EDIS 2

EFMP Empower Hour 3

Lending Library 3

Oki Craft 3

Autism Book Club & ASG 4

EFMP Contact Info 5

Inside this issue:

“The Children’s Research Cen-ter/Human Developmental Neurobiol-ogy Unit conducts research on the na-ture and causes of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Our research group currently studies how children with ADHD re-spond to reinforcement. We believe this research will lead to improved understanding of ADHD, and contrib-ute to the development of more effec-tive treatments.

Our bilingual team works with families of children between 6 and 12 years of age. As part of the research process we carry out comprehensive assessments of the children’s cognitive and behavioral functioning which we

summarize in a detailed report for par-ents.

Our staff have advanced de-

grees in psychology and are experi-

enced in working with children and

families from the U.S. and Japan.”

For additional research information

email us at kodomo@oist.jp or phone

us at 098 966 8814. Dr. Tripp will

facilitate the October “Empower Hour”

on October 18th from 11:30-12:30,

highlighting ADHD research, assess-

ment and management.

Please call 645-9237 to

register.

The Okinawa Institute of Sci-ence and Technology (OIST) was es-tablished in 2005 to prepare for the opening of Japan’s first international Graduate School in November 2011. OIST currently has 35 research units carrying out multi-disciplinary re-search in neuroscience, molecular sciences, mathematical and compu-tational biology, physics, and envi-ronmental science.

The Principal Investigator of the Human Developmental Neurobi-ology Unit, Gail Tripp, PhD, is a regis-tered clinical psychologist from New Zealand. She provides the following information about her research at OIST:

in Greenville, North Carolina and my under-graduate degree from Rowan University in Glassboro, New Jersey.

Although this is my first time living on the beautiful island of Okinawa I’ve been fortu-nate to accompany my husband to various duty stations across the Marine Corps, including Camp Pendleton, MCB Quantico, MCB Hawaii and Camp Lejeune. I am a passionate advocate for volunteerism and resources for military families. Therefore, I am delighted to have the opportunity to help support the EFMP mission “to improve the quality of life of families that support a family member with a special need.” I look forward to working with you.

Hello EFMP Families!

My name is Shelly Johnson and I am the new EFMP case worker on Camp Court-ney. I am very pleased to be joining the EFMP team. I would like to take this moment to share a little bit about my background. I have worked as a social worker for thirteen years providing services to children, adoles-cents and adults diagnosed with a mental illness. I also have experience working with families providing community case manage-ment services and early childhood educa-tional resources. I earned a Masters of Social Work degree from East Carolina University

October :: Exceptional News You Can Use Page 2

with agencies that advocate family support

during the crucial first years. Educational and

Developmental Intervention Services mission

is to maximize the potential of children who are

identified or at-risk for developmental delays.

Parents with children birth to three years old

that already have concerns about their child

should contact 634-2834 and ask for the Early

Intervention Referral Coordinator. Parents

who are not sure about development and the

appropriate milestones or stages that their

child should be demonstrating at a particular

time can obtain a free screening tool called

“Ages and Stages Questionnaire” by asking their

Pediatrician for the tool during their “Well

Baby Visit” or if their child is enrolled at a Child

Development Center they can have their child

screened their, or call 634-2834 at EDIS for

more information about screenings for children

birth to five years. It is most important that all

parents on Okinawa learn about available re-

sources and tools to assist their family in their

child’s development. Your child’s early years

are the most important!

THE EARLY YEARS ARE THE MOST IM-

PORTANT

A growing body of research over

the past twenty years clearly indicates a

child’s most productive and influential

years of learning occur before the age of

five. Experts generally agree that 50 per-

cent of intelligence is formed by age four.

The greatest portion of language is ac-

quired by age three. These findings, along

with the establishment of curiosity and

social skills, lay the foundations for all fur-

ther learning. Failure in the early years to

develop adequately in these areas has been

shown to lead directly to underachieve-

ment in the elementary grades and be-

yond.

Since many causes of slow devel-

opment can be treated effectively and effi-

ciently if detected early, it is important

they are identified as early as possible. In

addition, the recurrent monitoring and

review can signify to parents that their

Educational & Developmental Intervention Services

child is progressing at a normal or ad-

vanced rate of development and can also

give direction on how to support and en-

courage continued growth.

Parents are the first and most

influential teachers in their child’s life.

Very little training is given for parenthood

and parents are hungry for the current

tools and knowledge available on how to

give their child the best possible beginning.

Since the family is the rightful first educa-

tional delivery system for the child, the role

of Educational and Developmental Interven-

tion Services (EDIS) on Kadena is one of

assistance and support to parents in the

early years. EDIS serves all Arm Force

families in providing a solid educational

foundation to make decisions on their

child’s development.

Because of evidence that a child’s

early experiences can significantly enhance

or inhibit development and learning, it is

educationally sound, to have parents work

EFMP and Dorie Andrade, Instructional Sys-tems Specialist - Special Education, at the IEP Roundtable.

You will be learning about the IEP process and then work on building your IEP notebook. You should bring your child’s IEPs, medical reports, a binder and all information you want to keep with the IEP. Being organized will help you when you at-tend meetings. Please call and reserve your seat now at 645-9237.

School is back in session! Our children are getting used to their sur-roundings – a new teacher, new classroom and classmates. Their teacher is doing the same. This time of year can be a little diffi-cult for a child who has an Individualized Education Program (IEP) as the routine is new and supports and modifications may take a little time to put in place.

It is time to pull out your child’s IEP (that big packet of paperwork) and review it. What kind of sup-

ports/modifications is your child supposed to have in place? Do you see this happening – and do they appear to be working?

Remember, when you and the team sat down to hammer out the IEP, you all did the best you could based on what you knew then about your child. Now that the new school year has begun, do you see things working well?

The EFMP office knows that the IEP process can be daunting – so we have set up a workshop for you on November 8th (11:30-12:30) to learn all about it. Join

October :: Exceptional News You Can Use Page 3

EFMP Lending Library & Resources

Washi 和紙? is a style of paper that originated in Japan and is commonly made using fibers from the bark of the gampi tree, the mitsumata shrub (Edgeworthia chrysantha), or the paper mulberry, but also can be made using bamboo, hemp, rice and wheat. Washi comes from wa meaning Japanese and shi meaning paper and is used to describe paper made by hand in the traditional manner and arts like Origami, Shodo, and Ukiyo-e. Join Ms Sarah and create your very own washi paper Oki Coaster and a Tree-Mendous Card! Each participant will have one square tile to apply washi pa-per designs, punches and/or collage using glue and scissors. We will also create one holiday card to send home to our families or share with our friends. We know what you’re thinking: “Holiday cards in September? Really?” It’s NEVER too soon to start working on holiday items when you live in Okinawa! The workshop will be held Saturday, November 3rd, from 9:30-10:30 am at the EFMP Bldg, 495. Registration is required as space is limited to 12 par-ticipants. Materials will be provided. Please call 645-9237 for more informa-tion and registration. We look forward to seeing you there!

This Month's Highlighted Book:

Stepping Out: Us-

ing Games & Ac-

tivities to Help Your

Child with Special

Needs

For parents looking

for ways to strengthen their bond and

relationship with their child, this book

provides insightful and fun ways to enjoy

quality time together. As the mother of a

developmentally delayed child herself,

Sarah Newman has produced an invalu-

able resource to aid parents and care-

givers of children with special needs deal

with the difficult situations they face eve-

ryday. Covering different stages in the

child's development from age 3 to 11, she

looks at the areas of cognition, physical

ability, sensory perception, language, and

social and emotional development. After

tackling the theoretical basis of each fac-

tor, she then suggests games and activi-

ties to use and offers comprehensive ad-

vice on the best strategies and methods

to employ whilst playing the games.

Sarah tackles many general

problems, such as sleep, behavior and

toilet training, which may be encountered

by parents of children with any form of

special needs. Drawing on her own ex-

perience, the author offers advice for

parents on coping with the stress of caring

for a child with special needs and dis-

cusses issues associated with education.

Please stop in to check out

your copy today!

Did you know EFMP has a Lending

Library with great resource and edu-

cational books available for you to

check out?

We currently have books on

ADHD, Allergies, Autism, Diabetes,

Parenting issues, Special ED and IEP's,

various mental health issues and so

much more! We will be highlighting a

new book in this section with each

edition of the newsletter. Additionally,

if you have topics you would like to

see included in our Lending Library,

please let us know.

Call us at 645-9237 or email us at:

EFMP@OKINAWA.USMC-MCCS.ORG

Titles: To be read and discussed during the book club meetings held throughout the year.

1. Learning the Hidden Curriculum: The Odyssey of

One Autistic Adult (2012) by Judy Endow

2. Mockingbird (2010) (National Book Award Win-

ner) by Kathryn Erskine

3. Carly’s Voice: Breaking Through Autism (2012)

by Arthur Fleischman

4. The Second Opinion (2009) by Michael Palmer

To enroll in the book club or for further information, please contact:

Jill Kleinheinz, ISS-Autism Consultant

jill.kleinheinz@pac.dodea.edu

Who: All teachers, paraprofessionals, administrators, and parents.

What: Autism Book Club 12-13

When: Quarterly meetings set throughout the 12-13 school year.

Where: Okinawa DSO

Why: To gain a better understanding of autism and dia-logue with your peers and friends.

October :: Exceptional News You Can Use Page 4

DSN: 645-9237

DSN Fax: 645-4026 EMAIL: EFMP@OKINAWA.USMC-MCCS.ORG

WEB: WWW.MCCSOKINAWA.COM/

EFMP

Facebook:

www.facebook.com/mccsokinawa.efmp

Exceptional Family

Member Program

MCB Camp S.D. Butler

Unit 35023

FPO AP 96373-5023

The Autism Awareness Ribbon: The puzzle pattern of this ribbon reflects

the mystery and complexity of autism. The different colors and shapes represents the diversity of people and families living with

autism. The brightness of the ribbon sig-nals hope - hope through research and

increasing awareness.

The Autism Support Group (ASG) welcomes par-ents of children with all special needs, regardless of an Autism diagnosis. The ASG meets monthly, the first Tues-days of the month beginning September 4th from 5:30-7:30pm; throughout the 12-13 school year. For future meeting dates and times, questions or further information, place contact Ms. Jennilee Russell at: jennilee.russell@gac.dodea.edu

~Incomplete Information: The respite log should be filled out in its entirety BEFORE be-ing signed by the provider and before submission. The log must include dates and times children are watched, names of children, amount paid, provider’s contact information and the signature of the provider.

For further information regarding respite care, please contact your EFMP office at 645-9237.

Please keep in mind the following reminders when using the EFMP Respite Program: ~ Excessive Hours: Respite care is to be used for short durations of rest for the primary care giver. Any care exceeding 6 hours will not be reimbursed. ~ Late Log Submissions: Respite reimbursement claims should be submitted no later than 60 days after the first entry of the month in which care was provided.