Special needs service to relocate

_ Deana Lancaster
News Reporter deana@usnews.com

‘WHEN Ian came to his first session at the North.
Shore Playcare Society two years ago he used
mostly gestures and sign language to communi-
cate.

He had other autistic tendencies as well: he didn’ tadjust well
to new situatioits, had tantrums, and seemed unaware of poten-
tially dangerous situations, such as heights. But much of his dif
ficult behavior stemmed from: frustration at not being under-
stood, and it was making life hard for him and. for his family.

T hings are better for him'now.

“He's communicating in sentences haw, "says Margie Smith,

» the speech/language, pathologist who has worked with him
since he first came to Playcare. “He’s using voicing (finishing

. Words rather than expressing only the first consonant) for every-
thing he says, and his pronunciation has improved dramatical-

iY

Now, just before his fifth ‘birthday, | an can be. understood
not only by the family members he spends time with daily; but
‘also by his teachers, friends and others he comes in contact with.

iy the classroom, fan buzzes, from activity to activity, In the‘
space of a few minutes, he has put together a puzzle, assembled

. Duplo car and played with some figurines. He is agrecable and _ é !
responds quickly when he’s questioned. And although he’s not © AN almost ¢ five-year-old: lan ‘works hard: on‘his sentences: ‘with ; his Playcare speéchianguag pathologist.
chatty, he uses. words. to ask for what he wants, In short, his Margie! Smith: in two years, lan’s ability. to, communicate has improved dramatically. :
behavior is better than that of many “typical” five- year-olds. : :

Ru it hasn’t been‘easy. As with all of Playcare’s participants .°
— each of whoin: experiences ‘behavioral problems or’ ‘develop. ~

~ mental delavs — Tan's education and therapy have been a group
-efiort. His family, teachers and. therapists: have “all agreed upon

, the methods they use to encourage, communication and appro-
‘Priate behavior, and:to prepare him for new things.

; The morning sessions at. Playcare might ‘seem chaotic wa:

" watching, ASutsider’ because. of the: individualized program .
“There are never more than 10 children, ‘and the ratio of chil
dren‘ to teache ‘isually three to one, While.some of the chil-

: dren point to ‘pictures to-ask for what-they want (called PE cS
“pictures ¢ communication: system”), - others
reminded to tse their words, If'a child's ‘parents are working On;
toilet training, the Playcare stalf reinforce that. training’ at
school. " : :
As well as the. pres chool program and the ‘speech and jan-
guage program; -Playearé has grown to include ait outreach pro-

*-gram.and parent education and suppart progeais, The plan is
t6 prepare cach of the children ro attend:a typical preschool or
Kindergarten i in their. community when they leave Mayeare, And,
in the 25 years the society has been: in operation, the pian has

‘ been: sticcessfiel, many times, ;

Eanitlies? contract restructuring program, ‘which hae since

been scrapped. 7: z m:n .
; : Services milar to those developed by Playcare will stead +. This:full size wriick even’ comes equipped with our love est rate of the year.
-» be offered through North: Shore Neighbourhood* House ind °°.” other features include 4 speed automatic transmission, am/fm stereo:cas-
» will be provided by some of the same Aeachers and. with much ; 2 Sette, 900 hip.Wortec. V6 engine; dual airbags, 4 wheel ABS, chrome grille. cae
ofthe same equipment. 0" te _ and Wheels and passtock thett deterrent system. ‘Was $24,376, .

» 2 All the same, for the famifies who? ve found support and suc- $

cess Within the Playcare classroom throughout the past 25 years, ff 98 GMC Sierra. 21, 248

‘this could, be. the end of an era.

No security “per mo,
, deposit oo

‘this extra “Gupacity. truck is toaded with features, including lowest : . : .
rate of the year, It comes with 4300 SFi 200 h.p. vortec V6 engine, “ The only minivan. with both front and side ‘air bags 3, 4 litre 180 hi p, ve
dual alt bags, 4 wheel ABS, ‘alr Conditioning, am/fm stereo cassette, “engine, 4 speed automatic’ transmission,’ 4 wheel ABS, air conditioning’
body side mouldings, chrome grille, aluminum, wheels, 4 speed auto- : | -with potten filter, am/fm stereo cassette, deep tint Blass two-tone ¢ Paint
matic transmission Was, $28,680 ae "|, Power locks, vit wheel Wes $26, 400...

98 PONTIAC ri ANS sport $ |

. eve engine, / passenger seating, deep tint glass, Jo nee nt . ' 1 The new redesigned. Jimmy SLT is naw high on comi tS and
2  luggag rack, : remote keyless! antry, power windows, : : re a” * | low on financing. it's loaded with a 190 h.p. vertec engine,’
H locks, air. condition, ‘tilt, crilise,. security package,’ & | 190. h.p. vortec V6 engine, power windows, lovks, "till, |. dual air bags, 4 whvel ABS, Insta trac shitt onthe-ly 4WD,”
much more. Was $29, TTS - “ _f cruise control, air condition, aluminum wheels, am/fm | air cond, leather interior, cd remote keyless. power wit
; stereo cassette, 4 wheel Ags dual air bags & much more dows, locks, tilt cruise & much more. Was $39, 6a5
Was $36,605: | ‘

Sas" 927 999 98 GMC AMY 4x4 $33,900) Sea :

i470 suming fo ted pro. Strong cha $rshn gt $000 124 i. $4251 AN oases ow km, ph Hat