Learning Through Play
Two Local Families Share Their Experiences Raising Children With Down Syndrome
Class of 2015
Spencer
Thomas
William
Nick Goad
Jordan Grinde
Marie-Laure Hengelhaupt
Matt Kuehler
Angela May
Michael McInnis
Arthur Oh
Libby Patterson
Sadie Pilgreen
Caroline Poff
Allison Poggendorf
Vincent Pyle
Catalina Rubio
Christina Rubio
Connor Snow
Cameron Thompson
Gigi Vaccaro
Sam Welch
From the Editor
Welcome to our first annual Special Needs Issue.
We are very excited to publish the wonderful stories of two local families from the Roanoke Valley who are dedicated to raising awareness of Down syndrome. In addition, this issue features a list of resources to help all families with Special Needs children find the help that they need.
The CDC states that roughly one out of every 33 babies born in the United States has a birth defect. Broken down even further, that number equates to one baby born with a birth defect every 4.5 seconds.
The CDC also states that roughly one out of every 68 children in the United States has been identified with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
With these numbers increasing every year, it is more important than ever for communities to be able to provide support for these children and their families. We encourage you and your family to get involved with a local organization that aims to help these children live productive and normal lives. There are many to choose from in the Roanoke Valley including: the Blue Ridge Autism and Achievement Center, Camp Virginia Jaycee and the Down Syndrome Association of Roanoke.
As always, thank you for your support and we look forward to seeing you and your family at an event soon!
-Andrea, Josh,Anika & Evelyn Eagan and the rest of The Growing Up In the Valley Team
Contact Us
Phone: 540-251-1660
Fax: 540-808-1568
Mail: 3812 Concord Place, Roanoke, VA 24018
To Reach the Editor: andrea@growingupinthevalley.com
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Growing Up In The Valley
Publisher
Josh Eagan josh@growingupinthevalley.com
Anika and Evelyn’s Dad
Editor
Andrea Eagan andrea@growingupinthevalley.com
Anika and Evelyn’s Mom
Creative Director
Tracy Fisher tracy@growingupinthevalley.com
Charlotte and Evelyn’s Mom
Director of Sales and Marketing
Dee Reynolds dee@mofatmedia.com
Aleyna’s Mom
Sales Executive/Kids Eat Free
Stephanie Cunningham stephanie@growingupinthevalley.com
Olivia and Ayden’s Mom
Distribution
Leigh Anne Woods law@growingupinthevalley.com
Photographers
Stefanie Weber, Jessica Farmer, Amanda Robinson
Writers
Teresa Martin, Amanda Powers, Rachel Robinson, Laura Wade, Katie Lewis, Kim Castner, Heidi Blackwelder
Interns
Brad Tomlinson, Daniel Castillo, Marissa Vitulli
We welcome reader comments, submissions and the support of advertisers.
We reserve the right to refuse or edit any materials submitted to us that we deem inappropriate for our audience. Please include a self addressed stamped envelope with any submission to be returned. We do not accept responsiblity for unsolicited materials.
Growing Up In the Valley and Growingupinthevalley.com are published by MoFat Publishing. Growing Up In the Valley is published monthly. The views and the opinions expressed by the writers and advertisers do not necessarily represnt those
Treat Them Like Family For those who care for adults with disabilities, it’s more than a job.
Autism at a Glance Concerned your child may have autism? Learn the signs and how a local school can help.
It Takes a Village Family resource guide to find businesses, therapists and services to aid special needs.
It’s a Money Thing Stay safe and avoid identity theft.
Easy Peanut Butter Cookies A simple 3-ingredient recipe for a classic cookie
Kids Eat Free
out all the details where kids dine for free!
Adventures of Eliza & Joey The Story continues with Joey & Eliza as they try to return home.
Parents of the Month Bill & Tammy Lawfield
As parents of a child with special needs, Bill and Tammy Lawfield have stepped up to the plate to help other families in similar situations. Their beautiful daughter Madison, was born just over four years ago with Down syndrome. When she arrived into this world, Bill and Tammy both knew that they wanted to make a difference not only in her life but in the lives of all families with special needs. They set out to learn as much as they could about Down Syndrome and how they could help secure her future as well as help others better define theirs.
After doing some research, they soon found that there was an act in front of congress that other families with special needs were supporting. The ABLE Act (The Achieving Better Life Experience Act) allows those living with disabilities developed before the age of 26 (including serious mental health
conditions), and their families to set up a tax-exempt savings account that can be used to help with out of pocket costs. With the support of families like the Lawfields from around the country, The ABLE Act was signed into law in December of 2014.
The ABLE Act is the first of its kind to recognize that there are added costs to living with a disability.
they met and spoke with many politicians including a proponent of the Act, Bob Goodlatte.
Today, Madison is a big sister to five month old William and along with their parents, they are active in the Down Syndrome Association of Roanoke (DSAR) where Bill is the co-president. The Lawfields are dedicated to making more families aware of the resources available to them by volunteering their time at DSAR events such as the Buddy Walk and Golf Tournament. You can find out how you can contribute to the DSAR by visiting their website at www. DSAR.org.
As a financial planner, Bill knew the importance that this act would play in Madison’s life as well as many others. The Lawfields made many trips to Washington, D.C. in support of the act being passed into law. Along the way
Bill, Madison and Tammy with Bob Goodlatte
What inspires you?
People inspire us. People that take pride in their life and work, people that work to make a difference in someone else’s life.
What are you most proud of?
Our family, the way we come together and love each other.
What motivates you?
The thought and vision of how great our children’s lives can and will be.
Do you have any advice for other parents?
Don’t sweat the small stuff, everything will not be perfect. Accept the things that are different & unique in their own way.
What is the biggest challenge in your life?
Trying to drown out the everyday noise. Negative news, negative comments, negative attitudes. We try to fill up our days with positive energy as much as possible.
How do you help others?
We volunteer time and energy to growing and enhancing the DSAR for our member families. We help others as well by encouraging them, offering hope. Not condemning or criticizing them.
What is your parenting style?
We have taken on the idea that we are like the bumpers in the gutters in a bowling alley. Our children will be adults one day, we can’t stop that. We will just be there to keep them moving forward and staying in the lane.
A little about
Bill & Tammy
What is on your iPod?
Darius Rucker, Country(new & old), any old southern rock
What can you not live without?
Our children...and golf. Lol
What is your favorite date night venue?
We don’t get many, but it’s hard to beat a good Italian or Mexican place.
What do you always have with you?
Tammy: Gum
Bill: Slim Jims
What is your favorite movie?
Bill: Rocky II & Field of Dreams
Tammy: The Notebook
Favorite activity?
Swinging, sliding, riding horses, folding clothes, and reading. Favorite food? Ice cream of course! Favorite animal? Elephants Favorite subject? PreK - Loves arts and crafts, and library time. What were her first words? Pop-Pop (we think)
Bill and Tammy will receive a $40 gift certificate from Famous Anthony’s and a Growing Up In the Valley prize pack for being July’s Parents of the Month!
IDENTITY THEFT
IDENTITY THEFT
Provided by Laurissa Grubb from Blue Eagle® Credit Union
SHRED IT!
Not all identity theft starts online. Trash cans and recycling bins are still an easy way for theives to access your personal information.
IDENTITY THEFT AND SOCIAL MEDIA
Identity theft is nothing new, and yet it still manages to cost its victims billions of dollars (yes, that’s billions with a “b”) globally each year—not to mention the time and hassle involved in recovering a stolen identity.
Is your hometown and relationship status publicly listed on your Facebook profile?
The good news is there are tons of things you can do to deter identity thieves. The bad news is that many of us do little beyond choosing a decent password (and some people don’t even bother doing that!). Here are the top five information jackpots for identity thieves, along with helpful tips on what you can do right now to protect yourself.
carrying a lot more in your phone than just your contact list. With smartphone theft on the rise, protect yourself:
A personal shredder ($20-$30 for a basic model) is a small investment that makes a huge difference.
Not sure what to shred?
Here are some examples:
Addressed envelopes
Bank statements
ATM receipts
Expired credit cards
Cell phone bills
Utility bills
Old boarding passes
E-mail printouts
School schedules
Old report cards
Travel Itineraries
Store cards
Pay stubs
Résumés
Pre-approved credit card offers
Receipts
Canceled or voided checks
Magazine address labels
Do your online usernames contain numbers relating to your age or the year you were born? Can others tell when you’re out of the house or out of town based on your Instagram feed?
• Have a password-protected lock on your home screen. This is a standard feature on all smartphones for a reason, so take advantage of it! Bonus points if your smartphone also has a location tracking (also known as the “find my phone” feature).
• Public Wi-Fi networks are not secure, so avoid checking your bank accounts or doing your online shopping from the local coffee shop or during your layover at the airport.
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you’re making it easier for identity thieves to take advantage of your information.
Vary your passwords, customize your privacy settings and think before you share that next status or photo.
1. Your Trash Can Even if you’re really careful about the information you put online, your trash bags and recycling bin can still be an easy target for identity thieves. Dumpster diving may sound old-school, but it’s still an easy way for identity thieves to get access to your personal information.
WHAT ARE THE WARNING SIGNS?
• Do not store sensitive information on your phone–storing passwords or login information in a note taking app is bad news.
• Unexpected withdrawals or charges listed in your bank and credit card statements
• Errors in your credit report
• Get a shredder (a basic model will run you $20 to $30 at a big-box store) and use it!
• Missing mail
• Get into the habit of shredding things before throwing them out, especially things like bank statements, expired credit cards, utility bills, cell phone bills, pay stubs, old boarding passes and travel itineraries, and ATM receipts.
3. The Pin Pad It seems like every few months a new point-of-purchase scheme emerges– skimming devices, keystroke loggers, ATM hacking… the list goes on! Here are some good practices for when you’re out and about:
• Receiving unexpected bills and credit cards by mail
• When making a purchase, keep your debit or credit card in sight at all times.
• Problems accessing your e-mail or online banking accounts
• Calls from debt collectors regarding accounts that are not yours
• Don’t forget to check your envelopes! Anything with your name and address on it needs to be shredded, too.
Did you know there’s an entire Twitter account devoted to retweeting photos that people have posted of their credit and debit cards?
• Use your hand to block the buttons when entering your pin number, even if there’s no one immediately behind you–a camera can always be watching.
• Issues with medical insurance or inaccuracies in your health records
2. Your Phone
• Notice from the government that multiple tax returns were filed in your name
Odds are you’re
No matter how excited you are about your new card, never share it online.
• Choose a good PIN. Avoid PINs derived from your personal information, like your telephone number, address, or birthday. Avoid easy-to-guess pins, like the dreaded “1234.”
BROUGHT TO YOU BY
• Change up your PIN, especially
if you use the same combination to unlock your phone as you do for your debit card.
4. Your Mail Box
Like the trash-picker approach mentioned above, mail tampering is a low tech but relatively easy way for identity thieves to compromise your personal information. Here’s what you can do:
• Familiarize yourself with your billing cycles. A late credit card statement or a bill that never shows up could be a sign of mail tampering.
• Identity thieves will sometimes request a change of address to illegally reroute your mail to a different location. If you suddenly stop receiving mail, check with the post office to make sure this isn’t the case.
• Use a mailbox with a locking system to deter thieves.
5. Your Computer
You think this one would be common knowledge by now, but every so often a virus or scam comes along that trips us up. Stay one step ahead of scammers:
• Keep your firewall, anti-virus and operating system software up to date. No matter how new and fast your laptop is, it still needs protection.
on your Instagram feed? Keep your accounts private and make sure you’re not accidentally broadcasting sensitive information.
• Enable spam filters on your email accounts.
• Look out for sketchy links and emails. Ignore any suspicious password reset requests, unexpected mail tracking numbers, or anything that asks for your personal information over email.
• Don’t over share on social media. Do your Facebook friends really need to know what year you were born? Can people tell when no one is home based
By being aware of top five information jackpots and implementing these simple strategies, you can keep identity thieves at bay. Laurissa resides in Roanoke with her family and is the Director of Marketing for Blue Eagle© Credit Union. She has worked in credit unions for more than 20 years, has a passion for financial education, and believes stronger individuals make a stronger community.
and treat them like family
For those who care for adults with disabilities,
it’s more than a job
Article by: Dan Montgomery Photos provided by Lutheran Family Services of Virginia
Everyone gets greeted at Walmart. But not like Kevin and Leslie Jordan and their “guys.”
“Good morning!” “Hi there!” “How are y’all today?” The hellos and waves come every few steps as they work their way up and down the aisles.
The Jordans are part of a Family Care Home program offered by Lutheran Family Services of Virginia and funded through Medicaid. They are paid to care for Khamani Jones and another man with intellectual disabilities (we’ll call him Charles). Both live with the Jordans in their tidy Roanoke home.
Except that they don’t actually spend much time at home. There is always some place to go and something do with Khamani and Charles, either together or individually. There are day support programs, music lessons, church, and, until recently, school for Khamani. Charles loves to pet horses and watch planes take off from the nearby airport. They are also regulars at Toys “R” Us, PetSmart, Five Below and, especially, Walmart, which explains all the familiar greetings.
“We come here at least three times a day,” says Kevin, laughing, as two more store employees converge on them to say hi.
Retail Therapy
These outings give Khamani and Charles, (who is at a day support program this particular morning) practice interacting with others in the community and making judgments about sensible purchases. They also get in a lot of exercise this way (they both love pushing shopping carts). The Jordans dole the trips out carefully, a few minutes here, a small purchase there, ordering one’s own lunch at another place, and so on.
“You start with a schedule,” Kevin says. “You keep a routine, and you go with it.”
As the Jordans’ routines became more comfortable for everyone, Kevin and Leslie got to know Khamani and Charles better and better. The better they got to know and care about each other, the more like a family they became.
“When you see them making progress, you feel so proud!” Leslie says. That would sound familiar to Kathy Marquis, who lives outside Lynchburg. She already has children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She’s a busy person. So it may be surprising that she too is a family care provider, sharing her home with Shelly Johnson.
A Better Way
Or perhaps it’s no surprise at all, given Marquis’ previous experience working at a training center for adults with disabilities.
“Individuals were housed in groups, in institutions, with meals on trays, herded on a bus for maybe a ride to go see something,” Marquis says. “I thought there could be a better way of life for the people I was taking care of.”
For Shelly, Marquis’ family care home is that better way.
“Family care homes provide individualized care based on the wants, needs, likes, dislikes, and preferences of the person they are serving,” says Jama Schubert, Lutheran Family Services of Virginia’s assistant director of developmental services. “Community living affords individuals opportunities that they would otherwise not have. Vacations, birthday celebrations, holiday
events, attending church and sporting events, and even simply a meal out are luxuries for individuals that at one time experienced life in an institution.”
Khamani Jones hams it up on guitar for Leslie Jordan. Music is big part of life at the Jordan home
The Power of Listening
For Shelly, Charles, and Khamani, that combination of independence and personalized care means everything from decorating their own rooms to exploring new interests (music is a big one in the Jordan house) to simply having someone listen patiently when they express themselves – something that shouldn’t be taken for granted.
“Shelly has 20-to-25 words than can be understood, then it’s a combination of gestures and a little sign language she’s learned,” Marquis says. “It’s like I know a second language, but no one else knows it but me and her.”
The Jordans, too, have become attuned not just to what Khamani and Charles can communicate directly, but also to the tiniest nonverbal signals of wants, likes, dislikes and frustrations. “They don’t always say it,” Leslie says. “You have to learn to see it.”
“You have to be aware before something happens,” Kevin says.
Not for Everyone
Which points to something obvious, yet profound, about the job of family care provider: It’s not for everyone. The very thing that makes family care
homes so successful – the full-time, long-term commitment to a person in need -- can be tough on the provider.
“You have to have a certain temperament – and probably have a bit of patience,” Kathy says.
“You have to be willing to give more of yourself, to be as nice as possible,” Kevin says.
Who fits the description of a successful family care provider?
“Anybody who has a heart,” Leslie says, “and can show love to someone and invite them into their home and treat them like family.”
A New Way of Living
The first months are the toughest, Leslie says. People with intellectual disabilities often have a hard time adjusting to a new home.
“But when you get past that, it’s amazing, just amazing,” she says.
Shelly’s first year or so with Marquis was certainly difficult. People who meet Shelly now remark on her smile and personality. It’s a big change from when she came to Kathy in 2003.
“She was very angry – she was lashing out,” Kathy says.
Schubert remembers that period, and how Kathy helped Shelly change.
“The difficult behaviors that Shelly was known for in the institution waned with the passing of time,” Schubert says. “Solid consistency was the key, and Kathy provided that. Her patience and calm demeanor has served her well.”
Back in Roanoke, the Jordans stop at Wendy’s, where Khamani orders salad and a chicken wrap, carries the tray to a table and, after a blessing, digs in. Kevin and Leslie look on with a combination of pride and watchfulness.
“It’s a better life than you would assume,” Kevin says.
“We’ve learned to see the world through their eyes,” Leslie says. “They give us an opportunity to learn a new way of living.”
Caring for an adult with disabilities: What’s it take?
Under Lutheran Family Services of Virginia’s Medicaid-funded Family Care Home program, certain adults with disabilities live with caregivers who become, in effect, a trained, professional family.
Family care home providers are reimbursed according to a Medicaid formula that considers the intensity of the individual’s needs and the number of service hours needed each week, but there is a lot of training, licensing and documentation to navigate first.
This all happens under a philosophy that says adults with disabilities should live as independently as possible. Parents or other relatives can become sponsored residential providers – if the individual needing care has behavioral or medical needs not easily managed by a hired caregiver or in a group home.
Not everyone is a good fit for the job of family care provider. You must want to expand your family. You’ll need plenty of time to dedicate to the person living with you, and you’ll need to be motivated not just to house and feed that person, but to help him or her live a full life and succeed as a member of the community.
And, it’s a long-term commitment.
“It is a huge investment of time,” says Jama Schubert, Lutheran Family Servic es’ assistant director of developmental services. Fortunately for many adults with disabilities, “some people are just born to be caregivers.”
From Books to Blessings
A christian therapist’s advice to children stuggling with a learning disorder.
Article by: Wendy Wall
Every morning, I hit the ground running. It is usually quite early, and my work days can last 12+ hours. I should be exhausted and burned out. Instead, I am rejuvenated and happier than I have ever been in my life. I own a private special education practice and tutoring service where I teach special needs learners--the kids who daily face struggles that many of us don’t realize or comprehend. These kids are AMAZING! They bring joy and excitement to my life, and their successes fuel the fire of my passion to help them. Every day. It never fails. They shine a light that I am so thankful to see, feel, and know.
I mentioned that these kids endure struggles in school. Many of us recall feelings of anxiety from when we were in school—like the time when the teacher called on us to answer, and we had no clue of what to say--or when we were asked to read out loud in front of everyone. Many of my students experience a panicky, lost, or a sunken feeling not just every day, but several times a day. Many watch their peers do work they don’t understand, and they beat themselves up wondering what is wrong with them. Getting grades that aren’t very good, especially after trying and studying so hard, is nothing more than defeating and discouraging. Frequently, these kids get the wrong messages about who they are and their
value to the world around them. Sometimes, teachers and peers inadvertently give negative messages. At other times, there are bullies who know exactly what they are doing. There are also times when kids send negative messages to themselves. The bad news is that these messages are often internalized and quite erroneous. The good news is that they can be replaced with the different ones.
I am a Christian. To read and get the point of the rest of this article does not require the reader to be one. However, I have found that there are messages I have learned in my faith that absolutely apply to my students. If my students are Christians, and their parents don’t mind, I can say what I write here with no filters. If my students are not, I can find ways to convey the same messages without imposing a faith on them that they do not share.
Here are ten messages I believe all students who face learning and social challenges need to hear:
1. God made every person precisely the way He wanted. There were NO mistakes. Once, I had a professor post a cartoon with the caption, “I know I am special because God does not make junk.” That is exactly right. God was very careful, deliberate, and loving
when He made each of His children— strengths and weaknesses included. As you journey through this life, keep this in mind.
2. No human is perfect. If you are a Christian, you believe only one man walked the earth in perfection. The rest of us are flawed and will make mistakes. It is normal to be imperfect. Even the person you think seems perfect is not and will have weaknesses that you may not even be able to see. So, don’t beat yourself up for being imperfect. We all are!
3. God gave you the talents, gifts, and skills that He wanted you to have, so you can fulfill your purpose in this life. In other words, if math is not your talent, don’t kick yourself for it. Do the best you can with math. Perhaps you are better at speaking, writing, or dancing, and God has a whole future planned for you that will involve your strengths. What if you went down a path that involved having a strength in some other skill? What if you missed out on something important because you went down a different path—like meeting your best friend ever? Be excited that you have the strengths and gifts you do. This does not mean blow off math. Always do your best. That is all anyone, including God, could ask of you.
4. Don’t worry if you are the last one to turn in a paper or the one who doesn’t know how to spell like the person next to you in class. You have your own pace, your own life, and your own plan. We should love our neighbors as ourselves, but we don’t need to BE our neighbors and constantly compare ourselves to them. It is okay to be the YOU that you are and to do things in YOUR OWN ways. It is also okay for your neighbors to be who they are and to do things in their own ways.
5. Other people don’t get to decide your value. Nobody has that power other than God--not the teacher, the kids at the other lunch table, your best friend--no one. If you are hearing messages that you are no good, that you will never be worth much, etc.— whether it is from yourself or someone else, stop listening. God knows you are absolutely worthy, and that’s why He put you here!
6. It is okay to feel like you want to give up, but don’t. The Bible tells us to do our work as if for the Lord. Even school work counts. If you do what you can and know that it was your best effort, then you can be at peace
with whatever challenge you face and whatever grade you get.
7. The Bible tells us to consider it a pure joy when we have struggles and trials of many kinds. That seems so crazy, but the point is that these experiences shape us into the people God wants us to be. We learn. We grow. We change. So when times are tough or something is really hard, don’t wallow in misery. Understand that things will work out for the good. Knowing how to get through hard times is actually an important skill to learn.
8. Think good thoughts. Sometimes, it is easy to focus on the things that have gone wrong. We can’t just blow off the fact that something didn’t go the way we hoped, but we make a mistake when we get stuck and can’t stop thinking about it. Be ready to move forward. The Bible tells us to think about good things—things that are right, noble, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. If you look around, there are lots of great things that deserve your attention. Filling your brain with those thoughts will definitely make you feel better! Also, praying about good things is far
Your child to a Royal Summer
better than thinking about bad stuff, too!
9. Asking for help does not make you a weak person. God puts people all around us who have gifts, talents, knowledge, and ideas to share. Be willing to ask for help. We aren’t meant to be Lone Rangers in this life! We need each other.
10. You are important, wonderful, loved, and very much needed. As I mentioned before, God has a plan for you. You may not know what all the plans are, but today is part of your plan. Enjoy and make the most of it! Remember that you may be a vessel of great blessings to others in ways you may not even imagine.
“Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up.” These words are favorites from 1 Thessalonians, and I believe it is my calling with my students. This is what I do--day in and day out. My work is far more than remediating reading, writing, and math. I am thankful for every student who has blessed my life, and I know I have truly lived.
3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
Article By: Stephanie Cunningham of Roanoke Kids Eat Free
Being a mom of two (with a major sweet tooth!), I have tried to change our habits and ways of thinking about food. Food is meant to nourish our bodies, of course, but why does watching what you consume have to be bland or not fun?
I made a decision early on as a mom to provide my children with “healthier” options, while also teaching them it’s okay to want a treat. I ran across this recipe from My Whole Food Life for 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies. At first, I thought they sounded too good to be true, but after making them and seeing that they were a hit for my family -I’m now a believer!
What you will need:
• Baking Sheet
• Parchment or Wax paper
• Cookie Scoop
• Food Processor (If you don’t have one, a hand mixer will work just fine.)
Easiest Cookies Ever!
Directions:
Ingredients:
• 1 cup of unsalted peanut butter (I found this in the health food aisle at my local grocery store)
• 1/2 tsp of salt
• 1/3 cup of maple syrup
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheet with wax/parchment paper.
2. Combine all ingredients into the food processor (or mixing bowl if you are using a hand mixer). Mix until everything is combined.
3. Using the cookie scoop (mine was a medium-sized scoop), scoop out cookies onto cookie trays. Once all the cookies are on the baking sheet, take a fork and make a criss cross pattern on each cookie.
4. Place in the oven and cook for 10 minutes.
Tip: Let the cookies completely cool before enjoying, or they will crumble apart.
Autism At A Glance
We all have heard about it -- from parents to teachers to employers to classmates. There have been articles wirtten about it, news features on families affected by it, or conversations with friends whom it has directly affected. Autism is something that many people have heard of, but may not fully understand. What exactly IS autism? How is it diagnosed? How many people have it? How do I know if my child has autism? What are things to look for?
Our friends at Centra Mental Health Services are here to help us have a better understanding of autism and what it means, who it affects and how it can be detected.
What Is Autism?
A growing epidemic, autism affects one in 68 children, according to the Centers for Disease Control. According to statistics, autism cases have skyrocketed with a 30 percent bump in the last two years. In the United States, one out of 42 boys and one in 189 girls are diagnosed with autism. More than two million people in the U.S., along with tens of millions
worldwide, have autism.
Although autism ranges in severity, the complex disorder affects brain development, typically characterized by difficult social interaction, weakened verbal and non-verbal communication and repetitive behaviors. Autism is also associated with poor motor control and attention, intellectual disability and health issues, including sleep and gastrointestinal disturbances.
With autism on the rise, experts lean on early diagnostic tools to identify children with autism and help families locate resources for helpful intervention. “Getting the diagnosis early will help children get the services they will need,” said Jitendra Annapareddy, M.D., who leads the The Centra Autism & Developmental Center in Lynchburg.
“If children can receive the appropriate services, there is a greater likelihood for them to excel in school, get a job and become self-sufficient. Our goal is to help them become independent adults.”
According to Dr. Annapareddy, half of children diagnosed with autism have normal intelligence levels, typically lack social skills and require speech therapy. The sooner a child is diagnosed, the greater chance for long-term success. In severe cases, children often show signs of autism by six months of age. Milder symptoms typically present themselves later.
Many families go for years without receiving an autism diagnosis, struggling to help children that cannot communicate. “Their view of the world is different than others. We want to focus on making improvements rather than living
Article By: Dee Reynolds
from crisis to crisis. Autism treatment requires a lifetime focus that equips families and children to handle challenges,” Dr. Annapareddy said.
How Is Autism Detected?
Children with autism often display early warning signs, including:
• Lack of eye contact
• Difficulty interacting with people
• Lack of language development
• Lack of joyous responses
What If My Child Is Diagnosed With Autism?
• Spend time learning about autism. Be your child’s best advocate.
• Find an autism support group nearby.
• Do not try to go it alone. Lean on the support of others.
• Find strength in each other. The divorce rate for couples with a child with autism is high. Supporting and encouraging each other will help parents and children.
• Trust your instincts. If you suspect your child is not meeting certain milestones, talk with your doctor.
• Become actively engaged in your child’s education and ask questions.
• Play to your child’s strengths.
• Get on the floor or go outside and play with your children.
• Build up your children socially by talking with them often and asking questions.
• In order to care for your child, you must take care of yourself.
• Give yourself time to adjust to this new diagnosis and remember that it is okay to feel a wide range of emotions.
• Celebrate progress, no matter how small.
• The earlier treatment is started, the better.
How Can The Schools Help?
When children are first diagnosed, parents should contact their local school division to learn about the breadth of services available to them. Under state law, the school system is responsible for educating special needs children over two years old.
“Many higher functioning children with autism do not need special services,” said Wyllys VanDerwerker, director of special education for Lynchburg City Schools. “Some children need services a few hours a week and others may receive help all day.”
School systems work closely with parents to establish IEPs and direct them towards the appropriate resources. “When they are overwhelmed, they should call the special education office,” VanDerwerker said. “We walk parents through the process and connect them with valuable resources.”
Each year, school divisions across the country celebrate monumental successes with children with autism. VanDerwerker routinely sees children on the autism spectrum graduate high school and attend prestigious colleges or universities.
School divisions also offer summer services for children with autism that need services year-round. “We see a large majority of students improve. Some improve to the point that they are able to go into a regular
classroom,” said Teresa Brennan, M.D., of Developmental Pediatrics, which treats children with autism in Lynchburg.
Children’s best advocates must be their parents. “Sometimes, parents just feel something is not right,” Dr. Brennan said. “The core defining trait with autism is struggling in social interactions. If you think your child might not be developing, don’t be afraid to ask for help.”
Dr. Brennan said parents should seek out the services their child needs. “We know the earlier the intervention, the better. We know children with autism need speech therapy because a common deficit is language skill,” she said.
Gena Barnhill, Ph.D, associate professor of special education at Lynchburg College, encourages parents to find a local autism support group. “Parents need to feel the support of other parents in similar situations. It helps to be with people of a like mind,” Dr. Barnhill, who has an adult son on the autism spectrum, said. “The parents know their children better
than anyone else. The parents have to be the number one advocate for their children.”
Many parents live with fear of their child’s future, making the need for teaching occupational and vocational skills very important. “Parents often wonder, ‘Will my child ever live independently?’” Dr. Barnhill said. “Autism may appear to be a setback, but there is also reason for hope if children receive the necessary services.”
With autism on the rise, there are endless resources available for parents, grandparents, children, etc. to learn more about autism and find support from others who are affected by this diagnosis. Centra Mental Health Services has dedicated a portion of their website, to help bring awareness to autism, the many programs that they have to help families affected by autism and a very inspiring story about a local family whose son was diagnosed with autism at an early age. For more information on autism, visit Centra Mental Health services online at www. KidsGetBetter.com.
Embracing Kota:
A Down Syndrome Birth Story
Article By: Dee Reynolds Photos provided by Whitescarver Photography
Anytime a couple welcomes a new baby into the world, there’s always a level of anxiety and stress. From late night feedings and lack of sleep, to the financial responsibility a new member of the family brings. You want to make sure your baby is happy and healthy, and when they are crying you don’t know if it’s because they’re hungry, messy or in pain. While having a baby can be stressful for many new parents, it’s also a time of extreme joy! Your baby has their whole life ahead of them and the opportunities are endless. Watching them giggle and kick their tiny little feet can bring a smile to even the grumpiest of faces, and there’s nothing quite like that new baby smell. For parents, even the happiest, healthiest baby can be a time of a lot of mixed emotions. Just imagine the emotion when a doctor enters the room and tells the happy parents that their little bundle of joy has something called Down syndrome. For a local couple, this was their reality seven years ago.
Kevin Shaw, of Blacksburg, found out that his precious daughter, Dakota (“Kota”) was diagnosed with Down Syndrome after she was born; leaving him and his family with many questions, concerns and looking desperately for somewhere to turn for answers. “When Kota was born, I felt like I had been hit over the head with a sledge hammer. The doctors hadn’t discovered that she had Down Syndrome until after her birth. It was obviously a shock, and I didn’t know where to turn or how to educate myself.” Instead of letting their uncertainty and fears get the best of them, Kevin and his wife, Allison, rallied together with their family to find support, get answers and seek out resources to help during this difficult time. “That is where The Down Syndrome Society of the New River Valley truly stepped in and guided me, gave suggestions, and resources. I was able to quickly educate and start Kota with NRVCC (New River Valley Community Services – Early Intervention Program) which
was an absolutely an amazing service and process. Their impact on Kota was mind blowing and, honestly, exceeded our expectations.”
Since Kota’s birth and her diagnosis with Down Syndrome, she has become a blessing to the Shaw family and to the Community. Kevin and his wife have a blended family with seven amazing children: Lindsay (21), Allison (17), Chloe (10), Christian (9), Atali (8), Kota (7) and their youngest, Peyton (6). Kevin tells us that the family’s love for Kota is amazing! And she makes it so very easy to be loved. “Kota is an amazing child. Her impact on our family is incredible. She is such a ray of sunshine in our lives. Kota is full of energy, has an amazing sense of humor and loves with everything that she has! She is truly a blessing.”
The energy that Kota gets must come from her father honestly, because Kevin has spent much of his own time and energy giving back to the community to support children in need. Kevin is the owner of nine Domino’s Pizza locations in Roanoke, New River Valley
and Prince ton, West Vir ginia (with plans on building more!)
Not only has giving back to the Com munity been a per sonal commitment to Kevin, he has made this a part of his profes sional life. His Domino’s Pizza stores were part of a national contest spon sored by Coca-Cola, where the winning franchise was awarded a trip to Canada to run with the U.S. Olympic Torch during the Vancouver Games. They created a contest/fundraiser focused on helping children with special needs. With the support of the Community, they were able to raise enough money to win the contest, making Kevin the first domestic Domino’s Franchisee to run with the torch. Kevin tells us, “We
help our community as much and as often as possible. In fact, my wife and I recently established a partnership with Special Olympics of the New River Valley in hopes to assist them in their incredible program. We will be giving 100% of the proceeds from our pizza sales to this program at their upcoming 4th of July event.” While he is a part of a national chain of businesses, he feels that he has a responsibility to gives back and support the local community in which we live.
After his daughter was diagnosed with Down Syndrome, Kevin was so impressed by the support and care shown to his family that he is now a board member of the Down Syndrome Society
Stars of the Valley
of New River Valley, with hopes of providing the same resources for those families who find out that their baby will have Down Syndrome before it’s born, or for those fam ilies (like theirs) who won’t find out until after the birth.
“Her positive influence on our life has been immeasurable”, the proud
locally, such as the Children’s Miracle Network, Carilion Children’s Hospital, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, Feeding America of Southwest Virginia, Intellectual Disabilities of the NRV
to a charity. Kevin is showing his love and dedication to Kota by supporting the foundations aimed at helping children in need.
While parenting any child can be challenging on many levels, it can also be one of the most rewarding experiences ever. For many parents who find out that their newborn baby has Down syndrome, it can be hard to look to the future when so many emotions come to surface. Taking it one day at a time is so very important, and so is keeping a positive attitude. There are so many
“Her positive influence on our life has been immeasurable”
with Special Needs children) is “get ting people to realize that children with Special Needs or disabilities are amazing people and to approach them as you would anyone else”.
They encourage other parents, step-parents, grandparents and relatives of special needs children to give back to the Community and become involved. There are many local charities that they have found very worthwhile
Challenger Baseball Clinic. While there are literally thousands of charities in across the country who do good for people of all ages and circumstance, the Shaw’s feel a special desire to give back to local charities who focus on children. Whether it is volunteering time, sharing his story, encouraging his employees to get involved in the Community, or giving monetary donations and proceeds from various promotions
beginning down the same path that they have been travelling since Kota’s diagnosis as a baby. “Society has come a long way, but we all need to learn to lead more with love and kindness”. What a great a great sentiment for us all to have, but especially for those of us who are parents as we teach our children a spirit of giving and acceptance.
Learning ThroughPlay
Bouncing a ball teaches a child about physics, helps develop their gross motor skills and can even promote social skills like sharing and patience. Discovery Toys has an extensive line of toys engineered to help children of all skill levels learn through their playtime. See the full line at www.discoverytoys.com/concordtoylady
1 Playful Patterns
• Learn primary colors, basic shapes, & basic puzzle play.
• Develop fine motor skills, visual perception, & problem-solving.
• Encourage pre-math & pre-reading skills using 34 progressively challenging design cards or create your own open-ended patterns using the wooden geometric shapes.
• Enhance creative expression through logic and spatial thinking.
2. Tangiball
• The nubby texture adds a layer of tactile stimulation, reinforcing the motor skill, hand-eye coordination and spatial thinking development from ball play.
• The tips of the nubs are rounded for a safer, smoother tactile experience. Roll the ball over your body for a massage effect.
• The pleasant vanilla scent simultaneously engages the sense of smell, helping to reinforce the kinesthetic learning.
3. Family Talk
• Foster language and communication skills.
• Non-threatening opportunity to discuss sensitive life issues or situations.
• Strengthen memory recall, imagination, and creative thinking
• Develop the ability to verbally express emotions.
4. Tricky Fingers
• Develop coordination and fine motor skills by solving 3D puzzles.
• Develop independent play after limited instruction.
5. Rhyme Out
• Build social skills with cooperative game play.
• Reinforce vocabulary skills with sight words & images.
• Encourage out-of-the-box thinking and imaginative play.
“As a mom of three and a foster mother to many, I have relied on Discovery Toys to help me in educating my own children and in running my day care. Whether it be math, science, or reading the toys are multifunctional in teaching touch, color, size, stacking, or letting the children use their imagination. I have used Discovery Toys for over 30 years, and still use many of the original toys. Discovery Toys, in my opinion, are a must have if you have children.”
-Linda Forest, VA
TheAdventures of Eliza&Joey
In Which a Sword Is Sort of Found, a King is Almost
Crowned, and Some Questions Kind of Explained
Reggie swooped and glided over the village in a long graceful dance with the wind. After Merlin, or, rather, the man pretending to be Merlin had disappeared, Eliza had flung open the door and raced out of the tree trunk to join the boys. No sooner had she left, then the entire workshop had groaned and twisted and shrunk right into the ground, leaving nothing behind but a little tree stump. Once they had gotten over their shock, the three children raced off to follow the owl in the air. Wart, the tallest, ran a few feet ahead, and Joey took the opportunity to ask his sister some questions.
“Hey, Eliza,” Joey whispered as they chased the bird. “What happens if we don’t fix the story? What if we can’t find the sword in time?”
Eliza thought for a moment. “I don’t know, Joe. I talked with Grandpa one time, but he didn’t really say anything about it other than to never, ever do it. That and something about getting lost in the new story.”
“What does that mean?” said Joey
“I don’t know,” answered Eliza. “But I don’t think I want to find out.”
Up ahead, Wart paused. “Stop!” He called, pointing to a snowfilled churchyard. “Look over there!” In the middle of the snow was an alter, and on the alter was an anvil, and sticking up out of the anvil was the hilt of a bright, gleaming sword, on which Reggie perched.
“Reggie,” said Wart, his voice tinged with disappointment. “That sword’s stuck in the anvil. We can’t get it out!”
“It’s worth a shot,” said Eliza, who remembered a similar scene from when she first read the book. “Besides, this is clearly where Reggie was leading us; it may be our only chance.”
Impatient, Joey climbed up onto the alter and pulled at the anvil. It didn’t even budge. Placing his hands on the sword hilt, he pulled. And pulled. And pulled. And nothing happened.
“I told you it was stuck,” Wart retorted.
“A little help here, Wart,” Joey grunted, still pulling away. Wart lifted himself easily up onto the alter and tugged with
Joey. Suddenly, the sword shifted ever so slightly. The children all looked at one another with shock and delight.
“Joey,” Eliza suggested. “Step back for a sec. Let Wart try.”
Joey stepped away and then jumped to the ground, landing with a solid “oomph” in the snow. Wart placed one foot on the anvil to steady himself and heaved with all his might. Then, with a metallic sound, the sword slid from the anvil, and Wart swung it up into the air. Thunder rumbled in the distance, light peeked through the clouds in a shinning beam, and the sword started to glow.
Right at that very moment, the priest came out of the church, took one good, shocked look at the children, and then ran toward the jousting arena. “Come quick!” he shouted to the challengers. “Come quick! The sword has been taken! The sword has been taken!”
Wart’s jaw dropped open and fear crept into his eyes. “Oh, no!” he cried. “Now I shall get into even more trouble!” After multiple tries, he managed to slide the sword back into the anvil. “We should get out of here!” he added, jumping from the alter. “I’d rather face Kay with no sword than be accused of stealing!”
“No, Wart,” Eliza said. “We shouldn’t run. You’ve done nothing wrong.”
“Not according to the look on that priest’s face,” he added gesturing in the direction of the fled clergyman. “We need to get out of here!”
But it was too late! Dozens upon dozens of villagers were streaming into the church courtyard from the town and from the tournament, surrounding the three children. Joey reached for Liza’s hand while Wart backed up against the alter.
Kay, the priest, and a shorter, stouter blonde-headed man, came forward. Liza guessed that this new man was Kay’s father, and he stepped out of the crowd, looking for Wart.
“Did you pull that sword from this anvil, boy?” he asked roughly.
“Father,” Wart tried to explain, “I wasn’t trying to steal. I just was looking for a sword for Kay. Please. You have to believe—”
“Did you pull that sword from this stone?” he asked again, even more bluntly.
“Yes,” Wart confessed, his head hung low. “I did.”
Now the priest came forward: “Can you do it again, my boy?”
Wart glanced at Eliza and Joey, his eyebrows knotted in confusion. But Eliza only nodded in encouragement. So Wart swung up onto the alter, took a deep breath, and pulled once again at the sword. And just as before, it slid from the anvil as though the giant block was a sheath instead of solid stone. Thunder rumbled in the distance, light peeked through the clouds, and the sword started to glow.
The crowd gasped in awe, and all, including Wart’s father and Kay, bowed before the children.
“What’s wrong?” Wart whispered to Eliza and Joey. Then, he shouted to the crowd, “Why are you bowing?”
The priest approached in response. “Young man, what is your name?” he asked.
“Everyone calls me Wart,” the young boy answered. His words made the priest’s face twist in horror. Eliza thought he was about to faint.
“But his birth name was Arthur,” Kay’s father cut in before the priest could swoon.
“Arthur, is it?” the priest clarified. Wart nodded.
“Very well, then,” the old man said, slightly recovered. “Young Arthur, there laid an enchantment over that sword. It was said that the man who could pull it from the anvil was also meant to be the next King of Britain.” He laughed to himself then. “To think, we almost had to put King Wart in the history books.”
Arthur looked around, stunned.“That can’t be true! I’m just a squire in training. I can barely fit Kay in a suit of armor. I’m no king!”
“But you are, Arthur,” Merlin had suddenly appeared from the middle of the crowd. Liza noticed that this Merlin’s beard was white with grey flecks and he seemed not to recognize either her or Joey in the least. This, she thought, must be the storybook character the man earlier was impersonating. “Tis truly a happy day for us all,” Merlin exclaimed to the crowd.
“Eliza,” Joey whispered at her side. “That Merlin looks different from the one we met earlier!”
“I know, Joe.”
“Does that mean we fixed the story?” he asked. “I mean, this is what’s supposed to happen, right? Wart’s supposed to become king?”
“Yes,” she answered. “Wart’s supposed to become king, and, as far as I can tell, everything that’s happened since Reggie brought us to the sword has happened exactly like it’s supposed to in the book. Merlin,” she added, remembering their encounter with not-Merlin before, “is a different story, but I’ll tell you all about that when we get home.”
Joey looked back up at Wart and whispered, “I don’t know, Eliza. Are you sure everything’s okay? Wart seems kind of scared up there.”
“He is at first,” she smiled, looking up at the boy-king. “But he’s really good at his job. We’ll come back another time, and I’ll show you.”
“Wait, we’re leaving?” Joey asked, his voice almost a whine. In
front of them, the crowd broke out into cheers: “Long live the King! Long live the King! Long live the King!” Suddenly Arthur was lifted up on dozens of hands and carried back toward the village.
“Where are they taking him!” Joey cried in a panic.
“It’s alright, Joe!” Eliza reassured. “They’re taking him to the palace to be crowned.”
“Oh,” Joey nodded and turned back to Arthur, waving. “See you later, Arthur!” But Eliza doubted that Arthur could hear her brother over the shouting.
“Don’t worry, Joe. We’ll come back and check on Wart soon. We have to get back home before dinner.”
“Promise?” her brother asked.
“Promise.” she smiled, grabbing his hand in hers and taking out the small piece of paper she always kept in her jean pocket. She unfolded the wrinkled sheet and began reading aloud a description, a description of her room. Soon, the snow had turned to brown hardwood and the churchyard back into Eliza’s bedroom. And they were back not a moment too soon. For just as the two became fully solid, they heard a brief knocking on the door: it was Ms. Hearthstone, checking on them.
“You two have been awfully quiet up here,” she said, opening the door. “What mischief have you been up to?”
“Nothing,” they replied together. “I was just reading to Joey,” Eliza added.
Ms. Hearthstone smiled, looking back and forth from her children to the giant book spread out before them. “Well, then” she said, “dinner’s almost ready. You wanna come downstairs and help me set the table?”
At the thought of food, Joey sprung from his spot on the floor and ran toward the door.
“Are you forgetting something, Joey,” their mother added as Eliza closed the book and started standing up. “Don’t forget to thank your sister for reading to you.”
“Thanks, Liza!” came the hurried response. Eliza rose and heaved the book back onto its place on the shelf. Looking at its binding made Eliza remember the man with the red beard. Before bed, she was going to have to talk to Joey about this stranger who had pretended to be Merlin. But who was he? Liza had never met another with her gift, not another who could travel into books and talk to their characters. And what had not-Merlin meant about the shadows? Today was the first time Eliza had ever seen them, but somewhere in her gut, their presence in the books worried her. Liza needed some answers, and she was determined to get some. But not tonight. Tonight, she needed to help her mother set the table. As she closed the door to her room, she heard her mother and brother talking downstairs.
“So,” her mother asked Joey. “What did you read about?”
“Oh, Mom, it was so cool! There was this guy named King Arthur and a sword and he used to be called Wart—”
Eliza laughed and walked down the staircase.
It Takes a Village
Businesses, therapists, educators, and support for families with special needs.
Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare
(540) 981-9351
3517 Brandon Avenue Roanoke, VA, 24018 www.brbh.org
Adult and family counseling services including family support, outpatient care, and early intervention.
Blue Ridge Autism & Achievement Center
(540) 366-7399
312 Whitwell Drive
Roanoke, VA, 24019 www.braacroanoke.org
From constulations with counselors, preschool programs, summer camps for all ages and tutoring help- BRAAC is dedicated to supporting people who have autism succeed and flourish in their goals.
Minnick Education Center
(540) 265-4281
775 Dent Rd
Roanoke, VA, 24019 www.lfsva.org
Minnick Schools serve students age 5 to 22 from 24 Virginia school districts in the Harrisonburg, Roanoke, Wytheville, and Wise regions. Highly trained educators help students find success in their educational path.
Southwest Virginia Advocacy Services
(540) 682-6149
PO Box 867 Hardy, VA 24101 www.svas.biz
Southwest Virginia Advocacy Services will provide parents and guardians of children with disabilities the tools and support they need to secure proper medical and educational services for their child.
Learning & Behavioral Specialists
(540) 985.0876
3812 Concord Place Suite C Roanoke, VA, 24018 www.learningandbehaviorspecialists. com
Learning & Behavioral Specialists offers a wide variety of tutoring, counseling, and family support for children of all skill levels.
East Mental Health Services
(540) 777-3935
3441 Brandon Ave Roanoke, VA, 24018 www.eastmh.com
East Mental Health Services works in collaboration with each individual, to foster independence, empowerment, wellness and hope for a full, meaningful life while managing symptoms of mental illness.
EHS Support Services
(540) 339-9195
1315 2nd St SW #300 Roanoke, VA, 24016
www.ehssupportservices.com
EHS Support Services’ Mission: “To build a stronger community by providing quality mental health services through training, support, and advocacy to empower individuals in the pursuit of happiness, to be who they want to be, and live their best lives now!”
Katie’s Place
(540) 947-2777
1029 Apple Butter Lane Blue Ridge, VA, 24064 www.katiesplacefarm.org
Katie’s Place mission is to improve the quality of life of adults with special needs by providing them with opportunities to demonstrate skills of self-sufficiency and helping them achieve their personal goals as they contribute to their community in meaningful ways.
Therapets
(540) 632-1009
www.therapetsoftheroanokevalley.com
Therapet teams volunteer at local hospitals, schools, scout groups, nursing homes and where ever their animals are needed. They also offer training classes & therapy pet help.
Bricks 4 Kidz
(540) 380-2485
Towers Mall 1060 23rd Street Roanoke, VA, 24015
www.bricks4kidz.com/virginia-roanoke-salem
Bricks 4 Kidz offers a wide variety of classes, summer camps, open play & birthday parties for children of all skill levels.
We Repair While You Watch
Rivermont School
(540) 342-4048
Roanoke, Lynchburg, Danville www.centrahealth.com
Each Rivermont student receives learning opportunities that promote self-actualization, the value of learning, self-discipline, cooperation, resiliency and self-advocacy through teaching excellence, therapeutic support, family participation and community involvement.
Parent 2 Parent USA
National Organization www.p2pusa.org
P2PUSA matches parents across the nation dealing with similar challenges and fosters a relationship to help support and uplift one another.
The Council for Exceptional Children www.cec.sped.org
CEC is an association of educators dedicated to advancing the success of children with exceptionalities. They accomplish that mission through advocacy, standards, and professional development. They offer families resources, tools & counseling.
Special Olympics:
SouthWest VA www.specialolympicsva.org
Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. They offer them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experi-
ence joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.
Camp Easter Seals UCP
(800) 662-7119
900 Camp Easter Seals Rd New Castle, VA, 24127 www.easterseals.com/NCVA
Easter Seals UCP offers traditional overnight summer camps specifically designed for a wide variety of disabilities and limitations.
Photobooth Balloons
Party Supplies Favors Rentals & More! (540) 725-8200 Funtimesvirginia.com 1409 S. Colorado St. Salem, VA
F-U-N Learning with Food
If you’re searching for ways to get little ones excited about learning, try combining fun and function, using food as your teaching tool. Foods that come in letter shapes are a great way to introduce young learners to the alphabet and make learning delightfully F-U-N.
Although it may contradict the popular mealtime mantra to “quit playing with your food,” teaching children to recognize letters using a familiar food, such as cereal, can actually be a great way to promote literacy and a love of reading early on.
You can get started promoting the joys of learning with these “snacktivities” to make snack time as entertaining as it is educational for your littlest family members. Use a nutrient rich cereal, such as Post Alpha-Bits, so when letters start disappearing into those tiny tummies, you can feel good knowing each serving provides 12 of the essential vitamins and minerals growing kids need.
For more great recipes your family will love, visit www.postfoods.com.
Ingredients:
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine
1 package (10.5 ounces) miniature marshmallows
8 cups Post Alpha-Bits Cereal Alphabet-shaped cookie cutters
Directions:
1. Line 13-by-9-inch pan with foil; lightly grease foil.
2. Microwave butter in large microwavable bowl on high for 45 seconds or until melted. Add marshmallows and mix well.
3. Microwave on high for 1 1/2 minutes or until marshmallows are completely melted and mixture is well blended, stirring after 45 seconds.
4. Stir in cereal.
5. Press cereal mixture firmly into prepared pan. Cool.
6. Using the alphabet-shaped cookie cutters, cut cereal mixture into 12-15 pieces.
7. Store in airtight container at room temperature.
The Family Tree
Draw a big tree with lots of branches on construction paper. After the tree is drawn, write out each family member’s name on the branches with colorful markers. Encourage your little ones to match the letters you have written with letters from the Alpha-Bits box. Let them glue the cereal pieces to the tree so you can display their works of art on the refrigerator.
Kids Eat Free (or Cheap!)
Growing Up in the Valley is partnering with Roanoke Kids
Eat Free to bring you the best dining deals in print & online!
Facebook.com/RkeKidsEatFree
See the full list of participating restaurants at Growingupinthevalley.com/kids-eat-free
Sunday
Ragazzi’s
Roanoke
11 AM - 4 PM
1 free kid’s meal per adult (10 & under)
Steak’n’Shake
Hershberger Road
All Day
1 free kid’s meal per adult ($8 or more)
Local Roots
Grandin
All Day
1 free kid’s meal per adult
T.G.I.Fridays
Valley View
All Day
1 free kid’s meal per adult (12 & under)
Moe’s
Blacksburg
All Day
One 99 cent kids meal per adult
Monday
Buffalo Wild Wings
Valley View
4 PM - 9 PM
1 free kid’s meal per adult
McAllister’s Deli
Towers Mall
5 PM - Close
2 free kid’s meals per adult
Firehouse Subs
Blacksburg
All Day
2 free kid’s meals per adult (14 & Under)
Famous Anthony’s
Roanoke & Vinton
3 PM - Close
1 free kid’s meal per adult
Country Cooking
Brambleton & Melrose
4 PM - Close
1 free kid’s meal per adult.
IHOP
Valley View
4 PM -8 PM
1 free kid’s meal per adult (12 & Under)
Mama Maria’s
W Main Salem &Franklin Road Roanoke
All Day
3 & under free buffet w/paid adult
Tuesday
Macado’s
All Roanoke Locations
4 PM - 9 PM
One $1 kid’s meal per adult
Queso Southwestern Grill
Market Building
All Day
1 free kid’s meal per adult ($8 or more)
Town Center Tap House
Daleville
All Day
2 free kid’s meals per adult.
Brambleton Deli
Roanoke
11 AM - 9 PM
1 free kid’s meal per adult.
River City Grill
Radford
4 PM - 10 PM
1 free kid’s meal per adult (12 & under)
Wednesday
Dogwood
Vinton
All Day
1 free kid’s meal per adult (10 & under)
Golden Coral
Towne Square
All Day
1 free kid’s buffet per adult (3 & under)
Thursday
The Roanoker
Roanoke
4:30 PM - Close
2 free kid’s meals per adult ( 10 & under)
River City Grill
Radford
4 PM - 10 PM
1 free kid’s meal per adult (12 & under)
Saturday
Tokyo Express
Salem
All Day
1 free kid’s buffet per adult (5 & under)
Infant Massage
HELPING PARENTS BOND AND IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF THEIR NEW BABY
Learn how to massage your infant to assist with bonding, constipation, sleep, teething, communication, crying and colic. The $45 cost covers four one-hour classes.
We also offer Love and Logic® parenting classes.
Visit CarilionClinic.org/calendar for class schedules. To register for classes, call 540-266-6000.
Family Event Calendar
On Going Events
Salem Fair
July 1- July 12
Mon-Fri 4 PM - 11 PM
Sat-Sun 12 PM - 11 PM
All Ages
Free Admission
Visit growingupinthevalley.com for a $5 coupon off an unlimited ride band for July 8th.
Party in the Park
Daleville Town Center
Every Thursday through Sept 17th
5:30 PM - 9 PM
All Ages
$6/Adult
Free/ 12 & Under
Beauty and the Beast Jr.
Mill Mountain Theatre
July 31 - August 9
Wed-Sat 7 PM
Sat-Sun 2 PM
All Ages
$19/Adults
$13/Child
Millmountain.org
Friday Night Lights
Splash Valley, Roanoke
5 PM - 9 PM
All Ages
Included in admission
Saturday in the Market
Downtown Roanoke
Every Saturday in July
11 AM - 2:30 PM
All Ages
Free to attend
FloydFest
July 22- July 26
Floyd, VA
1 Day Pass $110 at the Gate
$30/Child Ticket
Attic Productions presents 1776
July 2 - July 18
Thurs-Fri 7:30 PM
Saturday 2:30 PM & 7:30 PM
All Ages
$6/person
Young at Art
Taubman Museum, Roanoke
Every Friday in July 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM
Ages 2-5
$5/Non-Members
Free/Members taubmanmuseum.org
19th Annual Mountain Dog Show
Salem Civic Center
July 29- August 2
8 AM - 4 PM
All Ages Free to attend
Fun Fables with Storyteller Vicky Town
July 6: Gainsboro Library 10 AM
& Jackson Park Library 6 PM
July 7: Williamson Road 10 AM, Melrose Library 2 PM & Main Library 6 PM
July 8: Main Library 10 AM
Ages 11 and under
Free
Friday • July 10
Movies in the Market
Downtown Roanoke
6 PM - 8 PM
All Ages Free
Showing this month: Despicable Me 2
Storybook Science
Science Museum of Western Virginia
10:30 AM - 11:15 AM
Ages 3-5
Included in regular admission
Arts & Crafts
Vinton Farmer’s Market
204 W Lee Ave
10 AM - 2 PM
All Ages Free
Saturday • July 11
Blue Ridge Comic Club
Jackson Park Library, Roanoke
10:30 AM
Ages 12 and up Free
Monday • July 13
Summer Time Open Jump Bounce! Roanoke
(Previously Pump-It-Up)
10 AM - 2 PM
Ages 6 & Under: 10 AM - 12 PM
Ages 10 & Under: 12 PM -2 PM
$7.75/Child
Dance Party
Christiansburg Library
1 PM - 1:30 PM
Ages 6 & Under Free
Play Zone
Virginia Techniques 1550 Roanoke Street, Christiansburg VA
1 PM - 3 PM
Ages 2-5
$6/members
$8/non-members
www.vatechniques.com
Tuesday • July 14
Toddler Tales
Amazement Square, Lynchburg
10:30 AM
Ages 2-5
Free with Museum Admission
Cow Appreciation Day
Chick Fil A Locations
All Day
All Ages
Go dressed as a cow and receive 1 free Chick Fil A Meal. (Partial costumes receive 1 free entree.)
Thursday • July 16
Car Seat Safety Check
Firehouse #6
1333 Jamison Ave, Roanoke
4 PM - 6 PM
All Ages Free
Kindergarten
The Guide
Friday • July 17
Bricks 4 Kidz ~ Kidz Night Out Towers Mall, 1060 23rd Street, Roanoke
6 PM - 9 PM
Ages 5-12
$30/child Reservations required.
Saturday • July 18
Breakfast with the Animals
Mill Mountain Zoo
8:30 AM- 10:30 AM
All Ages
$13/Non-Member Adult
$10/Non-Member Child
$10/Member Adult
$7/Member Child
mmzoo.org
Advance Registration Required
Jazz In July
Longwood Park, Salem
4 PM - 7 PM
All Ages Free to attend
Wednesday • July 22
HoneyTree Open House
All HoneyTree Locations
4:30 PM - 6:30 PM
All Ages Free to attend
Thursday • July 24
Miles from Tomorrowland Science Museum of Western Virginia, Roanoke
July 24- July 25
Ages 2-7
Included in regular admission
Saturday • July 25
Touch-a-Truck
Green Hill Park, Salem
10 AM - 4 PM
All Ages Free
Cartoons, Cupcakes & Crafts
Grandin Theatre & Viva La Cupcake
10 AM - 12 PM
All Ages Free
Teen Art Workshops
Taubman Museum, Roanoke
1 PM - 3 PM
Ages 13 & Up
$30/Non-Members
$25/Members
Advance Registration Required
Cartoons, Cupcakes & Crafts
Celebrate
Summer Movies in the Park
Long Mountain Park, Lynchburg
8:00 PM Movie begins at sunset.
All Ages
Free
Showing this month: Big Hero 6
Tuesday • July 28
Colbie Caillat & Christina Perri
Elmwood Park, Roanoke
7:30 PM
All Ages
$28/person
Summer Music Games
Salem Stadium
5 PM All Ages
Friday • July 31
Family Fun Night
Smith Mountain Lake Community Beach
6:30 PM
All Ages
$2/person
Free/3 & Under
Saturday • August 1
3rd Annual Baconfest
Elmwood Park, Roanoke
10 AM - 5 PM
All Ages
$5/person
Free/12 & Under
Mom Business Directory
Custom Critters
Andrea Eagan customcritterz.com (540) 315-7060
Discovery Toys
April Nix concordtoylady@gmail.com
doTerra
Valerie Angle mydoterra.com/vangle valerieangle@gmail.com
doTerra Sheena Hawks mydoterra.com/sheenahawks sheenahawks@yahoo.com (304) 952-3042
Jovial Creations jovialcreations.com 4jovialcreations@gmail.com
Rodan + Fields
Lisa Johnson ljohnson.myrandf.com lisa.a.johnson83@gmail.com (540) 230-6898
Rodan + Fields
Lindsay Tolar lindsaypursuitofpink.myrandf.com lindsaytolar@gmail.com (540) 797-4677
Simply Fun
Teresa Martin
teresa.familyfunnight@gmail.com
Thirty One
Kate Henretta mythirtyone.com/katehenretta katehenretta@gmail.com (321) 863-3859
Tupperware
Stephanie Herndon stephanieherndon.my.tupperware.com starcitytupperware@gmail.com (540) 293-9783
mydoterra.com/vangle valarieangle@gmail.com
