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Pork Out Survey on Website |
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What a great turnout at the 23rd Annual Pork Out. Thanks to all for your wonderful support. If you participated in any way please complete the survey on our website www.joshuacenter.com.
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Social Skills – Fall Programs |
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Social Skills classes will resume the 3rd Saturday in September. PLEASE EMAIL OR CALL BECKY IF YOUR CHILD IS PLANNING TO ATTEND THIS SATURDAY. Social Skills classes are for kids with TS, OCD and Aspergers. They are making friends and learning how to interact appropriately with peers and adults. The total fee for each session is $30/class. Call the Joshua Center at 816-763-7605 or email Becky Ottinger at beckyjc@kc.rr.com to register. The classes are the first and third Saturdays with 3rd – 5th grades meeting from 9:30am to 11:00am. Middle School will meet 12:30pm to 2:00pm.
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Bowl-a-thon 2008 |
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Let’s have an incredible time at the great INCRED-A-BOWL in Overland Park on January 26, 2008. Bowling is a sport anyone can participate in from ages of 3 - 90. More details to follow, but watch closely on the website www.joshuacenter.com . This is a great opportunity to have all the campers return and renew friendships. Parents, grandparents and friends come together to have one GREAT afternoon and raise funds for the Joshua Center. I have been trying for years to schedule our event there and it looks like 2008 is the year.
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State, Federal and United Way Workplace Giving Campaigns |
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Did you know you can invite the Joshua Center to your work for Your Employee Campaign Kickoff? The Joshua Center has qualified speakers who share their personal story and how it has impacted their lives. The Joshua Center is eligible through donor choice to receive funding for State, Federal and United Way workplace giving campaigns. These campaigns kick off in the fall and our speakers can be scheduled to give presentations at your workplace. This is an easy way to educate friends and co-workers about the issues our organization addresses. For more information please call 816-763-7605.
Thanks to all of you who have supported the Joshua Center through United Way. You have really made a tremendous impact on the children we serve. To support the Joshua Center you must request a Donor Option Choice Card from your United Way Coordinator. Our code number is 021. In May of 2008 we will receive a letter from United Way with a list of Campaign 2007 Donors. We are now included in the Kansas Employees campaign.
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Lack of “Know-How” Versus Lack of Social Interest |
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Impairment in social functioning is a central feature of ASD and is well documented in the literature (Attwood, 1998; Rogers, 2000). Typical social skill deficits include difficulties with: reciprocity, initiating interactions, maintaining eye contact, sharing enjoyment, empathy, and inferring the interests of others (APA, 1994). The cause of these skill deficits varies, ranging from inherent neurological impairment (e.g., limbic system dysfunction) to lack of opportunity to acquire skills (e.g., social withdrawal). Most important, these social skill deficits make it difficult for the individual to develop, and keep meaningful and fulfilling personal relationships. The long held notion that individuals with autism spectrum disorders lack an interest in social interactions is often inaccurate. Many individuals with ASD do indeed desire social involvement; however, these individuals typically lack the necessary skills to interact effectively. One young man I worked with illustrates this point quite well. Prior to my visit, the school staff informed me of his inappropriate behaviors and his apparent “lack of interest” in interacting with other children. After spending the morning in a self-contained classroom, Zach was given the opportunity to eat lunch with the general school population (a time and place that produced many of the problem behaviors). As he was eating lunch, a group of children to his right began a discussion about frogs. As soon as the conversation began, he immediately took notice. So too did I. As he was listening to the other children, he began to remove his shoes, followed by his socks. I remember thinking, “Oh boy, here we go!” As soon as the second sock fell to the ground, Zach flopped his feet on the table, looked up at the group of children and proclaimed, “Look, webbed feet!” The other children (including myself) stared in amazement. In this case, Zach was demonstrating a desire to enter and be a part of a social situation, but he was obviously lacking the necessary skills to do so in an appropriate and effective manner. This lack of “know-how” could also lead to feelings of social anxiety in some children. Many parents and teachers report that social situations typically evoke a great deal of anxiety from their children. Individuals with ASD often describe an anxiety that resembles what many of us feel when we are forced to speak in public (increased heart rate, sweaty palms, noticeable shaking, difficulties concentrating, etc.). Not only is the speaking stressful, but just the thought of it is enough to produce stomach-gnawing butterflies. Imagine living a life where every social interaction you experience was as anxiety provoking as having to make a speech in front of a large group! The typical coping mechanism for most of us is to reduce the stress and anxiety by avoiding the stressful situation. For individuals with ASD, it often results in the avoidance of social situations, and subsequently, the development of social skill deficits. When a child continually avoids social encounters, she denies herself the opportunity to acquire social interaction skills. In some individuals, these social skill deficits lead to negative peer interactions, peer rejection, isolation, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and even suicidal ideation. For others, it creates a pattern of absorption in solitary activities and hobbies; a pattern that is often difficult to change.
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Toys”R”Us on Toys Made in China |
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