APRIL 1, 2012
Many thanks to all who helped make our 4th annual Mardi Gras Ball a huge success. Once again, the Community Center burst its seams with partygoers dressed in costumes and all in masks. Hurricanes were the hit of the night along with the great Johnny O Band from Denver. The proceeds from this fundraiser not only provides working capital, but we were able to move several kids off of our waiting list!! We are already looking forward to next year’s “party of the year”!
News from the CDC (Center for Disease Control) has announced that the rate of autism has grown 78% in the last decade. In 2002, 1-150 children were diagnosed on the spectrum. The current estimate now is 1-88 children. Autism is the fastest growing disability in the US, more than childhood diabetes or Down Syndrome. Most experts agree that there may be multiple causes. Certainly we have to look at genetics and more importantly we must look to environmental factors as a “trigger” or cause.
The good news is that early intervention and ongoing therapies such as speech, social cognition, and occupational therapy produce amazing outcomes. If you are a new parent, please pay attention to the “red flags” listed on this site. If you are concerned, contact us. We can refer you to the proper resources and get you the help you need.
Our Community Cultivation Program is gearing up for the summer session. The big news is that we will be ordering our solar greenhouse very soon. This will enable the program to expand from a few months of the year to 8 or 9 months growing produce and enhancing work-ready skills for our older clients. It is our hope once the greenhouse is established to expand this wonderful resource to our younger population. Our thanks to Rocky Mountain Youth Corps for donating their land and being our collaborator. We will continue our garden plots at the Botanic Park through this summer.
Thanks to a grant from the Craig-Scheckman Foundation we are in the “final stretch” of providing tuition money to two qualified candidates to receive their certification in ABA. (Applied Behavior Analysis). ABA is the “gold standard” in behavioral therapy and by the end of the year, I am proud to announce we will have brought this discipline to Routt and Moffat Counties.
Regardless of the severity of a special needs disorder, communication and socialization skills remain a challenge for our kids. “Dinner Club” meets twice a month at our 8th Street House. The kids prepare an organic dinner and practice their social skills with our club leader Linda Lewis.
Once a month a group of our teenage girls meet, prepare dinner and discuss social issues they face in school and at home while preparing a delicious dinner. The goal of this course is to enhance social skills but also provide an evening of fun with their peers. This spring we will be adding themes relevant to their teenage years, such as dating, appropriate dress and grooming along with developing self-esteem. If you daughter is interested, please contact me at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Thanks to the generosity of The Sievert Family Foundation, we have begun a pilot program with 5 clients utilizing iPads. Our program Director Jamie Cimo has implemented a program based on each client’s ability and needs focusing on social skills and language. Jamie continues to work closely with the school district’s team of specialists to coordinate efforts with apps and programming using this valuable tool!
Save the date: May 12th Strawberry Park School. 3rd annual Spirit Race in memory of Jenna Grubben. Each year we have been the recipients of the revenue of a race run by the Steamboat Running Series. Each year, your child can run laps raising money for autism. Entry fee is your child’s age. Prizes and refreshments for each child. More information as race develops.
Yampa Valley Autism Program will provide up to 10 per month @ 12.00 per hour to reimburse you for childcare. These ten hours offer time away to run errands, have dinner or just spend time with yourself or other siblings.
Tom Gangel, Board Chair
Jason Lacy, Treasurer
Steve Ivancie, Secretary
Holly Nelson, Fund Development
Susan Mizen
Christine McKelvie
Lisa Lorenz
Jack Dysart
Make a donation through PayPal
Learn more about Community Cultivation »