Stay Well!

Coughs and sniffles and doctor visits, OH MY!

I just wanted to stop in brielfly to say 'hi', and to apologize for my blogging absense the last couple of days. My son has the flu. Just a little advise to you all ... just because it doesn't look like the flu doesn't mean it isn't. The doctor said he didn't think it was the flu because my son didn't have the typical symptoms, however, it is rather standard right now to test to be safe. Anyhow, it turns out that although my son's symptoms are atypical, he does have the flu. UGG.

Just a little head's up!

Stay well,
Jessica

Feeling Music

Beautiful. The majority of these kids look like they are sincerely feeling the emotion of the song. Kudos to their teacher for not only teaching them to sing well, but more importantly, how to feel what you are singing. Would it have been as beautiful if they didn't?



Jessica

Dollar Movies!

The new Citadel Mall Movie Theatre is opening, and they are only charging $1.00 a ticket and all concessions at $1.00, too. Click on the link below for more information.

All of the dollars will be donated to the March of Dimes. The dates of this are October 2-October 6.

Jessica

Citadel Mall IMAX Stadium 16 dollar week

Fun with Comics

Here are a few ideas for you on working on social communication/peer awareness and/or social anxiety (decreasing). I implement these types of things within my sessions when applicable. This is always a big hit with my clients!

Create Your Own Comic Strip

Here is a template that you can either use or replicate.

1) First develop a theme, characters, and idea for story/story segment. If you are working toward peer awareness, social communication, and/or decreasing social anxiety, be sure that the subject matter reflects this (i.e. develop a story line which involves some sort of peer social interaction).

2) Apply the story line to a comic strip such as this one. This is a fun (and non intimidating) way to facilitate peer awareness and/or teach or reinforce social communication skill. Also, for those who have high social anxiety, it is much easier to initially 'get your toes wet' with this type of activity. I have found that many of my clients who have social anxiety are much more willing to start out with an activity such as this where they feel they can view things from afar. Also, providing work in an area of need within the context of a fun and/or non intimidating activity is invaluable. This provides a starting point where the person is willing. When this context is mastered, I will then apply the same thing within another context.

Fun with Speech Bubbles

Another fun method I implement when working on increasing peer awareness/social communication/social skill and decreasing social anxiety in children is the use of speech bubbles. Often times I find that my clients are much more willing and interested in animals than they are in people. So, I start with animals.

1) Take photos or gather photos of animals, being sure to get at least two animals in a photo since social skill is our focus here.

2) Either cut out speech bubbles OR use speech bubble stickers made for use on photos.

3) Take a little bit of time to just look at the photo and imagine what is going on in the photo.

4) Discuss possible things the animals may want to say to each other, and write this in the speech bubbles.

5) Optional (depending on child's level of skill and/or anxiety): Role play - assign an animal to you and an animal to the child, and act out what you see in the picture (as well as what you've written in the speech bubbles). Puppets may be fun here.

After I've introduced this concept with animals (and gotten the attention and interest of my client with this sort of activity), we will then implement the activity except this time we use pictures of people. I would suggest doing the animal activity a couple times (separate times) before moving on to people pictures.

I obviously love doing this activity within a musical environment as the music (when used correctly) goes a long way in decreasing the anxiety, building excitement, reinforcing call and response, and providing parameters for the activity.

Also, the beauty of this is that you are also touching on related goals such as increasing cognitive skill (building story line/sequence events), fine motor skill (drawing pictures, writing words), and attention to task.

Have fun!

Jessica

Friends and Autism

I have mentioned before a resource that I consider a valuable one. http://faqautism.com/ is a website developed and managed by Music Therapist, Cathy Knoll, and her son, Dwight Knoll. Cathy has done much toward the advancement of Music Therapy, and has 35 years experience in the field. She offers daily podcasts which allow related professionals/colleagues and parents/families of persons with autism the opportunity to draw from her knowledge and experience with autism/ASD spectrum.

No School Friends

In a recent podcast, Cathy touches on the dilemma of the friends vs. no friends issue that persons with autism sometimes face. She refers to a few of her articulate teen clients with autism and their feedback on the subject of friends. We, as supporters of our friends/family members/clients with autism, want to see them have meaningful close friendships and peer acceptance. Cathy speaks in this particular podcast of how some of her friends with autism have expressed that it doesn't really bother them to (and often times they don't notice until a parent/other brings it to their attention) not have those same peer relationships as other typically developing peers. I encourage you to click on the link below to hear the entire podcast. In this podcast, Cathy offers this tip:

"TIP FOR THE DAY: Although we might personally prefer having one or two “best friends,” not everyone has that same preference. The best strategies are to give our kids lots of opportunities to interact with other students, to teach them how to be friendly to others, and to closely monitor their attitude about friends and lack of friends. Then we can just relax and quit worrying about things we cannot change."

To read more on this topic, visit the FAQautism.com podcast entitled "No School Friends".

Girl Talk

Now, for those persons with autism who have noticed and are bothered by not having some of those close peer relationships, here is a related podcast from FAQautism.com. This podcast

"A pre-teen diagnosed with autism was having some trouble making friends at school because she talked rather obsessively about the same topic. “I try to be her friend,” commented one of her classmates confidentially, “But it is really irritating to hear the same story over and over.” Sometimes our friends with autism need to be [...]"

"Sometimes our friends with autism need to be purposefully taught the fine art of girl talk.

Two different strategies were introduced to help this pre-teen develop more appropriate conversation skills. The first strategy focused on teaching her to “talk on topic.” The second strategy was designed to expand her repertoire of stories."

To read more on this topic, visit the FAQautism.com podcast entitled "Girl Talk" .

Thank you, Cathy!

Jessica

Disability Etiquette

I attended a disability conference last weekend, and included in the packet of papers we all received was a Disability Etiquette form. It listed many great tips and points that I wanted to share.First and foremost ... "People with disabilities are not disabled people or handicapped people ... they are people who just happen to have a disability". They are people first. Do not identify them by their disability.

General Information

• Share a smile with the person, looking into their eyes. Don't get distracted by their wheelchair, crutches or disability.
• Always speak directly to the person who has a disability. Do not consider a companion or attendant to be a conversational go-between.
• Stand in front of the person who is disabled and try to be on their eye level. You may choose to kneel, especially if they are in a wheelchair, so they don't have to strain their neck.
• Don't hesitate to ask the person who has a disability if you can help him or her in any way. We all like to be offered help, but be OK if they decline your offer.
• Whenever possible, seat disabled persons with their families or friends.
• Don't ignore disabled people. Acknowledge their presence normally as you would anyone else, and attempt to include them in whatever activity you are doing. A warm smile and friendly conversation is very welcoming.
• Don't hesitate to use words like "see", "walk", "listen", etc., with disabled people.
• Touch is often a very effective communicator of love, concern and understanding.
• Use positive "people first" language when referring to disabilities, i.e. a person with a brain injury, a child with Down Syndrome, a person who uses a wheelchair, rather than using negative terms such as "crippled", "stricken", "afflicted", or "victims".

Visual Impairments

• When greeting person who has a visual impairment, be sure to identify yourself.
• Explain to a person who has a visual problem where things are located.
• If the person who is blind has a guide dog, ask how much room is needed. DO NOT PET SERVICE DOGS. THEY ARE ON DUTY!
• Offer a program to a person with a visual impairment (whether you think they can read it or not).
• Offer a braille or large-print document when available.
• Direct a person who is blind to his or her seat. Extend your elbow to guide; never grab or push. Give simple instructions, i.e. "go straight and then we will be turning right into your seat."
• Explain the program, if needed.

Hearing Impairments

• Speak clearly and slowly, but don't exaggerate or shout. (Sometimes it may be necessary to communicate in writing).
• Try to stand in front of the light source in order to provide a clear view of you face.
• Seat a hearing impaired person in an appropriate position in front of the sign language interpreter.
• Look directly at the person and speak expressively; remember your facial expressions, gestures, and body movements help in understanding. Just remember you don't need to be an expert in sign language to do this.

Mobility Impairments

• Wheelchair use provides freedom. Don't assume that using a wheelchair is in itself a tragedy. It is a means of freedom which allows the user to move about independently.
• A person who uses a wheelchair may be able to walk, but that person still needs the wheelchair. Try not to move the wheelchair or crutches out of reach of the person who uses them.
• Be respectful. A person's wheelchair is a part of his or her body space and should be treated with respect. Don't hold onto or lean on it unless you have the person's permission.
• Always ask the wheelchair user if he or she would like assistance before you help. It may be necessary for the person to give you some instructions. An unexpected push could throw the wheelchair user out of balance.
• If lifting a wheelchair, be sure to follow the person's instructions implicitly. They have been up and down the steps before. If there are any questions of your ability, look for stronger helpers.
• If you have a "wheelchair section", do not discourage the people from going on to the front or other stations with everyone else.

Developmental Disabilities

• If a mentally disabled person has behaviors which seem to be making people uncomfortable, have in mind some capable people who would be willing to share and "buddy" with them.
• Offer a program to a person you know is developmentally disabled, whether you think they can read it or not.

Hidden Disabilities

• Try to be aware of hidden disabilities or newly diagnosed or acquired illnesses such as multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, stroke, Parkinson's disease, environmental illness and emotional disabilities which may require assistance or attention.

There are many other resources that list other valuable tips on disability etiquette. Print and post such things in places which you see a need (offices, break rooms, rest rooms, your child's school halls/cafeteria, etc.)

Jessica

Uh oh

Oh my :0 ! Although I have thoroughly enjoyed my "funny animal pictures" gadget that I had on my blog, I had to remove it today. There was one that I saw that was not kid friendly. Animal Kingdom, perhaps, but not on my blog. Hmmmm ...

To those blogspot persons/hosts who list these gadgets, you should probably consider the majority of persons who would post a given gadget.

I do still have the "daily puppy" gadget on the here, though :)

Jessica

Music and Attention

I wanted to dedicate today's blog to a recent journal article that I read in the Journal of Music Therapy (spring 2009 edition, Vol. XLVI No.1). This article is entitled The Use of Music with Young Children to Improve Sustained Attention during a Vigilance Task in the Presence of Auditory Distractions. It is co-written by Laura K. Noguchi, MA, MT-BC and David E. Wolfe, PhD.

The irony is that as I am writing this blog, I have been sitting in a coffee shop getting some work done on my laptop. I am a bit under the weather today which has caused me to feel very fatigued and somewhat easily distracted with trouble concentrating on the tasks before me. All the extraneous noises you would find in a coffee shop (blenders, microwaves, talking, music) are especially distracting to me today. It is these moments when I pull out my headphones, and allow my music to drown out the noises. I am then able to concentrate more on what I am doing. Also, I have found that there are certain types of music that are distracting to me. I have created a play list entitled "laptop work" which contains songs that are conducive to my own concentration. I find that songs that have a certain deep and personal meaning to me can be distracting. I also find that songs with lots of changes (chord changes, tempo changes, etc) can be distracting to me as well.

So, my own coffee shop experience at this moment serves as an example to me of what this article is trying to relay.

I intend to cover this article in greater detail in the upcoming October 2009 MT Newsletter, but for now I just want to touch on some points.

What is attention?

"Attention, by definition, is a cognitive process that relates to immediate, at the moment, experience of an individual; a state of current and selective awareness. It is an act of directing the mind to objects or events that necessitate careful observing or listening." (Pashler, 1997)

This article mentions that since music is "an auditory medium consisting of an organized sequence of continuous, on-going sounds (and silence), most reference to the term attention/attentiveness will require listening, i.e., attending, to sounds across time".

In reference to a series of studies by Madsen and his colleagues, Madsen & Geringer (2000-2001) state that "many people enjoy listening to music, but their attention to music wanes appreciably after the initial stimulus ...". Actual concentration on music begins to decrease, and the music takes on the role of " 'background' in their cortical attentiveness" (pp..104-105), and "in order to increase vigilance, the listener needs to be directed to attend to specific events within the music and to actively respond to those events." (Wolfe and Noguchi, 2009).

In this article, Wolfe and Noguchi conduct a study consisting of kindergarten students ( N=76, more details in upcoming mention in Oct 09 MT Newsletter). These students were randomly assigned to one of four groups/conditions:

1) spoken story with no distraction (SND; n =21)

2) spoken story with distraction (SD; n =18)

3) musical story with no distraction (MND; n = 17)

4) musical story with distraction (MD; n = 20)

Significant results were found. What are your assumptions (or hypothesis, if you will)? What do you think results indicated, and more importantly, why?

As mentioned, I will follow up with more details as well as findings in the upcoming October 2009 MT Newsletter.

Oh how thankful I am for my "laptop play list"! What a tool music can be when utilized and implemented effectively ... even when it is something as simple as "background music".

Jessica

Madsen, C.K., & Geringer, J.M. (2000-2001). Meaningful listening and focus of attention. A model. Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education, 147, 103-108.

Pashler, J.E. (1997). The psychology of attention. Cambridege, MAS: MIT Press.

Wolfe, D.E., & Noguchi, L.K. (2009). The Use of Music with Young Children to Improve Sustained Attention during a Vigilance Task in the Presence of Auditory Distractions. Journal of Music Therapy, XLVI (1), 2009, 2-14.

Music Therapy and Special Education

MUSIC THERAPY AND SPECIAL EDUCATION

* Music Therapy is considered a related service under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
* When music therapy is deemed necessary to assist a child benefit from his/her special education, goals are documented on the Individualized Education Program (IEP) as a related service intervention.
* Music therapy can be an integral component in helping the child with special needs attain educational goals identified by his/her IEP team.
* Music therapy interventions can address development in cognitive, behavioral, physical, emotional, and social skills. Music therapy can also facilitate development in communication and sensorimotor skills.
* Music therapy can offer direct or consultant services as determined by the individual needs of the child.
* Music therapists can support special education classroom teachers by providing effective ways to incorporate music into their academic curriculum.
* Music therapy involvement can stimulate attention and increase motivation to participate more fully in other aspects of the educational setting.
* Music therapy interventions apply the inherent order of music to set behavioral expectations, provide reassurance, and maintain structure for children with special needs.
* Music therapy can adapt strategies to encourage a child’s participation in the least restrictive environment.

-American Music Therapy Association, Inc.

Recording Thoughts

When I was a little girl, the only thing appealing to me about writing in a diary was the lock and key on the diary. It seemed more of a chore to me, really. However, by the time I was in high school I adored writing in/on my journals, hands, and/or scrap pieces of paper. This has followed me on into adulthood. Well, except the only times that I ever write on my hands anymore is to occasionally draw on a tattoo (always the same thing ... " steadfast <3 "). Something I've been 'warming up to' since ... well ... forever ;)

Anyhow, the art of writing is an amazing thing. It allows us to record our thoughts, emotions, opinions, life lessons, amusements, dreams, and questions. I, personally, have many journals dedicated to various things (one that I use to record memories/special moments with my son, one for jotting down lyrics/songs I've written, one to write down quotes/bible verses/poems, and so on). As with music, writing can often times allow us to express things we typically aren't able to with the spoken word. I often find that I can write my feelings, thoughts, etc. much better than I am able to verbalize them. Sometimes there are things we would like to express, things we need to say to someone, but (for whatever reason) can't. Writing these things down often offers some relief to the situation.

Yesterday I started a page in one of my journals entitled, "These things and what I have learned from them". So often I've been taught something through things (often things in nature), and the result is a deeper understanding and wisdom of life itself. Often times these can be a metaphor or provide a parallel to other things in life. Yesterday, as I was walking to my front door I passed my tea olive tree in bloom. It always strikes me how few flowers this tree has (and how tiny the flowers), and how much fragrance that tree releases. I just love it!

This was my journal entry on the lesson a tree taught me (a tree!?!):

tea olive tree - with it's tiny flowers that are so surprisingly fragrant ... sometimes we overlook the potency of the little things.


So today my hope for you is that you not overlook what the little things have to offer.

Also, I am thankful for writing. I'm thankful for the opportunity to record life lessons that I so often need to learn (or at least be reminded of) more than once in a lifetime.

Jessica

Disability Conference

Happy Tuesday.

I just wanted to pass on the word about an upcoming Disability Conference being held at Seacoast Church (Mt. Pleasant) this Saturday, Sept 12, 9-12am (continental breakfast provided). See below for more information.

"In partnership with Joni and Friends International, Seacoast Church is hosting the area's first Disability Awareness Conference. The conference is open to the public and will benefit anyone wanting to learn more about special needs ministry. The target audiences include families with a special needs child or adult, individuals interested in volunteering with a special needs ministry, as well as local church leaders concerned with meeting the needs of these special families within their own congregations."

On a personal note, I have always been so happy to see the emphasis that my own family church has always placed on children. Within the last few years, we extended this to be sure to meet the needs of EVERY child by starting a special needs ministry. I have enjoyed working with this ministry since it's birth, leading at one of the weekend services. It's because of other area churches (and non area churches as well) that we have been able to bring such a ministry. I am thankful to those churches and persons who were already familiar with this type of ministry for helping and guiding us along the way. Now, we are partnering with Joni and Friends International for more growth and development, and I am so excited about where we are headed. It makes my heart deeply glad to see these sweet children being top priority. It's what they deserve.

Please visit my website (http://jgmusictherapy.com.p11.hostingprod.com/mt_newsletter) to view the copy of the press release for this conference (to get an idea of it's relevancy as it may pertain to you).

Jessica

Happy Labor Day!

Happy Labor Day!

I'm hoping you and your family are able to enjoy some labor day fun activities that involve sunshine and outdoor fun today! Here is a nice resource for some of your indoor downtime today.

Here is a website I found that has information on Labor Day as well as interactive coloring pages (related to Labor Day). From this link http://www.apples4theteacher.com/coloring-pages/labor-day/ you will find black and white coloring pages to choose from. Once you choose a page, click on it, and you will then be able to 'color' the page online. You are also able to print your page after you've colored it!

You will also find other fun Labor Day activities there. Here is a little info on Labor Day (taken from this website):

About Labor Day
Labor Day is celebrated on the first Monday in September. It's a day dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. The holiday tributes the working class contributions to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.
Labor Day became an official national holiday in 1894. In an ideal society - everyone plays a role, or works a job that supports the community.

Activity ideas given to use with these interactive color pages:

#1 Beginning reading:
Have your child practice reading the sentence on line as they color their picture.
Print out the picture and post your child's coloring on the refrigerator.
Have your child point to each word in the sentence and read the words to you.

#2 Sentence matching:
Print several completed coloring pages.
Cut off the sentence from each picture.
Have your child match the sentence with each picture.
Have your child read each sentence and explain why that sentence goes with the picture.

#3 Following directions:
Some of the coloring pages use sentences that specifically describe the picture (ie mentions colors or numbers).
Have your child complete the picture as described in the sentence.

#4 Literacy with math:
Find all coloring pages that use number words in the sentence.
Show how the number is represented in the coloring page.

#5 Letter recognition or beginning word sounds:
Print out the interactive alphabet coloring pages and use for an alphabet book. Room has been left on each page to glue pictures of words that start with that letter. Old magazines work well with this idea.

For my clients, I have to mention something that I that I know the kids will find amusing. The whole time that I've been trying to post this blog, little Cooper kitty has been swooshing his tail in my face, trying to walk across my laptop, meowing, and trying to get his head under my hands for me to pet him. Oh! And he just put his paw on top of my hand as I was typing ... so funny! Many of the kids just loooove Cooper!

Have a great day,

Jessica

Realizing Potential

Look at this picture. Does this look easy? No, it isn't. That's why the final result of all that hard work and determination is called ACHIEVEMENT.

I have heard in the past of various 'famous people' who have/had and/or exhibited ADD/ADHD symptoms, and I adore this because it once again proves the whole book and cover scenario. Before dismissing a child with ADD/ADHD (and/or his/her potential), remember that that child could very well be the one child in your classroom, therapy session, family, etc that could make history. What is holding them back is not what you think.

A thought occurred to me ... maybe these people, as children, had this excess amount of energy, drive, stubborn determination, and need to 'keep going' because that's what they needed to ultimately accomplish the things they did. Maybe somewhere deep inside they knew they were meant for great things, and they just needed some understanding, direction, and guidance. The real detriment is not the disorder, but the moments when someone allows themselves to not realize and acknowledge the potential of such a person.

What does all this mean? Does it mean we should allow an absence of boundaries and guidance? Certainly not. It means we should recognize a person's potential, help him to recognize his potential, and provide the means, the tools, and the inspiration to do so.

For children/young adults with an ADD/ADHD diagnosis ... don't ever let anyone convince you that you are anything less than who you are. Don't settle for the negative thoughts. Instead, use them. Let them drive you in a positive way toward positive goals. Honor yourself. It may be a bit elementary for young adults/adults, but that old Dr. Seuss quote holds true no matter what our age. It is this:

“Today you are You, that is truer than true.
There is no one alive who is Youer than You.”
- Dr. Seuss

What does this mean? It means instead of working hard to be like 'everyone else', realize that there is no one else but you that can accomplish what it is you were meant to accomplish. No one else. Not even 'everyone else'.



"Notice that these are all people who think "outside the box". There are also a lot of very creative people. Sometimes being a little "different" or not fitting into the norm, can work to your advantage. We hope this encourages you." - taken from http://adhdtexas.com/famouspeople.htm


Bill Cosby
Jim Carey
Harry Belafonte
Cher
Kirk Douglas
Ann Bancroft
Dustin Hoffman
Robin Williams
Suzanne Somers
George Burns
Steve McQueen
Tracey Gold
George C. Scott
Sylvester Stallone
Whoopi Goldberg
Henry Winkler
Will Smith
Lindsay Wagner
James Stewart
Tom Smothers
Danny Glover

Artists
Pablo Picasso
Vincent Van Gogh
Ansel Adams

Athletes
Bruce Jenner
Pete Rose
Magic Johnson
Jackie Stewart
Babe Ruth
Michael Jordan
Nolan Ryan
Jason Kidd
Greg Louganis

Inventors
Leonardo Da Vinci
Orville & Wilber Wright
Benjamin Franklin
Thomas Edison
William Wrigley
Alexander Graham Bell

Scholars
Sir Issac Newton
Galileo
Albert Einstein

Statesmen
Anwar Sadat
Abraham Lincoln
John F. Kennedy
Winston Churchill
Prince Charles
Dwight Eisenhauer
Robert F. Kennedy
Woodrow Wilson
Nelson Rockafeller

Entrepreneurs
Walt Disney
FW Woolworth
Andrew Carnegie
Henry Ford
Malcolm Forbes
William Randolph Hearst

I hope this list inspires you and/or someone you love. Upon first reading the list, I was quite inspired. Then came the need to double check with other resources. I saw these names posted with various resources. Even one of these great names would inspire.

And to everyone ... be inspired, be true, be your best self.
Jessica

September is a Busy Lady!

Wow! I was looking up some dates on the September calendar, and found that September is an even busier month than I thought! The world is celebrating/observing all kinds of things. See below for just a small dose of those. I, personally, already have my hands full enough with all the birthdays of special people including my father, sister, mother-in-law, and best friend ... not to mention back to school & client birthdays! Whew!


September 7 - Labor Day
September 9 - Teddy Bear Day
September 13 - Grandparent's Day

ADHD Month
Honey Month
Apple Month
Baby Safety Month
Children's Good Manners Month
Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

September

"The breezes taste
Of apple peel.
The air is full
Of smells to feel-
Ripe fruit, old footballs,
Burning brush,
New books, erasers,
Chalk, and such.
The bee, his hive,
Well-honeyed hum,
And Mother cuts
Chrysanthemums.
Like plates washed clean
With suds, the days
Are polished with
A morning haze."

- John Updike

Happy September!
Jessica