Giant Steps

Adult Autism Services? Yes, please!

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 09:41:14 -0600

It is the most open secret in the Autism Community: there are more adults with autism than adult service providers. And the problem is only going to get worse. In the next 15 years, an estimated 15,000 people with autism will graduate out of Illinois school systems. That is more than three times the number of adults with autism that Illinois is currently serving. You do not need to be a math wiz to realize that the numbers do not add up. What can we do about it?

Our society faces a huge challenge that will only be met through an intense and focused community effort. That effort starts with Giant Steps’ Replicable Model for Adult Day Programming. The Replicable Model utilizes best practices from the Giant Steps’ Therapeutic Day School to create high quality programming for adults with autism. This model will be shared, free of charge, with any interested organizations to help expand Adult Services in Illinois.

Right now, there are two bills in the Illinois House of Representatives in support of the Replicable Model and expansion of adult services in Illinois.

House Bill 4989 - synopsis as introduced: “Appropriates $1,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Human Services for grants to Giant Steps Illinois for adult day programs. Effective July 1, 2012.”
House Bill 4990 - synopsis as introduced: “Amends the Disabled Persons Rehabilitation Act. Provides that subject to appropriations, the Department shall create a pilot program for adult day services for persons on the autism spectrum over the age of 22. Provides that the Department shall make grants to organizations that develop a replicable model for quality day services for adults with autism living in Illinois. Effective immediately.”

We need your help. Please contact your legislators and tell them that you support House Bills 4989 and 4990. Visit www.mygiantsteps.org/advocacy to find helpful links to contact your legislators as well as sending an email to Governor Quinn, Senate President Cullerton, and House Speaker Madison.

Visit www.mygiantsteps.org/advocacy today to send a signed petition to your legislator. Together, we can build a better future for adults living with autism in Illinois.

Tips for a successful Holiday Season

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 11:40:34 -0600

Think before you decorate. Some children can become very over stimulated by bright lights, clutter, or change. Think about limiting the amount of lights you use, or limiting them to a specific area. Also, have your child help decorate or show them pictures of what your home looked like during previous holidays to lessen the anxiety associated with change.

Practice Makes Perfect. Plan to have a practice party at the home you will be visiting for the holidays or your own home. Also think to practice waiting to open presents, turn taking while opening presents, and giving gifts. A wait/stop visual or countdown visual by wrapped presents could be helpful and a turn taking schedule for whose turn it is to open presents may be useful.

Be Prepared. After the practice party, determine what visuals (schedule, social story, first/then board), toys, and other items you may need. If food is a difficult time for your child, plan to bring your own food and then have a first/then board to let your child know that when they are done eating they will get a desired item. Also, it may be beneficial to have a specific space for your child where they can have sensory and play items.

Plan For Success. If a successful visit means arriving late and leaving early, let the host know and plan on being present for a specific amount of time.

Prepare Responses to Emotional Questions or Comments. Many extended family members do not understand Autism. To help avoid emotional outbursts, prepare a response to hurtful questions or comments. If a family member asks why you don’t discipline your child, you could reply that you are working on encouraging positive behaviors and not drawing attention to negative behaviors.

Have Fun! Allow your child and yourself to have fun. The holidays usually are not a great time to introduce new demands. Focus on maintaining routines as much as possible. Also, try to limit the stress of everyone else in the family because your child may negatively respond to the stress of others.

Take a Break. If possible, hire a respite worker, babysitter, or enroll in a special needs camp to allow you to get things done and maintain a lower stress level.

Don’t Focus on the Negative. Don’t stress about negative events that may have happened, if anything, think of what you have learned from the event. Discuss the positive events that happened over the holidays and ways your child has grown since the year before.

Have a Happy Holiday Season!

Diane Fialkowski

Social Work, Elementary

This is really fun video. Jack Black and Wyatt Isaacs, who has...

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 14:59:21 -0500

This is really fun video. Jack Black and Wyatt Isaacs, who has autism and stars in “Autism: the Musical,” performing a song called Sensitive.

Fall Parent Trainings

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 10:11:00 -0500

Fall Parent Trainings have started. Here is a link to a PowerPoint created by Julia Volm, OTR/L, for our most recent presentation “Sensory Processing Techniques for Home.” Click here to download a complete schedule of Fall Parent Trainings.

Last Thursday, Giant Steps held a mandatory state of school...

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 09:55:35 -0500

Last Thursday, Giant Steps held a mandatory state of school meeting for all parents and families. The purpose was to discuss the ongoing Community Campaign and the need for Giant Steps to pay down the debt on our building. Giant Steps is paying nearly $58,000 each month towards our mortgage. In order to maintain and expand programming, we need to raise an additional $3.5 million. If you are interested in learning more about the Community Campaign or finding ways you can help, please contact Dan Dahlke. And be sure to check out our Community Campaign Video and share it with family and friends. Together we can secure our future!

Risk of Autism Is Five Time Higher in Low-Birthweight Babies

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 15:14:45 -0500

Risk of Autism Is Five Time Higher in Low-Birthweight Babies

I-Pad Lending Library

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 09:00:00 -0500

We are pleased to announce the opening of The Giant Steps Assistive Technology Trial Center. Funding to start the program was generously awarded through a $7,500 grant from the McGowan Gin Rosica Foundation. The Trial Center aims to give students and their families the opportunity to tryout the latest assistive technologies including iPads and iTouches loaded with Proloquo2Go software. Proloquo2Go is a program developed by Apple that includes a 7,000 word fully functional vocabulary and other supports that are applicable to a student’s everyday functioning, including scheduling and academic applications. These devices will first be made available to students in Giant Steps programming. However, schools, families, speech therapists, and any other community entity will have the opportunity to rent the technology and trial the device. We currently have 6 iPads and 6 iTouches available for rent with plans to add another 40 devices in the near future. The Trial Center is located at the front reception area at Giant Steps and is being administered by Julie Zajac. Please contact Julie at 630-864-3854 or attrialcenter@mygiantsteps.org for more information regarding the program or to rent a device.

It was absolutely stunning day at Silver Lakes Country Club in...

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 10:27:26 -0500

It was absolutely stunning day at Silver Lakes Country Club in Orland Park for the 6^th Annual Bronks Limited Golf Outing. The event raised money for Giant Steps, a non-profit organization dedicated to serving the needs of children and families affected by autism. Over 40 golfers participated and additional 25 people attended the dinner/after party. Proceeds exceeded $5,000 that will go towards Giant Steps programming. A special thanks to Jennifer Bronk for donating her time and talent to organize this successful event, and all our other volunteers that made it possible. To see photos from the event visit www.facebook.com/mygiantsteps

Giant Steps Renovations to Benefit Students by: Alexa...

Mon, 18 Jul 2011 11:58:00 -0500

Giant Steps Renovations to Benefit Students

by: Alexa Vouros

Since Giant Steps is committed to meeting the needs of the expanding autism population in Chicagoland, they were faced with a dilemma last December: How could they serve an increasing number of children while facing space and financial constraints?

Since Giant Steps’ move two years ago into its current facility, the staff has found creative ways to maximize space for the benefit of students. However, as the student population continued to grow, the need for additional classroom space was apparent to all. Last winter break and the most recent summer break allowed the opportunity to construct new rooms throughout the building, including two classrooms, therapists’ offices and a daycare center. Additionally, building space was reconfigured to allow for the creation of a new gymnasium, technology room (containing a SMART Board and touch-screen computers), library and more space for the high school students.

“All these changes are for the students. It’s not to make space for the staff. The space is being enhanced to provide services for the kids,” said Giant Steps Business Manager, Richard Glinka.

In spite of Giant Steps’ limited resources, these additions were made possible by utilizing the talent of in-house staff from the maintenance department and a number of generous donations, such as the partitions from Tellabs that enabled Giant Steps to move the student library into the middle of the school. The renovations were completed in two weeks at a third of the cost.

In addition to new rooms for students, a Controlled Egress System (CES) was installed on entry/exit doors in the building. The CES triggers a 15 second delay on exterior doors when opened without a keycard. The 15 second delay ensures students cannot leave the building without staff awareness, allowing staff to better prevent unsafe situations. Despite the delay, the CES permits all doors to open immediately in emergency situations. “[Giant Steps] worked in conjunction with the Lisle Building Department and the Lisle Fire Department to make sure the system is safe,” said Glinka.

Through donations from generous benefactors, Giant Steps continues to grow and improve services. “The expansion gives the school a greater ability to provide for current and future students”, which, allows Giant Steps to continue to be “a special building for kids to learn,” said Glinka.

Chargers, Giant Steps students savor football experience

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 11:15:06 -0500

ST. CHARLES – Tri-City Chargers youth football players clapped their hands and touched their toes on Wednesday morning in a display that mirrored a typical pregame routine.

Things grew perplexing when the boys’ guest drill instructor called a trick play.

Joy Cooper, educational director at the Giant Steps of Illinois school for autistic children, was actually touching her head – not her toes – leaving players to look around in bewilderment.

“Some of us bent down and then she told us that’s how they feel all the time,” Charger A.J. Jaffe said. “How we just got confused there.”

Wednesday’s Charger camp at James O. Breen Community Park promoted togetherness and interaction, as Cooper’s brief autism seminar for volunteer players gave way to a field day for her students.

Click to read the full article at the Kane County Chronicle

Believe: to be confident that something exists when there is no proof of its existence

Thu, 07 Jul 2011 15:55:09 -0500

Our staff, and their collective belief in the potential of our students, is what truly sets Giant Steps apart. In their own words:

“I believe in the power of a team to make a difference in a child’s life.”

“I believe in compassion, empathy, and high expectations in working with our students with autism to help them reach their maximum potential.”

“I believe in eradicating the limitations of decreased expectations and false assumptions that impede on students’ success, and instead focusing on the special gifts autism has granted our students.”

“I believe our students impact our lives even more profoundly than we realize. My students have taught me more than any book, training, lecture, or class ever will.”

“I believe in celebrating every success and accepting our students unconditionally.”

“I believe in the miracles that happen everyday at Giant Steps.”

Study finds autistic toddlers' brains out of sync

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 13:16:58 -0500

Study finds autistic toddlers' brains out of sync:

(Reuters) - Researchers studying autistic toddlers have discovered their brain activity appears to be out of sync at a very early stage — a finding that sheds light on the biology of the condition and may help in earlier diagnosis.

Darien Lions Forge Special Relationship with School for Kids with Autism

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 14:01:31 -0500

Darien Lions Forge Special Relationship with School for Kids with Autism:

The Lions Club’s motto is “We serve.” So when Darien Lion Steve Hiatt got the call that Giant Steps school in Lisle needed a hand with its auction in February, it was a no brainer.

A group from the club manned the coatroom, collecting over the course of the evening about $750 in tips, said Giant Steps special event planner Jeni Fulton. They donated the tips, of course, to Giant Steps.

What started with one tip jar at one event has blossomed into a rewarding relationship between the Darien Lions Club and Giant Steps.

With the Lions help at events such as the auction, pancake breakfasts and a recent school picnic, Giant Steps’ staff is able to spend more time interacting with parents and students, said Executive Director Bridget O’Connor.

“It makes the event run so much easier,” she said. “For the first time I feel like my hair’s not on fire when I’m running an event.”

The Lions also give the parents and children a respite from some of the judgment they or their children may receive out in the larger world, O’Connor said.

While many people unfamiliar with autism treat the kids differently, she said there’s no such hesitation from the Lions.

“They treat our kids as if they were absolutely typical,” she said. “That’s such a sign of respect—the understanding that these are just kids. That to me is the coolest thing about them.”

Founded in 1996, Giant Steps serves both children and adults with autism through a variety of programs. Over the years, it’s grown from a starting class of nine students to 120 this coming fall.

For years, the Darien Lions have volunteered with Little Friends, a Naperville-based organization for people with autism.

A parent whose child moved from Little Friends to Giant Steps asked Hiatt if the Lions would be willing to volunteer at that program, too.

“We’ve always gotten by on the grace of others,” O’Connor said. “The [Lions have] taken it to a while other level.”

Hiatt, who has a stepson with autism, is quick to turn the compliment back to the Giant Steps staff.

“These people work every day, 40, 60, 80 hours a week with these kids,” he said. “When someone helps them, they are so appreciative. It’s really humbling.”

Giant Steps Occupational Therapy Department - Summer Sensory Ideas

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 10:54:23 -0500

The 2010-2011 school year has been an exciting one for the Occupational Therapy department at Giant Steps! We wanted to introduce you to the new department!

Below are lists of various sensory activities you can do with your kiddos this summer! Have fun!

Tactile Stimulating Activities

Treasure Bins – Fill a large box/bin with different kinds of media (i.e. dried beans, noodles, sand, cut up fabric pieces). Hide small items, such as coins or marbles within the bin and have your child reach in with their hands to find the objects.
Mirror Painting – Dispense shaving cream, lotion or cool-whip on a mirror or table surface and encourage your child to explore!
Bath Fun – During bath time, encourage your child to play with bubbles and help wash themselves. Be sure to use different washcloths or loofas to introduce new textures. Rub your child briskly with a towel after the bath labeling each body part as you do so.
Homemade Goop: see this website: http://www.ehow.com/how_4714605_make-kids-easy-craft-idea.html
Body part erasers: Use carpet samples as a chalk board and using soft chalk (like sidewalk chalk), write something on the square and then have the child use different body parts (hands, knees, feet, etc.) to erase the words written or picture drawn.
Body Painting: Using a variety of brush types and pretend to paint different body parts of the child.
Cooking activities: a good website: http://www.easy-kids-recipes.com/

Vestibular Activities: Vestibular input is the child’s perception of movement due to the inner ear being activated and the position of the head being changed. These vestibular stimulating activities must be done with caution and calmly.

Therapy Ball Activities – Have child bounce on the ball. Have child rock body on ball either facing down on ball or with back on ball
Rolling Games: Play “follow the leader” by rolling over an indoor tactile path (ex. made out of bubble wrap)
Movement Activities: bike riding, scooter riding, rollerblades, wagon rides, jumping jacks, yoga, outdoor swings
Trampoline workout: Have a small indoor trampoline on which the child can jump on it or have them run in place on the trampoline. Large outdoor trampolines are excellent as well if you have access to one!

Proprioceptive Activities: Proprioceptive input (sensations from joints, muscles and connective tissues that lead to body awareness) can be obtained by lifting, pushing, and pulling heavy objects, and engaging in activities that push joints together.

Cocooning: Wrap the child up real tight in a sheet, blanket, or beach towel and then hold tight like a caterpillar in a cocoon.
Steamroller – Roll a large yoga ball or therapy ball with firm, maintained pressure up and down the length of your child’s body while he/she lies on the ground, respecting their desire to continue or discontinue this activity.
Heavy Work Activities:
1. Carry/Push heavy items (baskets with cardboard blocks, groceriesfor Mom, trash can, wagon rides, etc.)
2. Allow child to chew gum, eat chewy or crunchy foods, or sip water from a water bottle with a straw
3. Take the cushions off the sofas, jump and “crash” into them, play sandwich games with them, pillow fights
4. Yard work, including mowing the lawn, raking grass/leaves, pushing wheelbarrow
5. Housework including vacuuming and mopping, carrying buckets of water to clean with or to water flowers/plants/trees
6. Milkshake rewards sipped through a narrow straw, suck applesauce through a straw
7. Have the child “help” by carrying chairs in/out of the kitchen in order to clean kitchen floor
8. Dancing
9. Activities such as gymnastics, horseback riding, wrestling, karate
10. Wash the car
11. Go “camping” with a heavy blanket pulled across a few chairs. Child can help set up and take down the blanket
12. Child can help rearrange his/her bedroom furniture
13. Wipe off the table after dinner, clean windows
14. Wood projects requiring sanding and hammering

Auditory Activities: Auditory input refers to both what we hear and how we listen, and is physiologically connected with the vestibular sense.

Noise Makers – To help children learn to distinguish between similar sounds, make noise makers using 3 tin cans. Put dried beans in one, cheerios in another, and pennies in the last. Shake each with your child and discuss how each one sounds differently. Which do they like the best? Least?
Songs – Play music that has strong rhythm or imitation songs (“head, shoulders, knees, toes”) when your child is calm and alert; play calming music when your child appears over stimulated or anxious.
Quiet Spot – Pick out a quiet spot in your house for your child to go and relax or wind-down. Call it the chill-out room equipped with comfy pillows and books.

Why autism is rarer in girls: new genetic theory

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 13:32:00 -0500

Why autism is rarer in girls: new genetic theory:

“New CNVs were identified in 7.9% of children with ASD, compared with 2% of unaffected siblings. Affected females showed a higher frequency of new mutations (11.7%) than affected males (7.4%), as well as much higher numbers (a median of 15.5 new mutations compared with just 2.0 in males). Most new CNVs were unique, but recurring CNVs were identified at positions on chromosomes 7, 15 and 16.”

Click the link above for the full article.