Happy New Year! From all of us at

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1 January Happy New Year! From all of us at Helping children with special health care needs. Since 1948 Paso del Norte Children s Development Center! Contents A Family Journey 2 Parents Night Out 4 Incredible Years 5 Academies 6 ABA Classes 8 Community Events 9 Support Groups 14

2 The Journey of The Armendariz Family We postponed having a child for many years while completing our educational goals, pursuing careers and other interests. When we finally had our son, Octavio, Autism was not something we knew much about or expected to encounter. Nevertheless, it was apparent from his infancy that Octavio was not developing typically. We have a family member that had a baby boy a couple of weeks after we did and he was meeting all developmental milestones such as transitioning to solid foods and beginning to walk and talk, while our son was not. Our concerns were dismissed by our first pediatrician who said we were simply overprotective older parents of an only child and there was nothing to worry about. However, by the time Octavio was two years old although he had begun to walk, he was still only saying three words and not playing with toys. That was when we made our single most important decision as parents and contacted Paso del Norte CDC s ECI Program. Within days, an ECI caseworker called us and scheduled an appointment to come to our home. When she met Octavio, she was very concerned about him being so far behind in his development and scheduled an evaluation with a speech pathologist and an educator. The educator administered the MCHAT, a screening tool for Autism. His score was cause for concern and she recommended he be evaluated by a developmental pediatrician. By the time Octavio was three years old he had been evaluated by two developmental pediatricians and a pediatric neurologist, all of whom gave the same diagnosis of moderate to severe Autism. With the help of ECI therapists, Octavio began saying words and eating solid food. After he was discharged from ECI, we immediately placed him in private speech therapy, physical and occupational therapy, as well as therapeutic horse riding. Along with private therapies, we made the decision to homeschool our son, and he has made great progress. He is now eight years old and speaks in sentences, reads, spells, does basic math, and enjoys hiking and swimming.

3 The Journey of The Armendariz Family Around the time Octavio was diagnosed we became involved in the Autism community and for the past four years we have run our Facebook group, Autism Community Network of El Paso (ACN). Through the group, we organize Films for Friends, sensory-friendly, judgement-free movie showings at the Cielo Vista Cinemark. We also work with Cielo Vista to get the word out on Caring Santa and Caring Bunny events sponsored by Autism Speaks. We also coordinate with the Westside YMCA to offer a parent-child swimming program for children with Autism and other special needs. We plan to continue to advocate for programs and services for people with Autism. Currently, there are few opportunities available for adults with Autism. We hope to see this change in the future. In addition to his career in real estate and his activity with ACN, Martin Armendariz has served on the board of the Autism Society of El Paso and is currently a board member of CDIC. Rosanna Armendariz is a stay-at-homehome-schooling mom. She frequently s and calls elected representatives to advocate for disability-related topics. We believe it s crucial for parents of children with Autism to get involved and each do their part to make this world a better place for our kids! Martin, Octavio and Rosanna Armendariz

4 Parent s Night Out Friday, January 20,2017 Would you like to go out and have fun or run errands, while your children play and meet other children in a safe environment? We will be providing free childcare for children with special needs Friday, January 20th from 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. at El Papalote Inclusive Child Development Center (1101 E. Schuster Ave.) Call Araceli Urrutia and RSVP by Friday before noon (915) ext. 192 *Scholarships available for siblings.

5 Incredible Years Parenting Classes

6 Academies Parents As Leaders- Academy Ysleta TLCC & Montana Vista Tuesdays and Thursdays Jan. 24 & 26 Introduction Jan.31 & Feb.2 Family Dynamics Feb.7 & 9 Special Education Feb.14 & 16 Social Services Feb. 21 & 23 Transition into Adulthood Feb.28 & Mar.2 Assistive Technology Mar.7 & 9 Advocacy ADHD Academy Ysleta TLCC & Montana Vista Tuesdays and Thursdays Mar.21 & Apr.6 Introduction Mar.28 & Apr.13 ADHD/ Other conditions Apr.4 & Apr.20 Section 504 Apr.11 & Apr.27 Medication Options Apr.18 & May 4 Gender Differences Apr. 25 & May 11 Bullying & Social Skills May 2 & May 18 Home & School Strategies For further information please contact Isabel Ext. 195

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8 ABA PARENT TRAINING CLASSES CLASSES PARA PADRES DE ABA WHEN: / CUANDO: Date/ Fecha Time/ Hora Topic/ Tema 1/9 Monday 10:00a Español Control de Instrucción/ Funciones de las conducta 1/12 Friday 2:00p English ABC s of Behavior 1/16 Monday 10:00a Español Recolección de Datos 1/17 Tuesday 10:30a English Differential Reinforcement 1/20 Friday 2:00p English Data Collection 1/23 Monday 10:00a Español Extinción 1/24 Tuesday 10:30a English Errorless Teaching 1/27 Friday 2:00p English Functions of Behavior 1/30 Monday 10:00a Español Refuerzo Differencial 1/31 Tuesday 10:30a English Prompting WHERE: /DONDE: Paso del Norte Children s Development Center 1101 E. Schuster El Paso TX IF ATTENDING A CLASS SI VAN A ASISTIR MANDEN UN CORREO A: brenda.meraz@pdnchildrens.org Space is limited. Espacio está limitado.

9 Community Events Stipends from TCDD to cover registration fee of $15.00 for parents of children, youth or young adults with an Intellectual Disability and/or family members. There is also Respite stipends available to help cover the cost of daycare for parents to attend Symposium. For more information please call Patricia

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15 Community Events Like us on Facebook COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER Support groups in El Paso If you are interested receiving the newsletter by , call (915) ext. 192 Or send an * St. Marks Special Needs Ministry-support group for individuals with intellectual and physical challenges. Daily activities: recreational, educational, sports and religious formation. Meetings every Monday at 6:00 p.m. at St. Marks Parish Pebble Hills, El Paso TX For more information please contact Mariquel Cervantes (915) * ADD/ADHD Parent Support Group- Meetings and special presentations the last Thursday of every month. For information call (915) * Autism Community Network of El Paso- A Facebook group where parents can share information about services, events and activities. They also host the Films for Friends once a month. Follow them on Facebook: * Autism Society of El Paso -Monthly meetings the second Tuesday of every month, family activities, Annual conference and Autism Walk. Call for information at (915) * St. Pius X Special Needs Group -Dance group, spiritual activities, sports, quarterly events. Contact Richard Couder (915) * Mentes Brillantes (Spanish Support Group) Meetings the last Wednesday of every month. Family activities, picnics, Christmas Posada, Easter Egg Hunt. For information call (915) * The Arc del Paso -provides employment for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. For more information call (915) * Miracle Kids Support Group -Meetings every Friday. Weekly meetings, Annual D de Niño Celebration, and Christmas Party. Call (915) for more information. * Down syndrome Coalition for El Paso -provides educational information, monthly meetings, Family Movie Day, and more. Call (915) for more information. * Gluten Free & Casein Free Diet information-find out about supplements for children with ADHD and autism. Call (915) ext. 163 * Inclusive Drama Club. For more information contact Josefina Muñoz at (915) * Ladies in Blue-Support group for Mothers with children with Autism. For information call (915) * De mujer a mujer Pasa la Voz support group. (Spanish Support Group) Monthly meetings on the first Wednesdays of the month. For more information please call (915)