BEINEINU NEWS & NOTES
June 6, 2013
INTERNATIONAL
Graduation time is here! Mazel Tov on your child’s upcoming graduation. Whether it is from preschool or high school, we would all like to share your nachas. By posting your child’s special Simcha or milestone in Beineinu’s OUR PLACE newsletter for all to share, you are giving hope to so many other families. Please send all posts to
USA
Menuchas Kayitz Day Camp (Baltimore)—Menucha is opening a day camp for boys aged 7-14 on the grounds of Camp Chofetz Chaim. The program will be run independently, but will have the benefit of their facilities (including the pool!) and the ability to integrate with their famous camp “Ruach” when appropriate. Contact Rabbi Yaakov Wealcatch at
Research Study Of Paralysis After Spinal Cord Injury--
Helen Hayes Hospital and the Wadsworth Center are seeking volunteers to participate in a spinal reflex training study with the goal of helping in the development of new treatments for individuals with paralysis due to spinal cord injury.
After spinal cord injury, stroke or other traumatic events happen to the nervous system, reflex functions are often changed. Because reflexes are important parts of our movements and behaviors, when reflexes are not working well, movements may be disturbed. Researchers have found that people can learn to increase or decrease a reflex response by means of training. Learning to change a reflex response may become an effective approach as a rehabilitation treatment.
Participants are asked to stand or walk while measurements are made. Surface electrodes are placed on the skin over arm or leg muscles for monitoring muscle activity and over a nerve to produce reflex responses in the muscles. Nerve stimulation may cause a brief mild sensation. Participation in this study will take less than 90 minutes per session.
Volunteers will be paid for their time and every effort will be made to accommodate participants’ individual schedules. For additional information on the study, or to be screened for participation, please contact Laura Tenteromano, RN at 845-786-4854 or via e-mail:
Research Study for Autism Screening—The research team at the Seaver Autism Center at Mount Sinai is conducting a research study for children who might have an autism spectrum disorder or developmental delay. The goal of this study is to identify a screening tool that uses gene expression patterns to help oredict an autism diagnosis.
Participants will receive a diagnostic evaluation by trained clinicians. There are no treatments involved in this study.
Individuals may be eligible if they are between 1 ½-4 years old and have a possible developmental disorder.
For information contact 212-241-6091 or
Baltimore Respite Funds--The ARC of Baltimore distributes respite funds to qualifying families on a first come - first serve basis. To qualify, your child must have an intellectual or developmental disability and qualifying household income (if household income is too high, the family is not eligible)
Please note that Respite Funds from the ARC can only be used for respite care
such as babysitting, camp, MENUCHA’s programs, etc. For more information, see www.arcofbaltimore.org.
ISRAEL
New Class for Autistic Children-- A new first & second grade Kitat Tikshoret is opening up next year in a typical school in Natzrat (Nazareth) Ilit for children on the spectrumwho are going up to first grade, second grade, or Pre-1-A. Parents who want to register their children in this class can contact Mor: 052-889-9678.
Autism Website—“Blue Chocolate” is a new Hebrew language informative website gives voice to people with autism and their parents – www.autism.co.il
Autism Website--Check out the new website for parents of children on the spectrum. The site includes an index of therapists, volunteer treatments, articles, notice board and interesting links. www.otistim.co.il
Insurance Assistance--Families of children with special needs who are having difficulties with the kuppot cholim in obtaining therapies for their children in addition to what is given in special ed, can contact KESHER's information centers for assistance:
Jerusalem – 02-6236116
Haifa -04-8311165
Tel Aviv – 03-5282518
Beer Sheva – 08-6289142 (Hamercaz Lamishpacha)