Family Support Initiative
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The Elija Foundation acknowledges the social and emotional needs of families who have been touched by autism.
We hope to create opportunities throughout the year, that will provide all family members with activities and events that will nurture this much needed area of support. Below you will see a listing of the current activities we have planned. We look forward to serving you and your family.
UPCOMING EVENTS
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There is nothing scheduled as of now.
Please stay in touch!
PAST EVENTS
Saturday December 20, 2008
Castle Gould Sands Point Preserve
Elija together with the NSASA co-hosted a Holiday Celebration with our friends from
Hooves for Hope in Sands Point NY, on the magnificent Sands Point Preserve
This event was open to our Autism community at no cost. Families enjoyed
FREE* Pony Rides* Holiday Craft Activities
* Rides * Pizza and Lite Refreshments* Cotton Candy
and so much more.
We look forward to planning more events like these to serve our autism community
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SUNSET FESTIVAL 2008
Co- Hosted by the Elija Foundation and AHANY.ORG in September, hundreds of families joined in our efforts to offer a free outdoor family friendly event, equipped with free food, beverage, rides, games and entertainment. It also was a networking and sharing opportunity for families to visit many of the participating vendors who came out to inform the community of the services they provide to the autism community
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Creative Arts Sibling Support
NOTE: 8 week Pilot Program is over.
It was a huge success!
Please stay tuned for other programs we will offer!
WHY SIBLING SUPPORT
Brothers and sisters are too important to ignore, if for only these reasons. Siblings will be in the lives of family members with special needs longer than anyone. Brothers and sisters will be there after parents are gone and special education services are a distant memory. If they are provided with support and information, they can help their autistic sibling live dignified lives from childhood to their senior years.
Throughout their lives, brothers and sisters share many of the concerns that parents of children with special needs experience, including isolation, a need for information, guilt, concerns about the future, and care giving demands. Brothers and sisters also face issues that are uniquely theirs including resentment, peer issues, embarrassment, and pressure to achieve.
No classmate in an inclusive classroom will have a greater impact on the social development of a child with a disability than brothers and sisters will. They will be their siblings' life-long "typically-developing role models."
Sources of Stress for Siblings:
Not all siblings will experience these issues, but here are some to be aware of
Embarrassment around peers.
Jealousy regarding amount of time parents spend with their brother/sister
Frustration over not being able to engage or get a response from their brother/sister
Being the target of aggressive behaviors
Trying to make up for the deficits of their brother/sister
Concern regarding their parents stress and grief
Concern over their role in future care giving
THE ELIJA FOUNDATION hopes to recognize and acknowledge through this initiative, the social and emotional needs of the typically developing children who have been touched by Autism.
We hope you will consider joining us, as we create a special time and place for these crucial family members to receive the support that they need.
