Tag: Adult Day Programs for Special Needs

Posted in Adult Day Programs for Special Needs, Autism, Behavior/ ABA, Down syndrome, Dual Diagnosis Down syndrome and autism, Recreation/Leisure and Special Needs

Blog #229~DS-ASD Winter Update

Posted on by tjunnerstall

Blog #229~DS-ASD Winter Update

Chicago winter 2019

This winter weather has been bitter and harsh, here in Chicago.  Fortunately, we missed the plummeting temperatures last week, while vacationing in Vail, Colorado.  My son, Nick is 24 years old and has a dual diagnosis of Down syndrome and autism (DS-ASD).  Here’s an update on what Nick’s been up to this winter and the highlights of our trip to Vail.

The weather in Vail was mild, with temperatures in the 35-40 degree range and plenty of sunshine.  There is something to be said about sunlight and how it can elevate your mood.  The clear blue skies, warm sun, fresh air, and beautiful mountain views, can do wonders for the soul.

Vail sunset 2019

Nick enjoyed his time with our friends in Vail.  The village is always a fun place to visit.  Here’s Nick at lunch and with his Dad, Al :)…..

 

The highlight of the week, for Nick was dog sledding.  This is the second year we’ve done this with Mountain Mushers, who offer the best dog sledding rides in the Vail Valley.  Nick was happy to see his buddy, Cameron who was our dog sled musher last year.  He always gets such a kick seeing all the happy dogs, who bark with excitement as the sleds loaded up.

All bundled up in the sled and ready to go, and guess what, he actually kept his hat and gloves on this time.  Yay Nick! 🙂

 

The scenic trail was packed with alot more snow this year, making the ride faster. His favorite part is when the sled goes over the bumps and flies down the hills. Nick is a thrill seeker, who always signs “more” when a roller coaster ride is over.  He also loves the Disney movie Snow Dogs, so this was a perfect blend of his favorite things.  Towards the end of the ride, his Dad got to try his hand at mushing.  Check out the Facebook, Instagram and Twitter links below to see videos of them dog sledding in action all this week. 🙂 

Today it’s a balmy 50 degrees here in Chicago, and Nick has returned to his adult developmental training day program.  It’s hard to believe the turn around in temperatures……

Chicago temp difference

As I’ve mentioned in previous blog posts, Nick attends a day program that he truly enjoys.  The adult developmental training program curriculum includes functional and academic work activities, crafts, exercise, cooking, entertainment, and community outings.  The staff reports that Nick has so much potential and does awesome at the learning centers and work choices.  They have a lot of fun, especially over the holidays. Activities included a big Christmas lunch, wearing ugly sweaters, listening to a local high school choir and making wreaths, gingerbread houses and pillows.

Here’ s a no sew pillow that Nick made…..

nick pillow

If you look closely in the picture above, you might notice a stop icon on the dishwasher.  There are many of these stop signs on the start buttons around our house.  Individuals with a diagnosis of autism can benefit from the use of icons, to better guide their days.  Nick has a thing for pushing buttons and fire alarms.  His behavior support plan (BSP) addresses the fire alarm pulling.  Twice each day, the staff at his day program take him on a walk down the hallways.  They encourage and cue him to “keep walking” with “hands to self”.  Before these walks, the staff reads his social story that contains pictures of how to  navigate these hall walks.  Upon successful completion, Nick earns a reward.

Click on this link to learn more about the BSP and his social story: https://nickspecialneeds.com/tag/social-stories/

That wraps up Nick’s world and what he’s been up to this winter.  Navigating a dual diagnosis of  DS-ASD has it’s good and bad days.  Fortunately, the good days now outweigh the bad.  I think it’s both maturity on Nick’s part, along with the wisdom and understanding gained from being his parent.  Big guy has a milestone birthday coming up, I look forward to sharing more with you next Monday!  What is one thing that Nick has taught you over the past 24+ years?  I’d love to hear your feedback. 🙂

That’s what is in my noggin this week.

~Teresa 

Follow Nick on Social Media to see more pics and videos:

Nick head shot in vail

Facebook and Pinterest @Down Syndrome With A Slice Of Autism

Instagram #nickdsautism and more on dog sledding #mountainmushers

Twitter @tjunnerstall

 

 

 

 

 

Posted in Adult Day Programs for Special Needs, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), Autism, Down syndrome, Dual Diagnosis Down syndrome and autism, Recreation/Leisure and Special Needs

Blog #154~Adult Day Program 6 Month Update

Posted on by tjunnerstall

Blog #154~Adult Day Program 6 Month Update

On my son’s 22nd birthday this past February, the little yellow bus stopped coming to the door.  My son, Nick has Down syndrome and autism and has aged out of school.  For the past 6 months,  Nick has been going to an adult day program.  This week I want to share some of the activities he’s been doing in this excellent program at the Keeler Center.

Nick’s adult day program is filled with many fulfilling activities each day.  Mondays are dedicated field trip days.

Here are some of the places Nick has visited in the community:

Shedd Aquarium

Library

Brookfield Zoo

Fabyan Park Japanese Garden

Fox Valley Park District Greenhouse

Phillips Park

Red Oak Nature Center

Art Studios

Fermi Lab

Local restaurants (Noodles & Company, Dunkin Doughnuts, Culvers, Colonial Café, etc..)

In the facility, Nick participates in a variety of activities:

Vocational jobs (cleaning and vacuuming sensory room, recycling, shredding, work  bins, gardening, menu planning, cooking, etc..)

nick vacumming aid

Social circle (News to You, greeting and using AAC devices)

Science projects

Table and bin work

Nick work aid

Arts and Crafts (for art fairs, mothers/father’s day, making cards, painting, etc..)

Recreational (gym activities, yoga, etc..)

Nick yoga AID

Fun Fridays (Holiday theme parties, dancing, karaoke, games, concerts, cookouts, movies, etc..)

Speech therapy (insurance private pay), to work on articulation and using his AAC device

Outside the facility, his group does community recycling, shopping for cooking day as well as volunteer jobs.  One of the sites is at a local church, (stuffing bulletins and cleaning the nursery).  The other workplace is at a food pantry, where they organize and stock inventory, like dried beans, cereal and peanut butter.

Nick recycling

Nick has a full life and rewarding activities in his adult day program. The staff is very dedicated, caring, welcoming and patient.  Yes, patient! Nick’s pulled several fire alarms the last few months.  The behaviorist on staff  has put a plan in  place, and met with the staff to curtail this ongoing problem. Hey, it’s Nick’s world, the rest of us are just trying to keep up. The current fire alarm pull count is now 40 pulls since 3rd grade.

While his speech is limited due to having a dual diagnosis of Down syndrome and autism, I can tell that he is very happy in this program.  How do I know?  When I wake him up in the morning he is excited to get dressed and out the door.  The other day I was driving him and his buddy Josh to the site.  Just before we crossed over the Fox River, Nick started saying “Keeler” with a big thumbs up.  It warms my heart knowing that Nick is happy and contributing to society. That’s what is in my noggin this week.

~Teresa

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Posted in Adult Day Programs for Special Needs, Autism, Down syndrome, Dual Diagnosis Down syndrome and autism, Education and Special Needs

Blog #145~Hitting Milestones, Moving On

Posted on by tjunnerstall

Blog #145~Hitting Milestones, Moving On

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This weekend we had a big milestone.  Nick’s brother Hank, graduated from Northern Illinois University with a degree in Marketing and a minor in Communication.  Nick is 22 years old and has Down syndrome and autism.  He recently reached his own milestone, finishing up the Post-Secondary transition program.  Nick now attends an adult day program.  He has a full day with activities including on site activities, community trips, vocational jobs (recycling, cleaning both on site and at a local church), and working a food pantry).  He keeps busy and is very happy in this new program.

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On the way to the NIU campus, we passed by his old high school. I pointed MVHS out to Nick and he instantly replied and signed, “All done”.  My niece, Anna, their Grandpa Jim, and I were astonished.  Nick recognized that he had been there, done that and had moved on.

Nick at MVHS graduation a few years ago, held at NIU Convocation Center…

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The mood in the NIU Convocation Center was festive.  Nick swayed back and forth in his seat to the music of the steel drum band jamming in the background. I’ve never heard the Pomp and Circumstance played quite like this.  Instead of getting teary eyed as I normally would, it felt more like a delightful celebration.

NIU Steel  Drum Band=Awesome!

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Nick was very patient and kept quiet through all the speeches.  It was a lovely day, and a proud moment for the whole family. Nick’s Dad was full of pride, as he is an alum of NIU and also a marketing major.

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Nick looks like he is eyeing an alarm in this picture, doesn’t he?  He didn’t pull one on graduation day (whew)!  But, he did get another last Friday at his adult day program site.

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Current count=36 fire alarm pulls.

At last, both of my sons are done with school and moving onto their adult lives.  My wish is for Hank and Nick is for them to feel productive, contribute to society, and be happy in all they do.  I am very proud of my guys.  It was a good day at sea.  That’s what’s in my noggin this week.

~Teresa

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Posted in Autism, Down syndrome, Dual Diagnosis Down syndrome and autism, Fun Side of Nick

Mother’s Day Break

Posted on by tjunnerstall

Mother's Day

Mother’s Day Break

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Mother’s Day.  This week, I am giving myself a break on posting a blog.  My son Nick, has Down syndrome and autism and is 22 years old.  He is doing great in his adult day program.  Well, except for one thing. Yes, the spell has been broken.  But, he did manage to make it 3 full months without pulling a fire alarm.

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Current fire alarm pull count=35 pulls since third grade

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It’s Nick’s world, the rest of us are just trying to keep up!  That’s what is in my noggin this week.

~Teresa

Follow Nick:  (See what he’s doing with a mallet)

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Posted in Adult Day Programs for Special Needs, Autism, Down syndrome, Uncategorized

Blog #137~Nick’s Adult Day Program

Posted on by tjunnerstall

Blog #137~Nick’s Adult Day Program

Nick is just about a month into his new adult day program.  My son just turned 22 years old and has Down syndrome and autism.  The month before his 22nd birthday he was attending the program part time.  Gradually we increased his days and hours during the month of January.  This made for a nearly seamless transition out of school to his new location.

The one bug in the whole process has been the transportation piece.  The first try was using a riding service through our county.  This was a fail.  There was a different driver every time, and you had to pay cash $13.50 each way.  The final nail in that coffin was a driver who (as reported by Nick’s job coach), was speeding, weaving in and out of traffic and throwing his leftover lunch out the window.  The next driving service we tried were caring and nice.  However they were never on time and cost way much more money ($27.50 each way) Ouch!  Currently, we’ve hired a lovely gal who is taking Nick in the mornings.  Kelsey has been a godsend.  She said that Nick is the best way to start her mornings. 🙂

Nick in car aid

For the time being, I am picking him up each afternoon.  Ideally, I hope to find another driver or find someone to share carpool duties with as it really cuts into my schedule. Otherwise I’ll paint my car taxi cab yellow. 😀  Stay tuned……

Nick has adjusted well in his new program.  Here are a few snapshots:

Vocational tasks….. (What, he’s not spraying anyone in the eye or drenching a flat screen tv?)

Nick cleaning aid.jpg

Nick relaxing in the sensory room….

Nick sensory aid

In his new program, the group goes out into the community three times a week.  He has already been to the Shedd Aquarium, recycling & food pantry jobs, shopping for cooking supplies and eating out at restaurants. The program also has special days with themes like Elvis Day, soul food cooking, Valentine’s Day party and monthly birthday celebrations.  The staff is caring and they really love what they do.  Nick has been very happy here.

Yes, there have been a few behaviors that have challenged the staff. That’s to be expected.  Nick can spot fresh meat and will test you.  But last week and the follow up meeting, the behaviorist felt these were manageable.  It really helped that the school sent his job coach with him during the transition.  Jodi, was able to help the staff understand these and guide them on how to handle Nick.  So far, he has only got to the cover of a fire alarm. I had my money on him pulling one the first week. 🙂

As Nick’s mom, it warms my heart to know that his days are full, structured, meaningful and that he is happy in his new adult life. That’s what is in my noggin this week.

~Teresa

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Posted in Autism, Down syndrome, Education and Special Needs, Fun Side of Nick

Blog #136~Nick Turns 22

Posted on by tjunnerstall

Blog #136~Nick Turns 22

I got a bit choked up buying these candles the other day.  What is the significance of 22?  That is the birthday in which a child with special needs ages out of the school system and enters the adult world.  My son Nick, has Down syndrome and autism.  Yesterday was his 22nd birthday.

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Last Friday was Nick’s last day in school.  They celebrated his birthday and wished him good luck….

22 birthday cake.jpg

Make a wish Big Guy! 🙂

22 wish

Nick had a wonderful experience in his Post-Secondary Transition Program (STEPS).  It was hard to say goodbye.  The cord has been cut, and the little yellow bus made it’s final stop to the door……..

bus last day.jpg

Nick’s birthday celebration continued over the weekend with family at Mr. Benny’s Restaurant in Frankfort. Nick enjoyed a nice steak dinner and another round of singing Happy Birthday.  We celebrated both Nick and his Dad’s (which is the day before his).

22 Nick and Dad

Yesterday (Nick’s actual birthday), we made a run to the border.  Oh happy day! 🙂

22 nick taco bell

Nick had a great time and we thank you all for the well wishes. We look forward to sharing the new adventures that lie ahead.  Nick started his new adult day program full time today. The fire alarm pull count is at 34 since third grade, but for how long?  Cheers to you Nick, for making us smile and keeping our reflexes razor sharp.   That’s what is in my noggin this week.

~Teresa 🙂

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Posted in Autism, Down syndrome, Education and Special Needs, IEP (Indivdualized Education Plan)

Blog #135~Final Week in School

Posted on by tjunnerstall

Blog #135~Final Week in School

This is Nick’s last week to be in school.  His 22nd birthday is almost here.  Then, the little yellow bus stops coming to the door.  My son Nick, has Down syndrome and autism.  He is aging out of the school system and will enter the adult world.  For the past few months we have been working with his current school and the adult day program he will be attending.  Nick has been at the new program part time for the past few weeks and the transition is going well. All the pieces seem to be in place.

It’s been an amazing journey watching Nick grow and learn.  The times have been joyous and triumphant, while often frustrating and heartbreaking.  Today I want to pause and give credit to all of the teachers, case managers, aides, therapists, bus drivers and school district personnel and respite workers that have helped along the way.

Nick started at the Klein School District (in Texas) at just 8 weeks old.  This early intervention program had a wonderful staff and therapists.  They worked to strengthen his low muscle tone (a trait of having Down syndrome).  When Nick was nearly 3 years old and not walking yet I said to his physical therapist, “I don’t think Nick is ever going to walk”.  To which she replied, “I have never met a child with Down syndrome who hasn’t walked yet”.  And you know what she was right.  Nick did eventually walk at age 3 1/2! 🙂

After age 3, Nick attended the early childhood program at the Arbor School in Houston.  He made so many gains with the combined co-treatment therapies offered by Texas Children’s Hospital.  Not only did he start to walk, he learned how to chew solid food without choking.

We moved outside the San Francisco Bay area when Nick was 4 years old.  I can’t begin to thank the Down syndrome Connection support group along with his therapists, Kendra his Kacy at Learning on the Move.  I learned ways to incorporate a sensory diet for Nick, and how to become an advocate for my son.

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In 2001, we moved outside the Chicago area.  During his elementary years Nick was in a full inclusion classroom.  This worked because of the excellent help provided by his support teacher, along with dedicated teachers, aides and therapists.  It was during this time that Nick’s academic goals shifted to more functional goals in his IEP.  While this was heartbreaking, I remember gaining strength in what his support teacher said.  At the beginning of his IEP meeting in 4th grade Sylvia said,  “Nick has a lot of strengths and we need to focus on those”.

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Nick also began to get private speech and OT at Suburban Pediatric Therapies.  He has learned so much and developed a great relationship with all the staff at this clinic. 🙂

Nick loves to work with Brian…..

Brian and Nick

The middle school years were rough for Nick.  Having the diagnosis of autism along with Down syndrome was a mixed cocktail with a bad taste of frustration (due to lack of speech). This lead to meltdowns and destructive behaviors.  The shift led back to a self-contained classroom.  I don’t think we could have survived this time without the support of NADS (National Down Syndrome Association) and Little Friends Center for Autism.  I learned how to manage the autism component with their help.  Getting support is crucial in a crisis situation as this was.  I also give a lot of credit to his support teacher Jess (aka “The Nick Whisperer”).  She believed in his capabilities, understood him and made the last years of middle school a success.

High school was a self-contained setting.  It was during this time I saw Nick mature and handle his behaviors much better.  He took pride in his vocational jobs both in school and out in the community.  I appreciate all the staff that worked with him and helped him grow during that time.

Working at Re-Store Habitat for Humanity with Ms. R….

Nick packaging door knobs_Habitat for Humanity (6)

Working at Tabor Hills Residential Community…..

Nick vacumming_Tabor Hills (3)

Nick Senior Portrait….

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After Nick graduated from high school he attended a post-secondary transition program (STEPS) where he continued to hone his vocational skills, had work jobs and community trips.  He has enjoyed this program immensely!  A big thank you for the staff at STEPS for helping Nick navigate his jobs, teaching him new skills, working to make his AAC talker device be a success and assisting with the transition to the adult day program he will start full time next week.

Nick on a delivery run job…..

Nick delivery

This journey with Nick has been a wonderful and wild ride, 34 fire alarm pulls and all!   I am grateful to all who have worked with Nick and touched our lives.  Truly, you all have been angels lighting the path along Nick’s way.  That’s what is in my noggin this week. 🙂

~Teresa

Follow Nick:

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Posted in Adult Day Programs for Special Needs, Autism, Down syndrome, Education and Special Needs, Uncategorized

Blog #133~Transition to Adult Day Program

Posted on by tjunnerstall

Blog #133~Transition to Adult Day Program

As I mentioned last week, the countdown is on to the end of school for my son.  Nick is 21 years old and has Down syndrome and autism.  In just a few weeks he will celebrate his 22nd birthday and will age out of the school system.  So what will Nick do when the little yellow bus stops coming to pick him up?  Here’s a peek into his transition to the adult day program which started last week.

Nick is attending half days twice a week.  Each morning starts in the gym.  Here are some of the activities he will be doing:

Sensory Swing…..

Nick Swing AID

Yoga time….

Nick yoga AID.jpg

Bowling….

Nick Bowling AID

Nick picked out an animal book for one of his choice activities….

Nick reading AID

Nick stole his teacher’s chair when she got up.  Looks like he’s  making himself at home.  Now all he needs is a crown. 🙂

Nick chair AID

Here’s Nick’s reaction when his job coach asked if he liked his new school.  A fist pump with a big yay! 🙂

Nick fist bump AID

Week one of the transition to the adult day program was a success. A special thank you to Jodi, his job coach for providing the pictures above!  I’m so pleased that he is happy there and the activities keep him busy, productive and most of all, happy 🙂  There are a few more wrinkles to iron out, but progress is being made for this to be a success for Nick.  That’s what is in my noggin this week.

~Teresa

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