All About Autism

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!  

Let the festivities begin! Friday, September 20 is Founder’s Day, a celebration held each year in honor of Dr. Gertrude Barber’s birthday and to commemorate our enduring mission. On this day, I often reflect on her accomplishments. 

If we take a look back in time to the year 1952, services for persons with disabilities were nonexistent.  As an Erie School District psychologist, it was Dr. Barber’s responsibility to tell parents that their son or daughter could not attend school because of their disability. Parents were left with two options: send their child to an institution or keep them at home. 

Both she and the children’s families wanted so much more – thus began the Barber Center. 

There wasn’t any funding in the early years. The program was supported by ice cream socials, card parties, and raffles. Dr. Barber used to say that all of their money could fit in a cigar box – and it did! It wasn’t until the mid-’60s that state funding finally became available through the MH/MR Procedures Act, as well as the Department of Education. Fortunately, our programs were already in place and could be immediately funded. One such program was our school. We were designated an Approved Private School, serving children whose school districts could not provide an appropriate education. We were many years ahead of others in the field.  

Much growth happened in the ’70s and ’80s. 1972 saw the first men and women return to Erie from Polk State Center on a yellow school bus carrying their life’s possessions in a brown paper bag. Most of them had been sent to Polk as young children because the belief at that time was that children with disabilities were best taken care of away from their families and in the institution. These 30 people were the beginnings of our community living programs. A groundbreaking ceremony was held for our new therapeutic swimming pool and our physical and occupational therapy facilities. 

We established an adult rehabilitation, employment, and training center, additional classrooms in our school, an Inclusive Day Care program and a Child Development Center. At times, it seemed as if our facilities could not grow fast enough to meet the needs of the community. By the ’90s we were ready to expand across the state and opened residential services for adults in Philadelphia. Not too long after, we opened the same services in Pittsburgh. 

Project 2000, Dr. Barber’s ultimate quest, was our first major capital campaign since 1966. This funding would provide a new school and facility for training. $7 million later… Dr. Barber announced the Project’s success!! 

Dr. Barber’s dream was that children and adults with disabilities would be able to learn and grow in their own community, in which they would find acceptance and opportunity. This vision has changed the lives of thousands of children and adults over the last 70 years. Through her example and leadership, she transformed a system. But even more significantly, she changed attitudes about people with disabilities. 

Following her passing, a group of those who knew Dr. Barber formally appealed to Bishop Lawrence Persico of the Diocese of Erie to begin the cause for canonization. In December 2019, Bishop Persico issued a decree opening the cause for canonization. Monsignor Thomas McSweeney was appointed diocesan postulator for the cause and is the point of contact for gathering of documents and interviews with anyone who is willing to discuss their interactions with Dr. Barber during her lifetime. This testimony will become part of the official documentation considered during the canonization process, all which will eventually be sent to the Vatican.  

Dr. Barber herself said it best: 

“Our focus has continued to be a mission of faith, hope, and love – to open the doors where they were closed – to bring sunlight where there was darkness – faith where there was despair. 

Let’s always lead with a mission to open doors.” 

Dr. Gertrude A. Barber, 1995 

This week, we honor the remarkable contributions of Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) by showcasing the incredible work they do. DSPs should be celebrated as heroes for their efforts in creating meaningful change in the lives of people with disabilities and their families. 

Nationally, DSP Week is spearheaded by the American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR), a nonprofit trade association representing over 1,600 private community providers of services to people with disabilities. This week aims to shine a light on the dedicated and innovative direct support workforce that forms the backbone of support for people with disabilities. 

We recognize the DSPs who make a significant impact in the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities, autism, and behavioral health challenges. The role of a DSP is complex and highly specialized, as they support every aspect of an individual’s daily life. Their work, often in challenging conditions, demonstrates their commitment to the Barber National Institute’s mission and the wellbeing of the individuals we serve. 

DSPs are the frontline workers who serve as both caregivers and advocates for people with a wide range of abilities and needs. Whether it’s mornings, evenings, weekends, or holidays, you will find them in our day programs and group homes. This special week gives us the opportunity to advocate for them. We can recognize and reward them for their amazing talents and contributions, whether in Erie, Bedford, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Somerset or Warren. 

At the Barber National Institute, DSPs play a crucial role in helping our adults reach their full potential. Through their work, individuals live healthy, enriching lives where they can interact with others and gain a sense of independence. DSPs also provide families with a deep sense of comfort, knowing that their loved ones receive personalized attention and are engaged in life skills development such as cooking and financial management, as well as involvement in community events. 

Through their unwavering compassion, dedication, and commitment to providing the highest quality of care, DSPs truly embody the Barber National Institute’s mission of “making dreams come true for those we serve.” I would ask you to assist us by advocating for Direct Support Professionals all year long! 

This past Monday, we celebrated Labor Day, which honors the achievements and important contributions of American workers. Work offers the opportunity of financial stability, skill development, fulfillment in our personal and professional lives, socialization, and the chance to learn and grow. It’s my firm belief that everyone who has the potential to work should receive the resources, coaching, and support needed to successfully maintain employment.  

Workplaces across the country are seeing the value of creating more inclusive workplaces. Employers who adopt inclusive hiring and employment strategies are more likely to experience enhanced innovation, improved employee engagement, and a welcoming culture where diverse skillsets, perspectives, and experiences are celebrated.  

The Supported Employment Program at the Barber National Institute provides a range of services to help ensure an appropriate match for both adults seeking employment and prospective employers. The program serves individuals with intellectual disabilities, autism, deafness or hearing impairment, mental health diagnosis, and visual impairment.  

Adults enrolled in the Supported Employment Program first receive a community-based work assessment to determine their skills, job readiness, and appropriate job matches. Training and assistance in all phases of the job search, including creating a resume, applying to jobs, and preparing for the interview process, are provided.  Once a good match is found and specific job responsibilities have been identified, a highly trained and professional employment specialist, also known as a job coach, works with each individual to provide on-site guidance, support, and real-time feedback related to the work being done to ensure the best possible outcomes.  

Support services are also provided to employers as well. For example, employment specialists pre-screen candidates to ensure a good fit for the employer’s needs, saving time and resources during the hiring process. Additionally, employers receive expert advice on managing and integrating employees with disabilities, promoting an inclusive and product workplace culture. Services are provided at no cost to the employer, offering financial benefits and encouraging workforce diversity without barriers.  

I’m happy to share that 250 adults have been successfully placed within a wide range of positions thanks to the proven effectiveness of the Supported Employment Program. Family-owned businesses and large corporations alike have benefited from this service.  

The Barber National Institute also offers Small Group Employment (SGE) to persons with a variety of intellectual disabilities, autism, mental health challenges, and visual or hearing impairments. Training and work opportunities are provided to individuals who wish to transition from school or unemployment into an integrated, competitive workforce. 

The program offers a variety of work experiences and specialized training in landscaping, food service, janitorial work, and machine operation. These and other opportunities give participants the experience needed to gain employment. 

I ask each of you how you can promote inclusion through the organizations you represent and in your daily lives. Please think about the important role you have in finding ways to create channels for greater inclusivity wherever possible.  

Inclusivity doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time and effort from the whole community. It’s a long-term commitment that has tremendous benefits for everyone involved.  

As Ruth Bader Ginsburg said, “We will all profit from a more diverse, inclusive society, understanding, accommodating, even celebrating our differences while pulling together for the common good.”

The start of the school year is an exciting time for students, staff, and parents.  It is a time for new opportunities, new beginnings, and new challenges.  I always encourage everyone to celebrate each and every one of your successes.  It is important to stop and appreciate everything that you have achieved.  We have many students who are new to our school and many new staff as well.  There will be a learning curve for both of them.  For our students, this may be their first school experience or perhaps they struggled at their former school.  Our role as teachers, paraeducators, therapists, and behavior specialists is to identify the strengths of each of the children and the various challenges that they experience. We always remember that if the child is not learning, it is our responsibility to teach them so that they do learn.  

For the parents, I would ask that we keep open lines of communication whether that may be through Microsoft Teams, daily notes, or phone calls. You are a key member of the team.  We want to know what your goals are for your child and how we can work together to achieve them.  You are your child’s first teacher, and you know him/her best.  It is only through working together that we will achieve what I know will be a successful school year!  I am always available to answer your questions or if you would simply like to talk. 

Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year!