June at BAC: Self Care Skills |
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Dear BAC Community,
This month, BAC focused on the importance of developing self-care skills. At BAC, we focus on increasing independence for all of our students so that they can lead independent and meaningful lives. Independence with self-care skills can help develop a greater self-esteem and ultimately a higher quality of life. Self-care skills are carefully developed and individualized for each and every student. BAC also provides parent training so that self-care skills can be facilitated in the home.
This month, BAC also had lots of celebrations! We celebrated PRIDE Month as well as Juneteenth. We provided staff training, while our students read books and participated in craft activities that focused on kindness, acceptance and unity. We also celebrated Father’s Day to honor all of our superhero dads who we are so lucky to have a part of the BAC community.
Lastly, as we end the school year, we have a very special celebration for our BAC graduate, Ian Jorgl. We are so proud of all that he has accomplished and look forward to this special day to honor him and his family.
Thank you for your continuous support and we very much look forward to the new school year ahead.
Sincerely,
Julie Russell M.S., BCBA, LBA-NY
Executive Director
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Self Care, Independence, and Top Toileting Tips from Clinical Director Juliet |
Just thinking of all the routines and activities we do throughout the day to take care of ourselves is exhausting. We have toileting, dressing, bathing, grooming and feeding skills to just name a few. These skills, known as self-care skills or Activities of Daily Living (ADLS), are an integral part of promoting and increasing independence in people with Autism. The importance of these skills can often be overlooked, especially for younger learners. But teaching and acquiring valuable self-care skills in school, home and community settings can build self-esteem and empower people on the spectrum to be independent and autonomous in their own life. Being able to successfully navigate through these daily routines will increase overall participation in their lives and their community and lead to the best future outcomes.
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BAC Friends: A Year in Review |
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We had a successful and meaningful year of virtual BAC Friends, our after-school peer socialization program. Neurotypically developing students from neighboring schools met with some of our BAC students over zoom provide a space to work on social skills such as reciprocal conversations, turn taking, making eye contact, attending to peers, and clear communication. Some favorite activities were: virtual conversation starters, virtual Jeopardy, scavenger hunts, and home tours! We thank our peer volunteers for their dedication to being positive role models to our students. |
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Student Spotlight: 2021 BAC Graduate Ian! |
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There are so many to choose from! When I first started working at BAC we were playing a group activity of darts and Ian ran over to me abruptly and said "we're gonna go roller skating" and gave me the biggest bear hug. It was my first week working with Ian and taking him out in the community after school. Ian rarely hugged his instructors and it made me feel at home having a connection with a new student. It's a simple moment, but I could tell Ian was happy to work with me and I felt that I had made the right choice to start working at BAC. Ian and I have so many incredible memories, but this was the first bonding moment we shared together.
I'd say one of Ian's biggest achievements is the hard work he displays in the community. It is amazing to see the progress he has made through determination at our various vocational sites. At Caraballo's he has learned so many new impressive skills and is laser focused to complete these tasks with a skip in his step. Additionally at Shake Shack he has made so much progress from the first time I started working with him. He finished his work this week in record time and tackles everyday with hard-work and skill. His dedication is apparent at the various vocational sites he works at throughout the week. Ian has so many skills, of course his dancing is insanely original and impressive! But I would say his connection to music is a skill that is unlike any other person I have worked with. He is truly gifted in the way he perceives music, rhythms, and movement. I see this every day when he dances and taps intricate beats on his chest as his own sort of percussive music outlet. Ian sings, plays the piano, and displays incredibly authentic dance moves at BAC! He is truly one of a kind!
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Every day with Ian is my favorite memory. Ian has an incredible sense of humor, he always reminds us that it is important and basically essential to laugh. He fills our days with light and laugher (and incredible beats).
Ian’s biggest accomplishment in my eyes is his ability to work for increasing amounts of time in a variety of locations in the school and out in the community. Ian’s ability to work for long periods of time, navigate through the community and participate in the community is an incredible accomplishment.
Ian truly embodies the definition of a hard worker. Some days for Ian are harder than others and he pushes through each day with a smile on his face. Even in the hardest of times for Ian he jokes around and loves a good old “freestyle”. Ian is a master of many skills ranging from barista, office work and on site vocational work. We can’t forget Ian’s killer dance moves. Ian works hard and parties even harder!
I am proud of the young man he is today and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for him!
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Some of my favorite BAC memories are Ian "riffing" with Raven and Taylor about Trader Joes, not to mention DJ Dre Dance Parties and Ian's coffee café! Ian has also learned a ton of vocational skills working at Starbucks, Shake Shack and Caraballo Business, and watching his horizons expand with these opportunities has been amazing. |
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Congratulations, Ian! We are so proud of your hard work and determination. |
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Email us at info@brooklynautismcenter.org with questions and comments about behavior supports for the July newsletter!
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