Milestones Magazine Late Summer 2022

eyond disabilities
Late Summer Issue 2022
ON THE GO
travel for people with
DIVERGENT
ABILITIES
ALSO INCLUDED
What on Earth is
Sensory Integration?
Play with Me
Nature Calls
Temper Temper

ON THE COVER 15
ON THE GO
travel for people with
03 What on Earth is
Sensory Integration?
DIVERGENT
ABILITIES
07 Picture Perfect
09 Get the Words Out
11 Play with Me
13 Nature Calls
Publisher
Susie Redfern is the parent of a young
adult on the Autism Spectrum.
17 Special Needs Alliance
She developed Milestones Magazine
to help individuals with disabilities
and their families achieve and celebrate
19 Life in the Green Zone
21 Temper Temper
events and milestones in their lives.
info@milestonesmagazine.net
MilestonesMagazine.net
LATE SUMMER 2022
1

What on Earth is
SENSORY
INTEGRATION?
As the parent of two children with autism, the term “sensory integration” is
not new to me. My older son, never experienced the social and/or cognitive
challenges that seriously impacted his ability to navigate his world independently,
so was never diagnosed with autism. However, his sensory issues came out often.
As a preschooler, he would climb up playground activities very cautiously. He had
difficulties with handwriting. Those are the two biggest issues I remember about
him during his early school years.
Having heard that term frequently during my children’s school years doesn’t
necessarily mean that I know what the term means. To provide the how, what,
why, and wherefore about Sensory Integration, I am pleased to introduce Lillian
Chen-Byerley, MS, OTR/L, C/NDT, RCTC, an Occupational Therapist with
Senseable Kids.
“Although sensory integration dysfunction (DSI) has been around since
1954 when A. Jean Ayres Ph.D. pioneered and researched this topic, few
have truly understood the depth of which her theory encompassed. Present-day
neuroscience continues to expand and support the neurobiological meaning
which I hope to summarize here. Thus, the term sensory integration is based on
the work of Dr. Ayres to describe the theory and the intervention; whereas, a new
nosology is used to describe the diagnostic category of this disorder known as
sensory processing disorder (SPD).
Dr. Ayres sought out initially to identify how poor processing of sensory
stimuli affected the child, resulting in atypical motor, social/emotional, and
functional patterns of behavior. These behaviors were hypothesized to interfere
with end product competencies in speech/language, attention, and motor.
3

Definition:
Widely recognized as A. Jean Ayres’ definition of sensory integration.
“-
changing pattern.
A Jean Ayres, 1989
Sensory integration is the neurological process that
organizes sensations from one’s body and from the
environment and makes it possible to use the body to
make adaptive responses within the environment. To do
this, the brain must register, select, interpret, compare,
and associate sensory information in a flexible, constantly
Simply said, sensory integration is the relatedness of one to others, one to
their environment, and one’s ability to adjust oneself to function within the
environment with oneself, others, and objects within it.
Sensory Systems:
Ayres’ theory and intervention are based on categorizing seven neurosensory
systems and the relationship of each with one another. Alfred Tomatis, MD,
also developed his framework similarly identifying the same basic systems as
Ayres. Current neuroscience research continues to verify and confirm these
sensory systems as:
4

Vestibular:
Known to be one of the first sensory organs completed in utero, this system provides us with
information to help detect and process our sense of movement, the pull of earth’s gravity, and
position in space. “A well-modulated vestibular activity is very important for maintaining a
calm, alert state. The vestibular system also helps keep the level of arousal of the nervous
system balanced. An under-active vestibular system contributes to hyperactivity and
distractibility because of its modulating influence.” A. Jean Ayres Ineffective processing of
this system may lead to sensory-based motor disorder or sensory modulation disorder.
Tactile:
As it sounds, this system is responsible for our sense of touch. The tactile system addresses
the surface area of our body including the skin, hair, hands, feet, and oral motor cavity.
Ineffective processing of this system leads to sensory discrimination disorder or sensory
modulation disorder.
Proprioception:
This system allows one to process information and gain information from our internal sense
which comes from our joints and muscles. One could say this system is a necessary foundation
for muscle memory. Generally, problems in the area are associated with tactile and/or
vestibular issues which lead to sensory modulation and sensory-based motor disorder.
Auditory:
This system serves as the sensory integrator of two basic systems within the ear (vestibular and
cochlear) and is responsible for 90% of our brain’s processing, Sixty percent of the stimuli to
the brain originate from the bones, joints, and muscles through the vestibular system, while
the remaining forty percent is from the sound processed through the cochlea. Since the brain
needs stimuli to be nourished, the stimuli and significance of it from the ear is the perception
of different sound wave frequencies.
5

Visual:
This system is now known to be reflective of auditory processing and therefore, it is the ability
to perceive and make sense of spatial orientation and direction (vertical vs. horizontal), color,
shape, assess the intensity of light, process form, etc.
Olfactory & Gustatory:
This system is responsible for our sense of smells, odors, and tastes, and measures the
intensity of them. Often we find that individuals who seek excessive salt, sweetness, or hot
spice are under-reactive, while people who tolerate only very bland or have a limited
repertoire of foods are overly reactive. Likewise, some demonstrate difficulty with smells
which may result in nausea or emesis.
Dr. Ayres further established four categories in the 1960s to classify and refine specific
sensory manifestations as seen by sensory modulation dysfunction (SMD), developmental
dyspraxia, bilateral integration dysfunction, and generalized dysfunction (a combination
of all areas). The SPD
global umbrella
identifies three primary
diagnostic categories
as sensory modulation
disorder, sensory
discrimination disorder,
and sensory-based
motor disorder.
Sensory modulation
dysfunction (SMD) is
the ability one has to take in sensory sensations be it auditory, visual, gustatory, olfactory, or
tactile stimuli, by interpreting what it is and filtering what is important while ignoring what is
not by inhibiting that sensation. Often, as seen in the Today Show video, children with SMD
are unable to process information to cause them to have ineffective sensory modulators.
Examples that are often reported may be being unable to tolerate smells from the lunch room,
intolerance for noise such as that of other children or fireworks/vacuum cleaners, being
unable to move without fear or feeling nauseous, clothes that are intolerable, craving
bumping and crashing into things/people. Or, perhaps the opposite is observed where the
child does not seem cuddly or recognize when they are hurt, does not seem to hear auditory
information, or will not sit still. Often one may hear this being described as being
over-reactive or under-reactive.” M
6

“I combined my two passions in life:
special needs children and photography.”
Most families, over the years, fill photo albums with pictures of their children.
Some also go through the ritual of formal photography sessions, from time to
time. Outcomes of these sessions can be unpredictable for any family,
and sometimes even more so for children who have special
needs (sensory, cognitive, physical, etc.).
Many photographers don’t have much experience
with these circumstances, but some specialize
with these families. One such business is
PhotoFab in Deerfield IL.
I am pleased to introduce Photo Fab’s
owner, Fabiana (a special education
teacher and therapist before turning
to photography) to tell us how a bit
(generally) about how she shapes photo
sessions for families with challenges to
make them picture perfect.
_____________________________________
Picture Perfect
“I’d love to have our family photos taken but
my child won’t look at the camera and follow
directions”
“He/she is always chewing on a shirt, looking at the
IPad, spinning…”
“It’s painful to see other neurotypical kids’s beautiful graduation photos,
knowing that my child is not able to have them…”
“We once had a professional photo shoot and
the photographer kept getting frustrated
because my child wouldn’t cooperate…”
Sounds familiar? Yes, I’ve heard it all a
million times during my 30 plus years of
working as a Special Education teacher
and therapist.
7

There is a gap and a need for photographers that are
familiar with the particular needs of this community,
someone who not only has the expertise in taking beautiful
images but also understands what’s in front of them,
someone who won’t ask for what’s impossible but
instead make magic with what’s available.
This is exactly why I decided to combine my two passions
in life: special needs children and photography.
I became certified by “Special Needs Photographers of
America” and started Photofab Photography, specializing
in these wonderful children and their families.
My sessions are child-led; by that I mean that I
customize the session to each particular child
and his/ her specific needs.
Prior to the session I conduct a lengthy
interview with the parents in order to get
as much information as possible. I want to
know what the condition is, physical
limitations, preferred items and activities,
places, songs, snacks, etc. Is the child
happiest while in front of a screen? organizing
toys? dancing? swimming? jumping? Most
importantly I also want to know what are absolute
dislikes that will cause the child to lose interest and
cooperation or become over stimulated. I like to
provide parents with a social book for non-verbal
kids so they can read and prepare for the
photoshoot, this seems to help with anxiety
and answer any questions they may have.
During the sessions I usually bring with me a
number of props and tricks to make them fun
and memorable.
My work can be seen on my website at:
photofabphotography.com and my Facebook
page at: Facebook.com/Photofabart
I can be reached by phone at: 757-589-0306. M
8

Language can be a complicated matter.
People often can say the wrong thing;
the expression “that came out wrong”
is probably said daily by someone in the
world. Words matter.
Thank you for taking the time
to read this article. There are so
many ways that we communicate.
Some are easily understood and
others, not so much! But one thing
is for sure, whatever mode you
For some folks, however, they have
difficulty saying anything, for a variety
are using, a speech-language
pathologist (speech therapist) is
COMMUNICATION
What’s Your Mode?
of reasons. Their difficulties fall within
the scope of speech-language
pathologists (commonly referred to
as speech therapists).
available to help you or your
child be understood. There are
many modes of communication.
Do you know what mode you
use? Children and adults
I am pleased to introduce Lisa Morris,
Speech-Language Pathologist
and Clinical Director of Pediatric
Interactions, to tell us a little about
what situations they find among
patients at their clinic and how they
communicate verbally by
speaking much of the time.
We even use non-verbal
communication such as facial
expressions, body language,
and gestures.
help these children get the word(s) out.
Here is her article, in its entirety.
9

Some verbal communicators come to us for help with the
sound production, speech fluency, or voicing concerns due
to hearing loss or a medical diagnoses. But there are many
communicators who don’t communicate verbally at all.
That is where we (Speech-Language Pathologists) come
in. It is our job to find the mode of communication that
works best for each child (or adult). This can be through
pictures, picture exchange, picture sequencing,
augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)
such as a communication application on a computer or
We demonstrate the expectations and model everything
we want them to be doing (verbal, non-verbal, picture use,
AAC, gestures, signs). As they start to develop skills such
as increasing their vocabulary, we begin modeling words in
combination, introducing new vocabulary, and establishing
compliance with instructions. All these skills lead to more
independent communication. We begin using exclamatory
phrases, animal and environmental sounds, and facial
expressions to add more of an impact to what we
are saying.
iPad, signing, and even use of objects for self-expression.
Beyond Toddlers: Functional communication and
Over the past 30 years, it has been my pleasure to help
many families with a variety of
communication complexities.
Our little 0-3-year olds, they
independence is where we are leading our children. We
begin teaching communication skills
as they relate to play activities,
events, community outings, and
Lisa Morris
Speech-Language
Pathologist and
Clinical Director of
Pediatric Interactions
communicate too! They cry different
cries and they use non-verbal
communication. When something
interferes with this communicative process, we jump in.
We support the families in learning how to identify those
signs of communication and move toward developing
functional patterns of communication.
other social interactions. It is
important that we allow our children
to communicate beyond our own
little circle in the family and help them to communicate
with extended family, friends, and community members.
Using their own mode of communication, we help by
working with children in those special environments that
help bridge the gap between single person communication
Babbling to your babies, imitating their babbling, playing
and group communication skills.
peek-a-boo and a host of other activities help engage your
infant in communication.
If you have communication questions, reach out to a
speech-language pathologist near you. They are speaking
Toddlers: As our kids move through a variety of
your child’s language! M
developmental stages, we are looking for that curiosity,
exploring, taking things apart, and/or asking “what’s this?”
So what do we do when these things aren’t happening?
10

Play
with
Me
The Basics of Play Therapy
One of the mainstays of early childhood education is the saying
“Children Learn Through Play”. That is true. But not only can they
learn through play, they can also heal through play. Play therapy
has grown up around that fact.
The requirements to become a
Registered Play Therapist:
- Independently licensed in your state of
practice as a LPC*, LCSW** or LMFT***
- Completed at least 150 Continuing
I have pulled information from the website of Wilson’s Garden
of Hope, where Shatisha M. Wilson, LPC, CPC-S, RPT-S, a
registered play therapist-supervisor, serves as Executive
Education hours in Play Therapy training.
- Completed at least 35 hours of clinical
supervision with a Registered Play
Director. This will give a quick overview of what a Registered
Play Therapist does and the qualifications for that position,
Therapy Supervisor.
M
paraphrasing the website’s page.
*Licensed Professional Counselor
**Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Wilson’s Garden of Hope, LLC Play Therapy & Counseling Center
***Licensed Marital & Family Therapist
uses play therapy, which according to research, helps making
children feel comfortable and safe enough to express their
concerns and helps them handle most social, emotional, and
behavioral problems.
Wilson’s Garden of Hope has an in-house Registered Play
Therapy Supervisor and 2 additional clinicians pursuing their
certification in play.
11

12

Many activities present difficulties for children (and adults) with
sensory or physical challenges. But perhaps none more than using
public outdoor areas such as playgrounds and nature areas. Schools,
park districts, and other entities across the country have addressed
these concerns. One such organization is the Four Rivers
Environmental Education Center in Channahon IL.
The district offers a wide variety of
educational and recreational programs
including virtual programs that are
presented online via Zoom webinars.
All programs are listed on the Event
Calendar at ReconnectWithNature.org.
Four Rivers Environmental Education Center is part of the Forest
Preserve District of Will County. It was named a Certified Autism
Center in 2020 and now features an All-Persons Trail.
For more information, please contact
the public information officer:
Cindy Cain
815-722-5370
The trail has five interactive, multisensory display panels, and
ccain@fpdwc.org M
visually or cognitively impaired visitors can use handheld audio units
to provide trail narration. Participants can stop for an activity at each
interpretive panel. The All-Persons Trail includes tactile paving, which
lets visually impaired visitors know when to stop for an interpretive
panel, and tactile signs for guests who learn best by touch.
Four Rivers also will be offering Sensory Sunday programs on
Sept. 4 and Oct. 30 for those with sensory processing needs. The
building will only be open to registered participants at this time.
Call 815-722-9470 to register.
In addition to Four Rivers, the Forest Preserve owns Isle a la
Cache Museum in Romeoville, Plum Creek Nature Center in
Crete Township, and the recently purchased Hidden Oaks Nature
Center in Bolingbrook.
13

M
14

ON THE GO
travel for people with
DIVERGENT
ABILITIES
For people with physical, cognitive, sensory, or other conditions (and the rest of
us, for that matter), life can be challenging and travel even more so. There are a
number of travel agencies that focus on people with divergent abilities.
One such company is Wheel the World. I came upon their booth at Ability Expo
in Schaumburg. I am pleased to share their article about accessible travel.
Wheel the World
Makes Accessible Travel
Worry-Free
15

There’s nothing worse than arriving at a
hotel after a long travel day and being told the
accessible room you booked is no longer
available. Or have you ever been in a situation
where you’ve booked an accessible room only to
As a result, Wheel the World was born and
assists travelers with booking accessible
vacations to over 140 destinations worldwide.
“We have a clear belief and purpose to make
the world accessible,” says Alvaro.
learn that it doesn’t meet your accessibility needs?
These issues are way too common and are an
example of some of the challenges travelers face.
Through Wheel the World’s website, users can
create custom accessibility profiles allowing
Wheel the World to recommend listings that
Wheel the World’s mission is to make the world
more accessible. They strive to make travel
worry-free by providing travelers with reliable
accessibility information, comprehensive
planning, and personalized support before and
during their trips. Founded by Alvaro Silberstein
and his lifelong friend Camilo Navarro, Wheel
the World was inspired by a 2016 trip to Torres
del Paine National Park in Chile. This journey
felt impossible after a car accident left Silberstein
paralyzed from the waist down. Organizing an
accessible trip to Torres del Paine was no easy
are compatible with their travel aspirations
and personal accessibility needs. Using the
Accessibility Mapping System (AMS) volunteer
“mappers” crowdsource real-time information
on more than 200 data points including
wheelchair accessibility, transportation logistics,
bed height, room width, braille signage
availability, adaptive equipment requirements,
and more. Travelers can also view detailed
photos of places to stay showcasing the
property’s accessibility. There is no fee for
travelers to access this information.
feat. After lots of extended research, contacting
multiple tour operators, and researching a
special wheelchair, the duo realized it was
possible. An accessible wheelchair called a Jolette
(used for difficult terrain) could be used to
navigate the park.
The company’s travel experts also work
directly with customers to plan and customize
their travel experiences in addition to aiding
with securing accessible transportation during
their vacation.
After meticulous planning, the trek occurred,
and the experience went viral. Alvaro and
Camilo soon received numerous requests from
travelers around the world to assist with booking
accessible trips.
In addition to providing places to stay,
Wheel the World offers a variety of accessible
things to do, multi-day trips, and group tours.
No travelers are excluded, as the company
caters to travelers of all ages and abilities.
Mark Zuckerberg, Founder of Meta even shared
To plan your next accessible vacation, head to
the story during a global meeting.
www.wheeltheworld.com
M
16

Special
Needs Alliance
R
R
R
Maximize &
Preserve
Benefits
Protect
Assets
Assure
Families who have a child with challenges, be they
physical, cognitive, sensory, social/emotional, or
some other kind, are often in search of resources to
address whatever issues their child is having. One
of the biggest needs for families who have a child
with more complicated and involved issues is to get
their financial and legal affairs in order to help and
provide for their child’s long-term (especially after
they’re no longer a resource for their child in
person). Not every lawyer and financial planner
have the knowledge, training, and skills to help
such families. How do these families find the
resources they need?
Lifelong Care
17

One resource to address this is the Special Needs Alliance. I am
pleased to introduce Carole Cukell Neff, “One of only two New
Orleans members of the national Special Needs Alliance, a
blue-ribbon organization of professionals who service the legal
needs of people with disabilities”, to tell you more about this
organization and how it helps families find special needs”
lawyers and financial planners. Ms. Neff has added
the following:
and drafting the Trust, securing and
maintaining the public benefits for a
personal injury/medical malpractice victim,
securing governmental approval of Special
Needs Trusts, and resolving third-party and
government claims and liens against
settlement proceeds. SNA attorney
services can include estate planning for
family members, including the drafting
Special Needs Alliance (SNA) is made up of attorneys who
understand the difficulties faced by individuals and their
families with regard to Disability and Public Benefits Law. The
of Wills and Trusts tailored for special
needs, as well as representation in the
Probate Court.
SNA was born out of a collective belief that individuals with
special needs have a right to representation that considers the
added dimension of their quality of life. The SNA works to
protect the financial future of these individuals and their
families. The SNA’s mission is to assist clients in locating
experienced disability and public benefits attorneys in their
area and to assist other professionals and settlement companies
and personal injury and medical malpractice matters involving
clients with special needs.
As attorneys in the fields of Disability and
Public Benefits Law, SNA members help
to enhance your child’s quality of life by
employing resources and legal expertise
to assist with the maintenance of public
benefits for your child and to the
development of effective estate plans
that protect your assets.”
The SNA understands that disability and public benefits laws
provide opportunities for abuse and mismanagement that may
threaten the financial futures of individuals with special needs.
These could include the loss of Supplemental Security Income
(SSI), Section 8 Housing, and Medicaid. SNA member attorneys
work to protect these assets and strive to ensure that all
Editor’s Note:
The Special Needs Alliance maintains a
website, www.specialneedsalliance.org,
at which families can get the additional
information and search for a special needs
lawyer in their state. M
potential benefits remain available. This representation can
include determining the advisability of a Special Needs Trust
18

Life in the
Green Zone
Are You Ready to Experience Greater Well-being?
As the parent of a now-28-year-old on the autism
spectrum, I am well aware, especially in recent years,
of the obstacles placed in his path; including from
vocational rehab services, who focus on providing
ways we can achieve a place of emotional, mental, and spiritual
well-being, which we now call the “Green Zone.” I realized that
without a positive mental and emotional outlook, it was difficult,
if not impossible, to move forward to create the life we desired.
employment/training services only to individuals
who do not need lifetime support and supervision in
the workplace due to their disability. They are not
equipped for folks with mental health issues and/or
the neurologic/sensory issues related to autism and
similar conditions.
In 2010, I started a Non-Profit called Neuroshifts to help young
adults in the autism and neuro-diverse communities achieve the
desired employment outcomes. I found that teaching these young
adults job-ready skills was essential. However, equally if not more
critical to their success was providing information and teaching
them the tools and techniques related to emotional awareness and
I am pleased to introduce Vicky Westra, a fellow
management and how to achieve a positive mental outlook.
parent of a child diagnosed with autism, to give us a
quick overview of her non-profit, called Neuroshifts.
Today, Neuroshifts works with families to help them shift from the
Red Zone to the Green Zone. We offer workshops, courses, a
Are You Ready to Experience
Greater Well-being?
membership program, group coaching programs, and social and
meet-up groups designed to greater well-being for ourselves and
our families. “We are building a community network of families
Today, many individuals and families in the Autism
and Neurodiverse community live in the “Red Zone”
passionate about creating the future they desire and paving the
way for others.”
on our emotional guidance scale. In the Red Zone,
we experience stress and anxiety caused by many
things, including our negative thoughts and beliefs
about our child’s diagnosis, our fear about the future,
and our often-limited opportunities for our child in
If you are ready to live in the Green Zone, we invite you to join
us by going to www.neuro-shifts.org or calling us at (813)251-2787.
We’d love to learn about you and your family and provide the
resources you need to live a Green Zone Life.
meaningful educational opportunities, employment,
and independence.
Vicky Westra
Neuroshifts Founder
As the mother of a child diagnosed with autism at
the age of 4, I know the Red Zone and these
challenges very well. However, I recognized that
staying in the “Red Zone” would not help me or our
daughter achieve the fulfilling and positive future we
Editor’s Note: Milestones Magazine has partnered with Neuroshifts
in an affiliate arrangement. Income received from this will go to the
expenses of publishing the magazine and maintaining the website.
For more details, please email Susie Redfern, Milestones Magazine
desired. My path called me to extensively research
19
publisher, at milestonesmag1@gmail.com or call 630-499-5810.
M

MILESTONES MAGAZINE
Affiliates with
Neuroshifts
Neuroshifts
“Neuroshifts’ mission is to guide those in
the Autism and Neurodiverse Community who
are currently feeling stuck or living in a place
of stress and anxiety into a place of mental
well-being.” Courses, coaching, support, and
member community conferences are offered.
Beginning on Sept 8th, 2022, they will be offering
Launchpad and Lift Off live courses. These courses
are meant for young adults (ages 18 - 29) “who are
ready to achieve their goals and dreams, including
employment, creating healthy relationships, and
moving towards independence”.
Neuroshifts’ Memberships are Affordable!
Neuroshifts:
- Lift Off 8 Sessions
- Launchpad 4 Sessions
- Neuroshifts Coaching/Courses/Social Groups
- Neuroshifts FIGZ Memberships
Milestones Magazine is offering its own Resource Lists as part of the affiliation!
For more information: info@milestonesmagazine.com
Milestones Magazine is pleased to announce our affiliate relationship with Neuroshifts.
Income from this affiliate partnership will go to the expenses of our free online magazine
and website, www.milestonesmagazine.net.

Temper
Temper
Temper
Temper
Just about everyone has trouble keeping their cool from time to
time. Very young children, who are just learning social skills such as
sharing, are developmentally more vulnerable to squabbles and fits
of temper. Pile sensory or neurological conditions such as autism onto
this, and parents and other caregivers can have a very difficult time
indeed (not to mention the children themselves).
Therapists can provide assistance to children and families dealing
with emotional regulation issues. One such therapist is Catherine
Schully, MS, LPC, RPT, a registered play therapist who also has
created a course for parents called Parenting W Play.
I am pleased to welcome Catherine, to tell you a little about play
therapy in general, and her course in particular, and how both help
children, with and without divergent abilities, and their families.
“Hi, my name is Cat and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and
Registered Play Therapist from Louisiana. I have been working with
children and families for well over 6 years and have found a missing
ingredient in childhood behavioral health.
That Missing Ingredient is YOU!
As a child therapist, I have learned that parents are the best people
to serve as their child’s therapeutic agent! I mean think about it, in
therapy, a child has to build trust and rapport with the clinician
before change can really take place. This is not something you can
force! In my experience, that trust can take 6 months to 1 year to build.
I am as patient as can be and have no problem taking that time with
kids in therapy, but I also understand the frustration parents experience
being stuck at home still dealing with the behavioral problems day
in and day out.
21

This is why I created my program, Parenting W Play!
I know that parents already have that trust and innate bond with
their children so it just makes sense that they could produce faster
and more long-lasting changes in their child’s ability to regulate
emotions, follow limits, and so much more. I also know that children
communicate and process their words the most effectively using play
because that is their most natural language.
My program is for parents of children between 5 and 10 years old and
consists of 3 courses: Tantrum Tamer, Confident Emotion Regulator,
and Motivated Power Struggle Master.
Tantrum Tamer is an introductory 4-week course where you will
learn skills in emotion coaching and reflective responding that will
help you learn effective strategies for bringing the temperature down
during a temper tantrum as opposed to adding fuel to the fire. By
honing these skills, you may even be able to stop a tantrum in its
tracks before it escalates.
Upon completion of Tantrum Tamer, you will be able to move on to
Confident Emotion Regulator, which is a 6-week course that builds
off of the skills learned in Tantrum Tamer. In this course, you will
fully grasp the importance of serving as the key regulator of your
child’s emotions and how you play a role in helping them learn
how to regulate their emotions on their own.
The final course is Motivated Power Struggle Master, which is
another 6-week course that offers education in appropriate limit
setting that promotes putting your child in the driver’s seat of their
consequences and keeps you from having to be the “bad guy.”
Each course includes using play as a tool to connect with your child
and support their behavioral health development. After all, if you are
not playing with your child, you are not communicating with them!
In the end, you will feel like a totally in-control parent!
For more information, please visit my website: parentingwplay.com” M
22

MILESTONES
Helping Individuals with Disabilities & their Families
Achieve & Celebrate Events & Milestones in their Lives
MILESTONES Magazine - Sponsorship for an Event Guide
The Event Guide will include information about the event and highlight all the speakers.
Sponsors will be highlighted on socia media and in the Event Guide. A sponsor can sign up for
a full, half, or quarter page; outlined below. Each sponsor will also be included in the program
schedule and receive (as per resource list order form) one or more resource lists, with a license
to freely distribute (sales prohibited) to clients, colleagues, friends, and family.
Our Next Events in September: (Click the name of the event to register.)
Off to College
Virtual Event:
Speaker:
The Event Includes:
September 1, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Central Standard Time (CST)
Cindy Fisher
Creator of the Smart Steps App, will have a discussion format about
college adaptations for students with divergent abilities.
Protecting Your Child - Special Needs Trust
Virtual Event:
Speaker:
The Event Includes:
September 8, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Central Standard Time (CST)
Deidre Braverman
The founder of Braverman Law Group is hosting a discussion for parents
who have a child with special needs; financial planning is perhaps even more
crucial than it is for other children.
Resources for Inclusive Child Care
Virtual Event:
The Event Includes:
September 10, 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM Central Standard Time (CST)
Showcasing strategies and resources to develop and enhance inclusive infants,
toddlers, preschool, and school-age programs for children with divergent
abilities and their peers.
Clothing Solutions for People with Divergent Abilities
Virtual Event:
Speakers:
The Event Includes:
September 20, 1:00 PM - 1:30 PM Central Standard Time (CST)
Keisha Greaves and Heidi McKenzie
The founders of clothing companies are leading a discussion about clothing
created for people with physical, sensory, coordination, or other challenges.
Currently, we have 1,000+ invitees on our list for these Events!
Sponsorship Opportunities
Please email Susie Redfern at info@milestonesmagazine.net
if you are interested in Sponsoring an Event Guide.
COVER PAGE
Event and Speakers will be Highlighted
FULL PAGE
Your Bio, Picture, Logo and Contact Information
Check out our website:
milestonesmagazine.net
HALF and QUARTER PAGES
Your Bio, Picture, and Contact Information