The ECLC school in Ho-Ho-Kus helped children get an A+ on safety this school year! Parents and other caregivers learned from experts, first-responders and others on how to keep children safe at ECLC of New Jersey’s Community Safety Awareness Fair on Sept. 29! The free event included:
The Ho-Ho-Kus Fire Department was just one of the community partners who supported the event.
Autism Speaks with information on keeping children with autism and other special needs out of harm’s way.
Ho-Ho-Kus Fire Department’s fire safety house, where children learn and practice what to do in the event of a fire.
The New Jersey Poison Control Center giving advice on how to treat a child who has eaten something toxic.
Ho-Ho-Kus Board of Health & North West Bergen Regional Health Commission helping to prepare residents for the winter season by giving flu shots from 10–11:30 a.m.
Bergen County Sheriff’s Gold Star ID Program offering a free photo ID Card for children with autism or developmental disabilities; and adults over the age of 65 with dementia. The Gold Star ID card provides first-responders with vital medical information in the event of an emergency or when an individual is not able to provide the information on their own.
Free Face painting and games for children to enjoy.
Certified Financial Services professionals with advice on avoiding financial pitfalls.
Investors Assistant Vice President and Chatham Branch Manager Gregory Schmidt (far right) presents ECLC with a big grant to support the school’s new Sensory Room.
ECLC of New Jersey’s Chatham school for students with special needs is grateful to receive a $1,500 grant from the Investors Foundation for a new Sensory Room to provide therapy for the growing number of students with autism.
“It was a great pleasure to personally see the great work and love given to the students of ECLC,” said Investors Assistant Vice President and Chatham Branch Manager Gregory Schmidt. “I was honored to be able to provide the Grant on behalf of Investors Bank and Investors Foundation.”
ECLC is celebrating its 30th year in a former Chatham public school building. During that time, the student population has dramatically changed, requiring new tools and techniques to support them. Three decades ago, ECLC students primarily were classified with learning disorders, such as dyslexia. Today, about one-third are diagnosed with autism or another disability with a behavioral component.
For students with autism and certain other disabilities, the everyday world at times can become overwhelming. Walking into a classroom might seem like walking into a crowded nightclub, with flashing lights and booming music. At any point in the day, students may start to feel overloaded and “dysregulated.” In contrast, there is another group of students who are “under-reactive.” These students need to increase their alertness and activity level to succeed at school.
The Sensory Room creates a new, permanent space to help students smooth out their emotional states. It creates an atmosphere of soothing calm and quiet. The room is a “Snoezelen Room” and delivers stimuli to various senses, using dim, lighting effects, color, gentle pressure, sounds, music, scents and vibration.
A therapist, teacher, or aide always accompanies students when they use the room. Students come to relax or take a break from class, when they are over-stimulated or during times of stress. They can also earn time in the room as part of their behavior plan. Each student has a customized list of activities and uses for the Sensory Room.
Benefits of a Sensory Room
The room is dimly lit when in use and quiet, calming music is played. A bubble tube light, with flowing bubbles and soft changing lights provides a multi-sensory calming environment. The equipment is highly specialized. It includes a gentle “squeeze machine” that provides deep pressure, controlled by the student. A contour “relax” chair allows students to sit in a semi-reclined position on a soft surface. There is a hammock swing to offer slow, rhythmic swinging and a gentle squeeze. Students can climb into inflatable canoe-shaped seats, which provide a steady hugging pressure. Weighted blankets are gently placed on students to provide additional pressure.
“As the student population has changed, our school has proactively addressed their needs,” said Principal Jason Killian. “We are always looking for new ways to support our students and help them thrive. We have found tremendous success with providing sensory breaks and sensory input to help students regulate and succeed in school.”
Parents of children with special needs and any member of the public can arrange for a visit and tour ECLC’s school at 21 Lum Ave., by contacting Principal Killian at jkillian@eclcofnj.org or (973-601-5410).
Marcelle Matos, Brendan Ryan and Nicole Serkin were among this year’s Chatham school graduates!
ECLC of New Jersey graduated 36 students with special needs from the Chatham and Ho-Ho-Kus schools last week.
The young adults received high school diplomas conferred by their hometown districts. During the Chatham school commencement ceremony, each graduate was given an opportunity to speak and deliver his or her “reflections,” a school tradition for many years.
In his short speech, Marcello Matos said, “I have had so many good experiences at ECLC that have prepared me for life after graduation. I want to thank my family for all they do for me.” Nicole Serkin said how much she loved her family, art and gym classes. Brendan Ryan said, “I have enjoyed going on respite trips, talking to my friends, dancing at the socials and going on trips to the mall and bowling alley.”
Ryan and Serkin, and a number of their classmates, will stay in the ECLC family by entering the PRIDE Adult Program. PRIDE is for ECLC alumni who are not good candidates for work because of the nature of their disability. More than 160 adults are enrolled in ECLC’s PRIDE Centers in Florham Park and Paramus. Matos, like some other grads, plans to pursue employment.
All ECLC students graduate with a clear plan for their future. For graduates who are able to work, ECLC offers employment services through an affiliate, Community Personnel Services (CPS). Specialists from CPS help graduates find meaningful jobs in their communities and provide ongoing support and advocacy in the workplace. ECLC enables people with disabilities to live as independently as possible.
Graduates who enter the PRIDE Program spend meaningful days continuing to learn and grow. The adults in PRIDE choose their schedule, from a wide range of options, including fitness, computers, book club, food shopping and cooking, fine arts and more. They also venture out into the community each day for volunteering, field trips and other activities. The program is open exclusively to ECLC graduates of any age and for as long as needed.
New Eyes for the Needy is among employers who give our students a chance to sample jobs in the community.
ECLC of New Jersey’s school in Chatham thanked 18 local employers who open up their businesses—and their hearts—to give students with special needs real-life work experiences! These wonderful job “sampling” opportunities are part of an exclusive Transition Program offered to prepare ECLC students for adulthood.
ECLC’s school offers much more than academics and therapies. The nonprofit school prepares students for life!
Starting at age 14, students begin the Transition Program, and it continues until graduation at age 21. Students gain their initial work experiences right at the school in a dedicated room with equipment, supplies and a staff of teachers who are specialists. Students complete simple jobs and learn the “soft” skills of expected behaviors and attitudes in the workplace. They fulfill orders from the outside, managing mailings, collating newsletters and creating custom invitations, T-shirts, mugs, napkins, menus, and more. They even run the school lunch program!
After students have mastered the basics, they move out into the community to “sample” jobs. They get to experience everything from child care and retail to food service, maintenance and office administrative support.
“Our goal is to prepare students for independent living and for a smooth transition from school to young adulthood!” said SKIL Coordinator Kim Nixon. (The acronym SKIL stands for Seeking Knowledge for Independent Living.)
In their final year before graduation, employment specialists from ECLC’s affiliate Community Personnel Services (CPS) help students create a plan to take them into the next chapter of their lives.
Students learn to write resumes, practice interviewing skills, interact with co-workers and make decisions—with their families—about work or a day program. CPS has a 23-year track record of successfully assisting people with disabilities obtain and retain jobs. The job placement rate is 98%.
ECLC also runs the PRIDE Day Program exclusively for alumni who are not ready for full-time work, because of the nature of their disability. All ECLC students graduate with a concrete plan for their future—and that is the ECLC difference!
Physical education teacher Jan Arthur, with Arc/Morris Executive Director, William Testa, was recognized for helping students with special needs learn new skills in gym class and on the Chatham school’s competitive sports team.
As a physical education teacher and a coach, Jan Arthur helped transform Sammi Smith from a painfully shy teenager, who was reluctant to join any activities, into a three-sport varsity athlete at ECLC of New Jersey’s school for students with special needs.
“The change in my daughter due to Mrs. Arthur’s encouragement and her involvement in sports at ECLC was amazing,” said her mother, Colleen. “Sammi came out of her shell. She learned confidence, sportsmanship and a love of basketball, soccer and softball from Mrs. Arthur. She is unbelievable. I really can’t say enough about her.”
For nearly three decades, Arthur has been encouraging and supporting students with special needs to master new skills and attain athletic goals in gym class and on competitive school teams. She created a sports program at ECLC and taught all students the importance of fitness, teamwork and sportsmanship.
On May 24, Arthur was named the Teacher of the Year by the Arc/Morris for “an exemplary career in serving students with special needs.”
In recognizing Arthur, Board Member Wendy Abrahamson noted, “Cultivating relationships with other schools to create opportunities for her students to interact with their peers without disabilities is one of Ms. Arthur’s major priorities. This has resulted in some outstanding outcomes, including an annual basketball game against the Chatham High football team!”
Nine individuals and organizations were recognized for outstanding service to people with special needs by the Arc/Morris, whose mission is the care, support and advancement of people with intellectual disabilities and their families.
Smith nominated Arthur for the award because of her long lasting influence over Sammi and other students. She wrote, “Mrs. Arthur’s philosophy and teaching methods include all students and athletes no matter what their ability level. She encourages all students to try a sport and applauds the positive for each student.”
Arthur started teaching at ECLC in September 1991. Previously, she was a physical education teacher and coach at Madison Junior High School, Madison High School and Chatham High School. She remained as a field hockey assistant coach at Madison High School, winning five state championships, and was involved with the Chatham and Madison recreation programs for many years. When it came to her full-time job, however, she turned down several opportunities to return to the public schools and chose to “stay with her heart” at ECLC.
“Sports is my ‘thing.’ I know I can teach anyone the basic skills of sports and improve their gross motor skills,” said Arthur. “Physical education teachers never win awards like this, so I was shocked by the honor and quite surprised. It is great to feel appreciated by folks for what we try to do in the gym.”
Many of Arthur’s former students are still in touch and have returned for alumni basketball games or just to visit. “I want my students to have the same opportunities that my family and anyone else has as athletes. We try to keep it real and relevant for our students,” said Arthur.
