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21 Series – Sibling Support
(parents and professionals)
Thursday, June 21
6:30 – 8 PM
DSAGC Office, Hatton Foundation Community Room
*anyone in attendance is entered to win a door prize*
Presented by Lynne Calloway
Join us to hear about the sibling experience from a generational perspective. Hear what researchers have to say, a personal perspective, and join a thoughtful conversation that will appeal to parents and siblings supporting someone with an I/DD regardless of age.
Early Matters Ice Cream Social
(ages 0 -5)
Sunday, July 8
3 - 5 PM
Sharon Woods Harbor Playground
This is the perfect opportunity to meet up with your friends or make new friends! Either way, it will be a fun day. Sharon Woods is a dry playground area connected to a spray park. There is a man-made stream for children to dip their feet in. There are also covered picnic tables, so babies can hang out in the shade.
The whole family is invited, so bring parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles! Snacks and ice cream will be provided! Please be sure to bring your swimsuit, towels and sunscreen. This is a free event, but please remember that a valid Motor Vehicle Permit is required to enter the parks. Cost for residents of Hamilton County: $10 annual/$3 daily; other visitors: $14 annual/$5 daily.
We ask that you be mindful when registering for events. We plan to accommodate ALL who register, so please let us know ASAP if your family is no longer able to attend. This will help our "no-show" dynamic and eliminate wasteful spending.
Therapeutic Horse Riding
(ages 3 - 5)
Assessment: Friday, July 27 | 6:30 - 7:30 PM
Classes: Saturdays, July 28 - August 25 | 9 - 10 AM
A Brighter Day Farm, 3962 Gardner Lane Cincinnati, OH 45245
Registration for this class will close on July 3rd. On this date, we will hold the lottery draw, if needed. On this date, you will receive an email about the status of your child’s registration. If your child’s name was drawn to attend this class, then you will receive the forms that are to be completed and returned to Emma Ganiban by July 24th.
The group of 10 children will be split into half. Half of the children will ride the horses for the first 30 minutes, while the other half of the children are completing Non-Mounted Therapeutic Activities. They will get to experience “jobs” on the farm. No, we don’t mean that they will be working with the manure, but they will have specific duties to complete that will help them reach their goals that you have helped us develop. The second half hour the two groups will switch.
During the Friday evening session, your child will be assessed and matched with a volunteer. As much as possible, the same volunteer will work with your child throughout the five sessions. Each week will build upon the previous. During the assessment, we will also create the goals for your child (while using the information you gave us on the forms.)
Please look at the dates closely on your calendar. We ask that you are able to attend the assessment night and, at least, four of the classes.
Benefits to Therapeutic Horseback Riding:
Improvements in Fine Motor Skills
With horse riding and other equine interactions, small muscle movements are necessary. This type of movement improves the student or client's fine motor skills and manual dexterity. These are often hand movements and depending on the task, can be accomplished while the student is off the horse or while riding. Examples of ways that a student can improve his or her fine motor skills include selecting reins and holding them while riding.
Improved Gross Motor Skills
While riding a horse, the student will need to use large muscle groups. The ability to use the muscles of these groups refers to the rider's gross motor skills. The act of riding itself helps to improve these skills as the rider rises and sits to the horse's rhythm. Improved gross motor skills may also be credited to the act of mounting and dismounting the horse. Having the rider lift his or her body from the saddle by putting weight on the stirrups also contributes positively to one's gross motor skills.
Improved Motor Coordination and Balance
Riding a horse requires both coordination and balance. Because of this, therapeutic horseback riding typically improves these areas in students who may otherwise have difficulties due to their disabilities. While mounting or dismounting the horse, students must be coordinated in their movements. Staying on a moving horse is crucial for safety. As the rider learns to stay on the horse and hold on with a proper posture, his or her muscles learn to work together to help maintain balance. Starting and stopping the horse and changing directions are all challenges in terms of not falling off-balance, and with time improvement is typically noted.
Core Strengthening
As the movement of a horse helps the student to improve his or her balance, it also helps build core strength. The movement of a horse is unique in that it walks in a pattern that includes both swaying and forward motion. The student must adjust to these movements using the muscles in his or her upper body and legs. Keeping good posture and remaining upright while the horse is in motion also strengthens and stretches the muscles of the rider's back and stomach.
Develops or Improves Social Skills
Therapeutic horseback riding improves upon the social skills of people with disabilities who may have difficulty interacting with others. This improvement starts with the bond that is naturally built between the individual and the horse during the lessons that are given. Because the volunteers and the instructors are a part of the experience it is natural for a relationship to develop through conversation.
Positive Sensory Stimulation
Horses stimulate the senses in a number of ways that are beneficial for people with certain disorders such as those which fall within the autism spectrum. The rider's vision, hearing, sense of touch, and smell are all stimulated by the sounds, smells, and the feel of the horse itself. When the horse is in motion, the stimulation is to the student's tactile senses. This creates both sensory enjoyment and/or appreciation for the act of riding.
While Atlantoaxial Instability (instability of the spine) is a controversial topic, it is the policy of A Brighter Day Farm that you need to speak with your doctor and do what is right for your child. A Brighter Day Farm is only requiring a note from your doctor giving permission for your child to ride a horse. A cervical spine X-ray may be needed for your child, while it is not needed for another, but this must be determined with your medical team. It is not required by A Brighter Day Farm. The requirement for this X-ray was extracted from the most recent Medical Healthcare Guidelines for those with Down syndrome. To view the Medical Healthcare Guidelines, please click here. To read more about this controversial topic, please click here.
Full attendance is necessary to ensure quality learning since this series is designed to progress upon what is learned in the previous class. We can work with participants that have to miss a class due to an unforeseen circumstance (sickness, hospital stay, change in work schedule, etc.) However, if you are unable to commit to this multiple-week series, please leave the spot available for others. We have a wait list for the majority of our programs.
21 Series – Managing Feelings of Isolation While Parenting A Child With Special Needs
(parents and professionals)
Saturday, July 21
10 - 11:30 AM
DSAGC Office, Hatton Foundation Community Room
*anyone in attendance is entered to win a door prize*
Presented by Maryam Kubasek, MA, LPC
Do you have feelings of isolation? Do you feel left out? As a parent of child with special needs the range of emotions can be many. Join is for a group discussion. The format is designed so that participants have opportunities to not only share their experiences as a parent or caregiver of a child with Down syndrome but also learn from and receive support from others who can identify. Our group facilitator will be Maryam Kubasek, MA, LPC, who is a Licensed Professional Counselor in practice at Thrivepointe Counseling, a group practice in Liberty Township, Ohio. We hope you can join us.
In her practice, Maryam works with individuals, couples, families, and groups. She incorporates several theoretical orientations in her practice—frequently with a focus on mindfulness-based theories such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Mindfulness-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Maryam has facilitated a variety of groups and has spoken to several parents’ gatherings.
Summer Picnic
(all ages)
Sunday, August 5
3 - 6 PM
Lunken Airport Playfield (Spirit of 76 Shelter)
Our Summer Picnic is the perfect place to connect with friends and family and a great way to celebrate the summer! We hope to see you once again at the Lunken Airport Playfield.
There will have a bounce house, games for kids and a playground for all. This event is free for our families; we just ask that guests please bring a side dish or a dessert to share. Last Name A - L: Dessert; Last Name M - Z: Side Dish. DSAGC will provide a main dish and drinks!
We ask that you be mindful when registering for events. We plan to accommodate ALL who register, so please let us know ASAP if your family is no longer able to attend. This will help our "no-show" dynamic and eliminate wasteful spending.
21 Series – Housing
(parents and professionals)
Tuesday, August 21
6:30 – 8 PM
DSAGC Office, Hatton Foundation Community Room
*anyone in attendance is entered to win a door prize*
Presented by Home Think Tank
Veteran members of Home Think Tank will share information that helps families plan for housing, including:
The importance of identifying what you want and don't want by using a trajectory tool
Resources for using technology to help people live safely and well
Home Choice Vouchers: What and How
Resources and Events to Help You Plan
OWN: Optimize What's Next
(ages 18 & up)
Saturday, September 15
9 AM - 5 PM
Xavier University
OWN: Optimizing What’s Next is a one day event that focuses on community service, learning new skills, making friendships and gaining or increasing your OWN level of independence. Experienced, background checked and trained staff/volunteers will provide supervision and facilitate a positive learning environment. OWN's format is based from our popular Independent Living Retreat. Lunch and snacks are provided.
Saturday Morning - the group attends classes to learn new skills. Classes may include money management, healthy eating, character strengths, communication, cooking and relationships. Then, the group participates in various community service projects. This teaches the importance of giving back and builds confidence.
Saturday Afternoon - the group gets to socialize off-campus. Social events may include a Reds game, pottery, bowling and more!
REGISTRATION CLOSES AUG 27.
This event is for adults that are not attending the 2018 Independent Living Retreat. If you are a 2018 ILR attendee, you can join the wait list for O.W.N.
Full attendance is necessary to ensure quality learning. If you are unable to commit to the entire day, please leave the spot available for others. We have a wait list for the majority of our programs.
Summer Tutoring
SOLD OUT!
Tuesdays & Thursdays
June 5 - June 28
DSAGC Office
Independent Living Retreat
SOLD OUT!
June 29 - July 1
ages 18 & up
Xavier University
iCan Bike Camp
Only 17 spots left!
July 23 - July 27
ages 8 & up
Mount Saint Joseph University
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Summer Program Registration
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Summer Program Registration
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Thank you! Your registration is complete!
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