SAVVYkids | April 2020

APRIL 2020 · SAVVYKIDSAR.COM

Potty Training ON THE EASTER RECIPE HUNT

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THE NEXT CHAPTER ON THE SPECTRUM

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CONFINEMENT CRAFTING

ON THE EASTER RECIPE HUNT

THE NEXT CHAPTER ON THE SPECTRUM

CONFINEMENT CRAFTING

Opening April 18 Become a globe-trotting explorer on this one-of-a-kind adventure!

clintonpresidentialcenter.org/exhibits |

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APRIL 2020 | SAVVYKIDSAR.COM

@clintoncenter

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APRIL

LEARN THE DOS AND DON’TS OF POTTY TRAINING WITH EVIE ROSE! PAGE 14

2020

5 EDITOR’S NOTE 8 ADVENTURE & FUN CRAFTS & MORE!

12 MAMA SAID ...

IT’S OK TO ASK FOR HELP — JEN HOLMAN

14 FAMILY & PARENTING POTTY TRAINING

22 EXPLORE & LEARN A GOOD STEWARD

24 GOOD EATS

ON THE EASTER RECIPE HUNT

32 MAKING BIG STRIDES

WILLOW THARP GAINS MOBILITY AT SNELL PROSTHETICS & ORTHOTICS

34 HEALTH & WELLNESS

THE NEXT CHAPTER ON THE SPECTRUM

38 MEET THE PARENT LAURA HOBART-PORTER

WILLOW WALKS WITH HELP FROM SNELL! PAGE 32

ON THE COVER: EVIE ROSE POSES WITH HER POTTY. PHOTO BY KATIE CHILDS.

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APRIL 2020 | SAVVYKIDSAR.COM

Photo by Stacy Kinzler

STAY HEALTHY, SAFE AND SANE IN ISOLATION

As of press time, the SAVVYkids staff sends this issue to you from the confines of our homes. With strongly recommended social distancing in effect for the long foreseeable future, many of us are homebound, trudging through AMI schoolwork with our kids, trying to find ways to fill the day while still keeping up with our own jobs, worrying about everyone’s health and doing the best that we can.

You may notice there are no events in this issue, we’ve replaced these pages with some ideas for kid-friendly crafts you can do at home with things you probably already have on-hand. Flip to page 8 and try these ideas out the next time you hear, “I’m bored!”

Earth Day is April 22, and a great way to celebrate (and maybe turn it into a lesson at home) is to take stock of ways your family can recycle, reduce and reuse.

On page 22, we look at some items you can and can’t recycle, ways to reduce waste and ideas on how to reuse and give clothes and toys a second life.

Another big holiday happening this month is Easter, on April 12. Whether you’re braving a family gathering or just keeping it small, Zara Abbasi offers some of her favorite brunch and dinner recipes (including homemade carrot cake!) on page 24.

April is also Autism Awareness Month and on page 34 we put a focus on those on the spectrum who are aging into adulthood. How can you prepare you child for the workforce? For continuing education? For independent living? We get insightful advice from experts on when and how to start preparing your child for what comes next.

If any of you parents are in the midst of potty training, bless you. We are all rooting for you! Our cover story, beginning on page 14, focuses on everything you need to know about when, how, why and what-if when teaching your little one to use the potty.

No matter what the month of April holds for our families, we at SAVVYkids hope you stay healthy, safe and sane until life can resume.

Amy Gordy Editor, SAVVYkids amy@arktimes.com

SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | APRIL 2020

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PUBLISHER BROOKE WALLACE | brooke@arktimes.com EDITOR AMY GORDY | amy@arktimes.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR MANDY KEENER ART DIRECTOR | DIGITAL MANAGER KATIE HASSELL SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE LESA THOMAS PRODUCTION MANAGER | CONTROLLER WELDON WILSON ADVERTISING TRAFFIC MANAGER ROLAND R. GLADDEN ADVERTISING ART DIRECTOR MIKE SPAIN GRAPHIC DESIGNER SARAH HOLDERFIELD DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & EVENT PLANNING LUCY BAEHR DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL STRATEGY JORDAN LITTLE PHOTOGRAPHER BRIAN CHILSON IT DIRECTOR ROBERT CURFMAN ACCOUNTING CHARLOTTE KEY CIRCULATION DIRECTOR ANITRA HICKMAN PRESIDENT ALAN LEVERITT

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contributors ZARA ABBASI lives in Little Rock with her husband and three children. She is a licensed attorney, but you know her better as Little Rock’s friendly pastry chef and custom cake maker. She keeps busy with dessert orders, pop-up dinners, writing articles and doing anything food-related.

Follow her on Instagram @Zaramadeit for her newest cake creations and dinner ideas.

KATIE CHILDS is a wedding, lifestyle and commercial photographer based in North Little Rock. When she's not behind the camera, Katie, her husband, Jon, and their new addition, baby Jonas, can be found traveling the U.S. in a DIY camper van.

DWAIN HEBDA is a writer and editor living in Little Rock. He and his wife, Darlene, are the parents of four grown children. The empty-nesters spend their time traveling, working out and spoiling their two dogs.

JEN HOLMAN is doing her best right now, OK? She lives in Little Rock with her husband and three children, striking that delicate balance between inspiration and frustration.

She’s written five novels, one of which won a Rosemary Award for excellence in young adult fiction.

ANGELA E. THOMAS is a proud University of Arkansas at Little Rock graduate and a member of its Alumni Board. For 11 years, she served Central Arkansas as editor for a locally owned magazine. Thomas is founder and owner of the greeting card company GODsent Greetings.

THE BENEFITS OF SUMMER CAMP T

here are many reasons to send kids to summer camps from enrichment, to trying new things, to just keeping them off the couch. Summer camps can be the source of many of our strongest childhood memories and guiding developmental moments. Here are a few goals that we think should be priorities when choosing your child’s summer camps.

PHYSICALITY—The body, mind and spirit are all connected, and with kids remaining seated at school and during an increasing number of their extracurricular interests, having an activity where vigorous movement is coupled with problem solving, teamwork and learning can reinvigorate their excitement about physical activities and help them branch out even beyond camp’s bounds.

ENGAGEMENT—There are many ways to engage a youthful mind.

The common tools are novelty, competition and reward, but the most powerful motivation in our experience is combining those elements with a story. When kids see themselves involved in a story where their decisions and those around them will dictate the success or failure of that story, they engage on a whole new level. We’ve had kids perform double the pushups they ever have before, make huge leaps in reading and math, and take on leadership roles they would never have dreamed of before, all because the story of the camp had come to matter so much to them.

SOCIALIZATION—Since camps are a new social grouping of kids with like interests, each camper has a chance to experiment with new ways to socialize. A child who has become used to taking a passive roll in their friend group at school can experiment with taking a leadership roll or just finding their voice. Since camps like Unity have teacher-tochild ratios of 1-6 and highly trained staff, it’s possible for counselors to assist, even if the child has a learning disability or social challenges.

If you’d like more information about Unity Martial Arts’ Adventure, Movie Making, and Martial Arts camps, visit unitymartialarts.com.

MELISSA TUCKER spends her days working in web marketing. When not at work, you'll probably find her at the gym, on the playground with her kids or checking out too many books from the library.

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ART SPACE

CONFINEMENT CRAFTING

Being homebound is hard for parents and kids! Keep little hands busy, building and creating with these fun, easy crafts that use things you have around the house.

CARDBOARD SPACECRAFT You’ll Need:

Cereal box cardboard Cardboard toilet paper roll Paint Glue gun Scissors Pencil Razor blade (adults only!)

How-To

1. Flip your cereal box cardboard print-side down and trace the outline of a spacecraft, and cut along the outline.

2. Draw an oval with a flat side on the toilet paper roll and cut carefully with the razor blade or an X-acto knife.

3. Paint and decorate your spacecraft any way you like!

4. Once the paint is dry, hot glue the toilet paper roll to the cardboard and your astronauts are ready to head for the stars!

SPARKLING SNOW SLIME You’ll Need

School glue Water Borax (find it on the laundry detergent aisle) Glitter

How-To

1. In a large bowl mix: 2 cups of school glue 1½ cups of very warm water 2. In a smaller bowl mix: ¾ teaspoon of borax 1⅓ cups very warm water 3. Combine the mixed contents of both bowls and stir until thickened. Add as much glitter as you like to make the slime sparkle. You can also opt for glitter glue instead of school glue if you want it to really shine.

Stick the bowl in the fridge for about two hours to set the slime. Put it back in the fridge after use to keep it firm.

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APRIL 2020 | SAVVYKIDSAR.COM

WINTER GLOVE MONSTERS You’ll Need

Gloves with fingers Needle and thread Poly-fil Buttons Felt Googly eyes Fabric glue

FLIP IT INSIDE OUT AND SEW ALONG THESE LINES.

How-To

Take your glove and flip it inside out. Thread a needle and sew the glove in an arc from the bottom of the thumb to about an inch past the wrist on the other side. Leave a 2-inch opening in the middle to stuff with Poly-fil.

Turn the glove back right-sideout and fill it with stuffing.

Stitch the opening closed and decorate your monster's face with anything you like!

STORY STONES

Story stones are a great way to spark some imagination around the campfire, or around the dinner table at home. All you need is a handful of smooth, flat rocks, acrylic paint and brushes. Decorate stones with simple images that could easily be incorporated into storytime, and place them in a cotton bag.

There are many ways to use story stones, so feel free to create your own game, or follow these instructions: • Have each child take turns choosing one stone that interests them, and let them tell an entire story based on that stone.

• Let each child reach in the bag and choose a stone. Starting with the youngest child, go clockwise in a circle as each child adds onto the tale by incorporating his or her stone.

• Choose five stones and create a story using all five stones.

SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | APRIL 2020

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ART SPACE

Picture-Perfect Serving Tray Upcycle an old picture frame into a cute tray for your home

BY KATIE HASSELL

You will need:

8-by-10-inch wooden picture frame

Spray paint Sandpaper

Drawer pulls

Hot glue gun

Drill and drill bit

Decorative paper or cute

paper sign

HAVE AN

Easter!

Eggceptionally Eggcellent

10 APRIL 2020 | SAVVYKIDSAR.COM

How-to:

1. Clean any dirt off the frame and remove backing and glass. Then lightly sand the frame and wipe it down with a cloth to remove and dust.

2. Spray paint the frame and allow to fully dry.

3. Use the hot glue gun to secure the glass to the frame.

4. The drawer pulls will go on the short sides of the frame. Mark the placement for the screws and use the drill to make holes.

5. Attach the drawer pulls. (Note: You can choose to paint the frame after the drawer pulls are attached if you want them to match the frame color.)

6. If your frame was a tabletop frame with a stand, this stand will need to be removed.

Use a flathead screwdriver to pry it off if necessary.

7. Place your decorative paper or cute sign in the frame and secure the backing.

!

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MAMA SAID ...

It’s OK to Ask for Help

BY JEN HOLMAN

P

arenting is hard. Who knew?! Whether you’re just learning to support your newborn’s drowsy little head, redirecting toddler tantrums, or searching for serenity during teenage years, children are constant and ever-changing challenges. They don’t come with an app. There is no FAQ section, and the return policy is one of the strictest I’ve ever seen. To tell you the truth, half the time I have no idea what I’m doing besides imitating what worked for my parents and avoiding what didn’t.

Sure, parents have a few instincts if we’re lucky, but do we automatically know the best way to parent because a baby drops into our lives? No. That’s just silly. There are plenty of parenting guidebooks and blogs and videos out there, but that doesn’t have to be the extent of help we seek.

If there’s one thing I wish I had accepted much earlier in life it’s that admitting the need for help wouldn’t earn me a place in the bad parent pile or deem me a failure as a human being. The opposite is true. Now that I’m on the other side of it, I can see so clearly what I should have done differently as a new mother. I was overprotective and nearly reclusive, which left me feeling isolated and blue. I got the idea in my sleep-deprived and hormoneamped brain that because women had been rearing children since the beginning of time, I had to power

Why do we do this to ourselves? Why didn’t I ask for help? Where did we get the idea that doing it all is what’s required to be a valuable woman? I think part of it comes from real expectations, whether from ourselves, our mother, our husband, or maybe even our mother-in-law.

If we look around, our friends are doing it all without help, right—the proof is all over social media.

Nope. Huh-uh. Wrong. We can’t do it all, we shouldn’t expect it from ourselves, and it’s OK to ask for help. It’s healthy, even. Whether it’s a mom, a friend or a neighbor, my advice to new parents is to take advantage of offers to watch the baby for an hour or two. Put on some pants and have a nice dinner because healthy parents raise healthy children.

You know what else is hard? Staying on top of laundry and housework and a career and schedules and commitments on top of, you know, feeding, bathing and potty-training children. If you can afford it, it is OK to have someone come in and help get your life together. A friend of mine says hiring a professional organizer was the best thing she ever did.

Another thing we parents and our children may someday need help with is emotional health. We like to think that childhood is carefree and easy, but that’s not true for all kids. “What does this kid have to worry about?” we might ask. “They have everything they could possibly want. When I was their age, I was working two jobs and walking miles to school.

Barefoot. In the snow.” But the fact is a lot of kids have trouble dealing with stress and anxiety and pressure. Sure, all kids have emotional ups and downs—they’re moody, they have trouble with friends, or they struggle in school. But how do we know if they’re struggling with something more serious? And

“Asking for help doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with us or our children." through, too. Yes, yes, I know. That’s really dumb. I wish someone had shaken me by my chubby shoulders and told me needing a break didn’t make me a bad mother.

I wish someone had peeled the baby from my boob and said, “Go get a latte, girl; you’re losing it.”

12 APRIL 2020 | SAVVYKIDSAR.COM

when should we ask for professional help? According to doctors at the Cleveland Clinic, you should seek professional help if your child: 1. Has problems in multiple areas like family relationships, school performance, sports and leisure activities and friendships.

2. Starts feeling bad about themselves, or are less confident.

3. Shows excessive worry about the future.

4. Expresses hopelessness.

5. Withdraws from family, friends or activities they used to enjoy.

6. Has a significant change in sleep habits or appetite.

7. Engages in negative behavior more frequently.

8. Has repetitive, self-destructive behaviors such as hair-pulling or skin-picking.

9. Talks about or engages in any kind of self-harm.

10. Makes comments like “I wish I weren’t here,” or “Nobody would care if I ran away.”

11. Talks explicitly about suicide.

Asking for help doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with us or our children. It doesn’t make us bad parents. The hundreds of little changes that come with parenting can present complex situations and emotions that need to be worked through, and we could all use new techniques to cope. Everyone needs help every now and then.

“Half the time I have no idea what I’m doing besides imitating what worked for my parents and avoiding what didn’t."

SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | APRIL 2020

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FAMILY & PARENTING

14 APRIL 2020 | SAVVYKIDSAR.COM

Potty Training

Many factors come into play when your child decides it’s time to potty train. Be sure you’re prepared when nature calls!

BY DWAIN HEBDA

B

eing a parent does a lot of things to a person. It can bring you out of your shell, tax your energy and creativity, rob you of sleep and grace you with patience and strength you didn’t know you had. Most of all, it forces you to be comfortable in subject matter that rarely finds a home in polite conservation.

Body waste, for example, is a topic that doesn’t usually find a hospitable place in casual conversation. But for any parent navigating the process of potty training, it’s no problem. In fact, they’ll tell you, at no other time in your life will you celebrate urination as when your toddler finally masters the art of using the toilet.

The reason for this is simple: After the teeth come in and the bottle goes away and walking and talking are old hat, the next landmark on most early childhood horizons is potty training.

And, just like those other achievements, many parents obsess over when, how and how fast their little one gets the hang of answering nature’s call, especially if it comes a little later than in other families.

This is generally much ado about nothing, said Stephen Canon, chief of the pediatric urology division and medical director for Arkansas Children’s Medical Group in Little Rock.

EVIE ROSE IS HERE TO TELL US THAT POTTY TRAINING IS HARD WORK! SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | APRIL 2020

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“I would say, in general, the age at which kids potty train is probably a little later than it used to be, in part related to the quality of diapers nowadays,” he said. “I think kids don’t sense being wet nearly as much as they did years ago. I think that has an impact. But, in general, around age 2 to 3 would be the right timing.”

According to the Mayo Clinic, parents are generally more uptight about the timing of potty training than the child, which is exactly backward and can actually hinder a child’s learning to use the toilet properly and on time. Kids will indicate their readiness in different ways; maybe they got curious about the potty chair at daycare or perhaps they want “big kid” underwear like an older sibling. Conversely, a disruptive life event such as a move or the arrival of a new baby can delay their wanting to learn.

Experts say once the child shows a willingness to learn, it’s important that parents devote the time and special attention necessary to capitalize on that interest, even if that means providing some demonstration.

“Once they’ve shown an interest, one thing we encourage that does have probably the greatest impact is the child observing the parent of the same sex urinating, to be

able to see how it works,” Canon said.

“Then, once they’ve seen that, I tell families if they have a two- or three-day period the most effective way is to take them to the toilet every 20 minutes until they go and when they go, you throw a party. Usually, if they’re ready, that’s when they’ll figure it out.”

Canon cautions that even when such success has been attained, parents should be prepared for sporadic accidents for a time.

These are fairly common up through about age 4, so it’s important not to overreact or fail to keep things positive.

“They’ll still continue to void a little more frequently than they will when they’re older, and they’ll have some intermittent accidents depending upon the child,” Canon said. “Some kids are completely dry the first time they go, but I’d say in general that would be the exception. We really have to focus on positive reinforcement and no negative reinforcement.”

All personal differences in children aside, there can be underlying medical conditions that can interfere with successful potty training, Canon said.

“If they reach age 4 and they’re not continent most of the time, then they need

Get This Potty Started How do you know if your child is ready for potty training? There’s no universal sign, but the following are some good questions to ask yourself. Remember, there’s really nothing doctors would consider an issue until around age 4. Until then, ask yourself:

 Can your child walk to and sit on a toilet?  Can your child pull down his or her pants and pull them up again?  Can your child stay dry for up to two hours?  Can your child understand and follow basic directions?  Can your child communicate when he or she needs to go?  Does your child seem interested in using the toilet or wearing "big-kid" underwear?

Answering mostly “yes” to these questions might suggest your child may be ready to potty train. Answering mostly “no” might suggest you wait, especially if you’re heading into a major life event such as moving or a new baby in the house.

Source: mayoclinic.org

16 APRIL 2020 | SAVVYKIDSAR.COM

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to come see us in pediatric urology,” he said. “At that point, it might be an anatomic problem and usually that’s when their primary care doctors are referring them on to us.”

“If a child is not continent at night by age 5, that’s usually when we start calling it enuresis. Nighttime accidents are typically independent of the daytime function, although it can be a byproduct of daytime problems.”

Bedwetting can also be a symptom of larger issues such as stress, being bullied, having difficulty at a new school or, in extreme cases, some kind of abuse. Canon said part of the urologist’s job is to first distinguish between medical cases and those signaling a larger psychological issue.

“When we see kids who are having problems, we first want to figure out whether or not there’s anything going on at daytime,” he said. “For instance, if they have daytime urinary incontinence or if they have significant daytime urinary urgency and frequency, then that can be representative of a different underlying etiology that can spill over into the nighttime. You really have to address that first before addressing the nighttime problems.

“An important distinction to make is if patients have been wet at night for most nights all their life. If you see a child who’s 8 and they were dry for two years and then all of a sudden they’re wet at night again, then we would call that secondary enuresis. That’s an important distinction because secondary enuresis is most often associated with a psychological stress.”

Canon said for medical conditions there are several medicinal and non pharmaceutical treatment options, with the former generally reserved for children older than 6. He said families should not feel self-conscious about seeking help.

“There are great options to help manage the problem for the child’s best interest and the family’s benefit,” he said. “Definitely don’t hesitate to seek the care of your primary care doctor and even a pediatric urology team to get the child some help.”

18 APRIL 2020 | SAVVYKIDSAR.COM

MEET WILLOW: DAUGHTER, SPIRITED SIDEKICK, FRIEND TO ALL “She knows she’s different, but that’s never been something that’s bothered her. It doesn’t matter to her, and that makes me super proud.” - Terri (Willow’s mother) READ MORE ABOUT SNELL’S PEDIATRIC CARE AT SNELLARKANSAS.COM

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20 APRIL 2020 | SAVVYKIDSAR.COM

SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | APRIL 2020

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EXPLORE & LEARN

A Good Steward

We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children … you may have heard this Native American proverb, and as we see videos of glaciers melting, beaches eroding and cities flooding, it’s become less abstract. Here are some ways you can be a good steward of Mother Earth.

BY ANGELA E. THOMAS

I

t’s estimated that each American produces 4.4 pounds of trash daily … that adds up to 250 million tons of trash per year.* That’s a lot of trash. So, what can you and your family do to combat this? Say it with me: reduce, reuse and recycle.

While it takes a bit more thought, Lennie Massanelli, Little Rock’s recycling and sustainability educator, said it’s easier than you think.

“The City of Little Rock offers curbside recycling for every single-family home and townhome,” she said. She also shared practical advice to help families in their efforts to care for the environment.

“While we do not offer recycling for some plastic items such as clamshells and some yogurt containers, Styrofoam and glass, No. 1 and 2 plastics such as water and milk jugs are recyclable.

One way to avoid these nonrecyclable items is to take your own to-go containers to restaurants. And when buying groceries, avoid single-serving items. Purchase items in bulk.”

The city also recycles aluminum, steel and tin cans. “Think wet pet food, soda and soup cans, and you don’t even have to peel labels off. Just make sure they’re clean,” she added.

Little Rock also recycles boxes, newspapers, pasteboard boxes (like cereal and frozen food boxes), as well as junk mail, paperback books, magazines and catalogs.

She cautioned, “However, don’t put them in plastic bags.”

Speaking of plastic bags, is paper better than plastic?

“Unfortunately, no. Paper bags create a greater carbon footprint.

So, while they degrade faster, they’re more costly to the

environment. I recommend using reusable bags for shopping, gift-giving and packing lunches.”

“Purchase reusable sandwich bags and straws,” Massanelli suggested. “And don’t purchase single-use bottles such as sodas, water and sports drinks.”

“Another thing people don’t often think about as waste is food,” she said.

The EPA estimates that 41 million tons of food waste were generated in 2017 alone, and that only 6.3 percent was composted. If the idea of a compost bin seems a bit much, Massanelli recommends contacting The Urban Food Loop for assistance.

“They’ll collect your family’s food scraps and compost them; you can either donate the compost or use it for your flower or produce garden.”

Are you a new parent? You may be surprised by the amount of waste someone so adorable and tiny can produce. Massanelli suggests, again, avoiding single servings of food and food pouches. “Purchase baby food in jars, and reuse the jars.”

Consider making your own baby food—it doesn’t require special equipment—or reuse the jars to create a windowsill herb or succulent garden, to transport condiments for a picnic, to store homemade body scrubs or to organize drawers.

Additionally, you may wish to consider using cloth diapers.

While there’s no diaper service in central Arkansas, cloth diapers and all the accessories—liners, adorably designed covers and fasteners and more—are available online.

“When shopping for gifts, consider toys that inspire the

“It’s estimated each American produces

4.4 POUNDS OF TRASH DAILY …

that adds up to 250 million tons of trash per year."

22 APRIL 2020 | SAVVYKIDSAR.COM

A Few Easy Yet Practical Ways To Reduce Waste

imagination; for instance, purchase art supplies, or a gift certificate for an experience or an activity. Or make a batch of homemade Play-Doh and give it along with the recipe and cookie cutters,” she suggested. Purchase items at a resale shop or a store that benefits a nonprofit organization. “Making a purchase like this gives toys a second life while giving to others.”

Donate your children’s clothes or consign them. Massanelli said, “Thrift stores and vintage shops often have really great deals. Our city also has several upscale resale shops that sell high-quality name brands. Challenge your child to put together an outfit or to see who can get the most items for $20. If you decide to consign items, you can then use the money toward other clothing purchases.”

If you must buy something new, she suggested you look for items with less packaging, and when buying items that use batteries, include rechargeable batteries.

For more information about how to care for our planet, log on to 50waystohelp. com. If you’d like to organize an Earth Day activity, log on to earthday.org.

Ditch the flushable wipes. While they are flushable, they may take years to break down. The immediate drawback: They can still clog your pipes and sewer lines.

Use wool dryer balls instead of dryer sheets because … you guessed it, most dryer sheets are not biodegradable.

Use refillable water bottles, and take a favorite refillable mug to work or to your favorite coffee shop when you “refuel.”

Save energy and cut costs by: turning off the lights in unoccupied rooms; turning off your computer and monitor when you’re not using them; and unplugging your chargers when your phone, tablets and other items are charged.

Save energy by washing your clothes in cold water.

Conserve water and energy. Turn off the water while you’re brushing your teeth. This can save up to eight gallons of water per person each day.

Also, take showers versus baths and take shorter showers—turn on your favorite song and use it as a timer.

Save the trees! Switch to paperless billing.

Speaking of trees … think twice before printing, and if you must print, use both sides of the paper. Be sure to recycle your work waste!

Save time, energy and money by running multiple errands at once. Carpool to work, or work from home when possible, and consider video conferencing versus making business trips.

Recycling Recycling in in Little Little Rock Rock Recycling Recycling in in Little Little Rock Recycling in Little Rock Rock

cycling in Little Rock

ittle Rock

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SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | APRIL 2020

23

GOOD EATS

Carrot Cake 24 APRIL 2020 | SAVVYKIDSAR.COM

On the Easter Recipe Hunt Look no further for the perfect recipes to create a memorable Easter brunch or dinner!

BY ZARA ABBASI PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATIE CHILDS

S

pring is in the air and I love seeing all the beautiful flowers in bloom. I love all the pastel colors on store shelves, all the cute kids’ outfits, and you already know I love any reason to celebrate and gather for food. With Easter fast approaching, it’s best to be prepared with some delicious brunch or dinner ideas.

One of my favorite and funniest Easter memories happened two or three years ago. We hid eggs for the kids, as you do. Well, the kids had a blast finding all of them and then opening the eggs to find out what candy loot awaited. After they got their fill of the candy, and the stuff in their baskets had been played with, some of the excitement had worn off. Then, I had a pretty genius idea. We had company coming over that night for dinner and no matter how much you try, a home with three kids will always find a way to look messy. Well, I had to make Easter dinner AND clean up again? Nope.

Not doing it.

I’d already cleaned once the day before to prepare for everyone, so I was frustrated about having to repeat the process the very next day. This is where that genius idea comes in: I asked the kids if they’d like to go for a treasure hunt for eggs again. Well, of course they just lit up. But, their eggs were empty and they wondered what I’d put in there. I told them there would be tons of surprises inside BUT they must clean the house first from top to bottom. They did not even hesitate one bit. They rushed around cleaning and picking everything up and made the house truly spotless!

I kept my end of the promise and hid eggs everywhere. I filled them with dollar bills, little sheets of paper made into coupons (example: good for one milkshake from Sonic; or, good for family movie night), and the last few were filled with any leftover candy. They ran and excitedly searched for their treasure eggs and it was the most amazing experience watching them light up while reading their rewards. So what was once a pretty simple bribe has now turned into a game and tradition for us.

Because of all their help, the house was clean, they were in fantastic moods, and I was able to focus on Easter dinner. Hey, if it works, it works! And, in my case, it’s been working for years.

If you need help with the housework and some extra time to devote to Easter dinner or brunch, I’d suggest a coupon treasure egg hunt! Here I’ve come up with a few different Easter recipes to try whether you host brunch or a full-on dinner.

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26 APRIL 2020 | SAVVYKIDSAR.COM

Garlic Parmesan Green Beans Whether you enjoy a baked ham or prime rib for Easter dinner, this side goes perfectly with either choice. I love it because it has such bold, yet spring-y flavors. I love the saltiness of the cheese balanced out with the lemon zest. Give this one a try with whatever you decide as the main course.

1 pound of fresh green beans trimmed 1 stick softened butter 2-3 tablespoons minced garlic 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning Zest of 1 lemon 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan (plus more for garnish) Salt and pepper to taste Fresh chopped parsley for garnish 1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

2. In a large bowl, combine all your ingredients (except parsley) and spread onto a large, rimmed baking sheet.

3. Roast for 15-20 minutes, making sure to stir a couple of times.

4. Remove from oven and transfer to your platter of choice.

Garnish with fresh parsley and more fresh Parmesan.

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28 APRIL 2020 | SAVVYKIDSAR.COM

Mini Brunch Tarts

These are the cutest little individual brunch items. You can personalize them to everyone’s liking. They look adorable for presentation purposes, and are pretty simple and flavorful to make.

1 package puff pastry (thawed) 6-12 eggs (depending on how many individual servings you’d like to make) 1-2 cups shredded cheese of your choice 6-7 sprigs fresh thyme Cut chives for garnish Salt and pepper to taste Optional: 1 cup crumbled bacon Optional: ¼ tablespoon spicy mustard (Fruit version): 1-2 cups of berries 1 cup lemon curd ½ block softened cream cheese 2 tablespoons sugar 1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees and line one or two baking sheets with parchment paper 2. On a floured surface, roll out the puff pastry and use a large, round cookie cutter or a large glass to cut out however many pies you’d like to make. (I like to trace about a half-inch outside the border and then cut in order to give room to pinch edges up.)

3. Place your dough circles on the parchment paper and keep making folds around the edges in order to create a mini barrier.

4. Use a fork to pierce the center of the dough. For the egg pies: brush bottoms with spicy mustard if using, then bake for 5-6 minutes.

5. Remove from oven and sprinkle shredded cheese in center, then gently crack an egg in the center, making sure you have a tallenough barrier so the eggs don’t slide out.

6. Top with herbs and seasonings.

7. Bake for another 5-10 minutes until the eggs are done and the puff pastry is cooked through.

8. For the fruit cups: Follow the same steps to cut out the dough, but mix the cream cheese and sugar and set aside.

9. Assemble as follows: dough, a tablespoon or two of lemon curd, berries on top, and then dollops of cream cheese mixture on top of berries, and then bake for 15-20 minutes. Allow to cool before serving.

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Delicious Carrot Cake If there is one cake synonymous with Easter, it’s carrot cake. This one has a ton of ingredients but it’s also a cake from scratch, after all. Once in a while, we should all attempt to make one from scratch, and this one is certainly worth it. Decorate this in an easy robin’s egg blue with brown speckles from the flick of a paintbrush, or leave simple in its natural beauty.

4 eggs 1¼ cups vegetable oil ¼ cup applesauce 1 cup white sugar 1 cup brown sugar 1 tablespoons vanilla extract 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking soda 2 teaspoons baking powder ½ teaspoon salt 4 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon nutmeg

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1 teaspoon ginger 3 cups grated carrots 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts 1 cup flaked coconut Frosting: ½ cup butter, softened 8 ounces cream cheese, softened 4 cups confectioners' sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9-by-13-inch pan or two 9-inch round pans.

2. In a large bowl, beat together eggs, oil, applesauce, both sugars and vanilla. Mix in flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. Stir in carrots and coconut. Fold in nuts. Pour into pan(s).

3. Bake in the preheated oven for 40-50 minutes (30-40 for two pans), or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.

Let cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely.

4. To make frosting: In a medium bowl, combine butter, cream cheese, confectioners' sugar and vanilla. Beat until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Frost the cooled cake.

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SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | APRIL 2020

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ADVERTORIAL

MAKING BIG STRIDES Willow Tharp gains mobility, speed and a team of cheerleaders at Snell Prosthetics & Orthotics

Y

ou're 4 years old, the same age Willow Tharp is now. You like purple, unicorns and riding your tricycle. You're 4 years old, but you’re more familiar with an operating room than most adults will be in their lifetime.

Terri Tharp is a mother who is too familiar with the long hours of waiting through her child’s nine operations. Those hours have shifted her priorities in a way nothing else could.

Expectant parents know life will throw curveballs at their children. Life does it to everyone. But doctors diagnosed little Willow with a condition called spina bifida while she was still in utero. Terri, a physical therapist, realized their girl would need to be especially tough.

Spina bifida occurs during a baby’s development when the spine and spinal cord don’t form properly. This diagnosis comes with a host of potential risk factors, and reaching new developmental milestones becomes a battle hard-fought by children with spina bifida.

The Tharp family appreciates the teamwork that goes into turning Willow’s challenges into wins. LeeAnn has been on Willow’s team since

32 APRIL 2020 | SAVVYKIDSAR.COM

“Regular physical therapy and doctors appointments have given Willow people skills aplenty. She’s silly and spunky and already dreaming of being a neurologist to help other kids like her." the start. After years of traveling to Little Rock to receive physical therapy from LeeAnn, the Tharp family relies on her. So when Terri realized Willow was not getting thorough treatment from their orthotic group, she took LeeAnn’s advice and called the team at Snell Prosthetics & Orthotics.

“The service at Snell is 10 times better than we’ve had before,” said Terri. “Other ortho groups don’t have the attention to detail it takes to cater to kids. It just takes a different kind of service to handle pediatric cases.”

Regular physical therapy and doctors appointments have given Willow people skills aplenty. She’s silly and spunky and already dreaming of being a neurologist to help other kids like her.

Reciprocating gait orthosis, or RGOs, are full-body orthotic devices that make it possible for patients with spina bifida to imitate the natural physiological rotation during walking. Willow’s pair is new, and it’s already improving her gait. The physical therapy required to use RGOs is very taxing on the wearer, so a strong support system is crucial.

“When she got her RGOs, there was a whole crowd of people around her, just there to watch her try them,” Terri said. “They cheered her on, it was a big deal. They made her feel like a celebrity.

“They love her at the Snell office, they know Willow. They may only see her once every six months, but they know her,” said Terri.

Terri is admittedly particular when it comes to choosing providers for her daughter, and she’s relieved to know Willow’s future is in good hands with Beth at Snell. “Beth is like magic,” Terri said. “She’s already making room for Willow’s growth, and she’s planning ahead for it. Our turnaround time between braces is pretty impressive.

“She’s able to walk more naturally and with fewer deviations in her gait,” said Terri. “She’s young, so as much as we can straighten her out now, the more naturally and efficiently she’ll be able to walk in the future.” Willow uses a few methods to increase her mobility. She has a wheelchair, as well as the RGO she uses to stand on her own. She loves being carried by her mom and her dad.

But she really loves to practice walking.

“I like to try to go fast! One day I’ll be as fast as Daddy,” Willow said. Willow adores people, especially her parents. And even at her young age, Willow is her mother’s hero. “She knows she’s different, but that’s never been something that’s bothered her. It doesn’t matter to her, and that makes me super proud. In fact, she knows more people in town than I do. We’ll pass someone and they’ll say ‘Hey, Willow!’ and I’ll just have no idea who they are,” Terri laughed.

Terri says it’s not always easy to accept the hard days, but when they come, she finds encouragement knowing their family’s being cheered on by their network of family, friends and doctors. “I’m not alone. I may feel like it some days, but I’m not.”

“I like to try to go fast!

One day I’ll be as fast as Daddy."

SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | APRIL 2020

33

HEALTH & WELLNESS

The Next Chapter on the Spectrum Preparing your child with ASD for his or her transition into adulthood should begin early

BY DWAIN HEBDA

C

harlie* is the employee of any retail store’s dreams.

He’s on time, happy to be here and fastidious about his responsibilities at the resale store where he works. Tell him to straighten a rack of clothes and he won’t stop until it’s perfect.

He knows the store better than the manager does and can direct any customer to any item seemingly without having to think about it. He’ll tell you with a smile that he’s saving up for a new video game system.

According to Autism Speaks, an estimated 50,000 teens on the autism spectrum enter adulthood every year, aging out of school-based autism services. Where they go from there, how they support themselves and how they reach their maximum level of independence and personal happiness, is a concern for parents from one end of the United States to the other.

As Dr. Valerie Paradiz, vice president of services and supports at Autism Speaks, said, “Life for all adults, those with ASD or not, is very much about this ongoing process of identifying and making adjustments when they need to be made. Every person with ASD has a path, making the adjustments is the journey.”

34 APRIL 2020 | SAVVYKIDSAR.COM

“Easterseals program is designed to help break down barriers in the community and give more individuals with ASD a chance at proving themselves in the classroom or on the job."

According to the National Autism Association, autism in and of itself does not shorten one’s life expectancy, which means parents should assume their child will reach adulthood. In order to prepare these individuals for the challenges of independent living, families must formulate and execute a strategic plan.

“Many families start preparing their children for life transitions at a young age by teaching them functional skills. Teaching functional life skills positively affects the transition into adulthood,” said Linda Rogers, vice president of adult programs with Easterseals Arkansas in Little Rock.

“It is never too late to support the development of life skills by assigning household chores or working on following directions in family routines, using visual supports when necessary,” she said.

“Assist in independence by reinforcing timeliness and supporting it by providing timers and alerts, encourage and reinforce good hygiene and teach financial literacy by shopping in the community using money or debit/credit cards.”

Amanda* enjoys her classes at the local community college where she’s studying early childhood development. Reading comprehension is difficult, so she spends hours on her assignment to ensure she gets the material down pat. In her small apartment, time runs on a rigid schedule that includes written reminders on when to take her medication. Her mother is both proud of and worried about her, so she calls often. Amanda dreams of working at a daycare one day.

Parents should also understand the resources that are at their disposal, including the legal responsibility schools have to assist with a student’s transition from the school setting.

“By age 14, the transition planning should begin and information gathered as to the student’s strengths and preferences for long-term goals,” Rogers said. “The Individuals with Disabilities Act requires that needed transition services, including postsecondary goals, will be in an Individual Education Plan by the student’s 16th birthday.”

There are also community-based programs that can help a student make the transition from the home environment to an independent setting, particularly as it applies to employment. The Easterseals Arkansas SET for Success program provides classroom instruction on employability skills and offers a work-based learning experience to 11th- and 12th-grade students who have an Individual Education Plan or a 504 plan.

“The program curriculum includes job exploration and counseling, workplace readiness training, counseling for postsecondary education opportunities and self-advocacy training,” Rogers said. “The desired outcome is students who are ready for the transition to employment or postsecondary education.”

Another Easterseals program is designed to help break down barriers in the community and give more individuals with ASD a chance at proving themselves in the classroom or on the job.

“Our Academics, Community, Career development and Employment program (ACCE) at UA Little Rock helps students prepare for employment and have a college experience,” Rogers said. “They also participate in internships to practice their employment skills. We work with the students on resume writing, interview skills and job searches.”

“After they gain employment, we work with the employers on ways to work with their new employee, and we work with the employee to retain the job.”

Will* is described as a loyal, fun-loving friend, but it is difficult for him to initiate conversations with new people. Ever since he graduated

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“An estimated 50,000 teens on the autism spectrum enter adulthood every year, aging out of school-based autism services. " from high school, he has struggled to find a social group in common to hang out with. His parents have concerns over how much time he’s spending in his room alone, especially after a couple of job applications have yielded nothing, causing Will to withdraw even more.

Parents should not overlook the importance of social interaction and communication skills as a key element to all aspects of independent life. From making new friends to landing a job, these skills can often mean the difference between success and failure.

“Individuals with ASD often have difficulty with communication and socialization. They may do their jobs well, but they often struggle with understanding and responding to the social aspects of a job,” Rogers said. “If your child receives additional services such as occupational and speech therapy, the therapist can be invaluable for transitioning from school to work and adult life.”

“Therapists can offer suggestions and strategies for communication and social competency.

These may include strategies for social supports, alternate directions using formats such as visual demonstrations, how to ask for help, technology for communication and using reinforcement.”

Programs and professional intervention, by themselves, are not a cure-all. Despite research demonstrating job activities that encourage independence reduce autism symptoms and increase daily living

36 APRIL 2020 | SAVVYKIDSAR.COM

skills, Autism Speaks reports more than half of young adults with autism remain unemployed and unenrolled in higher education in the two years after high school.

In fact, the group states nearly half of 25-year-olds with autism have never held a paying job.

This underscores the importance of parental and familial involvement in helping make sure an individual with ASD completes and can apply their training to land a job and achieve the highest possible level of independence.

“You want to discuss strategies to assist with your child’s independence, to help with your child’s individualized plan,” Rogers said. “Do not set low expectations; you want your child to reach his or her highest potential.”

For more information, contact Easterseals Arkansas at easterseals.com. *Fictional character sketches

CONNECTING WITH CHILDREN

Who Have Autism Spectrum Disorder

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ŚĞŶ Ă ĐŚŝůĚ ŚĂƐ ĂƵƟƐŵ ƐƉĞĐƚƌƵŵ ĚŝƐŽƌĚĞƌ ; ^ Ϳ͕ ƚŚĞLJ ĐĂŶ ƐƚƌƵŐŐůĞ ǁŝƚŚ ďƵŝůĚŝŶŐ ĐŽŶŶĞĐƟŽŶƐ ĂŶĚ ĨƌŝĞŶĚƐŚŝƉƐ͘ dŚĞƌĞ ĂƌĞ ŵĂŶLJ ǁĂLJƐ ƚŽ ŵĂŬĞ ƌĞůĂƟŽŶƐŚŝƉ ďƵŝůĚŝŶŐ ĞĂƐŝĞƌ ĨŽƌ ƚŚĞŵ͘

ŚŝůĚ ůŝĨĞ ƐƉĞĐŝĂůŝƐƚƐ Ăƚ ƌŬĂŶƐĂƐ ŚŝůĚƌĞŶ͛Ɛ ŵĞůŝĂ ZĂŶĚĂŐ ĂŶĚ ZĂĐŚĞů ^ƚĞǁĂƌƚ ƐĂŝĚ ƚŚĂƚ ĞǀĞƌLJ ĐŚŝůĚ ǁŝƚŚ ĂƵƟƐŵ ŝƐ ĚŝīĞƌĞŶƚ͕ ďƵƚ ƚŚĂƚ ƚŚĞƌĞ ĂƌĞ ƐĞǀĞƌĂů ƉŽŝŶƚĞƌƐ ŬŝĚƐ ĂŶĚ ƉĂƌĞŶƚƐ ĐĂŶ ŬĞĞƉ ŝŶ ŵŝŶĚ ĂƐ ƚŚĞLJ ǁŽƌŬ ƚŽ ŐƌŽǁ ĨƌŝĞŶĚƐŚŝƉƐ ǁŝƚŚ Ă ĐŚŝůĚ ǁŚŽ ŚĂƐ ^ ͘

1. Learn About That Child’s Sensory Needs

dŚĞ ŵĂũŽƌŝƚLJ ŽĨ ĐŚŝůĚƌĞŶ ǁŚŽ ŚĂǀĞ ^ ŚĂǀĞ ĚŝĸĐƵůƟĞƐ ǁŝƚŚ ǀĂƌŝŽƵƐ ƐĞŶƐŽƌLJ ŝƐƐƵĞƐ͘ tŚĞŶ LJŽƵ Žƌ LJŽƵƌ ĐŚŝůĚ ŝƐ ŝŶƚĞƌĂĐƟŶŐ ǁŝƚŚ ƐŽŵĞŽŶĞ ǁŚŽ ƐƚƌƵŐŐůĞƐ ǁŝƚŚ ƐĞŶƐŽƌLJ ƐĞŶƐŝƟǀŝƟĞƐ͕ ŝƚ͛Ɛ ŝŵƉŽƌƚĂŶƚ ƚŽ ďĞ ŵŝŶĚĨƵů ŽĨ ŚŽǁ LJŽƵ ĐĂŶ ŚĞůƉ ƚŚĞŵ ĨĞĞů ŵŽƌĞ ĐŽŵĨŽƌƚĂďůĞ ĂŶĚ Ăƚ ĞĂƐĞ͘ ĐĐŽƌĚŝŶŐ ƚŽ ZĂŶĚĂŐ ĂŶĚ ^ƚĞǁĂƌƚ͕ ƐŽŵĞ ŐŽŽĚ ĂƌĞĂƐ ƚŽ ĨŽĐƵƐ ŽŶ ĂƌĞ ŚŽǁ ƚŚĞ ĐŚŝůĚ ĐŽŵŵƵŶŝĐĂƚĞƐ͕ ŚŽǁ ŵƵĐŚ ŝŶĨŽƌŵĂƟŽŶ ƚŚĞLJ ĐĂŶ ƚĂŬĞ ŝŶ Ăƚ Ă ƟŵĞ͕ ǁĂLJƐ ƚŚĂƚ ƚƌĂŶƐŝƟŽŶŝŶŐ ĨƌŽŵ ƉůĂĐĞ ƚŽ ƉůĂĐĞ ĐĂŶ ďĞ ĞĂƐŝĞƌ ĨŽƌ ƚŚĞŵ ĂŶĚ ĞŶǀŝƌŽŶŵĞŶƚĂů ĨĂĐƚŽƌƐ ƐƵĐŚ ĂƐ ŶŽŝƐĞ͕ ůŝŐŚƚ ĂŶĚ ŵŽǀĞŵĞŶƚ͘ dĂůŬŝŶŐ ƚŽ ƚŚĂƚ ĐŚŝůĚ͛Ɛ ƉĂƌĞŶƚ ĐĂŶ ďĞ ŚĞůƉĨƵů ĂƐ LJŽƵ ĐŽŶƐŝĚĞƌ ǁŚĂƚ ĂĐƟǀŝƟĞƐ ƚŚĞ ŬŝĚƐ ĂƌĞ ƉĂƌƟĐŝƉĂƟŶŐ ŝŶ ĂŶĚ ŚŽǁ ƚŚĞLJ ĂƌĞ ŝŶƚĞƌĂĐƟŶŐ͘ Ƶƚ͕ ZĂŶĚĂŐ ĐĂƵƟŽŶĞĚ͕ ͞zŽƵ ĚŽŶ͛ƚ ǁĂŶƚ ƚŽ ĂƐƐƵŵĞ ĂŶLJƚŚŝŶŐ ǁŚĞŶ LJŽƵ ŚĞĂƌ ƚŚĂƚ Ă ĐŚŝůĚ ŚĂƐ ĂƵƟƐŵ͘͟

2. Capitalize on What They are Interested In

ŚŝůĚƌĞŶ ǁŚŽ ŚĂǀĞ ^ ƚĞŶĚ ƚŽ ŚĂǀĞ Ă ƐƉĞĐŝĮĐ ŝŶƚĞƌĞƐƚ ĂŶĚ ƚŚĞLJ ǁŝůů ŚŽŶĞ ŝŶ ŽŶ ĂŶĚ ůĞĂƌŶ ĞǀĞƌLJƚŚŝŶŐ ƚŚĞƌĞ ŝƐ ƚŽ ŬŶŽǁ ĂďŽƵƚ Ă ƉĂƌƟĐƵůĂƌ ƚŽƉŝĐ ʹ ǁŚĞƚŚĞƌ ƚŚĂƚ ďĞ ĞůĞǀĂƚŽƌƐ͕ ĞůĞƉŚĂŶƚƐ Žƌ ĂŶLJƚŚŝŶŐ ŝŶ ďĞƚǁĞĞŶ͘ ͞dŚĞ ŬĞLJ ƚŽ ďŽŶĚŝŶŐ ŝƐ ƚŽ ƚĂůŬ ĂďŽƵƚ ǁŚĂƚ ƚŚĞLJ͛ƌĞ ŝŶƚĞƌĞƐƚĞĚ ŝŶ͕͟ ^ƚĞǁĂƌƚ ƐĂŝĚ͘ ͞<ŝŶĚ ŽĨ ĐĂƉŝƚĂůŝnjŝŶŐ ŽŶ ƚŚĂƚ ĂŶĚ ŵĂLJďĞ ƉƵůůŝŶŐ ĨƌŝĞŶĚƐ Žƌ ƐŝďůŝŶŐƐ ŝŶƚŽ ǁŚĂƚĞǀĞƌ ƚŚĞLJ ůŽǀĞ ƐŽ ƚŚĂƚ ƚŚĞLJ ĐĂŶ ĮŶĚ Ă ĐŽŵŵŽŶĂůŝƚLJ͘͟ ^ƚĞǁĂƌƚ ƐĂŝĚ ƚŚĂƚ ƚƵƌŶŝŶŐ ƚŚĂƚ ŝŶƚĞƌĞƐƚ ŝŶƚŽ Ă ĨĂŵŝůLJ ĂĐƟǀŝƚLJ ĐĂŶ ŵĂŬĞ ĞǀĞƌLJŽŶĞ ĨĞĞů ŝŶǀŽůǀĞĚ͘ dŚĂƚ ĐŽƵůĚ ŵĞĂŶ ĞdžƉůŽƌŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ĐŝƚLJ ĂŶĚ ǀŝƐŝƟŶŐ ĞůĞǀĂƚŽƌƐ ďƵƚ ƐƚŽƉƉŝŶŐ ĂůŽŶŐ ƚŚĞ ǁĂLJ ĨŽƌ ŝĐĞ ĐƌĞĂŵ Žƌ Ă ƚƌĞĂƚ ŽƚŚĞƌ ŬŝĚƐ ǁŽƵůĚ ĞŶũŽLJ ǁŚŝůĞ ĂůƐŽ ĐĂƚĞƌŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ĐŚŝůĚ ǁŚŽ ŚĂƐ ĂƵƟƐŵ ĂŶĚ ƚŚĞŝƌ ƉĂƌƟĐƵůĂƌ ŝŶƚĞƌĞƐƚ͘

3. Look for Commonalities Before Differences

dĞĂĐŚŝŶŐ LJŽƵƌ ĐŚŝůĚ ƚŽ ďĞ Ă ĨƌŝĞŶĚ ƚŽ ƐŽŵĞŽŶĞ ǁŚŽ ŚĂƐ ĂƵƟƐŵ ŝƐ ƌĞĂůůLJ ŶŽ ĚŝīĞƌĞŶƚ ƚŚĂŶ ƚĞĂĐŚŝŶŐ ƚŚĞŵ ƚŽ ďĞ Ă ĨƌŝĞŶĚ ƚŽ ĂŶLJŽŶĞ ĞůƐĞ͘ &ŝŶĚŝŶŐ ĐŽŵŵŽŶĂůŝƟĞƐ ƌĂƚŚĞƌ ƚŚĂŶ ƉŽŝŶƟŶŐ ŽƵƚ ĚŝīĞƌĞŶĐĞƐ ĐĂŶ ŚĞůƉ ŵĂŬĞ Ă ĚŝīĞƌĞŶĐĞ ŝŶ ƚŚĞŝƌ ƌĞůĂƟŽŶƐŚŝƉƐ͘ ŶĚ͕ ǁŚĞŶ LJŽƵƌ ĐŚŝůĚ ĂƐŬƐ ĂďŽƵƚ ĚŝīĞƌĞŶĐĞƐ͕ ZĂŶĚĂŐ ƐĂLJƐ ŝƚ͛Ɛ ŚĞĂůƚŚLJ ƚŽ ĞdžƉůĂŝŶ ŚŽǁ ĞǀĞƌLJŽŶĞ ŝƐ ĚŝīĞƌĞŶƚ ĂŶĚ ƚŚĂƚ ǁĞ ŶĞĞĚ ƚŽ ďĞ ŬŝŶĚ ĂŶĚ ŝŶĐůƵĚĞ ĞǀĞƌLJŽŶĞ ŶŽ ŵĂƩĞƌ ǁŚĂƚ͘

Arkansas Children’s offers a wide variety of behavioral health services tailRUed to kids on all points of the autism spectrum. If your child has been diagnosed with autism and you are looking for helpful resources, visit archildrens.org/autism SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | APRIL 2020

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LAURA HOBART-PORTER is a pediatric rehabilitation

physician who splits her time between Easterseals and Arkansas Children’s Hospital. She is the medical director of the Spinal Cord Disorders Program and the Concussion Clinic at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, as well as medical director of Children’s Rehabilitation Center at Easterseals. Laura and her husband, Nick, moved to Little Rock in 2005 to complete their residencies at UAMS. Together, they have three children: Ben (11), Emily (9), and Abigail (2).

How do you and your husband balance your demanding work lives with your family time? It is important to understand that work-life balance will always be a struggle. Not having family in town makes it extra hard, but Nick and I work very hard to coordinate our professional and personal lives. We have a regular date night that lets us spend time together.

Share a moment you were amazed by the strength of one of your children.

I find their strength in the small things that may go unnoticed by some—Ben making breakfast for his baby sister, Emily cheering on a classmate, and Abigail embracing a friend. I think because the small things were so hard-won in the early days of Ben’s [autism] diagnosis, they mean the most to me.

How is Ben a great big brother? Ben is a fantastic playmate with both his sisters, and he tolerates their antics with a surprising amount of patience. His affection for them is unmistakable, whether tromping through the woods or diligently trying to avoid chores.

What does your self-care regimen look like? I need periods of alone time and quiet, which is odd for an extrovert to say! Each morning, I take 15 minutes before I start seeing patients to focus myself for the day. I’ll confess I do enjoy a good facial, too!

If you could go back in time and give yourself, as a “new parent,” advice, what would it be? You can’t be everywhere at once, as much as you’d like to. Don’t worry so much about what others think—the ones that matter don’t mind, and the ones that mind don’t matter.

Which of your children is most like you, how so? Abigail is my “id.” She loves fiercely and doesn’t back down when she feels strongly about something (which is most of the time).

I swear the child has been trying to stare me down since she could hold her head up (without much success I might add).

How has Ben’s ASD journey differed from the way you may have imagined it when you first received his diagnosis? When Ben was first diagnosed, I kept trying to fix it.

Being a rehab doc, I never met a problem a little therapy couldn’t solve. Once I quit trying to fight against a diagnosis, I started to be able to see my son for the wonderful person he is. It’s been easier and harder than I ever would have imagined, but I think that goes for every parent.

How would you sum up your parenting style in one word? Collaborative. Nick and I are a great team, and we do our best work together!

38 APRIL 2020 | SAVVYKIDSAR.COM

Arkansas National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program NOW ENROLLING! The mission of the Arkansas National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program

is to intervene in and reclaim the lives of 16-18 year old at-risk youths in the state of Arkansas. Our goal is to produce program graduates with the values, life-skills, education, and self-discipline necessary to succeed as productive citizens.

MENTORING The primary goal of the mentoring component of Youth ChalleNGe is to access and match each cadet with an adult within their community. The relationship between the mentor and graduate reinforces the impact of the program. This relationship is key to meeting the ChalleNGe. Mentoring is an act of community building and contributes to the molding of the young person into a productive member of society.

ELIGIBILITY Volunteer • 16-18 at Enrollment US Citizen & Arkansas Resident • No Felony Convictions

THE PROGRAM 8 CORE COMPONENTS Leadership/Followership • Responsible Citizenship Academic Excellence • Job Skills Life Coping Skills • Health & Hygiene Service to Community • Physical Fitness

Arkansas National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program CAMP JT ROBINSON, BLDG. 16414 BOX 41 | N. LITTLE ROCK, AR 72199 800.814.8453 | ARYOUTHCHALLENGE.COM CONNECT WITH US @ARKANSASYCP ON FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE

SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | APRIL 2020

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SHO P ARKA N SAS A RT ISA N C RA FTS AT L IT TL E R OC K’ S B IG G E ST V E N UE

Make plans to see the state’s most accomplished artisans at the Arkansas Made–Arkansas Proud Market at War Memorial Stadium on May 16, 2020. For more details, please go to the Arkansas Made–Arkansas Proud Facebook page or wmstadium.com/events. We look forward to seeing you in May — mark your calendars now!

40 APRIL 2020 | SAVVYKIDSAR.COM

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