Eden II Programs

Finding the Joy of Piano & Music

eden2 — Thu, 16 May 2013 14:39:50 +0000

By Loretta Kennedy, Eden II Coordinator of Extra Curricular Activities

The joy of music has been with me my entire lifetime. My father played guitar and sang happily many evenings after dinner and at every family get together. When I was first introduced to the piano at age 8, I quickly learned that I had neither my father’s gift to play by ear nor his ability to sing in tune. But the world of piano lessons and reading music has given me a leisure activity like no other. It is a great de-stressor and has enabled me to meet other musicians, perform for an audience, and make music with my family.

As a classroom teacher at our Granite Avenue school, I was inspired to share my passion with my students. Always looking for ways to increase their socialization and recreational skills, I thought playing an instrument might be a great addition to their repertoire.

Music is organized and fun. And because the expression comes from within, you don’t need verbal ability to learn it or play it. So I set out with high hopes for my first two piano students.

I wondered if one day they, too, would experience the sense of accomplishment from perfecting a song or playing on stage for oh-so-proud loved ones. Learning to read music begins simply – one note, one beat at a time. I bought a primer book in a music series that had many visual cues and began to teach my students to sight read. Because our learners sometimes need more repetition and practice, I added some discrete trial tasks and provided cues, error correction and reinforcement consistent with ABA teaching techniques. Lessons were held for twenty minutes three times a week and consisted of some theory and some practice. The students progressed faster than I expected! They were sight reading notes, playing with both hands and correct fingering, keeping time, learning new songs. The possibilities seemed endless! The time at the keyboard was, by far, my favorite time of the work day. And I wondered if it was theirs too.

More students followed as did a new position that afforded more time to teach piano. For some students came a need to adapt my materials and the keyboard.

I introduced a play by number system for those who had difficulty reading notes. My new mission was simple. Get kids playing no matter what it takes! There are now 13 kids playing piano across 3 school sites and 1 participant playing in the adult program. My new goal is to get more teachers teaching and more kids playing. I’ve started to develop a teaching manual that can be used without any prior knowledge or experience reading or playing music.

Teachers can learn along with their students – an added perk! The Eden II performing arts recital has given all of our piano students, along with the dancers and theater group singers and actors an opportunity to shine. As I watch off stage and follow, anxiously, each note that is played, I know that families and friends are beaming with excitement and pride.

With each year, boundaries are pushed. And this year is no different as some of our pianists team up with a peer vocalist to belt out Broadway show tunes. A show not to be missed!

Teaching music to Eden students has been my greatest career joy. And I’ve stopped wondering if the students are enjoying it. Their smiles, low rates of challenging behavior, and eagerness to come to piano when they see me, is all I need to know.

Congratulations Victor Vientos!

eden2 — Wed, 01 May 2013 20:34:47 +0000

Please join us in congratulating Victor Vientos for being the recipient of the Above and Beyond Award for May. This monthly award is a great way for us to recognize and thank staff, students, and volunteers who go above and beyond for the agency, helping to promote and raise needed funds for the program’s growth.

Victor Vientos joined National Grid (Brooklyn Union/KeySpan) in 1982 as part of their Management Trainee Program. Most recently, Victor holds the title as Manager of Community Relations. In this role, he promotes economic development, community relations as well as energy efficiency programs at National Grid.

Victor has been a great friend and advocate for Eden II Programs. He was instrumental in securing a $25,000 Cinderella grant from National Grid for our new school building at 15 Beach Street. In addition, Victor assisted our team in obtaining a $25,000 Hurricane Sandy Recovery grant to help cover the costs to repair damages to our Adult Day Home at 106 Grayson Avenue in OakwoodBeach on Staten Island! When asked about Eden II, Vic shared, “An Angel whispered in my ear about the passion and commitment of Eden II staff….I am blessed to be of this loving community”.

Victor serves on a number of community boards. He is a member of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce, Staten Island Economic Development Corporation, Staten Island YMCA and the South Shore LDC. His dedication to Eden II and the autism community makes him a very worthy recipient of our May award.

We are so very fortunate to have Victor Vientos as a part of the Eden II family.

Addressing Issues of Sexuality With Individuals on the Autism Spectrum Conference

eden2 — Wed, 01 May 2013 20:04:04 +0000

Early Childhood and Autism Conference Hosted by Eden II

eden2 — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 13:52:06 +0000

The Eden II/Genesis Outreach Autism Center is hosting a great conference, Early Childhood and Autism: Addressing the Diverese Needs of the Young Learner on May 10, 2013 on Long Island. The conference features speakers including Joanne Gerenser, Dana Battaglia, Frank Cicero, and Mary McDonald.

Click on the conference brochure to learn more. Email mbennett@eden2.org to RSVP or call Marissa Bennett at 516-937-1397 x617.

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The Eden II Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2012 is Available!

eden2 — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 13:28:48 +0000

The Eden II Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2012 (July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012) is now available online (see below). To request a hard copy, email your mailing address with Annual Report as the subject line to info@eden2.org.

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Staten Island families discuss the realities of rearing autistic kids – Staten Island Advance

eden2 — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 11:54:39 +0000

By Elise G. McIntosh/Staten Island Advance

Photo by Bill Lyons/Staten Island Advance
on April 16, 2013 at 3:16 PM, updated April 17, 2013 at 12:35 AM

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — When Jacqueline and Aaron Marks discovered they were having triplets, they realized their life would be different than most families. When their sons, Jacob, Dylan and Tyler, each were diagnosed with autism as toddlers, the Eltingville couple had no idea just how different it’d be.

Mrs. Marks, who stayed home to be with the boys, admits those early years were trying, as she was busy learning not only “how to parent, but also how to navigate the world of disability.”

Coordinating applied behavioral analysis (ABA) therapies for three tots, each with different therapists, all scheduled around feeding and sleep time, required as much strategy as a chess game.

“When the boys were asleep, I read [about autism] all night long. I did that for about the first five years,” she recalls, noting she became versed in special needs law and advocacy.

“Every day is an adventure; you never know what will happen,” Mrs. Marks says about parenting the now-11-year-old triplets, who exhibit a gamut of issues.

Dylan, who likes listening to Jay-Z and Rihanna, yet still enjoys watching “Sesame Street,” has limited social skills. Because he has motor and vocal stereotypes, he makes random hand gestures and sounds that seem inappropriate to those unfamiliar with the classic traits of autism.

Proficient with computers, Dylan can read, type, text and even make purchases online — as Mom and Dad discovered when packages started arriving unexpectedly at their doorstep.

Jacob, who’s terrified of hospitals and has a meltdown whenever he thinks he’s going to one, has the most severe case of autism among the three, as well as epilepsy. He’s most happy when bowling, at the park or eating pizza.

Also epileptic, Tyler has cerebral palsy and verbal apraxia, a speech disorder. The boy, who loves the pool and amusement parks, uses an app called Proloquo2Go to communicate his desires and needs.

“Tyler does understand [what is being said] but he can’t get the words out,” Mrs. Marks explains, “while Jacob can get the words out, but doesn’t necessarily have the same understanding.”

Lately, Tyler has resorted to self-injurious behavior (hitting himself, banging his head), which Mrs. Marks read online might be triggered during puberty. Sometimes, she’s forced to restrain him — which she describes as “a horrible, horrible situation to be in.”

Noting the stress of having a child — or three — with autism often creates friction in a marriage, Mrs. Marks says she’s “lucky” to have a supportive husband and says Aaron Marks, an electrician who works 12-hour days, truly is her “partner in all this.”

The couple work very hard toward their ultimate goal: Giving their sons greater independence and a chance to thrive at a job as adults.

Much of their time at home is spent reinforcing what the boys learned at Eden II, their school. During free time, the family enjoys doing things in public — despite the stares they sometimes get.

DEVELOP A ‘HARD SHELL’

“You get used to the looks and comments,” observes Dyane Irvine, mother of 14-year-old autistic twins, Billy and Rachel. While she says she’s developed “a hard shell,” she does worry about how her 11-year-old twin sons handle such attention and has become very alert to any inappropriate thing Billy and Rachel might say or do.

A physician assistant, the New Dorp resident started working night shifts at Staten Island University Hospital after Billy and Rachel were diagnosed at age 2 so she could be with them for their ABA therapies.

Billy and Rachel attend Eden II today, but the schedule is still just as chaotic. Once they arrive home, Ms. Irvine takes them to ABA therapies. Afterward, she continues working with them on their programs, making sure what they’ve learned at school sticks. And then gives them dinner before heading off to work. Ms. Irvine’s mother, who’s been instrumental in the children’s upbringing, watches them at night.

Ms. Irvine describes Rachel as a “girlie girl who loves getting dressed up and having her nails done.” Billy, more advanced than his sister, is great with computers and no longer shy talking to people — “a product of years and years of hard work,” Mom notes.

Commenting about the parenting challenges, Ms. Irvine observes, “You always have to be thinking three steps ahead.” For instance, if the family is invited to a party, she first has to consider where it is, how long it will be, if Billy and Rachel will tolerate it and if the host will let her bring someone to watch them.

For Ms. Irvine, who tries to devote equal time to the younger twins, it’s always go-go-go, and after 12 years, she admits the sleep deprivation is starting to get to her.

NO REGRETS

Still, she insists, “I don’t have any regrets about how much we’ve sacrificed.” The lack of sleep, money — it’s all worth it, she says, to see how far Billy and Rachel have come.

“When they were 2, I was uncertain if they would ever speak or be toilet trained,” she reveals, happy to report they have far exceeded all her expectations.

Today, it’s the uncertainty of the future that plagues her.

“I can’t live forever,” Ms. Irvine says. “At some point someone else is going to have to take the reins to make sure they [Billy and Rachel] are OK and to keep a watchful eye. That’s very unnerving.

“I have much confidence in myself that we can get through anything while I’m here,” she continues. “But once I’m gone, I worry about them and their brothers,” who will be counted upon to be advocates for their older siblings.

Reflecting on what Billy and Rachel have taught her, Ms. Irvine says she’s learned that “patience, perseverance and love can get you through life’s worst storms.” Also, that “Life isn’t always going to play out the way you anticipated, but you still can find joy and happiness in things you never thought you could.

“My kids have autism but that doesn’t make them too much different than everybody else,” Ms. Irvine insists. “They still have feelings; they still have goals and aspirations.

“I think people would be surprised to find out what children with disabilities are capable of doing,” she concludes.

Mrs. Marks sums up the experience eloquently in an essay she wrote for the Advance last year.

“Our ‘unique situation’ may be unimaginable to the average family but, we are anything but average,” she wrote. “We are thankful for our different path, with all of its bumps, surprises, twists and turns, it’s ours!”

http://www.silive.com/relationships/index.ssf/2013/04/staten_island_families_on_the_autism_path.html#incart_river

As autism rate rises, funding to Staten Island agencies gets slashed – Staten Island Advance

eden2 — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 11:46:57 +0000

By Elise G. McIntosh/Staten Island Advance

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — According to a new survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in every 50 school children are diagnosed on the autism spectrum. Chances are, you or someone you know has a youngster with the neurodevelopmental disorder.

“We have an epidemic going on,” said Jacqueline Marks, mother of 11-year-old triplets, who each have been diagnosed with autism. “Huge numbers of children are being affected.”

Despite the uptick in the number of cases, agencies that provide programs for families with autistic children will be facing steep cuts to their funding.

As the Advance previously reported, the New York State legislature budget presented $90 million in cuts to the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD). This represents 4.5 percent of the agency’s total budget and will affect countless nonprofit organizations on Staten Island that receive support from OPWDD.

Irene Cavanaugh, director of family support services with Eden II School for Autistic Children, called the vote to slash funding “devastating.”

She said that Eden II, as well as other providers that help the disabled community, already operate on a “shoestring budget” and this is not only a hit to the agencies, but the families who rely on their services.

Ms. Kavanaugh says it’s too soon to tell exactly how Eden II will conform to the “severe, systemwide cuts,” but imagines that the “variety, development, quality and individualization of services” overall will decline. Plus, it will make paying for expenses like rent, fuel and staff training difficult, she said.

“Shaken faith in our state’s commitment to helping ensure a safe and promising future for children and adults with developmental disabilities creates a tremendous added level of distress for many families,” Ms. Kavanaugh said.

“Thankfully,” she continued, “there are also lots of very aware and caring people, including those in government like our Borough President, who genuinely understand, and who are doing all they can to help.”

http://www.silive.com/relationships/index.ssf/2013/04/autism_rate_rises_funding_gets_slashed.html#incart_river

Congrats to Suzanne Reek!

eden2 — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 00:49:30 +0000

Please join us in congratulating Suzanne Reek for being the recipient of the Above and Beyond Award for April. This monthly award is a great way for us to recognize and thank staff, students, and volunteers who go above and beyond for the agency, helping to promote and raise needed funds for the program’s growth.

Suzanne Reek is a Long Island parent, great volunteer, advocate, and supporter of Eden II and the Genesis School. Suzanne is very involved in Eden’s Long Island fundraising events. She has helped to secure the ‘finish line food’ for our Blazing Trails 4 Autism Run/Walk, which is held every Fall. Suzanne has helped Eden II apply for and get $5,000 grants for Eden II’s Genesis School technology supplies, as well as find volunteers from corporate organizations to volunteer and sponsor our events! When asked about Eden II, Sue shared, “The greatest part of Eden to me is the staff and their commitment to our children.”

Suzanne is President of the Nassau Suffolk Chapter of the Autism Society of America, and through this role helps Long Island families and organizations provide special opportunities for all individuals within the autism spectrum. She is also a retired NYPD sergeant who successfully completed 20 years.

Her dedication to Autism Awareness makes her a very worthy recipient of our April award.

We are so very fortunate to have Suzanne Reek as part of the Eden II/Genesis family.

Speech Conference Hosted by Eden II April 5th

eden2 — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 00:39:52 +0000

Please see the brochure for our next conference: Promoting Effective Communication in Individuals on the Autism Spectrum: From Research to Practice on Friday April 5, 2013 in Plainview, New York.

Eden II Programs has been a leader in the effective intervention and education of individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) for over 35 years. Eden II believes in the value of integrating speech and language services as part of its programs and supports the collaboration of these disciplines in addressing the complex speech, language, and communication deficits displayed in individuals with ASD. Eden II Programs is offering the following conference. This event will offer .5 ASHA CEU’s.

For more information email mbennett@eden2.org or call Marissa Bennett at 516-937-1397 x617.

Congrats to Laura Moretti!

eden2 — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 14:58:08 +0000

Please join us in congratulating Laura Moretti for being the recipient of the Above and Beyond Award for March. This monthly award is a great way for us to recognize and thank staff, students, and volunteers who go above and beyond for the agency, helping to promote and raise needed funds for the program’s growth.

Laura Moretti, Eden II’s volunteer extraordinaire, has chaired the Dr. Anthony Moretti Memorial Golf Outing to benefit the Eden II Programs for the past six years as a tribute to her late husband Anthony. The proceeds from this event will name the library in his honor at our new autism center and school at 15 Beach Street. Laura is also very involved in all of Eden’s fundraising events creating the most beautiful baskets for our live and silent auctions as well as chairing the Dinner Dance Journal. For the past five years she has served on Eden II’s Board of Trustees. Her son Anthony, Jr. attends the school program at our Granite Avenue location.

We are so very fortunate to have Laura Moretti a part of the Eden II family and a most deserving recipient of the Above and Beyond Award.