Volume 2 | April 22, 2020
Marple Education Center News
Hello Parents,

We hope that you and your families are doing well in this difficult time. Teacher Appreciation Day is on May 5, 2020. We would like to ask any family that would like to include a picture or video snapshot of your child into a teacher appreciation video to share with our staff in appreciation. The picture or snapshot could be of your child holding a picture they drew, a thank you sign, a video of your child using their communication device or their voice saying thank you to the teachers we would appreciate it. If you are interested, please send the pictures or videos to KComly@dciu.org by Saturday May 2, 2020.

During this new adventure into virtual learning, we would like to get feedback from our families in order to reflect on our current process. Please click the link below to participate in our parent survey.


Thank you,

Dr. Susan Brousseau and Dr. Kelly Comly

Art
For Art Therapy
This week I'm providing a link to some calming "Mindfulness' music to listen to while relaxing when you need a break during the week.
I hope you enjoy it.
Teach deep breathing by having your child pretend to smell a flower then pretend to blow a candle out here is a song that goes with this relaxing activity.
For ART: let's make some Rainbows for April showers
Gather some colors ROY G. BIV is the order of the rainbow
(red, orange yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet)
Cut 1 inch strips of each color. Make each strip an inch shorter in length then the one before it. Staple them together add white paper or cotton ball clouds and rain drops dangling from thin strips of paper, yarn or string. Hang them up to enjoy as kinetic art. Have fun. Mrs. TC
Gym

Below you will find different yoga, skill building, dance, and exercise activities. If you have any questions about what types of activities would work for your child please email me (Brian Dunbar) at bdunbar@dciu.org.
During this stay at home time try to create an exercise routine and schedule. Start with a simple exercise routine such as the one below. Perform each activity using ether a set number of repetitions or time. Doing each activity for one minute would be a nice goal.
I have added a picture for each activity. There is a five minute chair yoga routine. Kicking a ball a ball from a seated position in a chair to a partner.."Pushing"a ball with our foot between cones and back. Check out the "Wiggles" exercise/dance routine. Have fun and follow along!
Quick Exercise Boosters
With some help from Stella I practiced "pushing" a soccer ball around and between cones all the down and back. Try to "control" the ball with your feet pushing it in front of you and around the next cone.
Check out this "gentle chair yoga" routine. Do what makes you feel comfortable.
Join me for a fun movement song. Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes.
Try working kicking a ball from a seated position. How may times in a row can you and your partner pass the ball back and forth?
Kick a Ball with your Foot
Music
Music Class Routines
This week, I wanted to share some of the activities that I do every music class. Hopefully your child will find comfort in the familiarity of seeing me complete these songs and activities! Feel free to use these not only this week, but also future weeks before you do music activities with your children.

I begin and end every class with the same Hello and Goodbye songs. I recorded videos of myself singing them, so you can begin and end your music time at home with them to help create a sense of routine and reinforce social skills. I usually make eye contact with and wave to every student during these songs, but you can also greet or “say goodbye” to your child with a high 5 or hug, if you’d prefer!
Hello Song
Goodbye Song
After the Hello Song, I do a physical activity to get the students up and moving to music or rhythm.

For secondary students , I’ve recorded my Shakedown as a video. This works on gross motor movements and counting as well as following directions and keeping a steady beat. You can follow along with the video.

For my elementary students , I use one of the following YouTube videos, which you can follow along with. One Little Finger works on tapping to music, directions, and body parts. How Many Fingers reinforces moving to music and counting. Pick either video and help your child move if they are able, and if not, you can just tap their body parts along with the song.

After these opening activities, I move into that day's specific activities.
Drumming
You might not have any musical instruments at home for your child to play. That’s okay! Using items around your house, you and your child can work together to create a drum. We’ll use it for an activity in this week’s newsletter, as well as future activities, so save it! The materials you will need are:
  • Empty soup/vegetable can
  • Packaging tape
  • Duct tape 
  • Scissors
  • Pencil
  • Stickers, permanent markers, or another way to decorate the drum 
Here’s a video with instructions:
Using your drum that you made (you could also use pots and pans, drums you maybe have at home, or plastic storage bins turned upside down!), drum along with Ms. Amanda in the following videos. Your child can choose “Bang” by AJR or “I Love Me” by Demi Lovato (or both!). Both songs work on playing the drum at contrasting speeds.
"Bang" by AJR
"I Love Me" by Demi Lovato
Have fun and keep making music! Feel free to email me with any questions or comments! almiller@dciu.org - Ms. Amanda
Notes from the Nurse
This week I'll be providing more resources to help your child stay healthy during the pandemic.

Below is a social story explaining what COVID-19 is.
Hume, K., Waters, V., Sam, A., Steinbrenner, J., Perkins, Y., Dees, B., Tomaszewski, B., Rentschler, L., Szendrey, S., McIntyre, N., White, M., Nowell, S., & Odom, S. (2020). Supporting individuals with autism through uncertain times. Chapel Hill, NC: School of Education and Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retreived from: https://afirm.fpg.unc.edu/supporting-individuals-autism-throughuncertain-times

Here is a printable visual to help students wash their hands thoroughly and correctly: https://nationalautismassociation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/N2YWashHands.png


Below are some helpful videos.
"Time to Come In, Bear" is a children's story adapted into a 90-second video that explains social distancing.
Video from the makers of Sesame Street about how to wash your hands
Stay healthy! - Nurse Meghan
sunset_beach_sun.jpg
Suggestions from the Psychologists
Watch this brief demonstration from the doctor that created the highly regarded and widely used 4-7-8 deep breathing technique for stress reduction.

-School psychologists Jim Wolf, Lydia Solomon, Susan Howard, and intern Lena Costalas
Mental Health Support
During uncertain times, fear, frustration, and anxiety are natural feelings, and people with autism may have greater difficulty expressing these emotions. Extra support from doctors, therapists, psychologists, or psychiatrists may be helpful if signs of anxiety and depression are present. These signals can include changes in sleeping patterns, changes in eating habits, excessive worry, increase in repetitive behaviors, or increased irritability or agitation. Many mental health providers are offering telehealth sessions, and insurance (including Medicade) has expanded to cover mental health services during this pandemic. For additional help in finding local mental health support and resources for students, contact Marple Education Center social worker Jill Shaika at jshaika@dciu.org .

It is also important for caregivers of children with disabilities take care of themselves during this difficult time with no set end point. Remember to take time for yourself through activities like meditation or mindfulness, exercise, or connecting with other caregivers who are in similar situations. Self-kindness and self-care are important to help navigate this challenging time.
Elmo's Dad, Louie, sends an important message to all parents during this difficult time.
Mental health and crisis support phone numbers and websites:

  • Lifeline Crisis Chat - emotional support, crisis intervention, and suicide prevention resources available through an online chat - http://www.contact-usa.org/chat.html
  • Crisis Text Line - receive 24/7 support for anxiety, depression, or suicidal thoughts - text HOME to 741741
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - 1-800-273-8255
  • Boys and Girls Town Hotline - 24/7 advice on parenting with translation services available - 1-800-448-3000 
  • Delaware County Warmline - not in crisis but need someone to talk to, staffed by people in recovery themselves - 1-855-464-9342

Hume, K., Waters, V., Sam, A., Steinbrenner, J., Perkins, Y., Dees, B., Tomaszewski, B., Rentschler, L., Szendrey, S., McIntyre, N., White, M., Nowell, S., & Odom, S. (2020). Supporting individuals with autism through uncertain times. Chapel Hill, NC: School of Education and Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retreived from: https://afirm.fpg.unc.edu/supporting-individuals-autism-throughuncertain-times