The Season for Giving Thanks |
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This fall, we have much to be thankful for. Following the success of our 6th Annual Car Show for Autism, we were touched by your response to our fundraiser honoring Dylan Singer, the first student enrolled at Potential, who would have been 26 this month. We also celebrated the opening of a new location in Northeast Philadelphia, allowing us to extend our reach even more.
As we count our blessings and prepare to join with our families and friends for the holidays, we also recognize this can be a challenging time for many in our community. In this issue of our newsletter, we offer tips to minimize common stressors associated with the Thanksgiving holiday.
We also ask, as we approach Giving Tuesday on November 29th, that you consider Potential in your year-end giving. As far as we have come, we still have a long way to go to end the waitlist for autism services. Your tax-deductible donation can help us make the world a brighter, safer and more accepting place for people with autism.
This is what Giving Tuesday is all about. We encourage you to use the power of your voice to support organizations whose missions align with your passions. Simple, small acts of kindness make such a difference, and every act of generosity counts.
Thank you for keeping the Potential family in your hearts. We wish you and your family a wonderful holiday.
Sincerely,
Kristine Quinby
President and CEO of Potential
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Why We Give
We give because it makes us feel good. It is just that simple, but that doesn’t make it any less important. When you give to Potential, you are helping adults and children with autism gain the skills they need to learn and succeed. This requires hard work, evidence-based treatments and generous support.
Potential's mission is to end the waitlist for quality autism services. We rely on your support to bring us closer to achieving that goal.
Help us end the waitlist.
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Parents & Guardians:
Let's Work Together to Limit the Spread of Illness
At Potential we recognize the importance of working together to provide a healthy, safe learning environment for all. Children should not come to Potential if you suspect they are ill. Not sure what to look for? Please refer to the list of signs and symptoms of illness outlined on our website.
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A Closer Look at ABA:
A Science of Learning and Behavior
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is one of the most common therapies for children with autism, and widely considered the “gold standard.” Its evidence-based methods have been proven to help children with autism learn and grow and reach their fullest possible potential. It seeks to increase behaviors that help a child with everyday activities and learning and, conversely, decrease those that are getting in the way of their growth and safety.
Yet, ABA is often oversimplified as a system of rewards and consequences. “It is so much more than that,” says Kristine Quinby, President and CEO of Potential. “ABA is the science of learning and behavior. We learn new behaviors and engage in them based on the responses we get to those behaviors. Much like physics is a natural science and gravity exists and always works, the principles of behavior are working on all of us all the time.”
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“Do we throw out a whole science that has been life-changing and at times lifesaving? Absolutely not.”
–Kristine Quinby
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So why is ABA misunderstood?
In a recent National Public Radio broadcast, The Battle Over Autism Therapy ABA, the effectiveness and ethics of ABA therapy were challenged. While different perspectives were presented in the show, which originally aired on Philadelphia’s WHYY on October 7, 2022, a casual listener could easily miss some nuanced aspects of the discussion, or they could simply walk away with a skewed viewpoint.
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“We are visiting relatives for Thanksgiving. My child, who is autistic, refuses many foods and becomes anxious in boisterous settings. Is it appropriate to bring alternative foods and noise-cancelling headphones to the table?”
Let's start with food. The struggle is real. From picky eaters to overeaters, the path to good nutrition and healthy eating habits can be challenging and complicated. For a parent whose child is on the spectrum, it's important to understand that food selectivity and food avoidance are common, as well as mealtime behavioral problems. Strategies you have used successfully at home to get your child to eat better may not work at all in social settings that feel loud, stressful and unfamiliar to your child. The result? Your child may refuse to eat at all or act out at the table. Or both.
Your best bet is to plan ahead and communicate those plans with the host. Where to start?
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Be proactive. Teach your child about Thanksgiving and tell them what to expect that day. Remember, changes in routines can be stressful to your child.
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Be prepared. If your child typically refuses new foods, bring something with you that you know he or she likes. Let the host know ahead of time so there is no pressure on your child to try something new.
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Be empathetic. Communication can be difficult for your child with autism. Others may not understand their behavior. Be sensitive to their frustrations. Let them know you understand.
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Be flexible. You can’t anticipate everything that could happen that day. If your child becomes overwhelmed by the sounds and smells and unfamiliar faces at the dinner table, or any time during the day, take them to a quiet place. Play with their favorite toy. And, yes, it’s OK to offer your child alternative foods and noise-cancelling headphones at a holiday meal you are sharing with others.
Progress will not happen overnight; holidays and other family gatherings can be treated as special days with extra care given to the child and common courtesies extended to others.
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Rachel Zbarsky Shares Her Goals and Passions |
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Rachel Zbarsky has grown quickly in her job as a special education teacher at Potential’s Springtime School. Yet what she enjoys most is watching her students thrive. “It’s great to see the way the kids have grown and all that they have accomplished,” she says.
In a little over two years, Rachel has gone from being a recent college graduate unsure of her next step, to an integral part of our team. She has a master’s degree in special education and an undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of Rochester, and a strong desire to become a board certified behavior analyst (BCBA). “I am very interested in ABA and how it can help with behavior management,” Rachel notes.
She believes it is this approach that has made it possible for the kids at Potential to go on field trips and participate in other outings. “It feels really great when we can take our kids on field trips to places like the zoo and they get to experience things that they would not have otherwise,” she says. “I am excited to have this opportunity to touch the lives of as many families and kids as I can.”
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Catch Up with More People of Potential on Social Media
We’ll be featuring new members of our community and staff who are making an impact on the lives of people with autism. Look for #PeopleofPotentialInc on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn on Wednesdays.
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BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES |
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Join us as we recognize these employees for their achievements on their first-year anniversaries. |
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Alyssa Haines
“Alyssa has been a tremendous addition to our team! She works with a variety of clients of all ages and is always a smiling face around the office.”
Krista Donahue
“Krista is excellent with her clients and is always eager to ask questions to help with their progress toward goals. Krista is a joy to be around for both clients and co-workers. She is always willing to lend a hand and go the extra mile for her clients and co-workers alike!”
Max Berrios-Torres
“Max shows up every day with enthusiasm and is always there to ask ‘what can I do to learn more?’ On top of this can-do attitude, he is always ready to help his coworkers with some creativity and humor.”
Savanna Hersh
“Savanna is such a valuable member of the Springtime School team and company; she embodies Potential's values of respect, compassion, teamwork and integrity!”
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We wish these team members a very happy birthday this November. Here’s to another year of health and happiness! |
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Sharon Pavlichko
Camella Escanilla
Diane Kupinewicz
Scott Magee
Sarah Choe
Alex McGrath
Rachel Zbarsky
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A Career at Potential
We strive to provide a stable, nurturing, and fun environment that allows our staff to grow personally and professionally through training, supervision, and support, while earning a good living.
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Full Time, Part Time & Paid Internships
No experience necessary. Tremendous growth potential.
We are always looking for energetic, flexible and, above all else, compassionate individuals who enjoy working with children and want to make a difference in the community. Does that sound like you or someone you know? View our careers page or contact us for more information.
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7th Annual Car Show for Autism
Saturday, September 23, 2023
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It's never too early to start planning for Potential's Annual Car Show. We are currently looking for volunteers to join the 2023 Car Show Committee. It’s a great way to show your support for Potential and meet new people.
Volunteers help to plan, organize and improve the show. There are roles for everyone who wants to contribute! If that's you, send us an email at info@potentialinc.org for more information.
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