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February 2014

Parent Resource Newsletter

Children’s Therapy

Pacific Science Center Offers Free, Early Open, Sensory-Adapted, Monthly Sessions throughout 2015For families who have children with Autism, you now have the opportunity to experience Pacific Science Center’s exhibits for FREE while enjoying sensory adaptations and fewer people. Just for you, every 2nd Saturday of the month throughout 2015, the Science Center will open early with softened lighting and reduced interactive exhibit noise and visual stimulation wherever possible.

Click here for dates and more information.

pacificsciencecenter.org/Events/exploration-for-all

Located under the arches, near the Space Needle pacificsciencecenter.org

This is a guide to assist you and your family in identifying exhibits which meet your sensory needs.

Each area of the Sensory Guide is color-coded and numbered to match Pacific Science Center Guide & Map. Our scale offers ratings for noise level, visual stimulation, availability to touch and feel and even strong scents!

We encourage you to bring earplugs, sunglasses and other tools you may find useful during your visit. The Brown Bag Corner and the family room inside the Just for Tots area can be a quieter areas to relax when you need a moment away from the exhibits. You may also get a hand stamp in order to leave and come back later the same day.

: Theaters

: Building 1

: Building 2

: Building 3

: Building 4

: Building 5

: Courtyard

Noise Level Visual Stimulation Touchable Exhibits Strong Odors

: Low

: Moderate

: High

: Low

: Moderate

: High

: Low

: Moderate

: High

SENSORY GUIDEPacific Science Center

WELCOME TO PACIFIC SCIENCE CENTER!PREVIOUS NEWSLETTERS

Back Issues of the Parent Resource Newsletter Available OnlineClick here to view back issues of the Children’s Therapy Parent Resource Newsletter.

valleymed.org/our-services/childrens-therapy/children-s-therapy--parent-resource-newsletter/

Like Us on Facebook If you have a good experience at Children’s Therapy, we invite you to visit facebook.com/valleymed with your comments.

LINK OF THE WEEK

View Link of the Week & Link Archives

valleymed.org/our-services/childrens-therapy/link-of-the-week/

Help Us Get Better at What We Do: Please Give Us your Feedback by Filling out & Returning your Patient Satisfaction SurveyPlease be on the lookout for a patient satisfaction survey in the mail. When you receive one, please fill it out and return it, as we want to continually improve all that we do in Children’s Therapy. Thank you!

Kaleidoscope Play and Learn Groups

Kaleidoscope Play & Learn groups are organized play groups for young children and the people who take care of them—grandparents, aunts and uncles, brothers and sisters, parents and other family members and friends.

At Kaleidoscope Play & Learn, children and caregivers take part in play activities that support children’s early learning. Groups meet weekly all over King County in libraries, family centers, schools, community centers and other neighborhood locations. Most groups are free and many do not require registration. Groups are offered in a variety of languages.

To find a group near you, click here. Then click on the link “Click here to find a Kaleidoscope Play & Learn group”.

childcare.org/family-services/find-care-kaleidoscope.aspx

RESOURCES

UW Autism Center 2015 Winter Training Series

Upcoming Workshops

ABA Boot CampFebruary 3 – 5, 2015 from 9 AM – 4 PM An intensive, hands-on workshop focused on introducing effective applied behavior analysis (ABA) – based teaching strategies.

Addressing Challenging BehaviorsMarch 4, 11, 18, 2015 from 3:30 – 6 PMIn this workshop, parents, teachers and providers will learn practical strategies to increase positive behaviors and prevent challenging behaviors.

View here for more info and to register.

depts.washington.edu/uwautism/training

SEMINARS AND EVENTS

FREE Seminars & EventsMaintaining the best health possible should be a priority. Give yourself a wellness advantage by keeping informed on health issues that matter most to you and your family.Led by our expert physicians and healthcare specialists, presentations cover a wide range of topics, so keep checking our line-up for the events of most interest and importance to you.

Join Other Moms who Truly Understand the Joys and Challenges of Raising Children with Special Needs—Check Out Mother’s Circle

Mother’s Circle is a group of women raising children 0-6 years with special needs—sharing emotional support, lively conversation, promoting advocacy and creating solutions. All mothers who have children with special needs ages 0-6 years are welcome to join. Mother’s Circle is free.

When: Meetings are 1st & 3rd WEDNESDAY of every month, 6:30 – 8:30 PM

Location: Kindering, 16120 NE 8th St, Bellevue

View more info

For questions or to confirm your attendance, please contact Rosanne Carter at 425.984.2623.

http://kindering.org/services/familysupport/motherscircle/

Sign up here or call 425.656.INFO (4636)valleymed.org/Classes/Classes---Events/

HEART MONTH: FREE BLOOD PRESSURE & BLOOD SUGAR CHECKS

Go Red DayFriday, February 6, 10 AM – 2 PMMcLendon’s Hardware, 440 Rainier Ave. S, RentonSaturday & Sunday, February 14 & 15, 10 AM – 2 PMIKEA, 601 SW 41st St, Renton

BODYWORKS INTRO—CREATING HEALTHY EATING & EXERCISE HABITS FOR TEENS & FAMILIES

Tuesday, February 10, 6:30 – 9:30 PMMedical Arts Center, Rooms E & FJoanne MontzingoGet more info or register herecustomer.sironahealth.com/WebClassReg2/WebClassReg/ClassInfo?ClassId=104178

King County Library Classes & Programs

The King County Library System has many FREE classes and programs for children and adults. Some of the classes/programs are: Story Times, Study Zones, One on One Computer Help, ESL Classes, One-on-One Resume Assistance, One-on-One Assistance with Computers, Teen Writers’ Group and so many more! Visit site with full program offerings.

kcls.org/programs/

If This is Your First Parent Resource Newsletter

Welcome to all of our new families! The Parent Resource is our bi-monthly e-newsletter, keeping you current with what's going on that may be of interest to your family. Printed copies are also available at Children's Therapy. We'll keep you up-to-date about resources and events in the area, while providing information about Children's Therapy policies and changes. We welcome your comments—please tell your therapist if you have any suggestions or input. Information about non-VMC sponsored events is for your consideration only: we cannot guarantee the accuracy/content of the listed events and services.

DON’T MISS A BEAT! 10 STEPS TO A HEALTHIER HEART

Thursday, February 19, 6 – 7 pmMedical Arts Center AuditoriumJoshua Busch, MDGet more info or register herecustomer.sironahealth.com/WebClassReg2/WebClassReg/ClassInfo?ClassId=105202

DONOR CORNER

DonationsNow through the Starlight Foundation’s website, Children’s Therapy has a “wishlist” of items we’d love to have donated to our department! hcf.starlight.org/hcf/profile/index/id/1719/

If you are interested in purchasing an item for Children’s Therapy, please do so directly through the above website. We welcome donations and especially have a need for new Play-Doh, new construction paper, new glue sticks and new sealed bubbles. Unfortunately, we cannot accept plush toys or wooden toys (unless the wooden toys are certified to be lead-free).

Thank you to the following donors:Caroline for the new toy donationsSebastian K. and family for the blue spinning chairThank you!

CHILDREN'S THERAPY WEBSITE

valleymed.org/childrenstherapy/