treatment of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders
The students and faculty of Smithtown High School East, once again, hosted an evening of dancing, food and fun at their Hollywood-themed event for NSSA adult clients, consultation students and Barell students aged 14 and up.
Attendees arrived by walking up a red carpet and into a gym filled with high school students dressed up and ready to dance with our students and clients.
It’s so great to see our students and clients having a great time with the Smithtown East students and one another.
The high school also served a fun pizza dinner that was thoroughly enjoyed by all.
Many thanks to Stacey Agosta for helping to set this up, DJ Matt Figuccio for the dance music, NSSA teachers for accompanying their students and Smithtown High School East for their graciousness and hospitality in putting this event on for us once again.
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 🙂
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!!!
…our students and staff love ice cream!
So last Friday was a special day because NSSA was a winner in Nassau-Suffolk Chapter of The Autism Society of America’s “Sweet Rewards” Program, and the prize was…FREE! ICE! CREAM! A Mister Softee truck pulled right up to the school’s front doors for all the students and staff to get their choice of ice cream. There were smiles all around.
Teachers had submitted an application for this program, listing their students accomplishments and goals reached. Here is just a sampling:
“My student…celebrated his Bar Mitzvah! he was able to stand up in front of the temple and recite all his prayers with a smile!”
“My student…is now able to sit appropriately at the barber shop and get his hair cut!”
“My student—is now able to pay for a purchase independently!”
“My student…can now use his augmentative device to recall where he works!”
“My student…is now volunteering at five volunteer job sites!”
“My student…is now able to independently initiate to use the bathroom!”
Thanks to The Autism Society of America for bringing smiles and fun to NSSA!
In 2007, the United Nations declared April 2 World Autism Awareness Day, to encourage people and organizations to promote awareness of autism as a growing health issue by “Lighting It Up Blue.” Many well-known landmarks around the world went blue on April 2 in support of the cause.
Another purpose of World Autism Awareness Day is to stress the importance of early diagnosis and early intervention. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have named autism the fastest growing developmental disability in the United States. Just last week, the CDC reported that the number of autism cases is growing. It reported 1 in 68 children are on the autism spectrum, an increase from 1 in 88 children it had previously reported.
Here at NSSA, teachers, staff, students and clients did their part by dressing in blue for the day and for our annual “Light it Up Blue” group photo.
How did *you* Light it Up Blue for Autism Awareness Day?
Today, several classrooms celebrated a classmate’s birthday at Wood Kingdom . Students had a blast bouncing, sliding and jumping and everyone did really well handling the unfamiliar, noisy environment!
Physical and occupational therapists Jeannie, Amy, and Kate organized a Winter Olympics event
for Classrooms 2 and 4 last week. Students participated in Dolly Races, Hurdle-and-Toss Relays, arts and crafts, and the ever popular Shaving Cream Skating.
PART I – CLASSROOM 4
Ready….set….
GO!!!
Intense concentration against a backdrop of mayhem…he shoots, he scores!
Teachers model good techniques for the students
Showing good sportsmanship by cheering classmates on
A little quiet time with some more artistic endeavors…and then…
Shaving Cream Skating! Things started out a little cautiously
with small steps and curiosity…and ended up with Big Smiles!
And everyone was a winner.
Stay tuned for Part II – Classroom 2.