Wow.
Click on the title of this blogg to see the video.
This video has inspired me so much! Every time I do something that is difficult for myself and have the urge to give up trying, I think of this man and it helps me to push through my walls.
If he can surf, then surely I can hold my arms above my head in a yoga pose for longer than I think I can!!!
I think of what he said about being 8 years old and having no hope or belief in himself, and cannot help but think that if his parents had run a Son-Rise Program for him when he was younger he would have been surrounded my people who believed that he could do anything that he wanted to do, and helped him believe that too.
Here in The Son-Rise Program, not only do we think it is important that we as parents and therapists believe in the limitless possibilities for our children on The Autism Spectrum, but we think it is important that our children also believe in themselves.
When it comes down to it belief and hope are the two most important ingredients in all learning and all growth.
I think to myself, how am I going to finish, I guess that is up to me and me alone.
Love to all of you who are reading this!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Anything is Possible!
This video is so inspiring. There is nothing that this lady can't do. She is a true "Force of Nature". Here at The Son-Rise Program, we teach parents of their special children to be "Forces of Nature" and we believe that there is nothing that our children can't do when they put their mind to it. Enjoy!
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Heaven's Here on Earth
I was listening to Tracy Chapman recently and the lyrics of the following song reminded me of something I have learned from working at The Option Institute. That we see the world the way we want to see it. If we see it as beautiful, miraculous and full of hope, that's how our experience of the world will be.
If we see it as sad, tragic, and hopeless, then that's how our world will be to us. When I work with children and adults using The Son-Rise Program, I choose to see them as amazing, unique and capable, and indeed that's what they become to me and to anyone else who chooses to see it. Enjoy!
Heaven's Here On Earth
You can look to the stars in search of the answers
Look for God and life on distant planets
Have your faith in the ever after
While each of us holds inside the map to the labyrinth
And heaven's here on earth
We are the spirit the collective conscience
We create the pain and the suffering and the beauty in this world
Heaven's here on earth
In our faith in humankind
In our respect for what is earthly
In our unfaltering belief in peace and love and understanding
I've seen and met angels wearing the disguise
Of ordinary people leading ordinary lives
Filled with love, compassion, forgiveness and sacrifice
Heaven's in our hearts
In our faith in humankind
In our respect for what is earthly
In our unfaltering belief in peace and love and understanding
Look around
Believe in what you see
The kingdom is at hand
The promised land is at your feet
We can and will become what we aspire to be
If Heaven's here on earth
If we have faith in humankind
And respect for what is earthly
And an unfaltering belief that truth is divinity
And heaven's here on earth
I've seen spirits
I've met angels
Touched creations beautiful and wondrous
I've been places where I question all I think I know
But I believe, I believe, I believe this could be heaven
We are born inside the gates with the power to create life
And to take it away
The world is our temple
The world is our church
Heaven's here on earth
If we have faith in human kind
And respect for what is earthly
And an unfaltering belief
In peace and love and understanding
This could be heaven here on earth
If we see it as sad, tragic, and hopeless, then that's how our world will be to us. When I work with children and adults using The Son-Rise Program, I choose to see them as amazing, unique and capable, and indeed that's what they become to me and to anyone else who chooses to see it. Enjoy!
Heaven's Here On Earth
You can look to the stars in search of the answers
Look for God and life on distant planets
Have your faith in the ever after
While each of us holds inside the map to the labyrinth
And heaven's here on earth
We are the spirit the collective conscience
We create the pain and the suffering and the beauty in this world
Heaven's here on earth
In our faith in humankind
In our respect for what is earthly
In our unfaltering belief in peace and love and understanding
I've seen and met angels wearing the disguise
Of ordinary people leading ordinary lives
Filled with love, compassion, forgiveness and sacrifice
Heaven's in our hearts
In our faith in humankind
In our respect for what is earthly
In our unfaltering belief in peace and love and understanding
Look around
Believe in what you see
The kingdom is at hand
The promised land is at your feet
We can and will become what we aspire to be
If Heaven's here on earth
If we have faith in humankind
And respect for what is earthly
And an unfaltering belief that truth is divinity
And heaven's here on earth
I've seen spirits
I've met angels
Touched creations beautiful and wondrous
I've been places where I question all I think I know
But I believe, I believe, I believe this could be heaven
We are born inside the gates with the power to create life
And to take it away
The world is our temple
The world is our church
Heaven's here on earth
If we have faith in human kind
And respect for what is earthly
And an unfaltering belief
In peace and love and understanding
This could be heaven here on earth
Friday, June 19, 2009
Congratulations: Jade Hogan
Congratulations: Jade Hogan
Congratulations: Bryn & William Hogan
Very Personal/Very Awesome: Our granddaughter, Jade (Bryn & William's child), who had been in a 5 yr. Son-Rise Program – and then went to a normal elementary school, graduated last night from the 6th. grade...and was one of 4 students to be honored with the Presidential Award for Outstanding Scholarship. She was so, so delighted. Hurrah for Jade, Bryn & William. Hurrah for the Son-Rise Program.
Love, Bears and Samahria Kaufman
This was my post this morning on Facebook – this was the total amount of space allowed. But what I want to add for all of you and those others you share this with ... is a standing ovation to Bryn and William who directed an intense, profoundly loving, 7-day-a-week (every day) Son-Rise Program for 5 years….with the help of many volunteers (many who had been on the staff at the time – for example, Kate was an extraordinarily huge part of that program as was others). To Bryn and William, we are deeply moved for what you did with your daughter. And her graduation last night was her achievement but it could never have happened without your dedication, enthusiasm, profound level of excellence in what you did with and for Jade for those years (and the dedication shown by her Godmother – amazing Katie Wilde).
Congratulations: Bryn & William Hogan
Very Personal/Very Awesome: Our granddaughter, Jade (Bryn & William's child), who had been in a 5 yr. Son-Rise Program – and then went to a normal elementary school, graduated last night from the 6th. grade...and was one of 4 students to be honored with the Presidential Award for Outstanding Scholarship. She was so, so delighted. Hurrah for Jade, Bryn & William. Hurrah for the Son-Rise Program.
Love, Bears and Samahria Kaufman
This was my post this morning on Facebook – this was the total amount of space allowed. But what I want to add for all of you and those others you share this with ... is a standing ovation to Bryn and William who directed an intense, profoundly loving, 7-day-a-week (every day) Son-Rise Program for 5 years….with the help of many volunteers (many who had been on the staff at the time – for example, Kate was an extraordinarily huge part of that program as was others). To Bryn and William, we are deeply moved for what you did with your daughter. And her graduation last night was her achievement but it could never have happened without your dedication, enthusiasm, profound level of excellence in what you did with and for Jade for those years (and the dedication shown by her Godmother – amazing Katie Wilde).
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Trust.
In-order to learn fully and quickly it is useful to decide to trust your teacher.
In-order to teach effectively it is useful to trust your students.
To create a strong and beautiful relationship it is useful to trust open heatedly.
To know what you want and then go after it is useful to trust yourself.
Trust trust trust! Such a small word that has a mighty meaning.
When did we decide to stop trusting?
Was it in school, church, the family unit?
More importantly when are we going to decide that it is important?
In-order to teach effectively it is useful to trust your students.
To create a strong and beautiful relationship it is useful to trust open heatedly.
To know what you want and then go after it is useful to trust yourself.
Trust trust trust! Such a small word that has a mighty meaning.
When did we decide to stop trusting?
Was it in school, church, the family unit?
More importantly when are we going to decide that it is important?
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
To all the Parents
This week is our Start Up program week and we have soo many people here. I am so excited for each and every one of the parents and professionals who are able to make it here. I love seeing the change in the parents over the week from excitement and curiosity to excitement and empowerment as they learn everything they need to make a huge difference for their special child in one week.
What I love about the Son Rise program is how much power we give the parents. So many people out there think that only "experts" can work with and provide help for children with autism, when in fact who knows more about these inspiring people than the parents? Then when you work one on one and give yourself over to the moment you can see so much more as well. One beautiful woman told me recently at a Start- Up that she learned more about her child in one half hour of joining than she felt like she had in his previous 5 years.
Parents, you are my heros! You, the people who put in the effort day in and day out to help the ones you love. I love doing Son Rise because I love these kids and also because I love helping the parents who inspire me daily. Thank you!
What I love about the Son Rise program is how much power we give the parents. So many people out there think that only "experts" can work with and provide help for children with autism, when in fact who knows more about these inspiring people than the parents? Then when you work one on one and give yourself over to the moment you can see so much more as well. One beautiful woman told me recently at a Start- Up that she learned more about her child in one half hour of joining than she felt like she had in his previous 5 years.
Parents, you are my heros! You, the people who put in the effort day in and day out to help the ones you love. I love doing Son Rise because I love these kids and also because I love helping the parents who inspire me daily. Thank you!
From Baby Steps to Giant Strides!
Today I would like to celebrate one of my best friends. A gorgeous five year old boy who I volunteer with every week.
I would like to celebrate him for the huge strides he has made recently. His family have been doing The Son-Rise Program with him for about three years. During that time I have seen great changes in him.
Since I first met him when they came to our center in 2006, to when I began volunteering with him last August. His eye contact had increased hugely, he was using some clear words and had become more open to physical contact.
These changes happened steadily over the course of the program and his Mom referred to him as a "Plodder", meaning that he moved very gradually over a longer period of time than some children do.
In the past year, since working with him on a regular basis, his pace of movement has started to quicken, going from single words, to three word sentences in the course of a few months and being toilet trained within a week of the team making it a focus for him.
In the past 6 weeks, however, I have seen a new side to him. He looks, smiles, comes over to me and initiates games when I enter the playroom, he is now playing 15-40 minute games with me and they have involved lots of looking, laughing and spontaneous talking and has more of a desire to interact with me.
He is so much more connected and when he is exclusive, is at times torn between whether to do his own thing or whether to play with me. A year ago, he could go for an hour without even showing that he knew I was in the same room as him while he played exclusively with his toys. His average interactive attention span has quadrupled within the past six weeks.
Whether your child is making baby steps or giant strides, we are cheering you on and supporting you each step of the way. Stick with it, delight in the progress that has been made no matter how little and be grateful for what your child is doing. You too, will see giant strides when your child is ready. I am so excited for the rest of my journey with my little friend, and I am excited for your journey with the special child in your life.
I would like to celebrate him for the huge strides he has made recently. His family have been doing The Son-Rise Program with him for about three years. During that time I have seen great changes in him.
Since I first met him when they came to our center in 2006, to when I began volunteering with him last August. His eye contact had increased hugely, he was using some clear words and had become more open to physical contact.
These changes happened steadily over the course of the program and his Mom referred to him as a "Plodder", meaning that he moved very gradually over a longer period of time than some children do.
In the past year, since working with him on a regular basis, his pace of movement has started to quicken, going from single words, to three word sentences in the course of a few months and being toilet trained within a week of the team making it a focus for him.
In the past 6 weeks, however, I have seen a new side to him. He looks, smiles, comes over to me and initiates games when I enter the playroom, he is now playing 15-40 minute games with me and they have involved lots of looking, laughing and spontaneous talking and has more of a desire to interact with me.
He is so much more connected and when he is exclusive, is at times torn between whether to do his own thing or whether to play with me. A year ago, he could go for an hour without even showing that he knew I was in the same room as him while he played exclusively with his toys. His average interactive attention span has quadrupled within the past six weeks.
Whether your child is making baby steps or giant strides, we are cheering you on and supporting you each step of the way. Stick with it, delight in the progress that has been made no matter how little and be grateful for what your child is doing. You too, will see giant strides when your child is ready. I am so excited for the rest of my journey with my little friend, and I am excited for your journey with the special child in your life.
Requesting!
Good Morning.
This week at the Autism Treatment Center of America we have a 6 year old Autistic boy.
He has blond hair and the cutest cheeks! He loves playing with his Dad and does yoga like poses in the mirror, and an interesting dance moving his fingers and then wrapping his arm over his head and giving his cheek a little slap.
I take my hat off to him for his desire to learn to talk. He is trying so hard and yesterday was talking none stop. A lot of what he is saying is hard to understand but if you listen carefully enough the word we are asking him to say is usually embedded in the middle of his sounds, as clear as day.
The interesting thing about this little boy is that we will be in the middle of a bubble game with him, he is waiting patiently for us to blow a bubble and smile hugely when we do, then when we request the word bubble, he will look away from us, sometimes move away a little, and then a few seconds later say a really good approximation of the word. At first glance it looks like he is moving away from the request, but really he is doing what he needs to do the concentrate and achieve what we are asking from him.
So give your child the benefit of the doubt and whenever you request something from them, believe with all of your heart that no matter what they do next it is their attempt to do what you are asking from them, even if it looks at first to be the opposite.
Have a great day everyone!
This week at the Autism Treatment Center of America we have a 6 year old Autistic boy.
He has blond hair and the cutest cheeks! He loves playing with his Dad and does yoga like poses in the mirror, and an interesting dance moving his fingers and then wrapping his arm over his head and giving his cheek a little slap.
I take my hat off to him for his desire to learn to talk. He is trying so hard and yesterday was talking none stop. A lot of what he is saying is hard to understand but if you listen carefully enough the word we are asking him to say is usually embedded in the middle of his sounds, as clear as day.
The interesting thing about this little boy is that we will be in the middle of a bubble game with him, he is waiting patiently for us to blow a bubble and smile hugely when we do, then when we request the word bubble, he will look away from us, sometimes move away a little, and then a few seconds later say a really good approximation of the word. At first glance it looks like he is moving away from the request, but really he is doing what he needs to do the concentrate and achieve what we are asking from him.
So give your child the benefit of the doubt and whenever you request something from them, believe with all of your heart that no matter what they do next it is their attempt to do what you are asking from them, even if it looks at first to be the opposite.
Have a great day everyone!
Friday, June 12, 2009
Parenting - Useful Perspective
Last night Bryn and I were having dinner with Jade and Malik and we had a great conversation about dying. Jade and Malik had just come back from working at a local stables that works with special children and adults. It is a wonderful place where the horses, having been rescued from in-humane conditions, are give wonderful work, the opportunity to play and be loved by all who go there. Yesterday one of the horses who had been there for many years had to be put down due to old age and the challenges she was having.
During dinner we talked about how wonderful it was for the horse to be surrounded by people who loved her as she died. We then talked about what we wanted for when we die and the fact that we will all die at some point. We talked about how great Buddhist master can choose exactly when they are going to die and about the deaths that Bryn and I have been at. Both Jade, 13yrs old, and Malik, 12 yrs old, openly listened, asked questions, and participated easily and comfortable in the conversation.
I feel blessed to be able to sit and talk to them about such a topic, a topic that can be looked at with such fear and aversion. It was wonderful to be able to offer them a perspective that will help them navigate this situation that will come up in their life in many different ways. I love this aspect of parenting.
During dinner we talked about how wonderful it was for the horse to be surrounded by people who loved her as she died. We then talked about what we wanted for when we die and the fact that we will all die at some point. We talked about how great Buddhist master can choose exactly when they are going to die and about the deaths that Bryn and I have been at. Both Jade, 13yrs old, and Malik, 12 yrs old, openly listened, asked questions, and participated easily and comfortable in the conversation.
I feel blessed to be able to sit and talk to them about such a topic, a topic that can be looked at with such fear and aversion. It was wonderful to be able to offer them a perspective that will help them navigate this situation that will come up in their life in many different ways. I love this aspect of parenting.
I Can Stop Judging My Son
Hi Bears,
I would like to be your friend. Your have helped me to not judge myself.
Now when I return home from The Son-Rise Program: New Frontiers at the Autism Treatment Center of America this Friday, I can stop judging my son Nathanael. When I feel alone and have no support and no one who I can turn to about Autism I will remember what you said Monday. You had 0% support and created the very first Son-Rise Program. Then gave us your beautiful books and built the amazing place the Autism Treatment Center of America. Thank-You for such a Blessed Gift. I prayed for so long. It's so cool when God answers your prayers. It has changed my life in the best way possible. Now I can understand how Nathanael see's the world because of you and you amazing family. Thank-You for the honor to say I know you and learned from you in person. Since Nathanael loves giving Valentines when we get in the play room we are going to make you another Valentine, and mail it to you. It was so neat when you came over to me and let me share "If you can't believe your partner can change how can you believe you can change." I now believe I can start to begin working on changing my old beliefs into positive ones to have a better quality of life for Nathanael and our entire family. Thank-You.
Big Hugs
Karen Holmes
Hi, Karen:
You are a "pistol". Lots of life, lots of energy, lot of light in your eyes -- I have so enjoyed having you in the New Frontiers program...and so appreciate the love and kindness you express. Your note above just so touched me. Thank you for your kind words.
Love, Bears
Hi Bears,
I really enjoyed The Son-Rise Program: New Frontiers and would need courage and strength to be ready for Son-Rise Wide Awake. Thank-You for giving me tools to use in Nathaniel's playroom .Inspiring Growth is so valuable having specific goals and using the Developmental Model to focus on the four fundamentals. My Son-Rise Program Manual is so valuable to me that anyone who asks why I hold on to it so tightly my response is this is the way you can get your own. Watching "I Want My Little Boy Back" the manual is my Bible only when you experience The Son-Rise Program Process. Thank-You again and again for making time to work on me for questioning my belief's and to make it so clear your attitude is required to be present with your child in the play room and The Option Process Principles you have made it easy. Well now to get to work in the play room 3 E's.Tell Bryn Thank-You for making is possible for me to finally attend New Frontiers Terry told me it was Bryn's decision that made this week possible for me. It was the Best Memorial week I have ever had.
Love Karen
The Importance of Happiness!
Wonderful friends!
I want to share with you some beautiful realizations I have had regarding the importance of choosing happiness when we want to help our autistic children, both in and out of the playroom. Our autism strategies and techniques are so powerful and important, but being grounded in a totally loving, happy, non-judgmental attitude is THE key part of The Sob-Rise Program. Why? Well...
1) When I am totally happy and non-judgmental I am the open, loving version of myself. Not only do I then make it so easy to connect deeply with the child (since I do not distract myself with judgments and depressions), but I also open myself up for them to connect to me - aren't we all drawn to happy, loving people?
2) When I am choosing happiness I am modelling a wonderful way to be in the world. If a special child opens up and sees me, totally happy, totally loving, I always have this wonderful image of them saying "Wow, I could do with some of that!". I can get fully behind inviting them into my world, knowing that it is such a wonderful place to be!
3) By choosing happiness in every moment in the playroom I am totally unattached to outcomes. I do not make my good feelings dependent upon the child performing in any particular way. I can request anything from a special child, fully believing they will respond, yet putting no emotional weight on the result... And believe me, I have seen time and time again that the moment you take the pressure off is in when these amazing children really take flight!
Have a beautiful day everyone - it's a choice!
Jack =D
I want to share with you some beautiful realizations I have had regarding the importance of choosing happiness when we want to help our autistic children, both in and out of the playroom. Our autism strategies and techniques are so powerful and important, but being grounded in a totally loving, happy, non-judgmental attitude is THE key part of The Sob-Rise Program. Why? Well...
1) When I am totally happy and non-judgmental I am the open, loving version of myself. Not only do I then make it so easy to connect deeply with the child (since I do not distract myself with judgments and depressions), but I also open myself up for them to connect to me - aren't we all drawn to happy, loving people?
2) When I am choosing happiness I am modelling a wonderful way to be in the world. If a special child opens up and sees me, totally happy, totally loving, I always have this wonderful image of them saying "Wow, I could do with some of that!". I can get fully behind inviting them into my world, knowing that it is such a wonderful place to be!
3) By choosing happiness in every moment in the playroom I am totally unattached to outcomes. I do not make my good feelings dependent upon the child performing in any particular way. I can request anything from a special child, fully believing they will respond, yet putting no emotional weight on the result... And believe me, I have seen time and time again that the moment you take the pressure off is in when these amazing children really take flight!
Have a beautiful day everyone - it's a choice!
Jack =D
Thursday, June 11, 2009
It's Never too Late to Talk!
This week I have the pleasure of working with an 18 year old man in The Son-Rise Program Intensive Program, the week before that, we had a 32 year old man,and before that, an 18 year old woman. Every time we have a young adult in our playroom, we hear them use new sounds and clear words.
On Monday, I was having lunch in the playroom with this lovely man (who is taller than me and weighs 200 lbs) and he reached across the table where we were sitting, took a piece of my gluten free sandwich and said "Ging". To people who may be reading this, you may think "Well that's not a word" BUT by the power of responding to that sound and taking into consideration what he was also doing at the time, an amazing thing happened.
I celebrated him and said "That sounded like Give me"(because he had taken my sandwich as he said it. He looked at me and gave me an enormous grin. So I took another piece of my sandwich and gave it to him quickly, modelling the words "Give me", the more I said it and gave him pieces of my lunch, the more he smiled and we had this great interaction.
The third time I said it, he said "Gimme" and continued to say it three times after I had modelled it for him with the action of giving him pieces of my lunch. He was seeing the power of his sounds because I was giving them importance and meaning, he was inspired to use his voice more and then made several approximations of "Give me".
I am so excited that at The Son-Rise Program we believe that it's never too late to talk, because if we didn't believe that, then we would never open ourselves up to the possibility that someone who is 18 and supposedly non-verbal will and in fact does talk.
Love to you all! x
On Monday, I was having lunch in the playroom with this lovely man (who is taller than me and weighs 200 lbs) and he reached across the table where we were sitting, took a piece of my gluten free sandwich and said "Ging". To people who may be reading this, you may think "Well that's not a word" BUT by the power of responding to that sound and taking into consideration what he was also doing at the time, an amazing thing happened.
I celebrated him and said "That sounded like Give me"(because he had taken my sandwich as he said it. He looked at me and gave me an enormous grin. So I took another piece of my sandwich and gave it to him quickly, modelling the words "Give me", the more I said it and gave him pieces of my lunch, the more he smiled and we had this great interaction.
The third time I said it, he said "Gimme" and continued to say it three times after I had modelled it for him with the action of giving him pieces of my lunch. He was seeing the power of his sounds because I was giving them importance and meaning, he was inspired to use his voice more and then made several approximations of "Give me".
I am so excited that at The Son-Rise Program we believe that it's never too late to talk, because if we didn't believe that, then we would never open ourselves up to the possibility that someone who is 18 and supposedly non-verbal will and in fact does talk.
Love to you all! x
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Fun Creator!
The Son Rise Program playroom is one of the places where I feel truly alive. I can do anything in the playroom! The best part of this is, the more fun I have, the more fun I believe the children have. This was demonstrated to me very well yesterday.
I was joining this amazing young man (he is 18 and the size of an American football player). He began a new ism, by rocking on his feet, touching the mirror and then sitting down. I threw my 3E's (Energy, Excitement and Enthusiasm) into joining and I laughed as I touched the mirror and ran to sit down. He looked over and smiled. I began building a game by racing myself. I jumped up, ran to the mirror touched it, ran back over to my seat on the floor and slid into it like home plate (For those of you who don't know me I'm 5 months pregnant, and I've never felt better). The beautiful man laughed and started racing with me. We both started running across a 6 foot space touching a mirror and sliding into the floor.
I turned it into a dance game where I was rockin' and groovin'. This man supported me by laughing and saying "don" for dance of course! It was so much fun. I know that I can create whatever experience I want for myself, and I love to be a FUN creator!
I was joining this amazing young man (he is 18 and the size of an American football player). He began a new ism, by rocking on his feet, touching the mirror and then sitting down. I threw my 3E's (Energy, Excitement and Enthusiasm) into joining and I laughed as I touched the mirror and ran to sit down. He looked over and smiled. I began building a game by racing myself. I jumped up, ran to the mirror touched it, ran back over to my seat on the floor and slid into it like home plate (For those of you who don't know me I'm 5 months pregnant, and I've never felt better). The beautiful man laughed and started racing with me. We both started running across a 6 foot space touching a mirror and sliding into the floor.
I turned it into a dance game where I was rockin' and groovin'. This man supported me by laughing and saying "don" for dance of course! It was so much fun. I know that I can create whatever experience I want for myself, and I love to be a FUN creator!
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
One Joy of a Son-Rise Program Training Course
This photo was taken during our advanced training program - New Frontiers, in the UK.
I enjoy many things about teaching in our Son-Rise Program training courses, especial those times when parents, volunteers and caring professionals get together in small groups to brainstorm and support one another.
It is wonderful to see them come up with idea's to help another parent's child, to get solutions for the challenges they face, to encourage each other and ultimately to believe a little bit more in the possibilities for themselves, their family and their autistic child(ren).
As always it is an honor to work with all the family's and the individuals that help them.
Together We Are Stronger.
To all Son-Rise Program Parents,
Today as you enter your playrooms to work with your children, remember that you are not alone.
As you celebrate your child today for looking into your eyes, there will be other parents doing the same thing, it Italy, England, Ireland, Africa, Brazil, Australia and France.
As you join your child in their ism, we here at the Autism Treatment Center of America in Sheffield MA, will be joining an 18 year old autistic Teenager as he bangs his hand against the wall, and rocks back and forth as he winks his eyes.
All of us united in our intention to put love and acceptance first, and believe in the limitless possibilities for our children.
As you think of all the Son-Rise Parents and Son-Rise Program Facilitators and teachers around the world, take energy from the collective and step into your playrooms stronger than before.
with love to you all!
Kate
Today as you enter your playrooms to work with your children, remember that you are not alone.
As you celebrate your child today for looking into your eyes, there will be other parents doing the same thing, it Italy, England, Ireland, Africa, Brazil, Australia and France.
As you join your child in their ism, we here at the Autism Treatment Center of America in Sheffield MA, will be joining an 18 year old autistic Teenager as he bangs his hand against the wall, and rocks back and forth as he winks his eyes.
All of us united in our intention to put love and acceptance first, and believe in the limitless possibilities for our children.
As you think of all the Son-Rise Parents and Son-Rise Program Facilitators and teachers around the world, take energy from the collective and step into your playrooms stronger than before.
with love to you all!
Kate
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Another Game idea
Child's motivation: logo's and tiny things.
Game
1. You photo copy a bunch of car logo's, TV logo's etc so that you can make them really really tiny.
2. Then you hide them around the room, eg sticking them on the table, on the window ledge, or on the floor.
3. You explain to your child that you have hidden really tiny logo's around the room and that you and her are going to find them together. Start the game by finding two first, so that she gets to see what she could find. For fun you can use a magnifying glass and wear detective hats:)
The idea is to have fun finding them together and stay in one interactive game as long as possible. If she goes to ism, join her, when you get a green light go back to the game again. (For those of you who are not sure what an ism is, or what joining is follow this link to one of our online video's that will explain it to you.)
http://www.autismtreatmentcenter.org/start
Alternative versions.
Put the tiny logo's in a book, and you and your child have to find the logo on each page. It's a bit like the book "Finding Wally" except you are finding logo's.
Hide the tiny logos on your body, for example you could stick one on your toe, or in your hair, and put one in your pocket.
An inspiring story of connection
I was recently shown this video of Christian the Lion. I was completely inspired by what I saw. The best part for me, relates to The Son-Rise Program. The two men who raised the lion were told not to have any hope of him remembering them.
Many times families that I work with are told not to have any hope for their children.
Whenever I hear this, I think....WHY NOT? What is so wrong with having hope? With hope you have nothing to lose. The son-Rise Program re-kindles hope in the parents with children on the Autism Spectrum.
Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkglYMYbyeo
Many times families that I work with are told not to have any hope for their children.
Whenever I hear this, I think....WHY NOT? What is so wrong with having hope? With hope you have nothing to lose. The son-Rise Program re-kindles hope in the parents with children on the Autism Spectrum.
Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkglYMYbyeo
Friday, June 5, 2009
Game Idea
A Game to play with your child.
A new version of hot or cold.
Goal: To help your child read facile expressions of others.
Game:
1. Hide something of interest in the room you are working with your child. If your child likes sharks you could hide a picture of a shark, if your child likes rhymes and riddles you could hide a riddle, if your child likes Aliens you could hide an little Alien figurine. The idea is to think about what your child may be motivated to find.
2. Explain to your child that you have hidden something in the room ( name the thing you have hidden) and that he/she is to look at your face to see if he is near the thing or not.
2.When he is near the object you will nod your head and smile in encouragement, when he is moving away from the object you will shake your head and have a frown face on.
3.If you want him to freeze and not move you will just keep your head still and face neutral.
The bonus goal you get from this game is lengthening your child duration of eye contact.
Then you can have your child hide something for you and he/she has to nod and shake his head for you.
A new version of hot or cold.
Goal: To help your child read facile expressions of others.
Game:
1. Hide something of interest in the room you are working with your child. If your child likes sharks you could hide a picture of a shark, if your child likes rhymes and riddles you could hide a riddle, if your child likes Aliens you could hide an little Alien figurine. The idea is to think about what your child may be motivated to find.
2. Explain to your child that you have hidden something in the room ( name the thing you have hidden) and that he/she is to look at your face to see if he is near the thing or not.
2.When he is near the object you will nod your head and smile in encouragement, when he is moving away from the object you will shake your head and have a frown face on.
3.If you want him to freeze and not move you will just keep your head still and face neutral.
The bonus goal you get from this game is lengthening your child duration of eye contact.
Then you can have your child hide something for you and he/she has to nod and shake his head for you.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Change is possible.
Recently I have been talking to a number of parents who think that they have a time limit on how long they can help their children.
One Mom said that she is nervous because her child is 12 years old, and she has only 2 years left until he is 14 to help him make changes. When I asked her what happens when he is 14, she said "oh well everyone knows that once a child hits puberty then they cannot learn anymore new things." I asked her who everyone was, and she named a doctor she had talked to.
Another Mom who has child who was four told me that she only had 9 more months to get her child to speak and she felt that the "clock was ticking, and she had to do more." When I asked her why, she said that she had been told that he would not be able to speak if he had not learnt to before the age of five, and that everyone thinks that.
Interestingly enough I then talked to a Mom who had a child who was 6 years old, and she said that she, " was panicking because when her daughter turns 7 then she looses the capacity to learn to speak." When I asked her why she said that again, that it was a known fact, and that all her daughters teachers told her this.
Here at The Autism Treatment Center of America, not only do we not believe that there is an age limit on when a child can learn to speak, or learn anything. We know this to be true from our experience. I have worked as a Son-Rise Program Teacher for the last 17 years, and worked with over a thousand different children of different ages and different diagnosis. I have seen with my own eyes a teenager aged 16 say his first sentence, a woman of over thirty asked for ' A cup of tea" for the first time, a few amongst many who have learn to speak after the age of 5 or 7. If these children can do it, there is no reason why others cannot too.
These past two weeks we have been working with a man of 32 , in The Son-Rise Program Intensive. In under two weeks his interactive attention span has nearly doubled, and he has greatly reduced his need to Vomit. Before he came here he would walk around with a basket to vomit into, and vomit numerous times a day. He has not vomited for 5 days. These are significant changes, at the age of 32.
So, if you hear yourself saying, "oh everyone knows that a child cannot learn to speak after a certain age, or everyone thinks that my child is too old to change. Rethink this, because here at the Autism Treatment Center of America, we do not believe that.
Because we do not believe that, we then reach out and offer opportunities to children and adults of all ages and all abilities, to change, and with those opportunities, possibilities for growth are abundant.
One Mom said that she is nervous because her child is 12 years old, and she has only 2 years left until he is 14 to help him make changes. When I asked her what happens when he is 14, she said "oh well everyone knows that once a child hits puberty then they cannot learn anymore new things." I asked her who everyone was, and she named a doctor she had talked to.
Another Mom who has child who was four told me that she only had 9 more months to get her child to speak and she felt that the "clock was ticking, and she had to do more." When I asked her why, she said that she had been told that he would not be able to speak if he had not learnt to before the age of five, and that everyone thinks that.
Interestingly enough I then talked to a Mom who had a child who was 6 years old, and she said that she, " was panicking because when her daughter turns 7 then she looses the capacity to learn to speak." When I asked her why she said that again, that it was a known fact, and that all her daughters teachers told her this.
Here at The Autism Treatment Center of America, not only do we not believe that there is an age limit on when a child can learn to speak, or learn anything. We know this to be true from our experience. I have worked as a Son-Rise Program Teacher for the last 17 years, and worked with over a thousand different children of different ages and different diagnosis. I have seen with my own eyes a teenager aged 16 say his first sentence, a woman of over thirty asked for ' A cup of tea" for the first time, a few amongst many who have learn to speak after the age of 5 or 7. If these children can do it, there is no reason why others cannot too.
These past two weeks we have been working with a man of 32 , in The Son-Rise Program Intensive. In under two weeks his interactive attention span has nearly doubled, and he has greatly reduced his need to Vomit. Before he came here he would walk around with a basket to vomit into, and vomit numerous times a day. He has not vomited for 5 days. These are significant changes, at the age of 32.
So, if you hear yourself saying, "oh everyone knows that a child cannot learn to speak after a certain age, or everyone thinks that my child is too old to change. Rethink this, because here at the Autism Treatment Center of America, we do not believe that.
Because we do not believe that, we then reach out and offer opportunities to children and adults of all ages and all abilities, to change, and with those opportunities, possibilities for growth are abundant.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Beauty in Joining
Hullo wonderful friends!
I want to share an beautiful experience I had in the playroom today. The past two weeks our staff here have been lucky enough to work with the most incredible 32 year old man. His mum (a true Force of Nature!) is committed to starting a Son-Rise Program for him, still seeing hope and joy in the potential of her son. Isn't it amazing - hope springs eternal when we decide to look for it!
Well, today I had joined this new friend of mine for over an hour, fascinatedly watching sand timers turn over and over, listening to the trickle of sand running through... and suddenly he sits up, looks right in my eyes and tells me, "I never want to leave here. I am so happy."
This wonderful, sweet 32 year old, experiencing being joined for nearly the first time in his life, was opening up and experiencing true acceptance and I was the fortunate one to share this precious moment with him. Thank you, my friend.
There is nothing more powerful, more giving, more loving than when we truly give ourselves over to the acceptance and beauty of joining our special friends' activities. And I truly believe that it is in these moments of silent connection that we open the doorway for them to move mountains.
Playroom smiles,
Jack
I want to share an beautiful experience I had in the playroom today. The past two weeks our staff here have been lucky enough to work with the most incredible 32 year old man. His mum (a true Force of Nature!) is committed to starting a Son-Rise Program for him, still seeing hope and joy in the potential of her son. Isn't it amazing - hope springs eternal when we decide to look for it!
Well, today I had joined this new friend of mine for over an hour, fascinatedly watching sand timers turn over and over, listening to the trickle of sand running through... and suddenly he sits up, looks right in my eyes and tells me, "I never want to leave here. I am so happy."
This wonderful, sweet 32 year old, experiencing being joined for nearly the first time in his life, was opening up and experiencing true acceptance and I was the fortunate one to share this precious moment with him. Thank you, my friend.
There is nothing more powerful, more giving, more loving than when we truly give ourselves over to the acceptance and beauty of joining our special friends' activities. And I truly believe that it is in these moments of silent connection that we open the doorway for them to move mountains.
Playroom smiles,
Jack
Motivation and understanding
"If you want to build a ship, don't drum up people to collect wood and don't assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea." - Antonie de Saint-Exupery.
Again this speaks to The Son-Rise Program, taught here at The Autism Treatment Center of America. The Son-Rise Program is about building a true and strong desire within a child who has Autism or Aspergers to really WANT to connect with another person. No just look a someone because they have been told to, but because they desire the warmth and connection you get when you do this with another human being.
So many parents say to me that their children do not generalize the skills they learn at school to their home or outside environment.
We do not find that with The Son-Rise Program. We find that children on the Autism spectrum can generalize the interactive skills they learn during their Son-Rise Program. This is because their skill comes from a deeper place within that child. Not only are they motivated to use this skill, but they want to and understand why it is useful for them to do so.
Whoever we are, whether we have special needs or not, we only consistently do something when we are motivated, and understand why and believe that it is helpful for us to do so.
Again this speaks to The Son-Rise Program, taught here at The Autism Treatment Center of America. The Son-Rise Program is about building a true and strong desire within a child who has Autism or Aspergers to really WANT to connect with another person. No just look a someone because they have been told to, but because they desire the warmth and connection you get when you do this with another human being.
So many parents say to me that their children do not generalize the skills they learn at school to their home or outside environment.
We do not find that with The Son-Rise Program. We find that children on the Autism spectrum can generalize the interactive skills they learn during their Son-Rise Program. This is because their skill comes from a deeper place within that child. Not only are they motivated to use this skill, but they want to and understand why it is useful for them to do so.
Whoever we are, whether we have special needs or not, we only consistently do something when we are motivated, and understand why and believe that it is helpful for us to do so.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Love With Abandonment
Today is a great day, my niece is 8 today, she is a lovely lively chatty and completely delightful lady who is a shinning example of giving gratitude and loving without restraint.
Today I wake up to a very early morning call (she lives in England, America is 5 hours behind English time!), I picked up the phone and have to hold it away from my ear, as my jubilant niece shrieks, "Mum let me open your present, and I 'm wearing it, I LOOOOOOOVVVVVEEEEE IT, and I love you Auntie Katie."
So open she is with her love, knowing her if i was there in her presence she would also be hugging and kissing me and twirling around dancing.
What a treat it is when someone loves you with no restraint, and what a treat it is to all our senses when we allow ourselves to love with an open heart and open arms with abandonment.
Today I wake up to a very early morning call (she lives in England, America is 5 hours behind English time!), I picked up the phone and have to hold it away from my ear, as my jubilant niece shrieks, "Mum let me open your present, and I 'm wearing it, I LOOOOOOOVVVVVEEEEE IT, and I love you Auntie Katie."
So open she is with her love, knowing her if i was there in her presence she would also be hugging and kissing me and twirling around dancing.
What a treat it is when someone loves you with no restraint, and what a treat it is to all our senses when we allow ourselves to love with an open heart and open arms with abandonment.
Amazing Son-Rise Program Celebrations!
Dearest most amazing teachers, guides and friends,
It is my huge privilege and honour to train at the Autism Treatment Center of America (TM) as a professional Son-Rise Program Child Facilitator. I want to share with you my huge and heartfelt gratitude for the beauty and power of The Son-Rise Program. I want to share how totally I have changed my life since embracing The Son-Rise Program. But most of all I want to share a HUGE celebration for Thomas Sherlock, the little boy with whom I first started volunteering. His parents have just had an outreach with Sean Fitzgerald (registered Son-Rise Program Teacher) and have been told that they are practically at the finishing line for Tom - he is almost TOTALLY RECOVERED from his autism!
I first met Tom in January 2005. He had been in his program for 5 months and had moved from being totally non-verbal to having a vocabulary of 200 single words. I remember spending hours lining up pens on the skirting board with this little friend and staring off into space for great chunks of time. After 2 months playing with Tom he honoured me by saying his first two word sentence to me: "Red boat". I played with Tom almost every day for 2 1/2 years, travelling an hour and a half each way just so I could spend 2 beautiful hours with this fun and funny little friend. Together we moved and changed ourselves in so many profound ways. After attending UK Start-Up in 2006 I found within myself a totally new way to be loving and playful with this little guy. We used to have the craziest times together: pretending to be super-hero potatoes, holding funerals for mangoes, chasing each other as monkeys around the local supermarket. When my grandfather died I was privileged to be able to teach Tom about death and he was so sweet, understanding and supportive of me at that time. At a time in my life when I was giving myself many challenges Tom held my hand, loved me and accepted and showed ME the way to be a better version of myself. Through him I learned the beauty of giving myself totally to another person. And in return I helped Tom to become the most amazing inspiration. Two months after I left his program Tom started part-time in mainstream school. Now he is the most popular kid in his class. So many children want to be his friend and he is the most playful, creative and interactive kid at playtime! Recently he played the role of Judas in his school Easter play and his teacher told his mum that any parent watching would never have guessed Tom's autism... he had tears in his eyes as he said this.
I just want you to know and celebrate the bravery and courage of this incredible boy. He has had the strength and daring to step outside of his comfort zone, to reach out to us and to want to change himself. And his parents, Andy and Jackie are such forces of nature - their passion and love has shone such a clear path for Thomas to lead him into our world. I am so grateful to him for loving me, accepting me and showing me this amazing, powerful and beautiful way of being in the world. Tom will forever be my inspiration for daring action and challenging myself to take that step into the unknown. I am so lucky to have such a brave and wonderful friend.
And thank you to us all for this amazing gift that we give to the world. What we teach is so beautiful, so impactful and so profoundly life-changing. For every child's life that has been touched by this program I whole-heartedly give you thanks. Let's all shine so bright and light the way for every special person.
Stay tuned for more exciting playroom stories and celebrations!
With all my love and appreciation for each and every one of you.
Jack xxx
It is my huge privilege and honour to train at the Autism Treatment Center of America (TM) as a professional Son-Rise Program Child Facilitator. I want to share with you my huge and heartfelt gratitude for the beauty and power of The Son-Rise Program. I want to share how totally I have changed my life since embracing The Son-Rise Program. But most of all I want to share a HUGE celebration for Thomas Sherlock, the little boy with whom I first started volunteering. His parents have just had an outreach with Sean Fitzgerald (registered Son-Rise Program Teacher) and have been told that they are practically at the finishing line for Tom - he is almost TOTALLY RECOVERED from his autism!
I first met Tom in January 2005. He had been in his program for 5 months and had moved from being totally non-verbal to having a vocabulary of 200 single words. I remember spending hours lining up pens on the skirting board with this little friend and staring off into space for great chunks of time. After 2 months playing with Tom he honoured me by saying his first two word sentence to me: "Red boat". I played with Tom almost every day for 2 1/2 years, travelling an hour and a half each way just so I could spend 2 beautiful hours with this fun and funny little friend. Together we moved and changed ourselves in so many profound ways. After attending UK Start-Up in 2006 I found within myself a totally new way to be loving and playful with this little guy. We used to have the craziest times together: pretending to be super-hero potatoes, holding funerals for mangoes, chasing each other as monkeys around the local supermarket. When my grandfather died I was privileged to be able to teach Tom about death and he was so sweet, understanding and supportive of me at that time. At a time in my life when I was giving myself many challenges Tom held my hand, loved me and accepted and showed ME the way to be a better version of myself. Through him I learned the beauty of giving myself totally to another person. And in return I helped Tom to become the most amazing inspiration. Two months after I left his program Tom started part-time in mainstream school. Now he is the most popular kid in his class. So many children want to be his friend and he is the most playful, creative and interactive kid at playtime! Recently he played the role of Judas in his school Easter play and his teacher told his mum that any parent watching would never have guessed Tom's autism... he had tears in his eyes as he said this.
I just want you to know and celebrate the bravery and courage of this incredible boy. He has had the strength and daring to step outside of his comfort zone, to reach out to us and to want to change himself. And his parents, Andy and Jackie are such forces of nature - their passion and love has shone such a clear path for Thomas to lead him into our world. I am so grateful to him for loving me, accepting me and showing me this amazing, powerful and beautiful way of being in the world. Tom will forever be my inspiration for daring action and challenging myself to take that step into the unknown. I am so lucky to have such a brave and wonderful friend.
And thank you to us all for this amazing gift that we give to the world. What we teach is so beautiful, so impactful and so profoundly life-changing. For every child's life that has been touched by this program I whole-heartedly give you thanks. Let's all shine so bright and light the way for every special person.
Stay tuned for more exciting playroom stories and celebrations!
With all my love and appreciation for each and every one of you.
Jack xxx
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