treatment of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders
2016 ended at NSSA with a flurry of holiday activity.
From the end-of-year luncheon hosted by the Parent Association, complete with pizza, live music by Fish and dancing for staff, students and clients…
Who doesn’t love pizza?
Singer Fish entertained us with classic favorites and dance tunes
“May I have this dance??”
And a child shall lead them…onto the dance floor.
Thank you, NSSA Parent Association, for this fun luncheon!
To a holiday craft led by Tori Ardito…
Tori explained the process to teachers who in turn helped students select and color pictures.
Students chose their favorite picture to color.
And got right to work coloring.
Candles decorated with the students’ artwork was wrapped up and sent home as holiday gifts.
The finished product.
Thank you to Tori for leading the students in this fun craft project!
And…there was even a surprise visitor…
Thanks for stopping by, Santa!!!
It was a busy but fun and festive end to the year…and we look forward to more good times in the year ahead!
Classrooms 1 & 2 had a surprise visit this week from a Barell parent and brother who came in to read a story to the classes…
…and brought cupcakes to decorate and eat.
Some students enjoyed decorating…
…while others preferred eating!
But everyone participated and had a good time!
Hope you enjoyed being a guest at our little impromptu party!
On Tuesday, June 21, Martin C. Barell’s Classroom 1 (and a buddy!), graduated from their 12-week class at Farmingdale Gymnastics Academy.
They demonstrated all their exercises for family and friends – balance beam, tumbling, obstacle course, zipline, and trapeze.
There were dazzling smiles everywhere as the boys flew, swung, and fell into the foam pit.
Friendships were made…
Everyone grouped around to be congratulated for their efforts and progress.
Each gymnast received an award for their special strength:
Best Trampoline
Best Flyer
Best Somersault
Best Trapeze
Best Balance Beam
And Honorary Team Member J. received the award for Best Buddy!
We’d like to thank Farmingdale Gymnastics Academy and especially coaches Serena and Lisa for their teaching skills and wonderful ways with our students.
Martin C. Barell’s Classroom 1 is our youngest classroom, with six boys between the ages of 7-9. Six (wonderful!) teachers work with them throughout the day from the moment they get off the bus in the morning until they leave to go home at the end of the day. As you can imagine with boys this age, this is a busy classroom! Let’s follow them through a day back last summer…
The boys arrive by bus at 9am.
They greet their friends while learning to unpack and put their backpacks away in their lockers.
Mornings are spent doing goal work, such as reading, counting and sequencing.
And then there’s some time to learn to play with new toys.
The teachers were designing a new bulletin board for the classroom with the theme “Kicking Off to a New Year” so we had a little photo shoot with the boys dressed as football players.
Lunchtime is spent practicing using utensils and napkins appropriately and trying new foods.
Once a week the group takes a yoga class where they learn and practice postures and movements.
After working up a sweat in yoga, the class heads next door to the JCC for swim.
Some are super enthusiastic to get in the pool!
Some are a little more cautious…
But once in, everyone enjoys themselves.
After swim it’s almost time to get ready to pack up to go home.
The end of a long day. See ya tomorrow!
The weekly yoga class at NSSA is a peaceful way to escape the heat and humidity of a summer day.
Yoga instructor Miss Danielle says “yoga improves concentration and focus, enhances creativity, improves confidence, promotes health and wellness, relieves anxiety and improves academic performance.
Children of all abilities including ADD, ADHD and Autism may benefit by becoming more mentally present for listening and learning and their self-awareness and self-esteem may strengthen.
Yoga’s benefits include developing physical and mental strength, enhancing the brain, building a positive attitude, calming the mind and increasing self esteem and confidence.”
Yoga classes at NSSA consist of breathing techniques, yoga postures, partner poses, games and relaxation.
Through fun and movement students of all ages learn skills to aid in daily life.
Namaste.
Today, the first day of NSSA/The Martin C. Barell School’s 6-week summer session, brought real summer temperatures and students and clients back out onto the playground for some fresh air and exercise.
Who doesn’t love swinging with their eyes closed and pretending they’re flying??
He shoots…He scores!!!
Le Tour de Barell
Court is in session.
We look forward to an active summer ahead!
Each fall we invite families, siblings and staff to Family Fun Night – an evening of potluck dinner and crafts.
We get to spend time with old friends…and the latest additions to the NSSA family!
Students proudly sign their artwork.
Staff bring their kids to join in the fun.
Parents work on projects with their kids.
The favorite craft by far was making candy Christmas trees.
So much frosting, so little time….
Thanks for sharing some family fun with us!
Halloween is the best day of the year here at NSSA – darling kids dressed in costumes, families joining them for the party in the gym, adult clients manning activity tables for the younger students…CANDY!!!!
This year was no exception. Join us virtually 🙂
Every year The Wheatley School in the East Williston School District does a “Day of Service” during which the students help someone in the community in some way. Teacher Natalia McMillan said that some kids make care packages, some visit the elderly, some do “green” projects, and NSSA was fortunate enough to have some students come to the Barell school to help and learn about children with autism.
The group of girls that joined us yesterday were enthusiastic and friendly and jumped right into activities with Barell students. They got a tour of the school then worked on classroom projects…
and had lunch with our students.
Many thanks to The Wheatley School for being a friend to NSSA and new friends to all our kids!
Once a year, on a summer day, NSSA opens its doors to brothers and sisters of students and clients for Sibling Day.
Special activities are planned – craft projects, bouncy houses, and opportunities for students to demonstrate newly-learned skills to their families.
But really, it’s just a whole lot of bonding and fun that takes place! Over the years, it has sort of become “Family” day, and parents have come to stay for the festivities, which makes it all the nicer.
And I don’t know about you, but I’m kinda thinking the dads are having more fun than the kids!!!