Put a Son-Rise Playroom Around Yourself

FROM : Brandi Davis

Before I began my training to become a Son-Rise Child Facilitator, I would often make myself small and hide from the world around me. I learned to find great comfort in my own predictability. People, to me, seemed to change like the wind and I made myself feel uncomfortable with this belief. I hid from others, so that I could feel safe and as a result I gave great power to the pains and fears of my yesterdays. I soon discovered that I was only hiding from myself and that the very way I viewed my past, was the same way in which I viewed my future and present moment. Now, as I have begun to re-construct my past and view it differently, my future and present moment also looks and feels very different. Full of joy, inspiration, comfort and a constant flow of love. I practice embracing these gifts every single day.

Son-Rise has inspired me to step from behind my walls with arms open wide and a bigger love to share. Don't forget that we too are on the same journey as our courageous Son-Rise children. The view may be different, but the road is the same. To connect with ourselves and the world around us in a more deep and meaningful way.

INSPIRE YOURSELF AND INSPIRE THE WORLD!!!

Games Games Games!

Good Morning!

This weeks game from the Autism Treatment Center of America is called - "Worldly Travels".
It is designed with many components under the umbrella of one game- this adds variety and helps your child to want to attend for longer than they normally would.





Enjoy playing this game with your child!

Son-Rise Songs!

FROM BECKY: There is nothing like a good song to lift our spirits and help us get in the mood for a loving and fun playroom session. Here are some songs that help me embody the Son-Rise attitude!

Here Comes The Sun - The Beatles

It's a New Dawn it's a New Day - Nina Simone

Let Go - Frou Frou

I'm Walking on Sunshine - Katrina and the Waves

Sweet Soul Music - Arthur Conley

The Climb - Miley Cyrus

I Can See Clearly Now the Rain Has Gone - Jimmy Buffet

A lovely Day - Bill Withers

All You Need is Love - The Beatles

You Are the Sunshine of my Life - Stevie Wonder

Have fun!

All You Need Is Love : A Chapter from the Son-Rise Program

From: Brandi Davis

My goal for tomorrow is to prioritize loving and accepting myself. After all, isn't that what we inspire our children to do every single day? In the playroom, I want our beautiful children to experience love from their heads to their toes. I want them to be proud of exactly who they are, right now and at all times. I cheer them on with heart and soul when they try to make an "ee" sound over and over again. I admire them when they are challenged by making eye contact, but they do it anyway. I am humbled when they laugh with pure delight, as they sit in the corner loving their exclusivity. I believe that every single child and adult that I have worked with is perfect. WOW! NOW THAT IS LOVE!! Can you imagine if you lived and breathed that same existence for yourself? What would happen if you chose to find beauty in your own challenges? What would it sound like if you cheered yourself on when you felt challenged by those events in your life? What would it feel like if you inspired yourself every single day? Don't forget to love and accept yourself inside and outside of the playroom. It is the greatest tool that we can model!!

Walk Beside Us ... A Walk to Remember

FROM JAMIE: The first day of our walk for Tyler and I was February 27, 1994, the day she was born.

She was a beautiful girl though her head was larger than normal. An MRI taken at Chidrens Memorial in Chicago, IL showed an arachnoid cyst at the base of her brain. The neurosurgeon said no need to be alarmed right now, we will continue to watch for changes. At age 14 months, Tyler stopped babbling, lost eye contact, and was in her own world. On November 14, 1995 Tyler was diagnosed "Severe Organic Brain Dysfunction" and was given no hope. I always believed there was hope and searched for the best way to help Tyler ~ to help Tyler be a part of our world. I found the Son-Rise program and never looked back. At times I felt like the real characters in Wizard of Oz ~ as we walked our path, people would throw apples at us and try to stop us from where we wanted to go. We werent going down the same path that the majority were taking. We took the path we wanted for us! The path that was leading to limitless possibilities and hope. I felt alone many times even though I knew I was never alone .... Tyler and God were right there beside me all the way. You see, this journey is for me. Tyler's not asking me to save her. I want her to be a part of our world. The journey has taught me so many things and I am certain we took the right path. In a world of wanting so much for a special needs child, you dont find fields of roses and extra help and support every where you turn. In fact, the people closest to you are sometimes the ones throwing the most apples. I use to take steps backward when apples were thrown, but I have found that my dream will never be the dream I want for Tyler unless I stand strong and keep moving forward. As Tyler and I have continued on our walk in this most loving journey, we have found friends that have helped keep us strong and keep us moving forward. They are walking the walk beside us! What a difference that makes to be around people that are uplifting and cheer you on and believe in Tyler and myself. Now I only allow people to walk beside us ~ never again will anyone walk in front of us to stop us from where we want to go. For those of you already walking beside us and holding our hand, my deepest gratitude to you all! To be a Force of Nature is an amazing experience! So, my friends, you are always invited to Walk Beside Us for A Walk to Remember <3 Never Ever Give Up .... Run your Race to the END!

Lots of Love to you all, Jamie

Game-Storming EQUATION!!!

From:Kim
In The Son-Rise Program Intensive here at The Autism Treatment Center of America we help parents create game ideas specifically geared toward promoting growth and development for their individual child!

These games are often created from our secret (only joking) Son-Rise Program GAME-STORMING EQUATION!!! Today I reveal that secret equation!!!




Pair together:
a) something your child is motivated for

+

b) an area of growth you would like to help your child develop
(e.g. a goal chosen from The Son Rise Program Developmental Model)...

then presto chango... you have yourself a game!!!!


For Example:

a) Your child is motivated for ride games - piggy back rides, swing rides, spin rides, etc.
b) You would like to help them grow their ability to use clear single words

The GAME:

• Write down each letter of a word such as “spin” on separate piece of paper. Attach each letter to a different corner of the room. When you get a green light (such as your child looking at you) give them a few spins while modeling the word, and then pause. As soon as your child makes a sound or an approximation of the word "spin", give them half a spin. Continue the game by encouraging your child to say the whole word while giving them half spins or full spins depending on how much of the word ("spin") they say.

Have fun with your children and this fun Game-Storming Equation!!!
Love,
Kim

Budget Games!

FROM BECKY: I was recently asked for easy ideas for props/themes and games to play in a Son-Rise Program playroom that don't break the bank and are convenient for people living in areas where there isn't easy access to the places that are easy to get funs props and matireals (e.g. dollar store, thrift store, etc).
Here are 4 ideas:



1) A cardboard box/Laundry basket! If your child likes rides, pretend it's a spaceship. If your child likes songs, pretend it's a boat and sing "Row Your Boat" or a bus and sing "Wheels on the bus". If your child likes vibrations, pretend it's a washing machine and shake him/her in it.



2) A bucket! If your child likes music, play it like a drum. If your child likes slapstick humor, put it over your head and bump into things with it. If your child likes to watch things fall, fill it with stuffed animals or packing peanuts and pretend it's raining cats and dogs or snowing in the playroom.


3) A balloon! If your child likes anticipation, blow it up slowly, bigger...bigger...bigger and then let it go crazy flying around the room. If your child likes to be competitive, see how long you can both keep the balloon up in the air wothout using your hands If your child likes Pictures or letters, draw something on the deflated balloon so your child can see it getting bigger as you blow it up.


4) A paper towel tube. If your child likes animal noises, pretend to go around the room looking for endangered creatures with your telescope making fun sounds for him/her. If your child likes soft physical sensations, gently blow through the tube onto his/her neck or arm. If your child likes whispers, whisper gently in his ear through it.


More ideas welcome!


Love Becky

First a Social Prince or Princess!

FROM WILLIAM: In our Son-Rise Program Start-Up training course we have parents who's autistic children / teenagers / adults are High Functioning or have Aspergers Syndrome. During the course we have session where we discuss all the dynamics and issues around helping such children become more socially successful.

One particular topic that is often talked about is teaching "please" and "thank you", saying "hello" to aunt Mary when she visits, etc. - essentially the social niceties of social interaction. Yes these are important when interacting yet not as important as helping children with High Functioning Autism or Aspergers learn to be more flexible, spontaneous and to more fully enjoy socially interacting with all the individuals they encounter throughout their day.

So when working with your child prioritize helping them to be social, to enjoy interacting with others, to be flexible and spontaneous, etc. This may mean as your child develops their social ability they also become a Prince or Princess! Once you are at this point then you can socially polish them by guiding them to say please and thank you, to open doors for other people, etc.

Stay focus on what is most important - helping your child love interacting with others - mom and dad, siblings, peers, teachers, etc.

With Love and smiles

William

Games Games Games!

Hello!
This Friday The Autism Treatment Center of America brings to your home another set of creative ideas you can bring into your Son-Rise Program playrooms to help your autistic child lengthen their interactive attention span.

Just click on the video below to see what games you can do with the hats you already have in your playroom.

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Remember that the magic ingredient is not the game but the fun and delightful energy YOU bring.

With love Kate

Last Post on Getting Volunteers!

FROM BECKY: Here are some more helpful things to take into account when creating the "Dream Team" of volunteers to work with your child for your Son-Rise Program.

Once you have decided who you want to now take on as a volunteer with your child, you are ready to really see how suitable this person is for your team. If you hold a one month trial period then you can get more of a feel for this person. You will see if they are open (moving on and implementing feedback), and if they are committed (coming to sessions on time, reliable, curious, etc).

After the one month trial period is over you can then make more of a commitment to them. If they know that the first month is about seeing if your program and the volunteer are a good fit for each other then it will be a more effective use of your time. Tell them at the beginning in a sweet and loving way that you really want this to work and that not everybody is cut out for the playroom. That's why you are going to have a one month trial period to grasp whether this program is suitable for them. You will be pleasantly surprised by how open they will be to this. The trial period takes the pressure off bith you and them if they end up not being cut out for your program.

You are giving them an incredible gift that they can't buy in any store anywhere in the world! Most of us Teachers and Child Facilitators at The Autism Treatment Center of America Started our Son-Rise Program journeys out as volunteers. For me personally, becoming a volunteer lead me on an amazing journey of self discovery and a voyage to creating more happiness in my life. I became more accepting of myself and others, I became more confident and lived with more purpose, I stopped worrying so much about what others thought of me and started doing more of what I wanted. I completely turned my life around in a very positive way. You are giving your prospective volunteers an opportunity to do the same. Know it, believe it, and own it!

Have fun finding volunteers and please let me know if you have any more comments or questions.

Lots of love,

Becky

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

FROM GERD: This blog is dedicated to all of you out there, who have considered taking a program at The Option Institute, but for many different reasons and supported by many limiting or even undermining beliefs, have not done so.

Some of the reasons/beliefs may be: “I can’t get away from my kids and family”, “I am afraid to be in class with a lot of strangers”, “I am beyond help at this point in my life”, or “I just don’t have the money right now.”

As most of you who follow our The Option Institute family are aware of, we consistently are looking for evidence to support these beliefs and disregard a more quite, but no less powerful part inside of ourselves who knows: “I really want to change some things in my life”, “I want to take control of my life rather than being a victim”, “I really want to overcome my depression”, “I want more meaningful and deeper relationships with friends or with one significant other”, “I know I can do a better job as a mother or a father, a sister or a brother, a son or a daughter.”

These are some of the beliefs I am hearing when consulting with individuals and families from all over the world; who are on the cusp of picking up the phone and register for a program and then don’t do it, or who just can’t quite book that flight to the Bradley International Airport in Hartford, Connecticut or a bus ride to a convention centre in London. Or some of you who actually put a deposit down and then find once again evidence to support the beliefs that you deep down know will jeopardize what you know is best for you and either cancel or postpone getting the help and support you know you want.

My questions to all of you to whom these words “ring a bell” or something “resonates” inside are these: When will you take action? When will you fulfill a promise you have made to yourself to actually do it? We all know that unless we give our “wants” arms and legs, it’s only words, and nothing…nothing will happen on its own.

As a way of saying, I love you, I want to help you and I want to support you, I simply like to offer an email I got from a wonderful courageous woman and a Son-Rise Program® Mom, who just attended the Fearless program at The Option Institute. Her words speak for themselves and are very inspiring, powerful, sincere and honest.

And after reading her email, you decide…will you wait a month, put it off for a couple of days, or act right now… to pick up that phone, to book that flight, to “make it happen” because as we all know in our wonderful Option family: YOU are your own best expert on your beliefs; YOU are the only one responsible for your actions.

"Hello Gerd, I hope you are well. I just wanted to tell you that I am so grateful that you encouraged me to go to Fearless. I appreciate everything you did to help me get there. When I talked to you, months ago, it sounded like a good idea. But then as I thought about it, I convinced myself that it just wasn't a good time.

Then after Jeff talked to you, he decided to make it really easy for me to go. He booked everything. Even then, I wasn't sure I should go. I knew we couldn't afford it, and Ben was just starting school.

In the end, I went. I am SO glad I did. So many things I was struggling with, things I didn't understand melted away and I finally understood. It used to bother me to read Happiness Is A Choice it felt insensitive, like someone saying "quit whining" or something. Like someone didn't want to hear how I felt and that I should just pretend to be happy so no one would be bothered with me.

But I get it now. It really is a choice. I was looking at things in a way that didn't serve me well; it only served my misery and unhappiness. I love myself for the first time. I can be loving to everyone else too. Whatever they do, or say or think is their thing, how they are taking care of themselves. It has nothing to do to me. I no longer measure my worth through the actions and words of other people. I am no longer a victim. Thank you thank you thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My connection with Ben is better than ever. We have so much fun playing. I have so much more energy. I have released so much guilt and agony. Ben is learning a new way to think now too.

Fearless was such a gift. I have signed up for 3 more classes and know I will take many more. I no longer have nagging horrible thoughts. If they come up, I am present with myself and do a quick inner dialogue. I am taking better care of myself, and loving myself. I am happy. I am free. Thank you again. I can't thank you enough. It is such a blessing.

Much love, Teresa

P.S. While I was there, my roommate Minta and I became very good friends. We stayed up late every night talking and laughing. When I got back I found I also have friends I didn't realize I had. Again, such a blessing. My heart is full."

What kind of World would you like to share?

FROM KATRINA: Hello wonderful friends, I've missed talking to you all. I have been traveling the country and visiting special friends all over the place. Just recently I had a new addition to my extended family, a nephew was born. As I was holding this beautiful child I started thinking of all the things I would love to share with him, and what kind of world I wanted him to experience.

Then I remembered a Q&A I did with a family who had a variety of different therapists working with their child and how they asked me all kinds of questions about what tasks I was focusing on with this little boy, what did I want him to learn? I told them I was focusing on the relationship, and I wanted him to learn that people were "cool" and the world was a fun place to be in and that was the most important thing. I saw them all nodding their heads and scribbling notes as if a light bulb just popped on, to think that liking people might be more important than stacking blocks, what an awesome concept!!!!

I smile now, but it really is an important thing to remember. Autistic children have a hard time in our "real" world. People are not predictable, or easy to understand. Other things are so much more controllable. One of our most important "tasks" when working with these children is to show them how easy people can be, how fun, how helpful, how worthwhile it is to share time with another person. I want you to always be thinking of what kind of world you are showing your child, I hope that it is one of joy and excitement and of course love.

Wishing you all a happy holiday season, I will try to write more soon!
Love,
Katrina

Ideas for the Holidays

Hello Everyone,

This weeks video blog gives you lots of creative ideas to do around the theme of the holidays. As you listen allow your own creativity to help you come up with many more ideas you can do with your children this season.




Enjoy!
With love to you all
Kate

Blog Feedback!

FROM BECKY: Hey all you beautiful people! I have noticed that some of the blogs we post do not get any comments. I read many comments that our blogs are useful and we would love to hear which ones are especially working from you. If you find one of our blogs helpful to you, please leave a comment as to why or simply "Like" the blog. This way we can keep giving you all what you want and use the blogs in the most helpful and supportive way.

Thanks so much!

Love Becky xxx

Screening Volunteers!

FROM BECKY: Here are some more helpful ideas that will help you to get the volunteers that you want for your Son-Rise Program.

1) Why do you want to be a volunteer? This is one of the most important questions to ask prospective volunteers, remember, at the early stages of recruiting, you are feeling out the type of people you want and separating the men from the boys. Simply by asking this question, you will gain insights to their character and intentions. It is one of the most commonly asked questions in a job interview.

2) Trust your instincts! It is your prerogative to choose who you want. When companies hold interviews for a job, they don't just take the first person who walks in the door, they ask questions and use instincts and information about that person to recruit the best person for the job. Being your child's friend is your volunteers job and you are the director of your program. If you don't like the feel of someone then you are not obliged to take them on.

3) Two simple qualities! Your volunteers don't need to have a wealth of experience with children or a Masters in Special Education, as long as they are open and interested, they are trainable. Open being, they want to learn about the program and take on any feedback, suggestions you give them. Interested being they show up, they look enthusiastic!

More coming soon!

A Nutritional and Flavorful Punch to Mealtime!!

From: Kim
By pureeing healthy eats like spinach, green beans, sweet potatoes and more into recipes we can add a nutritional (and flavorful) punch to most any dish we make for our children!
Here are a couple Make-Ahead Recipes that I found online at
http://www.blogger.com/www.thesneakychef.com :

Make-Ahead Recipe #1: Purple Puree

3 cups raw baby spinach leaves*
1 ½ cups fresh or frozen blueberries, no syrup or sugar added
½ teaspoon lemon juice
1 to 2 tablespoons water
*Note: I prefer raw baby spinach to frozen spinach for this recipe (more mild flavor); if you must use frozen spinach, only use 1 cup of it.

Raw baby spinach should be well rinsed, even if the package says “prewashed.” If you’re using frozen blueberries, give them a quick rinse them under cold water to thaw a little, and then drain.

Place the spinach in the food processor first and pulse a few times. This will reduce the spinach significantly. Next add the blueberries, lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon of water; puree on high until as smooth as possible. Stop occasionally to push the contents to the bottom. If necessary, use another tablespoon of water to create a smooth puree.

This recipe makes about 1 cup of puree; double it if you want to store another cup. It will keep in the refrigerator up to 3 days, or you can freeze 1⁄4-cup portions in sealed plastic bags or small plastic containers.

Make-Ahead Recipe #2: Orange Puree

1 medium sweet potato or yam, peeled and coarsely chopped
3 medium to large carrots, peeled and sliced into thick chunks
2 to 3 tablespoons water

Place the carrots and sweet potatoes in a medium-sized pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil and cook for about 20 minutes, until carrots are very tender. Careful - if the carrots aren’t tender enough, they may leave telltale little nuggets of vegetables in recipes, which will reveal their presence to your kids—a gigantic no-no for The Sneaky Chef.

Drain the carrots and sweet potatoes and put them in the food processor with two tablespoons of water. Puree on high until smooth – no pieces of vegetables showing. Stop occasionally to push the contents to the bottom. If necessary, use another tablespoon of water to smooth out the puree, but the less water, the better.

This recipe makes about 2 cups of puree; double it if you want to store more. Orange Puree will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or you can freeze 1⁄4-cup portions in sealed plastic bags or small plastic containers.

Have fun making delicious and nutritious meals!

Smiles and Son-Rise hugs!

Kim

More About Volunteers!

FROM BECKY:

This is the second part of a series of blogs about getting, training and keeping volunteers for your Son-Rise program.

Screening prospective volunteers for your program is one of the most effective ways to recruit and keep the kind of team that you want for your program. Here are some helpful ideas about screening.

You don't have to commit to anyone until you have a feel for them. Imagine this.....you have your posters up, you've advertised on Craig's List, you did a presentation about your program in the local community and you get your first call with someone interested in volunteering.

You are so excited that someone is interested you say "When can you start?", you spend hours upon hours training them, giving them feedback, holding their hand and getting them ready to do two sessions per week in the playroom. During the first month, they are late for their session three times, they completely forgot to come to one session, they are defensive when you give them feedback and you see them texting their boyfriend in the playroom when you think they are doing The Son-Rise Program with your child.

You are so grateful that they are taking time out of their schedule to do this.....and not getting paid for it either. You are afraid to ask for more from them. You stop giving them feedback, and within 2 months they have left...and so, you start the process again.

Instead of saying "Yes" to the first person that is interested in volunteering with your child, try saying "Great! I'm so excited you are interested. I am currently recruiting and would love to send you an application form!" You don't have to commit to anyone. This is your child, your program and your life! You have a right to choose who you want.

More about screening volunteers on Friday!

Lots of love,

Method Joining?

FROM SIMONE - I had an incredible experience this weekend! I was attending a workshop about PLAY, what is to play, the many different stages we go through in play and how us adults really play for as long as we live or we would die really. This aspect in particular was very interesting to me as the more I see a sense in what my child does the more I will be able to respect it and join my child in his activity.

We don't think about it but we, in our every day lives, engage in various types of play even sensory play such as for example when massaging an aching shoulder or having a warm bath and staying longer as it is so cold out there or stroking the cat.

My amazing experience came from an exercise in which in pairs we needed to "be" our child for 10 minutes doing their favourite type of play, in my son's case exploring all the textures around by tapping on them, tapping on myself, bouncing on the gym ball, making white noise. The other person then would join me just as we do in Son-Rise. Now, I have joined my child for about 5 years but when I had to "become" my child for another person getting the exact idea of what he was like, I felt so amazing, I knew exactly what I needed to do, I came to each object and I did what he would do, I reacted to noises as he would do, to smells as he would do and I found myself really enjoying the experience. When the 10 minutes were over I wanted to be my son for some more.

What occurred to me, in analogy, was that when I joined my son I was being an actress that read a script and played a part, but when I "became" my son I was feeling like he does and I was able to really experience what he does, such as the famous "Method actors" such as Robert de Niro who notably really "live" his characters staying in character even when they have breaks from filming. Now I have heard other actors such as Anthony Hopkins saying such style of acting is crazy but although I consider both great actors there is no doubt that Robert de Niro has made an impact with this style of very realistic acting and it left me wondering how my son would react if I brought my "method joining" I achieved in this course to the playroom, perhaps that is what I was meant to be doing all along and although I understood that I had never achieved it in practice, I had never "felt" the activities the way I did this weekend.

Although I had done exactly the same exercise before at a Son-Rise workshop, I at the time was new to my son's autism and now perhaps after knowing him so well I was able to really absorb the experience. It also brought home to me the importance of really observing your child before joining them such as it is suggested in the joining tutorial of the DVD Autism Solution from the Autism Treatment Centre of America

My son is poorly this week but as soon as he is up and running I will keep you posted on his reaction to my super joining it will be interesting to see and if any Anthony Hopkins of autism calls me crazy I don't mind I have been called crazy many times and I am, crazy for joining!