As May is Mental Health Awareness Month, I thought I would share with you some information about our children’s partial hospitalization program.
The year was 1998 when we recognized that a number of our children have both intellectual disabilities as well as mental health disorders. Our goals were to reduce challenging behaviors through a combination of behavioral treatment, pharmalogical management, and changes in environmental structure.
We planned to provide functionally-based intensive intervention in the areas of communication, self-help, and social and emotional skills, thereby facilitating age-appropriate interactions. We would also provide parents with information in training in the effective methodologies to minimize the impact of the disorder on the family. We applied and secured our initial license to offer a children’s acute partial hospitalization program, becoming one of the first school-based partial programs in Pennsylvania.
Our program serves students who are enrolled in our approved private school. Following referral and acceptance into the program, a psychiatrist observes the student and consults with staff on a weekly basis. A clinical psychologist and mental health specialists are also part of the classroom team. Every 15 days, the psychiatrist and team members meet with families to update them on the student’s progress as well as to discuss any concerns in the home. When the student has met the treatment goals, a discharge plan is developed with the family to assure the continuity of supports, both in the school and at home.
Has this program made a difference? Most definitely yes for both our children and our families. In most cases, in-patient treatment is avoided and the children are able to remain at home with their families. Although our numbers are small (only 20 children are served at any given time through MH Partial) the intensity of the services yields very positive results. We plan to continue this component of our approved private school program as long as the need exists.
The first week of May is full of moments created to celebrate and appreciate the wonderful people in our lives – teachers, nurses, therapists, paraeducators, behavior specialists and many, many support personnel. This year, National Teacher Appreciation Day is Tuesday, May 5. However, at the Barber National Institute we are recognizing all our staff who work so diligently in our school during “Staff Appreciation Week.”
Similarly, if I held up an item of my own and asked the same question, he would answer “mine,” meaning “yours.” Essentially, he mixed up his pronouns.
“Connections” Camp for children and teens with high-functioning autism is one of the favorites. We initiated Connections Camp nine years ago, to help children develop and practice social skills in the most effective ways. This is always a thoroughly enjoyable camp experience, fostering new friendships and a lot of fun. Ryan participated in this program for a number of years. I saw significant improvements in his social interactions with his peers. I would recommend the program to all parents.
“Learn to Ride” Bike Camp is a four-week program to help children develop skills to ride their bikes independently. Camp will be offered in Erie and in Warren, PA free of charge in summer of 2015, funded by a grant from the Dr. Gertrude A. Barber Foundation. Bike Camp is open to any youngster in the community who is able to pedal but who has not been successful riding without training wheels.
This week was created in 1971 in order to focus the public’s attention to the early childhood programs and services that young children so greatly need. Early childhood years, which are generally considered to be birth through age 8, are vital to a child’s health and development and will lay the foundation for a child’s success in school as well as life. This week is an ideal time to come together as citizens of a community, a state, and a nation to think of ways we can continue to improve the education and services for young children everywhere.
Additionally, Grow Up Great has been working with their partner, 
This is a day to laugh often and laugh loudly. After all, they say laughter is the best medicine!
Today is 
All About Autism 