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The Community Experience and Your Children

The Community Experience and Your Children. Reneé Martin Valletutti, MNM. Overview. So what’s your story, Reneé? Getting to know your community Now, get involved! Resources, resources, everywhere Finding the appropriate activities What does Brevard have to offer? Summary

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The Community Experience and Your Children

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  1. The CommunityExperience andYour Children Reneé Martin Valletutti, MNM

  2. Overview • So what’s your story, Reneé? • Getting to know your community • Now, get involved! • Resources, resources, everywhere • Finding the appropriate activities • What does Brevard have to offer? • Summary • Questions & Answers • Contact information

  3. What’s Your Story? • Born & raised in Brevard County • Mother to 3 wonderful boys, ages 13, 15, & 17 • Oldest son has mitochondrial disease: • Complex I deficiency is usually a progressive neuro-degenerative disorder and is responsible for a variety of clinical symptoms, particularly in organs and tissues that require high energy levels, such as brain, heart, liver, and skeletal muscles. (umdf.org) • And epilepsy: • Epilepsy is a medical condition that produces seizures affecting a variety of mental and physical functions. (epilepsyfoundation.org)

  4. Know Your Community • Defining “community” • School community • Disabilities community • Faith community • Sports & leisure community • Family & friends • Drive around, take a walk, ride a bike • Read local publications • Step outside your comfort zone

  5. Getting Involved • Network with other families, peers, colleagues • Check out local support groups • Get to know your neighbors • Volunteer your time with local agencies • Study how federal and state policies affect what is available here in your community • Start something! No group formed yet that meets your family’s needs? Start one! • Tell your story to anyone and everyone… disabilities awareness needs to happen everyday

  6. Finding Resources • Accessing the internet and social websites is invaluable • Governmental agencies and organizations keep lists of local resources, and often have literature on them • Agencies such as BCSB, Agencies for Persons with Disabilities (APD), the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council (FDDC), and the newly formed Space Coast Disabilities Council (SCDC) are great starting points • Speak up and ask! Word of mouth about programs can spread like fire, so make sure you are part of the chain

  7. Appropriate Activities Borrowed from Tom Livingston, Executive Editor of MetroKids(metrokids.com): AD/HD • Drama • Industrial Arts & Technology • Photography • Sports • Video Game Clubs

  8. Appropriate Activities Borrowed from Tom Livingston, Executive Editor of MetroKids(metrokids.com): Asperger Syndrome • Drama classes • Etiquette classes • Hippotherapy • Library clubs • Robotics & LEGO Clubs • Scouts • Sports teams

  9. Appropriate Activities Borrowed from Tom Livingston, Executive Editor of MetroKids(metrokids.com): Communication Disorders • Community service projects • Cooking classes • Groups that focus on making a product • Pet care & animal groups • Recycling groups • Sign language club

  10. Appropriate Activities Borrowed from Tom Livingston, Executive Editor of MetroKids(metrokids.com): Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities • Scouts • Martial arts classes • YMCA programs • 4-H • Adaptive/inclusive recreation & sports • Specialized programs & summer camps

  11. Right Here in Brevard • Destination Brevard • Brevard County Parks & Recreation • Special Olympics Brevard County • Brevard County Field of Dreams • Families Exploring Down Syndrome of Brevard • Autism Caregivers Connect • The Scott Center for Autism • Include your child or young adult in typical activities… there are many out there!

  12. The CommunityConnection Summary Questions & Answers Thank you for your time!

  13. Contact me: Reneé Martin Valletutti 321.266.5890 rv@cfl.rr.com

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