Archive
July Calendar Updates – Plus Meetup Details For Tomorrow!
After a successful first meetup, July Excursions and Adventures is already being updated – I hope you took my advice and used a pencil on those calendars. Or, click on the calendar icon (bottom right on the main page) and you can download all of the events right onto your Google calendar – it will even email you reminders and updates (I think)!
****Tomorrow, July 9**** – Relax by the Natural History Museum sprinklers, 12 noon. My whole gang will be there between 12 and 12:30 depending on when the baby naps. Remember to bring a swimsuit and towel, and possibly a change of clothes if you want to go inside the museum afterward to cool off. We’re also bringing some snacks and drinks – the museum cafe is kind of $$ IMO. Email me if you have questions!
July 15* – Boat Basin Cafe for lunch followed by sprinklers at the Classic Playground (near 79th and Riverside on the water) 12:30pm
July 17 – New York Botanical Gardens – hands on exhibits in the Family and Children’s gardens, 1p.m.
July 21* – Highbridge Pool free swim in two Olympic sized pools, one of which is 1-2 feet deep! 11a.m. (much less crowded at this hour)
July 23 – V&T Pizzeria for lunch (110th and Amsterdam) followed by Morningside Park’s very cool playground (near 117th and Morningside) 12 noon.
*Indicates dates that have been changed or new dates.
August sneak peek: Police Museum, Bronx Zoo, BounceU, Science Museum, and Central Park Brass kids’ music series.
I hope to see/ meet you at one of these fun, upcoming events!
YAI Family Support Series, Summer Program Highlights
YAI Network (think Central Park Challenge) has an excellent Family Support Series for caregivers of people on the autism spectrum (PDD, Autism, Aspergers, etc.). I just received their summer meeting calendar – it is copied below and includes info on how to register for each of the free meetings.
Taken from http://www.yai.org/autismsupport:
The Family Support Series is supported in part by grants from New York State OPWDD and The New York City Council’s Autism Awareness Initiative.
Download Schedules:
English / Spanish | Mandarin
- en español
- Pre-registration is required by calling YAI LINK at 212-273-6182.
- Parents and caregivers only! No children please.
- Location: 460 West 34th Street, 11th floor, New York, NY 10001
- Structure: 1st half (Presentation), 2nd half (Support)
- Fee: None!
Date / Time
|
Topic |
Presenter(s) |
| Thursday June 16th 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM |
Hands On Sensory Tools and Techniques for Everyday | Jennifer Chang, MS, OTR/L, C/NDT Occupational Therapy Supervisor, YAI Center for Specialty Therapy |
| Wednesday June 22nd 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM |
Sleep Matters! The Importance of Sleep for Children on the Spectrum and their Families | Diane Liu, MD Pediatrician, Premier HealthCare |
| Friday July 22nd 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM |
Fostering Friendships between Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Typically Developing Peers | Jill Krata, PhD YAI Autism Center & Premier HealthCare Autism Research |
| Wednesday July 27th 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM |
Discussing Diagnosis with your Child | Jenny A Frank, LCSW, JCCA Compass Project |
| Wednesday August 3rd 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM |
Autism and Allergies: Is there a Link? | Jessica Petros, MD, Premier HealthCare |
| Monday August 8th 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM |
Stand, Stretch, Breathe: A Yoga Class for Parents with Take Home Tips for Your Child | Laura Mitchell, LMSW, LMT YAI LINK, Certified Kripalu Yoga Instructor Kami Evans, Special Needs and Children Certified Yoga Instructor, Elahi Yoga |
| Monday August 15th 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM |
Behavior Management 101: How to Use Prompting and Fading | Lana Small, MSW, Coordinator, YAI Project Assist Mary Downing, BA Senior Supervisor, YAI Project Assist |
| Monday September 12th 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM |
Bullying | Ruth DiRoma, Outreach and Information Specialist, Brooklyn Parent Center, Brooklyn Center for Independence of the Disabled, Inc. BCID |
| Monday September 16th 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM |
“I Just Don’t Understand!” Bring all your questions about the service system for people with developmental disabilities to an interactive Q&A session | Panel of YAI LINK Staff |
July Excursions, Adventures and Other Less Exciting But Equally Fun Gatherings of The Foorce
The schedule for July is below!! If you simply can’t wait another second scroll right down to it and start filling in those blank spots on your calendar. Just do it in pencil because I am still waiting to hear about James’s summer swim schedule, and you guessed it, the two aforementioned doctors’ appointments are still flapping in the wind.
If you’re still reading, I just want to take a second to clarify the whole “group” thing. I have received quite a few emails about how to “get into the social group” or “sign up for meetings” or “is there space left to join the summer group.” I’m flattered, really, and a little sorry to tell you – it’s not that exclusive. In fact, anyone can come – just part of what makes the get-togethers so exciting. Though the group is centered around special needs families, you don’t have to have a special needs family member to “get in.” Friends, family, neighbors, classmates, anyone you think might be interested is welcome to come – any age, disabled or not. The point behind this group (for me) is to provide social and fun opportunities that are inclusive to everyone. With the spread we have in our house, you know I mean everyone.
Here’s where it gets a little bit official, though. If you signed up for the mailing list OR subscribed to this blog you will get reminders and more details as events draw nearer – you don’t need to do anything else. You will also be asked to RSVP for some meetings, especially if they involve group discounts or bringing food (nothing worse than showing up with 3 dozen brownies for 2 kids who can’t eat chocolate). If you want to receive reminders but haven’t signed up or subscribed, sign up or subscribe. Email me if you’re confused now – we’ll work it out.
Without further adieu, I present the (tentatively) amazing July schedule (subject to all kinds of change):
July 5* – Potluck picnic at the Hudson “Swing a Ring” Beach (swingaring.com) 1p.m. Bring sand toys and lawn games!
July 9* – Relax by the Natural History Museum sprinklers, 12 noon.
July 14* – Boat Basin Cafe for lunch followed by sprinklers at the Classic Playground (near 79th and Riverside on the water) 12:30pm
July 17 *- New York Botanical Gardens – hands on exhibits in the Family and Children’s gardens, 1p.m.
July 20 – New York Science Museum including the Science Playground and Rocket Park Mini Golf, 11:00a.m.
July 23 – V&T Pizzeria for lunch (110th and Amsterdam) followed by Morningside Park’s very cool playground (near 117th and Morningside) 12 noon.
*Locations may be changed due to inclement weather.
June summary: DMF at Brooklyn Cyclones, Coney Island (22), Achilles 5M Race, Central Park (26)
August sneak peek: Police Museum, Bronx Zoo, BounceU, beach trip, and Central Park Brass kids’ music series.
I hope to see you at one or all of these events this summer!
The Foorce 
Recent Comments