Psychiatrists and spiritual leaders tell us that nurturing that natural creativity is vital to our physical and mental well-being, but for most adults, our imaginations seem to atrophy as we age. Our willingness to show our creative side withers in the face of the fear of ridicule and judgment. Not so, kids. They are utterly fearless. So, how do we make sure our kids hold on to that fearlessness, and how do we regain it for ourselves?

Fortunately, we live in a city that respects and appreciates the arts, and many opportunities exist outside of traditional school settings for people to embark on and expand a multitude of creative endeavors. Whether your curiosity tends towards visual arts or performing arts, there are many organizations in town that can help you get started or continue on a growth path in your creative journey.

Stage West youth students in The Wizard of Oz, Spring 2024. Photo by Garret Storms.

For performing arts specifically, Stage West is leading the way in guiding new and developing actors and singers. Their robust educational programming has entry points for people of all ages and skill levels. As Education Manager Sarah Gay says, “We have something for everyone. Whether you’re five or ninety-nine, there’s a place for you to learn and explore at Stage West.” From first-timers to old veterans of the stage, Stage West is creating opportunities for Fort Worthians to take the stage and learn how to be the best performers they can be and how to have fun doing it.

Youth classes for ages five to eighteen include a wide variety of topics from Broadway Beginners to Teen College and Audition Prep, including Schoolhouse Rock, where kids hone their singing, dancing, and acting skills, to the Improv Troupe, where students have to think on their feet to create unscripted stories to captivate their audiences. To address the importance of creative expression for adults, Stage West offers a robust catalog of adult classes catering to everyone from the complete novice to the seasoned professional thespian. “Being creative isn’t just for kids. Moms and dads deserve it, too,” says Gay.

Stage West adult students in Adult Improv. Photo by Jennifer Schultes.

Many times, it happens that a child is interested in singing, dancing, or acting, their parents sign them up for classes, and a subtle self-suggestion begins to take root. A little voice in the parent’s head whispers, “That looks fun. Maybe I should do it, too.” And many times, they do! Stage West has many multiple-generation families taking classes, experiencing an exploration of the arts and their own creativity that they didn’t realize was possible, and they’re doing it together.

From children who crave the stage to teens who have struggled to find their place in the world to grandmothers whose life dream it was to be an actor, people of all ages and walks of life are coming together on stage in a welcoming, non-judgmental arena of ideas and they’re having a blast! It’s never too early or too late to begin a journey of creativity, and because of the Stage West education program, the performing arts is one of the most accessible genres to explore here in Fort Worth.

Stage West youth students in Finding Nemo Camp, Summer 2024. Photo by Garret Storms.

Youth and adult classes are registering now and begin September 8^th. For more information and to see the entire catalog of classes with class descriptions visit www.StageWest.org, or email Sarah Gay at education@stagewest.org.

The post Learn to Be the Best Performer You Can Be (and Have Fun Doing It!) first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

The air-conditioned building is part of the zoo’s popular Texas Wild! exhibit and is also the new home of Texas Nature Traders, an educational program for children ages 3 and above.

Mountains & Desert houses more than 30 ectotherm (cold-blooded) species in specialized habitats designed for each animal, the zoo said in a news release. The habitats are equipped with adjustable lighting and heat sources along with humidity controls that are necessary to ensure individualized levels of care for each species.

Photo courtesy of the Fort Worth Zoo

“This new space highlights some of the Lone Star State’s critters that don’t always receive a lot of love, but are so very crucial to this arid ecosystem,” said Michael Fouraker, executive director of the zoo. “Many of the animals in Mountains & Desert are often referred to as ‘indicator species’ – when population numbers of one species declines, it indicates that the balance in the ecosystem is off and declines in other species may follow. This new building allows us to continue our mission of strengthening the bond between humans and wildlife by providing close-up experiences with animals and fostering an appreciation for some of these critical ‘creepy crawlies.’”

“The opening of Mountains & Desert marks the beginning of a much larger project to rejuvenate all of Texas Wild!,” said Ramona Bass, chair of the Fort Worth Zoological Association board of directors. “For the last two decades, Texas Wild! has been well loved by more than 20 million people. Construction and renovation plans are still in the works, but this project is in motion!”

Photo courtesy of the Fort Worth Zoo

Mountains & Desert features a variety of educational messages that emphasize the plight of many threatened and endangered species. An in-depth look at the zoo’s acclaimed Texas conservation programs is highlighted through short video segments and a floor-to-ceiling infographic. The messages inform visitors about conservation challenges and offer practical ways to be part of the solution.

Texas Nature Traders (TNT) was established in 2013 as a one-of-a-kind formalized program that encourages children to explore the outdoors, learn about the environment and collect treasures from nature. Children find items such as fossils, rocks, bones and plants, learn all they can about them and then bring their knowledge and items to TNT to exchange for points. Traders interact with educators at TNT to expand their understanding of the objects collected and can save their points or redeem them for items in the Nature Trader inventory consisting of artifacts brought in by other children. Every sign in the large collection says, “please touch.” The TNT program is one of the ways the zoo seeks to inspire the next generation of land stewards and wildlife enthusiasts.

The post State-of-the-Art Exhibit Opens at the Fort Worth Zoo first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

Held at GITC’s Fort Worth headquarters (304 E. Vickery Blvd.), Saturday’s program highlighted the generous support of private donors who awarded scholarships ranging from $500 to $15,000 to deserving Girls Inc. participants. Participating students announced their acceptance to 13 colleges and universities, including Texas Christian University (TCU), University of Texas, Texas A&M, University of North Texas (UNT), and Prairie View A&M University.

“We are incredibly proud of all our graduating seniors,” said Jennifer Limas, president and CEO of Girls Inc. of Tarrant County. “Their dedication to their education and their commitment to pursuing their dreams is truly inspiring. These scholarships will make a significant difference in their ability to achieve their academic goals. We’re grateful for our generous donors who make events like this possible.”’

The top two scholarship recipients were Jamere Thomas and Jocelyn DeLeon.

Girls Inc. scholarship recipients Jamere Thomas and Jocelyn DeLeon (Photo courtesy Girls Inc. of Tarrant County)

Thomas, a student at Young Women’s Leadership Academy, received a $15,000 scholarship to attend Texas Woman’s University where she plans to study sociology. Thomas is vice president of the Teen Advocacy Council through Girls Inc. of Tarrant County and spoke at the Day of the Girl rally in October.

DeLeon received a $7,500 scholarship to attend UNT where she plans to study psychology. She’s currently a student at I.M. Terrell Academy for STEM and VPA, an Alcon intern and has been in Girls Inc. of Tarrant County since eighth grade.

All 40 girls are now members of the GITC College Shower Cohort, allowing them to create a wish list of items they will need for college. Donors from all over Tarrant County will sponsor the girls and gift the items during the organization’s College Shower in July.

Girls Inc. of Tarrant County is a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring girls to be strong, smart, and bold. Through innovative and life-changing programs, GITC equips girls to navigate barriers and pursue their dreams in STEM fields and beyond. More information can be found on the GITC website.

The post Girls Inc. of Tarrant County Awards Scholarships first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

Go Beyond Grades asks parents to:

1. Ask if your child is on grade level in reading and math,
2. Be in the know about your child’s learning, and
3. Connect to summer programs and more in Tarrant

While the Texas STAAR Test shows that just 52% of K-12 students who attend public schools are on grade level in reading and 43% in math, Learning Heroes, a national nonprofit focused on building school-home partnerships, in collaboration with Tarrant County community partners, released research today finding that:

• 96% of Tarrant County K-12 parents believe their child is reading at or above grade
• 92% of Tarrant County K-12 parents believe their child is doing math at or above grade

“Many parents do not know that they need to advocate for their children because they believe their child’s report card tells the complete story of their child’s academic performance, ” said

Leah M. King, President and CEO of United Way of Tarrant County. “The Go Beyond Grades initiative is unprecedented in Tarrant County as it gives parents specific tools and resources needed to dig deeper, thanks to a coalition of educational leaders and community organizations that are focused on improving education right here in our community. United Way is proud to be a part of this county-wide campaign to ensure every parent knows what support is available to them.”

“While this is an all-hands-on-deck moment in public education, most parents are not aware they need to be in the boat,” said Cindi Williams, co-founder of Learning Heroes and mother of two. “Parents are problem solvers, but we can’t expect them to solve a problem they don’t know exists. Now is the time to partner with our teachers to find out how we can use the summer months to address missed instruction.”

To help close the parent perception gap and support partnerships between families and schools, the campaign is partnering with Parent Pass, an organization that works with over 80 trusted local community partners to share resources and tools with 8,600 families in Tarrant County that use their free app.

“The first-of-its-kind Parent Pass app was developed by local families, for local families – to connect every parent in Tarrant County with the great educational opportunities, events, and community resources available to help their children thrive,” said Sadie Funk, National Director of Best Place for Kids. “We are excited to be able to provide value-added tools and supports to parents, teachers, and caregivers in our community through the Go Beyond Grades partnership.”

#GoBeyondGrades Tarrant County includes digital ads featuring stories from Tarrant County parents emphasizing the importance of parent-teacher partnerships, and 50 billboards in Tarrant County highlighting the opportunity for parents to take advantage of summer learning. The ads encourage parents to visit GoBeyondGrades.org/TARRANT, a free, online resource in English and Spanish that parents and educators can visit to find tips, resources, and more.

With key support from the Sid W. Richardson Foundation, the Rainwater Charitable Foundation, and Parent Pass, the campaign is fueled by over 80 local partners that have come together to amplify and support parents in ensuring they have the information they need to be their child’s best advocate:

AB Christian Learning Center                                   FWISD Parent Partnerships

Academy 4                                                                     Girls Inc. of Tarrant County

ACH                                                                                Harmony Public Schools

Amon G. Carter Foundation                                       HEB Chamber of Commerce

Arlington ISD                                                                Junior Achievement

Arlington Mayor’s Education Coalition                   Justin’s Place

Arlington’s Mayor Ross                                               KERA

At Grade Level.org                                                      Key School and Training Center

Best Place for Kids!®                                                Kleinheinz Family Foundation

Big Brothers Big Sisters                                            Leadership ISD

BNSF Railway                                                             LVT Rise

Boys & Girls Club of Greater Tarrant Co              Madeworthy Magazine / Tanglewood Moms

BRAVE/R Together                                                  Miles Foundation

Brighter Outlook, Inc.                                              Morris Foundation

Camp Fire First Texas                                              NAACP Fort Worth/Tarrant County

Castleberry ISD                                                         North Texas Community Foundation

Childcare Associates (CCA)                                    Northeast Tarrant County Chamber

Christ’s Haven                                                          Northside Intercommunity Agency (NICA)

Clayton Youth Enrichment                                   Parent Pass

Clear Channel Outdoor                                          Parent Shield

Communities in Schools                                       R4 Foundation

Community Frontline                                           Rainwater Charitable Fund

Community Storehouse                                       Rocketship Public Schools

Como Lion’s Heart                                               Sid W. Richardson Foundation

Families Empowered                                           Southside Hornets

Fidelity                                                                    Survive and Thrive

First Tee Fort Worth                                            Tarrant County College

Fort Worth (TX) Chapter of The Links            Tarrant to and Through (T3)

Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce                  Teen Life

Fort Worth Education Partnership                   The Center for Transforming Lives

Fort Worth Families Forward                            The Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains

Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce                       The Parenting Center

Fort Worth ISD                                                     The Reading League of Texas

Fort Worth Mayor Pro Tem. Gyna M. Bivens                       United Community Centers (UCC)

Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce    United Way of Metropolitan Dallas

Fort Worth Museum of Science and History                        United Way of Tarrant County

Fort Worth Public Library                                 Wallace Bridges

Fort Worth Report                                               YMCA

Fort Worth Star Telegram

Fort Worth’s Mayor Parker

Fortress

FW Mayor’s Council on Education and Workforce

“Fort Worth parents are strong advocates for their child’s education, but many do not know that their child is behind and may need help. Over 9 in 10 parents in Tarrant County believe that their child is on grade level, but the reality is only 52% of students are on grade level in reading and 43% in math,” said Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker. “That’s why I’ve joined over 80 community organizations in coming together to launch #GoBeyondGrades, a county-wide campaign urging parents to know whether their child is on grade level, partner with their teacher, and sign up for summer learning programs in Tarrant County. You can go to GoBeyondGrades.org/TARRANT to learn more and access free tips, resources, and more.”

“I’m proud to stand along with the members of my Education Coalition to partner with over 80 organizations in Tarrant County to launch #GoBeyondGrades, a campaign that provides parents with tools to determine whether their child is on grade level and connects them to high-quality summer learning programs. Together, we can reach every parent in Tarrant County and encourage them to partner with their child’s teacher to help our students succeed in reading and math,” Arlington Mayor Jim Ross said.

“Parent-teacher partnerships are essential for our students’ academic success. The Go Beyond Grades campaign provides helpful resources for parents and teachers in Fort Worth ISD to discuss grade level expectations, student progress, and team up to make a plan,” said Fort Worth ISD Superintendent Angélica Ramsey.

“We are committed to supporting initiatives that create collaboration between parents, teachers and students. More parental engagement would allow us to tailor a personalized learning journey for each student,” said Arlington ISD Superintendent Dr. Matt Smith.

“Only half of our children can read at grade level. That is true in the inner-city and true in the suburbs. Parents have a right to know. For their children’s sake, they must know. That is what this initiative is all about,” said Pete Geren, President and CEO of the Sid W. Richardson Foundation.

“Failure to complete high school is persistent because it is generational in nature. Family engagement is a critical component in breaking the cycle,” said Brian Miller, President and CEO of Camp Fire First Texas. “Research consistently confirms, and it is demonstrated in Camp Fire programs, that family engagement is one of the most powerful predictors of children’s development, educational attainment, and success in school and life.”

“Our work at Christ’s Haven for Children has given us a unique vantage point of working with children and teens from all backgrounds and educational experiences. Through this work, we know that report card grades do not always equate to grade level proficiency,” said Cassie McQuitty, CEO of Christ’s Haven For Children. “We see Go Beyond Grades as a valuable resource for the families we serve as a way to partner with their child and teachers to achieve academic excellence.”

“Parents are the most powerful advocates for their children,” says Daphne Barlow Stigliano, President and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tarrant County. “Go Beyond Grades is putting parents in the best possible position to be successful by connecting them to actionable information about their child.”

The online survey was conducted among parents of public school students in Tarrant County from February 21 to March 5, 2024 by Edge Research.

The post #GoBeyondGrades Gets Parents Involved first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

“The Wizard of Oz,” showcasing our talented 2nd-6th grade Musical Theatre students, will enchant audiences from April 19th to April 21st. Follow Dorothy and her faithful companion Toto on their iconic journey along the Yellow Brick Road to the Emerald City. Encounter witches, Munchkins, talking trees, and winged monkeys as they navigate through a world of wonder and self-discovery. This timeless tale of friendship and hope promises to captivate hearts of all ages.

The Wizard of Oz
photo credit: Richard Massey/Stage West

Continuing the enchantment, our Adult Production Ensemble students will present “Once in a Lifetime” from April 26th to April 28th. Step back in time with this Hart & Kaufman play as it transports you to the golden age of vaudeville. Join Jerry Hyland, May Daniels, and George Lewis on their comedic adventure as they reinvent themselves as elocution experts, aiming to make it big in Hollywood. Packed with wit and charm, this production guarantees an evening of laughter and nostalgia.

Once in a Lifetime
photo credit: Richard Massey/Stage West

Both shows promise an unforgettable theatrical experience for the whole family. Tickets are priced at $12 each and can be purchased through our website. “The Wizard of Oz” plays Friday, April 19 at 7:30, Saturday, April 20 at 2:00 and 6:00, and Sunday, April 21 at 2:00.  “Once in a Lifetime” plays Friday, April 26 at 8:00, Saturday, April 27 at 8:00, and Sunday, April 27 at 2:00.  Don’t miss your chance to be part of these magical performances!

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit stagewest.org/education.

Questions? Reach us at education@stagewest.org.

The post Experience the Magic at Stage West first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

I recently sat down to talk about the Summer Program with Leslie Vasquez, M.Ed, Key School’s Director of Education.

“The Summer Program is the foundation of Key School,” said Vasquez. “It’s how we got started.”  In 1966, Mary Ann Key and Mildred Garner began to tutor children with dyslexia over the summer using techniques they learned at the Scottish Rite Hospital for Children’s Language Therapy program. “The goal at both Key School and Key Summer Program is to continue the legacy of Mary Ann Key,” Vasquez said.

In this spirit, Key School offers three categories of summer classes: Hallmark, Enrichment, and Fun classes for kindergarten through 12th grade students. The Summer Program runs from June 10 through June 28.

Photo courtesy of Key School

The Hallmark classes are designed to help close learning gaps for children who learn differently. “Key Summer is best known for our Reading, Phonics, and Spelling class.  We use a curriculum designed by Mrs. Key and taught by Certified Academic Language Therapist. Both the Reading Phonics and Spelling Class as well as the Math Fundamentals class are ideal for students who struggle in Math or Reading or would benefit from an academic boost headed into the new school year.”

Enrichment classes provide more academic support over the summer to avoid the dreaded Summer Slide. Children who don’t engage their brains over the summer take longer to get back into the swing of school once vacation is over. These classes include a kindergarten readiness program for students getting ready to enter kindergarten who might need a little extra support before the school year starts, and a financial literacy program for middle and high school students that teaches kids how to budget, pay taxes, save money, purchase a vehicle, all while concentrating on math concepts and decision-making skills.

Photo courtesy of Key School

The Fun classes are, well, fun! From Connections, where kids work with the Key School counselor on social-emotional learning in a safe and fun environment, to art and coding, to a digital animation video production, these classes engage the imaginative side of kids’ brains.

Vasquez said, “All of our classes are very multi-sensory. We individualize. Yes, they’re academic, but we try to present the material in a way to make it fun for all types of learners.”

Photo courtesy of Key School

What makes Key School’s Summer Program so special is that most of the students are returning students from previous summers. “We do have some Key School students who attend our Summer Program, but the majority of Summer Program students come from surrounding public and private schools throughout Dallas/Fort Worth.” Vasquez said. “Families stick with us. They know and trust us. “I love knowing that each summer our new faces quickly become part of our Key family.”

Students can take individual Summer Program classes, or Key School is happy to help you and your student build a comprehensive summer program. New for Summer 2024, in-between-class care is available for all students. Also new is Sawyer, Key School’s registration partner. Sawyer partners with many children’s programs, so you can easily register for and schedule your family’s activities from one account. “It’s really easy,” said Vasquez. “It’s sort of like shopping on Amazon!”

Photo courtesy of Key School

Finally, Vasquez said, “Over the years, we have added new programs to meet the needs of our students, but we continue to keep hold of the legacy of the work started by Mrs. Key.”

To check out what Key School’s Summer Program can offer your student, follow this link or call 817-446-3738.

The post Continuing the Legacy of Mary Ann Key first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

“Black Cowboys: An American Story” is a powerful exhibition featuring artifacts, photographs, and documents depicting the work and skills of Black cowboys. The exhibit offers insight into legendary cowboys, a clearer picture of the Black West and a more diverse portrait of the American West.

Biographical profiles, photos, artifacts, multimedia and interactives reveal how Black cowboys were integral to the American economy, shaped the legacies of Black ranching families and turned ranch skills into popular performances in rodeos, music and film. Be transported through time to meet a variety of real Black cowboys and appreciate their deep impact on American History.

Photo courtesy of the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History

During the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo (January 12 – February 3, 2024), enjoy the museum for free with your Stock Show grounds admission. Please be aware that some admission booths are cash only and are operated by the FWSSR. Museum Members receive free Stock Show grounds admission* with their valid membership card, membership voucher, and ID.

“Black Cowboys: An American Story” is organized by the Witte Museum in San Antonio, Texas and generously supported by Bank of America, the Ed Rachal Foundation, John L. Santikos Charitable Fund of the San Antonio Area Foundation and H-E-B. At the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, “Black Cowboys: An American Story” is supported by the Fund to Advance Racial Equity at North Texas Community Foundation and Principal.

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The post Untold Stories of the American West at FWMSH first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

Jo Trizila, the creator of Total Eclipse DFW, warns of the critical shortage of safe viewing glasses, reminiscent of the 2017 Eclipse when the demand vastly exceeded the supply. “In 2017, there were 12 million people within the Path of Totality. In 2024, this number will more than double to over 32 million. The need for Solar Eclipse glasses is unprecedented,” said Trizila.

The importance of using ISO-compliant glasses cannot be overstated because looking directly at the sun without proper protection poses severe risks to eye health.

Trizila expressed concerns about the proliferation of fraudulent glasses, especially those sold on platforms like Amazon. “It is vital to ensure that the glasses you purchase are from reputable sources listed on the American Astronomical Society (AAS) Suppliers of Safe Solar Filters & Viewers list to avoid potential harm and legal liabilities. Just because they say they are safe doesn’t mean that they are,” Trizila emphasized.

Total Eclipse DFW advises not to delay in securing these glasses. The window for ordering custom glasses is closing rapidly, with manufacturers announcing a halt on custom orders by the end of January. “If you want custom-branded or large quantities of Eclipse glasses, the time to order is now. This is a unique opportunity for businesses and organizations in DFW to make a lasting impression while ensuring the safety of our community,” Trizila added.

During a Total Solar Eclipse, the brief period of Totality is the only time Eclipse glasses are not required. This moment occurs when the moon completely obscures the sun, creating a dramatic and temporary night during the day. However, it’s crucial to remember that this is the only time when it is safe to view the Eclipse without protective eyewear. Before and after Totality, as the Moon moves across the Sun, individuals must wear ISO-compliant Eclipse glasses to protect their eyes.

For more information and to order your ISO-compliant Solar Eclipse glasses, please visit https://totaleclipsedfw.com/. Total Eclipse DFW is an approved Eclipse Viewer Reseller by the American Astronomical Society.

The post URGENT! Safe Solar Eclipse Glasses Needed Ahead of Total Eclipse first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

Being the parent of a neurodivergent child is so very difficult. There is still so much to learn about how the brain develops and processes, and a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects the whole family. And once there is a diagnosis, the situation doesn’t get easier. Because each brain is different, there is no standard course of care that works for every child. Unfortunately, neurodivergences are still seen as pathologies, as things to be fixed, which can lead to treatments that can be clinical and trauma-inducing for the child and the parents.

What if I told you it doesn’t have to be that way?

Follow me down I-20 toward Weatherford. Pass the strip malls and the gas stations. Pass the fast-food restaurants and the thundering semis to turn down a quiet country road. Feel the city slip away as you turn into an unmarked driveway and pass a hundred-year-old farmhouse shaded by two ancient pecan trees. Welcome to Springbox Farms. This is a place where neurodivergent children and their families can come together to take a deep breath, connect, and feel safe.

photo credit: Emily King

I first heard about Springbox Farms from a college friend. Katy Wampach is a teacher in Fort Worth ISD whose son, Will, is one of Springbox Farm’s successes. Katy said, “Looking back on it now, there is so much evidence that our son was wired differently. Not bad, but different.” Through a local group of moms who are parents of children with autism, Katy found Springbox Farms and Charlotte Sammons.

Charlotte Sammons is the genius behind Springbox Farms. “Genius” is a term that is overused so much that it has lost its meaning, but believe me when I tell you that Charlotte is a genius. She has worked with children her whole life. That’s not an overstatement. She got a job in a nursery when she was 11. She homeschools her kids. She loves children.

She also loves neuroscience. She got her master’s degree in educational psychology from the University of Texas. She’s worked with neurodivergent children in all sorts of environments, from schools to clinics to homes. She’s got the academic and professional chops.

On a beautiful fall day, Charlotte and I sat on the porch of the barn at Springbox Farms, overlooking a meadow surrounded by trees at the peak of their autumnal glory, to talk about her journey and what she hopes is the future of this exceptional place.

photo credit: Brad Frace

“I came out of my master’s program and saw a huge gap in services,” Charlotte said. “There’s a need for what we do, which is really a heart-centered, whole person-focused model of care.”

[Editor’s note: Before we go further, we need to do a quick dive into ABA therapy. ABA, or applied behavioral analysis, is also known as behavioral engineering. ABA therapy assesses the functional relationship between a behavior and the environment and then seeks to change it to something that is, shall we say, more socially acceptable. It became the gold standard treatment for children with autism to the extent that most ABA therapists work almost exclusively with children with autism, even though autism training is not required for ABA certification. In addition, ABA therapy is the only therapy for children with autism that is covered by insurance. It is quite controversial for a variety of reasons that we don’t have the space to cover here.]

A recovering perfectionist, Charlotte remembers the first time she got a not-quite-raving review. “My advisor said, after observing one of my sessions, ‘You know, you spent way too much time playing with that kid. You spent way too much time connecting with him.’” A look of mingled amusement and frustration crossed her face as she continued, “I said, ‘Look at my data. He masters programs with me faster than with any other therapist, so I don’t have to do as many repetitions.’”

While working on her master’s, Charlotte took a break to work as an ABA therapist for six months for one of her professors. “I was excited to work in the field,” she said, “But I realized pretty quickly that there was a misalignment between what I was being taught to do and told to do, what I was learning about motivation and emotion, and what I know from being a trauma survivor.

“Trauma and being neurodivergent so often go hand in hand because these people live in a world that isn’t supportive of their needs.”

photo credit: Emily King

As Charlotte began working after graduate school, she started to move past the rigid, clinical approach to autism therapy and to develop her own method. That’s not to say she doesn’t use her education. Remember, she’s a neuroscience nerd. That heart-centered, whole-person-focused model of care she talked about is firmly grounded in the latest neuroscientific research.

There are three steps to the work Charlotte does on the farm. She establishes a place of safety and connection for the child, she helps the child connect their bodies to their emotions and their emotions to their behaviors, and she teaches them to advocate for their needs. Simple, right?

“Just establishing a sense of safety and connection can take years for some kiddos,” Charlotte said. “And that’s okay. If that’s their timeline, that’s okay. But you can’t tune into yourself if you don’t feel safe.”

Once the child feels safe, they work on learning to tune into themself and feel what is going on in their body. The fancy neuroscientific term for this is “interoception.” Charlotte helps to guide the child into recognizing the signals their bodies send their brains and the feelings they have, which leads to the emotions they have and the behaviors the emotions cause.

The third step is helping the child to advocate for themself. “Can you advocate for yourself? That’s what the aim is here. And they can, and it’s beautiful. When I get a call telling me that a kindergartener asked his teacher for a break, I know what we’re doing is working.”

Children are bombarded with demands for compliance. From overworked teachers who have to juggle the demands of 25 or 30 students while trying to teach to parents who are exhausted from work and parenting, children are told they need to comply with the demands of others. There is very little room for real connections, real relationships in our modern lives. “Relationships are so regulating; we need that connection,” Charlotte said.

photo credit: Emily King

Instead of collecting data and going through a checklist of behaviors to be managed, Charlotte simply asks her kiddos, “What do you need?” Instead of working in a clinic or an office or even her clients’ homes, Charlotte works on 16 beautiful acres with two creeks running through them. Two nature trails cross the property. Her co-workers are donkeys and goats and rabbits and chickens and cats. There is a mud kitchen and an outdoor art studio for play therapy and art therapy. “You can see the kiddos relax out here. Their body language changes from being so tight and tense as they start to take deep breaths and release.”

Katy Wampach agrees. “[Will] was happiest when he was outside. He could spend hours digging in the ground, searching for (and catching) lizards. He collected leaves, rocks, branches, etc. When left to his own devices, he could always find ways to entertain himself. That all changed when preschool started… I’ll never forget the day a preschool director told me, ‘We can’t make him have a good day.’”

Through her training as a teacher, Katy soon realized that Will was not feeling safe. “Situations that were easy for other children, effortless for me, were hard for him because the world around him felt so very different… We needed to help him find that sense of safety and security in order to access the highest levels of his brain… I’ll never forget that first phone call with Charlotte. As I laid out what was going on, the behaviors the school was seeing, the challenges my son was having, her first reaction was not to immediately try to figure out how to stop them. Her first reaction was, ‘Wow, it sounds like he must be so scared.’ It was the absolute opposite of, ‘We can’t make him have a good day.’ I talked with her for over an hour… Then I sat in the Target parking lot and cried tears of relief.”

photo credit: Emily King

But simply working with the child isn’t enough. That child doesn’t exist in a vacuum. They’re part of a family, and the family needs care and support if they are to help support that neurodivergent child. And this is why Charlotte sees herself as a cycle breaker.

“Parents come to us for their children, but they need the same care and support as their kiddo,” Charlotte said. “The family has its own nervous system, and we need to realize that. Parents need to feel safe, too.”

Let’s face it: most of us were not taught to tune into ourselves and connect our bodies and emotions and behaviors. We were taught to smile and pretend all is fine because that’s what our parents were taught and what their parents are taught.

“One day, my grandmother, who has dementia, was visiting, and we were sitting on the porch swinging. She had just moved into a new memory care facility, and I said, ‘I did not like that other place you were.’ She said, ‘Neither did I!’ I said, ‘That’s not what you told us. You said everything was wonderful and that you loved it.’ She looked out, and with so much clarity and lucidity, she said, ‘Well, that’s what we do.’ That’s why I’m teaching people to be cycle-breakers.”

Charlotte smiled, “I will never forget when I started on my healing journey as a trauma survivor, I was told, ‘Don’t let anyone tell you that this work is selfish because you are healing yourself, but you’re also healing seven generations before you and seven generations after you.’”

One of Charlotte’s dreams is to establish a nonprofit specifically to pay for parental support. “If we can put the focus on us for just a little while and realize that no one taught us to take deep breaths. No one taught us that emotions are safe. The things that were shut down in us when we were little are what most trigger us in our children. Our nervous system panics, so we try to shut down like we were shut down. None of this comes from a place of ‘I don’t want my kids to feel;’ it comes from an unconscious place of ‘I am triggered, and I am panicking, and I need to establish safety.’ We need to break that cycle.”

As parents, we need to advocate for ourselves as much as we advocate for our children. If we are feeling overwhelmed, and let’s face it, parenting is pretty overwhelming, it’s okay to take a step back, take a breath, and regulate our bodies. Charlotte even has a code word that her family knows. “I say ‘cozy blanket.’ That means, ‘I need some space, so I’m going to walk away, but I will be back.’”

[Editor’s note: I’m so using that from now on!]

photo credit: Brad Frace

As Charlotte and I wandered around the farm, I realized how much most of our lives are disconnected from nature. We live through screens. We go from an air-conditioned house to an air-conditioned car to an air-conditioned office to air-conditioned malls and supermarkets. Our senses are under constant bombardment. At the farm, it’s not quiet because nature isn’t quiet, but there is peace.

The name of the farm comes from the spring box that sits alongside the creek that runs by the farmhouse. A spring box is, according to Wikipedia, “a structure engineered to allow groundwater to be obtained from a natural spring… [and] functions to protect the spring water from contamination… and provides a point for collection.” Charlotte said that in the past, this particular spring box was used as a swimming hole and even as a place for baptisms. In this place of safety and love, a sense of the holy lingers.

“I see my son, so much more comfortable and confident in his own skin,” Katy said. “And I see a lens shift in myself… I see a lesser desire to control and a greater desire to connect. And I know with connection comes safety, and with safety comes learning, and with learning comes change…

“In Charlotte, we have found such acceptance and love, an example of how to interact with others. Isn’t that what our world needs?”

The post Connection, Safety, Learning: The Magic of Springbox Farms first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

You can find joy in the season. Learning to be prepared, setting realistic expectations, and saying no can help caregivers navigate the holiday season and find joy in celebrating the holidays together with friends and family.

Dementia is a progressive disease. Every year, the holidays will be different as your loved one progresses through the different stages of the disease.

““We accommodate the disease because they can’t accommodate it,” says Hollie Glover, director of education and family support services at James L. West Center for Dementia Care.

Gifts for a person with dementia

When thinking about a gift for a loved one with dementia, think about the things that give them joy at their current stage in the disease.

Everyone has a soundtrack for their life, most often developed between the ages of 10 and 25. Look back at what the popular music was during that time in your loved one’s life and look for CDs and audio files from that time frame.

A gift with therapeutic value that connects to their past vocation or a hobby may spark joy and hours of purpose and meaning.

Sensory stimulation pads, pillows or blankets provide tactile stimulation for those living with dementia and help calm fidgeting. The pillows or blankets feature zippers, buttons, ties, and velcro that keep the hands busy opening and closing, buttoning and unbuttoning.

Preparing friends and family

Caregivers and other family members who spend more time with their loved one with dementia should prepare visitors and family members who may be traveling in for the holidays.

Let them know what to expect. Tell them clearly how your loved one has changed emotionally, mentally and physically.

Before the visit, share basic communication strategies, such as avoiding using the word “remember,”  and ways that you manage challenging behaviors or expressions.

Recognize that some of the changes may be difficult for family or friends to deal with. They may be nervous and not know what to say or be afraid to be left alone with the loved one.

Getting ready for the holidays

When your loved one is living with dementia, it’s best to keep the celebration simple. Too much stimulation can be overwhelming, causing big emotions and challenging expressions.

She suggests finding ways to include your loved one in the preparations for the celebrations with simple tasks that can be easily modified for different skill levels.

“It doesn’t have to be perfect,” Glover says. “Let them help and feel useful.”

Gathering with your family

Keep your celebration plans simple. Give yourself time to rest, and allow others to help you.

“Have a plan B,” Glover says. “Many times things won’t go as planned, so have a back-up plan.”

The stimulus of the holidays – decorations, parties, extra people, presents – can quickly become overwhelming and may cause your loved one to respond in more challenging ways.

Be realistic in your expectations and planning. Be flexible, and be honest with your family about what your loved one can and can’t do.

Celebrating the holidays after a move to a community

If your loved one is living in a community, carefully consider whether you will celebrate in their new home or if you’ll bring them home for the festivities.

If you decide to celebrate in your loved one’s new home, take advantage of the different areas available in the community. Plan to participate in any planned holiday events with your loved one so they are in their comfort zone.

Recognizing and reducing your stress

As a caregiver, you know your loved one the best. Plan early. Be realistic. Learn to say no.

There’s nothing you have to attend or anything you have to do during the holidays, even if it’s something you’ve done forever.

Be on the look-out for signs of stress. Fatigue, sleeplessness, and headaches may be a sign you’ve taken on too much during the holidays. Muscle tension or backaches, increased anxiety, gastrointestinal issues and increased heart rate or blood pressure are more signs you’ve taken on too much.

The key to a joyful and successful holiday celebration is being realistic, flexible and being in tune to your loved one’s needs.

For more tips or links to helpful resources, check out James L. West Center for Dementia Care’s  Holidays and Dementia training on demand.

The post Holidays and Dementia: Tips for Making the Holidays More Enjoyable first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.