Miss Nancy's News
Welcome to our class!
Here is a list of the staff and students your child will be in contact with during his/her school day:
Teacher: Nancy Knowles
Paraprofessionals: Sue Anselmo, Melissa Fluet, Donna Pelikan, and Marlene Wallace
Speech and Language Pathologists: Lisa Phung
Occupational Therapist: Mary Reilly
Physical Therapist: Mary Smoragiewicz
Social Worker: Jennifer Hoffman
ABA Consultant: Michelle Pratt
Students: Alvin, Joshua, Ryan, Samuel, Thomas
About the Intensive Preschool Outreach Program The Preschool Outreach Program's intensive program has expanded and now includes two classes. Each class consists of one certified special education teacher, and trained paraprofessionals. In addition, working as part of the whole POP team of professionals, are two speech and language pathologists, occupational therapist, physical therapist, social worker, and ABA consultant. The program runs Monday-Thursday from 9:15-2:00, and Friday 9:15-12:15. Small class size, high staff to student ratio, intensive, highly structured programming, opportunities for typical peer interactions, discrete trial training, and TEACCH work stations are all important components throughout the school day.
Potty PointersWhen your child has switched to wearing underwear-s/he should only wear pull-ups at night, never during the day
Begin a toileting schedule of no less than every 60 minutes, then go to every 90 minutes when a dry pattern is observed
If your child has an accident, do not scold-just have him/her do the clean up in a very matter-of-fact way so that there is a natural consequence
When your child is dry, praise him/her for it
When your child has eliminated in the toilet, have a party! Praise him/her for a job well done-give something extra special that s/he may have only upon success
Be consistent in all settings
Encourage your child to request the toilet independently by having him/her tell another person when it is time to go to the bathroom
Be aware of the difference between bribing and encouraging-avoid telling your child "You can have a lollipop if you go pee in the potty." Bribery may work at first, but could turn out to be yours and your child's worst enemy!
Is Your Child a "Picky" Eater?
Control the meal environment- have a consistent schedule, eat all meals and snacks at the table, do not force foods
Maximize oral motor skills- use foods that increase the need for chewing
Provide physical support- child should be seated in a stable position and be able to use arms freely during eating
To increase sensory acceptance of food- allow child to play with pretend foods, read books and sing songs about foods, allow child to shop for a new food, make changes in preferred foods in small steps- try a new brand or new presentation of the same food
Have a patient and positive outlook!
Communication Temptations
-Technique used to encourage spontaneous and functional use of language
-Engage your child in an activity s/he loves (such as swinging or blowing bubbles), then stop the activity to elicit "more please".
-Provide your child with materials for painting (paper, paint, smock) but leave out the paintbrush to elicit "paintbrush please".
-Perform a task the wrong way (such as putting your child's socks on his/her hand) to elicit "feet please"
-When your child points at or grabs a desired item, withhold the item to elicit a request in words ("truck please).
-You may need to model the requests for your child a few times encouraging him or her to repeat them. Then, wait for your child to request with words independently.
-This technique can be used for any child. The more language your child is capable of using, the more you can try to elicit!
