Newletter 12 9 13 FINAL Approved with new changes 2

Dec.2013-Jan.2014
CenterPoints
ACenterforDiscoveryPublication
CesareCasella
SALUMERIAROSI
MessagefromPatrickDollard
PresidentandCEO
Atourmostrecent“StateoftheState”meeting,we
brought together the remarkable team of
dedicated managers and directors who have
literally built The Center into what it has now
become- a national destination center of
excellenceandinnovation.
FranklinBecker
THELITTLEBEET
MarkLadner
DELPOSTO
PeggyParton
Dept.ofNourishmentArts
THECENTERFORDISCOVERY
Atthatmeeting,ItriedtoexpresstothemthetremendousprideIhave
in my heart for all our staff who are so dynamic, so talented and so
committedtoadvancinghumancare. Weareprivilegedtoworkwith
anextraordinarycommunityofchildren,adultsandfamilieswhomake
upTheCenterforDiscoveryandwhoinspireuseveryday.
Despitetheuncertaintiesthatweknowareaheadforourfield,itisthis
collectivecommunityofextraordinarypeoplethatmakeitpossiblefor
metofeelgreatoptimismforthefutureofTheCenter.
NilsNoren
THEREDROOSTER
PatrickH.Dollard
PresidentandCEO
FoodisMedicine
CenterPoints
A Center for Discovery Publication
ProgramNotes:
TheresaHamlin,Ed.D.
Newsabout
TheCenter'sStaff
AssociateExecutiveDirector
TheseareexcitingtimesatTheCenterforDiscovery,notjustbecauseof
themanynewprogramswe'reimplementingandthetransformative
ideasthatwe'reworkingon,butalsobecausewecontinuetogetbetter
and better at what we have always done. And each of our three
campuses, North, Central and South, continues to develop its own
distinctidentityandroleinthelifeofTheCenter,evenastheyjointly
contributetosuccessandhappinessforallourresidentsandstudents.
Storiesinthisissuetouchondifferentaspectsofthisyear'sprogress,
including...
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PatrickH.Dollard
The Research Program continues to break new ground, in
partnershipwithleadingresearchersfromtopuniversitiesaround
the country: Harvard, Columbia, MIT, Northeastern, Georgia Tech,
and the University of North Carolina. Kara Margolis, M.D., a
gastroenterologist, has joined the team, and she will be seeing
patientsinherprivateofficeinadditiontoworkingontheDiscovery
Schoolresearchinitiative.
The Creative Arts Therapy division has created a new 10-week
“intensive”formatthatfocusesonthedevelopmentofsustainable
social skills goals, and the research team is participating by
developingnewmethodologiestoquantifytheprogram'sresults.
Weexpecttopublishsomeoftheincrediblefindings.
The Staff/Resident Wellness program and its fitness facility have
beenrelocatedtotheCarrusInstitute,joiningtheDepartmentof
Nourishment Arts and the Training and Workforce Development
Department.
DavidFanslau
TheHurleyvilleInitiative‒tosupportaviable,inclusiveMainStreet
that will provide business, educational, cultural and recreational
opportunities for our residents and families, our staff, and all
membersofthecommunity‒continuestoevolveasweworkto
solidify partnerships with local government and private
entrepreneurs.
Lookingtothefuture,ourprioritycontinuestobecontrollingcostsin
anticipation of rate-rationalization initiatives and the managed-care
modelcomingtothefield.Animportantpartofthateffortincludes
developing a specialized pediatric facility that will help minimize
hospitalizations among our residents, decrease the number of
emergencyroomvisits,increasethenumberofon-sitephysicianhours,
and bring state of the art treatment for children and adults with
complexconditions.Thisisaveryimportantprogramthatwillhelpus
buildasustainablefutureforallofourresidents.
ElaineKurtz
To broaden our revenue base, we expect to expand our day-school
programanddevelopaPediatricAutismAssessmentCenterbothin
NewYorkCity.Ofcourse,noneofthiscanbefullyrealizedwithoutthe
generous support of donors who give to our continuing education
programsforourstaffandsupportspecialprojectsnotfundedbythe
stategovernment.
Ourstaffhasgrownto1,512employeesasofSeptember,andwehave
made great strides in improving our employee retention rate. Staff
turnoveris13.0%for2013todate,ascomparedto17.9%forthesame
periodin2012.Theimprovementhascomeaboutthroughanincrease
instafftrainingprogramsalongwithmoreproactiverecruitingefforts.
And,asnotedelsewhereinthisissue,wehavewelcomedanewVice
PresidentofHumanResources,ElaineKurtz,andaVicePresidentfor
OperationsandAdministration,DavidFanslau.
Finally,we'regearingupforwinter!Andthatmeansit'stimeforour
annual reminder to staff members to drive carefully and safely,
especially on campus, and to be prepared to sleep at The Center
o v e r n i g h t i f t h e w e a t h e r i s b a d . C o m f o r t a b l e o v e r n i g h t
accommodations for staff not only contributes to staff members'
safety,buthelpsusensurethesafetyandwell-beingofourresidents
duringextremeweatherconditions;ithasbeenasuccessfulagency
policyformanyyears.
DanRyan
InOctober,theSullivanCounty
PartnershipforEconomicDevelopment
presentedthe2013WalterA.Rhulen
AwardtoTheCenter'sPresidentand
C.E.O.PatrickDollard“forhisdedicationto
thehealthcarefieldandespeciallyto
childrenandadultswithdevelopmental
disabilities.”CitedwerePatrick's35years
ofleadershipinresearchandintervention
incaringforpeoplewithdisabilities,and
thefactthat,withsome1,500full-time
jobs,TheCenteristhelargestemployerin
SullivanCounty.
TheCenterwelcomesnewVicePresident
forOperationsandAdministrationDavid
Fanslau.Davidhasmorethan25yearsof
experienceingovernmentalaffairsand
civicmanagement,havingservedmost
recentlyastheSullivanCountyManager.
DavidisaCredentialedManagerwiththe
InternationalCity/CountyManagement
Association(ICMA),andheearneda
MasterofGovernmentalAdministration
degreefromtheUniversityof
Pennsylvania,andaBachelorofArts
degreeinOrganizationalManagement
fromCabriniCollege.David,andhiswife,
Fran,resideinRockHill,withtheirtwin
sons,MatthewandJoshua.
TheCenterwelcomesnewVicePresident
forHumanResources,ElaineKurtz.Elaine
hasmorethan25yearsofexperiencein
humanresourcesandpublic
administrationmanagement.Shecomes
tousfromtheBayAreaRapidTransit
DistrictintheSanFranciscoBayareaof
California,wheresheservedasHuman
ResourcesManagerandActingAssistant
GeneralManagerofAdministration.Her
priorexperienceincludesBaltimore's
MassTransitAdministrationaswellasThe
LegalAidSocietyinNewYorkCity.
Elaine'seducationalbackgroundincludes
aBachelor'sdegreeinHistoryfrom
IndianaUniversityandaJ.D.fromthe
UniversityofMaryland.
DanRyan,aQualityImprovement
CoordinatoratTheCenterandaU.S.
ArmyReservist,waspresentedwitha
specialstaffrecognitionawardin
absentiaattheannualCerebralPalsy
AssociationsofNewYorkConferencein
SaratogaSprings.SergeantRyan'swife
AmberanddaughterHannahaccepted
theaward;DanhimselfwasinMississippi
preparingfordeploymenttoAfghanistan.
DanhasbeenemployedatTheCenter
since2009,andAmberalsoworksatThe
Center,asaProgramCoordinator.Tosee
avideoprofileofDanRyan,hisworkat
TheCenter,andhisparticipationinthe
ArmyReservesBestWarriorCompetition,
gotohttp://bit.ly/1dSTtzU
TheCenterforDiscoveryMission
T h e C e n t e r f o r D i s c o v e r y i s a
community of care that enables and
encouragespeoplewithdisabilitiesby
attending to all the aspects of a
productive, meaningful, and happy
life,bycreatingamodelofaninclusive
andwelcomingplacetobelongtothat
supports the well-being of all its
members, enriches the regional
economy, creates valued work and
living opportunities on Main Street
and safeguards and enriches the
health and well-being of individuals
andthelandthatsustainsus.
OurVision: TheCenterforDiscovery
fortheNextFiveYears
We see The Center as a landscape of
possibilities, a community of care
devoted not only to the health and
well-beingofpeoplewithdisabilities,
but to all the people who call this
home,andtothelargercommunityof
whichweareapart.
AttheheartofTheCenterisfarming,
nourishing the body, mind and spirit.
Thehardandvaluedworkoffarming
fosters independence and promotes
health. The organic methods and
practicesarethoughtfullydesignedto
promote the long-term health and
sustainability of the land, water and
foodsystemsthatextendwellbeyond
ourfences.
Ourvisionconnectsourfarmswiththe
rural village and Main Street of
Hurleyville,itspeopleandneighborsin
Sullivan County. We envisage a safe
and thoughtfully revitalized Main
Streetasahubofactivity-withafarm
store,andartscenter,restaurantsand
shops and walking trails all enriching
aninclusiveandattractivecommunity.
H o u s i n g f o r C e n t e r s t a ff a n d
innovative housing options for
residentswhowilllive,workandfarm
inandaroundthetownwillhelpmake
Hurleyville a model of regional
economicdevelopment.
AdventureTeamChallengeatFrostValley
Jamesispicturedever-so-carefullycrossingthecablebridgeattheFrostValleyYMCA,accompaniedbycoachesRick
andHeather.UndertheoveralldirectionofTheCenter'sheadfarmerGregYork,twentyathletes‒childrenandadults‒
experiencedthreedaysofthrillsatourfourthannualAdventureTeamChallenge,sponsoredbyWorldT.E.A.M.Sports.
(T.E.A.M.standsfor“TheExceptionalAthleteMatters.”)Eachathleteischallengedathisorheruniqueleveltoattempt
extraordinaryactivitiesthatcanincludekayaking,relayracing,hiking,adaptivebiking,orienteering,dancing,and
camping.
MajorGiftOpportunities
TheCenterforDiscoveryiscontinuallydevelopingnewmodelsoflivingforpeoplewithdisabilities.That's
whyweʼreexcitedtoannouncetwochallengegiftsfrommajorbenefactors‒giftsintendedtoprovidelifechangingbenefitsforthoseweserve,whilehelpingTheCenterforDiscoverycommunitytothriveformany
yearstocome.
TheCarrusPerformingArtsCenter
BoardMemberJanetCarrushasannounceda$2-millionchallengegifttoincludesupportforconstruction
oftheMainStreetCenterforDance,CinemaandPerformingArts.TheCenterwillbealargetheaterfor
concerts,danceandtheatricalproductions,andfilmscreenings,withstate-of-the-artsoundandlighting,as
wellasrehearsalstudiosanddressingrooms,allinafully-integratedcommunitysetting.Thisprojectisa
testamenttoJanet'sbeliefinthebenefitsofdanceandotherartstotheresidentsofTheCenter,andtoour
staffmembersandmembersofthecommunityalike.Theprojectwillcontributeanincrediblevibrancyto
MainStreet.
A vibrant pedestrian oriented village
and innovative models for living not
only promote the sustainability of
Hurleyville, but cultivate a plan for
growth based on agriculture, the
traditional activity at the heart of this
ruralNewYorkcounty.
TheWalterJ.ScherrMakersLabandLearningCenter
Inhonoroftheirfatherandtheirlatemother,theScherrfamilyhasannounceda$1.9-millionchallengegift
toTheCenterforDiscoverytocreateTheWalterandVeraScherrMakersLabandLearningCenter.The
MakersLabwillwelcomethebestandbrightestinthefieldtodevelopassistivetechnologyforpeoplewith
significantdisabilities,andalsooffertrainingopportunities;theLearningCenterwillhelpindividualswith
developmental disabilities discover unique educational and vocational opportunities. The project will
createahubforinnovationonMainStreetandserveasaneconomicdriverfortheregion.Thisprogramalso
includesastaffcontinuingeducationandleadershipdevelopmentinitiative.
Theurgentworkofdefining,codifying
andscalingupsuccessfulmodelswill
be accelerated by means of an
academicuniversitypartnerintegralto
the vision of a village nourished by
change. This speeds the evolution of
The Center at a time when fast
changing systems of support make
newstrategiesessential.
Throughthesechallengegifts-andwithmajorgiftsfrompartnerslikeyou-TheCenterwillprovidecreative
and educational opportunities for its residents while contributing to the vitality and economic
developmentoftheregion.Everydollarcontributedwillbematchedbythesechallengegifts-effectively
doublingtheamountofyourgift!Remember,though,thatthesechallengegiftsaretimelimited-butthat's
agoodthing,becauseithelpsspeedusonourwaytowardacomprehensivedevelopmentofMainStreetin
Hurleyvilleinthecomingyear-tobenefittheresidentsofTheCenter,thelocalcommunity,andtheentire
region.
For more information on how you can contribute, please contact Bill Evans at (845) 707-8505 or
bevans@tcfd.org,orRichardHumlekerat(845)707-8506orrhumleker@tcfd.org.
CashenʼsCorner
RecreationtherapystaffmembersKelsi,Chris,Jim,SamandAmanda.
ImportantNewsfrom
TheCenter'sRecreational
TherapyDepartment
The Recreation Therapy Department plans and implements
exciting leisure, creative arts, fitness, vocational, and farm
experiencesforchildrenandadultsatTheCenterforDiscovery.All
activitiesaredesignedandadaptedtoprovidesafeandexciting
opportunitiesbasedonindividualabilitiesandinterests,underthe
guidance of a Certified Recreational Therapist Jim Cashen, who
holdsamaster'sdegreeinspecialeducation.Jimsays CheerleadingSquad
Members of The Centerʼs Cheerleading Squad pictured cheering on the team
competitorsatthe2013AdventureTeamChallengePepRally.TheCenter'svarsity
andjuniorvarsitycheeringsquadsarebothresidentialandcommunitystudents,
ledbyDanceCo-DirectorsChristineandSherma,andPhysicalTherapistJamie,and
haveenergizedcrowdsatDiscoveryDodgersgames,powersoccergames,the
annual Frost Valley Adventure Team Challenge pep rally, and at neighboring
schools.
Thephilosophyoftherecreationdepartmentisthateveryperson
is capable of discovering joy. Our five staff members represent
diverseeducationalandexperientialbackgrounds‒inarttherapy,
outdooreducation,psychology,andfitness.We'llexploreanyand
allleisureandagriculturalpursuitstoelicitjoyandpromotehealth,
healing, and wellness among our residents. Activities include
adaptiveboatingandkayaking,adaptivephotography,adaptive
skiing, camping, community adventures, cross-country skiing,
farmexperiences,fitnesstraining,hiking,indoorleisureactivities,
maplesugaring,outdooreducationexperiences,potteryandfine
arts, seasonal festivals, snowshoeing, swimming, woodworking,
andWorldT.E.A.MSportsAdventures‒tonameafew!
FamilyFunin
SullivanCounty
DiscoveryDramaticArtsProgram
BethelWoodsMuseum
ThursdaysthroughSundays-10:00a.m.-5:00p.m.
200HurdRoad
Bethel,NY12720
(866)781-2922-www.bethelwoodscenter.org
MembersoftheDiscoveryDramaticArtsProgramtaketheirfinalbowsfollowing
thispastJune'sperformanceofShakespeare'sAMidsummerNight'sDream.Acast
ofsome30youngadultsfromTheCenter'sprogramsflawlesslyperformedthe
play,whichincludedsomeofShakespeare'soriginaltext.Underthedirectionof
Conio Loretto, our actors and actresses memorized lines, learned very specific
staging,woredazzlingcostumes,andsharedthestagewithamovingdedication
totellingShakespeare'sdelightfulstory.
SkateTime209RollerSkatingRink
Saturdays1:00p.m.-4:00p.m.,7:00p.m.-10:00p.m.
Sundays1:00p.m.-4:00p.m.,6:00p.m.-9:00p.m.
5164US209
Accord,NY12404
(845)626-7971‒www.skatetime209.com
TheCastleFunCenter
Saturdays10:00a.m.-10:00p.m.
Sundays10:00a.m.-9:00p.m.
109BrooksideAvenue
ChesterNY10918(845)469-2116-www.thecastlefuncenter.com
Daily
KiameshaLanesBowling
4685NYStateRoute42
KiameshaLake,NY12751
(845)794-5561
Honey
A student at the Discovery School in Hurleyville places a honey frame in The
Center'snewde-cappingmachine.Thebeesfilltheframewithhoneyandthen
sealitwithacapthathastobepuncturedbeforetheframecanbeplacedinthe
honeyextractor.Inadditiontohands-onexperience,studentsstudiedthelifecycle
ofhoneybeesandlearnedtheimportanceofbeestoourfarmingcommunity.
TrackChairs
SamalongwithJefferyandMalikintheirtrackchairs,arepictured
hikingthebeautifulTroutPondtrailinRoscoe.Trackchairsarethe
number-one coolest thing to come to The Center in years:
wheelchairsthatrunonrubbertanktracksinsteadofwheels!
TheThanksgivingFarmWashbarn
TheFallFestival
The Fall Festival for residents at the Milligan Hill Riding Arena
featuredahaymaze,ciderpressing,artsandcrafts,andplentyof
gamesandfallfun.
LindsayispicturedworkingwithherteacherPetratopackage
ThanksgivingFarm-grownSwisschardintotwo-poundbagsfor
distributiontoTheCenter'sresidences.Lindsayisoneofmany
studentswhohavebeenhardatworkwithTheCenter'sfarm
team at our Thanksgiving Farm washbarn. The collaboration
offersmeaningfulworkinpost-harvestwashing,weighing,and
packingdeliciousorganically-grownproduce‒whilelessening
the farmers' load. The washbarn is being winterized to allow
year-roundparticipationbyresidents.BretBudde,TheCenter's
herdsman, attests to the real-life merit of this approach: “I
couldn'tdomyjob,”hesays,“withouttheparticipationofThe
Center'sresidents.”
CiderPressing&AppleOrchardWork
Here'sSamwithJefferyandNick,whoareusingtheirtrackchairstopickapplesfromtheorchardnexttotheDiscoveryHealthCenter.Thefarmteamandtherecreation
teamhelpstudentsandadultswithtasksinourtwoorchards‒plantingnewtrees,mulching,weeding,paintingtreetrunkswithprotectivecoating,pickingupdrop
apples,andpickingapplesfromthetrees.
DaVinciMasterChefProgram
Da Vinci Master Chef Bill Telepan demonstrates one of his favorite recipes to DiNytt Pla, residential chef at Redwood/Tulip Houses, as part of the Department of
NourishmentArts'DaVinciMasterChefProgram.TheDaVinciMasterChefProgramwelcomesworld-renownedchefstoTheCentertosharetheirrecipesandteach
culinarytechniquestohelpourchefsincreasetheirskills-andaddexcitingnewdishestoourresidentialmenu.
PersonalBest!
Our elder athlete George has just completed his personal best on an
adapted bicycle at The Centerʼs Discovery Health Center track, and
celebrateswiththeentireAdventureTeamandcheeringsquadathis
sidechanting,“George!George!George!”
SprintingtotheFinish!
Kerriʼsextraordinarycoaches,AlexfromTheCenter,andChrisfromWorld
T.E.A.M. Sports to help and urge her on as she sprints to the finish,
completing her bike challenge on The Centerʼs track. Kerri and 19 other
remarkableathletestrainedforthreemonthsinpreparationfortheFourth
AnnualAdventureTeamChallengesponsoredbyWorldT.E.A.M.Sports.Our
athletesaregratefulthatCoachChris,whovaliantlyservedourcountryin
multiplemilitarytours‒andalthoughhesufferedlife-alteringinjuries‒was
movedtoparticipateasaninspirationalcoachandmentor.
SummerCamping
Melissa,Kadeidra,TeriandGarettarepicturedsharingstoriesandlaughsaroundthe
campfire.Residents,bothchildrenandadults,experiencedcampingthissummerinways
adaptedtotheirindividuallevels‒amagicalopportunitytospendtimewithfriendsin
ourbeautifulfarm'sgreatoutdoors.
Research,ClinicalPublicationsandProfessional
DevelopmentatTheCenter
Public-privatepartnershipsareattheheartofTheCenter'sgrowthandcontinuetoenrichthequalityofitsprogramsandservices.Experts
frommanybackgroundsandscientificdisciplinescollaboratewithTheCentertoimproveclinicalinterventionsandensureoptimallevelsof
carewhileadvancingthestateoftheartinthefield.Researchersfromleadinguniversitiesaroundthecountry,aswellasnotedchefsfromtop
restaurants in New York City, come to share their knowledge and passion. With its integrated team and holistic approach, The Center
possessestheexpertisetoundertakeinnovativestudieswiththepotentialtoenrich,inform,andimprovemodelsofcaretobenefitchildren,
adultsandfamilieswhoselivesareaffectedbysignificantdisabilities.
TenthAnnualMusicTherapyConference
TheCenterforDiscoveryhostedthetenthannualMid-AtlanticRegionPassagesConferenceinOctober.Theconferencewasco-chairedbyAshley
BonillaandLizAnstead,withakeynoteaddressbyEricWills,directoroftheMusicTherapyJamaicaFieldServiceProject.TheCenter'snationally
recognizedmusictherapyprogramprovidesindividualandgroupsessionstobothchildrenandadultswithateamofsevenhighlytrainedboardcertifiedmusictherapistsandasmusictherapyinternsfromcollegesanduniversitiesthroughouttheUnitedStatesandCanada.
KaitlynL.Weeks(fromCalvaryHospital)
speakingaboutMusicTherapyinterventionsin
palliativecare.
Audrey Zybura (from Washingtonville, NY and
now a student at Baldwin Wallace University)
speaking about Music Therapy treatment for
prematureinfants.
SaraCurcio(fromElizabethSetonPediatric
Center)speakingaboutMusicTherapyand
disordersofconsciousness.
ResearchandDevelopmentInitiatives
atTheCenterforDiscovery
MatthewS.Goodwin,Ph.D.ofNortheasternUniversityhas
developedanelectronicpersonalhealthcarerecorddesigned
specificallyforindividualswithautismandtheircaregivers.
MarthaHerbert,Ph.D.,M.D.ofHarvardMedicalSchoolis
developingprotocolsforTheCenter'sinstitutionalreviewboard
toallowthebasicdailyactivitiesofTheCentertobecollectedand
savedinananonymizeddatabase.Dr.Herbertisalsodevelopinga
brainresearchprogramusingasensory-and-childfriendlyEEG
systemthatwillofferapowerfulmeansofstudyingtheimpactof
TheCenter'streatmentmodel.
JamesM.Rehg,Ph.D.ofGeorgiaTechisdevelopingvideo-based
systemsthattrackthepositionsandactionsofindividualsinalabschoolclassroomandconvertthegathereddataintosignificant
statistics.
GregoryD.Abowd,Ph.D.ofGeorgiaTechisdevelopinga
computer-basedgraphic-visualizationsystemthatwillallowThe
Center'sclinicalandeducationalteamstomoreeffectively
correlateandconsiderthestatusandprogressofindividual
studentsandresidents.
JohnRatey,M.D.ofHarvardUniversityisworkingtoidentifythe
bestwaystocategorizeandmeasureexerciseamongouractive
populationofstudentswithautism,sothatfutureactivity-based
interventionscanbeimplementedandevaluatedfor
effectiveness.
KatherineLTucker,Ph.D.ofUniversityofMassachusetts,
Lowell,withJenniferFranckofTheCenterforDiscoveryandDr.
SabrinaNoelofNortheasternUniversityconductedastudyofthe
effectsofabalancedwhole-food,low-processed-carbohydrate
dietonchildreninTheCenter'sresidentialprogramforsevere
autism.
RuneSimeonsson,Ph.D.,M.S.P.H.,oftheUniversityofNorth
CarolinaatChapelHillisprominentinnationalandinternational
workintheassessmentandclassificationofdisabilityinchildren
andadults.Dr.Simeonsson,whoservedaschairmanoftheWorld
HealthOrganizationWorkGrouptoadapttheInternational
ClassificationofFunction,DisabilityandHealth:Childrenand
Youth(2007),isco-chairoftheTheCenter'sInstitutionalReview
Board,whichevaluatesandapprovesallresearchatTheCenter.
EducationTeam:
TheDiscoveryCurriculum
ProfessionalPublicationsby
StaffMembersofTheCenter
DamiaoJ,ClemsonJ,LonginottP,GradzielL.AssistiveTechnology:
ImprovingFunctionthroughEnhancingMotivation.NDTANetwork.
November/December2012;19(6):14-16.(On-linejournalofthe
Neuro-DevelopmentalTreatmentAssociation.)
PotgieterA.Clinician'sCorner:PositioningforFunction.NDTA
Network.January/February2013;20(1):1,23-24.(On-linejournalof
theNeuro-DevelopmentalTreatmentAssociation.)
ThompsonR.TheBigBarnTheaterGroup:AnOT-rundramaclub
teacheschildrenwithautismsocializationskillsandself-esteem.
AdvanceforOccupationalTherapyPractitioners.October2012.
DamiaoJ.Goingforthe'Goal'inaPowerWheelchair.Advancefor
OccupationalTherapyPractitionersonline.July2013.
PiatakJ.AddressingMealtimeChallengesinChildrenwithAutism.
AdvanceforOccupationalTherapyPractitioners.August2013.
AddressingFeedingChallengesinChildrenwithAutismUsinga
HolisticandCollaborativeApproach.JessicaPiatak,OTD,OTR/L;
KristinaCarraccia,MS,CCC,SLP.AmericanOccupationalTherapy
AssociationAnnualConference&Expo,April2013,SanDiego,CA.
DIYSolutions-PositioningforClassroomSuccess.LindseyVeety,PT,
DPT,ATP;AmyBaxter,PT,DPT,ATP.AssistiveTechnologyIndustry
Association(ATIA),January2013,Orlando.
DIYSolutions-Let'sPlay:UsingAssistiveTechnologytoLevelthe
PlayingField.LindseyVeety,PT,DPT,ATP;AmyBaxter,PT,DPT,ATP.
NewYorkStateAssociationforComputersandTechnologiesin
Education(NYSCATE),November2012,Rochester,NY.
LearningatTheCenterrevolvesaroundtheDiscoveryCurriculum,aspecially
designedsyllabusthatcentersonorganicfarming,farmanimals,andaseedto-bellyphilosophyemphasizinggrowing,preparingandeatingnutritious
food.Ourteachersandstudentsareabletoweaveintothisprogram,theELA
andMathCommonCoreStandards,aswellasscience,socialstudies,health,
andart,alongwithpracticalskillsthatwillconnecttoworkandcareeroptions
aftergraduation.
InSeptember,ouryoungerstudentslearnedaboutthetypesofplantsand
animalsthefarmersgrowandcareforatTheCenterwhileolderstudents
comparedandcontrastedwhatwegrowtowhatisgrowninNewYorkState
andacrosstheUnitedStates.Cookingandartactivitiestaughtustolove
broccoliandcarrots!
InOctober,wefocusedonthelifecycleofappletrees.Feedingchickensand
countingeggsinvolvedlessonsinmath,withcounting,sorting,measuring,
andgraphingskills.Math,cookingandsciencelessonsalsoevolvedfromwork
withpumpkinsandgourds‒andsink-and-floatlessonsgavestudentsa
chancetosoaktheirteacherswhentheythrewinthelargestpumpkintoseeif
wouldsink!
InNovember,colderweatherletusstudywaystoextendthegrowingseason
withhoophouses,coldframes,andindoorgrowing.Theapproachingholidays
ledtostudyofthelifecycleofturkeys,andexperimentsincookingcabbage
andkale...andanamazingnumberofcoleslawrecipes!
DatestoRemember
PerformanceoftheChristmasCarolattheBigBarn
December12th-7:00pm
PowerSoccerGameintheGymBuilding
December19th-10:30am
WinterRecess
December23rd-Jan1st
CreatingaStableBaseforSuccess.LindseyVeety,PT,DPT,ATP;Amy
Baxter,PT,DPT,ATP.ClosingtheGapConference,October2012,
Minneapolis.(Practitioner-drivenconferenceoncurrentusesof
adaptivetechnologybypersonswithdisabilitiesandthe
professionalswhoworkwiththem.)
IntegratingAssistiveTechnologiesintotheClassroom.LindseyVeety,
PT,DPT,ATP;AmyBaxter,PT,DPT,ATP.TheNewYorkState
AssociationforComputersandTechnologiesinEducationHudson
ValleyConference,April2012.
"BenefitsofAquaticTherapy".Introductiontoaquatictherapy
presentedatBlockInstitute,Brooklyn,NYAnnelisePotgieter,PT,
C/NDT,OrleyTempleton,MS,OTR/L,C/NDT
AssistiveTechnologyandNeuro-DevelopmentalTreatment:
ImprovingFunctionthroughEnhancingMotivation.JohnDamiao,
MS,OTR/L,ATP;JamieClemson,PT,C/NDT;PatriciaLonginott,PT,
DPT,C/NDT;LisaGradziel,PT,DPT,C/NDT.AttheAmericanAcademy
forCerebralPalsyandDevelopmentalMedicine(AACPDM)Annual
Meeting,October16-19,2013
NewLessonsandEquipmentModificationsforAdaptedPhysical
Education.AlexaCheh-Mickelson,LauraDancesia,MichaelRowley.
AttheNewYorkStateAssociationforHealth,PhysicalEducation,
RecreationandDance(NYSAHPERD)AnnualConference,November
20-23,2013
AssistiveTechnologyandNeuro-DevelopmentalTreatment:
ImprovingFunctionthroughEnhancingMotivation.JohnDamiao,
MS,OTR/L,ATP;JamieClemson,PT,C/NDT;PatriciaLonginott,PT,
DPT,C/NDT;LisaGradziel,PT,DPT,C/NDT.AttheCerebralPalsy
AssociationsofNewYorkStateAnnualConference,October21-22,
2013.
MahonM,GradzielL,KinneyN,DamiaoG.UsingNDTwithStudents
withAutismSpectrumDisorders.NDTANetwork.
September/October2011;18(5):26-30.(On-linejournaloftheNeuroDevelopmentalTreatmentAssociation.)
ViscontiC.TheClassroomEnvironment:UsingNDTtoMeet
EducationalNeedsofChildren.NDTANetwork.November/December
2010;17(6):1,16-19.(On-linejournaloftheNeuro-Developmental
TreatmentAssociation.)
HorseShow
DannyispicturedridingBaileyatthe4thAnnualMilliganHillHorseShow.Forty-tworiders
showcasedtheirskillsforparents,peersandstaffattheannualMilliganHillHorseShow.
RidingInstructorHeatherandMilliganHillDirectorTomcoachedtheparticipants,who
receivedaccoladesandmedalsfromJudgeLynne.
PatrickDollardpresentsflowerstoLifetimeAchievementAwardrecipientAileenGuntherattheHarvestFestival
HarvestFestival:
LifetimeAchievementAward
Presentedto
AileenGunther
AtTheHarvestFestivalinOctober,theThomasP.MorahanLifetime
Achievement Award was presented to New York State
Assemblymember Aileen Gunther. Ms. Gunther, who chairs the
Assembly'smentalhygienecommittee,isalong-timeadvocatefor
TheCenterforDiscoveryanditswork.“AssemblywomanGunther
hasbeenasteadfastpartner,advocatingfornotonlyTheCenter
andourwork,butforthechildrenandadultswithdisabilitieswhom
weserve,”saidPresidentandC.E.O.PatrickDollard.AileenGunther
is widely recognized as a voice for people with developmental
disabilitiesandmentalillness,andfortheirfamilies.Amongmany
accomplishments,shehasco-sponsoredlegislationtorestorea$90
million cut to services for the developmentally disabled, passed
legislationtocreateataskforceonadultswithautism,andcreateda
fund to fight the stigma of mental illness. The Harvest Festival
celebrates the work of The Center's employees, whom
AssemblywomanGuntherrecognizedinherremarks.Inadditionto
the awards presentations, participants enjoyed fall fun activities
including hay rides, farm tours and apple cider pressing.
Refreshments featured vegetables grown at The Center's
ThanksgivingFarm.
JulianNiccoliniwithhiswife,Lisa.
GreenShovelAwardPresentedto
JulianNiccolini
Also at the Harvest Festival, Julian Niccolini, managing partner of The Four
Seasons Restaurant, received The Center for Discovery Green Shovel for his
commitmenttoenvironmentallysustainablepracticesandtopreservingthe
natural beauty of the region. The Four Seasons serves organically grown,
biodynamically-certified fresh fruits and vegetables from The Center's
Thanksgiving Farm, and Mr. Niccolini is a member of The Center's DaVinci
MasterChefProgram,whichprovidesadvancedtrainingtoourculinarystaff.
TheBigBarnDinner:Elaine
CorringtonReceivesTheDaVinciAward
PatrickDollardandRichardHumlekerpresentingElainewithauniqueCelloBanjo
ElaineCorrington,coordinatorofspecialprojectsatTheCenter'sMichaelRitchieBigBarnCenterforEnvironmentalHealthandEducation,received
theDaVinciVisionaryforaSustainableFutureAwardattheBigBarnDinnerthisyear.Inhermovingacceptancespeech,Elainecalledonalltoshare
herunderstandingofwhatmakesTheCentersospecial.“Sustain,”shesaid,“doesn'tmeanmaintain.Stayinginplacemeansthatyoufallbehind.
Keepingdreamsalive,waitingforopportunitiesandfundingtomakethemcometrue‒andmakingnewdreamsbasedonwhatwelearnfromand
wantforthesewonderfulpeopleweworkwith‒iswhathasmadethisplacewhatitisandshownuswhatitcanbe.”
ThewonderfulHurleyvilleUkeleleOrchestraplaysastirringtributetoElaineCorringtonasshereceivestheDaVinciVisionaryforaSustainableFutureAwardat
thisyear'sMichaelRitchieBigBarnEvent.
THE CENTER FOR DISCOVERY
PO BOX 840
HARRIS, NY 12742
CenterPoints
ACenterforDiscoveryPublication
The(New!)
DiscoveryWellnessCenter
PHOTO
TheCenter'sNewWebSite
TheCenterhasrevampeditswebsite-
thecenterfordiscovery.org-withanewlook,added
featuresandimages,andenhancedinformationdesigned
tobettercommunicateTheCenterʼsroleasanational
specialtycenterwithhighlyadvancedresearchandclinical
capabilities.Thenewwebsitewillbeaworkinprogressin
comingweeksandmonths,withnewpagesand
enhancementscontinuingtocomeonline,soweaskthat
youvisitandcomebackfrequentlytowatchitdevelop.
TheCenterforDiscoveryproudlypresentsour...
TheDiscoveryWellnessCenteroffersanarrayofwellnessandfitness
programsandresourcestostaffmembers.Nowtheprogramhasa
newly constructed, more accessible headquarters in the Carrus
Institute.Newfacilitiesincludeaweightroomandacardioroomas
wellasalargespacewithrubberflooringforindividualandgroup
classes.StaffmemberscanusethegymeverydayexceptSundayat
hoursconvenienttoallworkshifts.Outdoorwellnessactivitiesare
available, too. Director Meaghan Mullally-Gorr, an AFAA Certified
PersonalTrainerwithamaster'sdegreeinsecondaryeducationand
teaching, is available by appointment for personal training and
fitnesscounselingforstaffmembers,residentsandfamilymembers.
AnnualHoliday
CommunityConcert
Saturday,December14,2013
attheSouthCampusGymnasium
WeinviteanymemberofTheCenterʼsCommunity...
staffmembers,families,residents...comeandshareyour
talents!Whetheryouareasoloistorwanttobeamember
ofthebandorchorus,avocalist,instrumentalist,danceror
poet...thereisaplaceforyou!
Ifyouareinterestedinparticipatingsimplycontact
ConioLorettointheMusicTherapyDepartment
845-707-8438orcloretto@tcfd.org