Indy Kids' Directory

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Avery’s Story...

Our son, Avery, was born Sept 2, 2008. He seemed to be a typically developing child, but at 6 months we started having some serious problems getting him to eat solid foods. He would not swallow and when he tried he would gag and vomit. When he turned one, we were still having the same problems so our doctor referred us to First Steps. After months of working with his therapist and having his tonsils and adenoids removed, he finally started eating at twenty one months. It was a long road, but we couldn’t have been happier. At this point we realized his speech was delayed so he stayed with First Steps until he was three. Once he graduated from First Steps they put us in touch with the public schools developmental preschool program. He was tested and qualified so he started the preschool.

After some time in school we decided to make an appointment with a developmental pediatrician to get some answers. We waited several months for an appointment and when we met with the doctor he was not ready to diagnose Avery and sent us on to a geneticist, to rule out genetic disorders. After several more months of waiting we saw the geneticist with all tests coming back fine. So back to the developmental pediatrician we went. At this point Avery was diagnosed with being on the spectrum.

We were told he was high functioning and could benefit from some ABA services. We were relieved because we felt like we could finally get Avery the additional help he needed. We had started looking

into some ABA centers while he was attending Starting Line Preschool’s summer program. We weren’t really sure where to start, but had made a few calls with no luck. The staff at Starting Line put us in touch with a mom whose son attended an ABA center and was very similar to Avery. The teachers had even had a chance to visit the center and loved what it had to offer. In talking with the mother we were given a lot of support and information about the center. We met with the VBCA and really had a great feeling about it. They were willing to work with the hours of his other preschool and we felt like it would be a good fit for Avery.

Avery started with the VBCA in August 2013. We are very happy with the progress he has made and continues to make. Avery loves all of his therapists and enjoys the program.

We are grateful Avery can attend both schools because he has strong bonds with the people at both. We are so lucky that Avery has such a wonderful support team in his teachers, his speech therapist and the staff at the VBCA. They all play an integral part in his development. I don’t know where we would be without their support, kindness and caring for our son. No one wants to hear their child has Autism, but it is nice to know you have options and we feel like we have found the best option for our family. Avery is a happy and healthy five year old, he has four sisters, he loves to be outside, he loves cars, he loves his iPad, watching TV and sledding.

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January Calendar of Events December 26 – January 5 Winter Fun Days at Connor Prairie Don‛t let the post-holiday blues get you down. Come to Conner Prairie and have some fun! Explore the science of baking, test your winter frontier survival skills, and partake in storytelling, puppet shows, and musical entertainment. Play modern and historical games. Experiment, imagine and get creative in Create, Connect, Discovery Station and Craft Corner. www.connorprairie.org.

Saturday, January 4 – Sunday, January 5 The Great Train Expo - The Great Train Expo Indianapolis is one of the greatest events focusing on trains and locomotives. This expo looms large with all train related items. This is a renowned event where dealers and traders will offer a vast range of products like HO Scale, N Scale, Lionel, G Gauge, Z Scale, American Flyer, hobby tools, die cast vehicles, train whistles, scenery items, railroadiana slides, t shirts, videos, railroad gift items, books, photos and much more. Indiana State Fairgrounds.

Saturday, January 18 Indiana High School Solo & Ensemble Extravaganza at the Rhythm Discovery Center. Some of the top percussion students from area High Schools will perform pieces prepared for the ISSMA State Solo & Ensemble Competition. www.

RhythmDiscoveryCenter.org.

Monday, January 20 MLK Day Presentation with Indianapolis Jazz Foundation at the Rhythm Discovery Center. Special Monday program with FREE admission to the museum to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. www.RhythmDiscoveryCenter.org.

Monday, January 20, 2:00 pm Harlem Globetrotters - Harlem Globetrotters perform at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

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Wednesday, January 22 – Sunday, January 26 Disney on Ice: Princesses & HeroesThrough artistic skating and graceful acrobatics, Disney On Ice presents Princesses & Heroes as they beautifully recreate the defining moments when eight Disney princesses‛ wishes are fulfilled with help from their devoted princes.

Tinker Bell guides guests through the inspiring stories of Ariel, Belle, Cinderella, Rapunzel, Tiana, Jasmine, Aurora, and Snow White as their wishes are granted and their dreams come true. Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

Saturday, January 25 Monster Jam at Lucas Oil Stadium - Back by popular demand and the hometown hero, Tom Meents is making a huge return in 2014 with an outrageous attempt at a back-flip driving the one and only Maximum Destruction. The Indianapolis show will also feature the ever-popular Grave Digger driven

by Charlie Pauken for a total of a 16 truck line-up available at www.

MonsterJam.com.

Tuesday, January 28 – Wednesday, January 29 Clowes 4 Kids: The Very Hungry Caterpillar - Back by popular demand, the Eric Carle stories return to Clowes Hall in this beloved production.

Join The Very Hungry Caterpillar on a transformational journey as he changes into a beautiful butterfly, Little Cloud as it changes shapes to depict the things it sees below, and The Mixed-Up Chameleon as he learns the importance of being true to oneself. This extraordinary puppet adaptation features black-light technology to capture the charm and visual style of three favorite books by Carle. www.cloweshall.org.

If you would like your event included in our monthly calendars, submit it by going to wwwIndyKidsDirectory.com.

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taken have t parent throug we sho of pare

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The Fundamentals of Good Parenting Don’t you wish there was a course that you would have taken in high school and college that would have taught you the fundamentals of healthy parenting? It seems that if we are expected to go through drivers’ education before we drive a car, we should be expected to uncover “the basics” of parenting.

Now you know as well as I, that there is not a one size fits all when it comes to childrearing but I have been teaching parenting skills for over 3 decades. When you achieve success with one child, the next child requires a new host of parenting skills! However there are certain guidelines that one can follow to increase parenting success.

I am going to share 4 Parenting Principles and I want you to assess whether you utilize them in your daily routine with your children.

Your children need rules and structure.

As much as they balk and refute the need for rules and structure, it is imperative to teach them early in their development what is expected when it comes to family functioning. No matter what the ages of your children I would ask you to keep it simple when it comes to their routine.

You will have much more success if they have 1-2 responsibilities and if you can keep schedules simple with lots of down time. Your child will have more breathing space to assess what he or she needs to do to be part of the routine.

Kids need an authority figure.

Although our society is becoming more and more democratic, your child needs an authority figure with whom they can feel safe and secure.

Developmentally, children are expected to be much too self sufficient and I believe it is causing behavioral problems because they are not ready to take on the many objectives that a busy family or an understaffed school requires. Therefore it

is important to provide the direction a child needs. It is important to validate and listen to your child so that they feel affirmed and understood. When you have that relationship you can be the democratic authority figure and they are more likely to buy into your wisdom.

Carol Juergensen Sheets

You have to remain undistracted and give your child your undivided attention.

Now I understand that there are not enough hours in the day to stop multitasking but truly it is imperative to sit with each child for at least 20 minutes and check in with them about their life. I realize this means that you may need to cut something out of your day but I promise you that this is a lifeline that your child really needs. Get creative ....ask the neighbor if you can carpool to free up the time, ask your sister if she would play “Taxi Aunt” on Thursdays to put more time into your day. Get out your planner and look for ways to make this happen.

Notice their strengths and comment on them frequently.

You are the #1 influence in your child’s life and you want the majority of your conversation to instill what he or she is capable of achieving in this world and that requires that your child know what makes them special. Each night as they go to their room or when you tuck them in, remind them what you love about them and give them a hug or a kiss. They need your love, affirmations and attention.

You are powerful beyond measure in the eyes of a child.

Carol Juergensen Sheets LCSW PCC is a psychotherapist and personal life coach. She does motivational speaking and empowerment trainings locally and nationally. To find out more about her services--contact her at www. carolthecoach.com or call her at 317 218-3479.

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See pg 13 See pg 20

See pg 26 See pg 7

See pg 8

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12/16/2013 10:25:59 PM

Overwhelmed to Answers

by Janine Shapiro, SLP-CCC, BCBA

Autism Spectrum Disorder now affects one in 88 children — and one in 54 boys — and its prevalence is growing.

ASD is the fastestgrowing serious developmental disability in the United States.

With an increased Janine Shapiro, awareness of ASD and SLP-CCC, BCBA more diagnosis of it, more parents are faced with the question, “What now?”

The uncertainty of the unknown is replaced with overwhelming feelings of not knowing where to turn for help.

The Applied Behavior Center for Autism’s founder, Sherry Quinn, understands firsthand the emotional roller coaster of raising a child with autism. In 1995, Sherry learned that her 2-year-old son, Michael, had autism. At the time, autism was a rare diagnosis; in fact, Michael would later become the first child to be diagnosed with autism in his school district.

Determined to help her son, Sherry searched for information about autism and was drawn to the evidence-based treatment options that applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy offered. At the time, there were no ABA therapy centers in Indiana, so Sherry successfully lobbied with other parents for the passage of the Indiana Autism Mandate, which mandated health insurance coverage for individuals with autism spectrum disorders. Not long after, The Applied Behavior Center for Autism opened its doors. and her son became its first client.

So what is behavior analysis? Behavior analysis is a scientific approach to understanding how the environment influences behavior. The term “behavior” refers to all types of performance, not only inappropriate or undesirable actions. Speech, language, social, learning, daily living, leisure and vocational skills all are behaviors.

ABA focuses on using proven procedures to increase desired behaviors and decrease unwanted behaviors.

These techniques can be used in structured settings (e.g., classrooms and therapy clinics) and

more natural settings (e.g., playgrounds and restaurants). ABA has been used successfully with people of all ages, with and without disabilities, in a variety of settings to promote independence, quality of life and happiness.

Joohee, mother of 5-year-old Adam who has ASD, testifies to the success of ABA therapy, which has made a positive change in her family’s life.

“From a child who was only able to identify objects, Adam is now speaking and using phrases like ‘You’re welcome,’‘Bless you mommy’ and ‘Are you OK?’ in appropriate settings, and those are just a few examples,” Joohee said. “He was also potty trained through The Applied Behavior Center’s potty training program, which was a huge feat.” Joohee said Adam is also adapting well to receiving haircuts thanks to the center’s hair cutting program. He would scream and cry during an entire hair cut prior to the program.

“I cannot give enough examples of how much our child has progressed through his therapy at The Applied Behavior Center. We are very pleased with the results of the ABA therapy and look forward to the progress that our child will yet make,” said Joohee.

Once a child receives the diagnosis of ASD, it important to get him or her into a therapy program, and ABA therapy has the best track record of scientifically demonstrating effective treatments.

Through individualized plans for each child and tracking daily progress at The Applied Behavior Center, we see the quality of life improve not only for the child but for the whole family .

To learn more about how The Applied Behavior Center for Autism improves language and social skills and decreases problem behaviors, contact Jenny Lanham, Director of Business Development at 317-849-5437, ext. 112.

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Monday

Jim Dandy Family Restaurant Kids’ 5 and under eat free from the kids menu - 2301 Conner St, Noblesville, IN 46060 CC Pizza all Indy locations 3 and under eat free Chick Fil-A 3360 W. 86th St. The Pyramids Indy

Tuesday

Scotty’s Brewhouse 3905 E. 96th Street Indianapolis, IN & 1 Virginia Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46204 CR Heroes 10570 E. 96th St. Fishers, IN 46037 - Cancun - 6714 E 82nd St, Indianapolis, IN Jim Dandy Family Restaurant Kids’ 5 and under eat free from the kids menu - 2301 Conner St. Noblesville, IN 46060 Massey’s Pizza Kids’ eat free w/ adult from pizza buffet - 172 Melody Ave., Greenwood, IN CC Pizza all Indy locations 3 and under eat free Chick-fil-A Southport Rd. Indy Kids eat free Tuesday Evenings Chick-fil-A 6020 E. 82nd Castleton Mall Kids’ Eat Free Tuesday’s 4 to 8 Chick-fil-A Noblesville Buy one Get one Free Tuesday 5-9 Chick Fil A Carmel 14647 US 31 North Family Night each Tuesday from 5 till 8 Hellas Café 8501 Westfield Blvd Indy Champps Indy Northside 8711 N. River Crossing Blvd. 2 children eat free with 1 adult meal all day Tuesday Bob Evans’ Family Night Free kids meal with each adult entrée purchase. Every Tuesday from 4- 9 91 Byrd Way, Greenwood in 46143

Wednesday

CC Pizza all Indy locations 3 and under eat free Michaelangelo’s 550 Westfield Rd, Noblesville, IN Jim Dandy Family Restaurant Kids’ 5 and under eat free from the kids menu 2301 Conner St, Noblesville, IN 46060 Chick-fil-A 3802 E. 82nd Indy at the Crossing Indy Kids’ Eat Free Wednesday’s 4 to 8

Thursday

Jim Dandy Family Restaurant Kids’ 5 and under eat free from the kids menu 2301 Conner St, Noblesville, IN 46060 CC Pizza all Indy locations 3 and under eat free

Friday

Jim Dandy Family Restaurant Kids’ 5 and under eat free from the kids menu 2301 Conner St, Noblesville, IN 46060 Chick-fil-A Avon 10791 East US Highway 36

Friday January 10th Family NightTaste of Chick Fil A CC Pizza all Indy locations 3 and under eat free

Saturday

Jim Dandy Family Restaurant Kids’ 5 and under eat free from the kids menu 2301 Conner St, Noblesville, IN 46060 Steak N Shake all Indianapolis locations CC Pizza all Indy locations 3 and under eat free

Sunday

Scotty’s Brewhouse 3905 E. 96th Street Indianapolis, IN & 1 Virginia Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46204 Jim Dandy Family Restaurant Kids’ 5 and under eat free from the kids menu 2301 Conner St, Noblesville, IN 46060 Steak N Shake all Indianapolis locations CC Pizza all Indy locations 3 and under eat free (Please call ahead to verify details) 16

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Autism Consultation

Mika L. Adams, consultant

“Every child can learn.”

“I believe that our responsibility as adults, care givers, and educators is to provide the most effective methods of instruction and support that encourages each child to reach Mika Adams his/her full potential. Progress results from the consistant application of these individualized strategies.

When this occurs a child can flourish.”

( Mika makes house calls. ) 29 Sorrell Court, Zionsville, IN 46077 office: 317.733.0593 • cell: 317.750.0343 • email: mikaadams@sbcglobal.net

www.autismconsultation.net

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12/16/2013 10:30:20 PM

HIGH-STAKES TESTING In 2001, test-based accountability was incorporated in the No Child Left Behind act (NCLB), a federal law that was designed to improve student performance and reduce inequities between ethnic groups and other underserved populations. NCLB requires that annual testing be administered to children in grade three through grade eight and one year of high school. The individual states were required to define adequate yearly progress to get all students to proficiency in the twelve years of school. 1 The schools are also required to employ teachers who are “highly qualified” based on their education and experience. Schools that are unable to demonstrate adequate progress for two consecutive years would be subject to improvement. The school would be required to develop a plan to address their deficiencies. This status would also allow students to transfer to another public school.

After four years, a survey was conducted with the public school officials throughout the country regarding the perceived effectiveness of the regulations. The majority credited the NCLB act with improving student performance, but the focus on math and reading was limiting the amount of instructional time for other subject areas.

The annual testing process places so much emphasis on one measurement causes concern.

Many advocate alternative assessment methods include the use of portfolios, but there is concern regarding the reliability of a subjective assessment process.

According to the American Psychological Association there are appropriate uses for highstakes testing in our nation’s public schools (www. apa.org/pubs/info/brochures/testing.aspx).

According to the article “Appropriate Use of HighStakes Testing in Our Nation’s Schools”, testing can help strengthen and improve our nation’s schools.

Tests can provide information regarding the students’ skills as well as the effectiveness of the instructional techniques that are being used.

All public school districts conduct mandatory testing on an annual basis. While this testing is designed to provide information regarding

student progress, it is often used to determine retention or advancement to the next grade level or graduation. When testing is being used to make these kinds of decisions, it is important that the test itself is not the sole determining factor; additional data are used to make recommendations regarding advancement. Every student, regardless of ability level, needs to have equal access to the curriculum and modifications are available to help level the playing field for those who are English language learners or have disabilities that impact learning.

For students with disabilities who qualify for services through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) programming, modifications for the high-stakes test must be included in the Individual Education Program (IEP). The modifications that might be included are: • Extended test time, • Reduced class size, • The use of a calculator, • Help with the reading and understanding of directions, or • Any other modifications that might help a student successfully demonstrate skills that are being tested (without impacting the test results).

It is important to understand that the use of high-stakes testing is intended to improve curriculum and student performance. When used appropriately, the test can provide valid information regarding student achievement. It is critical to ensure that the test actually provides information about the students’ acquisition of core information and not merely a reflection of the quality of school instruction or resources.

1 Is High-Stakes Testing Working? @ Penn GSE Research: A Review of Research

Mika Adams

Mica Adams

Autism Consultation, LLC

www.autismconsultation.net

866-968-3698

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&

Applied Behavior Center for Autism See pgs. 14, 15, 28 www.appliedbehaviorcenter.org Locations in Greenwood, Indy West, and Fishers Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) focuses on using proven procedures to increase desired behaviors and decrease unwanted behaviors.

Brain Balance See pg. 19 www.brainbalanceindy.com 317.843.9200 9510 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis Brain Balance’s Program has changed the lives of kids suffering with ADHD, learning disorders and behavioral issues. Our Program provides lasting results because we don’t just work with your child’s strengths or compensate for a weakness, we tackle the issue head on, by addressing the root cause at the most fundamental level. We integrate cognitive, sensory-motor and nutritional training into a highly effective, drug-free program that targets your child’s specific challenges.

Children’s Dentistry of Indianapolis See pg. 10 www.indychildrensdentist.com 317.580.9199 9240 N. Meridian St., Suite 120, Indianapolis Infants, Children, Teens, Special Needs Children.

Proud Sponsors of Resources for Special Needs Children Kids Abilities See pg. 9 www.kidsabilities.com 317-851-8419 Kids Abilities is a pediatric therapy clinic that provides high quality services for kids.

Medley Portraits Photographers See pg. 25 www.medleyportraits.com 317.509.3296 Certified Photographer of children with special needs.

Mika L. Adams See pgs. 22, 23 Autism Consultation, LLC 866.968.3698 I develop strategies to help families with children on the autism spectrum. The strategies address the following areas of concern; academic, behavioral, social, and sensory problems.

The Verbal Behavior Center for Autism See pgs. 2, 3 www.vbca.org 317- 848- 4774 9830 Bauer Drive Indpls., IN 46280 The Verbal Behavior Center for Autism provides year- round services offering one-on-one Applied Behavior Analysis therapy to children with autism ages 2 - 12. All programs are overseen by Board Certified Behavioral Consultants who together have a combined 45 years of experience. Tour our center, call us or view our website today!

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