Blog

Today's blog post was written by Kelly Pattison, a summer intern in the Advancement department. Kelly is assisting with outreach for the Make the First Five Count campaign. Here she tells us why she's an advocate for people with disabilities and why the Ages and Stages Questionnaire is so important.

My older sister has autism, and according to the UC Davis MIND Institute, that means I was 19 times more likely than the average baby to develop autism or a similar condition. When my sister was diagnosed in 1993 my parents didn’t know much about autism. It wasn’t talked about like it is now. Looking back, my mother says she should have known that Sam wasn’t developing as fast as other kids her age. But as a first time mom I think she did all she could. My parents took Sam to Easter Seals Crossroads where she was diagnosed at age 3. Meanwhile, my mom was pregnant with me.

Since then, Easter Seals began the Make the First Five Count initiative, encouraging parents to test their children for developmental delays. The free Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) is available to parents with children up to five years old. Not only does the ASQ point toward problem areas in a child’s development, it serves as a measurement for typically developing children to aim for.

It is undoubtedly in a child’s best interest to identify any developmental delays sooner rather than later. Children can be diagnosed with autism as early as age two. Unfortunately, one million kids enter school annually with an undiagnosed disability, hindering progress in school and causing frustration for the student and their family. I know from experience that the waiting list for disability services can be long, but it’s better to be on the list than miss out on opportunities for your loved one.

There are many amazing fathers and grandfathers who bring their children and families to Easter Seals Crossroads for therapy appointments, summer camps, Parents' Night Out and other services we offer. In honor of Father's Day, we approached a few dads to share some of their reasons for being so hands-on in their child's life.

8 year-old Spencer comes to Easter Seals Crossroads for physical therapy with Michelle Sutton. For the past year, Spencer's dad, Spencer, has brought him to his therapy appointments.

"Spencer wouldn't be doing all he is doing without his dad's help," said Michelle. "He gets Spencer to do things in therapy appointments that I cannot get him to do!"

Spencer's dad says "I am never tired of working with Spencer on therapy, so he is never tired of working - we treat therapy as if it's a job. We can do it - we are going to get it done! Spencer works hard and once he gets it, he gets it. First few steps at therapy are always the hardest and then we just get going."

Josh brings 7-year-old Emmit to Easter Seals Crossroads for occupational therapy with Claire Werner. "We started with the First Steps program and we were lucky to carry over many of those therapists with Emmit as he got older. Mom, dad, the school and the therapists are all on the same team together, working for Emmit," Josh said. "We've been very happy with his progress at Easter Seals Crossroads."

While we took photos of Emmit and his dad during the therapy appointment, we asked him to look at the camera and smile. Josh was the only one able to get Emmit to say cheese and smile!

Liam was four months old when his parents noticed gross motor delays, head tilting and a flat spot on his head and recommended that his parents, Brandon and Lesley, contact First Steps. Easter Seals Crossroads physical therapist Holly Andria began working with Liam on neck stretches and later moved to exercises designed to improve core strength and balance. 

Liam was recognized for his progress and received the Ability Award at our Business Lunch this year. Watch his story and hear Brandon and Lesley discuss why they prefer services at Easter Seals Crossroads:

Joey and his family have been huge supporters of Easter Seals Crossroads by attending events and becomming spokespeople on behalf of our agency. Here's a photo of Joey smiling with his dad, Tom.

We know there are many other fathers and grandfathers out there who are doing wonderful things for their families. If you have a story you'd like to share with us, please leave a comment on this blog post!

Assistive technology allows people to live independent lives, whether it's a small adaptation for enlarging the font on your computer screen to finding an augmentative and alternative communication device. While some adaptations and equipment are relatively inexpensive, items like hearing aids, Braille displays and environmental control units can be costly.

How can I get funding assistance for assistive technology?

The INDATA Project at Easter Seals Crossroads has an Alternative Financing Program that provides low-interest extended rate financial loans to qualified individuals who need to purchase approved assistive technology equipment. The program is available due to a partnership with STAR Financial.

Who qualifies?

Indiana residents who have a documented disability and need assistive technology can apply. A legal guardian may complete the application for persons under the age of 18.

How can I apply?

Alternative Financing Program applications may be obtained from the INDATA Project by calling 888-466-1314. Individuals must provide disability documentation and understand that this process is for a potential loan – not a grant or other type of financial assistance. Once an AFP loan application is approved, the individual will complete a loan agreement with STAR Finanical and arrange for monthly installments to be paid directly to STAR Financial.

For more information and to see how the Alternative Financing Program has helped others, watch this video produced by the INDATA Project.  

Tap N Run made its second appearance in Indianapolis last Saturday and as this year’s charity partner, Easter Seals Crossroads was there to witness it all. Costumed runners, walkers, crawlers, and people being pushed in carts ran, jogged or walked the 4K race course, stopping at each chug station until they arrived at the finish line where they were handed their Finisher’s medal (which doubles as a bottle opener) and a full pint of Goose Island 312 Urban Wheat Ale. Awards were given out later in the evening for Best ‘Stache (real and fake), Most Unique Team Concept, We Wear Short Shorts, Most Original Team Name, Best Belcher, and Hot Mess.

Over 30 volunteers from Easter Seals Crossroads contributed in a variety of ways to the hugely successful event. They assisted with race participant packet pick-up on Friday and Saturday, race course set-up, poured over 2,000 cups at each chug station, passed out the Finisher’s medals, and tore down after the event was over. But most of all, they had fun.

If you’re interested in volunteering with Easter Seals Crossroads, please contact Tessa Barnard, Volunteer Coordinator, at tbarnard@eastersealscrossroads.org. Follow us on Twitter at @VolunteerAtESC to keep up-to-date on all of our volunteer opportunities.

At the grocery store, you see someone on crutches reaching for something on a shelf that seems to be just out of their reach. What would you do, grab it for them or ask if they need help?

The answer is to ask for permission to help someone rather than insist that they need your help. This is one of the 5 questions that Easter Seals challenges you to answer in their Disability Etiquette Questionnaire so that you can compare your answer with that of their disability etiquette experts. 

What is disability etiquette? It's how we interact and approaches individuals with disabilities. The concept grew out of the Disability Rights Movement in the late 1970s as a way to enforce equal opportunities and equal rights for people with disabilities.

You may not realize times in which you've had to exemplify your disability etiquette towards others, such as when you hold open a door for an older women with a walker so that she can safely enter a building, or when you've answered a question about finding the restrooms from someone who may have a visual impairments. 

Easter Seals asked their disability etiquette experts what they'd do in 5 everyday challenges. In the quiz, each question has a red button that you can click to read what the expert would do in the same situation. Bridget responds to the question that asks what you do when a person is reaching for something that seems out of their reach by saying "it might take longer for someone with a disability to reach a high shelf, but that doesn't mean they can't do it. It's best not to assume someone needs assistance."

The questionnaire also gives you great insight on how an individual with a disability expects to be treated. For example, one of the questions asks "While at the shopping center with your child, a person using a wheelchair enters at the same time. your child runs over and asks the person why they are using the chair. What should you do?" Ben is in a wheelchair, and he states "Are you kidding? I love kids' curiosity! When children are interested in the reason that I am in a wheelchair, it's much better than having a child just walk by with a blank stare." 

The Disability Etiquette Questionnaire is a great resource no matter what age you are. This tool can be used in the classroom to teach children who are learning about differences, or just for your own personal reference. Our People First Language blog is also a great reference for knowing whether to say "autistic child" or "child with autism," for example. Take the Disability Etiquette Questionnaire here, then return to our blog and leave a comment telling us how you did!

Do you ever wonder how to turn an educational or therapy activity into something fun? Visit My Toy Garden in Carmel, Indiana to see first hand how it can be possible.

(as seen above the exit to My Toy Garden)

Janet Pillsbury was an educator for 17 years, teaching everything from preschool to 8th grade, and has experience working with children with special needs. She started selling Discovery Toys out of her home as a way to find products for her classroom. Janet was named Woman of the Year in 2010 for having the highest team sales in the United States, which led her to become "the secret toy store of Carmel."

Janet opened My Toy Garden in September 2011 with a goal to give all families a place to come, enjoy, connect, learn and be inspired. There are 7 Pathways of Wonder that you'll notice when you walk through the store. Each pathway highlights a specific area of learning and experience: literacy, puzzles and patterns, construction, games, creative expression, sensory exploration and active play toys. 

It may take you a minute to notice that there are very few toys at My Toy Garden that require batteries. "If it has a battery, it has to have a purpose," says Janet, meaning that the toy must offer something other than a cause and effect response. When it seems like an iPad is the go-to for many parents who want to provide their children with something to do, electronics can often promote sedentary activity. 

Janet carries the NogginStik, a toy produced by an early intervention therapist in Indiana. It came out in the fall of 2012 and is one of the best-selling items at My Toy Garden. The NogginStik changes colors when you tap it, and it has a mirror at the bottom and even makes a rattling noise when you shake it. What's really unique is that this developmental rattle comes with a parent guide that explains developmental milestones and helps parents begin their baby's learning journey.

In a recent blog post we discussed 5 ways in which parents can provide therapy activities with their children in normal routine. One of our therapists mentioned using tweezers instead of silverware by pretending they are chopsticks at dinner for hand strengthening. My Toy Garden sells chopsticks with cute animals at the top. They are approved for use with food and would be great for larger items that tweezers cannot pick up.

My Toy Garden isn't just full of the latest toys. Do you remember these from childhood? They're still popular!

Cooperative play games are when people play WITH instead of against each other, which allows kids to practice collaborative skills such as listening, sharing and negotiating. My Toy Garden offers several cooperative play board games that are fun for the whole family.

And, for the adults, My Toy Garden offers plenty of games and puzzles that are geared toward an older crowd. Whether you just want to check out a new card game to play with friends on a Friday night, or if you are a therapist who works with seniors, there are plenty of options at My Toy Garden that were created with adults in mind. 

Visit My Toy Garden and take a stroll through the 7 Pathways of Wonder. Therapists, educators and parents should all visit this great store to see how fun can be educational and beneficial for all. Attend one of the Special Needs Family Socials on Thursdays from 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm and get to know other families who enjoy My Toy Garden!

Since October 2012, I’ve been working with Ball State’s Interior Design program to enhance Easter Seals Crossroads’ 1st and 2nd floor lobbies and restrooms. Ball State Interior Design students assist partners statewide including retailers, hotels, offices, and nonprofits in need of design concepts for their spaces. Working in team, the students consult with clients and provide graphic solutions-everything from the layout of floor plans and ideas for lighting to suggestion for fixtures and furnishing that can then be executed by professional designers.

One of my assignments during my apprenticeship was the task to provide diverse methods that Easter Seals Crossroads can use to enhance their facility. With research I found various facets that Ball State’s Interior Design course can provide. I reached out to the course instructor Reza Ahmadi, who was more than delighted to help with project and cultivated a new partnership. The project started the next semester in 2013 with over 20 students traveling from Ball State to Easter Seals Crossroads to tour the facility, and receive blueprints of the building layout to help with their projects. After the students had the chance to create different layouts for Easter Seals Crossroads, Director of Advancement Barb Richardson and I visited the Ball State campus to provide input on the designs presented by the students. 

Now that the projects are finished, Easter Seals Crossroads has 11 different interior designs to choose layouts from. They can pick and choose from these different designs and now have a clear understanding where they would like to go from here. If you would like to learn more about Ball State’s interior design course please visit http://cms.bsu.edu/news/articles/2013/5/new-center-partners-interior-design-students-with-professionals. 

Today's blog was written by Marketing Ally Chris Elkins

Are you aware that there are more than 5 different types of service dogs?

A service dog is a type of assistance dog specifically trained to help people who have disabilities, such as a visual impairment, hearing impairment, mental illness, seizures, diabetes, autism, and more. Most people are aware of Guide Dogs, the most common service dogs, that assist the visually impaired, but what else can these highly trained animals assist with?

Hearing or Signal Service Dogs serve as the ears of a person who is Deaf or hearing impaired. They alert their partners to sounds such as their name, the microwave or oven timer, smoke alarms, the telephone, the doorbell, and many other everyday sounds that play important parts in our lives.

Mobility Assistant Service Dogs help people with physical disabilities. They may pull their partner’s wheelchair, walk in a harness and function as a mobile cane for balance assistance, or perform any number of other tasks the partner has difficulty doing.

Psychiatric Service Dogs are trained to help people with psychiatric disabilities such as anxiety/panic disorders, depression, agoraphobia, post traumatic stress disorder, and many others. These service dogs can bring their partner’s medication or a telephone to them in a crisis, provide a grounding effect by sitting with their partners, can break dissociation spells by nuzzling or touching the partner repeatedly, and calm hyper vigilance by providing a “reality check." 

Although the government doesn’t recognize animals other than dogs as service animals, people use various animals to help with their illness or disability. Some of those animals include monkeys, miniature horses, birds, snakes, and more.

What are some service animals you’ve seen being use? Leave a comment on our blog post and let us know!
 

Today's blog post was written by Marketing Ally Chris Elkins.

1. Decrease in confidence while driving

2. Difficulty turning to see when backing up 

3. Riding the brake

4. Easily distracted while driving

5. Other drivers often honk horns

6. Incorrect signaling

7. Difficulty parking within a defined space

8. Hitting curbs

9. Scrapes or dents on the car, mailbox or garage

10. Failure to notice traffic signs

Easter Seals Crossroads understands how driving affects a person's independence. We have both a clinical and behind-the-wheel assessment of a client’s potential to drive a motor vehicle independently. Our driving specialists are occupational therapy practitioners that have the knowledge base to understand progressive age-related conditions and life changes that can affect driving. Read more about our Driver Evaluation and Training Program or contact us today to find out if an evaluation is right for you or a loved one. 

It’s always nice to have some helping hands! Recently, a group of students from St. Monica School came to Easter Seals Crossroads as a part of a Service Day on behalf of the Joseph Maley Foundation. Ten seventh and eighth grade students spent almost three hours pulling weeds and raking out twelve yards of play soft mulch around our playground. We will be using the playground soon during Parents’ Night Out, our Friday night respite program, and CampAbility, our summer day-camp for children with disabilities ages 4 to 11.

Does your group want to volunteer at Easter Seals Crossroads? Contact Tessa Barnard, Volunteer Coordinator, at tbarnard@eastersealscrossroads.org.