|
|
From the Executive Director
Dear Friends,
In the wonderful, developmental DIR model used at PCDA, milestone 5 is about Creative Use of Ideas. The goals in this milestone are for a child to engage in pretend play, use language to express wishes and ideas, and expand their imagination and symbolic thinking. As part of April Autism Awareness month, we are asking for your donations to support the PCDA Carolyn Watson Creative Arts Scholarship fund. This fund is used to help children receive music therapy, adapted music lessons, adapted art lessons, and to participate in our Creative Arts Summer Camp. Please help us reach our goal of $25,000 so that many children can participate and expand their creativity!
Sincerely,
Diane Cullinane, M.D.
Executive Director
|
|
|
|
|
In the Spotlight
Zak was diagnosed later than most. Like Dad, he had a speech delay but his pediatrician said it was okay and no cause for concern. As his mother, I knew better. Zak wasn’t socializing with other kids his age, and even though he was bigger than his peers, they were teasing him for being different. We took Zak to the regional center to be evaluated and learned that he has autism. This was difficult for us to hear, but we were proactive and started getting speech therapy and occupational therapy for Zak at a local clinic. The regional center finally referred us to PCDA, and he has now been receiving social skills services for a year and a half. Zak had been growing up alone and having trouble connecting with his peers, but now he is a star on his baseball team and a role model to other kids who are different or who have trouble regulating their emotions.
Zak is now attending La Canada Elementary and doing very well socially- he is graduating 6th grade and on his way to middle school! It’s so much easier now, if something happens unexpectedly, he can handle it. PCDA has played a huge role in helping him learn from models and become less fearful of the unknown. He is sympathetic and likes to help other people. Zak even recently ventured outside of my guidance to exchange phone numbers with a new friend; usually I‘ve had to initiate friendships for him. I was really happy and surprised! He has confidence and has progressed so much in expressing his feelings and connecting with others. We are very grateful. Thank you, PCDA!
|
|
|
Welcome to Chelby Crawford
We're excited to welcome the newest member of our Board of Directors, Chelby Crawford! Chelby is a Senior Estates Director with Dilbeck Real Estate and has specialized in high-end residential properties for the last 19 years. She is passionate about people, architecture, art history and interior design.
|
|
|
New MFT Intern Joins PCDA
PCDA’s Psychology and Counseling Services is pleased to announce that Madeleine Sayegh, M.S., will be joining our team in April as a Marriage and Family Therapy Intern. Madeleine earned her M.S. and B.A. degrees at Cal State Northridge, and she brings with her experience working with children, teens, and parents in both private practice and agency settings. She has used art therapy and pretend play to help children explore and understand their feelings and to help parents and children enhance their communication. We look forward to working with her!
|
|
|
Click here to purchase tickets.
Proceeds will benefit local children and families receiving therapeutic services at Professional Child Development Associates.
|
|
|
Blair High School Career Day
Last month we hosted four students from Blair High School for Career Day! The students, all interested in health careers, got to learn about what we do at PCDA and observe some therapy sessions. |
|
|
Check out our Social Skills Group welcoming springtime with their creative bunny houses!
|
|
|
La Salle Robotics Team Comes to PCDA’s Teen Club
On March 17, 2016, members of La Salle High School’s Robotics Team joined Teen Club and brought two of their most prized robots for demonstration. The teens were incredibly interested the fun facts that the team had to share, including the name of the robots, the length of time each one took to build, programming software used to create these impressive robots, and how they held up in competition. They even had the opportunity to use two “claw-bots”! Thank you Mr. Chung and the Robotics Team for your knowledge and passion! We enjoyed every moment!
|
|
|
PCDA Teens tour the USC/Verdugo Hills Hospital
On March 19, 2016, PCDA Teens took a tour of the USC/Verdugo Hills Hospital. Mrs. Angela Peachy-Larson, Director of Patient Relations & Risk Management and former nurse, lead the teens on a tour to explore the various units within the hospital. Teens were introduced to departments such as radiology, a brief tour of the emergency room, waving at a sweet little newborn in the maternity ward, and their favorite- a view of the helipad! The teens were instructed by Peachy-Larson on health and safety- teaching them that "hand-washing can save lives!" They even had the opportunity to go through the process of 'suiting up' (or putting on surgical scrubs) and trying on a doctor's coat complete with stethoscope. Thank you Mrs. Angela Peachy- Larson and the USC/Verdugo Hills Hospital for allowing the teens to visit your wonderful facility!
|
|
|
PCDA Around the World
PCDA occupational therapist Mariko Yamazaki-Sanchez recently returned from her 8th annual trip to Ghana, West Africa. Her team of occupational therapists, USC OT students, and volunteers was there for 2 weeks, working with Mephibosheth Training Centre (a special needs boarding school) as well as some local clinics and universities. The team performed over 50 assessments, repaired over 20 wheelchairs, gave over 15 guest lectures at local universities, and worked with several clinics, schools, and hospitals. Thank you to everyone who donated medical equipment and supplies!
|
|
|
|
Congratulations DI of the Month
Danielle Gies
|
|
|
Thank you Danielle for all your hard work! |
|
|
Nutrient of the Month:
Vitamin K
|
|
|
Have you ever wondered why you hear about vitamins A, B, C, D, and E, but never hear about vitamins F through J? That’s because they don’t exist! After vitamin E comes vitamin K, which got its name from the German word for blood clotting (Koagulation). When you get a cut, vitamin K is very important for helping your body to stop bleeding and heal.
Dark, leafy greens, such as kale, spinach, chard, collard greens, and parsley, are rich in vitamin K. Visit Today’s Parent at: http://www.todaysparent.com/recipes/family-friendly-kale-recipes-your-kids-will-love/ for some kid friendly recipes that include kale.
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
Congratulations Volunteer
of the Month Jocelin Lopez
|
|
|
Jocelin volunteers on Saturdays to support PCDA's Sibling Saturday program. She also supports the Development Department by helping with tasks to organize fundraising information and databases. Jocelin recently attended the Preschool Fair and helped outreach to local preschools and families by sharing information about PCDA's programs and services. Jocelin has been a dedicated volunteer who is so enthusiastic about gaining experience in different programs. She will soon be working with the Creative Arts Department with Adapted Art Lessons and the Young Athletes Program. We are thankful for Jocelin who takes time every weekend to help support PCDA!
|
|
|
Thank You to Our
March Donors!
Thank you to the generous donations from donors and foundations in the month of March. We truly appreciate your support of PCDA's programs and services!
The Annenberg Foundation
Shana Bayat
Cynthia Cohn
Bill Cullinane
Albert D’Antonio
Levi Gelineau
The Green Foundation
Robert and Ling Goldman
Eric Kaufman
Paul Killian
Rene Martinez
John Plumb
Michael Skinner
Morgan Stanley
Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts
Anita Yagjian
50/50 Campaign Thank You to
Mireya Jones & Jones Coffee
Please click on the butterfly 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
Julia Scheibmeir at (626) 793-7350 ext. 289.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|