Kevin at the Christmas Tree Farm

Schmidt's Tree Farm generously donated Emmaus Home TWO BEAUTIFUL CHRISTMAS TREES!
Thank you!!

Scenery Before Sleep

From Autism Works:

The way my head works and what helps me go to sleep is that I want to see a beautiful image of some sorts so I can keep that image in mind.  It’s like seeing the City of Seattle and it's the last thing I want to see before shutting my eyes tight. I don’t do this every time I go to sleep, but sometimes, even today, if I have trouble sleeping I would want to see something gorgeous.

Sounds and music tunes help me sleep too. The realistic scenery is something I’d love to hold on to my eyes until I fall asleep. Ever had a scene you just want to keep for a long time? To me, I think that’s how great dreams come into play is the amazing thoughts we have during sleep. (Read more.)

Mothers of Teens with Autism Report Higher Levels of Stress

From ScienMag:

Anyone who has ever survived being a teenager should be well aware that parenting a teenager can be no easy feat. But factor in a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or intellectual disability (ID), and you'll likely have the recipe for a unique set of challenges to the entire family unit. According to autism expert Jan Blacher, a distinguished professor in the Graduate School of Education at the University of California, Riverside, the effects of those challenges went largely understudied for years while medical professionals blamed mothers of children diagnosed with ASD for their kids' disorders. Beginning in the 1950s, doctors turned to psychiatrist Leo Kanner's "refrigerator mother" theory as evidence that a lack of maternal warmth could essentially cause autism. It wasn't until the mid-1960s when psychologist Bernard Rimland, among others, began to discredit Kanner's theory, instead popularizing the idea that autism could be rooted in neurological development, or even genetics. (Read more.)

In Thanksgiving

I wish to thank Schmidt's Christmas tree farm for their generous donation of two beautiful Christmas trees for our homes.  They really make the homes of our men with disabilities shine and look so festive for the Holy season of Advent which begins on Sunday! I also wish to thank Linvilla Orchards for their generous donation of three lovely Christmas trees ! And an anonymous donor who continues to bless us during lean times of transition to our new sites! God is very good to Emmaus Home!! May God reward with eternal life all who do good to us in His Name!

Horrendous Meltdowns

From the BBC:

Lorna Lynch is one of a growing number of parents home-educating a child with special needs. In the last five years, their numbers have grown by 57% across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Almost a thousand children with recognised needs are waiting for a school place. Ministers in England say they're investing to improve the system. For the past year, 11-year-old Emily has been educated at home, with extra educational activities arranged by her mother Lorna. Emily has been diagnosed with autism and ADHD, and is now on medication to manage anxiety. Home-schooling was a decision Lorna Lynch reached reluctantly after her daughter struggled to understand both lessons and other children's behaviour. "I couldn't cope with her going to school and then coming back with her so stressed out, so angry at me."

Emily found school confusing and overwhelming. "I want to learn things that I'm interested in - but it's like I can't learn anything because I don't know how and they don't tell me how." She would become angry and lash out at other children. "The meltdowns were horrendous," says Lorna, who tried three different schools before deciding to home-educate. (Read more.)

Ribbon Cutting, December 15, 2017

Lacrosse Helps Teenager with Autism

From ABC Action News:

Grace Armenia isn’t like teenage girls her age. She isn’t worried about finding a boyfriend or getting her learners permit. But, she is searching for happiness and to be a part of something special.In July, Grace’s family says a coach for a local lacrosse team saw her out getting a lacrosse lesson and asked if Grace wanted to be the team’s goalie. Robert and Ericka Armenia thought it was a good idea and they’d give it a shot. “I knew she was tough and I knew she could handle that,” Robert Armenia said.

 

The family says the coach told them she might play as goalie sometime next year, depending on how well she did. Weeks later Grace was off the bench and in the game and faced with making her first big play, blocking a goal. (Read more.)

Emmaus Home at Malvern

Today was the annual Marian Day at Philadelphia Archdiocese Malvern Retreat House featuring Monsignor John Esseff and Fr. Bill Gaffney!

Emmaus Home took resident Albert there.  He enjoyed the beautiful liturgy and delicious pasta and meatball dinner following!

It was a blessed day on this great feast of Christ the King!  So much to be grateful for!

Being a Parent With Autism

From The Atlantic:

Hurley is not so far out of the ordinary as one might assume: A surprising number of people diagnosed with autism are raising children. An online survey recruited more than 300 mothers with autism, suggesting that there are probably thousands of parents diagnosed with autism worldwide, and perhaps hundreds of thousands or millions without a diagnosis. More evidence comes from Facebook groups, messaging platforms and blog comments, where parents compare notes and share problem-solving strategies.

Autism can pose challenges for parenting, their stories indicate. In addition to dealing with sensory overload, helping a child learn social skills can be difficult for people who struggle with social interactions themselves, for example. But autism can also provide valuable parenting skills, especially with a child who is also on the spectrum. (Read more.)

"I Will Sit With You In The Dark"

From Finding Cooper's Voice:

And then we had the piece of paper. The spoken words from the Psychologist. Our child was autistic. And at the time, my world stopped. In an instant my world changed forever. Or at least it felt that way. I immediately wanted to fix everything and do nothing all at once. I felt the weight of his diagnosis on my shoulders and still to this day, almost four years later, it is still securely on my back.

I have a hard time looking back at pictures from when Cooper was three. Which makes me so sad because I have two beautiful boys. Look at this picture. If you live autism you probably notice that Cooper is in motion. Always in motion. You also most definitely notice that he is pushing away from me. I have a smile on my face. What you can’t tell is that I’m covered in sweat. I am dying inside because we were at a public event and there was no denying that my child was different. My child didn’t speak. He didn’t play. He didn’t sit or even walk. He ran. He screamed. He was full of anxiety.

I spent days crying after this picture was taken. This was one of those moments that you hear about. And I’ll never forget it as long as I live. (Read more.)

A Common Autism Parenting Myth

From The Autism Site:

You may have heard the shocking and sobering statistic before: up to 80 percent of parents who have an autistic child end up getting divorced. Many parents describe learning of this in addition to their child’s autism as somewhat of a “double diagnosis.” That is, the child and family are both going to face unique challenges, and the marriage between Mom and Dad is all but doomed to fail. This can cause incredible stress and can be disheartening.

If you’ve heard this 80 percent divorce rate statistic and have ever worried about it, rest assured; that wicked high statistic has no basis in fact whatsoever. It is an urban myth that has nevertheless persisted, despite the fact that studies have debunked it.
We’re here to tell you what science has actually discovered about this subject…as well as what you can do to strengthen your relationship with your spouse. (Read more.)

Cooking with Autism

From the Autism Awareness Center:

Processing information is difficult for people with ASD so recipes need to be broken down into manageable parts:

• First, list the utensils and appliances needed.
• Then list the ingredients in their full form, not the way they need to be put into the recipe (ex. rather than say diced, peeled, sliced etc., say one carrot, one apple etc.)
• Now list the instructions and break them down into manageable steps. Yes – there may be 3 pages for a recipe, but there is also the chance for cooking independence which is the goal.

How do you handle food aversions and other eating challenges? Find something similar to something they already like. If a child likes spice cake then try carrot cake. Often an aversion is not to the taste of the food itself but to some other aspect such as presentation or texture. I love eggs but will not eat them poached or soft-boiled because I hate the texture of a soft yolk. I do enjoy them scrambled. (Read more.)

Establishing Autism Diagnosis in Young Children

From EmaxHealth:

Parents and close family members tend to be the first people to notice behavioral differences and developmental delays in children. However, teachers, babysitters, doctors and others can also notice the symptoms that indicate autism and suggest testing. The first step is to pay attention to the behavior and development of the child, so this information can be shared with a professional. Parents are hesitant to consider that their child may have autism, yet it is important not to wait too long for testing because delays in diagnosis should be avoided. If the child is diagnosed at an early age, many symptoms could be mitigated with behavioral therapies.

There are several tests available to help diagnose autism. The Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers Revised (M-CHAT-R), Screening Tool for Autism in Toddlers & Young Children (STAT) and the Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ) are several examples of the tools available to professionals. According to clinical psychologist Dr. Tali Shenfield, testing for autism can reveal other psychological conditions, so parents should not hesitate to do the evaluations.

Researchers have not reached the point that allows a doctor to use a blood test or another type of physical examination to detect autism in a young child. This is why it is important to take advantage of the existing psychological tests and find a qualified professional to conduct the assessment. The tests are not invasive and do not require a great amount of time to be spent in a medical office. They generally consist of multiple questions that are used by a psychologist, psychiatrist or other qualified medical professional to evaluate the likelihood of an autism disorder in the child. (Read more.)

Why the Narrative Needs to Change

From Without a Crystal Ball:

Every single child that is born comes with a personality, skill set, and development. Biology determines most of this before they even enter the world, and we as parents are required to navigate raising the child and all of their DNA. There are children that are spirited, defiant, angry, sad, clingy, picky eaters, suffer from separation anxiety, have colic, and the list can go on and on. Every child is unique and parenting any being from birth until they reach adulthood is hard. I refuse to sit on a pedestal and say that because my child has diseases or developmental delays that my situation is any harder than any other parent in the world. Our set of circumstances are unique, and we are presented with making choices I never dreamed of making, but at the core I am still raising a little boy that loves dinosaurs, monster trucks, coins, animals, swinging, jumping and playing in his sandbox. When I list that out, it sounds like a 3 year old. It’s funny because…he is 3! He doesn’t know he’s sick. He has no idea he’s delayed, and none of the children around him seem to pay any attention to his differences or what we face.

I got caught up in the fact that he was different not realizing that every single child that surrounds us is different. I watch my friends struggle to parent their healthy children, and face making decisions they also never dreamed they would have to make. There is no preparation for parenthood. Once you have a child, it’s all a process of learning on the job. I have friends that have had to learn to parent strong willed children, ones that have had to learn to parent very sensitive children, and others that have had to learn to parent children that have separation anxiety that leaves them with no time alone. When I started to surround myself with other parents, I began to realize that every person faces challenges and adversity every single day. What I was doing was getting caught up in what he could not do, and getting engulfed in a disease I was afraid that would take him too young. I was not living in the moment and enjoying who he as becoming as a person. (Read more.)

How to Get Children with Autism to Sleep

From Scientific American:

At least half of children with autism struggle to fall or stay asleep, and parent surveys suggest the figure may exceed 80 percent. For typical children, the figures range from 1 to 16 percent, depending in part on how insomnia is defined. The precise nature of the problem varies from child to child, but the consequences are fairly universal. For parents and caregivers, sleep issues deepen the stresses they may already feel managing the needs of a child on the spectrum on top of life’s other demands.

For the child, sleep problems can make everything else more difficult, night and day. Poor-quality sleep may exacerbate many of the challenging behaviors associated with autism, such as hyperactivity, compulsions and rituals, inattention and physical aggressiveness. A study of 81 children with autism last year strongly linked waking up in the night to acting out during the day. Another study found that sleep problems in children with autism are among the strongest predictors of hospitalization. And yet another study last month linked sleep disturbances to extreme autism traits in children at the severe end of the spectrum. (Read more.)

An Amazing Day in Philadelphia for Emmaus Home

We went by train to Philadelphia. Here we are at the Reading Terminal Market (above)! A great venue for all kinds of eating! We then walked to City Hall, a very lovely old structure, with William Penn, our Quaker founder, on top. Dillworth Park is right outside of City Hall where there is a Christmas village, including a Carousel, ice skating rink and many of vendors selling cool stuff!

Everyone was thrilled with the train ride!

Signs of Developmental Delay

 From Speech Therapy Chennai:

Gross Motor Warning Signs
Does your child have stiff arms and/or legs?
Does your child have a floppy or limp body posture compared to other children of the same age?
Does your child concentrate on using one side of the body more than the other side?

Vision Warning Signs
Does your child have a trouble in maintaining eye contact?
Does your child find it difficult to pick up small objects that are dropped on the floor?
Does your child frequently close one of his eyes when trying to look at distant objects?

Hearing Warning Signs
Does your child have abnormal change in his voice tone?
Does your child have difficulty in responding to name calls?
Does your child turn his body in a way that the same ear is always facing towards sound?
Does your child have a difficulty in following instructions after the age of 3?
Does your child fail to develop sounds or words that would be appropriate at her age?

If a child is not learning a skill that other children are learning at the same age, that may be a "warning sign" that the child may be at risk for developmental delay. If a child has not learned these skills during a specific time frame, it does not mean your child is delayed. Nevertheless, it’s better to discuss this with your child’s doctor. (Read more.)

No Pity, Please

From Without a Crystal Ball:

Listen, I’m ok with people that want to pray for us, ask questions about our journey, but I’m not ok with people feeling sorry for us. I have never, ever felt sorry for my son. There are days I am frustrated that he has to go through so much difficulty in his development. Other days I may feel emotional about the diseases that are ravaging his body, but I never actually feel sorry for him or pity him. In the past five years, this child has taught me more about human resilience and love than anyone has in my entire life. I watched him sit on life support clinging to life, and I watched him beat the odds and survive a critical illness. As he grew, we were told all about the limitations he would experience by all the professionals. Doctors said he would likely have significant learning disabilities, developmental delays, and they weren’t confident he would ever talk. In the early days, professionals classified him as cognitively delayed, and therapists weren’t sure he understood anything said to him. None of those things were ever easy for me to hear, but none of that ever stopped me from pushing him to learn and succeed. (Read more.)

Safespaces & Sleep

From the Autism Directory:

The Safespace has helped George’s bedtime routine. Prior to the Safespace I would have to settle George which took anything from one to three hours & sometimes failed altogether! Whilst I was settling George upstairs it left my older daughter Lucy (13) downstairs on her own for long periods of time. However, with the Safespace, bedtime is a very different experience! We can put on the sensory equipment & just sit quietly next to George & hold his hand & he will generally fall asleep within 30-45 minutes snuggled up in a relaxing, calm & safe environment. In the three short months we have had the Safespace we have seen huge improvements with George & our whole family. George settles much better & is increasing his independence at bedtime. (Read more.)

A New Diagnosis

From Autism Speaks:

Various therapy appointments, school meetings and appointments will soon fill your calendar. Learn to speak up. If you don’t like the way something is done, say so. Demand action. You know your child best. If something doesn’t feel right or a therapist doesn’t mesh well, or a “supportive” person is anything but, leave it behind. Form a relationship with his or her teachers, therapists and doctors. They will be a part of your life for a long time. Be open and honest and keep communication going back and forth. You must stay involved. Your child cannot do this without you. (Read more.)

Autism and Thanksgiving

How to cope. From Autism Speaks:

 When Turkey Day arrives, here are some general tips for enjoying a holiday meal with a child or adult who has autism:

* Dress comfortably. This probably isn’t the best time for your son to wear something new or different – especially if this has been an issue in the past. (Pick your battles.)

* Talk with your family about keeping conversation, music and TV volume at an appropriate volume. This may be difficult if your family is anything like mine. Another option is to have your son use noise-reducing headphones – either alone or with some music he enjoys. Wearing headphones may not be appropriate for the entire day. But it can be very useful when you sense that your son is becoming overstimulated.

* Create a quiet room where your child can retreat and relax while waiting for the big meal. This is a great place to keep a bag of your son’s favorite toys, books and other independent activities.

* Most importantly, remember to catch your child being “good” – that is, playing, socializing or eating in an appropriate and healthy manner. Be sure to provide plenty of positive feedback. You know what your son likes – be it praise, a hug or a small reward such as a sticker or favorite toy. I understand that it can be hard to remember to reward a well-behaving child while you’re juggling the demands of preparing a holiday meal. Consider having a kitchen timer in your pocket or set your cell phone alarm as a reminder to touch base with your child and provide that positive feedback before disruptive behavior occurs.

* Consider minimizing table décor, including scented candles. Remember, the day will be filled with the savory and sweet aromas from all the delicious food you’re preparing. It can help to reduce other sensory input at the table.

* If you’re worried that your child will gorge on snacks and appetizers prior to the meal, consider moving these treats out of sight or under cover. You may need to enlist the help of understanding family members. For example, consider placing the appetizers in one place in bowls and platters that have covers. Ask family members to take turns monitoring the “snack zone” and assist children with appropriate portions.

* Once at the table, you can help an over-excited eater slow down by placing small portions of food on his plate. You can always serve seconds.

* If your son has difficulty controlling his impulse to grab food, consider sitting him immediately next to you or someone else who can provide support and reinforce appropriate table manners.

* Another option – if the family is willing – is to plate food in the kitchen rather than pile the table with serving platters. This avoids grabbing and encourages more of a pause between servings. (Read more.)

Music Therapy for Autism

From Tuned Into Learning:

As defined by Autism Speaks, Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and autism are both general terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development. These disorders are characterized, in varying degrees, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors.

1. Music therapy and autism research supports a link between musical processing strengths and autism and the use of music as a therapeutic intervention.
2. Singing can be an in-road to promote early speech by helping children access new neurological pathways to compensate for communication deficits.
3. Music is at its core a structured way to present information. Melodic and rhythmic patterns give students with autism a way to organize auditory information and help memorize scripts, task sequences, and academic facts.
4. Music can help individuals with autism make social and family connections through a mutual shared interest.
5. Music is a creative medium that can offer a motivating and safe way to explore more flexibility and spontaneity.

(Read more.)

More HERE.

Three Autistic Sons

An interview with T. Lynn Lewis, the author of Jasmine’s World Of Autism: At The Seawall, from the Special Needs Book Review:

Nonverbal is when a person is unable to speak. Michael and Jimi are both nonverbal. They use a communication device (iPad/Tablet with an AAC app) to speak. Michael will mimic words and may say a few in context. However, he is unable to hold a conversation. Jimi does not say a word. However, he has a vast vocabulary, they each do.

Wyatt has been speaking much more in the past year. He taught himself to speak by using Google Search. He began searching his favourite toys and one day he said to me, “ Mum, come here, look at this.” and pointed to his computer. Naturally, I looked and there was a picture of Thomas and friends on the screen. Then he says to me, “Can I have Thomas the tank engine please mom?” Of course I said, “Yes you can.” I was thrilled. I cannot tell you how blown away I was. That was the first time Wyatt had ever spoken a sentence to me. The next day Wyatt does the same thing and of course, I again said, “Yes you can.” However, after a few days of this I realize I cannot buy him a new toy every day so I told him, “Your birthday is coming soon, perhaps you will get it for your birthday.”  Wyatt then said to me, “OK in five minutes please?” I told him again, “ If you’re a good boy you may just get it for your birthday.” This time he says to me, “OK in 10 minutes please?” I again told him, “ We will have to see what happens for your birthday.” Wyatt replies, “OK tomorrow please mom?” I couldn’t believe that, not only was he speaking sentences to me, now he was actually negotiating with me. What a guy, I was thoroughly impressed. Wyatt also initiates play with his brothers and sister constantly, so they end up playing with each other more often than not. (Read more.)

Autism and Mental Health

From NPR:

Young adults on the autism spectrum are more likely to also have been diagnosed with a psychiatric condition, such as depression, anxiety and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) than are typically developing people or those with other developmental disabilities, a study finds. And managing those multiple conditions can make the transition to young adulthood especially difficult. It's not clear how much biological factors may contribute to the higher rates, but Share-Strom definitely sees environmental factors playing a major role.

"People with autism aren't immediately born anxious or with depression," Share-Strom says. "The world is fundamentally not built for us, and people are always judging and trying to change you, whether they have the best intentions or not," he says. "Of course that's going to cause a higher rate of anxiety and depression and even suicide rates. I'd be surprised if it didn't." That makes providing resources for these young adults all the more important during that transitional period.

"When it comes to mental health diagnoses and use of psychiatric services, there's a really strong need for the entire developmental disabilities community, but it's an even bigger need for folks on the autism spectrum," says Yona Lunsky, a senior scientist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto and coauthor of the study. "I think sometimes people will dismiss something as being part of autism when, in fact, it's not," she adds. "There are people with autism who don't have psychiatric issues." (Read more.)

Bringing Autistic People into the Workplace

From the University College of London:

The Centre for Research in Autism and Education (CRAE) at the UCL Institute of Education (IOE) has today released a report showcasing the outcomes of an internship scheme for autistic graduates at Deutsche Bank – the first of its kind in the UK. Working with autism charity Autistica, the bank’s three month graduate internship programme aimed to change attitudes towards autism. CRAE’s report revealed that the majority of the interns reported a positive, meaningful experience at the bank - five of the eight interns that started the scheme have had their placement extended. The report also highlighted a number of challenges identified by the participants, with some experiencing anxiety and having difficulties in judging communication and rules in the office. (Read more.)

A Bittersweet Good-Bye to Chris

It is with bittersweetness that we say good bye to Christopher Hartung, our house parent who has lived in Emmaus Home community for one year. He is exploring new opportunities and adventures in Arizona! He has served God's  "Little Ones" well! He has had to often stretch himself beyond even his own belief that he could. But by leaving ourselves open and vulnerable to God's strength and God's grace we can and will do what is beyond our own understanding.

Chris has been a faithful friend to our four residents, both in good times and in bad. I have often observed Chris smiling and being utterly amused and amazed by our core members. Chris generously poured his entire being into the mission of Emmaus Home. From coming to day program at the last minute, to filling in for someone, to picking up a donation of Panera bread at 9 pm on a Monday night, to driving a core member to visit an old friend in another county, to updating our website, to assisting with payroll.... and on and on and on!

I think Chris would agree he has had a crash course in almost everything that will, with God's help, aid him through life. It is with great gratitude and love that I thank Chris for his generous heart in serving for one year at Emmaus Home.

Interviews with Anne

For those interested in learning more about the story of Emmaus Home, here is the 2015 interview with Peg DeGrassa of the Delco Times:

When I first met Anne Bradley, the first adjective that popped into my mind was “joyful.” The mother of eight greeted me at the door of what is the former rectory of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque in Essington, wearing a smile that seemed to radiate straight from her heart.

I promised Anne I’d drop by to hear more about her mission, her passion, which is taking root and beginning to blossom more with every passing day. Her “miraculous story,” as Anne herself phrases it, both intrigued me and inspired me. She is a mom who loves her son with intellectual disabilities (ID) so deeply that she developed the means, not only to help him thrive, but, she hopes, to help other individuals with ID in the community thrive too.

When Anne couldn’t find the right program for her 23-year-old son Kevin, who has autism, long story short, she took a leap of faith and leased the former St. Margaret Mary school, rectory and convent from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and created “Emmaus Home.” The former rectory serves as a residence for Kevin and one other man who lives there part-time, along with Anne’s other son, Michael, who is currently serving as live-in staff. There is room for eight residents and three live-in house parents, eventually, but Kevin and his housemate are the inaugural residents. (Read more.)

Much has changed since then and the purpose of this new blog is to keep everyone updated. Here is a recent interview at EWTN.

Outings and Adventures

Art at Chanticleer Gardens

On a Hayride!

Playing Bingo!

At Cape May Point Lighthouse

Art Therapy at Emmaus Home Day Program!

Emmaus Home at Franklin Square Chinese Festival!

At the Brandywine Zoo!

Fishing!

The purpose of Emmaus Home is to provide an alternative living experience for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. By offering a family-like environment, Adults with Intellectual and Developmental disabilities feel loved and spiritually safe enough to explore their own gifts, personality, and possibilities.

 Everyday is an adventure at Emmaus Home. The unexpected is expected. We encourage our Adults to engage the world in loving, supportive and safe surroundings.

Our model of mission-oriented team living in community with our Adults offers a growth opportunity for both as they learn from each other how to become more human. 

 By including local faith and community involvement and activities, our members are not only exposed to more people and experiences, but our local community is becoming friends with our members who for too long were hidden in large institutions or in their own homes.