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From the Executive Director
Dear Friends,
I am pleased to announce that my book, Behavioral Challenges in Children with Autism and other Special Needs, a developmental approach, is now in print.
We are going to have a “book signing” celebration on August 7th, 2-4 pm, here at PCDA. Books will be available for purchase then or anytime at PCDA. (It can also be ordered here: http://books.wwnorton.com/books/detail.aspx?id=4294990738 ) I invite you to come and join the party! I will be speaking briefly about the book and there will be an opportunity to tour PCDA. The important message is that recognizing and supporting a child’s emotional experience, with patience and compassion, will lead to the greatest gains, not only in behavior but in all areas of development.
And please remember to save the date: September 17th, for our Harvest Moon annual gala!
Sincerely,
Diane Cullinane, M.D.
Executive Director
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In the Spotlight
Bobby is 13 years old and just finished 7th grade. He was born with polycythemia, an overproduction of red-blood cells that led to seizures and slight brain damage. At four, he developed seizures and it became apparent that he also suffered from short-term memory deficits. But his deficits did not define him. Bobby has an inquisitive nature, a playful sense of humor, and a quirky way of approaching situations. He is interested in rocks/geology, playing videogames and board games, and watching schlocky sci-fi movies. He is creative and enjoys making his own books, downloading and reading books on his Read2Go app, and creating his own Lego adventures. Bobby's main challenge was engaging appropriately with others. As early as preschool, Bobby liked to play by himself. As he learned to interact with others, including his three siblings, it was clear that he had trouble regulating his emotions, was easily frustrated when situations didn't go his way, and loudly dominated the conversations. As he grew older, he had angry bouts and was quick to say unkind things.
With the regional center's assistance, Bobby has participated in social skills groups for the past several years. We came to PCDA in September 2015 and Bobby joined the social skills group for pre-teens. Bobby and, at times, his siblings, attend DIRFloortime with Dr. Chamberlain to help gain the skills he needs to eventually join the Teen Group. As parents of a child with short term memory deficits, what Bobby learns doesn't always transfer over to other situations. It is difficult to extrapolate and apply. So it's difficult for him consistently move forward. We've been proud of the fact that Bobby is wanting not only to be more independent but has been successful when doing so. While there are still issues that need to be addressed, he has come a long way from just playing by himself. He enjoys interacting with others including with his peers at school and in social skills group. Back in the day, Bobby was often discouraged about what he described as "his lot in life," making negative comments about himself. We haven't heard those comments in a long while. He looks forward to each day and what it might bring. He is filled with hope.
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THANK YOU to everyone who participated in our 2 nd annual Rose Soiree event! We had so much fun and hope you did too!
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Dr. Diane and Assembly member Chris Holden at the 17th Annual Block Party.
Thank you to our Assembly member for all he does to support children with special needs!
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Now Available!
A book for parents and professionals about how a child’s behavioral challenges can be understood and addressed from a developmental perspective.
Dr. Diane Cullinane, the executive director of PCDA, is a developmental pediatrician, board certified in neurodevelopmental pediatrics, and training leader in DIRFloortime.
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Making the Connection, Watching the Trains
Sometimes, our children’s behaviors can seem so disconnected, so repetitive. He flaps his hands, she spins in circles, and he spaces out and seems to be in his own world. Her favorite thing to do is to go to the car wash. He can spend hours just lying on his side watching the toy trains come toward him on the tracks. As parents we can feel bewildered, lost, confused; at worst we can feel hopeless and defeated. How do we get our children to be part of
our world – the
real world that they need to learn to function in? How do we get them to connect? READ MORE…
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Congratulations Volunteer of the Month Andy Luong
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After school ended this summer, Andy returned to PCDA to volunteer. His goal was to gain as much experience and to help as many programs as possible. We were thrilled with his enthusiasm and have enjoyed his help! It has been so wonderful seeing Andy work with PCDA kiddos in Social Skills, Young Adults, Summer Camp, and Young Athletes! Andy has also been generous with his time helping around the office and supporting our Development team. As an aspiring Speech and Language Pathologist, Andy has expressed being grateful for the opportunity to work directly with our SLPs and helping to support their department needs. Thank you Andy for your dedication...your generous time and commitment are appreciated by everyone here at PCDA! |
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Dancing With Autism FREE Saturday class provided by Lineage Performing Arts Center for kids with special needs. |
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Book of the Month:
The Napping House
by Audrey Wood, Don Wood
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Nutrient of the Month: Iron
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Iron is a metal that is important for brain development and helping take oxygen to our organs and muscles. It is especially important to children’s growing bodies and brains!
Animal products, such as eggs, beef, turkey, and chicken, are great sources of iron. It is also present in plant-based foods sources, like nuts, fortified cereals, seeds, dark-leafy greens, and beans. Try making this healthy iron-rich chili recipe from allrecipes.com: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/80969/simple-turkey-chili/ for the whole family to enjoy!
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Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the charitable organization of your choice. Support your PCDA by starting your shopping at smile.amazon.com. To learn more please click here.
Click here to visit our wish list to
make an in-kind donation.
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Please click on the sun below and make your donation to PCDA today!
PCDA is committed to providing children with developmental challenges and their families with the best possible child development programs. Your donations will help us continue our commitment in leadership in service and professional education. PCDA is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization. Please learn more about the ways that you can support our efforts.
For further information, please contact
Carolena Garnica at (626) 793-7350 ext. 288. |
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Thank You to Our
July Donors!
Thank you to the generous donations from donors and corporations in the month of July. We truly appreciate your support of PCDA's programs and services!
Aimee Kreston
Alan Vlacich
Alexandra Rosenfeld
Amy Deblaise-Kasai
Angela Tsui
Angela Ferris
Annette Drey
Anthony Howard
Anthony Sweeney
Anthony Portantino
Aramburu Raymond
Armen Sarkissian
Arnold Siegel
Barbara Sinclair
Bill Cullinane
Blair Miller
Bradford Rowley
Brian Provost
Capitol Group
Charity Giving Card Fund
Chelby Crawford
Christine Kreger
Colleen Carey
Courtney Hazlitt
Craig and Carolyn Watson
Darren Gilbert
David Chavez
David Patterson
Denise Longo
Edmund Sutro
Edward Watson
Elisabeth Richter
Ellen Knell
Elsa Saldana
Eric Kaufman
Eric Shen
Erika Kaiser
Franci Levine-Grater
Gina Shafer
Harriet Moore
Hazel Perera
Howard Newman
James Anderson
Jeanne Martin
Jeff Burke
Jennifer Wieland
Jennifer Dooley
Jody Donnelly
John Miaata & Lilly Lee
John Plumb
Katharine Thiroux
Kathleen Masenga
Kathleen Masenga
Katie Thiroux
Kendra Miller
Kevin Rafferty
Kyle Galloway
Leslie Donnellan
Louis Friedman
Mary Eichenhofer
Mary Wilson
Matthew McIntyre
Matthew Witek
Moez Shivji
Nancy Beckham
Nancy Harahan
Patricia Brink
Patrick Flanagan
Paul Kilian
Philip Grant
Prudence Levine
Raymond Aramburu
Rebecca Haussling
Richard Garcia
Richard Baum
Richard Norton
Richard Murphy
Richard Whobrey
Ronald Margolis
Roy Chang
Ryan Meinering
Scott Lightfoot
Southwest Airlines
Stella Schimley
Steven Long
Sylvia Fino
Teresa Salerno
Tiger Bela
Truist
Wesley Buhrmester
William Sherman
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PCDA improves the lives of children and young adults who have autism or other developmental challenges, through leadership in family-centered, multidisciplinary services and professional training.
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