ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Keystone Academy Grand Opening!

We are very excited to have had a very successful first day of school at The Keystone Academy on August 2nd 2010! Check out our school website for the most updated information regarding the school.

The Keystone Academy Open House!

Visit our Keystone Academy Website for more photos of our open house!

Welcome Dr. Jami Hughes!

Dr. Jami Hughes has over 8 years experience treating children with Autism using Applied Verbal Behavior (AVB)/Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). She received her doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Child and Family Psychology in 2005 and her master’s degree in Clinical Psychology in 2001 from the Minnesota School of Professional Psychology. Her Pre-Doctoral Psychology Internship was completed at Girls and Boys Town, a residential treatment facility that employs a behavioral approach to treating typically developing adolescents with a disruptive behavior disorder. Dr. Hughes graduated from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota in 1998 with her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. She relocated from Minnesota in June of 2010 to join KBP. Dr. Hughes has been supervising the AVB treatment programs of children for over five years in center-based and in-home settings and has over four years experience directly providing individual ABA therapy to children with Autism. She has advanced training and experience in the use of ABA that emphasizes B.F. Skinner’s analysis of verbal behavior (VB) with vocal and non-vocal children with Autism. Dr. Hughes has also worked with typically developing children and adolescents with problem behavior in day treatment, residential, and school settings, and adults in an inpatient setting. She has given numerous presentations to individual instructors and parents on various topics. Her clinical interests include: AVB, AVB teaching methods, functional assessment of and treatment of problem behavior, use of sign language with non-vocal children with Autism, functional analysis of verbal behavior, Functional Communication Training, development of vocal behavior in non-vocal children with Autism, program development and organization, quality assurance and staff and parent training.

TIPS FOR BACK TO SCHOOL

Summer is drawing to a close and the start of school is upon us. Here are some tips to help prepare your child for the new school year!

1. Create a social story or picture schedule for school routines. Start reviewing and practicing well in advance to the first day of school!
2. Buy school supplies early so your child can get used to them. If they have some favorite supplies from the previous school year feel free to use those too.
3. If possible, arrange a visit for your child to meet their teacher and give them an opportunity to familiarize themselves with their new classroom.
4. In terms of backpack safety, choose a backpack with wide, padded shoulder straps and a padded back. Also, pack light. Organize the backpack to use all of its compartments. Pack heavier items closest to the center of the back. The backpack should never weigh more than 10 to 20 percent of your child’s body weight.
5. Be sure to review all the material sent by the school, including the school supply list, school calendar dates, and policies and procedures.
6. Re-establish bedtime and mealtime routines early. This will help your child become readjusted to the school schedule and will make the transition into the regular school day easier.

Sources: American Society of Pediatrics, National Association of School Psychologists

KEYSTONE KIDS

This month Lori K. got a glimpse into the life of Pam and her son. Thank you, Pam, for sitting down and sharing your experiences and insight with us!

Lori: How long have you been with Keystone?
Pam: I started working with Dr. Falwell before the opening of the clinic, 3 years ago.

Lori: How has your child changed since coming to Keystone? How has Keystone been able to help you and your family?
Pam: My son has made great gains in conversations skills, as well as academic skills. We worked really hard on the foundation skills necessary for higher learning. We have been able to see him mainstreamed into a grade level classroom for most of his school day. He originally started school being unsuccessful in regular education due to behaviors and now he is flourishing.

Keystone has helped my family by helping us understand how our behavior directly affects his behavior. They have taught us to tell the difference between when to completely ignore him in certain situations and how to ignore!

Lori: What is the one thing you would want others to know about your son?
Pam: My son really wants to be a part of life. He tries very hard but it is difficult to find others who are willing to let go of a label. He has allowed us to look at the world upside down and backwards.

Lori: Where is your favorite place to go with your son?
Pam: I truly enjoy taking my son to the pool. It is joyful for us to see him play and be happy!

Lori: What is your child's favorite food?
Pam: PIZZA!!!!

Lori: What is your biggest challenge?
Pam: My biggest challenge is making him understand society’s rules. For example, when we are in the pool and a storm is coming, he does not understand why we need to get out of the pool for safety or when we go to ride go-carts and the place is closed. He has a difficult time with change of plans.

Lori: Describe your perfect day without children.
Pam: I would probably go and wander the mall alone, schedule a massage and stop at Starbucks on the way home for a grande frappicino.

Lori: What do you know NOW that you wish you would of known earlier?
Pam: I wish earlier I would have just enjoyed the little things. For example, what is fun for me for a certain period of time is not necessarily fun for him in that amount of time. I wished I celebrated the 5 minutes of successful fun time rather than being upset that he didn't enjoy himself for a whole hour.

Lori: Anything else you want the world to know, this is your chance!!!!
Pam: I feel strongly that we have provided him with the most natural of therapies, which is educating your child. We invested in his knowledge and behavioral improvements through Applied Behavior Analysis. I want everyone to know to START EARLY with both parents on board!!!

Sib Shop

Starting Monday, October 4, 2010 we will be offering a sib shop class for siblings who have a brother or sister with any developmental disability. Classes will help children learn about the specific needs of their sibling, how to cope with daily challenges and learn to accept the special needs of their brother or sister. Classes are held the FIRST MONDAY of every month from 5-6 PM.

Social Skills

Social Skills groups will resume the week of September 14, 2010. The group will meet every Monday from 5-6 PM. Coming Soon: A special all-girls social group starting this fall! If you are interested in having your child participate in social skills groups, please contact us at 904-619-6071. Read more information regarding our social skills group and other enhancement groups offered at Keystone Behavioral Pediatrics.

KEYSTONE STAFF