PNC Promotes Early Education

In a previous blog, I discussed the critical importance of quality early childhood education for our young children.  As we transition from summer to a new school year, I want to bring to your attention the leadership role PNC, one of the leading financial services organizations in the United States, has taken in promoting early childhood education.  I have had the privilege to serve on the PNC Grow Up Great Advisory Board.  Grow Up Great is a bilingual, $350 million initiative that began in 2004 to help prepare children five years old and younger for success in the classroom and in life.

PNC has partnered with Sesame Workshop, the Fred Rogers Company and the National Head Start Association in this venture to provide leadership, advocacy, funding, volunteers and educational resources.  Over 1.5 million children have been served through grants and innovative programs emphasizing math, science, the arts and financial education for young children.

The PNC partnership with Sesame Workshop provides great educational kits for both parents and educators.  You can download them by visiting the web page. Recently launched kits are also available by visiting your local PNC branch or by calling 1-877-PNC-GROW (1-877-762-4769).  I also receive weekly emails from Sesame Workshop with great educational tips and updates.  I encourage you to sign up as well.

PNC also offers a Mobile Learning Adventure (MLA), which is a traveling exhibit that provides opportunities for parents and caregivers to learn about the importance of early childhood education while they engage in fun activities with their children.  You will want to check the MLA calendar to see when the tour may be in your area!

Hats off to PNC Financial Services Group for leading the way by demonstrating the importance of early learning, not only for our children’s success but for our society’s future.

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Dream Comes True for Girl with Autism

Photo courtesy of http://newyork.cbslocal.com/.

I wanted to share a “feel good” story about an 8 year-old young lady with autism whose dream came true this summer.  Jadyn Waiser became the first special needs member of the New York Jets Junior Flight Crew Cheerleader Squad.  The cheerleaders believe that everyone has abilities to share with others.  Jadyn performed at halftime in front of 80,000 people at the Giants vs. Jets preseason game.  Her parents always set the bar high for her and let her pursue activities some may consider challenging for children with autism.  Congratulations to Jadyn and her parents!

And an update from our school:

Day four has come and gone, and we still have smiling students and faculty!

Sophia, one of our youngest students, on Day four of school!

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First Day of School at the Elizabeth Lee Black School

Two ELBS students happy to see each other on the first day of school!

Yesterday was the start of the 2012-2013 school year!  I’m not sure who was more excited – the faculty, the children, or me.  So, I thought that today I would provide you with an update on the Elizabeth Lee Black School.  We have 23 classrooms for children ranging in ages from 3 to 21 years.  We serve children with developmental delays, autism, intellectual disabilities, hearing impairment, as well as children with multiple disabilities.   Continue reading

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Keep an Open Line of Communication with your Child

There is an excellent editorial today in the Erie Times, “Teach Kids to Report Wrongdoing.”

Data shows that 25% of all teens are bullied, and too often it goes unreported. This is a special challenge when you consider the number of children with special needs who have significant language delays. In earlier blogs, I discussed how to recognize the signs of bullying, how you can build your child’s self esteem, and what to do if you think your child is a victim of bullying. Continue reading

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Steps to make Back-to-School Stress Free

Ryan’s school photo – Grade 2

As school starts for children in our area next week, I wanted to share with you what I have learned over the past 12 years of “first days of school.”

Plan Ahead

  • If your child is entering a new school, it is helpful to set up times prior to the start of school for your child to walk through the school building and locate his or her classroom. Continue reading
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Co-Pay Coming for Pennsylvania Families

Families already struggling to meet the daily challenges of autism will soon face another hurdle as the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare has announced plans to institute a co-pay for many services. Five services, including prescription drugs, will have a fixed copayment, while others will have a sliding fee copayment based on family income.  Continue reading

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Tips for Back-to-School

ImageAnn Ellison, MA, BCBA, has been serving children with disabilities and their families for more than 25 years as a counselor and Board Certified Behavior Analyst.   She currently serves as the Behavior Services Coordinator at the Elizabeth Lee Black School, Barber National Institute. 

Kids everywhere are enjoying their last weeks of vacation and I know many of them are looking forward to the first day of school.  For some, it is a welcome return to routine.    For others, it brings a series of new challenges as they face a different classroom, teacher or peers.    Continue reading

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Set the Bar High for all Children

Ryan on his first day of kindergarten

I had the privilege of attending PNC Day at Chautauqua this week.  Our two speakers were Roger Goodell, commissioner of the National Football League, and Mike Slive, commissioner of the Southeastern Conference, with Luke Russert, NBC News correspondent as moderator.  There were many good points discussed; however, my takeaway was the importance of setting the bar high and maintaining your focus on exceptional standards.  Continue reading

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Safety Measures for a Wandering Child

Every mother’s greatest fear:  You look up and your child is gone!  Perhaps your child decided to go sit down, or he may be deliberately running off, or he is simply wandering.  In any case, you are in a panic until you find your child.

I have personally experienced all of the above.  A few years ago on a football weekend, Ryan and I were at the Notre Dame bookstore.  When I looked up from browsing, he was gone.  Continue reading

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New App for Kids with Autism

I had an opportunity this winter to attend a presentation by Interbots.  Founded in 2005, Interbots is a spin-off of the Carnegie Mellon University Entertainment Technology Center.  The company specializes in the design and construction of custom interactive characters, both physical and virtual, as well as interactive multimedia content.

What I was specifically interested in was “Popchilla’s World,” an iPad app designed to help children with autism learn skills for daily living.  I spoke with the design team and offered to consult with them as they continued refining the app.  We’ve had numerous conference calls over the winter months and the opportunity to make recommendations as the app was under construction. Continue reading

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