tion, and playing word games, puzzles, or cards,” says Cosby.
Any activity that provides mutual engagement and benefit is
encouraged. “Volunteerism may also be a stepping stone to pos-
sible part-time employment opportunities for youth,” he adds.
Crewe stresses, “I am uncomfortable with the use of the
term ‘facility.’ We should present to teens that many older per-
sons live in special housing that offers them needed support
as well as continued stimulation. In the assisted housing that
my mother lived in, teenagers came to the annual holiday party
and volunteered to dance with individuals without partners or
helped with hair care and braiding. I’ve noticed that teens pro-
vide special greeting cards and post them on bulletin boards for
residents as well.”
“For our volunteers, the experience helps them learn em-
pathy and how to help others during an important developmen-
tal time in their lives. Of course, our seniors love younger peo-
ple; they love the interactions and the conversations. It’s truly a
mutually beneficial relationship,” Bobrowski shares.
Myrna Beth Haskell is the author of “LIONS and TIGERS and
TEENS: Expert advice and support for the conscientious par-
ent just like you” (Unlimited Publishing, LLC). Her work has
appeared in publications across the U.S. as well as internation-
ally. Learn more at www.myrnahaskell.com.
Teens with Special Needs and the Elderly
Lisa Tew, MS, CCC-SLP and Diane Zajac, LMSW,
authors of Autism and Employment: Raising Your Child
with Foundational Skills for the Future (Future Horizons,
Inc.), offer the following:
Work experience in an eldercare facility could be
very valuable for teens with special needs, including
autism. The eldercare setting has many opportunities to
practice “soft skills,” which are so crucial for success-
ful transition to employment and independence as adults.
Soft skills help us interact with others and depend very
much on social communication skills, which can develop
and flourish while working in this kind of setting.
Special needs teens who work with the elderly may:
Have increased confidence and self-esteem
Learn flexibility
EXPLORE & MORE continued...
the building, the environment, and also as a learning tool for the
community. By creating artful ways to explain the t echnology,
the Museum can inspire the next generation to value the envi-
ronment and sustainable design.
Explore & More – The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Children’s Mu-
seum is on course to raise the remaining $1.9 million needed
to build the $29 million museum, $6 million of which was
donated by their new namesake, as a matching challenge grant
donated from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, with $3
million for the capital campaign and $3 million to establish
Explore & More’s endowment to ensure financial stability for
the organization for years to come.
The East Aurora location will close to members on March
30, 2019, one week prior to the general public, ending a 24-
year legacy since a small group of passionate parents and
educators first dreamed of a new kind of museum for their
community that fostered interactive learning through the
transformative power of play. The new museum at Canalside
is anticipating a Spring opening, coinciding with the 25th an-
niversary of the original museum.
Admission, membership, and party pricing has yet to be
determined based on capacity of the museum, which will take
clearer shape as exhibits are installed, and will be announced
on the organization’s website and Facebook page as soon as
it is known, making this a good time to start following them
on Facebook.
Navigating Canalside may be a concern for families who
haven’t yet been to the area, so detailed instructions for arriv-
ing by bus, train and car, including parking maps of the area
will be provided on the website as it gets closer to the opening
date. According to a recent article in The Buffalo News show-
ing parking in the city, Canalside has more parking available
than any other area downtown with 5,564 spaces in the imme-
diate vicinity and handicap accessible parking nearby.
“We are all so excited to be at this point,” says Explore
& More CEO Michelle Urbanczyk. “To see the museum go
from the drawing stage to the actual exhibits arriving is such
a thrill. We think the museum is going to be a tremendous
source of pride for our community for generations to come.”
Practice problem solving
Best Dressed Kids
Develop self-advocacy and communication skills
Teens with special needs, including autism, bring
special talents and abilities to the elderly because they
often will:
Share their interests and knowledge with enthusi-
asm
Children’s Consignment Shop
Quality Children’s
Clothing at
Affordable Prices
Follow rules carefully 651-9453
Follow routines and steps accurately Mon–Fri 10am–6pm,
Thursday 10am–7pm,
Sat 10am–5pm
Adjust to repetitive work well
by Mary, LLC
Hours:
Holiday Sale!
Now thru December 31st
Buy One, Get One 50% OFF
(sale includes: clothing, footwear, books, dvds & select toys)
4885 Broadway • Depew
(across from Rite Aid Drugs) 1 1/2 Blocks East of Transit
www.bestdressedkidsofwny.com
December 2018 WNY Family 67