Comprehensive Therapy Center
Hear Here
Serving the Special Needs Community of West Michigan for 26 Years May/June 2008
May is Better Hearing and Speech Month
“Books Speak to Me” Drawing Contest
It is time to
Celebrate! May
is the time of
year that we
celebrate all the
work speech
pathologists do Give a Mouse a Cookie
Skippyjon Jones with children
and adults: help-
ing them talk, speak more clearly, learn and Senator Hardiman with students.
use language, and give them the confidence
to communicate to the best of their ability.
We held a draw-
ing contest
called “Books
Speak to Me”.
Students were
encouraged to Arthur’s New Glasses
draw a charac-
ter from their
favorite book. Senator Jansen with students.
The winners,
The Cat in The Hat their parents and principals were invited to a “Read
to Me Tea”. Special guests read favorite books, tea
and cookies were enjoyed and everyone had a
great time.
Please visit our Web site to see
all the winning drawings in
COLOR! www.therapycenter.org Green Eggs & Ham
Our Mission
Comprehensive Therapy
Center, Inc. serves special
needs populations with effec-
City Commissioner White tive therapeutic and advi-
reads to students. sory programs. We are a
non-profit agency helping
children with disabilities
walk, talk, learn and play.
Speaker Pro Tempore Sak meets with students. Hamlet
PAGE 2 S ERV ING T HE SPE CIAL NEE DS COMMUNITY OF WEST MICHIG AN FOR 26 Y EARS
25th Anniversary Therapy Ball
Twenty-five years of serving the West Michigan community deserves a celebration
and we did just that at our 25th Anniversary Therapy Ball.
Board of Directors
Friends filled the banquet room with
Officers good wishes, the Hall Street Six en-
President tertained us with melodious jazz, and
Rodney Martin several well-wishers gave speeches.
Warner, Norcross and Judd The celebration was well attended
and guests had the opportunity to
Vice-President
Tracey Koperski play therapy games set around the
Grand Rapids Press room.
Treasurer
After 25 years, we celebrate and are
Claude Titche III Volunteer Charlie Wondergem and friends. thankful for a hard-working Board of
Beene Garter LLP
Secretary
Ann Tarr
D.A. Blodgett for Children
Emeritus
Shirley Key
Members-At-Large
Lena Abissi President Rodney Martin
Volunteers Linda Conner, Alex
Culver, Wood & Culver with Rabbi Albert Lewis.
Hunter, and Jane Gietzen Board members Chris Kaiser
Drusilla Hillman Richard
Parent Representative and Greg Hoyle
Directors, a dedicated profes-
Gregory Hoyle
Hoyle Consultants
sional staff, our talented volunteers and an adorable
group of clients in our schools and at Therapy and
Chris Kaiser Fun, our summer program.
Alticor
Thomas Miller Through the past 25 years we have seen a number of
Meijer, Inc. changes, but one thing remains. The support we have
received from you, our community, never ceases to
Sarah Roy BSN amaze. It is with your help that we have been able to
Metropolitan Hospital
grow, change and continue helping children walk, talk, Long-time supporters, Thelma and
Parent Representative Buck Matthews congratulate Foun-
learn and play.
Medical Director der, Executive Director Jean Silbar.
Jeffery Johnson MD
Executive Director
Jean Silbar MA, CCC-SLP
Child Care Classes for Providers
Comprehensive Ooey Gooey Science Ain’t Misbehaving It Takes Ten Fingers
Building Blocks to Communication Switching Sides-concentration
Therapy Center
Yes, these are just a few of our class titles that help childcare providers meet licensing
Phone: 616-559-1054 requirements. These classes are hands-on, making you become part of the learning.
Fax: 616-559-1056 They give you lessons to take home to immediately play with your charges.
www.therapycenter.org
2505 Ardmore SE
Register for our mailing list by calling our office, 616-559-1054
Grand Rapids, MI 49506 Next classes run during the summer.
S ERV ING T HE SPE CIAL NEE DS COMMUNITY OF WEST MICHIG AN FOR 26 Y EARS PAGE 3
Special Education Services in Schools
During the school year, our therapists and professional staff provide complete spe-
cial education services to schools. Our experienced, professionally certified staff
seamlessly enters the school’s environment to help students. Our staff includes:
Speech-language pathologist Occupational therapists
School social workers School psychologists
Teacher consultants
Our staff become part of the school’s team of professionals helping children with
special needs achieve their goals. Maybe the need is for better handwriting, or for
social skills like learning how to take turns, perhaps speech-language skills need
practice or the student needs to sound out their letters, we can help with any spe-
cial education need. We help children who may have: To Do List
Cognitive Impairments Emotional Impairments Physical Impairments
Speech-Language Impairments Early Childhood Developmental Delay
This Summer
Our services include: consultation, observation, evaluation, testing, therapy, and • Join library reading club
in-services. We can create the Individual Education Plan, facilitate meetings, • Read lots of books
complete required paperwork and handle all compliance issues. Our partnerships
with the schools provide quality therapy services, contain costs, and simplify man- • Build a backyard fort
agement. Call 616-559-1054 if you are interested in discussing a contract. out of empty boxes
• Learn to swim
Welcome New Staff Members • Visit children’s museum
• Finger-paint with pud-
We have added several members to our staff. Welcome, welcome, welcome! ding
Roseann Frye, Speech Pathologist • Take a hike in the
Summer Hodgman, Development Assistant woods
Margo Martin, Office Assistant
Kathleen McCall, Social Work • Picnic in the park
Ellen Murray, Teacher Consultant
• Make a new friend
Erica Osborn, Speech Pathologist
Leah Pellerito, Reimbursement Specialist • Plant radishes
Kyle Teichow, Speech Pathologist
Carrie VanZanten, Speech Pathologist and • Volunteer to help a
Cortney Vervoort, Speech Pathologist. senior-citizen
• Play with sidewalk
chalk
MONOPOLY Game Tournament
The winner of the 2008 MONOPOLY® Game Tournament is
David Rodriguez who is pictured here receiving his trophy hat
from Jean Silbar, our Executive Director.
The Annual MONOPOLYGame Tournament will again be hosted
by Grand Valley State University’s (GVSU) Alpha Sigma Alpha
Sorority.
Join our mailing list to receive the January/February date for
2009, email tsmith@therapycenter.org. Join the FUN!
PAGE 4 S ERV ING T HE SPE CIAL NEE DS COMMUNITY OF WEST MICHIG AN FOR 26 Y EARS
Build, Learn and Play Mancala
Mancala is a game that children as young as 4 or 5 year olds can play but older chil-
dren and teens who can understand strategy, enjoy it even more. This ancient game is
played all around the world with many rules variations. So feel free to adjust the rules
to the ones you know best.
From a therapy point of view, Mancala helps children with their fine motor skills, math
skills, 1-1 correspondence, thinking, taking turns and other than that, well it’s fun!
Object Of The Game: Collect the most stones in your mancala before the other
player clears his or her side of the board.
The Board: Each player has six holes on one side of the board. Each hole contains
three (3) stones. To the right of their side is a larger hole/container called the
mancala.
How To Play: Players alternate turns. A player selects all of the stones from one
hole on his or her side of the board. One stone is dropped into each of the
holes around the board counter-clockwise, including their mancala but not
the other player’s mancala.
Extra Turns: If the last stone lands in the player’s mancala the player goes again.
Captures: If your last stone is dropped in an empty hole on your own side, you
capture all of the stones from the opponent’s hole directly opposite. Your op
ponents' stones and your stone are placed in your manacle. Your turn ends.
How To Win: The game is over when a player clears all stones from their side of
the board. The winner has collected the most stones in their manacla.
While many Manacla boards are beautifully carved out of wood some are merely
holes dug into the ground, You can easily build your own Mancala Board with an
egg carton, duct tape and some pebbles or maybe dried beans. Having several
boards allows many games to be played at once. Here’s what you do:
Carefully cut off the top of the egg carton, right along the crease.
Measure and cut the top in half. Cutting the short way through.
Slip a half of the top slightly under each end of the egg holes to form the mancala.
Secure with a small piece of tape. To put the game away, close the egg carton with
the stones inside, use the same tape to secure top.
Sidewalk Chalk Games Add to Summer Fun
Draw roads to play “town” with bikes or toy cars, draw game boards for tic tack toe or
hopscotch or just draw pictures and have fun. Sidewalk Chalk helps with dexterity,
imagination and cooperation. As an extra activity you can make the chalk at home!
You’ll need molds, like muffin tins or those new ice cube trays that make long skinny
ice for water bottles and a plastic bowl for mixing. The basic recipe is:
1 cup dry plaster + 1 cup water = white chalk, add tempera paint for colors
Pour into molds and allow to dry 4 hours or over night.
S ERV ING T HE SPE CIAL NEE DS COMMUNITY OF WEST MICHIG AN FOR 26 Y EARS PAGE 5
Speech Pathologists
“I’ve enjoyed working with children for over 21 years. Currently my assignment is
at a local charter school where I work with 12 students in grade K—4. I love my Ways You Can Help
work, explains Sheri Marks, MA, CCC-SLP, a speech pathologist.
“The children work on a variety of objectives including articulation, language, vo-
cabulary, grammar and social appropriateness. They have come to expect a good
‘work session’ before play (which is really more work disguised as a game).
Spartan Brand UPC
“Many days begin with exercises to stimulate the muscles around the mouth used Labels
for speaking. During these oral motor exercises the child looks into a mirror and Collect labels and send
often a tongue depressor is used to aid in correct tongue placement. Drills involv- them to us! We buy
ing sound production, verb usage, sentence structure or memory are all geared to needed equipment and
the age or education level of each student. supplies.
‘We also have “homework” books that go home once a week. This workbook affords
parents an opportunity to be involved with their children’s therapy and to track
progress in their home setting.”
U s!
Join GoodSearch.com
WineFest November 7 Designate us as your
charity then search the
Web using this Yahoo
Come join the fun at Fall WineFest 2008 search engine. We receive
November 7, 2008 from 7 pm to 10 pm.
about a penny a search.
VIP session begins at 6 pm
It all adds up!
Noto’s Old World Italian Dining
6600 28th SE, Grand Rapids
Tickets: Wine Taster $50 or VIP guest $100
Smiles will abound as you taste your favorites from
the 300 wines available and savor delicious Italian
cuisine prepared by Noto’s.
Details at www.therapycenter.org.
Frozen Juice Pops Make Cool Treats! It’s working!
By designating our number,
Here’s a fun activity that makes a healthy snack for those hot 517227, on your Meijer
summer days. Have the kids mix up some of your favorite rewards card we are raising
100% real juice. (Frozen juice is less expensive than bottled.) money!
Pour it into ice cube trays adding a few flat tooth picks. Put The Meijer Community
into the freezer until frozen. Now you are ready to serve a Rewards program has
sweet healthy snack on those sweltering summer afternoons. contributed a total of $2,137
Also try Jell-O, sugar-free drink mixes or chocolate milk! to the agency!
Thank you, Keep Shopping!
PAGE 6 S ERV ING T HE SPE CIAL NEE DS COMMUNITY OF WEST MICHIG AN FOR 26 Y EARS
Thank You Champions
Individual Contributions David & Johanne Neu
Michael & Cheryl Noordyke
Lena & Frank Abissi Karl Osborn
James Ackerman Walter Pawelka
Stephanie Adams Paul C. Pratt
Mary Allen John Pyrski
Larry & Celia Andrus Paul & Jan Reed
Robert & Luanne Barnes Rich & Cheryl Reiffer
Corporate and Foundation Bill & Deb Batjes Anna Rosloniec
Contributions Judith Bielema Michael & Christina Rosloniec
Jason & Christa Bird Fredrick Rundquist
A-1 Small Engine Repair
Michael Campbell Pam a& Jeff Rush
Airway Oxygen
Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority Joel Carrier Betsy Haller and Michael Rushton
William A Casey Nan Schichtel
Alticor
Kim & Mike Clarke Steve & Karen Schousen
Beene Garter
Belman's Bakery Barb Corbin Bette & David Sebastian
Kate Crous Margaret Sellers Walker
Carstar
Michael Damon Ruth Shanberge
Cascade Hospital
CKL Corporation Elite Brands Shirley Daniels Terese & Bert Smith
Larry DeHaan Mike Smith
CSN Tax Service
Harold & Joan Dewitt Bradley Stockwell
East Paris Dental
Tom & Sharon Dryer Julian Stroh
Eli Shell
Phyllis Ann Duffy Ann, Steve & Alex Tarr
Esquire Hair Styling
Jane Gietzen Rob Thomasma
Gary Family Foundation
Elizabeth Gillette Claude & Sharyl Titche
Great Lakes Wine and Spirits
Linda Goodheart Marilyn Titche
GRLS Printing
Bluma & Donald Herman Candy Titus
GrowCo
Matt & Julie Herrma Marcy Torres
Hagar Distribution
Thomas & Carolyn Hicks John & Sue Uglietta
Herman Miller Foundation
Lucy Hough-Waite John & Meg VandeGuchte
Hopscotch Store
Greg Hoyle Kristy & Ronald VandenBrand
J. Lewis Cooper Co.
Jan & John Huffman Jim & Rebecca Ver Hoef
Leone Imports Limited, Inc
Linn Charitable Foundation Rhonda Jewell Bill Wakefield
Chris & Mary Kaiser Tom & Miriam Walsh
Macatawa Bank
Donald & Patricia Kaiser Fred Ward
Meijer
Michigan State University- Monica Kaiser Glenn and Linda Weaver
Shirley Key Jan Wilks
Communication Science
Tracey & Tom Koperski Kris & Tim Wondergem
and Disorders
National City Bank Bill & Barbara Krater Clasina Young
Mary & Steve Kretschman Tony, Maria, Emily and Jack
National Wine & Spirits
Albert & Shirley Lewis
Raymond James
Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Ann & Robert Mackinder
Dan & Deb Mankoff
Church
Coby & Nancy Martin
Trivalent Group
Rodney & Mimi Martin
Vintage Wine Company
Thelma & Chuck Matthews
Warner Norcross & Judd
Patricia McClellan
Western American Mailers
Philip & Gayle McCorkle
Wondergem Consulting
Rebecca & Paul McNamara
Diane Meyer
David Murphy
Peggy Murphy
Molly Murray
S ERV ING T HE SPE CIAL NEE DS COMMUNITY OF WEST MICHIG AN FOR 26 Y EARS PAGE 7
In-Kind Contributions Honorariums
Actor’s Theater In Honor of
AJS Family Fun Center Anna Rosloniec on her birthday
Alticor
Amway Grand Plaza Hotel Bruce & Jane Bolen
Boulder Creek Golf Course Paula Budrus
Bowers harbor Vintners David & Kristin Carlson
Bruce Boutet Photography Joseph & Carleen Cranna
Cannonsburg Ski Area James & Kelly Doyle
Cascade Yoga Studio Elizabeth & John Ferin
U.S. Congressman Vernon J. Ehlers Dr. Moustapha & Bineta Mbaye
Creative Learning Center Leigh Ann Moore
Crown Jewel Spa Beth & Brian Obermeyer
Culver Wood Culver, CPA M.L. & J.J. Rosloniec
Deer Run Golf Course Ann ^ Andrew Schmidt
East Grand Rapids High School Athletics Sarah & Wendell Torrye
Economics Club of Grand Rapids Mark and Laurie VandeGrift
Firestone Tires Lisbeth Votruba
Grand Rapids Ballet Michael & Gwendolyn Witford
Grand Rapids Civic Theatre Kambra Wohlford
Grand Rapids Public Schools
Grand Valley State University Sports
Harley Davidson Memorials
Herman’s Boy
Higher Ground Rock Climbing Center In Memory of William Davidson
Israel's Designs for Living Jim & Bette Buffington
J. B. Russo and Sons Silbar Voorhees Family
Kennedy’s flowers and Gifts
In Memory of Violet Wondergem
Knollgas US 131 Speedway
Silbar Voorhees Family
Languages International
Abby & Andrew Smith Family
Leadership Grand Rapids
Miller, Johnson, Snell & Cummiskey Memorials made by the
Naked Plates Silbar Voorhees Family for
Noto’s Old World Italian Dining James Carbonneau
Opera Grand Rapids Patricia Eldis
Paper and Pins Jane Kravitz
Root-Lowell Manufacturing Co. Eleanor Miller
Sarah Roy Independent Lucille Nawrot
Silpada Designs Gerald Routzahn
St. Anne’s Estate Sales D. C. Scobey
State Representative David Hildenbrand
Stuart Allen
The Hicks Family
Thousand Oaks Country Club
Waste Management
Williams Sonoma
Women’s City Club
YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids
Comprehensive Therapy Center
Hear Here
Comprehensive Therapy Center NON-PROFIT ORG.
2505 Ardmore S.E. U. S. Postage
Grand Rapids, MI 49506 PAID
Grand Rapids, MI
Permit No. 1
Experience
Matters
If you are looking for car- Therapy and Fun Summer Program Results
ing, experienced therapists
to help your children suc- Therapy and Fun 2007 provided 40 children with disabilities, 1,893 hours of
ceed, then look to us. therapy to help keep their skills sharp over the summer months when their
When we add up all the school-year programs are on hiatus. Fourteen therapists were assisted by 53
years of experience that our teenaged volunteer therapy aides. We had a
33 professionals have it busy summer.
adds up to a very
Big number: The children have specific goals to work on
647 years of experience. in speech-language, social, sensory, thinking,
and physical categories, to name a few. We
Often therapists, social made progress. In the 21 days of therapy,
workers, psychologists and children met
teachers come to work part- 78% of their
time for us after years of speech goals and 70% of their occupational ther-
working with children in apy goals. Physical therapy was offered once a
the public schools. Others week and in seven days, children met a third of
start right our of college. their goals. Way to go!
We feel we offer the best
special education and Parents rated the program very highly, giving
therapeutic services avail- Therapy and Fun an overall grade of an “A-”.
able. Call us: 616-559-1054