Come out and RUN!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zGiDiHrIjY&feature=colike


This video describes what ASD is and how they determine if someone has it or not.  I know 3 out of the 5 people in this video!  Kristi and Bryan are on the Walk board with me and Patricia has seen Parker before.  (I think for testing!)  It's a great video! 

Enjoy!

New Word!!!!

Parker enjoyed a day with other people with disabilities yesterday at Opportunity Day at the K of C in Alexandria. This event is so amazing. It invites adults and children with disabilities to come have a day of fun, fishing, riding a boat, bounce houses, riding horses, games, petting animals, making crafts, dancing to music, and lunch, all free of charge. Caregivers can drop off the disabled person and can take a few hours off. They have volunteers there to help take the people around and be the caregivers for a few hours. This is such an amazing event for the disabled people, the caregivers who get a few hours to themselves, and also for the volunteers who help out in so many ways.

This is the second year Parker has attended this event. We go with him and the entire family has so much fun. Parker is not looked at funny and he his a "king" for a day. Whatever he wants to do, we do. Its his day.

His favorite this year (also was last year) was riding the horses. His eyes just light up when he sees them and he makes a run for them. This year he was ready to ride them and couldn't wait. He got on and smiled ear to ear and laughed the entire time. When the horse came to a stop and it was time to get off, he got off, petted the horse, then got right back on. They took him around a few more times.

The horses just calm him like nothing else does. He LOVES looking in their eyes, feeding them, and of course, riding them. He can't stop smiling.

Well this year, the horses did much more than give him a ride on their backs. We were standing in line, waiting our turn, and I asked if he was excited to ride the horse. I looked at him and told him to say horse. I do this for everything. Ask him to try and say the word. So I said, "Parker, say Horse" Below is what he said.

AMAZING!!!! He says it so clear!

Thank you God for giving Parker another word and we are one word closer to talking! Also, thank you to EVERYONE who helped out at the K of C yesterday. An event like this means the world to families!

Florence Freedom Game Fundraiser

Please come out and support Autism Speaks and the Florence Freedom Baseball Team.  Tickets are $10 online and $5 from each ticket sold will go to our team walk 2013 total.  Go to www.florencefreedom.com and use promo code Parker!  Any questions, please email me at katieruschman@hotmail.com.  This is the first time the Florence Freedom team has made the playoffs, so they are celebrating by making it a way for charities to raise money!

Parker at school today!

Parker's Autism teacher Ms. Lindsey sent me a picture of his hard at work today.  They were learning about underwater animals, so they got to play in the water.  His aide said he only got a little wet but the other kids were not so lucky.  They said he did really well and loved it.  I love getting pictures like this from his teacher!

Dine to Donate Fundraiser!

I have been asked by A LOT of people to keep having the Dine to Donate fundraisers all year long.  We all love to go out to eat and not have to cook, but when it is for a good cause, WE LOVE IT!!!

So, September 9th from 11am to close, Applebee's in Highland Heights will give us 10% of all checks turned in with a flyer.  YOU MUST GIVE THE SERVER THE FLYER BELOW!!!!  Go here to print out a copy!  http://www.4shared.com/photo/ZU89_VtL/Applebees.html#I8FyWj50ZT0G7FjI.01

Please join us in our first fundraiser for the 2013 Walk Now for Autism Speaks!  This years goal is to raise over $18,000!!!! 

Please pass this flyer out to all of your friends, family, co-workers, etc.  Thanks so much for your support!

Free $5 Tanger Giftcard!

Just wanted to share a deal with everyone.  Go here.  You get a free $5 Tanger Giftcard.  I was just there for my birthday and bought myself a new Coach purse!  Have fun shopping!

Chore and Behavior Cards

I finally found a new chore system that is working in our house.  Dylan (our 7 year old) hates to help around that house so I needed something more than just a chart.  So I started a system with punch cards and a Treasure box that is working well right now. 

I got a see-thru box from the store and let Dylan pick out things to put in it.  A pack of gum, a bag of cotton candy, a red box movie or game rental, special Popsicles, and many other inexpensive items that he wants.  Every time he completes a chore or shows good behavior, he gets a hole punch.  When he fills up a card, he gets to pick a prize out of the box. 

It seems to be working well.  I wanted to share in case you have a non-helper in your house like I did.  Here is a link to the cards I bought. 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/102593918/20-childrens-chore-punch-cards

There is also Behavior Punch Cards with the same idea!  Anytime he is "caught" doing something well, like doing a chore without arguing about it, helping is brother, going to get something for me, etc, he gets a hole punch.  But these can be taken back with a sticker if he does something bad! 

Here's a link to these also!  https://www.etsy.com/listing/102594464/20-behavior-punch-cards

Hope these ideas help your kids help around the house during summer break! 

Katie