Special Needs Living June 2022 Digital Issue

JUNE 2022

TO GET THE DIGITAL COPY OF SNL THROUGH TEXT MESSAGE TEXT THE LETTERS SNL TO THE NUMBER 55433.

ON THE COVER:

Meet The Kikuchi Family: – Toru, Yukiko, Hika and Michiru Photos by: Kendal Nicole Photography

NSIDE: • Nonprofit Spotlight: Bastet Cat Care • Sponsor Spotlight: VIPS – Visually Impaired Preschool Services • Skills on Wheels • Meet the Spychala Family • Sensory Circuits – How to Create One at Home • Sensory Journey • ABCs of IEPs: How to File an IEP Complaint with the State Department of Education (DOE) • Pastor’s Corner: Where is Your Trust?

• Local Events and More

­ 2 Special Needs Living • June 2022

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10080 E 121st St Suite 182 Fishers, Indiana 46037 317-572-2999 adrenalinefishers1.com events@adrenalinefishers.com June 2022 • Special Needs Living

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I M P O RTA N T

N UMBE R S 317-977-2375

Arc of Indiana www.arcind.org

317-676-4222

Autism Community Connection www.autismcc-in.org

800-609-8448

Autism Society of Indiana www.autismsocietyofindiana.org

877-241-8144

Blind and Visually Impaired Services (BVIS)

800-545-7763

800-545-7763

www.n2pub.com Turning Neighborhoods Into Communities © 2022 Neighborhood Networks Publishing, Inc.

AREA DIRECTOR PUBLISHER

Jamie McCabe jamie.mccabe@n2pub.com

317-233-4454

Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) - www.in.gov/fssa/index.htm

317-232-7770

Indiana Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities (GPCPD)

Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services (BDDS)

812-855-6508

Indiana Resource Center for Autism https://www.iidc.indiana.edu/irca

Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (BRS)

317-233-1325

Indiana State Department of Health

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services (DHHS) DHHSHelp@fssa/in.gov

844-446-7452

Indiana Statewide Independent Living Council (INSILC)

800-622-4968

Disability Determination Bureau

855-641-8382

Indiana Works

888-673-0002

Division of Aging (IDA)

800-332-4433

INSOURCE http://insource.org/

800-403-0864

Division of Family Resources (DFR) 800-457-4584

Medicaid Disability

317-232-7800

Division of Mental Health and Addiction 317-232-7770

Medicaid Waivers

317-925-7617

Down Syndrome Indiana 800-772-1213

Social Security Administration (SSA)

877-511-1144

Early Childhood and Out of School Learning (OECOSL)

317-466-1000

Easterseals Crossroads https://eastersealscrossroads.org

877-851-4106

Special Education Questions

Emergency

317-871-4032

United Cerebral Palsy Association of Greater Indiana

Indiana Family to Family www.inf2f.org

800-545-7763

Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VR)

1-800-772-1213

911 844-323-4636

800-545-7763

First Steps

574-234-7101

INSOURCE www.insource.org

317-232-0570

Indiana Department of Education: Office of Special Education www.doe.in.gov/specialed

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

SCAN TO VIEW THE PAST ISSUES OF SPECIAL NEEDS LIVING

SCAN TO GET THE DIGITAL COPY OF SNL THROUGH TEXT MESSAGE OR TEXT THE LETTERS SNL TO THE NUMBER 55433

DISCLAIMER: Any articles included in this publication and/or opinions expressed therein do not necessarily reflect the views of The N2 Company d/b/a N2 Publishing but remain solely those of the author(s). The paid advertisements contained within the Special Needs Living magazine are not endorsed or recommended by The N2 Company or the publisher. Therefore, neither The N2 Company nor the publisher may be held liable or responsible for business practices of these companies. NOTE: When community events take place, photographers may be present to take photos for that event and they may be used in this publication.

4 Special Needs Living • June 2022

June 2022 • Special Needs Living

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Sponsor I N D E X Thank you to all the below businesses who have chosen to support Special Needs Living magazine each month!!

They would be delighted to help you with your next project or need. If you know of a business that helps those with special needs and would be a good resource for families please let us know. Jamie.McCabe@n2pub.com.

If you run a business and would like to be involved or support this magazine you can set up a time to talk here https://calendly.com/jamie-mccabe/special-needs-living ABA & COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES K1ds Count Therapy (317) 520-4748 ABA SERVICES Adapt for Life ABA (317) 383-0188 Applied Behavior Center for Autism (317) 849-5437 Autism Center for Enrichment (317) 436-7080 BehaviorWorks ABA (317) 731-7777 Mindful and Modern ABA Therapies (317) 827-7777 Piece by Piece Autism Center (765) 481-2261 ABA/COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES The Hope Source (317) 578-0410 ACCOUNTING/PAYROLL/TAXES Borshoff Consulting LLC. Sherry Borshoff (317) 902-6539 ADVOCACY/EVALUATIONS PEAS for Kids (920) 980-1172 ATTORNEY Hostetter & Associates (317) 852-2422

6 Special Needs Living • June 2022

ATTORNEY-WILLS/ TRUSTS/ESTATE PLANNING Law Office of Elizabeth A. Homes LLC (317) 660-5004 CASE MANAGEMENT Connections Case Management (317) 440-0637 IPMG - Indiana Professional Management Group (866) 672-4764 CAT CARE & SITTING Bastet Cat Care & Sitting (317) 919-1948

Munder Financial James Munder (317) 238-6621 WestPoint Financial Group Gordon Homes (317) 567-2005 FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE Wholestic Nutrition (317) 429-0111 GYMNASTICS Body by GymRoots Studio (317) 579-9300

CBD SUPPLIER Indy CBD Plus (317) 961-0191

HEALTH & WELLNESS LifeVantage - Team Richards Kristin Richards (317) 698-5264

COUNSELING SERVICE Mark 2 Ministries (317) 777-8070

HOME CARE Amiable Home Care Inc. (317) 802-1746

DAY / BEHAVIORAL SERVICES Developmental Disabilities Systems INC. - DDSI (317) 477-8240

HOME CARE SERVICES SafeInHome (855) 476-6665

DENTAL CARE Children’s Dental Center (317) 842-8453 ELECTRICAL SERVICES 21 Electric (317) 449-0021 FINANCIAL Charter Advisory Corporation David Yearwood (317) 844-7416

INDOOR TRAMPOLINE PARK Adrenaline Family Adventure Park (317) 572-2999 adrenalinefishers1.com INSURANCE State Farm John Cole (317) 430-1958

INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT Dan Claxton Investment Advisory & Broker Dan Claxton (317) 250-8080 LANDSCAPING/LAWN CARE/ LANDSCAPE LIGHTING Franco Landscaping, Inc (317) 858-3858 MORTGAGE CrossCountry Mortgage (317) 666-4679 MUSIC THERAPY Dynamic Music Therapy (317) 829-6654

PEDIATRIC THERAPY Wee Speak (765) 446-8300

SCULPTURE, POTTERY & ART Ripple Mobile Arts (317) 514-8469

REAL ESTATE Encore Sotheby’s Patti & Jeff Carroll (317) 809-5839

SUPPORT SERVICES Easterseals Crossroads (317) 466-1000

REALTOR Carpenter Realtors-Jeremy Page (317) 413-5311 F.C. Tucker Nicole Lyon (317) 501-0639

Resounding Joy (858) 888-0899

REGENERATIVE MEDICINE/ STEM CELL THERAPY Destination ReGen (317) 522-1980

NEUROFEEDBACK THERAPY Indy Neurofeedback (317) 888-8500

SCHOOL Dynamic Minds Academy (317) 578-0410

PARKS & RECREATION Johnson County Parks & Recreation (812) 526-6809

Midwest Academy (317) 843-9500

Noble (317) 375-2700 The ALTRUIST Group, LLC (317) 547-3041 x1005 THERAPY & TESTING SERVICES The Brain Center (317) 748-0034 VIDEOGRAPHY/PHOTOGRAPHY Deliver Video Eli Walker (765) 602-1046 VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Buttermilk mountain (317) 987-8450

SCHOOL - SPECIAL NEEDS The Fortune Academy (317) 377-0544

June 2022 • Special Needs Living

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Buttermilk Mountain Amiable Home Care Inc. is a multi-service home care agency.

We specialize in helping individuals from all age groups.

We assist with errands, light house work, medication reminders, bathing, food preparation, and lots more!

We accept A&D and TBI Waivers.

For private pay, ask about our rates.

Providing Behavioral Health Services under the Family Supports Waiver (FSW) and Community Integration and Habilitation Waiver (CIH).

We currently offer Participant Assistance and Care (PAC) Structured Family Caregiver Levels 1, 2, 3 Family and Caregiver Training Wellness Coordination Residential Habilitation & Support and Day Habilitation Attendant Care and Respite

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Making sure adults with disabilities are taken care of in the future and have fun along the way.

Buttermilk Mountain

is excited to offer adults with disabilities the opportunity to create Buttermilk’s Biscuits, all natural pumpkin dog treats. Making the Biscuits teaches the Bakers important life and job skills, including: • FOLLOWING DIRECTIONS • BEING A TEAM PLAYER • COMMUNICATING WITH THE PUBLIC

The Bakers sell Buttermilk’s Biscuits at local farmers markets, pet expos and holiday bazaars. Buttermilk Mountain uses the proceeds to host fun events for families with special needs.

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buttermilkmountaininc@gmail.com

June 2022 • Special Needs Living

9

MEET THE

Special Needs Living TEAM JAMIE MCCABE Publisher & Area Director

CHRISTIA WOODFORD Publishing Assistant and Local Events

MARIA SMIETANA Editor-in-Chief

ANGIE ARLINGTON Community Engagement Coordinator / Writer and Contributor

HEATHER GREGG Photographer 21 Vines Photography

CHRISTIE AND NATHAN BUONANNO Buonanno Photography

KENDAL FORD Kendal Nicole Photography

ISAAC ROMAN Writer and Photographer

JANE GAILEY Event Manager

WRITER & CONTRIBUTORS Remote Supports FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

Scan Me

ANGELICA N. GRAY, MA, BCBA, LBA

AARON OLSON

SHEILA WOLFE

DEANDRA YATES

PAUL HATHCOAT

MATT KNIGHT

DORIE ZIPPERLE

CHRISTINA MCGAIRK Editor and Writer

Empowering people with disabilities to live independently in their own homes and communities using Remote Supports

www.safeinhome.com

10 Special Needs Living • June 2022

1-855-476-6665

Noble has been expanding opportunities and enhancing the quality of life for people with disabilities since 1953.

If You Can Dream It,

We Can Help You Live It. Learn more at MyNobleLife.org,

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At Noble, our goal is to meet the needs of the children and adults so they can “Dream It. Live It.” every day.

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June 2022 • Special Needs Living

11

MEET THE

SpychalaFamily!

KARIN AND HER DAUGHTER HELENA

What are your family members’ names and children’s ages?

Where do your children go to school, and does/do your special needs child/children attend school and/or receive other educational/behavioral services? If you have a special needs adult living at home, are they employed or attending a special services program? My name is Karin Spychala, and my daughter Helena went to North Central High School. After graduation, she was in the Skills for Independence, Transition and Employment (SITE) program at IUPUI for two years.

Where are you and your family originally from? Helena was born in Chicago, but we moved to Indianapolis when she was 9 months old.

12 Special Needs Living • June 2022

Where do you live in Indiana?

How long have you lived here?

What brought you to Indiana? We moved back to Indianapolis in March of 1999. Chicago was too expensive, and we were able to get excellent therapy and medical care here.

What have been some of the challenges your family has experienced? How have you overcome some of these struggles? Helena was born with Down syndrome and was pretty sick when she was firstborn. She spent 25 days in the NICU and came home on a feeding tube and oxygen. She had several surgeries; the most critical was open-heart surgery to repair atrial and ventricular septal defects (ASD and VSD)—basically holes in both the upper and lower chambers of her heart. We had great therapists to move us in the right direction, and Helena is very healthy now!

Any advice you have for others who are experiencing similar situations and challenges?

It’s very hard [for me] to be patient, but you just have to go at the pace your child can. I have always done the same things with her as I would have done with a typically developing child and always tried to include her in everything her peers were doing.

We did dance classes, Girl Scouts, Sunday school, Special Olympics, Best Buddies, etc.

What are some happy memories that really stay with you? Were there milestones or accomplishments that your child hit that you never thought would be possible? Helena was voted prom queen by her peers in her junior year of high school! That was a night I will never forget. She also learned how to ride the bus to the IUPUI campus and volunteered and worked at the Hyatt Regency before Covid. She enjoyed her independence and had a very interesting schedule.

What college/university did your special needs child attend? How has school been challenging?

What did you do in school to overcome some of these challenges? Helena was in the SITE program, and it was so cool to see her interacting on campus with her peers!

I was so glad she got the chance to say she went to college like her friends from high school did.

What is your profession, and where do you work? I have worked in the hospitality industry for nearly 38 years. I worked at the Hyatt for 37 years and recently moved to the historic Omni Severin.

If you have children or a special needs adult still at home, in what activities are they involved?

Unfortunately, due to Covid and some medical issues, Helena has been home-bound. We both look forward to when it is safer for her to be out in public again.

Do you have any family traditions? My mother was German, and Helena was extremely close to her. We go to the Carmel Christkindlmarkt to enjoy some German food and drink!

We are also members of the New Apostolic Church, which is much more popular in Europe and has a strong German membership.

What are your child’s hobbies and favorite activities? Helena LOVES drawing and taking pictures.

She has a creative eye and enjoys coloring daily.

Does your family have any favorite restaurants or food markets?

We both love to eat! We have enjoyed the Berghoff in Chicago and Biscuit Love in Nashville. We really love the Swedish meatballs at IKEA! Helena will try ANY food and likes almost everything she tries.

What are some of the experiences you enjoy doing the most with your family/special needs child? What can be challenging when going places? Helena loves to shop. We have started to explore small towns and shops with a friend of mine. We catch up, grab lunch, and go shopping, which makes a nice day for all of us!

Where is your favorite vacation destination? Our family has a cottage on Lake Michigan in Ludington, MI. We spend most of my vacation time on the beach, along with a lifelong friend of mine.

Do you have a favorite sports team? Helena played Special Olympics basketball. I grew up in June 2022 • Special Needs Living

13

West Lafayette and went to Purdue, so we are Boilermaker fans.

What kinds of music does your family like? Helena likes to listen to dance music and has at least one dance party daily. She is always on the dance floor during wedding receptions dancing the night away!

Do you have favorite TV shows or movies? What are family dinners like? Helena loves the Big Bang Theory. We eat meals together always. The only dietary restriction Helena has is caffeine. She cannot have anything that contains caffeine, as it makes her heart beat erratically.

What do you like to do to relax?

We like to watch TV in the evenings and spend time on the porch when the weather is nice.

you and your family navigate the world of special needs. First Steps was a huge help while Helena was little; Down Syndrome Indiana had parent support groups that were helpful early on. We worked with some great therapists and teachers along the way; we all worked together, and I couldn’t have done it alone!

Is there something you are looking for that may help you/your special needs child? We are just waiting for the pandemic to get to a safer level so Helena can get back out into the community! Hopefully soon!

What would you tell someone who just moved to your community? We are lucky to have two excellent children’s hospitals in town!

Network with other parents and advocate for your child!

Tell us about some companies and resources that have helped

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June 2022 • Special Needs Living

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By Sheila Wolfe IEP Services

THE ABC’S OF IEP’S HOW TO FILE AN IEP COMPLAINT WITH THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (DOE)

“I keep telling my school that my child’s IEP is not being followed.” “My son isn’t getting any speech therapy because the SLP is on maternity leave.” “I keep asking how my daughter is doing in math, but the school just ignores me.” Does this sound familiar?

Maybe it’s time to file a complaint with the state Department of Education (DOE).

In previous articles, we covered various administrative remedies available to parents. The state complaint is, in Family owned & operated

Indiana DOE also provides guidance on filing a complaint at https://www.in.gov/doe/students/special-education/ special-education-complaint-511-iac-7-45-1/. Parents should review the requirements for a complaint and make sure they have all the necessary information and documentation to complete the complaint form. It helps to make sure you communicate by email with your school so you have documentation to share with your complaint. Verbal conversations amount to nothing more than “he-said-shesaid” when supporting a claim against the school.

Typically, the most successful use of the complaint process will involve a direct violation of the IEP. If a parent has data, documentation, emails, or written records demonstrating a violation of the IEP, filing a complaint is a quick and free way to correct a school’s lack of compliance.

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my opinion, the easiest and perhaps most effective way to get your child’s program back on track when communication with the school breaks down. The complaint form itself can be accessed at https://www. in.gov/doe/files/filing-special-education-complaint.pdf.

There are many ways a school might directly violate the provisions of a student’s IEP. Here are just a few examples: 1. A therapist is on leave or quits and has not been replaced, leaving students without services.

2. A school consistently fails to follow the Behavior Intervention Plan for a student.

3. The school does not have an appropriately licensed teacher to provide services.

4. The school fails to provide progress monitoring assessments/data as required by the IEP. 5. The school fails to modify work/homework as required by the IEP. 6. The school fails to provide the required accommodations.

7. The school fails to provide the required adult support in each classroom.

Obviously, the list of possible violations is endless and based on each child’s individualized plan. The takeaway here is that complaints are best for these direct “black and white” types of situations. When a dispute arises regarding a difference in viewpoint on what a child needs or the methodology for appropriate instruction, the use of a complaint is not appropriate.

The state DOE is charged with ensuring that schools comply with the IEP, but they are not responsible for settling disagreements regarding the content of the IEP unless the school has failed to include required content (like a transition plan when a child turns 14). For example, a parent would not have any success if they filed a complaint stating, “The school is not providing enough speech therapy for my child.” This kind of issue would best be handled through mediation or Due Process.

able to correct or improve the situation, filing a complaint is often effective. If a parent requests information or answers in writing (typically through email) and school personnel repeatedly ignore those requests, notifying the state DOE through a complaint will most likely correct the situation. Schools are required to respond to a written request from a parent.

Ignoring a parent is not an option.

It is important to make sure the school is aware of any concern or alleged violation prior to filing a complaint with the state DOE. Part of the complaint process is demonstrating the parent’s attempts to handle any issues with the school directly before filing. Again, this makes communicating in writing vital to your success with any official complaint. If a parent is organized and diligent when trying to collaborate with the school to solve any issues with a child’s IEP but still cannot compel the school to comply with the provisions of the IEP, filing a complaint with the state DOE can be a quick and effective way to correct any instance of non-compliance.

Lastly, if a parent has a specific communication issue with a teacher or administrator and has not been

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June 2022 • Special Needs Living

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SENSORY CIRCUITS –

How to Create One at Home

By Angela Arlington

Sensory Circuits help individuals increase their focus and attention span, decrease anxiety, boost endorphin levels, self regulate and help with executive functioning. To be effective, the sensory circuit includes three types of activities that must be used in order – Alerting, Organizing, and Calming. Typically an individual should do the sensory circuit in 10–15 minutes. Depending on the person, they may need to spend more time in one category, which is fine. Adult supervision is recommended and people with medical conditions should ask a medical professional if activities are safe for them to do. When creating a sensory circuit, start with two to three activities in each category and add more when it becomes boring or ineffective.

Alerting – Activities that provide vestibular stimulation by

having the head move in different ways. These prepare the brain and body for learning.

Organizing – Activities that provide multi-sensory processing and balance. These prepare the body and brain to increase focus, attention span, and improve processing skills.

Calming – Activities that provide deep pressure. These help to keep the brain and body calm and grounded to the environment.

Alerting Activities:

Organizing Activities:

Calming Activities:

· Hopscotch · Throwing a bean bag at a target or in a bucket · Jumping with both feet in different directions · Jog and hop · Bouncing on exercise or therapy ball · Jumping on trampoline · Skipping · Jumping and counting to 10 (or sing ABCs) · Swinging · Controlled spinning – spin five times clockwise and then five times counterclockwise · Walking fast or running · Listening to music with a strong beat · Marching – have hands tap opposite leg when lifted · Jumping Jacks · Throwing a ball up and down 10–15 times · Cross-county skiing in place · Windmills · Jump over cans in a row · Galloping

· Obstacle courses – go over and under an object, climb up and down objects, then roll around on a mat · Bear Walk – hands and feet on the floor, hips up – walk left and right · Starfish Jumps – jumping jacks as fast as possible with legs and arms spread wide · Crab Walk – sit and place palms flat on the floor behind near hips. Lift up off ground and crawl · Walking on a balance beam and picking up small objects sitting on the beam · Infinity walk – follow figure 8 or walk in and out around chairs – try doing it with eyes closed · Throw and catch a ball on a balance board · Simon Says · Jumping on trampoline · Wheelbarrow walking · Crawling through tunnels · Picking up and putting down chairs · Scooter boards – lay on stomach and push with feet · Shape sorters · Step-ups on small step or box – five starting with the right foot, then five starting with left foot · Posting items on a wall · Play Twister · Putting pegged pieces of a puzzle together · Stepping stones · Walking up and down stairs

· · · · · ·

18 Special Needs Living • June 2022

· · · · · · · · · · ·

Wall push-ups Hugging self and breathing Listening to slow and calm music Laying under a weighted blanket Moving furniture Picking up heavy objects and moving them Steam roller Squeeze balls Deep pressure massage Tapping or massaging head Walking in a body sock Pulling Playdough or Theraputty Picking up a small, weighted ball – up and down Rocking Chair – move slowly back and forth Pulling a bag filled with cans Squeeze fidgets Walking with a backpack full of objects

START at the trampoline and jump 30 times or five minutes Walk fast or skip to the sensory hallway Put hands on a wall and push counting to 10, do three times

Throw ball up and catch, do 15 times

Hug self and breathe slowly in one-two-three, breathe out one-two-three, do three times

Jump following the direction of feet

Crab walk or bear walk around circle two times

Tap: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Tap: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Hopscotch with hopping feet

Walk following arrows two times, then do one time with eyes closed

Put hands on a wall and push counting to 10, do three times

Walk to steam roller and go up steps, then down rollers, do three times Finish!

June 2022 • Special Needs Living

19

DO YOU WANT TO CONNECT WITH OTHER PARENTS? Are you looking for parenting tools that can help you?

Is your child on the Community Integration and Habilitation and Family Support Waivers in the State of Indiana?

If so, then you should participate in our Empact Parenting programs that we are hosting in May! Learn more and register via this link: https://bit.ly/3vG5nem

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20 Special Needs Living • June 2022

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RESOUNDINGJOYINC.ORG June 2022 • Special Needs Living

21

Sensory

Journey I

By V.A. West

I’m going to try my best to explain what it’s like to have sensory issues. I’m not great at explaining things, but this is important. Honestly, sensory issues are probably a lot more common than people think; you might have them, and I hope my words offer you support.

Take the word “sensory” and use context clues; think about the five senses, which are sound, sight, touch, taste, and smell. I’m going to use my specific sensory issues because I know them best, but I’ve known other people with different sensory issues. My situation is a microcosm of the entire “spectrum” of sensory triggers and problems that exist. When I was very young, according to my mom, I was probably most sensitive to touch. When I got my hair cut or if water touched my face, I would scream, try to escape, cry. I also craved touching different tactile items. I would run under clothing racks and feel all the clothes. I went through a lot of sensory therapy back then, and it significantly lessened my problems. I don’t exactly remember everything I did, but I remember being rolled up in a rug and rolling around the floor, doing some sort of water-related therapy, and using sensory-specific equipment, like swings. I was also sensitive to things related to sound and sight back then, but I don’t remember the specific triggers very well.

Since my late teens, my sensory issues have “returned” and manifested in a different way. I’m still very sensitive to touch, but I’m triggered by sound more. Specific sounds, like chalk/chalkboards, sandpaper, pencils being used on paper, cardboard (I literally couldn’t fold and tape boxes), styrofoam, and higher-pitched sounds and sudden noises also trigger me a lot.

22 Special Needs Living • June 2022

When it comes to sight, my triggers are mainly flashing lights, dim lights (the overhead lights in classrooms are a good example), and car headlights (especially at night; when they reflect in my car’s mirrors, I’m nearly blinded for a second). When I see those lights, I often feel extremely lightheaded, and it feels like I’ve been drugged; my ability to focus or look up/straight ahead is also severely affected.

When it comes to touch, I’m very sensitive in the following areas: my sides (anywhere between my hips and armpits), my stomach, my mouth, and my face (but to a much lesser extent than when I was a child; this is probably the least sensitive area of the ones I’ve listed). When those areas of my body are touched, parts of my body can jolt, I might back away, I can feel paralyzed, and it’s like I have to resist the urge to punch the person touching me.

When it comes to smell, my general sense of smell has never been strong, but certain perfumes/colognes trigger me. I’m not entirely sure if I have any taste-related triggers, but certain food-related textures bother me, and it seems like I can’t eat/ drink the same things too often.

Now, let me explain what it’s like to have one of your “sensory areas” triggered. Some of those sounds I listed probably annoy you, hurt your ears, or make you cringe. With my sensory issues, I can be paralyzed if I hear those sounds for an extended period of time (more than ten or fifteen minutes), my whole body hurts, and I can’t focus. They can even affect my mood significantly, prevent me from going to the bathroom, make my body shake, and give me a terrible headache.

A minor annoyance to the average person could completely cripple someone if it triggers their sensory issues and they’re unable to cope or leave the area. A few years ago, people were fixing the roofs in my neighborhood. I was directly under the sound of hammers loudly pounding the top of my condo. While this was happening, not only was I paralyzed, unable to sleep, unable to go to the bathroom, and in a lot of pain, but I became hysterical, angry, and very emotionally unstable. I was fine after it was finished, but that’s probably my worst sensory-related experience.

This was mainly because I had very close/direct exposure to a major trigger for such a long period of time. Plus, I didn’t have some of the coping skills I have now. I’m sure other people with sensory issues have had similar experiences. I figured sharing my worst one could help people understand all this better.

In my specific situation, I have an added layer to my sensory issues: they interact heavily with my other health problems. I’m not the only person who experiences these “interactions.” The worst of these interactions involve my digestive system problems; I can’t use the bathroom when I’m being triggered (especially if the triggers are nearby), I can’t block out the pain as well as I normally can (and this makes me feel more “in pain” as well), and my urge/need to use the bathroom can be intensified.

The second-worst interaction is with my sleep problems. I sleep even worse if I’ve been exposed to my triggers for a decent amount of time within a day. I can’t fall asleep (no matter what medications I’m on or precautions I take) while I’m being triggered. If I am able to fall asleep, it might take only an hour for me to fall asleep, but I’ll sleep for several hours less than I need to.

Other interactions involve my anxiety. Busy and loud places enhance my social anxiety. Areas of my body where I’ve endured trauma (I was hit in the mouth with a baseball and nearly lost a tooth when I was in third grade; the areas where I’ve had surgeries) feel like they are fresh wounds. My general emotional state changes, and I feel more depressed and want to avoid the world.

I have learned some ways to help cope with my sensory problems. The best thing I can do is avoid locations (malls, concerts, etc.) and situations (housework, crowded environments, etc.) that trigger me. This isn’t always possible or in my control, so I’m very thankful to have my noise-canceling headphones.

I always wear soft and baggy clothing to mitigate my “touch” triggers since tight/physically restrictive clothing, such as suits and jeans, trigger both my sensory and stomach problems. Even the kind of underwear I wear can impact things, and I have to loosen my seat belt while driving sometimes. Switching between hot and cold air in my car and sleeping with a fan and a big blanket seems to mitigate the pain and how much I’m triggered to some degree.

And it’s always easier for me to cope if I can vent to someone.

Some of these coping tools (like the clothes I wear) are essentially the opposite of “sensory triggers”; I’d call them “sensory soothers,” but there might be actual scientific/medical terms for

these things somewhere. In terms of specific therapy and tools/ equipment, I can’t say any of them have helped me since my late teens. I tried some sensory-related equipment that I used as a child, and they actually triggered me instead of helping me. If you think you might have sensory issues, I would recommend trying to use some sensory-related equipment or seeking out a sensory-specialized therapist.

I handled going to two conventions this year. With enough preparation time, I can go out for a few hours. Afterward, I have to mentally/physically/emotionally repair myself in a stable environment. Being with someone I trust helps me cope better.

I want my family and friends to let me try, support me, and be aware that it may be too much for me. I still have a bad habit of not expressing my pain/discomfort around others because I don’t want to worry them or be a burden. Sometimes, I need someone to ask me, “Are you okay? How do you feel right now?” I haven’t learned how to express myself properly when I’m triggered too much, but I am trying to lean more on those closest to me and allow them to support me as I improve in this area.

This is my attempt to spread awareness and to educate.

Mindfulness is a good quality to have, but how mindful can someone be when they don’t understand or aren’t aware of the things they might need to be mindful of? Suffering in silence won’t help anyone, so I want others to find resources to help them to cope better.

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24 Special Needs Living • June 2022

JOIN US

TO MAKE AN

IMPACT!

Looking to give back and make a difference in the community?

Special Needs Living and The Donaide Foundation are partnering to help support and promote local nonprofits.

By donating to our Impact Campaign, you will help support local nonprofits that serve the special needs community.

Many parents and individuals with special needs have difficulty finding the resources that exist in the community. Some feel alone and isolated as they navigate through the challenges. We started Special Needs Living to inspire, educate and connect local families and help them find the great resources that will allow them to live their best lives.

We are currently raising funds to help Indiana-based nonprofits get their message out through Special Needs Living so that they can support more local families.

Your donation will go directly to Indiana-based nonprofit organizations that support the special needs community and cover the cost of their ad space in Special Needs Living. This space each month will...

1

1. Help bring more awareness about their organization to members of the community So many nonprofits that support the special needs community have found it very challenging to let the public know they exist. If only families knew about the programs available, it would have a tremendous impact on their lives. However, the limited funds these organizations have are prioritized for services, leaving little for marketing and awareness. Because Special Needs Living reaches thousands of families and individuals each month, the impact of their advertising is amplified, allowing these organizations to reach many more people with their message.

2 3 4 5

2. Help raise even more funds for local nonprofits Through their monthly ad space, organizations can efficiently communicate their fundraising needs so that donors who feel a connection to a particular organization can support it directly.

3. Help them find local volunteers to better carry out their mission The space can be used to recruit volunteers, allowing interested individuals to give their time and talent to the organization that resonates best with them.

4. Educate the community Organizations can use their space to share resources and educational information that will better empower and impact local special needs families.

5. Connect these organizations with the special needs community, businesses, and each other so that relationships are built, synergies are realized, and more families are served.

Thank you for coming alongside our mission to strengthen nonprofits, which in turn will better support families and individuals with special needs!

Learn more here and make your donation today: https://app.donaide.com/ donaidefoundation/impact If you are a nonprofit that supports the special needs community and would like to receive funds from this campaign to market your services and better reach your audience, please contact Jamie McCabe at specialneedslivingindy@n2pub.com.

Scan to donate and support local nonprofits that support the special needs community.

June 2022 • Special Needs Living

25

HeartSOS

Children, Adolescents, Young Adults with ASD & Related Needs

Mental Health Counseling

Anxiety, Depression, Attachment, PTSD & Relationships

Speech Therapy

Self-Advocacy, Articulation, Feeding, Apraxia & Relationships

Family Guidance

Social Communication, Emotional Regulation, Flexible Thinking & Relationships

Occupational Therapy

Executive Functioning, ADLs, Sensory Processing & Relationships Indy & Terre Haute Clinics 26 Special Needs Living • June 2022

Outpatient Services for Individuals & Families

We Hear Your SOS! Reach out at asdheartsos.com

June 2022 • Special Needs Living

27

By Christina McGairk

Skills on Wheels Equipping Manual Wheelchair-Bound Kids to Navigate the World Around Them

As of to the 2002 Census, there were 2.8 million wheelchair users in the U.S., with 121,000 of them under the age of 15. We can only assume the numbers have increased since then. That’s why wheelchair safety programs like Skills on Wheels, a collaborative effort between Indiana University’s Department of Occupational Therapy and Riley Hospital for Children, are so important for youngsters who use manual wheelchairs.

Skills on Wheels, which officially got its start back in 2021, is the brainchild of Dr. Joseph O’Neil and Dr. Mary Ciccarelli, who both wanted to create a wheelchair skills program for children. That’s where Dr. Tony Chase came in.

An Assistant Professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy (OT) and now Director of Skills on Wheels, Chase did his research and created an evidence-based wheelchair program designed specifically for kids.

His interest in people who use wheelchairs stems from his childhood when he would spend weekends with his grandmother, who was in a wheelchair.

“She had rheumatoid arthritis, which nowadays

28 Special Needs Living • June 2022

there are a ton of treatments for, but back then, there were not,” said Chase. He recalled her legs always being at a 90-degree angle due to the decay in her joints. Yet, according to Chase, that didn’t stop him and his grandmother from having fun. “We were always going to the mall, the park, and the library using city buses. She didn’t let any kind of limited mobility stop her from doing anything.”

He carried those sweet memories with him and now is helping children learn the skills needed to move around with independence in a mobile world.

Skills on Wheels provides one-on-one training to manual wheelchair users ages 8-17 in a program that runs for five Saturdays. The program is delivered by occupational therapists from Riley Hospital and students in the OT program.

The kids are taught 33 skills to help them navigate safely at home, in school, and in their community.

Some of the skills include but are not limited to body positioning, moving around obstacles, and ascending and descending low and high curbs. It also provides support for parents.

WHAT I LOVE ABOUT BEING AN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST IS KNOWING WHAT I’M DOING IS HELPING SOMEONE BETTER THEIR LIVES AND BECOME MORE INDEPENDENT,

Tiffany Stead, the primary occupational therapist for adaptive equipment at Riley Hospital, is one of the dedicated OTs who plays a key role in the free program. As the lead occupational therapist for Skills on Wheels, Stead assists OT students with the teaching skills needed to enable the children to navigate their world successfully.

Stead, who has over 11 years of experience as an occupational therapist, believes seeing her best friend in high school suffer from a traumatic brain injury sparked her interest in the OT field, but ultimately it was her need to help others that solidified her career choice. “What I love about being an occupational therapist is knowing what I’m doing is helping someone better their life and become more independent,” she said.

The sign-up window for this year’s Skills on Wheels is already closed, but for more information about the program, please visit https://shhs.iupui.edu/community/ skills-on-wheels/index.html or stay informed at https://www.facebook.com/IUSkillsonWheels.

June 2022 • Special Needs Living

29

promotions

This Magazine is

– F O R YOU – BY YOU –

To Support & Connect You HER E IS H O W YOU C AN BE INV OLVED Have a story to share

Let’s Get Social

Would you like to share a story in an upcoming issue of Special Needs Living? We want to hear from you. To share a story or to nominate someone else to be in an upcoming issue of Special Needs Living, e-mail your story ideas or nominations to SpecialNeedsLivingIndy@n2pub.com.

To keep up to date with all things happening with Special Needs Living – Upcoming Events/Socials/Gatherings – Stories and Highlights – Ways to be Involved – Follow us on Facebook@specialneedslivingmagazine.

To view several story options with quick links to answer questions and upload photos go to Linktr.ee/Community.Stories.

FOR ADVERTISING:

Do you run a business that supports the special needs community and is looking to advertise in Special Needs Living magazine? Email Jamie.McCabe@n2pub.com.

Accomplishments/Achievements/Milestones Looking to Celebrate all Special Needs Individuals

Some accomplishments and milestones take years ... We want to recognize you/them! Are you or your child celebrating a birthday, milestone, achievement, or accomplishment? We want to recognize you – email us at SpecialNeedsLivingIndy@n2pub.com.

Highlighting all Special Needs Businesses

Do you have special needs and run a business?

We will highlight all those with special needs who run a business for free – email us or go to Linktr.ee/Community.Stories and click on (Special Needs Living – Business Profile Q&A).

Calling all 501c3 organizations that support the Special Needs Community

Each month we will highlight a nonprofit for free to let the community know more about how they support and impact families and individuals with special needs. Do you run a non-profit or know of one that supports the special needs community? Email us at SpecialNeedsLivingIndy@n2pub.com.

30 Special Needs Living • June 2022

Would you like to share a story? Scan here to submit a story to be in a future issue of Special Needs Living!

Scan here to view the past issues of Special Needs Living!

Scan or text the letters SNL to the number 55433 to get Special Needs Living through text message and to keep up to date on all the latest in the community!

June 2022 • Special Needs Living

31

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In-Home or In-Studio Classes June 2022 • Special Needs Living

33

non-profit spotlight

By Angela Arlington

VIPS new signage

Visually Impaired Preschool Services

v

isually Impaired Preschool Services (VIPS) Indiana is a nonprofit organization that serves children, ages birth to 3, who are blind or visually impaired and their families. Through its mission, VIPS empowers families by providing educational excellence to young children with visual impairments in order to build a strong foundation for reaching their highest potential. VIPS provides children with ongoing early intervention, educational activities, and engaging environments. VIPS has created a network of teachers of blind/ low vision, blind/low vision specialists with extensive vision-specific training, and certified orientation and mobility specialists who enable these children to maximize their skills for development, academics, and, most important, life. VIPS providers travel to homes, daycare facilities, community settings, and even hospital rooms to work one-on-one with children and their families. VIPS helps children succeed

34 Special Needs Living • June 2022

Sensory room

Toddler Town

in all areas of development, including cognition, concept development, language development, independence skills, social skills, and more.

VIPS Indiana is now led by Regional Director Meredith Howell, a former VIPS parent whose legally blind child was served by VIPS. Her ability to connect with families who have children with vision loss like her daughter makes the organization unique in its authenticity.

“VIPS in Indiana was founded because a mother of a legally blind child could not find ongoing early intervention services in the state,” Howell explained.

“She and a teacher of blind/low vision students knew Indiana’s youngest

CVI Den

children with blindness/low vision were chronically underserved, so they started the Indiana location of VIPS. The VIPS home office is based out of Louisville, Kentucky. VIPS has been serving children in Southern Indiana for over 35 years; however, a substantial expansion in Indiana happened in 2011 as a result of a gap in services for young children with vision loss in the state. VIPS Indiana began with a caseload of just eight children; since then, that number has soared to over 1,000 children across the state. VIPS has worked diligently to build a network of specialists and will continue to expand with the goal of ensuring that every young Hoosier receives the vision-specific early intervention services that are critical to their learning and development.”

“When a child is born and diagnosed with blindness or low vision, the child’s family needs specialized early intervention to help them cope with the reality of their child’s vision loss,” Howell continued.

VIPS teacher of the blind and low vision with our daughter, Lola J.

Jack

“Often, parents grieve for the sighted child they expected. This can lead to difficulty bonding and increased stress for both parents and children. VIPS gives the support and knowledge to empower the parents and help them move through the various stages of grief. Ultimately, the goal is to help the parents realize that they are capable of parenting a child who is blind and give them the confidence to feel more comfortable interacting with others in the community.”

Early intervention is based on the premise that the home is a child’s first learning environment and that the parent is a child’s first teacher. “Learning to parent a child who is blind is a challenging task for typically sighted parents. A VIPS teacher can equip parents with the skills and insight necessary to help them bond with and teach their children,” Howell said. “More importantly, a VIPS teacher can show parents that their child can and will learn, just in a different way. VIPS equips parents with educational resources and tools that will help them teach their child long after a home/virtual visit is over. A VIPS teacher can open up a whole new world of hope and possibility for a visually impaired infant and her family.”

In addition to the critical support offered in the home, VIPS now offers more onsite programming thanks to the newly constructed Simon & Estelle Knoble VIPS Family Resource Center

Family Resource Center

(FRC). The FRC is filled with resources, caring and trained professionals that understand the development of children with vision loss, accessible equipment, adapted materials, and—most importantly—hope. The FRC includes large activity rooms, a sensory room, a parent lending library filled with braille/tactile books, an ophthalmology/ optometry office, a teletherapy room, an adaptive outdoor playscape, and an accessible Toddler Town, and more. It is located in Line Lofts on the east side of downtown Indianapolis, the first affordable multifamily housing development in Indiana designed to meet the needs of low-income seniors and adults with visual impairments. As part of this incredible facility, TWG (The Whitsett Group) carved out 6,300 square feet on the first floor for VIPS. This location offers convenience to all families served across the state, located just off all major interstates. While the building just officially opened in April, new programming such as VIPS Cane Quest, Summer Adventure Camp, monthly parent support groups, and more are already underway.

“A donation of time, talent, or treasure is always welcomed!” Howell said. “VIPS is always looking for volunteers to make tactile items for welcome bags and braille thank you cards and to carry out tasks related to the Family Resource Center, such as window cleaning. In addition, volunteers are occasionally needed to care for children while parents are connecting with other adults. One can always make a donation. Operating dollars are always needed since new children get referred every single week.

Another great idea is to host a supply drive for VIPS – new black towels, jingle bells, rice, pom poms, etc., are always needed.”

Check out VIPS’s Amazon Wish List. Follow VIPS on social media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and even Pinterest. Simply talking about VIPS can be helpful as raising awareness is a critical part of the mission of the organization. And finally, participate in any upcoming event VIPS is hosting.

Be sure to visit https://vips.org to see all of the latest VIPS happenings!

“The critical services and support VIPS provides is an opportunity to be a catalyst for transformative change and self-sufficiency in young Hoosier children who are blind or visually impaired,” Howell said in conclusion.

“Laying the foundation during the early childhood years can increase a young child’s potential throughout their educational career and into adulthood. With appropriate early intervention, young Hoosier children with vision loss can learn and thrive.”

Testimonial:

“The early intervention that VIPS provided for Jack has impacted his life in countless ways. What Amy [VIPS Teacher of Blind/Low Vision] did so well was to help us adapt our existing routines in ways that supported Jack’s vision development and cortical visual processing. Amy’s multi-sensory approach with the intentional use of more comparative language significantly improved Jack’s ability to process images over time. It is difficult to imagine where we would be without VIPS—as I tell anyone who will listen, VIPS made everything okay again. Despite his MRI scans and the gloomy prognosis from when he was born, Jack is thriving as a toddler. We owe so much of his success to VIPS.” -Brittany, Mother of Jack

Supporting VIPS:

There are a lot of ways to support VIPS because the organization is a smaller agency.

June 2022 • Special Needs Living

35

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36 Special Needs Living • June 2022

pastor’s corner

By Paul Hathcoat

Where is Your

Trust?

As family members and caregivers of special needs individuals, who or what do you trust? Do you trust the therapists, teachers, medical professionals and other family members that are critical to the health and well-being of your special needs loved one? Do you trust your own ability and judgment to do what’s best for them? Do you trust that someone will be there to take care of them when you are no longer here? Do you trust what the Bible has to say, whether you have read it for yourself or not? From a pastor’s perspective, let’s talk about trust and how we can self-check our trust levels.

In the Book of John, chapter 20, verses 19-31, we read about the disciples of Christ meeting in a locked room shortly after Jesus’ death. I can’t imagine what they were thinking after the man they placed every ounce of trust in seemingly failed them and died. They had given up their own lives, families, occupations, and aspirations to follow a professed “savior” who told them that he would change the world forever. Then, they watched him give himself up and die to the same oppressors that they and their people had been cowering from for generations. Trust and doubt certainly filled the room they gathered in that evening. But that would not be the end of the story.

“Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! ‘Peace be with you,’ he said. As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side” (John 20:19b-20a). Their trust in Christ had been restored in an instant as he, after his death and burial, had returned to them again! However, their friend and fellow disciple Thomas was not in attendance that evening.

And when they recounted to him their fateful meeting with the Risen Christ, he doubted the accuracy of their statements. (Did you know this biblical passage is where we get the expression “doubting Thomas”?) Thomas needed to see for himself the wounds on Jesus to believe that he truly was alive again. The

Bible tells us that eight days later, Jesus appeared to them again and showed Thomas his wounds for him to believe, regain trust and remove any doubt that he was holding.

I don’t think there is anyone among us who can’t relate to Thomas. It’s easy to believe in the presence of a loving Savior on days when everything is going well. We have no trouble seeing God’s love reflected in the face of our Down syndrome child when they’ve just had an accomplishment at school. We can easily trust in Christ’s presence when our autistic son or daughter has gone weeks without a major meltdown.

But it’s so much harder to retain that same faith and trust when our loved one has been diagnosed with yet another medical problem or hasn’t made any progress in meeting milestones while everyone else’s kids seem to be exceling at everything they do.

Like Thomas, we can feel truly abandoned by God when we go through periods so bleak that we can’t see or feel His presence.

In times like that, it’s worthwhile to revisit the above scriptures.

Jesus did not come back to life and stay here with us. He came back so that we would see with our own eyes that he truly is the Son of God. Shortly after revealing himself to Thomas and the others, he asked us all to trust him once again as he left and returned to his father in heaven. Let there be no doubt in your heart that you are not alone. Let there be no trust issues with Christ who died and rose again for you and me. Take this accounting of history, apply it to your own life, and remove all doubt in your heart. He is risen, he sent His Holy Spirit to be with us, and he hears our prayers even when it doesn’t feel that way. You can trust in that!

Do you have a thought, idea, or information that you would like to see in this section in an upcoming issue? Email Paul Hathcoat at phathcoat@wrcc.org.

June 2022 • Special Needs Living

37

n e t u l G s n a S Sweet Potato Egg Cups

By Christina McGairk

Every year I get certain food obsession during different seasons. In the spring, it’s all things jelly beans. In the summer it’s everything lemony. In the fall or any time of year, come to think about it, it’s all things pumpkin or pumpkin spice. Then in December, it’s everything gingerbread.

The current food I desire the most is sweet potatoes. Not only are they naturally gluten-free, but they are also high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

This tasty vegetable is also good for gut health and can possibly help with brain function. Lord knows my forgetful brain needs that. HA! So in the spirit of all things sweet potato, I adapted an egg dish that I make for a nice portable handheld snack or breakfast on the go…sweet potato egg cups. The recipe is pretty simple. I usually use shredded potatoes for the bottom of the egg cups, but this time I used shredded sweet potatoes. Now for that part, I probably could’ve used a vegetable grater to grate the sweet potatoes, but this busy Mommy just cut them into bitesized pieces and threw them in the blender on the grate option. I don’t think it really matters. If you can find frozen shredded sweet potatoes, then that’s even better.

Without further adieu, here is my sweet potato spin on an egg classic.

38 Special Needs Living • June 2022

INGREDIENTS

• 8 large eggs • ½ cup of grated sweet potato • ¼ cup of shredded taco cheese or whatever type of cheese you prefer • ½ tbsp of garlic powder • Salt, pepper, or any other gf seasoning to taste.

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and spray muffin tins with olive oil cooking spray or use paper muffin cups.

2. Grate the sweet potato and add the shredded cheese and garlic powder and mix well.

3. Place about 1 tbsp. sweet potato mixture at the bottom of each muffin tin. (My batch made about 8) 4. Crack open each egg, plop it on each cup, and season it however you want...just as long as it’s gf.

5. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until desired consistency. ***Disclaimer: I’m not a nutritionist or a doctor. I’m just a loving Mama supporting her daughter and others through their gluten-free journey.

If you have questions about the gluten-free diet or celiac disease, please contact your medical professional. Thank you.***

If you would like to share gluten-free tips, tricks, info, etc. in an upcoming issue of Special Needs Living, email us at SpecialNeedsLivingIndy@n2pub.com.

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317-748-0034 braincenteratgeist.com June 2022 • Special Needs Living

39

sponsor of the month

By Lena DeZutti

BASTET CAT CARE AJ Gegenheimer is an Indiana native, hailing from Chesterfield’s North 40 Park campground. She has felt a calling to the care and keeping of cats since her childhood. At the age of 6, she knew she wanted to be a veterinarian, and, at age 16, she discovered the veterinary technician profession. Her pursuit began in earnest in 1987 when she earned her associate’s degree in applied science at Purdue. In 1991, she became a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT), began pet sitting in 1995, and, in 2002, switched from dog and cat care to exclusively looking after cats.

In 2016, Gegenheimer began offering several cat-related care services through her place of business: Bastet Cat Care and Sitting, Inc. Her services include but are not limited to: sitting, nail trims, potty patches, shave downs, litterbox scooping/cleaning, giving medications, fluid therapy, expressing bladders, vet visits, and other cat-related services.

As an RVT, Gegenheimer is also trained to catch potential medical issues in cats before they would normally be noticed. That means she can alert an owner to major medical problems such as diabetes, kidney disease, cardiac disease, etc., and ideally get the animal into treatment sooner.

40 Special Needs Living • June 2022

Cat care is something that Gegenheimer takes very seriously. That becomes even more apparent after learning that her business is named after the Egyptian goddess Bastet, who not only has the head of a cat but is believed to have chiefly been in charge of protecting one’s home, domesticity, and, of course, cats. It’s no wonder that Gegenheimer puts such emphasis on “security and safety for your home” when it comes to your pet’s care. Safety and comfort of your pets are her main concerns every time she takes a sitting assignment. If you are interested in implementing some additional security measures in your home, she recommends alarm systems and cameras as a way of being able to check on your pets remotely. She also stresses the use of proper litterbox cleanliness when it comes to cat health.

“Litterbox care and proper medical care for the kitties is my highest priority,” Gegenheimer said. “So many health issues can be caught early with proper litterbox care and knowing your kitty’s personality and habits.”

She is happy to teach you about cats, their behaviors, and health issues in person and through her social media accounts as well.

Gegenheimer’s Facebook page, Bastet Cat Care & Sitting, is updated monthly. She describes her articles as “informative [about] care for both your kitties and home.” Some other articles you will find there cover security measures you can take in your home, cat gift ideas, and litterbox issues. You can also find her on Twitter under the handle @bccs95.

Gegenheimer’s love and care for cats extend to her own fur babies, of which she has two: Zeus (16) and Nelson (13).

She is also close with her niece, who has a rare disease called mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) and is a she prides herself in being a patient advocate to not only raise awareness for MPS but to also be the voice for those who can’t speak.

BASTET CAT CARE & SITTING

Accommodating all feline family members including special medical & behavioral needs.

Teaching and Giving Injections, Medication, Nail Trims and Minor Grooming,Vet Transports, Cat Sitting

Gegenheimer serves the west side of Indianapolis, as well as the nearby areas of Avon, Brownsburg, Plainfield, and Zionsville. She is a one-woman operation and is both the founder and owner of Bastet.

AJ Gegenheimer Bastet Cat Care and Sitting 2235 Whitecliff Dr. Indianapolis, IN 46234 (317) 919-1948 BCCS95@Gmail.com Facebook: Bastet Cat Care & Sitting Twitter: @bccs95

Owner AJ Gegenheimer, RVT Bonded & Insured with Pet Sitters Association

(317) 919-1948 | bccs95@gmail.com Serving the westside of Indianapolis, Avon, Brownsburg, Plainfield, Zionsville

June 2022 • Special Needs Living

41

meet the

KIKUCHI FAMILY TO R U, Y U K I K O, H I K A , AND MICHIRU

featured family

By Maria Smietana Photos by Kendal Nicole Photography

Maria Smietana Editor-in-Chief and content writer

Geographically speaking, the Kikuchi family has come a long way. Their eldest son Hikaru (Hika), has additionally had a long and inspiring developmental journey.

Hika’s dad, Toru, is a native of Japan who grew up in Hawaii and moved back to Japan after he graduated from college. He met Yukiko, his future wife, in Tokyo. Hika was born with Down syndrome about two years after the Kikuchis were married.

He also suffered from atrioventricular septal defect (ASVD), a condition in which there are holes between the two chambers of the heart. ASVD is found in 30-47 percent of Down syndrome babies.

“The holes were repaired when Hika was just one month old,” Toru recalled, “so he didn’t come home for three months after his birth. But he is completely healthy now.”

The family emigrated to the U.S. in 1995, living first in Houston, where their younger son, Michiru, was born, and then in Las Vegas before Toru’s work in the automotive industry finally brought them to Indiana in 2004.

Settling in Carmel, the Kikuchis found the school system to be a great fit for their boys. “Creekside Middle School and Carmel High School have very good special needs classes and teachers,” said Yukiko, who works for a casting manufacturer.

“Hika had a fantastic time between the 6th and 12th grades.” Hika’s best friend Michael even wrote in his yearbook that he wanted Hika to be his best man at his wedding. “In 2020,” Toru said, “Michael got married to his beautiful bride Elyse, and although Hika wasn’t his best man, Michael kept his promise by having Hika as one of his groomsmen!”

Since graduating from high school, Hika, who turned 29 in April, has been going to the

42 Special Needs Living • June 2022

Easterseals Crossroads day center on weekdays. His parents rely on IndyGo’s Open Door bus to get him there, but that has proven to be a headache. “The reason why we moved from Carmel to Indianapolis [three years ago] is because Open Door only operates within Marion County,” Toru said. “But it is not as reliable as we want it to be. It may arrive late by as much as four hours.”

Hika continues to play baseball on the Allisonville Youth Baseball and Softball Challenger Team, something he has done each spring since coming to Indiana.

He also participates in Special Olympics bowling and loves to go to pro wrestling events. He gets a lot of joy from singing, something he comes by naturally. Both Toru and Yukiko have beautiful voices, and often do karaoke at home. Toru also performs in two acoustic duos--Typical Summer, the collaboration he formed with vocalist and ukulele player Cassandra Leigh, https://www.facebook.com/ TypicalSummerBand, and Infinity, with vocalist Amanda McLaren. Hika loves to watch his dad perform. “Rock Garage (the Castleton-based music lesson center that also matches up musicians who want to form bands) has been very welcoming to our family,” Yukiko said. “They’ve let Hika sing on stage with Toru on the spur of the moment--very open, loving, and inclusive people.”

The biggest turning point in Hika’s life was the result of serendipity. About five years ago, Toru started taking Saturday art classes at Sho-Art, a studio near Eagle Creek Park owned and run by local artist and fellow Japanese native Shoko Schutte. “One day I brought Hika to class, and Shoko was impressed with Hika’s unique [artistic] style and started coaching him,” Toru said. Hika enjoyed painting under Shoko’s tutelage, and his career as an artist of abstract paintings took off. He now actively participates in art shows and festivals, where he exhibits and sells his paintings.

Toru credits the Fishers Arts Council for being a huge supporter for Hika’s art. www.facebook.com/artbyhika. Sadly, Shoko passed away in March at the age of 70 after battling cancer. “Hika has been taking a break from painting because of this, but we hope for him to start painting again soon,” Toru said.

Because Hika cannot be left home alone, Toru and Yukiko have had to adjust to not having much time as a couple. Wherever the Kikuchis go, they’re pretty much a trio. They’ve travelled all over Europe and to several states in the U.S. “We’ve loved every city we’ve been to,” Toru said.

At home, Hika like to relax by watching TV. Some of his favorites are WWE, Three’s Company, and the Muppet Show. The family tries to maintain traditional Japanese culture and celebrate holidays together. They also love going out to eat. “We don’t have one favorite spot; we like to discover new and different places,” Yukiko said. “We basically choose the menu items for Hika, unless the menu has pictures of the food.”

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9885 E. 116th Street, Suite 100 | Fishers, IN 46037 babytoothcenter.com June 2022 • Special Needs Living

43

LOCAL EVENTS MUSEUMS

By Christia Woodford

Important Note: Prior to attending any events, please be mindful of any COVID-19 restrictions. Please review the state mask executive order. There are exemptions within the order, including that children under 2 years of age should not wear a face-covering due to risk of suffocation, and any person with a medical condition, mental health condition, or disability that precludes wearing a face covering is not required to do so. Since COVID-19 is still among us, there is a possibility that the events listed and places to go could be canceled, rescheduled, or closed. Please confirm event status and listed details in case event details have changed since posting.

Note: Don’t forget to apply for the Access Pass! The Access Pass Program allows families that meet the specific requirements listed below to visit The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis and all participating locations for $2 per family member per visit for up to two adults and all dependent youths living in the household. Qualifications include the following: • Hoosier Healthwise Insurance (Indiana’s health care program for low-income families, pregnant women, and children) • SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) • TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) Apply Here: https://www. childrensmuseum.org/ visit/hours/access-pass

44 Special Needs Living • June 2022

The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis Scooby-Doo Mansion Mayhem Opening Day Celebration Jun 3, 2022 10 a.m.

Sunburst Atrium The gang’s all here! Join us in finding clues and solving puzzles as we celebrate the opening of our newest exhibit.

Be amazed by optical illusions and uncover the science behind them.

Crack the code in secret messages using a cipher.

Learn about forensic anthropology from real professionals.

Various Events June 1 to June 30 Opens at 10 a.m.

3000 North Meridian Street Indianapolis, IN 46208 317-334-4000 https://www.childrensmuseum.org/visit/ calendar?date=01/08/2022 Conner Prairie-Indiana’s Living History Museum Various events through June. In 2022 the second Sunday of every month from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. will be sensory-friendly hours. Admission is free, and all of the grounds will be open.

SPORTS Indiana Fever June 10, 15, 19 Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana May 27, 31 Indiana Farmers Coliseum https://www.wnba.com/schedule/

Indy Eleven No home games in June Carroll Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana https://www.ticketmaster.com/indy-eleven-vsnew-york-red-indianapolis-indiana-05-21-2022/ event/05005C3FBFB5483D Indianapolis Indians June 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 Victory Field, Indianapolis, Indiana https://tickets-center.com/search/ Indianapolis-Indians-tickets/ FAMILY FUN 2022 Earth Day Indiana Festival June 4, 2022 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Garfield Park Conservatory and Gardens 2432 Conservatory Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46203 A free annual event designed to celebrate and educate on environmental topics such as recycling, conservation of natural resources, and sustainable living.

For more than 30 years, we have welcomed families from Central Indiana and the Midwest to learn and be inspired to do their part for environmental responsibility.

Over 120 exhibitors promote sustainability at our festival each year!

The festival has over 110 exhibitors, live music, food trucks, beer garden, and a 5K run/walk. Kid’s activities include Nine13sports’ Kids Riding Bikes. This family-friendly event is FREE. Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Live!

June 7, 2022 6:30 p.m.

Clowes Memorial Hall of Butler University 4602 Sunset Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46208 “Won’t you ride along with me?” Daniel Tiger and all his friends from the beloved Emmy Award-winning PBS KIDS television series are hopping back aboard the Trolley.

In this whimsical, family-friendly theatrical event, Daniel Tiger and his family and friends take audiences on an interactive and exciting adventure to the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, sharing stories of friendship, helping others, and celebrating new

experiences. The live show features new songs as well as fan favorites from the series, including the beloved “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” The live theatrical production is filled with music, dancing, and wonderful surprises that will warm the hearts of preschoolers, parents, and grandparents alike.

Indianapolis Zoo Zoobilation June 10 7 p.m. to midnight Join us in the Land Down Under on June 10 for Zoobilation presented by AES Indiana. It will be a real corker you won’t soon forget! Indianapolis’ most anticipated event of the year takes place on the second Friday in June, beginning at 5:30 p.m. with the Premium Experience presented by Ice Miller LLP and followed by general admission from 7 p.m. to midnight.

The Studio Movie Grill 3535 West 86th Street Indianapolis, IN 46268 317-315-8113 Sensory-friendly screenings of movies! Check the website for movies and times. https://www.studiomoviegrill.com/movie/ special-needs-screenings Bubble Run June 25, 2022 First Wave starts at 8 a.m.

Celebration Park Indiana State Fairgrounds 1202 E 38th St Indianapolis, IN 46205 Bubble Run has brought those good ol’ days back– and the best part is you don’t have to clean up the mess.

Often imitated, never duplicated, Bubble Run is the original bubble run. You can expect five kilometers (3.1 miles) of a bubbly, great time as you run, walk, dance, or even push a stroller through our fun run.

Information: https://bubblerun.com/products/indy-in-22 Register: https://endurancecui.active.com/new/ events/79167332/select-race?

THE ARTS Beef and Boards “Mary Poppins” May 19 - July 10 9301 Michigan Road Indianapolis, IN 46268 317-872-9664 https://www.beefandboards.com/Online/default.asp

Jubilate Choir Butler University, Lilly Hall, Room 133 Wednesdays, 6:45 - 7:30 p.m.

Director: Lauren Southard Start Date: September 22, 2021 For more information, contact Lauren Southard at 317-940-8065 or lsouthar@icchoir.org EVENTS Gigi’s Playhouse GiGiFIT Acceptance Challenge Take the GiGiFIT Acceptance Challenge and join us at Bishop Dwenger Stadium on June 4, 2022, to celebrate acceptance and inclusion at our annual 5K, 1 Mile Walk for Acceptance, and Dash for Down Syndrome!!

WE, the people of the Down syndrome community, are challenging YOU to move for acceptance – to prove that every person should be accepted for who they are.

WHEN: Sunday, June 4 at 9 a.m.

WHERE: Bishop Dwenger Stadium, 1300 East Washington Center Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46825 WHY: To come together regardless of race, gender, diagnosis, sexual orientation, or religion. To celebrate universal ACCEPTANCE for all people.

Various classes during the week 5909 East 86th Street Indianapolis, IN 46250 317-288-8235 indy@gigisplayhouse.org Fortune Academy Summer Camp June 6 - 25, 2022.

As we look forward to the end of the year, Fortune Academy is excited to welcome students to our summer camp in June. Sessions are broken into half days (9 a.m. -12 p.m.) and full days (9 a.m. - 4 p.m.). Morning sessions are filled with total immersion learning using the Orton-Gillingham method. Afternoon sessions are small breakout groups that will engage your child socially! https://fortuneacademy.formstack.com/ forms/fortune_academy_summer_ camp_registration

Fort Wayne Air Show Sensory Hour June 5, 2022 7 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.

The love of aviation is not restricted by abilities or challenges, and The Fort Wayne Air Show aims to be as inclusive as possible.

Understanding that the sounds and smells that are natural to an event of this kind may make it difficult for some to attend, The Fort Wayne Air Show staff is hosting an hour of modified stimulus. Every effort will be made to modify noise and smells. If you or someone in your family uses a mobility aid such as a wheelchair or a walker that may restrict them from being able to see over standing people to observe firsthand, the sensory hour is open to any individual or family who would benefit from these modifications.

If you are interested in learning more or would like to attend, please contact us at 122airshowsh@gmail.com 122FW. Airshow.SensoryReservations@us.af.mil.

Crossroads Easterseals iCan Bike Camp June 20 - 24 Perry Park Ice Skating Rink 451 East Stop 11 Road, Indianapolis, IN 46227 $130 Easterseals Crossroads, in partnership with iCan Shine and Indy Parks, offers this bike program to people 8 years and older with disabilities and special needs.

Over five days, participants learn to ride a two-wheel bicycle independently.

Register at https://eastersealscrossroads. wufoo.com/forms/pv7ryp70gp65ns/

Is there a local event for the special needs community you would like us to promote in an upcoming issue? Email us at SpecialNeedsIndy@ n2pub.com.

June 2022 • Special Needs Living

45

Emotional Regulation How Occupational Therapy Can Help

By: Alyssa Amore, MSOT, OTR Occupational Therapist

While maladaptive behaviors such as tantrums and physical aggression are part of typical child development, some children exhibit difficulty regulating their emotions and managing their responses to different social situations. Children and individuals that struggle to self regulate are often coined as “poorly behaved” or “difficult to work with.” When children present with emotional dysregulation, participating in everyday activities such as school work and playing with others becomes difficult or challenging.

Occupational therapists work to identify underlying sensory processing differences that may lead to emotional dysregulation.

Through evidenced based practice, occupational therapists can collaborate with clients and families to identify effective emotional regulation techniques to utilize in the home and social environments. By teaching children how to recognize their stressors and introducing strategies to manage emotions and behaviors, kids learn to master the skill of self regulation and are more equipped to learn, grow, and succeed at home, in the classroom, and within daily activities that are meaningful to them and their families.

Strategies for Home ● ● ● ●

Practice labeling the emotions of others within the natural environment, such as in the grocery store or while watching a movie.

Always validate your child’s emotions. Validation helps to de-escalate intense reactions and teach children that it’s okay to feel mad, frustrated, overwhelmed, etc.

Model age appropriate coping strategies when your child is upset, such as deep breathing, going for a walk, or taking an alone break.

Encourage your child to openly communicate their feelings to you.

Open communication encourages listening to others and helps children identify the reasoning behind their actions and behaviors.

K1ds Count Therapy, LLC Brownsburg, IN 1 (317) 520-4748 kctherapy.com

46 Special Needs Living • June 2022

Indications for OT: ● ● ● ●

● ● ● ● ● ●

Frequent meltdowns or emotional outbursts Difficulty tolerating change Difficulty identifying emotions in self and others Decreased social skills or difficulty maintaining friendships

ABA Therapy Speech Therapy Occupational Therapy Physical Therapy Mental Health Services School Services

June 2022 • Special Needs Living

47

Building Brigh ter Futures Since 1997 Th e Applied Beh av ior Ce n te r fo r Au ti s m is In dia n a’s lo n ges t run n in g ABA th e ra py prov id e r. F ou n de d in 1997 by th e m o th er o f a ch ild wi th au tism, AB C h as si n ce open e d 12 locati o n s th rou g h o u t th e sta te an d de v e lo pe d a n in- h o u s e res e a rc h d e pa r t m en t .

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