Soaring Eagles Center for Autism: Spring Newsletter 2014

Soaring Eagles Center for Autism Newsletter Spring 2014

  www.soaringeaglesautism.com  

What began in 2002 as a support group for parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has now become a major organization in Colorado that qualifies as a provider for the Home and Community Based and

Children with Autism Waiver. 

The mission of Soaring Eagles Center for Autism (SECA) is the respectful involvement into the lives of families who have children/persons with autism through education, advocacy, preparation and intervention. SECA’s

goal is to always preserve the dignity, independence, and heightened self-determination of our clients. We envision our client and their families functioning optimally and coping effectively in our society.  

From our very modest beginning in a modular building located at Sierra Vista Elementary school that housed our first summer program, to our current building on Palmer Lake Drive in Pueblo West, CO our mission is always before us. We strive to teach our clients to become independent, make their own choices, function optimally

and cope effectively in society. 

We especially concentrate on this in the teen years as they approach adulthood. To that end, each student, with the help and guidance of their teacher, are developing skills and making decisions about what they want their

future to look like. 

The following highlighted students are acquiring knowledge about their future profession, utilizing and learning to prefect the skills they have and presenting their ideas, passions, skills, talents and future goals to us.

Our home since 2001

Chris wants to be a police officer.He decided on this profession for two reasons: his stepfather was a security guard and Chris wants to “Get the bad guys off the street.”

 Since planning for the future is something Chris is learning about, his teacher, Ms. Sigourney, guided him through the career portion of it. She helped him fill out a sample job application (how to interview and what to wear). She also assisted him in researching the many aspects of law enforcement and creating a PowerPoint

presentation to show to SECA clients and staff.  His presentation included what police officers do, a timeline for the establishment of the Police Department, how to become an officer, a plan to achieve his goal and

things he can do now to prepare himself for it. After the presentation he answered questions. Chris is a senior in high school and received straight A’s for the 2013 fall semester. He also received in January, 2014 a Certificate of Accomplishment from the

Mahatma Gandhi Center for Peace and Nonviolence because he demonstrated “Acts of Kindness” with staff and students at the Fulton heights Opportunity Center. 

Chris

Chris (left), Ms. Sigourney (right)

Angelina is, according to her, “The most magical person in the WORLD. Exclamation Point!” When asked by her teacher, Ms. Sigourney, if she wanted to do her presentation on herself or what her future plans are, Angelina excitedly chose herself.Angelina’s presentation was entirely her own: she chose the categories and what to put under them, did the all the typing, and decided on the PowerPoint design. Through this presentation, we began to understand this “most magical person.” The areas she chose to reveal to us included her favorite things: books on animal behavior and cheeseburgers. Her pet peeves are being bossed around and yelled at. Her happiest moments included gifts from her grandmother. Her love of animals and strong mindedness were two of her personality traits. And her dad remains one of her hero's.

Because Angelina has a commanding knowledge of herself, her oral presentation incorporated friendliness and sense of fun that was engaging while thoroughly covering all the topics.  Angelina is presently enrolled in an on-line Animal Behavior course with the long-term goal of obtaining a Bachelor’s degree to become an Animal Behaviorist. She also works at PAWS Animal Shelter as an aide.  

Angelina

Tyler

  Tyler is a devoted Elvis Presley fan.

When asked by his teacher, Ms. Laura, who he wanted to do his presentation on he chose his favorite artist without hesitation: Elvis Presley.

Together they researched what information to include, along with his favorite photos, music hits and movies.  

Elvis is a part of Tyler’s everyday life from imitating Elvis’ dance moves, to wearing his hair in a pompadour. He even has a pair of white shoes just like his! He also has over a dozen books about Elvis.

A special moment for Tyler was when he attended an Elvis impersonator concert and had the opportunity to visit with the performer after the concert. The highlight of the visit was shaking his hand and receiving a hug from him.

Tyler has a special bond with his grandmother: they watch Elvis movies together. She also attended an Elvis concert, as a young lady.

One of Tyler’s lifetime goals is to visit Graceland.

Nathaniel wants to become a master at karate. To begin of his journey towards this goal; he is currently taking lessons from SECA’s own Mr.

Levi. Nathaniel also realizes that to reach this level he knows he must work on being disciplined, patient and confident.

In addition to ways of achieving his goal in karate, his presentation also revealed to the audience his strengths and talents: His creativity and artistry are evident in his designing of superheroes costumes and

light sabers. He also plays basketball for Special Olympics. When he isn’t participating in a game, he is practicing shooting and dribbling. Nathaniel describes himself as a good big brother in playing with his sister

Gracie and helping his mother take care of her.

  Another area he disclosed to us during his well-received presentation are his favorite things. Among them: the sport of basketball, a book on Star Wars and his heroes Superman/Batman.  

Ms. Sigourney, his teacher at SECA, has observed that Nathaniel is good with the little kids, likes being a role model, has a good sense of humor and loves to joke around.

Nathaniel