Newletter Spring FINAL - The Center for Discovery

SPRING2014
CenterPoints
ACenterforDiscoveryPublication
MessagefromPatrickH.Dollard
PresidentandCEO
Thoseofuswhohavespentourlivesworkingwith
the extraordinary individuals we serve are
necessarilygroundedinthepresent,andyetweare
highlymotivatedbyavisionofbuildingabetterfuture.HereatTheCenterfor
Discovery, one aspect of that work in recent years has been our efforts to
developathriving,diversecommunitythatiswelcomingandaccessibletoall,
andwehavemadegreatstridesindevelopingplanstomakeHurleyvillethat
place. Transforming a small town that has long been dormant into a vital
moderncommunityisanintricateandcomplicatedprocess,andhasproven
tobeagreatchallenge,butwehavedevelopedmeaningfulpartnershipsthat
have enabled us to accomplish much and we have now begun to visibly
implement our plans. Our long established 300-acre Demeter Certified
BiodynamicStonewallPreserveFarmandtheinnovativeMichaelRitchieBig
BarnCenterforEnvironmentalHealth,EducationandResearchwillserveas
the linchpins, and thanks to the continued generosity of our donors, the
communitywillsoonincludetheMainStreetDanceStudio,theWildTurkey
Bakery and Market, a Makerʼs Lab and Learning Center, and other exciting
businessesthatwillbringpeoplebacktoitsoncebustlingMainStreet.
OurlongstandingpartnershipwiththeOpenSpaceInstitutehasallowedus
toobtainmorethanninemilesoftheoldO&WRailwaywithHurleyville's
MainStreetvirtuallyinthemiddle,andworkhasbeguntotransformitintoa
pavedRailTrailthatwillbeaccessibletoeveryone.Inadditiontoproviding
an exciting new recreational opportunity for our residents and staff, the
RailTrailshoulddrawhikersandbikersandnatureloversfromfarandwideto
Hurleyvilleandfurtheroureffortstorebuildthecommunity.
Throughprojectsandpartnershipslikethiswearebuildingabetterfuture
for our residents and students and their families, for our staff, for the
townspeople,foreveryone.Itishardwork,butthatiswhatwehavealways
beenabouthereatTheCenterforDiscovery,wherewearecultivatingthe
future,todayandeveryday.
PatrickH.Dollard
PresidentandCEO
THE CENTER FOR DISCOVERY
GOLF
&
TENNIS
INVITATIONAL
SAVETHEDATE-7/28/14
T H ET U XTE DUO PXA REK D- N EOW YCO RLK U B
ACenterforDiscoveryPublication
CenterPoints
THE CENTER FOR DISCOVERY
PO BOX 840
HARRIS, NY 12742
For more information visit thecenterfordiscovery.org
Dr. eresa Hamlin (third from le) and
Dr. Tim Buie, MD from Harvard University
(far right).
ProgramNotes:
TheresaHamlin,Ed.D.
AssociateExecutiveDirector
AtTheCenterforDiscovery,wehavealwaystakengreatprideinthe
innovative service and care models we have developed over the
yearsthathaveledtogreatadvancesforourresidentsandstudents
while expanding notions about human potential. All of these
programs, including our holistic and integrated educational
curriculum,aresupportedbyevidence-basedpracticeandagrowing
bodyofscientificresearch.
Center for Autism Al Ain, UAE
Our goal has been nothing less than to change the world's view
aboutdisabilitiesbydemonstratingsuccess. It'snowclearthatthe
world has taken notice of our remarkable discoveries and
transformations.
Duringthepastfewmonths,stafffromTheCenterhasbeeninvitedto
present at several major international conferences, consult with
programsinothercountriesandadvisegovernmentalleadersand
policymakerslookingtodevelopstate-of-the-artprogramsserving
people with developmental disabilities and complex needs. In
March,ItraveledtoSaudiArabiaandtheUnitedArabEmirateswhereI
presented at several large conferences, including the Onaizah
Association for Development in Human Services, a very large
programintheKingdomofQuassim. Ihadtheopportunitytotour
severalprogramsitesandtomeetwiththehundredsofprofessionals
servingchildrensimilartooursintheUnitedStates.Wehavealready
been invited back this year to train physicians and psychologists
working in Riyadh City in the King Fahad Medical City, the most
advancedmedicalcomplexintheMiddleEast.
School in Saudi Arabia
Similarly,wehavebeenworkingwithamajorgovernmentprogram
inDubaiandalargeprivateprograminAlAin,UAEacityaboutan
hoursoutheastofDubai.Onthispasttrip,IpresentedtothestaffinAl
Ain,andconductedaprogramreviewbasedoninformationthatwas
providedtothemthreeyearsagowhenIvisited.Bothprogramsare
servingchildrenwithautismandothercomplexdisabilities.
Center for Autism Al Ain, UAE
There have also been several high level exchanges with Russia,
including Center staff who presented in October at the second
international forum in Moscow entitled Every Child Deserves a
Family, and another team who provided a week long extended
trainingataspecialeducationschoolinSt.PetersburginSeptember.
In February, The Center hosted a delegation of special education
experts from Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, who were part of the
conferenceandstafftrainingprograms.
Staff from The Center presented on new housing models at an
InvestorsConferenceinSanFranciscosponsoredbyAutismSpeaks
whereIalsoserveontheAdvisoryBoardforHousingandResidential
Supports.
With so many around the world interested in our work, we have
recently revised and updated many of our health practices and
curriculumintoanewframeworkentitledtheHealthE6Modelofcare.
Based upon six core components that we know are essential for
healthandwell-being,theHealthE6Modelaimstorestorehealthand
vitality to the child as the foundation for learning. This is done
throughthecorecomponentsofthemodel.Ourgoalistohelpour
childrenandadultsfeelbettersotheycanfunctionbetter.Integrated
servicesareprovidedonaconsistentbasisand,atthesametime,we
monitorhealth,collectingdata,andmeasureresultstoensurethat
ourinterventionsareworking.
As many of you know, we have been partnering with researchers
from top universities all over the US to continue to validate the
efficacyofourprograms.Withourstudiesandresearch,wehopeto
improve best practices for evaluation and treatment of people all
overtheworld.Thefutureisfullofgreatpossibilities,andIamthrilled
thatTheCenterforDiscoveryisattheforefrontofthesechangesand
sharingitsfindingswiththeworld.
City of Dubai
Saudi Arabian Children
Abu Dhabi
Mosque in Abu Dhabi
AtTheMetropolitanClubinNewYorkCity,acapacityaudienceof
environmentalists,donorsandsupportersofOSIandTheCenterforDiscovery
enjoyedamemorableeventinahistoricsetting.
OpenSpaceInstituteHonorsPatrickH.
DollardandTheCenterforDiscovery
President and C.E.O. Patrick H. Dollard and The Center for Discovery were
honoredbytheOpenSpaceInstitutewithits2014LandConservationAward
attheInstitute'sannualawardsluncheoninApril.Notedjournalist,humorist
and author Calvin Trillin was the guest speaker at the event, held at the
MetropolitanClubinManhattan.
PatrickH.DollardgreetsguestsAidanQuinn(CenterBoardMember)andMikhail
Baryshnikov.
TheawardrecognizestheuniquepartnershipbetweenOSIandTheCenter
for Discovery and The Centerʼs role in creating sustainable farms, organic
foodsandhealthyenvironmentsforindividualsitservesaswellasitsstaff.
Thispartnershipdemonstratesthepoweroftheimportantchangesinthe
world.
Through acquisition, financing, stewardship, research and advocacy, the
Open Space Institute protects scenic, natural and historic landscapes to
providepublicenjoyment,conservehabitatandworkinglandsandsustain
communities.Foundedin1974toprotectsignificantlandscapesinNewYork
State,OSIhasbeenapartnerintheprotectionofnearly2.2millionacresin
North America. A leader in environmental conservation, the Open Space
Institute leverages its knowledge and attracts resources for strategic
investmentstomakeinnovativelandconservationhappen.
FormerNYSSecretaryofState,NYSDECCommissionerandOSIBoardMemberJohnCahill,
congratulatesOSIChairmanJohnH.Adams,PatrickH.DollardandOSIPresidentKim
Elliman.
PatrickandhiswifeArleen(onhisleft)arejoinedattheirtablebyseveralclosefriendsand
supportersofTheCenter.
Inannouncingtheaward,OSInotedthat“farmingplaysacentralroleatThe
Center for Discovery, providing both local, organic food for the staff and
residents, as well as meaningful work and learning opportunities on the
properties.In2005,theOpenSpaceInstitutesupportedTheCenter'sfarming
efforts by acquiring a conservation easement to protect the 300-acre
StonewallPreserveFarm.In2011,OSIhelpedTheCenteracquirethe130-acre
ApplebeeFarm,andin2013thetwoorganizationsteamedagaintoacquirea
165‒acrecattlefarmanda9.2‒milerailroadbed.ThefarmwillgiveCenter
residents,manywithautism,valuableaccesstothenaturalworldthroughan
innovativeeducationalinitiative,whiletherailbedwillbecomearecreational
and economic centerpiece for the revitalized hamlet of Hurleyville. OSI is
proudtohonorourpartner,TheCenterforDiscovery,astheyadvancethe
essentialconnectionbetweenopenspaceandpublichealth.”
BuildingBridgesaroundtheWorld
The Center's Chief of Psychology Dr.
Johanna Lantz and Assistant Chief of
TeacherTraining&DevelopmentTiffini
AmatospentaweekinSt.Petersburg,
Russia in October, consulting to and
training staff at the Rehabilitation and
Mercy Specialized School #46 for
Children with Learning Disabilities.
Throughin-classroomobservationand
demonstrationfollowedupwithafteraction lectures, they taught strategies
TheCenterhostedadelegationofstaffmembersfrom
to improve classroom management.
thedisabilitiesagency,Veras,inNizhniyNovgorod,
Russiathispastwinter.Veraswasstartedbyparents
The newly trained teachers saw
ofchildrenwithdisabilitiesandnowprovidesarange
immediate and gratifying results
ofservicestochildrenandyoungadultsaswellas
professionaltrainingopportunities.
through implementing The Center's
“pathways of behavior” concepts,
functional communication training, and sensory-movement interventions in their
classrooms.ItisgratifyingtoseeTheCenter'smethodologiestranscendlanguageandeven
culture.
AlsoinOctoberinRussia,TheCenter'sChiefofResidentialServicesAlyceSherwoodand
ChiefofClinicalServicesNicoleKinneypresentedattheNakedHeartFoundation'ssecond
international forum on autism. The Russian foundation works to provide a platform for
communicationandexchangeofexperienceamongRussianspecialistsinASDtreatment
andwithparents'organizations,governmentofficialsandinternationalexpertsonautism.
Nicole's topic was “Fitness and Physical Therapy for People with ASD” and Alyce's was
“RespondingtoAutism:AComprehensiveandIntegrativeApproach.”
CongratulationsandthankstothewonderfullyaccomplishedJohannaLantz,TiffiniAmato,
AlyceSherwoodandNicoleKinneyforrepresentingthemselvesandTheCentersowell.The
Center continues to build international relationships in the conviction that worldwide
collaborationwillimprovethelivesofindividualsandfamilieseverywhere‒includinghere
athome.
JanetCarrus,ataspecialscreeningof“MusicalChairs”atSUNYSullivanon
February22nd
YOUR
COMMUNITY
YOUR
COLLEGE
“MusicalChairs”TakesCenterStage
In February, Center for Discovery Board Member Janet Carrus,
producerofthefilm“MusicalChairs,”offeredaspecialscreeningof
themovieatSUNYSullivanCountyCommunityCollege'sSeelig
Theatre.Thefilmisaninspirationalromancesetintheworldof
competitivewheelchairballroomdancing,combiningJanet'slove
ofballroomdancingwithherpassionandcommitmenttoThe
CenterforDiscovery;ithasbeenpickedupbyHBOandhasbeen
runningonmanyoftheirchannels.VisitHBO'swebsiteforlistings
andvisitwww.musicalchairsthefilm.comtolearnmoreaboutthis
movingandjoyfulmotionpicture.
PhotocourtesyoftheSullivanCountyDemocrat
CollegeCoursesfor
TheCenter'sResidents
TheCollegeforEducationalEnrichmentatSullivanCountyCommunityCollegeprovides
opportunitiesforadultstoexplorenewinterests,meetotherpeoplewithsimilarinterests,
andparticipateingroupdiscussions,“hands-on”activitiesortravel.Personalenrichment
coursesofferafriendlyenvironmentinwhichtolearnanewskill.Thecollegehasa30-year
historyofofferingeducationalopportunitiesforadultswithdevelopmentaldisabilities,and
27membersofTheCenterfamilywereenrolledthereforthefallsemester.Favoriteclasses
includeElvis,Beatlemania,cooking,karaoke,andsports;foraresidentwho'sinterestedin
wrestling,thecollegehasaddedthatclassforthespringsemester.Residentswithcomputer
skillscanevenregisteronline!
PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS BY THE CENTER'S STAFF
PresentationsatProfessionalConferences
“WheelstoWords:TheArtofCommunicationthroughPowerMobility.”John
Damiao, MS, OTR/L, ATP/SMS; Coleen Loughney, MS, CCC-SLP. Assistive
Technology Industry Association (ATIA) 2014 Conference, January 2014,
Orlando,FL.
“Therapeutic Power Mobility: Improving Mobility, Function, Cognition and
Therapeutic Outcomes.” John Damiao, MS, OTR/L, ATP/SMS. ATIA 2014
Conference,January2014,Orlando,FL.
“AdaptingtheExtracurriculars:IWanttoPlayToo!”LindseyVeety,PT,DPT,ATP;
AmyBaxter,PT,DPT,ATP.ATIA2014Conference,January2014,Orlando,FL.
“Top15ATInterventionsforVocationalSkillBuilding.”AmyBaxter,PT,DPT,ATP;
LindseyVeety,PT,DPT,ATP.ATIA2014Conference,January2014,Orlando,FL.
“AResearchProposaltoGuideHousingDesignsforIndividualswithAutism”
BillEvans,AutismSpeaksInvestorsConference.March2014,SanFrancisco,CA.
“DevelopingIndividualizedTherapyProgramtoAddressFeedingChallenges
inChildrenwithAutism.”JessicaPiatak,OTD,OTR/L;KristinaCarraccia,MS,CCCSLP. American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference & Expo,
April2014,Baltimore,MD.
“InnovativePrograms-GettingEveryoneintheWorkshop-Adaptationsfor
the Vocational Arena.” Lindsey Veety, PT, DPT, ATP; Peter Dollard, MA, ATP.
CerebralPalsyAssociationsofNewYorkStateAnnualConference.October2013,
SaratogaSprings,NY.
“AllClassesforAllKids!”AmyBaxter,PT,DPT,ATP;LindseyVeety,PT,DPT,ATP.The
New York State Association for Computers and Technologies in Education
(NYSCATE)AnnualConference2013.November2013,Rochester,NY.
PresentationsandTrainingSessionsatTheCenterforDiscovery
OccupationalTherapyandSpeechTherapyDepartments
“FED: The Food Exploration and Discovery Therapy Program.” Jessica Piatak,
OTD,OTR/L,KristinaCarraccia,MS,CCC-SLP.
TrainingDepartment
“Creative Ideas for Language Rich Activities.”ColeenLoughney,MS,CCC-SLP.
Incorporatinglanguageintoactivitiesinanaturalwayusingahands-onapproach
tolearning.
“Make-and-Take Communication Displays.” Coleen Loughney, MS, CCC-SLP.
Participants learn how to use Board Maker to prioritize and organize aidedlanguagecommunicationboardstoteachvocabularyduringactivities.
CommunicationEnhancementDepartment
Presentationscomparingandcontrastingconceptstoaidindifferentiatingtheir
purposesandapplications,including:“OralMotorExerciseforStrengtheningvs.
Oral Motor Strategies for Coordination and Motor Planning,” “Food Play vs.
IncreasingFoodConsistencies,”“ScriptingandEcholaliavs.PerseverativeSpeech,”
and“TeachingPragmaticSkillsvs.TeachingSocialSkills.”
SenatorSchumer
VisitsTheCenterforDiscovery
At The Center's Carrus Institute last November, U.S. Senator Charles E.
Schumer unveiled legislation to help fund continuing services for young
adults with autism and other developmental disabilities once they "age out"
of the school system. The AGE-In Act (Assistance in Gaining Experience,
Independence, and Navigation Act) proposes legislation that would fund
research into the best treatments for young adults in transition, while also
helping connect them to further educational or employment programs.
Senator Schumer said that, based on its long track record of success, The
Center is an ideal candidate for this research funding; he described The
Center as “a national specialty center for the advanced care and treatment of
children and adults with significant disabilities… a research facility, which
specializes in providing educational, medical, residential, and training
services to individuals with disabilities, as well as research opportunities for
medical professionals and technical experts from leading universities
around the country.”
“My hope,” Senator Schumer said, “is that with this bill we can deliver more
Federal research dollars to The Center, to support their research and grow
the jobs it supports in Sullivan County.”
The Senator was joined by New York State Assemblymember Aileen Gunther
and The Center's President and CEO Patrick H. Dollard. The Center continues
to monitor this promising legislation as it works its way through the
legislative process.
TM
TheCenter's2014Heirloom
Series:Empathy
Thesessionsofthisyear'sHeirloomseriesaddressthequestionofempathy‒caring
fromtheheart,thequalityinourworkthatmakesthedifference‒andhowtomake
thatqualitypartofTheCenter'scurriculum.Canempathybetaught?Ifso,how?
The Heirloom series is exploring this question throughout the year in different
settings with a number of educators, physicians, parents, individuals from the
socialfieldandbiodynamics.
InMarchwewelcomedAonghusGordon,founderandexecutivechairofRuskin
Mill Trust in England, and Charlotte von Bülow, founder and chief executive of
CrossfieldsInstitute,alsoinEngland.Together,theseinstitutions‒oneaseriesof
“colleges”withprogramsandmethodssimilartoTheCenter's,theotherdedicated
to higher education in the fields of study that make our work possible ‒ are
transformingtheircountry'sunderstandingofwhatitmeanstoformcommunities
thatworkforalltheirmembers,includingthedisabled.
TheMarchHeirloomsessionaddressedseveralthemes.Thefirst,“thefarmasan
organism,”isthecoreprincipleofbiodynamics.Theintentofthisdiscussionisto
incorporatetheconceptofempathyintoourunderstandingofbiodynamics,with
the objective of ensuring the highest quality nutrition possible for our guests,
startingwhereitallbegins,thesoil,andsoallalongthefoodchain“fromseedto
belly.”
Thesecondtheme,“GeniusLoci”(Latinfor“thespiritoftheplace”),turnedtoour
aspirations for Hurleyville, a place that of course has been formed by a host of
underlyingfactorsovercenturies.TounderstandtheGeniusLociofHurleyville,the
essenceofitsuniqueness,fromgeographytonaturalhistorytohumanhabitation,
is central to our ability to imagine its future. Empathy ‒ learning to walk in
Hurleyville shoes, if you will ‒ will become the basis of our involvement in its
renewal.
Finally, over the years The Center has built up a vast expertise in the care and
educationofthepeoplewholiveatTheCenterorcomehereonadailybasis.The
thirdoutcomeofthisHeirloomsessionwasalookathowourexpertisemightbe
translated into a comprehensive training program - perhaps even a Master's
degreeprogram.
OurguestsfromEnglandhavebuiltplaceslikeoursonthesebases,andwerethe
bestguideswecouldhavehadfortheseexplorations.
As Dr. Hamlin says in her Program Notes at the front of this
issue, The Center has revised and updated many of our
health practices and our curriculum into a new framework
we're calling the HealthE6™ Model of care. It is a holistic
and integrated approach that combines bio-medical science
(good medicine, diagnosis and assessment), state-of-theart educational practice (at the very vanguard of specialeducation), and lifestyle issues like diet, exercise, and
meaningful work. This last factor, especially, is being shown
more and more by research to be crucial to healthy
development for everyone – but especially for children with
challenges. HealthE6 represents the culmination of all our
years of experience and practice at The Center.
As the chart below shows, HealthE6™ is based on six core
components essential for health and well-being: creating
and fostering healthy environments, eating a high-nutrient,
whole-foods diet, participating in vigorous daily exercise,
learning emotional self-regulation, utilizing evidence-based
documentation, and educating families and staff.
HealthE6™ is designed to restore health and vitality to the
child as the foundation for learning. As a result of this
approach, children can benefit from their learning
environment, while avoiding long-term chronic health
issues. So confident are we of the efficacy of HealthE6™
that we have trademarked the name and method, and we
are exploring ways of making it more widely available to
professionals in the field.
Environment
Eating
Energy Expenditure
Emotional Regulation
Evidence-Based
Education
AdventureTeamCorner
RecreationtherapystaffmembersKelsi,Chris,Jim,SamandAmanda.
NewsfromTheCenter's
RecreationalTherapy
Department
AsMotherNaturegraceduswithasnowy,coldandverylong
winter this year, the recreation and adaptive physical
education teams collaborated on a number of exciting
seasonalsports,includingconstructingaskatingrinkonour
ball field! Thanks to prolonged sub-freezing temperatures
(andthekindnessofthemembersofourlocalHurleyvilleFire
Department, who delivered numerous tanker-truckfulls of
water) staff members organized by Thanksgiving Farm CSA
managerJustin‒himselfanavidskater‒wereabletocreate
anexcitingandadapted-skating-safearea.Itwasgreattobe
able to add skating to the long list of fun activities at The
Center.
In addition, with the generous donation of a kiln and other
ceramicsupplies,TheCenterhasintroducedanewceramics
program.Theprogramkickedoffinearlyfallwiththemaking
of 500 olive-oil dishes for use at special events. This activity
now spans across our campuses, with students and staffers
excitedlyworkingonprojectswithclay.Mostrecently,some
adultstudentsaremasteringthecraftofmakingmugs,plates,
bowls and baskets. The program is a collaborative effort
facilitatedbyChrisKilgorefromrecreation,AmberRyanfrom
residential,andGalileeDamiaofromoccupationaltherapy.It's
always great to have staff from different departments
collaborateonafunnewproject.
FamilyFuninSullivanCounty
BethelWoodsMuseum
ThursdaysthroughSundays,10:00a.m.to5:00p.m.
200HurdRoad
Bethel,NY12720
(866)781-2922
bethelwoodscenter.org
KiameshaLanesBowlingAlley
Daily
4685NYStateRoute42
KiameshaLake,NY12751
(845)794-5561
SkatersWorldRollerRink
1234OldRoute17
Ferndale,NY12734
(845)292-3288
BarryvilleFarmersMarket
May17th
10:00am-1:00pm
3385StateRte.97,Barryville,NY12719
LifeCenter“DayHab”Groups
GoEntrepreneurial!
GroupsattheLifeCenterhavebeenbusyworkingonprojectstobesoldatThe
Center's Little Shop of Discovery. The Day Hab One group husbanded and
harvestedplantsfromwhichtheymadenaturaldyes,thenusedthedyestocolor
scarvestobesoldattheLittleShop.Usingpaperitsmembershaverecycledby
shredding cast-off documents from offices around campus, the group is also
making greeting cards as well as seed-paper ornaments for sale. All of these
projectsareaccomplishedusingadaptedtoolssuchasthe“glider”tool,usedfor
painting,gluing,pressingpaperontocanvas,andevenpushingpaperintothe
shredder.Switch-adaptedtoolsarealsousedextensively.
Day Hab Two groups continue work on projects for the “Art for a Purpose”
initiative;theyareregularlycommissionedtocreateartworktoadornblankwalls
throughoutTheCentercampus.Thegroupsuseup-cycledmaterials‒castoff
objectslikepapertowelrolls,oldmagazines,etc.‒tomakecollagesdepicting
trees,orfaux-metalgratewallhangings.Candygramsandteaboxesaremade
usingthedie-cutmachine,andmembersalsocarryonaweeklyprojectmaking
dog,cat,horseandrabbittreats‒someofwhichareenjoyedbythegroup'swellcared-forpetrabbit,Sasha.
The group at Harvest One Day Hab has been working on sewing projects,
including peace dove ornaments, using a switch-activated sewing machine.
They'vealsomadeanaturaldyefromamaranthwithwhichtodyefabricfortheir
tapestryproject.Themembersofthisgroupstarteverydaywithasong,andenjoy
learningabouttheartistandmusicalgenrerepresented,andwhenthey'renot
hardatwork,theyrelaxintheirownbookclub;they'recurrentlyreadingthePercy
Jacksonseries.
DISCOVERY
POWERSOCCER!
BlueFlamevs.RedDragons
Fitness-WellnessPilotStudyWorks
forStaffMembers
TheCenter'sWellnessDepartment,workingcloselywiththeDepartmentof
NourishmentArtsandtheTrainingDepartmentand30volunteeringmembers
ofstaff,conductedasix-weekemployeewellness-fitnesspilotstudythiswinter.
“Transform Your Well Being” set as its goals increased energy and stamina,
bettersleep,improvedmood,andreducedperceptionofstress.Thevolunteers
plannedtheirpersonalprogramswithapersonaltrainerandanutritionist,then
keptmeticulousdailyjournalsofwhattheyate,theirexercise,andtheirmoods.
Theyexercisedfor20ormoreminutesatleastfourtimesaweek,andattended
aweeklynutritiontrainingsession.
Resultswereevaluatedusingaself-administeredhealthsurveybeforeandafter
theprogram.Themajorityoftheparticipantslostweight,weresleepingbetter
‒andreportedasurprisingincreaseinknowledgeaboutfitnessandnutrition.
Forsome,theimprovementwasdramatic:payoffsincludedgreatersatisfaction
at work and home, and even one participant whose autoimmune-disease
symptoms abated significantly. For the fitness and nutrition professionals
involved,thestudyalsoprovidesanopportunitytounderscorethelessonthat
manypeoplereallydon'tknowthebasics,andoftenharbormisconceptions,
abouthealthyeatingandappropriateexercising.
PowerSoccerisarecentadditiontoourSportsProgram.Thisisagreatopportunityforour
studentsandadultstocompete,socialize,collaborateandhonedrivingskills.
Thepilotedprogramisbeingthoroughlyevaluatedandmodificationsmadein
light of these findings, with the hope of making its benefits more widely
availableamongthestaff.
Basedonsoccer,PowerSoccerisplayedwithmodifiedpowerwheelchairs. Athletesuse
complexmaneuvers,passing,tactics,andteamworktooutscoretheiropponents.
AdaptiveSkiingDayatWindham
In January The Center's Outdoor Adventure Team and Adaptive Physical
EducationTeamcollaboratedontheannualtrektoWindhamMountainSki
Resort,withtenexcitedadultandpediatricskiers.Staffandparentalsupport
combined with The Center's longstanding relationship with Windham's
AdaptiveSportFoundationallowsustointroduceanumberofkidsandadults,
with a multitude of challenges, to the thrill of downhill skiing. The use of
constantlyevolvingadaptiveequipmenthasenabledmoreandmoreresidents
totakepartinthechallengingsport,asFrankiedemonstratesinthisphoto.
TheBlueFlameandRedDragonskickoffinfrontofacrowdofhundreds.Theroaroffellow
students,staff,cheerleaders,familyandfriendscanbeheardthroughoutthecampuswith
everygoal!
President&CEOPatrickH.DollardaddressesanaudienceattendingareceptionatThe
FourSeasons.GigiMortimerspeaksabouttheimportanceofTheCentertoherfamily
whileManagingPartner,JulianNiccolini,welcomeseveryonetotherestaurant'sfamous
GrillRoomandspeaksabouthispartnershipwithTheCenter.
FourSeasonsRestaurantHostsa
NewYorkCityReceptionforTheCenter
ThefamedFourSeasonsRestaurantinManhattanwasthesiteofa
special reception for The Center for Discovery in November. The
CenterparentsGigiandAvieMortimerservedashosts,andmembers
of the board of directors and other special guests enjoyed fresh
produce,organicbreadsandotherfeatureditemsdirectfromThe
Center'sThanksgivingFarm.JulianNiccolini,managingpartnerofthe
Four Seasons and a member of The Center's Da Vinci Master Chef
Program,generouslyunderwroteasignificantportionofthecostof
theevent.
SiblingsConnections
TheDiscoveryCircle:
CaringBrothers&SistersofourResidents
In defiance of bitter New York City winds, a group of
brothersandsistersofamazingTheCenterforDiscovery
residents met over lasagna last month to talk about
theirworkasTheDiscoveryCircle.Therewasalotto
discuss! First, they are excited about construction of
theUniversalTreehouseatTheCenter,settobeginin
thelatespring.Ifyou'dliketosupportthetreehouse,
wherepeopleofallabilitieswillbeabletohangout,stay
tunedfornewsonaNewYorksummerfundraisingevent.
Speakingofprojects,themembersoftheCirclehavehadatrulyremarkabletimeover
the last few months interviewing one another about the joys and difficulties of
having a disabled brother or sister. Their goal is to put together some helpful
materials based on their shared experiences, in an effort to assist the Admissions
Departmentinwelcomingincomingfamilies.Ifyou'reinterestedintalkingaboutit,
orinattendingaDiscoveryCirclemeetinginNewYork,pleasecallCarlyWelterat
cwelter@tcfd.orgor(845)707-8627.
MemberLeoKittayaddressestheDiscoveryCircleattheirfundraising
eventinNewYorkinJuly,heldtoraisefundsforaUniversalTreeHouse
atTheCenter.
TheadvertisingfirmOgilvyandMathergenerouslyhostedthe
DiscoveryCircle'sfundraisingeventandworkedtoincorporatepictures
ofTheCenterintothedécor.
EducationTeam:
TheDiscoveryCurriculum
Asspringfinallyarrivesthingsarebustlingafteraverylongandcoldwinter.Thestudents
areveryexcitedwiththereturnofthewarmerweatherandtheirincreasedopportunities
toexploreandlearnoutside.Flowersandtreesarebuddingandsoonthestudentswill
be tending the Healing and Training Gardens on South Campus, as well as various
gardenspotslocatedonNorthCampus,attheRidgeandDiscoverySchool.
DuringthemonthofApril,studentshavebeenstudyingsoilcompositionandcompost,
aswellasbeneficialinsects. Studentswereinvolvedinavarietyofactivities,ranging
from soil testing to the identification of various insects and the role they play in
fertilization.Classroomsaremakingplansfortheirgardensandthetypesofplantsthey
wouldliketogrowinthetraininggarden.
AprilshowersbringMayflowersandwewillbeseeingmorestudentsinthegardens.
Mayisthetimewhenseedsstartedinthegreenhousewillbetransplantedintogardens
allovertheCenter. Comparingthebenefitsofgrowingplantsinagreenhousetoan
outsidegardenareexploredintheclassrooms.Studentsalsostudybeefcowsthatlive
attheCenter.Emphasisisplacedonthehabitatofcows,aswellasbyproducts,andthe
typesofjobsthatarecreatedbyraisingbeefcows.
TheLittleRedSchoolHouseOpens
The Little Red School House on the Ridge campus opened over the
winter,andit'ssomethingspecial‒a“sensorygym”thatletsstudentsand
residents get their heart rates up by means of recreational physical
activities. There are mats for tumbling, obstacle courses, ropes for
climbing,andevenswings(wonderfulforthemulti-sensoryinputthey
afford!).Clinicalstaffevaluateindividualparticipantsanddesigntailored
activitiesprogramsforthem.Planscallforextendingtheprogram'shours
beyondtheschoolday,forsupervisedafter-schoolactivities.
GardeningskillsandeverythingplantsisthefocusofJuneactivities.Studentsspendas
muchtimeaspossibleoutsidewatering,tendingandenjoyingthegardens.Mathand
science lessons revolve around the life of a farmer. Students will also learn about
pheasants,quail,ducks,andgeese. Thisisagoodopportunitytoapplyalltheyknow
aboutchickensandturkeysandmakesomecomparisons.
DATESTOREMEMBER
2014
MAY
17
2014
MAY
22
2014
MAY
22
2014
MAY
SeniorPromforgraduatesandtheirfamilies
(BigBarn)
6:00-9:00PM
PowerSoccerGame‒
SouthCampusGym
10:30PM
PatrickH.DollardtospeakattheMonticelloHigh
School'sAcademyofFinanceEventattheBigBarn
5:30PM
MemorialDay(SchoolClosed)
26
2014
JUNE
18
2014
JUNE
KentuckyBluegrassTrio
MaidenRadioPerformsatTheCenter
Theup-and-comingBluegrasstrioMaidenRadioisdeartotheheartsof
allofushereatTheCenter‒twoofitsmembers,CheyenneMizeandJulia
Purcell,aremusictherapistswhocompletedtheirinternshipshere.Along
with their partner Joan Shelley, these talented alumnae performed
recentlyforourstudentswhoattendclassintheLearningCenteronthe
SouthCampus.TheKentucky-borntrioperformedtraditionalsongsfrom
theirhomestateaswellastheirownoriginalsongscomposedinthe
samestirring,down-homestyle.Thisyearthemusictherapyinternshipat
TheCentercelebratesitsfifteenthyearoftrainingcollegestudentsfrom
all around the country; many thanks to these talented graduates for
comingbacktosharetheirgiftswithus.
Graduation(BigBarn)
10:00AM
LastDayofSchool
20
2014
JULY
SummerSession
7
2014
JULY
28
NOV
2
DiscoveryGolf&TennisInvitational
(TuxedoPark)
FallHarvestFestival(MilliganHill)
12:00PM
“AChristmasCarol”
BackinDecemberduringtheHolidayOpenHouse,TheCenterforDiscovery'sDramaticWorkshoppresenteditsproductionof“AChristmasCarol”tofamilies,peersand
staff. It was a magical production that captured all the humor, drama, pathos and joy of Dickens' classic tale, and it met with rave reviews from the audience.
Congratulationstoalltheperformersandtoallwhoworkedbehindthescenestomakethisplaysuchasuccess.
............................................
StormResponse2014
Thispastwinterhasgoneintothebooksasoneofthecoldest
wintersintheNortheastsince1895,whensuchdatawasfirst
recorded. With one snow storm after another and the
prolongedfrigidtemperaturesthataccompaniedthepolar
vortex, it was certainly one of the most taxing winters in
recentmemory.
Winters are always a challenge for our staff as well as the
peopleforwhomwecare,andwhenthebadweatherseems
to go on forever, as was the case this year, it becomes
psychologicallyaswellaslogisticallytrying.
TherapeuticMovement
atTheCenter
FourofourtalentedballerinastryontheirItsy-Bitsy
Spidercostumesforthefirsttimeastheyrehearse
for the therapeutic dance department's spring
show,“Lights,Camera,Action!”Theshowwilltake
place in May and will showcase eleven dance
routines featuring 36 dancers from The Center's
residentialandcommunityprograms,performing
ballet,hiphop,jazz,tap,ballroomandotherstyles
ofdance.
Andyetourpeopletypicallyrisetotheoccasion,notonlywiththeextraordinaryeffortsofourEarthCare
team in keeping paths and roads clear during the storms and cleaning up afterwards, but most
importantly,withourprogramstaffintakingcareofourresidentsthroughout.
StormpreparationatTheCenterforDiscoveryhasalwaysbeenacollaborativeeffort.Residentialdirectors
andprogramcoordinatorscommunicatewithstafftoensuretheywillarrivefortheirshiftsafelyandon
time.Manystaffwill“flex”theirschedules,cominginearlyand/orstayinglate.Manystaffwillstayovernight
toensurethattheyareavailabletobeatthehousesearlythenextmorning.Thesestaffmembersinclude
residentialadministrativeanddirectcare,nursing,andclinical.
DuringonemajorstorminFebruary,forexample,TheCenterprovidedovernightaccommodationsfor58
staffmembers,includingshiftsupervisors,integrationspecialists,skillstrainers,dayhabspecialists,food
serviceworkers,teachersandnursesinordertoensuretheiravailabilitydespitepoortravelconditions.
Thededicationandflexibilityofthestaffiscrucialinallowingustogetthrougheventhemostchallenging
stormssafely,whilemaintainingthehighestqualityofcareforthoseweserve.
AccessYourOwnPersonal
PatientPortalOnline
TheDiscoveryHealthCenterhaslaunchedasecurepatientportalwithaccess
to our electronic records management system, eClinicalWorks, to provide
convenientremoteaccesstoanindividual'smedicalinformation.Participating
patientsandfamiliesreceivesecureUserIDsandpasswordsthatenablethem
toaccesstheportaltoviewtheirpersonaldocuments,visitsummaries,and
personal health records. Information such as allergies, medications,
procedures, vital signs, immunizations, lab results and diagnostic imaging,
socialandfamilyhistoryandmore‒withproperprivacysafeguards‒isnow
accessiblebypatientsandauthorizedfamilymembers,fromanywhere,atany
time.
Theinvolvementofourpatients'familiesiscentraltoTheCenter'sabilityto
provideexcellenceinmedicalcareandcarecoordination.Ifyouareinterested
insigningupforpatientportalaccess,simplysubmityournameande-mail
a d d r e s s t o t h e D i s c o v e r y H e a l t h C e n t e r O f f i c e M a n a g e r a t
patientportal@tcfd.org.Youwillreceiveanautomatice-mailconfirmationof
account activation, including your automatically generated sign-on
information.
Youcanalsovisitwww.thecenterfordiscovery.orgorcall(845)707-8486and
leave a voice message for the Discovery Health Center Office Manager. The
DiscoveryCenterHealthCareTeamanticipatesexpandingportalfunctionality
overtimetoassureseamlessaccesstomedicalinformationfortheparentsand
guardiansofourresidents.
Taicloselyinspectsastrawberryafterhehasexperiencedit'ssweet,juicyflavor.AndRay
observeshimselfinteractingwithamushroomasheexploresit'sdistinctsmellandsmooth
texture.
FEDTherapy!
TheCenter'sFEDprogram(FEDstandsforFoodExplorationandDiscovery)has
hadtremendoussuccessinexpandingtherepertoireoffoodsthatstudentsand
residents will eat ‒ as well as their overall relationship with food and pleasure
surrounding mealtime. The program was developed by occupational therapist
JessicaPiatakandspeech-and-languagepathologistKristinaCarracciatoaddress
individuals' meal-time and feeding challenges by improving their relationship
withfood,increasingthevarietyoffoodstheyeattoprovideadequatenutrition,
and decreasing stress and anxiety around meals. FED integrates recognized
practices such as Food Chaining, the Sequential Oral Sensory Approach to
Feeding,FeedingtheWholeChild,theGetPermissionApproachtoFeedingand
ReciprocalImitationTraining.Anoccupationaltherapistandaspeechtherapist
collaborate on a comprehensive meal time evaluation, and then work with
caregivers,behavioralspecialistsandtheclinicalteamtodevelopindividualized
treatmentprograms.Individualsareencouragedtoplay;tointeractandhavefun
withfoodinavarietyofways.Whatmakesthisapproachdifferentfromothersis
thatitallowstheindividualresidentorstudenttotakethelead,andprogressionis
encouraged only when the individual appears to be truly comfortable in
interactingwithfood.
ProjectMENTISResearchInitiative
Project MENTIS, a pilot program developed by Janssen Research and
DevelopmentinconjunctionwithTheCenterforDiscoveryandDr.Matthew
Goodwin of Northeastern University, is evaluating a groundbreaking
information-sharingplatformthroughwhichparents,cliniciansandeducators
caneasilyenterandaccessdataaboutresidentsandstudents.Customizedfor
TheCenter'sclinicalandeducationalprograms,MENTISallowscaregiversand
serviceproviderstousecomputersandhandhelddevices(smartphones,tablet
computers)toparticipate.Thepilotisafeasibilitystudyamongtheclinicians,
parentsandstaffmemberswhointeractwithagroupof20ofourstudents.If
MENTISsucceedsasplanned,TheCenterwillbeabletocontinueusingthe
platformandexpandingitsreachtoincludemoreresidentsandstudents.
“JingleBellRock”
AlsoinDecemberduringtheHolidayOpenHouse,TheCarrusInstituteCaféwas
thevenuefora“JingleBellRock”danceperformance,asfourseparateactstookthe
stagetowowtheaudienceinturn.BrianandA.J.onceagaindemonstratedtheir
tap-dancingskillsinaduetperformedto“SantaClausisComingtoTown.”Then
Destiny,apediatricstudentinTheCenter'sschoolprogram,performedalyrical
number to “The Christmas Song.” Linda then took the stage dazzle the crowd,
dancing to “A Christmas Waltz” with Vice President for Development Richard
Humleker.Closingouttheshowwasahip-hopnumberperformedto“AJingleBell
Remix”byTommy,A.J.,Brian,John,CraigandJasonoftheadultprogram.
o
t
o
h
P
EmerilLagasseanda“TableforAll”
Staff members and students from St. Michael Special School pose with Chef
EmerilLagasseandtheirnewdiningtables,donatedbyTheCenterforDiscovery
andEmerilLagasseFoundation.ThesepatentedFlexTablesweredesignedat
TheCenterandcraftedspecificallyforspecialneedsstudents,sothat“everyone
hasaseatatthetable.”ThegiftwasarrangedbyTheCenter'sculinaryconsultant
ChefCesareCasella.
MapleSugaring
TheCenter'smaplesugaringexpert,SamRose,andWaynearetappingatreefor
maple-treesapcollection,theinitialstepthatwillleadtoproductionofdelicious
maple syrup. Meanwhile, The Center's Recreation Team is fully integrating
classrooms, dayhabs and adult residents into the maple sugaring operation.
Sugaringisarealteameffort,andacampusfavorite,andwe'vegotourfingers
crossedthatthisyear'scoldwintercoupledwiththecomingwarmerweatherwill
meanasurfeitofdeliciousmaplesyrupcomespring.
“LeeʼsBench”
LeeKarasik,trainingsupportspecialistatTheCenter,relaxescontentedlyonthe
benchthathedonatedrecentlytoTheCenter.“Lee'sBench”nowhasprideof
placeonthesidewalkoverlookingMainStreetinHurleyville.Lee,whowasan
outpatientatTheCenterfor18yearsandnowhasbeenanemployeefor81/2
years,issoenthusiasticaboutTheCenter'splansforHurleyvillethathewanted
to contribute something special. Try “Lee's Bench” for yourself the next time
you'reintown‒itreallyissomethingspecial!
TheCenter'sAppleCropthisYear:
500+Bushels!
SpringPlanting
The2014springplantingseasonattheThanksgivingFarmhasbegun.Dayhab
groupshavebeenfillingflatswithsoilandsowingavarietyofseeds,including
onions,scallionsandkale.Eachflathas128cells(holesforplanting),andcan
holduptonineseedspercell.That's1,152seedsinoneflat!Overthecourseofa
week dayhab sowed 84,608 seeds. In the weeks to come, these seeds will
become plants that can be transplanted into The Center's fields to mature.
PicturedhereareZacharyandSpencer,bothareadvancedseeders;theyeach
canplantavarietyofsizeswithspeedandaccuracy,andtheyplayavitalrolein
thevegetableproductionprocessattheThanksgivingFarm.Jobwelldone!
TheCenter'sorganicappleorchardsadjacenttotheDiscoveryHealthCenterhave
beenproductiveforyears,butthisseason'swasabumpercrop.Thetreeswere
preppedandcaredforallyearbystudentsandstaffmembers,andmorethan60
participantshelpedpicktheapplesoncetheywereready,collectingatotalof
morethan500bushels‒that'sintheneighborhoodof24,000poundsofdelicious
fruit! Many of the apples have been distributed agency-wide for eating, while
othersweresetasideforstudentsandstafftopress,andbottlecider.Sofarmore
than50gallonsofciderhavebeenproduced.PicturedhereisSamworkingwith
Jeffery,whoispartoftheapple-pickingteamofresidentswhouseTheCenter's
signaturetrackchairstohelpthemgetthejobdone.