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Bridgeway Academy has over thirty (30) licensed professionals in its Music, Occupational, Physical, and Speech Therapy departments. This holiday season, they are providing great ideas for holiday gifts that also meet therapeutic goals and most are available to purchase through the AmazonSmile program – where your purchase will also give back to Bridgeway Academy (http://tinyurl.com/jme52kl). Check out the lists and happy holidays from everyone at Bridgeway Academy.

Music Therapy
Music tends to be a strong interest for all children, and kids at Bridgeway Academy are no exception. Here are some ideas for gifts that will engage students and support music therapy activities.

1. A Cabasa is great for using 2 hands and getting a lot of sensory input. You can roll it on various body parts to work on body awareness and even use it for massage. http://tinyurl.com/z7lxlg8
2. The REMO kid’s floor tom is a freestanding drum and can be used to work on grasping mallets with two-hands to play in unison or alternating patterns. We also use it to work on playing a steady beat with others or call and response patterns/turn taking.  http://tinyurl.com/ht2usb6
3. The ocean drum provides a lot of visual input and auditory feedback as well as the other benefits of the floor tom. http://tinyurl.com/jn45syb
   
4. Resonator bells can be used for color or letter ID and hand-eye coordination. http://tinyurl.com/hzemrcd
   
5. Laurie Berkner CDs are always a “go to” because of her great use of music to support movement. http://tinyurl.com/ztknlxc

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Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapy encompasses so many areas of development because occupation is everything we do every day.  It accounts for fine motor, sensory, play and independence.  Here are some gift ideas to develop skills while making it fun and playful.

1. Giggle Wiggle or Scatterpillar Scramble: This game is so fun for kids.  The caterpillar dances and plays music.  Often during therapy, we turn him off while we pick a marble then turn him back on to dance between players.  It makes it a little easier and fun for kids. http://tinyurl.com/zue4qqh
2. Lacing cards: Lacing develops bilateral skills necessary for more complicated activities such as buttoning and zipping coats.  These cards often come in fun shapes and pictures. http://tinyurl.com/jckuey7
   
3. Therapy ball: Often students need movement to stay focused.  A way to help with homework or studying is having kids sit on a therapy ball at home while learning.  Kids can bounce or roll prone over a ball while watching TV.  They may be getting exercise without knowing it.  http://tinyurl.com/j6qk5n4
   
4. Shape sorter: Sorting shapes develops visual motor skills as well as bilateral skills. Kids must turn and rotate the box to find the correct shape and turn the block to fit into the hole.  There are several different types of sorters with a variety of colors and shapes. http://tinyurl.com/hr9ryh5
   
5. Aquabeads: Aquabeads are similar to Perler beads but you only spray with water instead of getting the hot iron out.  There are so many kits to choose or you can make your own designs.  This is recommended for ages 4+ however I would probably purchase for 7-8 or older because it is a challenge for fine motor skills. http://tinyurl.com/zmhoro3
   
6. Make your own Sensory Bin: Fill the container with water beads and water over night. They will grow into soft, bouncy balls.  Kids love to put their hands or feet into the container.  This is good for relaxing or alerting.  The best thing is to know your kids.  If water beads are not their favorite, try dry rice.  Hide small toys and have kids find them or add letters or numbers for more academic skills.
   Orbeez or water beads: http://tinyurl.com/jlqabtjSterilite container: http://tinyurl.com/z3ld7ho
7. Play-Doh: Play-Doh develops hand strength while playing and developing imagination.  It is great because there are so many different play sets and colors of Play-doh.  http://tinyurl.com/h5c3nfs
8. Legos: Legos are again wonderful for fine motor skills.  This builds children’s imagination while playing.  Legos often come with step by step directions for specific kits.  This challenges students to visually find the correct pieces, sequence steps and build.  http://tinyurl.com/hbyzfw9
9. Jenga: This game is great for coordination and slow, precise movements. This is recommended for kids 6+ but as an adult, it’s a challenge.
   http://tinyurl.com/hwd8g3e

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Physical Therapy
Gross motor development goes beyond running and jumping. Aspects of gross motor development include: strengthening, balance and coordination and all can be addressed and improved via play. In the winter months, it can be challenging to promote gross motor skills indoors. Here are some great gift suggestions that will make your kids happy and improve gross motor development at home. Happy Shopping!

1. Scooter boards are great for developing core and upper extremity strength. You can either ride it on your stomach using your hands to propel the board; or, you can sit on it and use your feet. Increase the difficulty by trying to follow a designated path or carrying objects on the board. https://smile.amazon.com/ (This is just one example; there are a variety of colors/sizes available)
2. Zoom ball is a great bilateral coordination activity that requires you use both arms together. You can increase the difficulty by doing it in sitting, standing, standing on 1 foot, etc. https://smile.amazon.com/
3. Nobbie Gertie Ball is a variation of a playground ball with great texture and is lightweight for the child who is just learning to catch or craves texture sensory input. https://smile.amazon.com/
   
4. Yoga Pretzel Cards are great for working on gross motor imitation. They come with a variety of built in games including partner games. https://smile.amazon.com/
5. Melissa and Doug sound puzzles offer are a variety of different puzzles including: music, animals, vehicles. These puzzles are very popular with our students and are a great way to work on various postures including: laying prone on elbows, tailor sitting on the floor (criss-cross) or kneeling. https://smile.amazon.com
6. Tunnels are a great way to promote bilateral coordination by crawling on all fours. You can add variety to it by crawling through on your knees, stomach, crab walk, etc. or by using it along with other objects around the house as part of an obstacle course.  https://smile.amazon.com/ (This is just one example; there are a variety of colors/sizes available).

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Speech Therapy
Communication skills vary greatly across the lifespan.  Whether your child is an early communicator, learning to use an AAC system or working on conversational skills, there are many activities you can do at home to facilitate communication!  A few strategies to keep in mind, without having to buy materials, are to give wait time, be a good language model and ask more open-ended questions. Celebrate communicative attempts and successes with your child!  If you’re looking for gift ideas to promote communication, see our list below!

1. Ball Poppers (many fun/cute styles) For an added bonus, take the balls out and put the bubble wand over the ball popper air to make a ton of bubbles!
   https://smile.amazon.com/Playskool-Explore-Grow-Busy-Popper/dp/B00U5U5VWM/ref=sr_1_1?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1480363412&sr=1-1&keywords=Ball+Popper

2. Pretend play – food/microwave https://smile.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Food-Groups-Hand-Painted/dp/B0000BX8MA/ref=sr_1_1?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1480363946&sr=1-1&keywords=Melissa+and+Doug+food
3. Bubbles (any brand will do, but our favorite is Gazillion Bubbles!) https://smile.amazon.com/Gazillion-35300-Solution-Novelty-Pack/dp/B0104B1J2C/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1480363331&sr=8-3&keywords=gazillion+bubbles
4. Pop Toobs https://smile.amazon.com/Toob-Colors-Vary-Poof-Slinky/dp/B0052GOJ1S/ref=sr_1_1?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1480363546&sr=1-1&keywords=Pop+tubes
5. Books! Reading is so essential!  There are too many great books to list them all, but here are a few of our favorites:Tap The Magic Tree https://smile.amazon.com/Tap-Magic-Tree-Christie-Matheson/dp/0062274457/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1480364449&sr=8-1&keywords=tap+the+magic+tree     Press Herehttps://smile.amazon.com/Press-Here-Herve-Tullet/dp/0811879542/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1480363720&sr=8-1&keywords=Press+HereThe Book With No Pictures

   https://smile.amazon.com/Book-No-Pictures-B-J-Novak/dp/0803741715/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1480363749&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Book+with+no+pictures

   Pete the Cat (various)

   https://smile.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_1_5?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=pete+the+cat&sprefix=Pete+%2Caps%2C147&crid=J0M1I59LB7RD

6. Pop the pighttps://smile.amazon.com/Pop-Pig-Game-Improved-Belly-Busting/dp/B00CYQ24QG/ref=sr_1_1?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1480364659&sr=1-1&keywords=Pop+the+Pig
7. Instrumentshttps://smile.amazon.com/Innocheer-Musical-Instruments-Percussion-Rhythm/dp/B01L6ZMVYU/ref=sr_1_6?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1480363989&sr=1-6&keywords=children%27s+instruments
8. Puppetshttps://smile.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Farm-Friends-Puppets/dp/B00JBIY0MG/ref=sr_1_4?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1480364021&sr=1-4&keywords=puppets

Bridgeway Academy is a Columbus, OH non-profit organization with a mission to meet the educational and therapeutic needs of children with autism and other developmental disabilities. If you are looking for a classroom, therapy department or teacher gift this holiday season, be sure to check out the organization’s Wish List or make a donation to the organization’s annual fund campaign. All document in-kind and cash contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

The American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) is the national professional scientific and credentialing association for speech pathologists and audiologists (http://www.asha.org/). The organization’s annual national conference draws over 12,000 attendees to learn about the latest research and resources to advance their skills and careers. This year’s conference will be November 17 – 19, 2016 in Philadelphia, PA and will have Bridgeway Academy’s first delegates in attendance as presenters.

Bridgeway Academy’s Co-Founder/Co-Executive Director Abigail S. David, M.S. CCC-SLP, Therapy Manager Lindsey Paden Cargill, M.A., CCC-SLP, and Speech Department Supervisor Samantha Lyle, M.A., CCC-SLP have been collaborating with researchers at The Ohio State University’s Autism and Child Language Learning Laboratory to examine several topics relating to the use of the Language Acquisition through Motor Planning (LAMP) program that is used at Bridgeway Academy.

As one of only eight LAMP Centers of Excellence in the country, Bridgeway Academy values its role as a pioneer in the field of augmentative and alternative communication use for children on the autism spectrum and is proud of the opportunity to share this work with our academic community and our constituency.

During the summer of 2016, an immersive LAMP class was piloted at Bridgeway Academy that emphasized large group language modeling, core vocabulary instruction, social interaction and sensory exploration. The language skills of eight participants were examined before, during and after the class. The findings of this study will be discussed at a poster presentation titled “Vocabulary Development in School-Age Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC) Users” at the ASHA convention.

A platform presentation will also be presented by the Bridgeway Academy therapists and the OSU researchers. “Predictors of Augmentative & Alternative Communication in AAC Users,” will highlight findings of another study completed this year. This study looks at correlations between students’ language outcomes and the operational and therapeutic competencies of their teachers and parents.

Once the findings of both studies are presented at ASHA, Bridgeway Academy will continue its partnership with The Ohio State University to document and publish these findings as well as share the results with our broader community.

Halloween is just around the corner!  As with any holiday, the changes in routine, environment and expectations can be challenging for everyone.  Managing the excitement and potential stress surrounding these changes with some basic strategies can assist with making the holiday a success!

Halloween presents a unique set of challenges for kids.  These challenges can include the subject matter (too scary), the costume (sensory), and the unusual expectation that for one day only, we encourage our children to knock on stranger’s doors, and then ask them for candy!  We at Bridgeway Academy have compiled some helpful hints and activities to prepare for and manage some of the more difficult aspects of Halloween.

Practice, Practice Practice!

Taking the unexpected and making it routine can reduce the likelihood that your child will react negatively to the new expectations of the holiday.

1. Have your child practice wearing their costume, or parts of their costume. This will allow for some time to ease into the feel of new, or unusual materials. If a costume is out of the question, a silly hat, or t-shirt with a favorite character can work just as well!
2. Encourage family members to play “pretend” Halloween. Stand outside your own front door with your child and have them practice knocking on the front door. When a familiar family member opens the door, have the child practice saying “trick-or-treat” and then give them a piece of candy and lots of praise! If verbally saying “trick or treat” is a challenge for your child, try having them exchange a printed card with the words “trick or treat” for their Halloween candy.
3. Once your child has mastered knocking on your front door, try practicing in the same way with a willing neighbor. This practice will allow your child to develop clear expectations associated with trick-or treating on Halloween.
4. Use a social story to explain how Halloween is different than other days. We spend countless hours teaching our kids to never EVER take candy from strangers, and one day a year, we expect them to do just that, over, and over, and over! A social story can help to explain this difference using pictures and clear, concise language.  Here is a link to help you get started http:/adayinourshoes.com/printable-halloween-social-stories-kids-with-autism/
5. SO MUCH CANDY!!!! If your child has allergies or dietary restrictions (or you just don’t want the sugar), try purchasing a favorite toy ahead of time for your child to trade for their candy.
6. If the mere thought of running around in the dark among large groups of children dressed up in costumes is too overwhelming, consider staying at home to pass out candy. This is a great way to introduce a child to the concept of Halloween and trick or treating, while providing them a familiar and safe place to take a break when needed.
7. Lastly, remember that the most important thing about Halloween is to have FUN!

Bridgeway Academy annually hosts “Practice Trick-or-Treat” to provide opportunities for students to trick-or-treat and participate in traditional Halloween activities (e.g. Haunted Speech Room) in a fun, safe and familiar environment. The 2017 event will take place on Thursday, October 27, 2016 from 4:30 – 6:00pm. Families and friends are invited to dress-up and join us at Practice Trick or Treat. We’ll see you there!

Bridgeway Academy began the 2016-17 academic year with 150 highly-trained and educated full-time staff members – classroom teachers, supervisors, music, occupational, physical and speech therapists, psychologists – and the administrative personnel necessary to support the growing needs of Bridgeway Academy’s staff and families. To ensure the educational and therapeutic staff members are following the latest evidence-based principles, Bridgeway Academy provides trainings and professional development for its employees throughout the year.

Jenn Schneider, BCaBA, recently took on the role as Training Coordinator at Bridgeway Academy. Among her numerous other responsibilities, she collaborates with the many specialists at Bridgeway Academy to develop a thorough and effective internal training program to help staff better promote student growth and consistency of service delivery. Jenn recently shared some training data that illustrates Bridgeway Academy’s commitment to maintaining a highly trained staff in order to support its mission to meet the educational and therapeutic needs of children with autism and other developmental disabilities.

• During the week prior to the beginning of the 2016-17 academic year, returning Bridgeway Academy staff participated in an average of 18-hours of training in areas such as applied behavior analysis, crisis intervention, reinforcement, ethics, discrete trial instruction, assessment tools such as AFLS/VB-MAPP/common core, communicable diseases and emergency response procedures.
• Staff new to Bridgeway Academy participated in an average of 14 hours of training in areas such as applied behavior analysis, crisis intervention, mandated reporting professionalism, reinforcement, ethics, discrete trial instruction, assessment tools such as AFLS/VB-MAPP/common core and emergency response procedures.
• New staff, within their first 90 days of employment, will also complete an additional 6 hours of training in subjects including: teaching techniques, preference assessments, classroom structure and support, data collection and advanced applied behavior analysis.
• Bridgeway Academy receives oversight for its program from the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services. ODJFS requires non-certified staff to receive 45-hours of training within their first three years of employment. Certified staff participates in an average of 25 hours of training per year to ensure efficacy with the evidence-based principles utilized at Bridgeway Academy.

Bridgeway Academy’s Continuing Education committee is made of up staff members who are tasked with offering monthly trainings in subjects of particular interest including but not limited to: IEPs and ETRs, Language Acquisition through Motor Planning (LAMP) and Lesson Planning and Curriculum.

• Bridgeway Academy has a goal to ensure that all of its students reach their highest potential and knows that having a highly-trained and experienced staff is one of the ways this goal will be accomplished. Today, the organization has on staff: thirty (30) music, occupational, physical and speech therapists; two (2) psychologists ; six (6) Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA); two (2) Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts (BCaBA); thirteen (13) Registered Behavior Technicians; and six (6) staff members with a Doctoral Agree and above; thirty-nine (39) staff members with a Graduate Degree.
• Currently, Bridgeway Academy has five staff members undergoing supervised fieldwork towards board certification as a behavior analyst; three staff members eligible to sit for their board examination as a behavior analyst; and, one staff member working towards board certification as an assistant behavior analyst.

To learn more about Bridgeway Academy and all of its programs visit http://www.bridgewayohio.org.

Labor Day is behind us and the academic-year is in full-swing. As we move into fall, Bridgeway Academy is participating in two events in September that are important to our community!

Walk Now for Autism Speaks – Sunday, September 18
Walk Now for Autism Speaks Columbus will take place on Sunday, September 18 at The Columbus Commons. Autism Speaks Walk, the world’s largest fundraising event to support the diverse needs of the autism community, is a grassroots movement powered by parents of children on the autism spectrum. Funds generated as a result of this event fuel innovative research and make connections to critical lifelong supports and services. Bridgeway Academy is proud to support this event as a participant in the resource fair (come get a balloon and a tattoo!) and hosting a team.

The schedule of events will be:

9:30am                                     Registration opens

9:30 – 11:30am                   Kids Activities and Resource Fair

11:30am                                  Program

12:00pm                                 Walk begins through downtown Columbus

Participation in the event is free and registrants are encouraged to fundraise for Autism Speaks. To learn more about the event, go to: http://www.autismspeakswalk.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=1155623

To register as a Bridgeway Academy team member, go to: http://www.autismspeakswalk.org/faf/search/searchTeamPart.asp?ievent=1155623&lis=0&kntae1155623=4B8A15F851CC41BB90176014263FD34A&team=6711914

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2016 Arts & Autism Conference: Creating, Learning Living – Tuesday, September 20
The 2016 Arts & Autism Conference: Creating, Learning, Living, will take place on Tuesday, September 20 from 8am – 5pm at the Columbus Museum of Art. This is the only statewide convening of its kind where individuals from around the country will gather to share best practices, arts experiences, new ideas, and unique narratives, all focused on how to make the arts and arts education accessible for individuals with autism, and their families. The conference will bring together individuals with autism and their families, cultural administrators, practitioners, therapists, educators, and students who specialize or have an interest in the intersection of arts and autism.

Bridgeway Academy is proud to be a sponsor of this event, as well as a member of the planning committee. Additionally, Bridgeway Academy staff will be presenting during the conference and Brady Smalley’s art work is the conference’s “brand.”

Other highlights of the conference will include a keynote address by Michael Bongiorno, a noted design leader with a focus on impacting community through design. A self-advocacy panel discussion during lunch will feature three young-people actively engaged in the arts in Columbus.

Registration is $100 for professionals (with a certification of attendance for 7 hours), $88 for a community member, and $75 for students and includes continental breakfast, lunch, refreshments, and parking.  Scholarship support is available courtesy of Central Ohio Autism Society. To learn more or to register for the 2016 Arts & Autism Conference: Creating, Learning, Living

visit www.vsao.org/artsautismconference2016.

The 2016 Arts & Autism Conference: Creating, Learning, Living is an outcome of the Arts & Autism in Ohio Initiative and presented by VSA Ohio and the Columbus Museum of Art with sponsorship provided by the Ohio Arts Council, the Greater Columbus Arts Council, Puffin Foundation West, Ltd, the Ohio Alliance for Arts Education, the Autism Society of Central Ohio, Bridgeway Academy and The Ohio State University Center for Autism Services and Transition.

Bridgeway Academy is a non-profit organization in Columbus, OH with a mission to meet the educational and therapeutic needs of children with autism and other developmental disabilities. To learn more about Bridgeway Academy or to make a donation, go to: bridgewayohio.org.