Today is Memorial Day. We have set aside today in the United States to remember and honor those members of our armed forces that have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. For more information about the origins of this celebration, visit the History Channel’s website at via the link listed below.
“Thank you for protecting our lives and our freedom. Your sacrifice will never be forgotten.”
~ Barbara Erby & The Staff of Breakthrough Developmental Services, LLC
Hello all,
I truly love how beginning a discussion can bring more resources to the forefront. In yesterday’s blog posting (Employment and Differing Abilities) , I started talking about something that has been in the news as of late – the lower rate of employment for those diagnosed with Autism. Later in the evening, I received my usual newsletter email from the National Center for Learning Disabilities (http://www.ncld.org). I was elated to see information related to employment in the newsletter and thought that I would share the information with you all as well. The links to the pages are listed below. There is a good bit of information on the site, so make sure that you visit some of the other pages that they have posted about jobs as well.
Continued success,
Barbara Erby
President
Breakthrough Developmental Services, LLC
How Can I Get Work Experience? Volunteer and Paid Jobs for Teens
http://www.ncld.org/college-aamp-work/in-the-workplace/finding-the-right-job/volunteer-part-time-a-internships
Tips for Workplace Success
http://www.ncld.org/college-aamp-work/in-the-workplace/finding-the-right-job/job-checklist
Would you like to speak with a BDS representative? Our caring staff will work with you to help your child master skills and move towards greater independence. http://ow.ly/b2HnE
About BDS
We help families, schools, and individuals achieve big results by helping them discover their strengths, develop interests, prioritize their focus, and teach them what to do with their children to get them on the path towards success. Breakthrough Developmental Services’ goal is to provide affordable home and community based services to families in need. Programs are designed to meet the needs of the individual and aim to increase learning as well as foster a student’s greater future independence in society.
“He who enjoys doing and enjoys what he has done is happy.” ~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
There has been a lot of discussion in the last week or so concerning adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders and employment. With the recent publication of data showing that approximately 1 in 3 adults diagnosed with Autism are not gainfully employed (see http://ow.ly/aYxPq) and the latest CDC rates of Autism diagnoses at 1 in 88, I can understand why people were alarmed. And while the discussion may have died down for some people, it is one that has been ongoing for the staff members of Breakthrough Developmental Services, LLC (BDS) and the families that we serve.
It is not difficult to grasp that people need to be able to pay their bills and provide a living for themselves. Regardless of ability level this is true. However, I think that people can sometimes forget that work needs to be meaningful to the person performing the task. It is not fair to relegate persons diagnosed with an intellectual, developmental, or learning disabilities to do the jobs that no one else wants to do. It is fair to teach people to do jobs that are important to them and that they will enjoy on a daily basis.
Honestly, if you told me that I had to bag groceries on a daily basis (and I have been a cashier at a supermarket), I would lose my mind. I am not a person who is really into spaceships, so working at NASA would probably not the best job for me either. In contrast, there are those students that I work with that love spaceships and space exploration. They can tell you all kinds of facts about the space program. For them, working at NASA might be the perfect job. I have students that are fascinated by languages. Then why can’t we guide them towards being Interpreters or Linguist?
We need to stop limiting students based on what we see them as right now and start thinking about what they could be in the future. There are any number of positions that students regardless of their ability could fulfill, but we need to be providing them with job experience that meets their individual needs just as we do with therapeutic services.
When I look back over the years at the things that I have learned through classes, internships, and employment, I can see how my community supported me. When I look at what brought me to BDS, I can see the encouragement that I received from those that were around me. I want those things for my students too. I want them to be able to live as independently as possible. I want them to have a community of support and encouragement. I want them be able to having a job that is meaningful to them and that they enjoy going to everyday as much as I enjoy what I do every day.
Barbara Erby
President
Breakthrough Developmental Services, LLC
Would you like to speak with a BDS representative? Our caring staff will work with you to help your child master skills and move towards greater independence. http://ow.ly/b2HnE
About BDS
We help families, schools, and individuals achieve big results by helping them discover their strengths, develop interests, prioritize their focus, and teach them what to do with their children to get them on the path towards success. Breakthrough Developmental Services’ goal is to provide affordable home and community based services to families in need. Programs are designed to meet the needs of the individual and aim to increase learning as well as foster a student’s greater future independence in society.
I read this somewhere and had a strong desire to share it with everyone. I’m just guessing that someone somewhere needs to hear this message.
If you have some inspirational words or a poem that you would like to share with us, feel free to post them in the comment section below. You can also send them to us via email at [email protected].
Hope that you all are having a great week,
Barbara Erby
President
Breakthrough Developmental Services, LLC
Our Deepest Fear
By Marianne Williamson
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking
So that other people won’t feel insecure around you.
We were all meant to shine, as children do.
It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine,
We unconsciously give other people permission to do the same
As we are liberated from our own fear,
Our presence automatically liberates others.
I asked readers in a previous blog who you wanted to be, I think that it is only fair that I answer that question myself. I previously worked for several other companies and organizations in the as well as for private families. I enjoyed every minute of it and learned so much from so many different people. However, I knew that at some point, I wanted to build something. I wanted company where we built relationships with families and families felt comfortable with who they entrusted their child’s learning to. 5 years ago, I took a leap of faith and Breakthrough Developmental Services, LLC (BDS) was born. Today, my “baby” turns 5.
Over the years that I have worked in this field, I have had the opportunity to watch quite a few kids grow up. In the last 5 of those years, I have watched this company and “my children” mature. We have made a lot of changes in the last 5 years, but one thing has always remained consistent is the feeling of community. I truly believe in the African proverb that “it takes a village to raise a child.” At BDS, the people that work with us believe in our motto of “Making a difference in the lives of those around us.” I am grateful for each person who has worked with us over the years to our children to where they are today.
I started thinking about what we could do to celebrate this momentous occasion and came up with a few surprises that I plan on stacking throughout the year. The first surprise is that we are bringing back our teleseminars. In the coming days, I will be announcing the dates for the first 4 of these free calls to the subscribers of The BDS Journal. I can already tell you, that I will be announcing at least one other of surprise during one of the calls. Also, I wanted to let you know that the BDS Mobile site is up. If you are on your mobile device, be sure to visit us at http://m.BDSHelps.com.
Thank you for continuing to allow us into your lives. I and the other staff members of BDS have truly been inspired by the stories of the people I have met on this journey. As always, our door remains open. You can feel free to offer your feedback or suggestions to us at anytime by using the Contact Us Form on our website or by emailing us at [email protected].
Warmest regards,
Barbara Erby
President
Breakthrough Developmental Services, LLC
Phone: 240-355-0834
