Category: Activities

#137 | Tracks to Success by Skils’ kin

#137 | Tracks to Success by Skils’ kin

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Saturday, March 11

9am -1pm | Open House

4004 E Boone Ave. Spokane, WA 99202

Are you or someone you know living with a disability?

Are you confused about employment options, benefits, or finances?

Attend this event for answers! We will have on-site solutions from:

  • DDA and DVR Case Managers (Service sign-up and Q&A)
  • Mary McDirmid of Special Abilities Network (ABLE accounts and financial planning)
  • Community Work Incentive Counselors (how work will impact benefits)
  • Skils’kin Staff (job opportunities, resume building, and post-graduation concerns)

visit this link to learn more and register!

https://bit.ly/3ZqZOwP

Also, referenced in this podcast is Deb Skalabrin and her amazing online group called Parenting Beyond Defiance. Go check them out at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3095960987308432

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#134 | New DDA Opportunities

#134 | New DDA Opportunities

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After a long hiatis, Holly and her partner in crime, Maria, get back in the saddle to talk about a new DDA service opportunity that is made available with all DDA waivers. These changes rolled out in 2020, but since we were all busy staying healthy, learning how to Zoom, and educating our children through online school, WE MISSED IT!

Holly and Maria talk about DDA eligibility requirements, process for being approved, and various benefits provided by the different waivers. While some of ISAAC Foundation’s programs have a small fee for participation, the Clubhouse and Studio programs are DDA approved. In addition, Specialized Habilitation Services is a new opportunity that will be rolling out in the months to come. Don’t worry, if your like Holly and her son Caleb, you might find that you child is not DDA eligible. We have a plan to provide these services to these children as well.

Application here: https://www.dshs.wa.gov/dda/service-and-information-request

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Episode 92 | Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

Episode 92 | Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

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This week on ISAAC’s Autism in the Wild, Holly is joined by three special needs parents and they are discussing the fights that just aren’t worth fighting. These are the tasks that at one point in their life were worth an argument, but now in hindsight, were not worth the time/energy invested.  We discuss topics like wearing appropriate footwear, screen-time, and dinner table etiquette.

Huge thanks to our new podcast voice, Nicole, who shared a gem of wisdom with us “Don’t accept criticism from someone you wouldn’t ask for advice” this sentiment was a great voice of reason while discussing the constant criticisms special needs parent’s tend to find themself surrounded by.

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Episode 86 | Birthday Parties During A Pandemic

Episode 86 | Birthday Parties During A Pandemic

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It has officially been one year since Covid-19 restrictions have been part of our lives.  This means every single person has experienced a “Lockdown Birthday Party.”

Today our panel of special-needs parents are discussing hosting birthday parties when the traditional idea of a party is not allowed. What did they do for their kiddos on their special day?  What do they wish they had done? What has the pandemic forced us to learn about the traditional idea of a party?

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Episode 82 | Indoor Activities

Episode 82 | Indoor Activities

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In today’s episode we talk about ways to keep your children entertained when the weather just doesn’t allow you to go outside.  During the covid-19 lockdown we are all stuck inside, alone, and our kids are starting to climb the walls!  How are you keeping your kids busy and entertained when the outside world is closed?  We discuss this with several of our autism parents and discuss different activities that have been successful in our homes. Toward the end of the program we also dip into outdoor winter activities and found that most of the resistance to outdoor fun–actually comes from ourselves as parents. Listen in and see if you agree!

Laser Tag: (several variations available online, this is the one that we purchased) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07ZPGM6NQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_image_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

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Episode #74 | Station Visits

Episode #74 | Station Visits

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On today’s episode we discuss the ISAAC Foundation Station Visit program.  We are joined by Lt. Matt Cowles of the Spokane Police Department, and Lt. John Goodman of the Spokane Fire Department. Joined by Holly of the The ISAAC Foundation, this group helped to create the Station Visit program that generally takes place every other month at both a Spokane, and Spokane Valley fire station (big thanks to the Spokane AMR first responders for their contributions as well!).

We discuss why the program was invented, the curriculum that is covered, and we share some fun anecdotes from past visits. If you have a loved one impacted with autism or other special needs this program is pivotal in creating safe perceptions of emergency personnel in case the day comes where they need to interact.

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Episode #70 | Unexpected Wins in Virtual Learning

Episode #70 | Unexpected Wins in Virtual Learning

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In this COVID-19 world we live in we are forced to accept a lot of “new-normals.” One of the challenges that affects a lot of our families is online schooling.  Online school has been tough for a lot of us, but despite the issues we are looking to discuss hidden little gems of wisdom we have learned over the past few months.  Hidden inside the uprooted schedules, changes in scenery, and endless questions presented to the parents who are now teacher aides…we have found MANY unexpected “WINNING” moments.  Listen in as Holly, of the ISAAC Foundation, discusses these bright points with a few parents of children with special needs.

 

Healthy Body Solutions

509-724-8980, Hours: 7:00am-5:30pm Monday – Friday

https://yourhealthybodysolutions.com/

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Episode #63 | Extra-Curricular Activities

Episode #63 | Extra-Curricular Activities

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Extra-curricular activities are often an important outlet for all children to take part in during their school year.  These opportunities bring about the benefit of physical activity, social and emotional communication with peers, a sense of community and more.  But are all special needs extra curricular activities created equal?  And how do we find activities our kiddos are actually interested in participating in?  Today we discuss with a few autism parents what activities they have tried, which were successful, and which were duds!

Contact Info for some of the programs we discussed:

  • Bambino Buddy-Ball | bambinobballmom1@yahoo.com | (509) 251-2588
  • Adaptive Skiing & Snowboarding | Spokaneparks.org | mtspokane.com/specialty-programs
  • Spokane Powderhounds | (509) 999-8586 Downhill skiing and snowboarding program for individuals with special needs.
  • Adaptive Skiing: (509)714-7654 for individuals with mobiity challenges.
  • Blue Waxers | Cross Country Skiing | (509) 953-6062.
  • iCan Shine Bike Camp | icanshine.org/ican-bike-spokane-wa/ | (509) 999-9603 Contact Casey Traver: icanshine.spokane@comcast.net
  • Lilac City Warriors | Lilac City Warriors’ Facebook Page, A Youth Special Olympics’ track and field team
  • PASS Soccer | monaca.pass@gmail.com | (509) 862-8065 PASS (Player Adaptive Soccer Skills) is an organization that provides soccer to children and adults with physical and/or cognitive challenges.
  • Gonzaga Exceptional Bulldogs Hockey Team | gonzagaexceptionalbulldogs@gmail.com Any child, 5 years–High School who is Differently Abled. Sponsored by Gonzaga University. Coach Mark Derby: (509) 590-9926

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