Parents Guide of Las Vegas

Mrs. Debbie Gruenberg from John R. Beatty Elementary is our ­“Featured Teacher” for May 2009. Mrs. Gruenberg has been teaching for 28 years. She’s taught everything from autism preschool to 8th grade. Her history in teaching has been in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas, Arizona and Nevada. She has been teaching in Nevada for 7 years at John R Beatty Elementary School. During her first three years in Nevada Mrs. Gruenberg taught in the KIDS ­program for preschoolers with autism.

Mrs. Gruenberg is dedicated to bringing out every child’s full potential. She has earned a reputation for successfully partnering with parents and other team members to ensure the maximum development of skills for each of her students. Many of her preschool students now spend some portion of their school day in general education classrooms due to her dedication and support. Mrs. Gruenberg teaches in a 2nd grade general education classroom, and always volunteers to have ­children with autism placed in her classroom during their general education curriculum. She provides ABA tutoring for children with autism after school and she still keeps in touch with her preschool families. She loves to hear and see how each of them has developed!

If you would like to nominate a teacher to receive the “Featured Teacher” award please ­e-mail the name of the teacher and in 300 words or less explain why you think your nomination should be considered for “Featured Teacher” in an upcoming issue of ParentsGuide of Las Vegas. Send your nomination to Editor@ParentsGuidelv.com.

By Icia Reid-Sandulak

Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that affects the way a person communicates and relates to people around them. Autism is also known as Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Many people with autism have difficulties with social interaction. Children with autism may have difficulty relating to others in a meaningful way. They have a harder time developing friendships due to their limited capacity to understand other people’s emotional expressions. Some children, but not all, have accompanying learning disabilities such as Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD). All children with autism have some type of impairment in social interaction and communication.

Children with autism can be misunderstood as having behavioral problems because of limited communication ability. They need to maintain a structured environment with a consistent routine as they respond better to familiar settings and timelines. Many young children with autism are also speech impaired. They often repeat words to make sure that you are hearing them, while others may be non-verbal and easily frustrated.

Signs of autism can vary from one child to another. Autism has many variations in characteristics ranging in intensity from mild to severe. Each child shows ­different behavior having the same disorder. ­Children and adolescents with autism ­typically:

1. Have difficulty communicating with others.
2. Exhibit repetitious behaviors, such as rocking back and forth, head banging, or touching or twirling objects.
3. Have a limited range of interests and activities.
4. May become upset by a small change in their environment or daily routine.

In addition to these characteristics, some children with autism experience hypersensitivity to hearing, touch, smell, or taste. Symptoms of autism can be seen in early infancy, but the condition also may appear after months of normal development.

Parents can request an evaluation for their child that could be helpful in determining the need for special education and or related services. Parents can find more information at the local library or at social service agencies.

_About the author: Icia Reid-Sandulak is the Director of Apple Grove Foster Care Agency and is a Social Worker. Apple Grove specializes in therapeutic foster care and welcomes applications from future foster parents. She can be reached at (702) 992-0576. _

By Flo LaRoy

Fifteen years ago, we started with a dream, a hope and a vision of what is right and possible for our children. Our mission began with families sitting around a kitchen table looking into the future; seeing their youngsters growing, thriving and experiencing life’s offerings. Yet, we recognized that between dream and reality there stood a lifetime of work. So began Nevada PEP, a homegrown nonprofit organization, offering Education, Empowerment, and Encouragement to families of children with disabilities.

Living with a disability whether through birth, injury or disease can cause considerable stress and strain for a family. Information and guidance is a critical component in keeping families together. Our services are about empowering families to be life-long advocates for their children through education and skill building. Nevada PEP recognizes that parents are experts on their children; but must learn about disabilities, intervention needs, and how to develop a support system to meet those needs.

Nevada PEP is a family of families caring, supporting and guiding one another through the challenges of raising children with disabilities. We have shared many of your experiences! When your family and friends fail to understand, you always have someone to talk to at Nevada PEP. You are NOT ALONE! All of our staff has been impacted by disability in some way and recognizes that navigating Nevada’s challenging support system is frustrating at best.

We are dedicated to increasing the opportunities for home, community, and school success for children with disabilities, including those who are at risk or who have serious emotional disturbances. There are many different configurations of our families; aunts, uncles, grandparents, and friends. We have natural, foster, and adoptive parents all seeking help. No family is ever turned away!

Nevada PEP is a statewide organization serving families with children having an array of special needs from birth to 26 and their service providers. We offer a variety of training workshops on special education and disability related topics. Information on training opportunities and registration is available on-line at www.nvpep.org or through the Nevada PEP office at (702) 388-8899. The Las Vegas office on 2355 Red Rock Street, Suite 106, welcomes visitors to its resource library filled with handouts, books, and electronic media. ­Families requiring a higher level of support can request individual assistance.

Over the years, not only has PEP made a difference in families, it has also made a positive impact on disability services through its collaboration and advocacy efforts. A professional in the community stated “Show me a family with a positive outlook and optimism for the future and I’ll show you a family that’s got PEP”.

About the Author: As a trainer and founding member of Nevada PEP, Flo LaRoy uses her education and experience in a career dedicated to making a difference for children with disabilities, including her own son.  She feels that knowledge of disabilities and information about navigating service systems are keys to success, helping parents meet their child’s needs and maximizing their independence.

Dr Hastings, D.D.S. offers full-service comprehensive family dental care; specializing in crown and bridgework. He offers in-house teeth whitening and utilizes an intra-oral camera for early cavity detection. With a combination of advanced training and a gentle touch, Dr Hastings strives to make every patient feel comfortable.

He believes a great way to help ease “dental anxiety” is through building trust with his patients. This he feels is best accomplished through communication and education. From how to keep your teeth healthy to helping you understand each procedure,” Dr, Hastings and his staff take the time to answer all of your questions.

Dr. Hastings served as an officer in the United States Army and the National Guard. He graduated from the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry in San Francisco in 1997. His hobbies include carpentry and painting.

Dr. Hastings and his staff work to accommodate your schedule by staying open seven days a week. He offers discounts for seniors, military personnel and various union employees, and has an in-house dental plan available for patients with no insurance. For ALL your dental needs, Dr. Hastings, D.D.S. is here for you. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Hastings call (702) 671-0001.

By Audrey Sherwood

In keeping with this magazine’s “living with autism” theme, here are some well-written books that have characters who struggle with challenges such as autism, paralysis and ADHD.

Rules
Cynthia Lord

Being twelve years old is tough enough for Catherine, but having her family life revolve around her autistic brother David makes it extra challenging. Catherine struggles to create her own identity and deal with the difficulties her family faces. Meeting a new girl next door and a talented boy who is confined to a wheelchair give Catherine the opportunity to truly understand friendship and learn what things are really important.

Loser
Jerry Spinelli

Donald is a boy with physical and social challenges who approaches life with optimism, determination and love. Donald has a unique approach to life—sometimes beautiful in its uninhibited imagination and sometimes painful in its stark contrast to the expected. Along the way, Donald encounters some who don’t understand him and gratefully others who do—his wise and patient parents for one. A beautifully written story that allows the reader to see the world through Donald’s eyes and follow his search for acceptance.

The Lightning Thief
Rick Riordan

Percy Jackson struggles with dyslexia and ADHD but those aren’t his biggest challenges. Twelve year old Percy discovers that he is a half-blood (meaning his mother is mortal but his father is an Olympic god) and suddenly his life is in constant danger. Percy joins forces with his best friend Grover, who happens to be a satyr, and another half-blood named Annabeth on a quest to retrieve a lightning bolt of Zeus from the underworld. Non-stop action and a very humorous take on mythology make this book a delight to read. Book 1 of a series of 4 (so far).