All About Autism

As we approach the end of 2024, I want to take this opportunity to recognize our many supporters who are dedicated to fostering positive change within our community.

The Strengthening Foundations home renovation campaign aims to enhance the safety, accessibility, and comfort of the Barber National Institute’s 93 community group homes. The funds raised will be used to remodel kitchens, replace carpeting, update roofs, renovate bathrooms, and add ramps. These essential updates will ensure the best functionality and accessibility for those we serve.

Over the years, the Barber National Institute has garnered countless supporters. In addition to raising critical funds for life-changing programs for our adults and children, our annual fundraisers also serve as invaluable friend-raising events.

The last two months of the year featured two highly successful events, thanks to overwhelming community support.

The 2024 Annual Ladies Only Luncheon was held at the Kahkwa Club on Saturday, November 23. We welcomed 375 women who enjoyed a delicious meal prepared by Chef Chris Cassel and his culinary team, and heard inspiring stories of how the Barber National Institute is making dreams come true for many children and their families. The event also featured a much-anticipated raffle with over 40 gorgeous gift baskets, premier gifts from the Cork 1794 and the Kahkwa Club, and a Brahmin Finley carryall satchel, makeup bag, and designer scarf, all generously donated by our supporters.

We celebrated the 60th Anniversary, A Diamond Christmas Ball, on Saturday, December 14 at the Bayfront Convention Center. Thanks to the efforts of our chair couple, Patrick Barber and his wife Courtney, a record crowd of over 1,200 attended this sold-out event. The funds raised will support our Strengthening Foundations Home Renovation campaign.

Additionally, many friends donated Christmas gifts and food baskets for families in need throughout Erie County.

Thank you to everyone who supports our mission of “making dreams come true!”

Merry Christmas!

Happy Hearts Child Care began in the 1980s as a neighborhood nursery, aimed at providing quality childcare for our staff to encourage their return to work. This initiative was ahead of its time, predating the concepts of workplace childcare. 

Fast forward 40 years, and Happy Hearts continues to deliver the highest quality childcare for both staff and community children.  We also have a Keystone STAR 4 designation.    

What is Keystone STARS? 

The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) oversees the Keystone STARS program. STARS stands for Standards, Training/Professional Development, Assistance, Resources, and Supports. A STAR 4 program represents the highest quality of excellence. It meets standards in 4 areas: staff education, learning environment, leadership/management and family and community partnerships. The STARS program is a whole child approach to education and is essential to meeting the holistic and individual needs of each and every child and family. 

So, why should parents choose Happy Hearts for their children?  

From a parent/guardian standpoint, choosing the Happy Hearts Star 4 program at the Barber National Institute ensures that children between the ages of 3 and 5 achieve success when they enter kindergarten. Our Keystone STAR 4 facility ensures our program and staff sustain our STAR 4 during yearly renewals and designations. Staff utilize a curriculum approved by the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) and developmental assessments throughout the year. In addition to supporting a child’s ongoing learning and development, program staff support every family’s well-being. We collaborate with families if there is a concern regarding a child’s growth and development by taking an active listening role, respecting family’s feelings and providing resources and referrals when necessary. We support the success of every child while maintaining a high-quality learning environment with the highly qualified and trained staff.   

Visit https://www.barberinstitute.org/children/early-childhood/happy-hearts-inclusive-preschool for more information. You can also contact Stephanie Robertson, Director of Happy Hearts Child Care, at 814-878-4080.  

From left, Chelsea Spiegel, assistant group supervisor; Stephanie Robertson, director of Happy Hearts Child Care; Alyse Wienecke, group supervisor.  

Birthdays are more than just a celebration of the day we were born; they hold significant importance in our lives for various reasons. They serve as milestones, opportunities for reflection, and moments of joy and connection with loved ones. 

We are celebrating Ryan’s 31^st birthday this week, and it’s a good reminder of his growth, achievements, and the experiences we’ve accumulated over the past year. Each year gives me a chance to appreciate Ryan’s journey and help him celebrate how far he’s come while setting new goals for the year ahead. 

I still remember it like it was yesterday… We were living in North East and, of course, we were amid a snowstorm (very similar to the weather we’re experiencing this year!)  

I recall turning up the heat to make sure that his bedroom was warm.  My brother, Joe, who lived next door came by and said that the house felt like a steam room. I turned the heat down, needless to say! 

Jeanne and Dianne came out to assist with his first bath. Dianne, the oldest in her family of 12, had lots of experience with bathing babies.  So, I asked her to help – everything was so new to me! We even did a video of “Ryan’s first bath” which I still have today. 

In the blink of an eye, the next 30 years have passed. There have been peaks and valleys in this journey, but I am truly proud of Ryan’s many successes. He has had a GREAT 2024! 

Between working at Bello’s and BNI, exercising at Planet Fitness, swimming at the Y, skiing at the Peek  in the winters and golfing at Kahkwa in the summers, I am trying, usually unsuccessfully, to keep up with him! 

Ryan’s most favorite “preferred” activity is reading to our Happy Hearts preschool children.  He will tell you that he is a teacher because he” reads to the kids” and “cleans their classrooms.”  Those are his 2 jobs and with Bello’s he has 3.  He firmly believes that he does not need more! He will also tell you “Mom and I are not retiring. We are planning on working at the Barber Center until we are 90 and then we will work at the Center in heaven, and he will read to the kids there.” 

As I look back over the years, I know that I have so much to be grateful for: family, friends, outstanding staff, and the Erie community that welcomes children and adults with disabilities.  

I’m so glad that I have the pleasure, on a daily basis, of seeing Ryan achieve his dreams, just as Dr. Barber would have wanted.  

Happy Birthday Ryan! 

I wanted to share a few thoughts as we approach Thanksgiving as to how gratitude and respect can and should be shared all year long in the classroom. 

Gratitude and respect are fundamental values that foster a positive and productive learning environment. These values can be experienced from an early age in the classroom. By cultivating gratitude and respect in the classroom, educators can create a supportive atmosphere that encourages collaboration, empathy, and personal growth. 

To effectively integrate gratitude and respect into classroom activities, we can implement some of the following strategies: 

Create a Gratitude List: Invite students to make a list of people they are grateful for. This activity encourages them to reflect on their relationships and recognize the positive influences in their lives. It can be done as a class discussion or as an individual assignment, allowing students to share their thoughts and insights. 

Reflect on Impact: Encourage students to reflect on how these individuals have made a difference in their lives. This reflection can take the form of a written assignment or a group discussion. This process deepens their understanding of gratitude and its significance. 

Record a Heartfelt Video: Have students create a video expressing their gratitude to the individuals they have identified. This activity not only allows them to articulate their feelings but also helps develop their communication skills. The video can be simple, focusing on genuine expressions of thanks and the impact the person has had on their lives. 

Share the Video: Finally, encourage students to share their videos with the individuals they are honoring. This act of sharing spreads joy and reinforces the importance of gratitude. It also strengthens the bonds between students and their support networks, fostering a culture of appreciation and respect. 

Can you think of other activities?  

Incorporating gratitude and respect into the classroom is essential for creating a nurturing and effective learning environment. By engaging students in activities that promote these values, educators can help them develop important social and emotional skills.  

Through these practices, students learn to appreciate the contributions of others and recognize the value of kindness. Setting the foundation for a more compassionate and respectful society starts in the classroom!  

Celebrate National Kindness Day on November 13th with Fun and Meaningful Activities!

Children can engage in a variety of enjoyable and impactful ways to honor National Kindness Day. Here are some creative ideas: 

Kindness Wordsearch: Kick off the day with a Kindness Wordsearch. This activity not only enhances vocabulary and spelling skills but also introduces students to words that embody kindness. 

Collaborative Coloring Activity: Organize a Kindness Collaborative Coloring Poster where students can contribute their artistic flair while promoting teamwork and creativity. 

Notes of Kindness: Encourage students to write heartfelt notes to their classmates, teachers, and school staff, spreading positivity and appreciation throughout the school. 

Kindness Writing Challenge: Create a list of simple acts of kindness for students to complete throughout the day or week. Ideas could include holding the door for someone, sharing supplies, or assisting a friend with their work. 

Reading Stories About Kindness: Share inspiring books that highlight kindness and empathy, such as Have You Filled a Bucket Today? by Carol McCloud, Kindness Is My Superpower by Alicia Ortego, and Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts. 

Kindness Jar: Set up a Kindness Jar in the classroom. Provide slips of paper for students to jot down acts of kindness they observe. Take time to read and celebrate these moments together as a class. 

These activities not only make the day memorable but also help instill the values of kindness and empathy in students, creating a lasting impact on their hearts and minds. 

Let’s spread the message of Kindness Day not only on November 13 but throughout the year! 

National Physical Therapy Month is celebrated each October, and I would like to highlight our two incredible physical therapists Barb Gleason and Chris Gross who provide the very best hands-on physical therapy and a wide range of resources to our children and their families throughout the year.  Physical therapy provides our students with so many benefits, including improved mobility and movement, critical muscle strengthening, and the ability to experience exciting activities such as riding an adaptive bike. 

I’ve asked our four amazing PTs about the impact of their work and the value of the PT profession.   

Barb Gleason 

A great day would involve a sunny day where I could work with my students outside in the fresh air, with lots of cooperation and progress towards what we have been working on.  Seeing the progress our students make, not just mobility wise, but also academically, socially and with their communication truly warms my heart and brings a smile to my face.  A great day also includes good conversation with colleagues and minimal time spent at the computer, which is a non-preferred activity for me.  LOL – I am happiest when I don’t have to sit too long. 

A challenging day would involve multiple interruptions to my schedule, wheelchair and equipment issues and lots of computer time.   

I have been a PT for many years, and I find it wonderful the amount of autonomy and respect the field has gained.  In the early days, we would get prescriptions from doctors that would instruct us on exactly what we were to do with our patients and that over time gave way to “evaluate and treat” scripts. Now with direct access, in most cases you can treat a patient without a physician’s referral.   

In reference to what I would say to a young person interested in PT, I would first ask them if they were “a people person”?  To be an effective PT you need to enjoy being around others and you need to be a good communicator.   You also need to like always being on the move, this is not a sedentary occupation. 

One of the greatest aspects of this field is the opportunity to work in multiple and varied settings.  Yet you can also specialize in area or population if you wish. I have worked in many different settings as a therapist and have found each to have their own unique challenges as well as rewards.  Ultimately, I love being able to help others overcome challenges and be the best they can be, and that is what a PT does regardless of the setting in which they practice. 

Chris Gross 

I think a great day is when I have students on my schedule who enjoy coming to therapy and who put forth their best effort.  PT is a lot more fun when working with students who participate well, regardless of their physical capabilities.  I had a student this school year who thanked me for working with her – that totally melted my heart! 

The most challenging sessions involve setting up the environment so that the student will participate, and we can get something accomplished during a session (kind of the opposite of the previous answer). 

In my opinion, the biggest changes would not be in the PT field itself but in the equipment that we use to support our practice. Improvements in technology and equipment design have allowed PT to use these devices to help people with various disabilities more readily access their environment for improved quality of life. 

There are many practice settings for physical therapists so the answer to that question would depend on the setting in which one is looking to work.  Delivery of PT in the school setting is not like any other PT setting.  We function in more of a support role-but if you enjoy working with kids who have physical challenges and would like to help them succeed in their educational environment, this may be something to consider. 

We are so fortunate to have both Barb and Chris part of our BNI family! 

Last week is wrote about National Unity Day and this week I’d like to focus on a new report from the National Center for Education Statistics which shows an increase in students who perceive bullying as related to their disability. 

This survey, which is conducted every 2 years, focuses on students in grades 6-12. 112,000 sampled households were eligible to participate in the survey with approx. 12,500 members ages 12-18.  9.7 % of students perceived their being bullied in school as related to their disability up from 7.8 % in 18-19.  11.6 of the respondents who perceived bullying as related to their disability were male and 8.2 % were Female.  12.3 % were in the Midwest, 10.2% in the South and 4.7% in the Northeast.   In 2018-19, 9.9% of the respondents who perceived bullying in school related to their disability and Females 6.2%.  The highest area was the West with 11.2% of students perceived bullying in school was related to their disability followed by 8.8% in the Northeast, 6.8% in the Midwest and 5.2 % in the South.  

Many thoughts are running through my head.  The 18-19 survey was pre-COVID.  Did the fact that some of the students were home for 2 years prior to their return impact their actions?  Did they become less tolerant of differences because of their home schooling for 2 years.  We shall see as a future survey may attempt to pinpoint the increase in the number of students who perceive that they were bullied due to their disability. 

On a personal note, Ryan told me after he graduated from high school that he did not want to go to school because he was bullied. When I asked him why he did not tell me, he just said…Because.  

National Unity Day is celebrated on Wednesday, October 16 and is part of National Bullying Prevention Month, which promotes kindness, acceptance, and inclusion to prevent bullying. We encourage everyone to wear and share the color orange as a visible message that our society wants to prevent bullying. The color orange is chosen for its association with safety and visibility, and because it is commonly identified with October and the autumn season. The day serves as a catalyst for everyone to come together with a visual statement that actions matter not only on one day, but every day.  But why is this day special at the BNI? 

It was Dr. Gertrude Barber’s vision that we must provide hope and opportunity to individuals with intellectual disabilities, autism, and behavioral health challenges. She initiated and we continue today this emphasis on the importance of kindness and inclusion, which aligns with the values promoted during National Bullying Prevention Month. 

So, when you look around on October 16 and you see lots of orange, you’ll know why and perhaps you will wear orange that day! 

September 7 marked the 11th year of the Beast on the Bay. Participants ran 10 miles on sand, water, and trails as they proved that they could Beat the Beast! We’re all geared up for the big day at Waldameer at the entrance of Presque Isle.   

A one-mile adapted course was also available for those at least 12 years of age with special needs.  

This annual event means so much to not only the Barber National Institute and those we serve, but the many participants, spectators, and volunteers.   

The Beast’s courses are known to be especially challenging, but participants know that these challenges pale in comparison to those faced by both children and adults with intellectual disabilities, autism, and behavioral health challenges. Coming together for a day of friendly competition and fun helps unite us in the goal of supporting the 6,200 individuals we serve and their families.   

I still remember Ryan’s first year participating in the Beast. Ryan did the adaptive course and if you know Ryan, you know that he is a FAST runner.  So, in a few minutes he navigated the adaptive course.  I suggested to him that he might want to try the 10-mile course the following year. He said that he’d think about it. The year quickly passed, and the second year of the Beast was here.  Two of his friends (helpers), Bryant and Craig did the Beast with him.  What did he hate?  The marsh.  He was not doing that again.  Craig and Ryan did the Beast for a few years, and then Brad, Logan, and for the last two years, Drs. Brian and Kate Stark.  The Starks are great supporters of the BNI so when I did not have anyone to Beast with Ryan they generously offered.   Ryan and the Starks are already signed up for next year. How would you recognize Ryan?  He is the one who is always smiling and no, he does not do the marsh!