Posted by: John_Hamilton on 09/15/2012 07:10 PM
Updated by: John_Hamilton on 09/16/2012 04:44 PM
Expires: 01/01/2017 12:00 AM
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Mind Matters Receives $3,500 Grant From Calaveras Community Foundation
Murphys, CA...Mind Matters, the Murphys based non-profit treatment center devoted to addressing the many needs of patients and families affected by Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Learning Disabilities, has received a $3,500 grant from the Calaveras Community Foundation. The money will be used to support the center’s Social Thinking program. The ability to understand and interact with other people, whether at family gatherings, at school, or in the workplace, is taken for granted by most
people. However, this is foreign territory for those who are autistic and many who suffer from attention deficit disorder....
“All of us have experienced times when we have seen children ‘misbehave’ in situations and have wondered why their parents can’t control them,” states Dr. Ryan Thompson, the clinic’s founder, CEO and Medical Director. “Often it is because the child simply does not have the necessary skills, or understanding, to cope in such instances. “Social Thinking addresses these issues in a supportive, non-judgmental environment with a highly trained clinician. In small groups, these young people develop the ability to interact positively, making them a much more welcome person at home, in school, and in other social situations.”
Not every family in Calaveras County can afford to enroll a child in Social Thinking. The CCF grant will help make it possible for many of these children to benefit from the program.
“The Foundation looks to fund programs that have a measurable positive effect on residents throughout Calaveras County,” states CCF president Linda McCall Kangeter. “ Mind Matters was able to show us that last year’s grant made it possible for seven children to take part in the clinic’s Social Thinking program.
“These young people ranged in age from eight to twelve and came from Angels Camp, Mokelumne Hill, Murphys, and Valley Springs. This is the kind of direct cross-county service that deserves our support,” she says.
Social Thinking classes are held once a week, for 50 minutes, with 10 minutes at the end as a recap with parents, on what was learned and practiced that session. In this way parents can reinforce these lessons at home, and help with “homework” assignments for the child and the family. Most children continue for a total of three months, in order to cover all the aspects of social thinking completely, and to maximize progress. There are field trips to the market, etc., to practice learned skills. Depending on a child’s ability to progress, further classes may be recommended.
Anyone wishing to know more about Social Thinking, or any of the other Mind Matters programs, can visit the clinic’s website at www.mindmattersclinic.org or call (209) 728-2184.
The clinic is located at 150 Big Trees Road in Murphys.
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