August 2013 / Issue 4 www.meaningfuldays.com newsleer Meaningful Day Services MAIN OFFICE: 225 South School Street Brownsburg, IN 46112 (317) 858-8630 Fax: (317) 858-8715 SOUTHERN INDIANA OFFICE: 700 Missouri Avenue Jeffersonville, IN 47130 (812) 288-4688 NORTHERN INDIANA OFFICE: 6142 Saint Joe Center Road, #171 Fort Wayne, IN 46835 (260) 517-3811 INDIANAPOLIS DAY SERVICES: 2461 Director’s Row, Suite H Indianapolis, IN 46241 (317) 248-0016 Fax: (317) 248-0013 Summer fun makes Meaningful Days! Accepting referrals for southern Indiana Trailblazers . . . page 3 Summer was a time for fun at Meaningful Days . . . page 4 iPad benefits individuals with disabilities . . . 7 IN THIS ISSUE: ABA South therapists celebrate at the closing party luau.
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August 2013/Issue 4www.meaningfuldays.com
newsletter
Meaningful Day ServicesMAIN OFFICE: 225 South School StreetBrownsburg, IN 46112 (317) 858-8630 Fax: (317) 858-8715
SOUTHERN INDIANA OFFICE: 700 Missouri AvenueJeffersonville, IN 47130 (812) 288-4688
NORTHERNINDIANA OFFICE: 6142 Saint Joe Center Road, #171Fort Wayne, IN 46835(260) 517-3811
INDIANAPOLIS DAY SERVICES: 2461 Director’s Row, Suite HIndianapolis, IN 46241(317) 248-0016 Fax: (317) 248-0013
Summer fun makes Meaningful Days!
Accepting referrals for southernIndiana Trailblazers . . . page 3
Summer was a time for fun atMeaningful Days . . . page 4
iPad benefits individuals with disabilities . . . 7
IN THIS ISSUE:
ABA South therapists celebrate at the closing party luau.
How do you measure success?
The last five years have been tough financially for
all of us. Who among us has not had a family
member or close friend lose their job and then
slowly their sense of purpose and worth?
Work is important for all of us. It shapes our
life, defines many friendships, and colors our
personal perspective. There our many views
regarding the importance of work for
individuals with disabilities. To me it comes
down to one main thing: purpose. All of us need a reason for our lives and we need
to feel that we are contributing to the greater good. Doing purposeful work
improves physical and emotional health, regardless of what kind of work it is . . . as
long as the person doing the work finds it meaningful.
What can I say, I guess that’s why we're called Meaningfuldays!
Sandra Miller-Givan, M.A., CEO
Meaningful Day Services, Inc.
MDS Newsletter – 3 – August 2013
ABA SERVICES ][ FROM THE CEO
MDS Newsletter – 2 – August 2013
Lauren Herron and Chelsea take a
break during music therapy.
SouthernIndiana
TrailblazersThe Southern Indiana Trailblazers completed their 8-week summer program on Thursday, July 25th. Weekly topics,
such as Team Building, Social Skills, Daily Living Skills, Volunteering, Job Skills, Cooking and Kitchen Safety, FinancialPlanning, and Personal Goals, were discussed. Activities included volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House, team
building games and activities, baking cakes for the summer closing party, learning to write personal checks and balance checkbooks, designing and making a Trailblazers Clubhouse Sign, and many more fun projects.
The Southern Indiana Trailblazer’s group is now accepting new clients to enroll in Fall Services. Please contact Matt King, the Jeffersonville Trailblazer Coordinator, at: (812) 288-4688 Ext: #5, with any questions or to enroll for fall.
Look for us and “Like us” on Facebook!
MDS Newsletter – 5 – August 2013
[ ABA SERVICES
The ABA Department just wrapped up a
summer of really fun and therapeutic
multi-disciplinary programs across the
state of Indiana. Before our kids went
back to school, we had to celebrate all the
summer achievements MDS style. Central
and Brownsburg ABA Programs enjoyed a
fun-filled Field Day at our Brownsburg
location that included plenty of outdoor
games and client performances. ABA
South had a Luau-themed Closing Party
that included family minute-to-win-it
challenges, some wonderful live perform-
ances, and a video recorded performance
that was the culminating event for our
Trailblazers.
Although it is sad to see summer go,
we are looking forward to fall services set
to begin the first week of August. As kids
return to school, we will be offering
normal therapy sessions from 9:00 a.m.–
6:00 p.m. in all three of our locations.
Additionally, all three programs across the
state will still be offering Saturday ABA
sessions, a Fall Break Program, and a
Winter Break Program. Please contact
the office for additional information.
We are currently accepting referrals for
the Brownsburg, Indianapolis, and
Jeffersonville programs.
MDS Newsletter – 4 – August 2013
It was a fun-filledsummer atMeaningfulDays!
TOP LEFT: Leahtakes her turn at thepiñata during theSummer ClosingParty. CENTER: Wesley takes histurn at the piñata.RIGHT: Wesley andHallie work togetherto create a traintown at ABA South.BELOW: MusicTherapist ChelseaDouglas leads alively ABA Southdrum circle.
MDS Newsletter – 1 – August 2013
[ ADULT DAY SERVICES
MDS Newsletter – 7 – August 2013MDS Newsletter – 6 – August 2013
BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT SERVICES ]
Behavior Management Counties iPad is an essential tool for people with developmental disabilities
Many people still think of the iPad as a toy rather than a tool. For individuals with develop-mental disabilities, the iPad can be an essential tool to communicate and build skills. Since the iPad’s inception, people have been developing apps for use with individualswith developmental disabilities. As opposed to more tradi-tional communication devices, the iPad is more normalized,light and easy to transport, less expensive, has multiple usesand functions and is relatively easy to set up. In addition, theiPad is intuitive to use due to its touch technology. The iPadalso comes with various settings to help individuals who havedifficulty making choices using touch. These are found under“accessibility” in the settings.
iPads are out of reach for many families, but there are organizations that work to supply iPads to individuals in need.Several ways you can attempt to get an iPad for yourself oryour loved one include talking to your insurance company, ask-ing your child’s school, applying for a grant, contacting local charities, and fundraising. With much research and effort, youmay be able to obtain a fully-funded iPad for your loved one.
Individuals with developmental disabilities may face challenges in different facets of everyday life. These may include communication, social skills, coping skills, and daily living skills. Professionals, friends, and families work to help individuals develop the skills they need to increase their success and happiness. One tool to assist in this developmentis an iPad or other tablet computer. There are thousands ofapps that are useful in meeting the needs of individuals withdevelopmental disabilities. Due to the magnitude of availableapps, it would be too cumbersome to list specific apps forspecific needs. Autism Apps is a free app available for down-loading on iPads and iPhones. This app lists available apps forindividuals with developmental disabilities, categorizes them,and provides information and reviews about each one. I highlyencourage anyone using an iPad with individuals who have developmental disabilities to get this app to provide a comprehensive list of apps found to be useful for individualswith developmental disabilities.
Providing quality, hands-on services that enhance and improve the independence of each unique individual.
Jimmy, Jon, and Ryan
Jesse relaxes at the park on his favorite seat.
Day Service Participants land a newvolunteer job at Bethany Village
Jimmy, Jon, Ryan, and Grace (not pictured) went to Bethany
Village on the south-side of Indianapolis to volunteer with the
residents. They assisted the residents as they walked down to
their activity area and participated in games and exercise groups.
Their energy and positive attitude was so uplifting to the
residents. The folks at Bethany Village enjoyed their company so
much that they asked them to come to more activities in the
future. They are very excited to be able to participate in this
volunteer opportunity, and it is a great learning experience for
everyone.
Thanks to Tim Rupe, Volunteer Coordinator, for finding this
great opportunity!
MDS Newsletter – 8 – August 2013
[ MUSIC THERAPY SERVICES
Music Therapy Counties
MDS Newsletter – 9 – August 2013
Welcome to our new therapist!We would like to welcome Emily Whittaker, MS, MT-BC,
to the Music Therapy Department. Emily completed hermaster’s in music therapy at SUNY New Paltz in New York.She is a talented musician and has a caring personality thatmakes her a great fit for our organization. Emily will be working with individuals in Kokomo and the surroundingarea.
You can find Emily’s bio on our website at:http://meaningfuldays.com/about/emily-whittaker-mt-bc/
Upcoming Community Events:North-Central Indy Drum CircleSeptember 13, 20136:15 pmCarmel Lutheran Church4850 E. Main St.Carmel, IN 46033
West Indy Drum CircleSeptember 20th, 20135pm2445 Director’s Row Suite KIndianapolis, iN 46241
Fort Wayne Drum CircleSept 13th **CONCERT**6:00 pmEpiphany Lutheran Church6606 Maplecrest RoadFort Wayne, IN
Madison County Drum CircleSept 23, 20134 pmBethany Christian Church1920 North Rangeline RoadAnderson, IN
New Castle Drum Circle/Henry CountySept 19th, 20134:30 pmDSI1510 Washington. StreetNew Castle, IN
LEFT: Alisha plays the rainstick.
ABOVE: Amber Ward loves playing the boomwhackers. ABOVE RIGHT: Jon makes some beautiful music.
BELOW: Matt Ison performs at the music therapy concert inKokomo.
Larry works on facialexpressions with Lyndsay Hoying duringmusic therapy session.
Look for us and
“Like us” on Facebook!
If you would like to see some more
great pictures “Like us” on Facebook!
MDS Newsletter – 11 – August 2013MDS Newsletter – 10 – August 2013
A big welcome to PamThe Recreational Therapy Department would like to
welcome Pam Thompson to the team. Pam comes to MDSas a Certified Therapeutic RecreationSpecialist and credentialed Child LifeSpecialist. Pam obtained her undergraddegree in Recreation and Park Adminis-tration at Indiana University and alsoholds a Master of Science Degree in Education-School Counseling. Pam hasextensive experience in both the educa-tion and health care fields. Her catch-
ment area is Hendricks, Johnson, and Marion counties.
Congratulations to Amber StewartAli (formally Amber Stewart) just got married in June!
Amber has been serving as a Recreational Therapist in theFort Wayne area since 2008.
Shout out to the Otte Golf and Family Fun Center
The central area Recreational Therapists of MDS wouldlike to acknowledge Otte Golf & Family Fun Center inGreenwood, Indiana, for their service to people with special needs. The owner and operator, Terry Sherard, isaccommodating and supportive of people with disabilities. Our clients light up when they see their friend,Terry! Otte Golf is a great example of how our communitycan embrace people with special needs.
New Service areas for Rec Therapy
Sonya Carlson enjoys summer at the park.
[ RECREATIONAL THERAPY SERVICES
Meaningful Day Services now offers Recreational Therapy inCarroll, Tippecanoe, and White counties.
Making Days Meaningful
TOP: Friends come together for a group shot at the end ofthe Closing Luau at ABA South. UPPER LEFT: Wyatt andKelsey enjoy the Waterfront Park in Louisville. LEFT: Wesleyenjoys Bob Hedge Park. ABOVE: Shamara and Drake swinglike Superheros. RIGHT: Lauren is happy to hit the town!
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