Therapy
and Community
Many children with
disabilities receive therapies ... physical therapy,
occupational therapy, speech therapy, and more. While
therapies can be monumental in helping children develop specific
skills needed for day-to-day living, school success,
independence, and social competence, it is important to also
view therapy as a "bridge" to the overall community.
Too often, the
focus is on the "medical model" of therapy, a model that focuses
on what an individual's deficiencies are and the promotion of
somehow "fixing" these shortcomings. While
therapies are often necessary and can certainly be helpful in
relation to one's disability, the medical model should not carry
over into the holistic view of the person. When
therapies are viewed as a bridge to community -- what skills can
be developed within a therapeutic setting that will be
beneficial for the individual's participation in activities
within the community -- this sets the stage for inclusion and
acceptance.
On May 17, UCP
Kids will present "The Bridge Between Therapy and Community," a
workshop featuring a panel of four therapists discussing the
importance of viewing therapy as a complement to community
activities and vice versa. The workshop's
Community Recreation & Therapy Showcase will feature exhibitors
that offer a unique approach to therapy and/or provide a
specific niche of service, as well as exhibitors highlighting
inclusive recreation programs that can complement therapy and
provide therapeutic benefits to children in a fun setting.
We hope you will
join us for this special event, and read on for more topics
related to bridging therapy and community:
-
Focus on
Friendship -- Mindy Payne discusses the "new" look of speech
therapy.
-
Focus on
Education -- Kelly Conroy looks at different ways to integrate
therapy into the classroom.
-
Focus on
Advocacy -- Mary Ann McGuirk tells how to advocate for the
therapies a child may need.
-
Focus on
Health and Emotional Wellness -- Sarah Hall provides
strategies for helping a child meet therapeutic
goals at home and in the community, without undue stress.
We hope you enjoy
this issue of the UCP Kids eNewsletter and we hope to see you on
May 17 at "The Bridge Between Therapy and Community."
Click
here for more details on the event.
Dori Ortman
UCP Kids
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Focus
on Friendship
Speech
Therapy Gets a Makeover
By
Mindy Payne
Speech and language are a vital part of human interaction. When we
interact with others, we are sharing information about
ourselves and learning about others. These interactions can
then lead to friendships. In this article, we'll explore how
speech therapy and social skills groups can benefit many
aspects of a child's life.
Click
Here to Read Entire Article
Focus on Education
Keep
Them in Class: Integrating Therapy into the Classroom
By Kelly Conroy
When
developing an IEP, we usually focus on how much therapy our
student will receive and what goals we are expecting them to
learn.
While
the emphasis is on meeting or exceeding outcomes, we
sometimes forget to incorporate the learning into real life
classroom experiences.
If
the skill is only attainable in a therapeutic setting and
there is no carry over into other avenues, is that goal
really met?
While
planning your next IEP here are some ideas to keep in mind
regarding therapy, including insight from three parents who
have advocated for therapy to occur in the classroom.
Click
Here to Read Entire Article
Focus on Advocacy
How to Ensure that Children
Receive the Therapeutic Services They Need
By Mary Ann Evans
McGuirk
How
can you advocate for the therapies your child needs and/or
receives?
Click
Here to Read Entire Article
Focus on Health and
Emotional Wellness
Achieving Goals through Therapy
at Home and in the Community
By Sarah Hall
Therapy is often a part of life for many parents and kids. And,
because therapy sessions are sometimes few and far
between, parents may be responsible for assisting their
child in reaching goals outside of therapy sessions.
Daunting as it might seem, there are many ways that
parents can work with their child on their goals, relieve
some of their own stress, and have fun too! Read
on for some ideas to help get you and your child started!
Click
Here to Read Entire Article
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Upcoming
Events
The
Bridge Between Therapy and Community
Workshop
and Tradeshow
May
17, 2010
6:00
- 9:00 p.m.
UCP Community Service Centre
4638 Centre Ave.
Oakland
Put
on Your Walking Shoes
Each
year, UCP/CLASS takes part in Highmark's Walk
for a Healthy Community. This year's walk
will be held at Flagstaff Hill in Schenley
Park on May 22, 2010. Highmark Blue Cross Blue
Shield underwrites 100% of the cost of the
events so 100% of the profits raised by each
organization will go directly to that
organization.
Please register to Walk for UCP/CLASS today! You can now register and
make donations online.
Click
here to register.
UCP
Kids supports Duquesne University/
Best Buddies' "Spread the Word to End the Word" Event!
Click
here to learn more about this event.
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