When my son was diagnosed with autism, it wasn't a surprise. After all, we pushed to have him assessed for autism in the first place so we were kind of already expecting a diagnosis of some sort.
I do remember crying that day.
Not because I was scared or grieving, but because I was just so relieved.
Having that official diagnosis in hand is huge.
After months of wait lists and assessments, we had the official diagnosis in hand and my concerns were finally validated. We had an answer; an answer that would soon open the door to new services, better support, funding and more.
Army veteran Michael Bradley found his second calling as a clinical specialist at the Bancroft Lindens Center for Autism, helping children with autism overcome their own challenges.
Michael Bradley has always been drawn to service.
For 20 years, he worked on the front lines of our country's defense, as a military police officer and drill instructor in the United States Army. He has also worked as a teacher, and been a pastor, offering spiritual counsel to others.
But in 2015, Bradley found himself at a crossroads. The program where he was working had closed, and at 64, he had a choice: Retire, or find a new career. And he found his new calling: At Bancroft, working in direct support of children and adolescents with Autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities.
It's become his new passion in life, and, Bradley says, in many ways, the skills he employed as a drill instructor aren't all that different from those he uses at Bancroft.
As a clinical specialist at the Lindens Center for Autism, a therapeutic residential program for children and adolescents with significant behavioral challenges, Bradley dedicates every day to helping children learn, grow and overcome their own diverse challenges, to live more independently and take steps toward realizing their full potential.
Bradley has become a leader among his colleagues in the Lindens, and earned the respect and admiration of colleagues across Bancroft - and the trust of the young men and women in his care.
This segment from NBC10 in Philadelphia pays tribute to Bradley - a veteran who continues to make the world a better place.
National Family Caregivers Month -
November 2019
Caregiving is a tough job. This November, we remember the people who lovingly give baths, clean houses, shop for, and comfort the millions of elderly, ill and disabled people who are friends and loved ones.
November is National Family Caregivers Month and this year's theme is "Caregiving Around the Clock." Check out the latest helpful hints and community resources because if you don't take care of yourself, you can't take care of anyone else.
How to Observe National Family Caregivers Month
1. Attend a caregiving conference or workshop.Since it's National Family Caregivers Month, do something to make an impact. Check with the National Alliance for Caregiving for the details but if you can't get away to Washington, attend a workshop instead. They have lots of practical advice. The main thing is to know that you are not alone.
2. Download a caregiving toolkit
Download the Circle of Care Mental Health Toolkit. Sponsored by the National Alliance for Caregiving, the toolkit covers topics including taking care of yourself, getting an accurate diagnosis, communicating with health professionals, finding community services, finding providers and more. This month, the resources you need are just a click away.
3. Take naps
One of the healthiest things you can do for yourself is to fit naps into your weekly schedule. Round-the- clock caregiving is never easy. But when your loved one takes a break, don't do another task - you take a break too. It's important not to wear yourself down or who will take care of you?
Why National Family Caregivers Month is Important
A. Caregivers need love, too
Caregiving while still holding down an outside job is exhausting. Much of caregiving is unpaid. National Family Caregivers Month in November provides resources for self-care, advocacy, and de-stressing for our caregivers. The month is dedicated to supporting caregivers as they care for others. This year's theme is "Caregiving Around the Clock."
B. Learn how to cope
National Family Caregivers Month features lots of vital information to help caregivers cope with a tough, and sometimes thankless job. There are tips for caregivers such as taking care of your own health, accepting offers of help from others, learning the skills to speak effectively with doctors, and being open to new, assistive technologies that can lighten your load. If you don't take care of yourself, who will?
C. Check yourself for depression
Watching a parent age or seeing someone change drastically due to illness can be devastating. Take some time to monitor your own wellbeing. If you are not sleeping well, exercising, or feel yourself becoming reclusive, speak to a professional about depression. It can hit anyone at any time. There's no shame in feeling overwhelmed.
1 large pumpkin, about 11 inches in diameter, preferably with one flat side
Cooking spray
4 cups small elbow macaroni
6 tablespoons Cabot Salted Butter
6 tablespoons King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
½ teaspoon dry mustard
Large pinch ground red pepper (cayenne)
2 dashes Worcestershire sauce
4 cups whole milk, heated
2 pounds Cabot Sharp Cheddar or Cabot Extra Sharp Cheddar, grated & divided (about 8 cups)
1 cup buttered bread crumbs
Directions
PREHEAT oven to 375ºF.
PLACE pumpkin flat-side-down or remove thin slice from one side so pumpkin will be stable. With sharp knife, cut pumpkin in half horizontally, slightly above stem, to form bowl.
REMOVE fiber and seeds. With spoon or ice cream scoop, scrape out some of flesh so shell has a thickness of ¾ to 1 inch.
SPRAY top edge of pumpkin with cooking spray or brush lightly with oil, then place cut-side down on pizza pan or baking sheet. Bake for 45 to 60 minutes or until pumpkin still holds it shape but flesh is cooked and can be pierced easily with a toothpick.
COOK and drain macaroni according to package directions, while pumpkin bakes; set aside.
MELT butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Sprinkle flour into butter and whisk constantly until you have thick, smooth paste with nutty aroma, about 5 minutes.
ADD mustard, red pepper and Worcestershire. Gradually whisk in milk and continue stirring until sauce thickens and returns to simmer.
REDUCE heat to low. Add 7 cups of cheese and stir until melted. Add macaroni, stirring until well coated; remove from heat.
TURN baked pumpkin over with oven mitts. Place in large shallow baking dish or leave on baking sheet.Fill pumpkin with macaroni mixture and top with remaining cheese and breadcrumbs. (Put any mac and cheese that won't fit in another small baking dish).
BAKE until filling is puffed and golden, about 40 to 50 minutes longer (smaller baking dish will be done sooner). Let stand for about 10 minutes to settle before serving.
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.
Nov 2, 2019
10 AM - 1 PM
Johnson's Corner Farm, Adoptions From the Heart
133 Church Rd, Medford, NJ
Please join Adoptions From The Heart's New Jersey office for our Fall Festival to celebrate National Adoption Month at Johnson's Corner Farm! Adoptive Families can purchase tickets to go on a hay ride, pick popcorn and sweet potatoes and tour the Animal Farm! Light snack will be provided but families can bring food as well as purchase fall treats at the farm!
Nov 9th and Nov 10th, 2019
It's Polar Express Story Time!
Camden Children's Garden
3 Riverside Dr., Camden, NJ
Come to Camden Childrens Garden for the Train Festival. Learn all about trains and ride the Polar Express through the Garden! Info
10/1/2019 - 11/16/2019 Weekly on Saturday
Collingswood Farmers Market
8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Collings Avenue and Irvin Avenue
Collingswood, NJ 08108
Collingswood Farmers Market celebrates its 20th Anniversary. People come to walk, meet their neighbors, and socialize while they shop for their weekly produce and more. And it's not just farms' local food artisans that patronize Jersey Fresh farmers for their ingredients, Collingswood small food businesses, pie contests, fundraisers, kids' activities, live music, and an annual animal Adoptathon help make the Market a vibrant and fun destination every Saturday, May through Thanksgiving.
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 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.
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
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
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.
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.
