LifeLong Learner

His face trembled and his eyes welled up with tears. The father of James P. couldn’t speak — nor did he

need to — to express what it meant to see his son walk to the front of the stage at Anderson Center for Autism Friday to collect his diploma. “He’s been at Anderson since he was about 7. If it wasn’t for Anderson, who knows,” James’ father, also named James, said, his voice trailing off. So it was that the 2014 graduating class passed a poignant milestone in their personal development. To respect the privacy of the students, their last names and those of their parents have been abbreviated. This year’s event was notable for a number of reasons. It is the school’s 90th anniversary. And the graduating class, 18 students, was the largest ever.

A walking symbol of that long history took the stage in the form of Vance Gage, grandson of the school’s founder, Dr. Victor V. Anderson. The campus has changed over the years, Gage said. But one thing about the school has remained the same — its mission of serving children with special needs. “That,” Gage said, “is pretty special — one mission for 90 years.” The ceremony was marked by the familiar — speeches,

awards and pictures — and the remarkable, such as silent applause generated not by hands put together, but waved like Broadway dancers. “It’s the culmination of everyone’s efforts — the parents, the school,” Anderson Chief Operating Officer Patrick Paul said.

The printed program told of each student’s achievements, from learning writing skills and increasing positive interaction with peers, to using picture icons to make requests and better communicate needs.

“A lot of times, high school and other graduations can be academic based,” said Jayson Pistritto, a special

2014 Commencement

Cont. on pg 3

2 3

education teacher. “This is more of a life accomplishment, the next step in the road for them.” The parents of Matthew Z. of Roslyn, Nassau County, said if their son gained anything from being at Anderson, it was happiness. “They really gave him a childhood and a wonderful place to grow,” his mother, Stacy Z., said. Reprinted with permission from Poughkeepsie Journal, by John Ferro.

2014 Commencement ExerciseBy Neil J. Pollack

2014 is a very exciting year at Anderson Center for Autism. In addition to the yearlong celebration of our 90 years of service, we have breaking news to share. I cannot miss this

opportunity to tell you that we were recently notified by Catherine A. Maloney, President and CEO of the Dutchess County Economic Development Corporation that Anderson was selected for a second time with a Business Excellence Award. This year we will be honored with their highest distinction, the Grand Award. We are extremely proud and delighted by the news of this esteemed recognition. Thank you to families, staff and community partners. Now I would like to focus on an exciting family initiative. I am very pleased and delighted to tell you that Anderson Family Partners (AFP) is off to a fine start. The group was formed in 2013 at Advocacy Day in Albany. This past April, AFP elected officers and began strategic outreach to all Anderson families. I had the pleasure of being the guest speaker at the June AFP gathering. If you are a family member and missed it, I would be delighted to schedule another engagement during the Fall. I see AFP as vital to Anderson. Let me tell you a bit about the who, what and why. l AFP was created as a working family group for Anderson Foundation for Autism. l They will help families connect and unite for Anderson’s benefit specifically focused on 3 areas: fundraising, public education and advocacy. l The leadership of AFP is comprised of a diverse group of family members who create a positive and productive environment to assure success. The Anderson Foundation for Autism Board of Trustees is a group of dedicated volunteers who seek involvement from families. This is vital to the sustainability of Anderson. They have set up this framework to foster a highly interactive environment to ensure Anderson thrives. If you are an Anderson family member and not yet involved – I strongly urge your participation. We are all feeling the pinch as serious federal and state cutbacks impact services, and it is not over. The days of entitlement to services is quickly waning. Through AFP you have a chance to make a difference. Anderson supports children and adults who reside in the Hudson Valley, and also come here for our services. Anderson spends 90% of every dollar on services holding the managerial line to only 10%. With 99% of our $52 million budget spent locally and a workforce of 800 employees, Anderson is vital to the Hudson Valley – and so important to our families! RonDeena Ross is ready to assist you in becoming involved so please contact her at RonDeenaRoss@acenterforautism.org. We need you - and you need Anderson!

Anderson Center for Autism & Anderson Center Services, Inc.

Francis M. Synan, Chair Eric D. Gorman, 1st Vice Chair Elizabeth P. Corcoran, 2nd Vice Chair John P. Pecchia, Treasurer Richard W. Lewis, Secretary Neeraj Alimchandani, Trustee Rebecca M. Blahut, Trustee Joan Blutreich, Trustee Justin L. Cole, Trustee Pompey H. Delafield, Trustee Joseph Lepore, Trustee Alayar Kangarlu, Trustee

Maryann R. Pilon, Trustee Jeanne R. Raichle, Trustee Edward J. Sullivan, Trustee Anderson Foundation for Autism, Inc.

Margaret Cusumano, Chair Greg Burns, Vice Chair William F. Melcher, Treasurer Tondra Lynford, Secretary Susan Angeles, Trustee Barry Feirstein, Trustee Vance Gage, Trustee Joseph T. Kirchhoff, Trustee Julie Krieger, Trustee John Maserjian, Trustee

David W. Melby, Trustee Marisa Perez-Rogers, Trustee Rebecca A. Valk, Trustee

Lifetime Honorary Trustees

Ellen L. Baker Michael McNaughton David W. Melby Jaime Rodriguez-Tellez Wilfred Rohde John A. Scileppi Sarah E. Sholes Fritz Sonnenschmidt

Anderson Boards of TrusteesAnderson Center for Autism operates under the guidance of two exceptional Boards of Trustees. We appreciate

the contributions that each of these talented and generous individuals makes towards the achievement of our goals.

Anderson Family Partners - Leaders in Advocacy

Thank you to our yearlong sponsors!

Anderson’s Healthy Steps awards night was held on June 4. The awards wrapped up a month of activi-ties to encourage healthy living. Winning coaches were Oliver Brunot from Willow and Karen John-son from Lower Davis who both received NY Mets Tickets. Winning House: Lower Davis Runners Up : Aspen Cedar Upper Davis

Health and Fitness Month

54

If you’ve never attended a Special Olympics event, you don’t know what you’re missing! Each year,

springtime at Anderson means Special Olympics’ West Point Regional Competition! This awesome event features children and adults with special needs from around the Hudson Valley to compete in track and field. Anderson brought home several medals and lots of pride!

Anderson’s Music Therapist Julien Valenstein was thrilled to hear a donor purchased an ActivBoard

for the Music Room. The students enthusiastically embraced this tool in incorporating music into their daily routine. Another family generously donated funds allowing Julien to upgrade the sound system, purchase headphones, an ipod and drumming equipment. A student who was previously reticent to wear headphones now regularly asks for music on headphones. This has helped stabilize his sensory and emotional responses to his environment. All of us at Anderson are so grateful for your continued support through wish list gifts. It makes a real difference to our children and adults. THANK you.

Take a look at our wish list online. Perhaps something will ring your bell! http://www.andersoncenterforautism.org/shop/category/wishlist/

Our Wish List - A Great Way to Support Anderson!

West Point Special Olympics

Gardening at Anderson and Beyond

Like the larger community, we have gardens in the most unlikely places! A generous grant from Anderson Foundation for Autism provided the funding for vegetable

and flower garden space at our LifeLong LearningSM Centers. Our adults maintain the plots, harvest the produce, get outside, and learn new skills! This grant provided funding for a garden plot prep, a greenhouse, and supplies.

Our youngsters are also participating in summertime gardening activities. Our older students working in our vocational and transitional program volunteer at the Hyde Park Community Garden where they maintain a vegetable plot. All the produce grown here goes to support the Hyde Park Food Pantry. Our younger students also get their hands dirty! Students and staff have a small plot near the recreation center that is coming on gangbusters with zucchini, squash, peppers, and herbs.

Donations to Anderson Foundation for Autism support special projects such as these. To make a gift, visit our website at http://www.andersoncenterforautism.org or call our Development Department at 845-889-9594.

GO BLUE KNIGHTS!

6 7

February 2014Education: Kimberly VanVoorhis, TA,

Classroom 115Residential: Wanda Weaver, DSP,

Magnolia

March 2014Education: David Kane, TA,

Classroom 112Residential: Rose Atkinson, DSP,

Willow

April 2014Education: Sean Martin, TA,

Classroom 312Residential: Ivet Miller, DSP,

Beechwood

May 2014Education: Jeff Paggi- TA, Classroom

112Residential: Dushane West, DSP,

Willow

June 2014 Education: Gregory Graham, TA,

Classroom 411 Residential: Erin Murphy, DSP, Cedar

July 2014 Education: Charlotte Terry, TA,

Classroom 104 Residential: Josiah Cofer, DSP, Pine

AOur students come from all walks of life, and each spring we celebrate our mixed heritage that makes Americans unique. International foods are prepared and served by house staff and students. The day includes

an open house for families to tour our school and campus. This year, like all others, was a fantastic day of good food, friends, family, and outdoor fun.

Cultural Fest - Celebrating Differences

The Anderson Center for Autism is happy to welcome a new Principal, Mr. Robert Thomann.

Bob was the Coordinator of Alternative Programs in the North Rockland Central School District and prior to that Supervisor of Special Education at Ulster BOCES.

He holds his permanent New York State Certification as a School Psychologist and permanent New York State Certification as a School District Administrator. We are pleased Bob is on board and look forward to working with him.

Welcome to Anderson, Principal Thomann

Save the Date: May 2, 2015 Autism Tomorrow Conference

Keynote Speakers Andrew Solomon, New York Times Best Selling Author and Lecturer

Vincent Carbone, Board Certified Behavior Analyst-Doctoral

Catch the evocative play “Falling” Sunday, September 21st at 2:00 pm. Deanna Jent’s unsentimental play tells the story of a family living with autism. Immediately

following the performance there will be a talkback with the cast, as well as Anderson’s Eliza Bozenski, Patrick Paul and parent Susan Angeles. $10 of each ticket will be donated to Anderson Center for Autism. A limited number of $34 tickets are available. To purchase yours, please contact RonDeena at rondeenaross@acenterforautism.org or 845.889.9224. You can also listen to an interview with Playwright Deanna Jent on Anderson’s “1 in 68” radio program at http://www.andersoncenterforautism.org/media/audio/#deannajent.

Falling, a Play

8

4885 Rt 9 PO Box 367Staatsburg NY 12580

www.andersoncenterforautism.orginfo@acenterforautism.org

845-889-4034

Please celebrate Anderson’s 90th birthday with us! We are hosting the birthday bash on campus Sunday, October 5th

from 4:00 – 7:00 pm. This is replacing Anderson’s annual “gala”. For more information, please visit https://www.facebook.com/AndersonCenterforAutism/ and check out our events page.

Come to Our Birthday Party!