Pictured below is the aftermath of today's Art Club. The medium? Collage. The purpose? A chance for students to explore new types of creative outlets ... to do something where there's no right or wrong ... and to express themselves in a new way. Success, all around!
PACTT students enjoyed exploring Chicago's new 606 park last week.
Clubs time give students an hour each Monday afternoon to explore something new, something creative, or maybe just something that sounds like fun! Students and staff join mixed groups from across the building, and anyone - paraprofessional, teacher, or therapist - is welcome to throw his or her hat in the ring as a Club leader. This semester's clubs include Music, Art, Gardening, and Community Cleanup.
Community Cleanup Club prepares for their neighborhood trash pickup:
Art Club explores color mixing with paints:
Music Club tries out our new instruments - and gets a mini-concert from Jeremy:
Happy First Day of School!
Laura Robertson was an Occupational Therapy, Level 2, intern at PACTT during Spring and Summer 2015. Here she reflects on her experience:
For the past 3 months I have been interning with PACTT's OT department. I had the chance to present at the new employee orientation, co-lead cooking groups, go on outings with the students, take part in Field Day, participate in student IEP/EDCs and perform part of their 3-year evaluations. I’ve modified some of the equipment used to teach students buttoning and created an independent work station task for student to practice buttoning that can be adapted to student’s needs. While I was here I also got to participate in planning for a new sensory space that will be created at the school.
My last few weeks here I have been helping put together new recipes for classroom cooking. The goal is to teach the students basic recipes that they can do at home in a safe manner and expose the students to different combinations of smells, tastes and textures. If these recipes are a hit, they will become part of the regular school year rotation.
As my time here at PACTT comes to an end I’ve been reflecting back on all I have learned and how wonderful the staff has been. They have been very welcoming to me and have been patient while I learn. I’ve learned a lot in this internship and will be able to apply what I learned to whatever setting I work in.
To participate in an internship at PACTT, please complete our Volunteer Request form.
Our School Programs are now ON BREAK! Thanks for a wonderful year!
Our elementary class has been enjoying outdoor adventures - even though it's still a little chilly!
The transition class and some of the high school students visited eWorks, an electronics recycling company in Elk Grove Village that employs workers with disabilities. They saw workers taking apart cable boxes and computers and sorting the components. They also got to watch scrap metal from electronics being smashed in a baler. Back at school, the students were able to reflect on what they observed to decide if they would like to work in that type of setting.
Yes, spoiled! Of course, we love our teams year-round, but ... this week, we set aside a whole week to give our school teams some extra, extra love! Each and every one is a teacher around here in one way or another, and we can not begin to express our gratitude for the work they do each day. It can be difficult. And draining. And painful. But it is also fun and exciting and rewarding in ways we may never quite expect! So, School Teams, sit back and enjoy the festivities!
Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!
This month, we introduced Monday afternoon Clubs to our weekly schedule. Students and staff have the opportunity to spend time with new peers and adults, and explore new activities. In April, clubs included Art, Gardening, Yoga, Movie chat, and Community Clean-Up. Clubs time also gives some of our paraprofessionals time to take on more of a leadership role. Art Club, led by para Christy Wynveen, is a prime example -- her activity from this week was even featured on a local artist's site!
Here are some pictures from this week's explorations:
Throughout April, PACTT has been sharing autism resources on Facebook and Twitter. Here's a wrap up of everything that was posted, in case you missed it:
* Have you ever stared blankly at your (fill-in-the-device-here), wondering whether there's an app to help with routines, or sensory sensitivity, or teaching social skills? Here's a nifty wheel that pulls many of them together. http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2013/07/a-wonderful-wheel-featuring-ipad-apps.html
* Did you know that PACTT has its very own Pinterest page, with a collection of fun resources? www.pinterest.com/pactt
* OCALI. Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence has an abundance of FREE online resources and trainings on all things autism: (www.ocali.org)
* Texas Autism Resource Guide for Effective Teaching (TARGET). TARGET has detailed info sheets on effective teaching practices for individuals with autism. They also have quick videos of effective tools and strategies: http://www.txautism.net/toolkit
* PACTT's Transition Timeline is a quick way to help get a student's post-school planning on track. /transition-resources/
* Looking for sensory-friendly options for movies, museums, or sporting events? This blogger shares some useful tips and tricks: http://www.friendshipcircle.org/blog
* A playlist of TED talks about autism: http://www.ted.com/playlists/153/the_autism_spectrum
PACTT HS1 students took advantage of the wonderfully warm weather with a fun trip to the park:
PACTT's Spirit Week 2015 has arrived!
Today, our students and staff were rooting for their home teams, and Chicago was well represented! Cubs, Sox, Blackhawks and Bears ... as well as some neighboring teams from near and far.
Stuart -- PACTT's newest graduate -- celebrated his accomplishments with family and friends last week:
Our HS2 class took advantage of the milder weather last week, and went exploring at Lincoln Park Zoo:
I think our Transition Class enjoyed their bowling adventure. What do you think? :)
Train ride + holiday lights and windows + a snack downtown = a successful adventure!
PACTT school's annual Thanksgiving Feast was a grand success! A HUGE thank you goes out to all the moms, dads, siblings, and grandmas who took time out of their day to join us today. Whether you were able to enjoy the turkey and stuffing with us, or sent Turkey Day greetings from afar, we are SO thankful that our students all have such supportive families. It makes a world of difference to them - and to us.
