestrian Center in West Orange, NJ. Our mission is to enhance the quality of life of individuals with special needs and their families by offering innovative opportunities for clinical, educational and social development. Our philosophy is to treat the "whole child" using equine assisted therapies with the expertise of our highly specialized staff.
About our Founder
Sheri A. Marino, MA, CCC-SLP
Sheri founded Rocking Horse Rehab in September 2001. She is a pediatric speech-language pathologist who specializes in autism spectrum disorders. Sheri oversees program development and daily operations for RHR with the support of a dedicated, professional staff. She is the Executive Director of The Autism Think Tank, NJ, a non-profit, medical videoconferencing team for individuals with medically complex autism. Sheri works directly with the Autism Think Tank families and physicians and manages all fundraising, marketing and family events. In addition, Sheri is a consultant to the Focus For Health Foundation which is dedicated to promoting advocacy, education and research to combat chronic health issues around the world.
12-22 Woodland Ave. West Orange, NJ 07052