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Tips to maintain your child’s communication skills at home

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Three ways to maintain your child’s communication skills

By Linda Bonnar-Ivery, MA, CCC-SLP, ATP

Director of Communication Pathways, Pine Tree Society

When school isn’t in session, how do you maintain the skills it took your child, with support of their educators and therapists, months to achieve? While the structure of your child’s school day is nearly impossible to replicate at home, there are aspects of that structure that may provide some insight into providing carryover of communication skills and even building upon them.

Regardless of your child’s age, grade, or developmental level, there are three key aspects of their school day that need to be considered and addressed when looking to provide carryover of communication at home.

1) Literacy

Reading, whether to themselves, out loud, or being read to is emphasized and immersed in more than anything else during the school day.  Carrying over the level of literacy that kids are exposed to within their educational environment is critical for maintaining communicative levels for students.

2) Peer Interactions

Within the school environment, students are surrounded by peers. This level of expressive and receptive language is unparalleled in other aspects of their life. Figuring out creative ways to mimic this level of exposure is so important in providing carryover of skills. During this time of social distancing, video and phone chats with friends and family will be particularly helpful as will free resources available across the web that help keep you connected to the larger world. Some examples can be found at this link.

3) Talking

Wait… what? Our grand idea for carryover of communication skills is to talk? Yes! We need to mimic the level of communication that students receive throughout their school schedule. Asking questions, answering questions, describing events and making requests are language functions that happen frequently throughout the school day and are essential in establishing, building, and maintaining language for students who are struggling in this area.

So, how are you going to incorporate these three key factors into your child’s day? The same way that their teachers do: establish a schedule. Create a schedule that works for your lifestyle and incorporates as much of this as possible and stick to it!

Remember, you’re not alone.  Pine Tree Society has expanded its telehealth services and is offering speech therapy appointments remotely.  These remote services are available using Zoom, which is a user-friendly video conferencing technology that is easily accessed from any device.   Reach out to schedule an appointment today.  Contact Linda Bonnar at lbonnar@pinetreesociety.org or 207-386-5931.

Telepractice: Technology keeps us connected

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Our technology has a name: It’s called telepractice

At Pine Tree Society, we’re committed to discovering abilities together, and one of the ways we can be together during this time of social distancing is through the use of technology.

Maine is a big state and we’ve used technology to bridge distances for years. Providing ASL interpretation via video conference, for example.

This technology we use has a name: telepractice.  You’ll be hearing that word a lot in the weeks ahead because telepractice has quickly become a critical way to keep us all safe and healthy without interrupting needed services and support you rely on.

Telepractice is, quite simply, the use of technology to bring services to people via remote technology platforms rather than in person; allowing licensed professionals to provide HIPPA compliant services without physical contact or travel.

In most cases, telepractice is a video chat on a computer or smart phone. Pine Tree Society offers telepractice/remote services using Zoom, which is a user-friendly video conferencing technology that is easily accessed from any device.

Our expanded telepractice services include:

Speech Language Pathology:  Our Speech Language Pathologists are available to schedule remote telepractice speech therapy sessions.  Contact Linda Bonnar at lbonnar@pinetreesociety.org or 207-386-5931.

Assistive Technology for Learning and Living:  Our Assistive Technology Practitioners can provide remote telepractice consults for Assistive Technology for Learning and Living.  Contact Linda Bonnar at lbonnar@pinetreesociety.org or 207-386-5931.

Sign Language Interpreting:  Our Sign Language Interpreters are available to provide interpreting services and support instruction for children who are Deaf. Contact Tim Wilbur at twilbur@pinetreesociety.org or 207-386-5971 or 207-510-4647 VP.

Case Management:  Our Case Management team is here to support people with disabilities and their families with individualized services during this stressful time.  Our team can help identify and connect families to community-based services.  Contact Julie Brennan at jbrennan@pinetreesociety.org or 207-386-5952.

Audiology:  Our audiologists are offering both telephone and telepractice appointment for trouble shooting hearing aids and any additional training people may need to support use of hearing aids.  Contact audiology@pinetreesociety.org or 207-386-5920.

“We’re creative and solution-focused; always thinking about how we can have the greatest impact to change the story of an individual’s life.” 

– Noel Sullivan, President and CEO, Pine Tree Society

Four ways to have fun getting active

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Four Tips for Getting Active

By Linda Bonnar-Ivery, MA, CCC-SLP, ATP, Director of Communication Pathways, Pine Tree Society

Looking for some ideas to promote movement this week?  Here are four tips that are easily adaptable for children of all abilities.

 

1) Kids Yoga

There are lots of different poses you can use and you can even help a child make up their own pose.  Here is a great resource for adding yoga into your life.

2) Simon Says

Simon Says is a great way to promote movement and work on basic verbs while building skills for following directions.  For children who are older, try two-step directions.

3) I Spy 

The I Spy guessing game can take place anywhere.  Take a walk around your neighborhood or move around your house having fun spying objects and guessing.

4) Scavenger Hunt

Much like I Spy, you can have a scavenger hunt anywhere, anytime.  Inside or outside, scavenger hunts promote movement and creative thinking.  Here are some great scavenger hunt templates to use or to inspire your own.

Follow this link for many great resources on Pine Tree Society’s website.

Tips for homeschooling during COVID-19

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Tips for homeschooling during COVID-19

By Linda Bonnar-Ivery, MA, CCC-SLP, ATP,  Director of Communication Pathways, Pine Tree Society

With the developments over the course of the past few weeks, families have found themselves in the position of homeschooling their children.  Making the transition to homeschooling can be challenging – especially when it happens with no notice.  Here are some tips that might be helpful.  These tips are applicable to children of all abilities.

1) Make a schedule for the day. 

What are the goals you hope to accomplish? Create the schedule together. 

You can remind your child of the things that have to be done, but giving your child some control as to when things happen in the course of the day can make them a little easier to complete. Remember:  Most people do better and are more motivated when things are done with them, not just to them.

2) Remember to be sure to work in breaks, movement and fun time.  

We all take a break from our work at times during the day! 

Childhood development experts give ranges of attention spans as loose rules to follow, but there really isn’t any strong empirical research that holds these ranges as tried and true.

Attention span can vary from person to person and might need to be adjusted depending on how effortful or motivating the task being presented is, and what kind of attention is necessary for completion!  People often refocus frequently during tasks for a number of reasons, so keep your learning blocks long enough to get something done, but short enough to not lose them all together.  (These ranges are suggested by  brainbalancecenters.com)

6 years of age:  12-18 minutes

8 years of age:  16-24 minutes

10 years of age:  20 to 30 minutes

12 years of age:  24-36 minutes

14 years of age:  28-42 minutes

16 years of age:  32-48 minutes

3) Remember, you are not alone! 

We are all in this together and Pine Tree Society is here to help.

Be sure to go to this link on our website to find a lot of helpful COVID-19 resources and support for people with disabilities.  We’re adding new content frequently.

We are also offering remote services like Speech Language therapy.  This is a great way to retain and continue to build skills during this time.

Contact me at 207-386-5931 or lbonnar@pinetreesociety.org to schedule an appointment or learn more.

~ Linda

COVID-19 consequence: Emergency funds needed

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I don’t normally share requests like this, but these are desperate times.  COVID-19 is already hurting Maine people with disabilities and their families in countless ways – and we are working to respond.  Would you please make an urgent gift to help?

I just got off the phone with a mom of a Pine Tree Camp camper.  They are self-isolating to ensure that he does not contract COVID-19, which could be devastating to his health.  She is worried about maintaining the skills he has gained at school and ensuring that they have the support their family needs during this time.  It’s been three days and they are already feeling the effects of isolation.

You can help them.

Your gift will help Pine Tree Society set up video speech therapy, case management services to keep critical services in place, and keep our “Pine Tree Camp family” virtually connected during this time.  For so many families, Pine Tree Camp is their lifeline.  There are no extra funds in our budget to meet this unexpected need.

This is just one of thousands of families caring for a loved one with a disability at this time, and they need our help now.  Please send in your emergency gift today and it will go right to use to help Maine people who need it.

Sincerely,

 

 

Noel J. Sullivan
President and CEO

WMTW and WGME cover the 12th annual Southern Maine Autism Conference

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On Saturday, March 7, the 12th annual Southern Maine Autism Conference took place at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel in South Portland.

Over 500 individuals with autism and their parents, educators, and providers came together for a day of learning, resources, and laughter.

According to the 2019 Maine Kids Count report, 2,824 children in Maine have autism, which is almost triple the number of students who were diagnosed with autism when the conference first began.

WMTW interviewed Noel Sullivan, President & CEO of Pine Tree Society about what the conference provides. Watch their story here.

WGME spoke with Stevie Bonnevie, Marketing Associate of Pine Tree Society about the need for this conference in the community. Read their story here.

A Maine tradition since 1974: The Dysart’s Snowmobile Ride-in and Q106.5 Egg Ride to Benefit Pine Tree Camp

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Snow was hard to find, but the 47th annual Dysart’s Snowmobile Ride-in and Q106.5 Egg Ride to benefit Pine Tree Camp took the show on the road. The Q106.5 egg riders continued the unique fundraising tradition of stuffing raw eggs down their shirts before hopping on the flatbed trucks for a parade led by Maine Game Wardens. Each egg represented a $50 pledge with all proceeds directly supporting Pine Tree Camp’s Campership Fund.

One of those riders was Austin, a 12-year-old snowmobile racer from Levant.

“This was my first time fundraising,” he said. His pitch was simple. “’Would you like to donate to the Pine Tree Camp Egg Ride? It’s only $50 for one egg.’ Some people had heard of Pine Tree Camp and some hadn’t. And if people hadn’t, I’d explain that it’s a place where people with disabilities can go to camp.”

Austin’s family is overwhelmed by the response. He originally hoped to raise $750. Instead, he more than tripled that goal with donations continuing to come in.

“We live in a small community and it’s been phenomenal,” said his mother, Heather. “His hard work and dedication makes us feel proud that’s for sure.”

They have good reason to be proud.

“Austin has always had a special gift with kids and adults who have disabilities,” she continued. “He has a big heart and takes the extra step to help people out and make sure everyone feels involved.”

This summer, Austin and his family will take that a step further and volunteer at Pine Tree Camp together.

“It’s important to us to take part in the Pine Tree Camp experience and see what all this hard work has gone toward,” said Heather. “We can’t wait. Come on summer!”

Camp Director, Dawn Willard-Robinson sees first hand the difference Pine Tree Camp makes in the lives of Maine children and adults with disabilities.

“Thanks to Austin, and so many donors around Maine, we will be able to welcome 650 campers to Pine Tree Camp this summer,” she said. “But the impact isn’t just about the six days they are at Pine Tree Camp. It’s the beginning of a positive ripple effect that lasts a lifetime. This support will transform lives.”

Southern Maine Autism Conference continues for its 12th year

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Saturday, March 7 is a particularly special day in Maine. It’s the day families from around the state come together for the Southern Maine Autism Conference. This conference began 12 years ago as a way to connect parents with educators, service providers and resources. It is offered at no cost and, for the 12th year in a row, is at full capacity with more than 500 people expected.

Pine Tree Society and Spurwink work in partnership to bring leading experts to Maine to share the most up-to-date information available with parents and family members of children and adults with autism spectrum disorders.

According to the 2019 Maine Kids Count report, 2,824 children in Maine (9.5%) have autism, which, based on statistics provided by the Maine Department of Education, is almost triple the number of students who were diagnosed with autism when the Southern Maine Autism Conference first began.

“The need for this conference is significant,” said Pine Tree Society’s president and CEO, Noel Sullivan. “It may be just one day, but, for twelve years, this conference has been a meeting place where families gain knowledge, find much needed resources and form friendships and networks that last long after the conference ends.”

This conference also begins the annual worldwide spring focus on Autism Awareness Month, which occurs each year in April.

This year’s nationally recognized keynote speakers are back by popular demand. “Outside Your Comfort Zone” will be co-led by Kyler Shumway, PsyD and Daniel Wendler, PsyD.

WHAT: 12th Annual Southern Maine Autism Conference presented by Pine Tree Society and Spurwink

WHEN: Saturday, March 7 8:00am – 4:00pm

WHERE: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, 363 Maine Mall Rd., South Portland

REGISTER: www.maineautismconference.org

FMI: Abby Gordon — agordon@pinetreesociety.org — 207-386-5963

Thank you to our generous sponsors to help keep this event at no cost to attendees: Maine Behavioral Health, Autism Society of Maine, and Specialized Housing, Inc.

Four for four: Pine Tree Society receives a perfect 4-star score from Charity Navigator for fourth year in a row

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For the fourth year in a row, Pine Tree Society has earned the top 4-star ranking from Charity Navigator. Charity Navigator is the largest independent charity evaluator in the United States and 4-stars is their highest possible rating. Pine Tree Society’s commitment to strong financial health, accountability and transparency earned this top distinction.

Only 20% of the charities Charity Navigator evaluates have received at least four consecutive 4-star evaluations, indicating that Pine Tree Society outperforms most other charities in America.

“Earning a perfect score in transparency and accountability shows we’ve worked hard to ensure our donors can trust we’re using their donations wisely in our work to transform the lives of Maine people with disabilities each day,” said Noel Sullivan, president and CEO of Pine Tree Society. “We’re committed to maximizing the impact of every dollar donated to support the people we serve, and this commitment is reflected in our 4-star rating from Charity Navigator.”

View Pine Tree Society’s 4-star ranking at this link:

https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=7736