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In This Issue:
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Upcoming Events At-a-Glance
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People of PCDA
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Programs & Services
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Professional Education & Development (including job posting!)
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PCDA in the Community
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Resources for Families
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Support PCDA
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Dear Friends,
There are many misunderstandings about DIRFloortime. One of these is that Floortime is ‘just play’. Well, yes, Floortime is play, but it is using play-based interactions to support development. There is an overall framework that begins with shared attention and engagement and goes all the way up to reflective thinking. Within this framework, specific strategies are used to challenge a child toward more complex ways of communicating and thinking. Dr. Greenspan talked about the paradox of both following a child’s lead, and simultaneously challenging a child to higher levels. Floortime begins with a foundation of warmth, trust, and fun together and builds to shared problem solving and creativity. So, yes, children are playing and having fun but they are also forming friendships and advancing thinking and communicating. Play is how children learn!
Please come to one of our parent classes to learn more about DIRFloortime. Childcare is provided!
And I invite you to join us for our other activities this month.
Thank you for your interest and support.
Sincerely,
Dr. Diane
Diane Cullinane, MD
Executive Director |
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Upcoming Events At-a-Glance
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- Orientation to Floortime Class: March 14, 21 & 28
- March 17 - April 21 - Adapted Art Classes (see below)
- March 29 - Autism: Mystery and Hope talk by Dr. Diane (see below)
- April 21 - June 23: Special Olympics Young Athletes Athletics Session (stay tuned for more details!)
- May 5 - Creative Arts Spring Variety Show
- May 19 – PCDA Family Picnic (stay tuned for details!)
- May 22 – Open House at PCDA
- July 23 - Creative Arts Summer Camp Program (see below)
- September 30 – Save the Date: Harvest Moon Gala and Art Auction
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Client Spotlight of the Month: Matthew
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Meet Matthew! Matthew joined Teen Club in May 2016. But his story doesn't start there. He's been coming to PCDA since he was 2 years old!
Mathew is the middle of three boys. But brothers don't always act like friends. So, Matthew wanted to expand his horizons and search for guys like himself. So, back to PCDA.
Through Teen Club, he has been able to share some of his favorite places with his teen group: California Science Center, Eaton Canyon, Huntington Gardens and The Arboretum. He has learned about other places from his new friends - Dave and Busters, laser tag arcades, Panera. He has also been involved in less exciting (to him), but not less important, experiences such as visiting retirement communities, community college tours, and practicing interviewing skills.
Matthew enjoys hiking, exploring, snorkeling and playing video games. His favorites are any Super Mario games, Pokemon and Splatoon. He also makes movies, draws cartoons, and wants to go into video production.
He says that Teen Club is a good opportunity to meet other teens and do different things. Not everything is something you want to do, but it's better doing it with other people. Even his brothers. |
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DI of the Month: Celeste Colerick
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We are pleased to honor Celeste Colerick as our DI of the Month! Celeste began her work with children and families as a substitute teacher for children between the ages of 2-5 years old. This opportunity prepared her for her next role as a lead teacher with Families Forward where she led a classroom of 16 children. Celeste recently graduated with her Masters in Early Childhood Education with a Trauma Specialty from Pacific Oaks College. Through her education grew a passion to work more collaboratively with parents and caregivers in natural settings. As a DI, Celeste is able to continue her journey utilizing a DIR/Floortime approach.
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THREE NEW PROGRAMS!
Young Adults Program
A 6-month program that meets twice weekly for 18-21 year-olds who are ready to advance towards greater independence.
Fun and Friends
A social skills group for 3-4 year-olds and their parents.
Friday mornings 9:00-10:30 am at PCDA
Socials Skills Group for 6-12 years old now in Baldwin Park!
These programs are vendored by the regional center! For more information, please contact Jennifer Avendano at 626-793-7350 x 222.
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Professional Education & Development
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NOW HIRING Child Development Interventionists
A development interventionist supports a child through play-based intervention in our clinic, at home, and in community settings.
For more information, visit:
http://www.pcdateam.org/career-opportunities/
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PCDA's Dr. Diane will be speaking at WeWork Pasadena on March 29th!
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PCDA's Dr. Diane and Julie Miller, Head of Occupational Therapy Department, were invited by the Egyptian Autistic Society in Cairo to present Introduction to Floortime and Research support for the DIRFloortime approach! |
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Gwynne JackIitch, a PCDA Developmental Interventionist, was asked to present about Floortime/DIR as it relates to Autism for Professor Casey MacGrego's Child Development class on Special Needs at California State University, L.A.
Gwynne also talked about what she does in her day to day work and what a DI may do in the course of their work.
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Volunteer with PCDA!
Volunteers are a valuable asset in supporting PCDA’s mission of providing quality programs and specialized services and to children with autism and other developmental challenges. Become a volunteer and explore all PCDA Volunteer Opportunities! Volunteer schedules are very flexible and can be coordinated to meet individual needs. |
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Book of the Month -
The Bear Ate Your Sandwich by Julia Sarcone-Roach |
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This is an adventurous story that follows a bear from the forest to the city and back home again with beautiful illustrations that help children learn how to read between the lines and make inferences. Sometimes, your child may focus on specific details in an illustration or story. This book is a fun way to help a child put those details into a bigger visual and narrative framework.
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National Nutrition Month!
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This article explains the importance of allowing your child to decide how much they will eat at each meal. Check it out!
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A streamlined and sustainable opportunity for community members to support children with disabilities and the good work of PCDA.
Tickets/tables for PCDA fundraising events included in donor benefits!
Please contact Franci Levine-Grater: franci@pcdateam.org (626) 793-7350 x 289
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On Saturday, February 24thth, we held our third annual "Russian Nights: A Black Tie Affair" at the home of Carolyn and Craig Watson in South Pasadena. The Russian-themed evening featured a thrilling chamber music recital, a fabulous Russian-themed dinner by Chef Claud Beltran, and a lively auction to raise funds for the Carolyn Watson Creative Arts Fund.
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View more Russian Nights photos here. |
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Text block at your service. Replace this text with yours. |
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PCDA
is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to providing children with developmental challenges and their families the best possible programs. Your donations directly support children with special needs and their families. Please click here to donate today, or for further information about how you can help, please contact our Development Director, Franci Levine-Grater,
at (626) 793-7350 ext. 289 or franci@pcdateam.org. Thank you for your generous support!
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PCDA benefits children, teens, and young adults with autism
or other developmental challenges through innovative
DIR Floortime-based therapies, services, and professional development.
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