 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
" It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge" – Albert Einstein
Recreation Program - Main Campus
The Recreation Program is an after-school socialization resource for participants with developmental disabilities who are between the ages of 4.9 and 22. The services are designed to develop acceptable behaviors through leisure time activities, recreation, and socialization skills appropriate to the person’s age and functioning level. Programs are licensed by the Department of Social Services. Activities include arts and crafts, cooking groups, table games, music, field trips and adapted physical education. The program operates Monday through Friday from 1:00 to 6:00 PM. Participants are referred and primarily funded by the San Diego Regional Center. Admission is open to individuals who are ineligible for service by other day care or after school programs due to disability conditions or behavior problems.
Stephen V. is a 15-year old young man who is diagnosed with Autism. He entered the Stein Recreation Program in June of 2002 after attending Fletcher Elementary School . The San Diego Regional Center referred him because he lacked overall socialization skills and needed to be able to function more successfully outside the home.
When he first entered the afternoon program at age nine, it seemed at first that his needs might not be easily met. Although the program has a close student to staff ratio, Stephen was a ball of energy. He would run recklessly throughout the activity rooms and playground without a care for his own safety.
In Stephen's 2002 progress review, he was reported to be …constantly on his feet, moving around, and has a hard time sitting down for any period of time… He was also known to dart into the street, showing no safety awareness. Frequently, Stephen would place foreign objects into his mouth that he had picked off the ground. He therefore required a high level of attention by staff, sometimes on a one-to-one basis to make it through each day.
Mrs. V., his mother, wanted Stephen to learn and respond to simple directions such as “stop,” and “come here”. Her chief concern was for him to reduce running away behaviors that might involve entering streets with cars driving by. For safety in public places with Stephen, Mrs. V. had to use a child safety leash.
The primary goals set for Stephen were to increase his receptive understanding of basic verbal direction (commands such as stop, come here, etc.) and to address his impulsivity, especially within the community setting. Staff worked closely with him by providing daily consistent behavior management strategies. The result was that Stephen made strides in his independence level.
More than five years later, Stephen is a successful community participant. He walks independently with occasional verbal direction from staff. He is able to follow simple directions like: wait, stop, come here, sit down and most importantly the “no” instruction. He can sit at the table in a group situation with his peers, and play alongside them comfortably (this is called parallel play). The next level for him is simple interactive play and he is beginning to make positive gains in this area.
We are very proud of Stephen's accomplishments and the gains he has accomplished in the years he has been in our program. Click here to learn more about Jon.
"Field trip time for young consumers in the Junior Seau van."
Service Locations :: Outcomes :: Back to Top