Weekly Update...On The Road to Emmaus Home

 A Week in the Life of Emmaus Home....

                                                       Is pretty amazing!

Our core members and participants have truly been "out and about", as per usual this week.

I thought it would be nice for you to see a sample of our schedule... What's it like to be a core member at Emmaus Home?

Monday:
Our core team visited ShopRite so they could buy food for lunch, then they came back to the Day Program in Aston to prepare something delicious in our kitchenette.

Tuesday:
Dance therapy is a favorite for everyone!

Wednesday:
In the morning we visit out music therapist, and then hand out food at Anna's Place in Delaware County. Anna's place is a Fransiscan organization in Chester that ministers to people down on their luck. They serve meals, teach classes, and help people mind, body and spirit.

Our Emmaus Home core members go there weekly to volunteer and give back to the community.

Learn more about Anna's Place here.

After that we all went to The Ritz 5 Theater in Philadelphia to see the long-awaited documentary about L'Arche founder, Jean Vanier, and his communities all over the world.

This was a deeply moving and beautiful film, and everyone should see it. I can only describe it as a slow journey through life with Jean and his friends. It doesn't have suspense, action, or much drama, just beauty and love.

If you have a loved one with a disability and you'd like to give family or friends a glimpse into your world, please share it.
Watch the trailer, then go see for yourself!

Thursday:

Thursdays are spent at the John Heinz Wildlife Refuge, not a bad place to be in this beautiful springtime!

Friday:
Art therapy begins the day, followed by a trip to the mall to practice our shopping skills, followed by lunch at a restaurant.

It's a beautiful life at Emmaus Home!

Philadelphia Autism Project Art Exhibit

The art works have already been submitted but the show is open to the public. Emmaus Home will be there. From the Philadelphia Autism Project:

 In honor of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, the Philadelphia Autism Project is launching the first collaborative art show Philadelphia: A Spectrum of Experiences.  Artists of all ages from the autism community in Philadelphia and surrounding counties are invited to submit for inclusion in the March – April 2018 exhibit.  This inaugural event is aimed at recognizing the talent of individuals with autism and increasing awareness of autism within the Philadelphia community. (Read more.)

Mass for Persons with Disabilities

From the Archdiocese of Philadelphia:

The Annual Archdiocesan Eucharistic Liturgy with Persons with Disabilities, The Deaf Community, Family, Friends and Caregivers: This annual Liturgy is held once a year at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul at 18th and Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia. Archbishop Charles Chaput, Archbishop of Philadelphia is the principal celebrant and homilist.  A light reception is held following the Mass.  All are Welcome. Save the date. This coming year the Mass is scheduled for March 24, 2018.  We encourage parish participation and individuals/parish groups to volunteer in assisting with all aspects of the Mass and reception. (Read more.)

From the Archdiocese of Philadelphia

Office for Persons with Disabilities & the Deaf Apostolate

1. Please assist in inviting families and individuals to this annual Mass. Parish groups or individuals who wish to assist with the Mass or reception are asked to contact the Office for Persons with Disabilities.   For more details or to register go to www.opdarchphilly.org or click here.

The Annual Archdiocesan Mass Honoring the Gifts of Persons with Disabilities, The Deaf Community, Family, Friends and Caregivers is Saturday, March 24, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul at 18^th and Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia.  Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., will be the principal celebrant and homilist.  There will be a reception immediately following the Mass featuring entertainment by Santino Dragon New Year Brigade.  All are Welcome.  To RSVP go to www.opdarchphilly.org, or call the Office for Persons with Disabilities at 215-587-3530.

2.       Spring Contact Meeting for the Office for Persons with Disabilities, April 28, 2018: The workshop will consider how to foster active participation in worship for children with disabilities and their families.  The disability contact/advocate for each parish is asked to attend. Clergy, parish staff, parents and other parish volunteers are welcome to attend. For more details or to register go to www.opdarchphilly.org or click here.

You Belong - How to Foster Active Participation in Worship:   This workshop will be offered on April 28, 2018 from 9:30 am to noon at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center. Parish Contacts for the Office for Persons with Disabilities and other parish leaders are encouraged to attend. The presenters are: Dr. Geralyn Anderson Arango from Holy Family University and  Gilian Lally, a Behavioral Specialist.  For the flyer or to RSVP go to www.opdarchphilly.org, email: opd@archphila.org or call 215-587-3530.

3.      Mothers of Children with Disabilities Retreat, May 1, 2018:  Click here for the online flyer and registration.

Mothers of Children with Disabilities Retreat:  Tuesday, May 1, 2018 at Malvern Retreat House, Sr. Suzanne Mayer, IHM will direct a retreat for mothers and grandmothers who are raising children with disabilities and also those who have adult children with disabilities.  Fr. Jim Olson will be the celebrant for Mass.  There will be time to pray, reflect, and chat with other mothers.  To register on line go to www.opdarchphilly.com. For more information please contact Malvern Retreat House at 610-644-0400 or the Office for Persons with Disabilities at 215-587-3530. 

Sr. Kathleen Schipani, IHM
Director, Office for Persons with Disabilities & Deaf Apostolate

Archdiocese of Philadelphia

222 N. 17^th Street, Philadelphia PA 19103
215.587.3913 phone /267.507.1215 video phone
sr.kschipani@archphila.org

www.opdarchphilly.org / www.deafcatholicphilly.org / www.religoiusASLapp.com

 

Summer in the Forest

We at Emmaus Home love the 2017 film Summer in the Forest. From the film's website:

Like countless others Philippe, Michel, Andre and Patrick were labeled 'idiots', locked away and forgotten in violent asylums, until the 1960s, when the young philosopher Jean Vanier took a stand and secured their release - the first time in history that anyone had beaten the system. Together they created L'Arche, a commune at the edge of a beautiful forest near Paris. A quiet revolution was born. Now in his 80s, and still at L'Arche, Jean has discovered something that most of us have forgotten - what it is to be human, to be foolish, and to be happy.

SUMMER IN THE FOREST invites us to abandon the rat race and forge new friendships. Amid the ancient trees, Philippe, Patrick, Jean and the others welcome us into their lives. If there are rules to break, they will be broken and if there is a truth to be told, they will tell it. Michel reveals his war torn past, Andre is desperate for a date, and young David will prove himself a hero in the fight against the forces of evil. (Read more.)

Cooking Class at Emmaus Home

Cooking class is an excellent way to develop fine motor skills, practice following directions, and other practical and necessary skills as well.

To help our work with God's children at Emmaus Home, please donate HERE. May the Lord reward with eternal life all who do good to us in His Name.

Learning to Thrive

From the News and Observer:

Had I known more about autism, I think I’d have recognized it earlier. The signals were all there from the beginning – the speech delay, the inarticulate moaning, the arm flapping hop-step he does when he’s happy. He could name every planet in our solar system and tell you what each one was like before he could respond to his name. He could tell me the difference between a meteorite, asteroid and comet before he could tell me what he wanted for lunch.

When he still wasn’t progressing typically by age 3, our pediatrician recommended screening him for learning disabilities. I was terrified, but I was also desperate. When it came to connecting with my kid, all my instincts were wrong. Kisses hurt. Hugs were OK, but only sometimes. A conversation was comically out of reach. I’ve always loved him. But I didn’t know him. I wanted to know my son.

After seven months of doctor’s visits, a panel of specialists came back with their verdict, and I hated every one of them for it. Of course I’d known a diagnosable problem was possible. Getting a diagnosis and getting help was the whole point. (Read more.)

Read more here: http://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/news-columns-blogs/article194143669.html?utm_content=bufferea680&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer#storylink=cpy

Emmaus Home at the Franklin Institute

Emmaus Home recently had an exciting outing to the Franklin Institute. It is important for our adults to be in a such a fabulous learning environment with others to practice social skills and increase the thirst for knowledge.

To help our work with God's children at Emmaus Home, please donate HERE. May the Lord reward with eternal life all who do good to us in His Name.

Ben Franklin

The Franklin Institute

The Giant Heart

An Autistic View of the World

From Mummy Est.2014:

I have to admit that lining things up has been something J has done so long that I can't remember when it started. It definitely wasn’t one of the first signs that concerned me. My concerns were his regression in his communication to the point where crying or laughing were the only real forms his used. He didn’t react to his name, or sounds the same as others his age, and he would develop ‘obsessions’ (it started as opening and closing doors, drawers, cupboards and you couldn’t stop or face a day long meltdown). Once he spent 15 minute opening and closing the same door in church.

J’s lining up started with lining cars up. He was very specific and would put them bumper to bumper and facing the same way. He would get frustrated if any of them were knocked or removed. When out and about he would line up sugar and sauce packets in the restaurants/café. I wasn’t overly concerned, after all that’s the way cars drive isn’t it? Following each other in a row? The problem we had was that at this point cars and vehicles was the only toys he would play with. We didn’t know how he’d react to other resources. Soon after we found he would line pretty much everything up-magnets on the fridge, stones in the garden etc. (Read more.)

Disciplining an Asperger's Child

From Advanced Psychology:

Trying to discipline your child can be a difficult and ever changing world of frustration for all involved. When your child has been diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome it can be as difficult to create rules and boundaries as it is to…(Read more.)

When Your ADHD Child is Upset

From the Child Development Institute:

Children with ADHD are more prone to meltdowns for a number of reasons. Often their brain circuitry for emotional regulation is dysfunctional in which it takes less to trigger an anger episode that lasts for a longer periods of time than other children. This is the result of faulty wiring. Working with them on relaxation techniques like taking deep breaths or counting to ten at the first sign of being upset can help. It is important for them to practice these when they are calm.

These kids often aren’t fully tuned in to what is going on around them and miss important information that causes them to misinterpret a situation and then react to what they think is going on rather than what really happened. If you are having a discussion with your child, pause frequently to make sure they are getting your point. Ask questions to make sure they understand and encourage them to ask you questions as well.

Some ADHD kids lack the ability to be flexible causing them to go into meltdown mode when there is a change in routine or an expected event does not happen. For instance a boy may be having a great time “rough housing” with his dad but does not want to stop when dad feels it has gone on long enough. This can become ugly and lead to fewer such play situations. Agreeing to use a timer and stop when the timer says to stop rather than dad might help avoid this. (Read more.)

Ribbon-cutting at Emmaus Home

Anne and husband Larry get ready to cut the ribbon!

Our ribbon-cutting ceremony at our new facility was Saturday. It was a happy, festive day and we look forward to a bright future. We thank all of the friends who made it possible! Our new Day Program is located at 2989 Dutton Mill Road, Aston, PA. For more information contact us at 484-490-5623.

We're officially open for business!

To help our work with God's children at Emmaus Home to continue, please donate HERE. May the Lord reward with eternal life all who do good to us in His Name.

The Holidays at Emmaus Home

Nick and Grandmom

Anne at the Polar Express

Anne with State Representative Tom Killian

It's cold and snowing in Pennsylvania but at Emmaus Home there are warm hearts and happy times. And our work for adults with intellectual disabilities goes on. Christmas is coming and we need angels to pray for us at Emmaus Home, and help in any way they can, so that we may continue to offer shelter to God's vulnerable ones. Offerings in the name of the Child Jesus are accepted HERE. May God reward you! And may He reward with Eternal Life all who do good to us in His Name!

Marty Hugs Mrs. Santa

Anne with Emmaus Home treasurer Bob Moore

At the North Pole Express

It's snowing in the Philadelphia area. Caitlin and Kevin were at the North Pole Express!! It was a chilly but happy time! It is important for our adults with intellectual disabilities to enjoy outings!

Christmas is coming and we need angels to pray for us at Emmaus Home, and help in any way they can, so our work with God's vulnerable ones can continue. Offerings are accepted HERE. May God reward you! And may He reward with Eternal Life all who do good to us in His Name!

Brain Connectivity

From Eureka Alert:

A new study in adolescent and young adult males with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) showed significant differences in the functional architecture and interactivity of the default mode network (DMN)--brain regions linked to social-cognitive impairment in ASD--compared to DMN functional connectivity measurements in young adult males without ASD. These findings, which could lead to the development of new imaging-based diagnostic markers, are described in an article published in Brain Connectivity, a peer-reviewed journal from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers. The article is available free on the Brain Connectivity website until December 31, 2017. (Read more.)

Tactile Defensiveness

From Autism Parenting Magazine:

According to Kranowitz (2005), the touch system layers our bodies and gives us information about surrounding physical entities. Moreover, it works as the physical barrier between ourselves and the environment. This sense has an imperative role in developing a child’s body awareness, motor planning, and visual perception. Some children react adversely or negatively, or display escape-like behavior on being touched, hugged, or kissed, since they have difficulties in processing sensory information due to a lower functioning tactile system. This behavior is referred to as tactile defensiveness. Due to the atypical functioning of the touch mechanism and neural system, these children are often in the state of “red alert.” They may react by clinging or complaining (fright) to someone, or lashing out (fight) and running away (flight).

Tactile symptoms are among the most commonly reported sensory symptoms described by parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (Rogers et al.,2003). Children displaying tactile defensiveness may also exhibit self-stimulating behavior (stimming). Repeated movements such as hand-flapping, body-rocking, hand-gazing, and spinning have been found prevalent in children with developmental disabilities and autism. (Read more.)

Attention Problems

From Spectrum News:

Young children with autism are no more likely than those without the condition to sustain injuries that require medical attention, according a study of more than 2,000 children¹. However, injuries are common among children with attention problems. About 30 percent of children with autism meet the criteria for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). “Attention problems do appear to contribute to injury risk,” says lead investigator Carolyn DiGuiseppi, professor of epidemiology and pediatrics at the Colorado School of Public Health. “That existing relationship may explain why some studies have found a higher risk of injury in children with autism.” Some studies have reported that children with autism are at increased risk of injury, perhaps because of their behavioral or motor problems². But others have refuted that link³. (Read more.)

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.)

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.)

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.