May is better hearing and speech month!
How about a little trivia! Name three famous people or characters with a communication impairment…….
Do you know about Able United?
Do you know all about Able United?
The Stephen Beck, Jr. Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act, a federal law enacted in December 2014, authorizes each state to establish a program that offers tax-free savings and investment options to encourage individuals with a disability and their families to save private funds to support health, independence, and quality of life.
Money contributed to an account in one of these programs is generally disregarded when determining eligibility for federal benefit programs, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid.
Learn More at https://www.ableunited.com
What it takes to help build a church….
A tesimony from Mitchell Rains of Elevation Church, Melbourne
When I think of the meaning behind these words, there are many names that come to mind of people who embody what it means to build the local church. One of those people is Jesse Torres.
There isn't much Jesse can't (doesn't) do! To name a few.. he is part of an eGroup during the week. On Saturdays, you can ALWAYS find him donning green at an Outreach event somewhere across our city. And I do mean always. And then you'd think he might take Sunday's for himself, right? Wrong. He shows up bright and early to serve as a part of the Production Team, where he handles a number of different tasks including running the lighting console during the worship experience. He is constantly inviting people within his circle to come to church and serve alongside him. And he does it all with a willing heart and peaceful demeanor.
If there's one word I'd use to describe Jesse, it's 'CONSISTENT'.
Thank you, Jesse, for your consistency in helping build your church.
Mitchell Rains, Elevation Church, Melbourne
From Student to Teacher…..
From Student to Teacher…. a personal story from our Paraprofessional, Sarah Zeilenga
Not many people know this but I have Asbergers as well as Dyscalculia. I’ve been working at the Hope Center for almost 4 years now and before I worked at Hope I really felt like I was lost. I was at a serious cross roads in my life, and I was reaching a point where I lost hope. Working with these incredible children at Hope has given my life meaning and I genuinely love them. I feel blessed to work with them and get to teach them everyday. Being bullied for seeing the world differently and learning at a pace differently the rest really impacted me growing up. What a dream it is to help make sure the things that happened to me don’t happen to these extraordinary children. What a blessing it is that I get to work with children that have changed my life for the better. It is autism awareness month and I ask you to change your perspective, to see the world a little differently, because everyone is beautiful and unique... to me everyone is a puzzle trying to find where we fit in the world. I used to view my disabilities and Asbergers as an inability... but I realize I can and I have achieved more than I ever thought possible for myself. I’m so grateful for the Hope Center, not only for the children but for showing me that I can achieve the impossible.
-Sarah Zeilenga
“I Showed the World Who I am….”
“I showed the world who I am….. I am Tommy Brock.!” A personal story from a member of our Next Step program.
As most of you probably know it’s Autism awareness month and when I was about 6 years old my doctor told me I had a form of autism known as Aspergers syndrome and I thought it would be nice to share! Just because I’m a little different doesn’t mean I’m not equal I’m just the same as everyone else just in my own special way I’m very knowledgeable about what I have and I will never let Autism keep me from being me! At the same time there are a lot of kids around the world who struggle with this and just know your not alone you can do anything if you try hard enough. There were people who used to call me out, but that didnt stop me for any reason. Just look at me now I’m doing fine and I’m working at Publix still and a restaurant. Soon enough will also be on track to start back to college to start the journey to my nursing career. Just because you have Autism/ or a disability doesn’t mean your not just as powerful! I showed the world who I am and I’m Tommy Brock! Having Autism may be a challenge for a lot of different people for different reasons but I’m not going to let it change me or my life I’m going to strive for greatness for the future and beyond and be the best I can
- John Tommy Brock
The Future is Limitless…
Words from our Executive Director, Joanne Sweazey
It is often difficult to imagine the future for a child with special needs. Fear and uncertainty cloud every thought and determining the appropriate direction for your child seems unimaginable. Parents of typical children always think that they know what their child’s future will look like: college, family, grandchildren, work, independence... but in reality they don’t know anymore than a parent of a child with special needs. Parents dream of their child’s future, gathering all the information they currently have about their child and then formulate a picture of HOPE in their minds of what their child’s life may be. Parents of children with special needs are often afraid to HOPE and dream of what will be to come. Often we have no concept of what that future reality will be. I thought it was important, especially during autism awareness month, for families to see the future. These are some of the incredible young men and women that I have had the privilege to work with over the years. They have become amazing adults regardless of their challenges and are an inspiration for hopeful dreams for all parents. Never stop dreaming and don’t give up HOPE - the future is limitless.
- Joanne Sweazey
Shine Blue on Autism in April!
Enjoy some wonderful quotes about autism awareness.
“People with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are like salt-water fish who are forced to live in freshwater. They are fine if you just put them into the right environment. When the person with ASD and the environment match, the problems go away and they even thrive. When the environments don’t match, they seem disabled.” - Humphrey
“Children with autism are colorful, they are often very beautiful, and like the rainbow they stand out.” - Adele Devine
“If they can't learn the way we teach, we teach them the way they learn.” - O. Ivar Lovaas
“Autism makes you listen louder. It makes you pay attention to an emotional level as well as an intellectual level.” - Jace King
“Adapting our own perception, following rather than leading and building bridges are all keys to helping the child with Autism learn.” - Adele Devine
“Cherish the children marching to the beat of their own music. They play the most beautiful heart song.” - Fiona Goldsworthy
“If we strive for the love, joy, and happiness the students have, the world would be a much BETTER place.” -Gina Williamson
Why I work at the Hope Center….. by: Katrina Suarex
Why I work at the Hope Center by Speech Pathologist, Katrina Suarez
“Children are the world’s most valuable resource and its best hope for the future.” -John F. Kennedy
In February of 2015, I began my first career in speech-language pathology. I was just looking to gain some experience with pediatrics so I could eventually graduate to the “big leagues” with adults. Little did I know, I fell in love with working with children. I started working at the Hope Center for Autism with a basic foundation of knowledge in autism.
I was raised in a small town. Tight-knit is what I know and love and that is what the Hope Center encompasses. We are tight-knit. We have the ability to work closely together with one goal in mind: to help the children succeed. I have learned valuable lessons working here that I am able to carry over into my home life. The knowledge that I have gained has “opened my doors to a limitless future.”
Quote of the Day….
Quote of the Day….
“People with ASD are like salt-water fish who are forced to live in freshwater. We’re fine if you just put us into the right environment. When the person with ASD and the environment match, the problems go away and we even thrive. When they don’t match, we seem disabled”
(Humphrey, 2008)
A man with autism asks future employers to 'take a chance on me' in a heartfelt, handwritten viral letter.
It all begins with an idea.
https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/16/us/man-autism-linkedin-cover-letter-trnd/index.html
April is Autism Awareness Month!
April starts Autism Awareness Month!
Here at The Hope Center and Hope Academy, our days are filled with learning, fun, and energy for days. We have students and staff who all bring their own unique personality to school. We do things a little differently here at Hope and we pride ourselves for being able to adapt to change in unique ways. So, for this blog post, we thought it would be fun to ask the staff:
“Tell us you work at The Hope Center without telling us you work at The Hope Center.”
Here’s what we got:
“I have a picture symbol vocabulary board for every lesson.”
“I wear an apron with detachable organs while teaching science.”
“I find beads in my laundry.”
“I know ALL the fidget toys.”
“I work with kids all day every day.”
“I know ALL the skip counting songs.”
“I find visuals in my pocket.”
“I have a visual for everything.”
“Laminating is life!”
“I get to work with the most awesome students every single day.”
“Blue is our favorite color.”
“I get to help kids improve their motor skills every day.”
“I witness students saying their first words.”
“Adaptation is our forte.”
“Core boards go with us everywhere.”
“I work with amazing students, staff, and the best director.”
While we take our jobs very seriously, we also have fun and get to witness amazing things every single day. Next time, our students will tell us they attend The Hope Center without telling us they attend The Hope Center.
Stay tuned friends and don’t forget to live, laugh, and adapt.
Quote of the Day….
Inspirational quote of the day….
Do not fear people with Autism, embrace them. Do not spite people with Autism, unite them. Do not deny people with Autism, accept them, for then their abilities will shine.”
– Paul Isaacs