A bit of History.
Good Morning Everyone!
I would like to share with you a bit of history I found while tidying my office yesterday.
It is our program Goals dated "01/12/1998" from our Son-Rise Program with Jade Hogan, who is my God Child, and the daughter of William and Bryn Hogan, two senior teachers here At The Autism Treatment Center of America. At this time she was just a tiny 3 year old with autism, today she is 14, a typical teenager who love the Jonas brothers, and attends regular main stream school! For those of you who do not know her story you can call us at 413 229 2100 and request the free DVD, "Inspiring Journeys of Son-Rise Program Families and their Children." Her story is the one called, "Reaching for the stars."
Written at the top of the goals we had chosen for her that week was the following:
Amazing Jade
We will believe - each day - in our special girl.
We will imagine our dreams for her made real - in 30 days.
We will use the power of our minds and hearts to transform her.......and ourselves.
Please think of her - please be a visionary for her -
"Visionaries are possessed creatures. Men and Women caught in the thrall of a belief so powerful that they will allow nothing, not even reason, to stop them from ensuring that reality catches up with their dreams."
As I remember each of us picked one thing that we wanted Jade to be able to do with us by the end of 30 days, and one thing in which we wanted to grow ourselves in, in those 30 days. Then each day we would each visualize in our minds eye this happening. I remember that I had wanted her to run over to me and hug me when I entered the room, at that time she would often shy away from physical contact, and very rarely initiate it. Today she often runs to me and hugs me full of news of what she has done since I last saw her.
Maybe this is something you and your team could do together at your next group meeting.
Much love to you all
Kate
I would like to share with you a bit of history I found while tidying my office yesterday.
It is our program Goals dated "01/12/1998" from our Son-Rise Program with Jade Hogan, who is my God Child, and the daughter of William and Bryn Hogan, two senior teachers here At The Autism Treatment Center of America. At this time she was just a tiny 3 year old with autism, today she is 14, a typical teenager who love the Jonas brothers, and attends regular main stream school! For those of you who do not know her story you can call us at 413 229 2100 and request the free DVD, "Inspiring Journeys of Son-Rise Program Families and their Children." Her story is the one called, "Reaching for the stars."
Written at the top of the goals we had chosen for her that week was the following:
Amazing Jade
We will believe - each day - in our special girl.
We will imagine our dreams for her made real - in 30 days.
We will use the power of our minds and hearts to transform her.......and ourselves.
Please think of her - please be a visionary for her -
"Visionaries are possessed creatures. Men and Women caught in the thrall of a belief so powerful that they will allow nothing, not even reason, to stop them from ensuring that reality catches up with their dreams."
As I remember each of us picked one thing that we wanted Jade to be able to do with us by the end of 30 days, and one thing in which we wanted to grow ourselves in, in those 30 days. Then each day we would each visualize in our minds eye this happening. I remember that I had wanted her to run over to me and hug me when I entered the room, at that time she would often shy away from physical contact, and very rarely initiate it. Today she often runs to me and hugs me full of news of what she has done since I last saw her.
Maybe this is something you and your team could do together at your next group meeting.
Much love to you all
Kate
Labels: Kate, Volunteers
Read more!
posted by Kate Wilde at
5:04 AM
1 Comments
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Photographs of Your Wonderful Volunteer Team Wanted!
We are currently in the process of creating a video presentation of the Volunteer talk from the Start-Up program. When completed it will be put up on our ATCA website for families, who have attended the Start-Up, to re-watch and be reminded about "why to get volunteers?", "How to get them?", "Screening potential volunteers", etc. We are very excited about doing this.
As part of the video we would like to show photographs of families from all around the world pictured with their wonderful volunteer team. So if you have one volunteer or 10 volunteers please email us a fun picture of you and them together. If you want, but not necessary, your child could also be in the photo.
Please send the photo as an attachment to your email as a JPEG (jpg) file. In the email state your full name, your child's age and diagnosis, your location in the world (city & country) and how many volunteers you have.
Send the photo to me at: william@option.org
Thank you so much for supporting this video project and being an inspiration to other families.
With smiles and appreciation
William
As part of the video we would like to show photographs of families from all around the world pictured with their wonderful volunteer team. So if you have one volunteer or 10 volunteers please email us a fun picture of you and them together. If you want, but not necessary, your child could also be in the photo.
Please send the photo as an attachment to your email as a JPEG (jpg) file. In the email state your full name, your child's age and diagnosis, your location in the world (city & country) and how many volunteers you have.
Send the photo to me at: william@option.org
Thank you so much for supporting this video project and being an inspiration to other families.
With smiles and appreciation
William
Labels: Training Programs, Volunteers, William
Read more!
posted by William Hogan, Senior Son-Rise Program Teacher at
2:13 PM
0 Comments
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
A Good Place to Start
An introduction to our life and how Riley with Autism and The Son-Rise Program changed it all!
This is an answer to a friends questions who is writing a research paper for college. I thought it might be a good place to start; tell the story.
Q1. What was life like for Riley prior to the realization that he had autism? How did you raise him prior to The Son-Rise program and did you have to make any changes (diet modifications, etc.)?
A1.The early stages of life for Riley were mostly normal, he was a stiff baby, cried a lot. Had only an affinity for me, no one else. He was developing normally accept for language, around 10 months after the MMR shots he completely lost the only word he had. "Ball". After that he became super stiff baby, needing to be held even more...there were days he was never out of my arms. His tears became normal, as if they were his only words, but were never accompanied by " mommy", never "daddy" never" I love you." He had to cover his eyes to go into the light, to go in to the dark he had to cover his ears to deal with all sound. It was around 14 months that I asked the pediatrician why he couldn't find his nose. I have 4 children they all could find their nose....but no nose...no ears, no eyes, no " mommy". So all of this plus much more....equaled no time for anything else, I couldn't leave him, we couldn't go anywhere....so we didn't. I worked full time until he was 1 year old...but it was too hard to leave him...so we stopped. Hard doesn't begin to describe it. When we had no tools to deal with or understanding of what or who he was. We were simply existing...and not doing too well I might add. At 2 we figured out the gluten-free/ casein-free diet, we were told by our lovely in-laws and my mother about Jenny McCarthy and we tried it! It was a miracle to behold - he held his Daddy's hand for the first time and he became less agitated. We also gave him cod liver oil consistently..noticed many good changes. He wore a weighted vest, and had a SPIO...both o these things seemed to give him the physical awareness he needed to be OK. Still couldn't go anywhere easily.
Q2. How did you end up hearing about The Son-Rise program? Did you express any concerns about the program, such as the way it was run or its cost?
A2. We read Jonathan Levy's book What You Can Do Right Now to Help Your Child with Autism. We read and re-read and had other family members read....it was our first Autism book. How lucky! And it shaped everything we did. Very simple, very gracious and respectful of you and your child. We did our free Initial Call with The Autism Treatment Center of America, and it went from there. We did several updates with our Family Counselor and finally she had me fill out the financial aid questionnaire. It'ss expensive - but no more than any other therapy we have tried. Floortime is about $140 a hour and no fully paid for by our insurance, we did it for many months and spent a couple thousand on that for way less hands on input about me or my child. Yes, I wish it were cheaper and closer to me - I would learn to be a Child Facilitator.. I would teach for them - its that great!
Q3. How long have you been a Son-Rise Program parent? What key changes have you seen in Riley since you have adopted The Son-Rise program?
A3. We started implementing The Son-Rise Program in October of 2007. I didn't make it to Start Up until June 2008. But we thought we were doing great with just the bit of book instruction we had. He went from 15 words at 2 years of age to 78 by that following June in 2008. It was when I returned from Start up that he blossomed to 350 words with in 2 weeks and now speaks any word he so desires....well over 2000 words now. His language though in need of maturity and time is fabulous!! This is The Son-Rise Program! Key changes - language, language, language!!!, his patience, the ability to go to a store or the library successfully, the ability to play with other children and accept them, ability to try new things (including new foods), and the ability to meet new people! Plus his tantrums are smaller, (although we do still have some). Life is just better here with The Son-Rise Program. The love and acceptance I have learned at The Autism Treatment Center Son-Rise is invaluable - they took care of me when I attended - they showed me the way!
Q4. What are Riley's interests, and how have you been able to tailor his Son-Rise Program experiences to recognize those interests?
A4. The key to breaking out of the box that Autism has put you in is your child's interests. What are your child's interests? Riley changes from time to time, but for example he used to love to shuffle through playing cards or flash cards. We would shuffle together, eventually he was able to slide them through a mail slot and make stacks, and even tell me what was on them. He loves reading, but he used to just like to tear through the pictures, he didn't have the fine motor to deal with the pages, so he ripped - that's what they are for right? We ripped many things together. Eventually we just looked at pages, then we read, then we pointed and he told me something of what they said or were. He liked pirates for a while and we played many pirate games, created ships and costumes...that really motivated him to say many new words! Use motivation to create games and play activities that bring you and your child together!!!
Q5. Who makes up your Son-Rise Program team? What part do you think that they play in preparing Riley for the rigors and unpredictability of the real world?
A5. Our team has expanded and disbanded many times and includes a variety of people. We have my daughter and myself and my husband...of course my other son who is only 5 to Riley's 4. So he is the number one therapist...he has taught Riley everything!!! He is the real motivator!! We have team members from Riley's school, this is the 3rd year we have had the director of the developmental preschool come to our home every week to play with Riley. We have had others that came in the past also. Real world happens here every day for us - his brother torments him him like any other brother, we go out now, we go to the library, the store we even visit school for 2 hours a week now. All this from the playroom activities - we have played store in there and helped Riley understand what happens after you are in a store - which was key for Riley - what the process is.... We go in we get this , we go stand in line we leave...practicing made that easy!
Q6. With most individuals forced to find treatments for autism on their own, do you think that programs like The Son-Rise Program would benefit from government assistance? Why or why not?
A6. I think it would be difficult to say that we couldn't use the ability for government support, the money would greatly help so many. But the ideas of The Son-Rise Program are so freeing.... how would a controlled entity not squelch that. Its so freeing being there....I'm not sure what would happen if they were "supported" by government funds.
This is an answer to a friends questions who is writing a research paper for college. I thought it might be a good place to start; tell the story.
Q1. What was life like for Riley prior to the realization that he had autism? How did you raise him prior to The Son-Rise program and did you have to make any changes (diet modifications, etc.)?
A1.The early stages of life for Riley were mostly normal, he was a stiff baby, cried a lot. Had only an affinity for me, no one else. He was developing normally accept for language, around 10 months after the MMR shots he completely lost the only word he had. "Ball". After that he became super stiff baby, needing to be held even more...there were days he was never out of my arms. His tears became normal, as if they were his only words, but were never accompanied by " mommy", never "daddy" never" I love you." He had to cover his eyes to go into the light, to go in to the dark he had to cover his ears to deal with all sound. It was around 14 months that I asked the pediatrician why he couldn't find his nose. I have 4 children they all could find their nose....but no nose...no ears, no eyes, no " mommy". So all of this plus much more....equaled no time for anything else, I couldn't leave him, we couldn't go anywhere....so we didn't. I worked full time until he was 1 year old...but it was too hard to leave him...so we stopped. Hard doesn't begin to describe it. When we had no tools to deal with or understanding of what or who he was. We were simply existing...and not doing too well I might add. At 2 we figured out the gluten-free/ casein-free diet, we were told by our lovely in-laws and my mother about Jenny McCarthy and we tried it! It was a miracle to behold - he held his Daddy's hand for the first time and he became less agitated. We also gave him cod liver oil consistently..noticed many good changes. He wore a weighted vest, and had a SPIO...both o these things seemed to give him the physical awareness he needed to be OK. Still couldn't go anywhere easily.
Q2. How did you end up hearing about The Son-Rise program? Did you express any concerns about the program, such as the way it was run or its cost?
A2. We read Jonathan Levy's book What You Can Do Right Now to Help Your Child with Autism. We read and re-read and had other family members read....it was our first Autism book. How lucky! And it shaped everything we did. Very simple, very gracious and respectful of you and your child. We did our free Initial Call with The Autism Treatment Center of America, and it went from there. We did several updates with our Family Counselor and finally she had me fill out the financial aid questionnaire. It'ss expensive - but no more than any other therapy we have tried. Floortime is about $140 a hour and no fully paid for by our insurance, we did it for many months and spent a couple thousand on that for way less hands on input about me or my child. Yes, I wish it were cheaper and closer to me - I would learn to be a Child Facilitator.. I would teach for them - its that great!
Q3. How long have you been a Son-Rise Program parent? What key changes have you seen in Riley since you have adopted The Son-Rise program?
A3. We started implementing The Son-Rise Program in October of 2007. I didn't make it to Start Up until June 2008. But we thought we were doing great with just the bit of book instruction we had. He went from 15 words at 2 years of age to 78 by that following June in 2008. It was when I returned from Start up that he blossomed to 350 words with in 2 weeks and now speaks any word he so desires....well over 2000 words now. His language though in need of maturity and time is fabulous!! This is The Son-Rise Program! Key changes - language, language, language!!!, his patience, the ability to go to a store or the library successfully, the ability to play with other children and accept them, ability to try new things (including new foods), and the ability to meet new people! Plus his tantrums are smaller, (although we do still have some). Life is just better here with The Son-Rise Program. The love and acceptance I have learned at The Autism Treatment Center Son-Rise is invaluable - they took care of me when I attended - they showed me the way!
Q4. What are Riley's interests, and how have you been able to tailor his Son-Rise Program experiences to recognize those interests?
A4. The key to breaking out of the box that Autism has put you in is your child's interests. What are your child's interests? Riley changes from time to time, but for example he used to love to shuffle through playing cards or flash cards. We would shuffle together, eventually he was able to slide them through a mail slot and make stacks, and even tell me what was on them. He loves reading, but he used to just like to tear through the pictures, he didn't have the fine motor to deal with the pages, so he ripped - that's what they are for right? We ripped many things together. Eventually we just looked at pages, then we read, then we pointed and he told me something of what they said or were. He liked pirates for a while and we played many pirate games, created ships and costumes...that really motivated him to say many new words! Use motivation to create games and play activities that bring you and your child together!!!
Q5. Who makes up your Son-Rise Program team? What part do you think that they play in preparing Riley for the rigors and unpredictability of the real world?
A5. Our team has expanded and disbanded many times and includes a variety of people. We have my daughter and myself and my husband...of course my other son who is only 5 to Riley's 4. So he is the number one therapist...he has taught Riley everything!!! He is the real motivator!! We have team members from Riley's school, this is the 3rd year we have had the director of the developmental preschool come to our home every week to play with Riley. We have had others that came in the past also. Real world happens here every day for us - his brother torments him him like any other brother, we go out now, we go to the library, the store we even visit school for 2 hours a week now. All this from the playroom activities - we have played store in there and helped Riley understand what happens after you are in a store - which was key for Riley - what the process is.... We go in we get this , we go stand in line we leave...practicing made that easy!
Q6. With most individuals forced to find treatments for autism on their own, do you think that programs like The Son-Rise Program would benefit from government assistance? Why or why not?
A6. I think it would be difficult to say that we couldn't use the ability for government support, the money would greatly help so many. But the ideas of The Son-Rise Program are so freeing.... how would a controlled entity not squelch that. Its so freeing being there....I'm not sure what would happen if they were "supported" by government funds.
Labels: Inspiration, Son-Rise Program Parents, Volunteers
Read more!
posted by MommyMelinda at
7:24 AM
0 Comments
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Volunteers, Volunteers, Volunteers!
Hullo wonderful Son-Rise friends!
Volunteers - they may not make the world go round, but they sure can make the ride an awful lot easier, especially when they're helping you carry along your special kid! I have spoken to many parents who are SO grateful to their volunteers for assisting in their Son-Rise Programs, and I wanted to give a different perspective - MY experience as a Son-Rise Program volunteer before I came to the Autism Treatment Center of America to be a Child Facilitator.
Volunteering was one of the most significant, life-changing experiences of my life. I met my first Son-Rise family through an email advertisement that they sent to my university. The moment I saw the fun photo of this cute little boy, I could just picture all the wonderful times we would have together. Boy, was I right! Through the two and a half years that I worked with this family I came to love and appreciate them so deeply. I would travel an hour and a half each way to spend four hours a week with this incredible boy who I helped grow from using single words to talking in sentences and preparing for transition back to mainstream school! Dedicating four hours a week just to love and have fun with this little guy was almost like MY therapy! At times when I was feeling blue, I knew I could take time to find the deepest, most loving place inside myself with my special friend. His friendship was truly a gift to me, and kept me coming back for more and more.
All the families I have volunteered with are now like REAL family to me - we stay in touch, send photos, talk on the phone - they welcomed me into their lives and not only did I get to play with and help their kids grow, but in the process I gained lifelong loving friendships. Not bad, huh?
There ARE people out there who have so much to give. There ARE people out there who want to love your children. There ARE people you can trust and welcome into your lives. Always remember that your child is a gift to everyone.
Huge smiles,
Jack
Volunteers - they may not make the world go round, but they sure can make the ride an awful lot easier, especially when they're helping you carry along your special kid! I have spoken to many parents who are SO grateful to their volunteers for assisting in their Son-Rise Programs, and I wanted to give a different perspective - MY experience as a Son-Rise Program volunteer before I came to the Autism Treatment Center of America to be a Child Facilitator.
Volunteering was one of the most significant, life-changing experiences of my life. I met my first Son-Rise family through an email advertisement that they sent to my university. The moment I saw the fun photo of this cute little boy, I could just picture all the wonderful times we would have together. Boy, was I right! Through the two and a half years that I worked with this family I came to love and appreciate them so deeply. I would travel an hour and a half each way to spend four hours a week with this incredible boy who I helped grow from using single words to talking in sentences and preparing for transition back to mainstream school! Dedicating four hours a week just to love and have fun with this little guy was almost like MY therapy! At times when I was feeling blue, I knew I could take time to find the deepest, most loving place inside myself with my special friend. His friendship was truly a gift to me, and kept me coming back for more and more.
All the families I have volunteered with are now like REAL family to me - we stay in touch, send photos, talk on the phone - they welcomed me into their lives and not only did I get to play with and help their kids grow, but in the process I gained lifelong loving friendships. Not bad, huh?
There ARE people out there who have so much to give. There ARE people out there who want to love your children. There ARE people you can trust and welcome into your lives. Always remember that your child is a gift to everyone.
Huge smiles,
Jack
Labels: Attitude, Son-Rise Program Staff, Volunteers
Read more!
posted by Jack at
8:39 AM
0 Comments
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
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.
Labels: Inspiration, Son-Rise Program Staff, Volunteers
Read more!
posted by Becky Damgaard, Son-Rise Program Teacher at
10:27 AM
2 Comments
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Tales from a Son-Rise Program Child Facilitator - heightened Senses
I found out very quickly through volunteering in a Son-Rise Program that Autistic children are extremely good at sensing things. I had learnt at The Son-Rise Start-Up Program that because these children had challenges picking up on social cues, they had other ways of figuring out the world to compensate for that.
I know that Robert was definitely in touch with the energy I put out because he would know when I was uncomfortable about a certain behavior that he would display and as a result of that, he would do it more.
For example, he would pee on me. I would get really uncomfortable because I didn't know how to handle it and thought it was because he didn't like me. Then it would always be me that it happened to and none of the other volunteers. Also, it's common that Autistic people are either hyper or hypo sensitive so it makes sense that they would also have extra sharp hearing or an extreme sense of touch, etc.
One thing that truly amazed me was that after one of our group meetings for Robert's program, when we had all left, Robert returned home from his Grandparents house where he had been for the entire meeting. The first thing he did was to go into the living room where the meeting had been held and circuit around sniffing the seats where we had all been sitting.
He then continued to tell his parents exactly which seat each and every volunteer had sat on and he was exactly right, incredible!
The beauty of The Son-Rise Program is that a large part of it is about attitude and beliefs, so after looking at why I was uncomfortable when Robert did those things with me, I was able to change my belief (in this case, the belief that he didn't like me). As soon as I had changed that belief, he stopped peeing on me.
I know that Robert was definitely in touch with the energy I put out because he would know when I was uncomfortable about a certain behavior that he would display and as a result of that, he would do it more.
For example, he would pee on me. I would get really uncomfortable because I didn't know how to handle it and thought it was because he didn't like me. Then it would always be me that it happened to and none of the other volunteers. Also, it's common that Autistic people are either hyper or hypo sensitive so it makes sense that they would also have extra sharp hearing or an extreme sense of touch, etc.
One thing that truly amazed me was that after one of our group meetings for Robert's program, when we had all left, Robert returned home from his Grandparents house where he had been for the entire meeting. The first thing he did was to go into the living room where the meeting had been held and circuit around sniffing the seats where we had all been sitting.
He then continued to tell his parents exactly which seat each and every volunteer had sat on and he was exactly right, incredible!
The beauty of The Son-Rise Program is that a large part of it is about attitude and beliefs, so after looking at why I was uncomfortable when Robert did those things with me, I was able to change my belief (in this case, the belief that he didn't like me). As soon as I had changed that belief, he stopped peeing on me.
Labels: Attitude, Son-Rise Program Staff, Volunteers
Read more!
posted by Becky Damgaard, Son-Rise Program Teacher at
10:30 AM
0 Comments
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Tales from a Son-Rise Program Child Facilitator - falling in love
When I first started working in The Son-Rise Program playroom with Robert, the idea was to work with him one to one, follow his lead and connect with him by joining in his world when he was exclusive and celebrating his attempts to connect with me. That would be the basis to help him build relationships in his life. This was all done through play which was so much fun!
I was completely in love. I was in love with Robert, I was in love with his Mom, I was in love with The Son-Rise Program. Everything about it felt right to me. It was the most loving and respectful way to work with Autism that I knew out of other Autism Treatments I had researched.
After my first few sessions with Robert and after watching Karen Spellman (a Son-Rise Program Child Facilitator) working in the playroom with him, I was hooked. I immediately left my college course and focused on doing six hours a week as a volunteer in Robert's program.
At the time, I also worked two other jobs but Robert was my priority, I wanted more. I attended the Start-Up Program in 2000 where Raun Kaufman and William Hogan were two of the teachers. Once again I was so inspired, that I dreamt of going to America and training to be a Son-Rise Program Child Facilitator.
I was completely in love. I was in love with Robert, I was in love with his Mom, I was in love with The Son-Rise Program. Everything about it felt right to me. It was the most loving and respectful way to work with Autism that I knew out of other Autism Treatments I had researched.
After my first few sessions with Robert and after watching Karen Spellman (a Son-Rise Program Child Facilitator) working in the playroom with him, I was hooked. I immediately left my college course and focused on doing six hours a week as a volunteer in Robert's program.
At the time, I also worked two other jobs but Robert was my priority, I wanted more. I attended the Start-Up Program in 2000 where Raun Kaufman and William Hogan were two of the teachers. Once again I was so inspired, that I dreamt of going to America and training to be a Son-Rise Program Child Facilitator.
Labels: Son-Rise Program Staff, Volunteers
Read more!
posted by Becky Damgaard, Son-Rise Program Teacher at
9:37 AM
0 Comments
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Tales from a Son-Rise Program Child Facilitator - the meeting of my first Son-Rise Program family
So I went to meet Robert. The first thing that struck me and will stay with me forever was Anna (Roberts Mom's) passion, excitement and apparent joy for her Son (could it be that she was actually happy about the fact that her son was Autistic?), at that time, I had no idea that you could choose how you felt and I was inspired by her attitude which I later came to learn was the basis of The Son-Rise Program.
She was amazing with him. She celebrated him, delighted in him, she was goofy and funny and sweet. He was unique, intelligent and very talented. He could stacks blocks really high with each one balanced in a specific position. When I tried to replicate that, they would tumble to the ground.
One of his Autism Symptoms was an amazing memory, he would recite whole scenes from movies and knew all kinds of shapes, such as a Trapezoid that I had never heard of. The difference was that I was in my twenties and he was only four years old!
Anna gave me a book called Son-Rise the Miracle of Love, which I read in between my first few sessions and absolutely loved. It documented the story of how The Son-Rise Program was invented by parents of a severely autistic child. His Mother worked with him in a one to one environment by joining him in his world and inspiring him to join her world. I knew at this point I had begun a very special journey of hope and Help for Autism.
She was amazing with him. She celebrated him, delighted in him, she was goofy and funny and sweet. He was unique, intelligent and very talented. He could stacks blocks really high with each one balanced in a specific position. When I tried to replicate that, they would tumble to the ground.
One of his Autism Symptoms was an amazing memory, he would recite whole scenes from movies and knew all kinds of shapes, such as a Trapezoid that I had never heard of. The difference was that I was in my twenties and he was only four years old!
Anna gave me a book called Son-Rise the Miracle of Love, which I read in between my first few sessions and absolutely loved. It documented the story of how The Son-Rise Program was invented by parents of a severely autistic child. His Mother worked with him in a one to one environment by joining him in his world and inspiring him to join her world. I knew at this point I had begun a very special journey of hope and Help for Autism.
Labels: Son-Rise Program Staff, Volunteers
Read more!
posted by Becky Damgaard, Son-Rise Program Teacher at
1:19 PM
0 Comments
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Tales from a Son-Rise Program Child Facilitator - imaginative volunteers needed
While looking for Autism Training with children with special needs one day, I happened to open the local newspaper and saw a tiny advertisement. It said "Imaginative volunteers needed to play with Autistic child".
This appealed to me because I definitely wanted to use my imagination when working with children and the school teachers that I knew were very restricted in the way they were able to teach due to very sctrict rules around sticking to the curriculum.
The other part that struck me was that it said "play" and that sounded more stimulating to me than teaching ever had. This could be the perfect opportunity and so I called the number.
I found out that his parents were working with him using The Son-Rise Program, which they were doing in their home.
This was sounding better and better. Not only was it one to one but I was going to be trained by his parents, what better recourse was there to a special child than his own parents? So I went to meet him.
This appealed to me because I definitely wanted to use my imagination when working with children and the school teachers that I knew were very restricted in the way they were able to teach due to very sctrict rules around sticking to the curriculum.
The other part that struck me was that it said "play" and that sounded more stimulating to me than teaching ever had. This could be the perfect opportunity and so I called the number.
I found out that his parents were working with him using The Son-Rise Program, which they were doing in their home.
This was sounding better and better. Not only was it one to one but I was going to be trained by his parents, what better recourse was there to a special child than his own parents? So I went to meet him.
Labels: Son-Rise Program Staff, Volunteers
Read more!
posted by Becky Damgaard, Son-Rise Program Teacher at
7:15 PM
0 Comments
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Autism Support
I do not have an autistic child, nor run a Son-Rise program; but I have had the opportunity and extreme pleasure to support all areas of the Autism Treatment Center through my job, and to volunteer in a unique way in Jade's Son-Rise program during the 11 years working at the ATCA. My message to you is that you can ALWAYS find a way to support a Son-Rise program! If you don't feel your passion is to directly work with an autistic child - there are so many other ways to help a family with their program, as I found out for myself. You can go grocery shopping (all types of errands) for a Mom while she is in the playroom and/or cook a meal for the family; you can babysit other siblings so all family members can go to the group meetings; you can help create volunteer schedules; you can help research the latest nutrition break-throughs for autistic children; you can spread the word to your kid-loving friends that might want to volunteer in a SR program; you can walk the dog - you see where I am going with this - support comes in many ways, and the indirect ways are very helpful to anyone running a Son-Rise program!
Also - if you are the one running a Son-Rise program - don't hesitate to ask your friends to help in some of the ways I have mentioned above - I wouldn't have thought I could help in a program until the Mom asked me if I wanted to be part of it - score!
Also - if you are the one running a Son-Rise program - don't hesitate to ask your friends to help in some of the ways I have mentioned above - I wouldn't have thought I could help in a program until the Mom asked me if I wanted to be part of it - score!
Labels: Volunteers
Read more!
posted by Dane, Director Admin. Services at
10:34 AM
0 Comments
Copyright 1998-2012. The Option Institute & Fellowship. All rights reserved.
A division of The Option Institute. A nonprofit, federally tax-exempt, charitable organization.