September 2020 Newsletter


Success Story  By the time Kamdyn graduated from Cornerstone, he was independently asking questions and using full sentences to communicate his wants and feelings. He calmly put reinforcers away when his time was up and even asked to brush his teeth! Kamdyn mastered almost all of the goals from the Milestones Assessment, including social skill goals. Kamdyn was excited to start school, but we will miss him at Cornerstone! When asking his therapists and team lead what words came to mind when thinking about Kamdyn, they said: enthusiastic, imaginative, extraordinary, bright, amusing, humorous, delightful, and hilarious. His BCBA Kayla Helms said, “Kamdyn brings so much joy to Cornerstone. He makes everyone laugh with his silly personality, and I am proud of him for working hard to go to school!”  Read Kamdyn’s full success story on our website.

 

Zoom Meeting: Parent and Caregiver Supports   9/9/2020, 9:30-10:10 am
Join Parent Liaison Sheila Edwards for a Zoom meeting on Caregiver Supports, including online and in-person support groups, free mentors, help in the home, conferences, self-care ideas, and more.
RSVP: Email sedwards@cornerstoneautismcenter.com or fill out this 2-question form: forms.gle/Dhs8LJfMobDZarsr5.
Zoom meeting link: https://zoom.us/j/95449169067?pwd=d0RYQndZTStuai94aDBoMDd2dW10QT09
Meeting ID: 954 4916 9067  |  Passcode: FLS6Bv

Monday, September 7th — Reminder that ALL Centers will be closed for Labor Day

We all have certain things that we like and don’t like. For individuals with autism, their dislike of certain events can keep them from experiencing common activities or getting basic needs met. In this webinar, we will discuss how desensitization programs can help individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder tolerate and even enjoy situations they would normally try to avoid. Read our desensitization blog here, or watch the webinar at this link.

Fun Fact  In 10 years, Cornerstone has inspired 75 staff members to pursue their Master’s in ABA to become Board Certified Behavior Analysts. It’s an honor to be able to Fulfill Those Who Serve and see so many go after their dreams in this field. Thank you to these staff members for Maximizing Those Who Struggle, Embracing Those Who Love and Fulfilling Those Who Serve.

Abbie, therapist  In my free time, I enjoy reading, listening to music, spending time at the lake, and hanging out with my family and friends. A dream I have accomplished since coming to Cornerstone is getting into grad school. This month I’m starting my Masters in Education in Human Sexuality Studies.

My favorite thing about working at Cornerstone is my coworkers who never fail to make me laugh and encourage me to do my best. One of my favorite memories so far at Cornerstone is watching my client complete a task independently after working on it for several months. Seeing my clients grow and progress inspires me to keep growing as an ABA therapist.

 

Taylour, therapist  In my free time, I like to spend time with my family, read books, and do lots of DIY projects. A goal I’m working towards is to obtain my master’s degree in speech pathology someday, so that I may help children on the autism spectrum who also have speech and language disabilities.  An organization that I feel passionately about is the NAACP. They strive to secure equal rights for all, without discrimination based on race.

My favorite thing about working with children with autism is seeing their progress and watching them use the new skills that they’ve learned. It’s extremely rewarding! My favorite memory at Cornerstone so far was Halloween last year. I loved seeing all the kids dressed up in their costumes and how they were all so excited during the parade walk through the building. I can’t wait for Halloween this year!

 

Alexia, therapist  My husband and I recently built a house and in February I passed the BCBA exam!  I also like to craft and play with my dog Douglas.

At Cornerstone I love working with our deaf clients. I took American Sign Language in college because I needed a foreign language. I never imagined it would become one of my favorite things. I also love Cornerstone graduations. Seeing how far the kids have come is so cool!

 

Free Online Conference  The 2020 Heart to Heart Conference is virtual! Enjoy family-focused content and respected presenters from the comfort and safety of your home. The live keynote presentation and 12 breakout sessions will take place Thursday, Oct. 1, 9 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Registration is free for families and professionals. Visit the Heart to Heart conference website for more information. Presentations will be recorded and released after the conference for you to listen to at your convenience. Questions? Feel free to contact Family Voices Indiana at conference@fvindiana.org.

Fall Signs  In this training video, Sign Language Coordinator and BCBA Stephanie Dille-Huggins guides families through a few seasonal signs they can use at home with their kids this fall. Visit our YouTube channel to learn the signs for tree, leaves, apple, pumpkin, and more.

Kid-Friendly Recipe: Orange Julius  Looking for a way to add more fruits to your child’s diet? This simple recipe uses just six whole-food ingredients: orange zest, banana, Greek yogurt, orange juice, honey, and vanilla. You can mix it up as a healthy dessert or snack that delivers two servings of fresh fruit, a boost of vitamin C, and even a few grams of protein. Visit Super Healthy Kids for the recipe.

 

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