From the Desk of Holly Reimann ...

Dear Reader,

We hope your family has had a good start to the New Year. And we express our apologies for not posting a January Newsletter. However, on a more personal note, we had a rough start this past month with our doggie Cleo, who has been with us for over 10 years and suddenly stopped walking.

This crisis in our family prompted me to reflect and give me a slight insight into what families with children who get diagnosed with a disorder might feel and go through. After getting over the initial shock, we started researching online, we got second and third opinions on what it could be and what various treatment options were available. Even driving to Columbus for holistic therapy was now a reality for us. Needless to say, our monthly newsletter, as well as other facets of our life were put on hold. We wanted to do everything we could to help her. Although it is too early to say, Cleo is hanging in there and all she really wants is attention and love, not just love, but unconditional love.

After this life lesson, I have a better understanding of families' struggles, stress, and dilemmas they encounter. However, I can only begin to fathom how and what parents deal with the ups and downs of trying to help their child with disabilities. While going through this time I would have loved to been able to talk, cry, and share with others who are going through similar experiences. Maybe this is why our team has decided to start a monthly support group now. Where parents can gather and share with each other in a safe and confidential environment. As always, we wish you the best in your endeavor, as we continue to offer services and support for your family.

Best wishes,
Holly Reimann, MA CCC-SLP
Speech-language Pathologist

The National Autism Association of Northeast Ohio is raising funds on March 27, 2009 through a Dan Zanes concert.

His band has an irresistible groove that turns the concert into an all-ages dance party. There will be a sensory room to retreat to for anyone who may get overwhelmed.

As part of Peak Potential Therapy's initiative to give back to the community, we'll be a sponsor of this great event & cause. We want to raise awareness and to directly help local families with children affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders through the Helping Hand Grant.

Click for more info about the Dan Zanes Concert:
www.autismnortheastohio.org/special_events.php

Click for more info about the Helping Hand Grant: www.autismnortheastohio.org/how_we_can_help.php

Who: NAA-NEO & Dan Zanes

What: Fundraising Concert

Where: Independence, OH

When: Friday, March 27, 6:30 PM

Why: Support Local Families via the Helping Hand Grant

How: Buy tickets ($32/adult & $16/child) or Make a donation

This book looks at four epidemics that are occurring now: Autism, ADHD, Asthma, and Allergies. Dr. Bock explains in great detail his well-rounded and comprehensive approach that offers help to children affected by the 4-A disorders. He believes there is a connection between the 4-A disorders. Adamantly, he believes healing has to begin by starting at the root of the problem.

The whole body is treated as an integrated and interdependent entity, and does not focus on just one part of the body. His Healing Program is scientifically based and targets a variety of components including nutritional therapy, supplementation therapy, detoxification and medication.

Therapies (speech, ABA, etc.) improve the child's software, where the biomedical therapies heal the brain's hardware. Children and families are presented through out the book, whose stories often hit close to home and which keep this informational book real to life.

Autism is the first disorder discussed in the book. One of the many things I learned was that people with autism have malfunctioning systems of mirror neurons, which can affect anxiety and love. Also, there are three fundamental elements of autism that include the immune system, gastrointestinal system and nervous system, which affect most children with autism.

**NOTE: our partners do not have this book***

To purchase a copy of this book, visit www.4ahealing.com.

We are starting a monthly Parent Support Group with onsite Respite to provide quality childcare during the meetings. Peak Potential Therapy is constantly looking for ways to provide more and better support and services to families who have a child affected by a disability. We've been listening to families we speak with and noticed that they have to travel out of their way to attend support groups or they just cannot fit one more thing into their schedule during the week.

There are many wonderful support groups that offer meetings during the week, such as ASGC, NAA-NEO, and ASA.

Starting Sunday February 8th, we will be hosting our first ever Parent Support Group with childcare (respite) at our therapy center in Twinsburg. Through this arrangement, parents will be able to attend a meeting and have peace of mind that their child is happy in a safe environment. This group is meant to give parents a small break from their daily routines, to get out, to ask questions, to learn about new treatments and research, and to connect with other parents.

RSVP is only necessary if you need Respite Care.

Click for more information: Parents Support Group

***for more local events & trainings, go to Milestones Autism Organization