E D U C A T I O N A L
P H I L A N T H R O P I C
TENNESSEE BRANCH
New Autism Study Shocks Educators Who Offer Support
Posted: Apr 02, 2012 by Adam Ghassemi, www.NewsChannel5.com
COLUMBIA, Tenn. - Getting kids to pay attention just long enough for a
picture can be hard work, but the people at The
King's Daughters' School in Columbia know how to do it even
when the attention spans aren't typical and most students are completely
non-verbal.
Director of Autism Services Meridith Pettigrew works with ages 7 to 22
in a facility with 20 students who live here full-time, like Jake Barlar.
"Even though Jake's 20 he can always learn more," said Pettigrew
after working with Barlar.
She's teaching him to use pictures to describe what he wants, while trying
to not make him dependent on another adult. "Instead of holding his
hand, hand over hand, pickup I want put it here. I just nudged his hand
or his elbow I think toward the 'I want' he picked it up and put it down,"
he said.
That's why the news about a new study from the Center for Disease Control
is so shocking that one in 88 children are now diagnosed with some form
of autism, and boys are five-times more likely to have the disorder than
girls. The study is based on 2008 data.
"To hear that now. I mean even now talking about it gives me goose
bumps," Pettigrew said.
That's why she says it's important to raise awareness because the earlier
a child gets intervention the better. "It's just as if a typical
student or typical child doesn't get any interaction from their parent.
They're going to be behind in language. They're going to be behind in
school," she said.
They hope the new study gives families an idea that Jake's disorder isn't
as uncommon as once thought.
Know the behaviors:
" May avoid eye contact
" May prefer to be alone
" Echoes words or phrases
" Spins self or objects
" No real fear of danger
" May not cuddle
" Insistence on sameness
" Difficulty interacting with others
" Inappropriate or no response to sound
" Sustained, unusual or repetitive play
" Inappropriate laughing or giggling
" Apparent insensitivity to pain
" Inappropriate attachment to objects
Know the early signs:
" No big smiles or other warm, joyful expressions by six months or
thereafter
" No back-and-forth sharing of sounds, smiles or other facial expressions
by nine months or thereafter
" No babbling by 12 months
" No back-and-forth gestures, such as pointing, showing, reaching
or waving by 12 months
" No words by 16 months
" No two-word meaningful phrases (without imitating or repeating)
by 24 months
" Any loss of speech or babbling or social skills by any age
The
King’s Daughters School
412 West Ninth Street, Columbia,
TN 38401
The King’s Daughters
School marked its 50th year in service during 2007. They are a nationally
recognized, co-educational, boarding school that serves over 100 children
and adults with developmental disabilities. Students receive educational,
vocational, social, and life skills training so that they may become mature,
productive citizens.
The School offers four programs:
- The Early Learning
Intervention Program addresses the needs of preschoolers who are developmentally
delayed, enabling them to enter the public school system at an appropriate
age.
- The Total Lifestyles
Program serves students 7-22 in individual academic and program plans
based upon each student’s needs and potential. These individualized
plans incorporate both academic and residential goals that are designed
to promote independence and personal growth.
- The Young Adult Learning Program is a transitional program for young men and women who have completed their high school training. Students in this program are typically ages 22-30 and require additional life skills training before moving into an adult or community program.
- In January 2006, the School opened The Center for Autism, a new residential campus that ministers to students ages 7-22 with severe autism. Students in this program typically have limited verbal and self-help skills. The primary focus of the Center is to increase communication.
The
King’s Daughters & Sons Home
3568 Appling Road, Bartlett,
TN 38133
The King’s Daughters & Sons Home was opened March 1, 1908, and
celebrated its100th anniversary in 2008. The Home provides comprehensive
nursing and rehabilitation care at the sub-acute, skilled and basic levels
of nursing care; and they accepts Medicare, Medicaid, Veterans Administration,
private insurance, and private pay. In 2004, The Home moved from their
original home in downtown Memphis into a beautiful new facility in Bartlett,
TN. The Home is the 10th largest employer in Bartlett, and the community
has accepted them with open arms. Several area churches entertain residents
with visitations and singing, and a local middle school comes each Monday
to play bingo. The Home is so fortunate to have many wonderful, working
Circle volunteers from the Memphis City/Shelby County Union who help to
bring joy and companionship to its many residents.
Along with other sources, the Memphis Cotton Wives proudly support this
home with all monies they raise through their site at www.memphiscottonwives.org.
The
King’s Daughters Child Development Center
590 Dupont Street, Madison,
TN 37115
The King’s Daughters Child Development Center was founded in 1965
and opened in 1966 to provide child care and education programs for children
from financially challenged families. Their mission is to provide programs
that stimulate cognitive and physical development and to prepare children
for success in school. Individualized programs are designed for each child
based on his or her developmental needs. Special field trips and other
activities are provided to broaden the children’s understanding of
their environments and encourage them to expand their vision of what they
can achieve. The Center has an enrollment of 57 children with an incredible
staff of 15.
Published in a special 9/14/11 United Way edition of The Daily Herald in Columbia, Tennessee:
Virginia Mai Kittrell Circle
Since the early 1900's, Mt. Pleasant King's Daughters have been ministering to the less fortunate in
the community. The Virginia Mai Kittrell Circle Charity Fund is continuing to provide assistance to
families in the Mt. Pleasant area in the 21st Century. Calls for assistance are for housing, utilities and
medical bills. The calls are coordinated with other sources in the community, including churches, civic organizations, Family to Family and Good Samaritans. Some calls for emergency help are a one-time occurrence. One family that has received assistance is headed by an eldely, disabled grandmother with two granddaughters in her care. The older girl is a 15-year-old honor roll student, and the younger is 3 years old. Medical bills often put the family behind financially, but the Virginia Mai Kittrell Circle of The King's Daughters has assured this grandmother that the children will continue to be able to stay in a stable home environment.
The Virginia Mai Kittrell Circle was founded in 1926 and will celebrates 86-years of service this year.
Officers:
President
Marsha
Kirk
(931) 381-2210
kirkm@k12tn.net
1st Vice-President
Toni
Thomason
901-476-8807
tonithomason@turnerdairy.com
2nd Vice-President
Mary Ballard
(901) 759-0277
maryandcarolyn@netzero.net
3rd Vice-President
Barbara Smith
(901) 754-5107
pwbw1017@bellsouth.net
Recording Secretary
Mary Morse
(901) 754-1358
maryamorse@comcast.net
Treasurer/Finance Comm. Chairman Taylor Morse, III
901-754-1358
tmorse3@comcast.net
Around the World Chairman Carolyn Glenn
901-398-4494
carolynrglenn@aol.com
Chautauqua Chairman
Melinda Fernandez
731-256-1636
melmoofer@eplus.net
Health Careers Chairman
Jeri Buchanan
901-751-3931
jerijb@comcast.net
Historians:
Teresa Gann
615-865-5624
Patricia McClanahan
931-379-7690
Stella Thomason
901-476-8807
tonithomason@turnerdairy.com
Membership Chairmen:
Junior Extension Chairman
Melinda Fernandez
(See Chautauqua Chairman)
Senior
Extension Chairman
JoAnn Wauford
931-583-2600
Nominations Chairman Bettye Kinser
931-388-3669
North American Indian Chairman Ann Hale
901-754-5254
Parliamentarian Sue Malone
931-388-5700
jshmalone@charter.net
Photography Chairmen:
Jennifer Duncan
931-388-0461
Taylor Morse, III
(See Treasurer/Finance Chair)
Publicity Chairmen:
Judith Hodges
615-297-6040
Stephanie Mayberry
931-540-8846
Mary Morse
901-754-1358
maryamorse@comcast.net
Scrapbook Chairmen:
Twila Daniel
901-767-1716
twila5385@att.net
Teresa Gann
(See Historians)
Student Ministry Chairman
Carolyn Adams
615-495-7815
The Silver Cross Chairmen:
Martha Boone
931-388-8064
Sue Salsbery
615-383-3139
