Weekly Update May 24, 2024

Strive Center for Autism

Enjoy the long weekend - we'll see you Tuesday, May 28th!

Financial Aid Opportunity for Families and Students - AVAILABLE NOW THROUGH JUNE 5TH

Have you heard of Bluestone VOICES for Autism? Bluestone VOICES for Autism is a 501(c)(3) created to support the treatment of children with autism. It was the brainchild of some people who have worked in the field for more than a decade and who have watched families and clinics struggle to provide the best possible therapy for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Bluestone VOICES for Autism awards financial aid each quarter to support families of and providers for children on the autism spectrum.

Who can apply?

Any family who has a child with autism (ages 0-17) currently receiving ABA/Speech/OT services in Michigan
Individuals pursuing a BCBA degree from an accredited ABA master's degree program for the treatment of children on the autism spectrum.

Amounts awareded vary on the funds available and on the needs of the applicants. Our own BCBA, Emily, has known several families and students who have received the awards. Please check out their website for more info: Bluestone Info

They accept applications during a 5 week window in each quarter, and the window is OPEN May 1 - June 5, 2024.

April Leaves

The Tree of Possibilities is more than just a logo at Strive Center! We celebrate all the little victories - for every new skill a child learns, we give him a leaf or an apple sticker to put on his very own Tree of Possibilities poster. We keep one poster here at the center, next to his table, and one goes home, so families can celebrate all the little victories too. In 2024, we haven't updated the newsletter with new skills as regularly. Here are the amazing skills totals for the kids this year:

January - 98 new skills

February - 217 new skills

March - 223 new skills

April - 337 new skills

The total new skills for 2024 so far is 875! Keep up the great work, kids!

Keep wearing those tennis shoes!

Just a friendly reminder as it gets warmer – PLEASE send your child in closed-toe shoes to therapy.

Sandals of any type and crocs are not allowed.

We'd love to see your child’s adorable toes, but we need to protect them from our own feet, our rolling stools, and any other hazards, so please send your child wearing socks and closed toe shoes every day.

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Fun Fridays start in June

Each Friday in the summer, we plan for an extra fun activity and a dress up day. All the dress up days are designed to be simple ones you can do with things you have at home, please don’t feel obligated to buy anything to make these happen. Staff and children will both participate in dressing up! Dress up days are listed below so you can plan.

We will provide the children with Strive shirts to wear on School Spirit Days. The shirts have been ordered and should arrive next week. We will send them home as soon as we get them!

5-31-24 No dress up

6-7-24 PD Day - NO THERAPY

6-14-24 School Spirit Day - wear your Strive shirt! - Wheels Day - bring your bike, trike, or any other outdoor wheels and your helmet. We'll set up a course outdoors and drive around!

6-21-24 Beach Day

6-28-24 Red, white and blue Day

7-5-24 BOTH CENTERS CLOSED

7-12-24 Hat day

7-19-24 School Spirit Day – wear your Strive shirt! - Water Balloon/Water Play Day - bring your swimsuit, sandals, or water shoes, and a towel! We'll play outside with water balloons, sprinklers, and all the fun stuff!

7-25-24 Mismatch Day

8-2-24 Super hero Day

8-9-24 Sports Day

8-16-24 School Spirit Day – wear your Strive shirt! - Wheels Day/Wheels Wash - bring your wheels and helmets again - today we'll ride them and wash them!

8-23-24 PD Day - NO THERAPY

8-30-24 All one color Day

Vacations and other time off

We'll just keep this link right here, for your convenience. For any absences scheduled in advance, please use this form to report the dates. You may take an entire day or half day, depending on your needs.

Therapy Schedule Update Form

Here are some upcoming dates that the centers will be closed:

Monday, May 27 - BOTH CENTERS CLOSED FOR Memorial Day

Friday, June 7 - BOTH CENTERS CLOSED FOR Professional Development Day

Thursday, July 4 - Friday July 5 - BOTH CENTERS CLOSED FOR Independence Day

Friday, August 23 - BOTH CENTERS CLOSED FOR Professional Development Day

If your family is planning a longer absence around one of those dates, or at another time, please let us know as soon as you are able!