MAC Summer News 2010

MAC’S First Graduation

On June 27, 2010, 8 MAC children received diplomas and certificates for completing their individualized programs for the 2009-2010 school year. The ceremony occurred outside at the newly renovated MAC site. Each child made an individual presentation, either playing piano, singing, or speaking on the stage and into a microphone for their parents, grandparents, and siblings who attended. They received a formal MAC diploma that documented their achievements. This had particular meaning for those present in that all of the children began at MAC with severe speech and language difficulties, movement disorders, regulatory problems, or a combination of these. All had grown and developed to the levels of independence which permitted them to participate, perform, and enjoy the graduation experience. In addition to the graduation ceremony, Elena Marinelli and Henry Black were honored. Mrs. Marinelli had volunteered her time for the Saturday program and work with those children. Mr. Black, the primary builder of the new Center, was honored with a scholarship program bearing his name, The Henry Black Award. This is a full yearly scholarship to be awarded to one student who otherwise would be unable to attend. The day ended with a group friendship circle and singing of the Bye-Bye song. It is to be noted that there was not a dry eye to be seen.

MAC Creates Gifted-Disables Play Group

Some of the children who attend MAC programs are both disabled and gifted, sometimes called Twice Exceptional. In an effort to address their unusual needs, an expert was retained to observe the program and give input as to how it needed to be adjusted to meet the needs of this combination of exceptionalities. Outreach through local newspapers was done, seeking children with both areas of exceptionality. It was discovered that there were no known programs for these young children, so that if the needs were to be met, MAC needed to design a program for both the children and their families that allowed the gifts to be developed, while at the same time working on the deficit areas, such as cooperative play, initiation of language, and turn-taking. Three pilot sessions with two children who met the criteria were provided by MAC, with data collected. As a result of this experience, a full year program will be offered for 2010-2011. Please contact us through this website if you are interested in this field as a professional, or have a child who is twice exceptional.

ABC Neuroscience Study Completed

MAC is pleased to announce the completion of its ABC Neuroscience Study. Begun in 2004, the study tracked 10 children on a weekly basis over a period of three years in the areas of:

• Self-regulation
• Expressive language- Oral motor functioning, length of utterance, reciprocal language
  Fine motor movement
• Gross motor movement
• Play skills

The study examined six musical elements as processed and used by young children:

• Sense of pitch
• Intensity discrimination
• Sense of time
• Timbre
• Tonal memory
• Sense of rhythm

All sessions were videotaped. The data collected from the films was measured against weekly lesson plans that were based upon the entering evaluations, as well as week to week output during 60 minute sessions. Data from the hundreds of videotapes obtained over the five years is now being collected and analyzed. However, there appears to be no question that the integration of rhythm throughout the entirety of the lesson, in both language output and in movement, had a profoundly positive change in all but two children. Singing, dancing, rhythmic play, rhyme, and turn taking was taught to each child, beginning with strong two beat patterns of marching and muscle coordination. Parents were present at each session, many carrying over the methods observed into the home with continuing positive results. Due to the complexity of the data, the initial report will not be out until the end of 2011. However an overview of the study as it progressed to its conclusion should be available by the end of 2010.

MAC Fall Programs

MAC will open a morning half day, 5 day per week program in September. Please check back to this website in late August to obtain a copy of the Policy and Procedures Manual, as well as the fee schedule. In addition, 1-1 intervention will be available in the afternoon, as well as a variety of play groups.