sparkmygenius.com

On October 20, 2007 I was invited by the Florida Special Arts Center www.flsac.org. to address an audience of several hundred persons invited to view a new documentary called Bridging to Gap: A True Lesson in Humanity.

Let me tell you the story of this documentary.

The parents of three special needs young adults designed a “color guard” program for “developmentally disabled” young adults. Now if you are wondering what a color guard is, modern color guard is defined as “a combination of military drill, also called marching, and the use of flags, sabers, mock rifles, shields and other equipment, as well as dance and other interpretive movement.” It is typically seen in parades or halftime events. Until now it has never been part of the special needs world. Now, thanks to the vision of Jerry and Ellen Kleinert-Cohn, it is.

Anyway, the color guard, now called the Special Needs Color Guard of America, got invited to perform in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the documentary tells the story of that trip.

Ellen Kleinert-Cohn put together a program to train these adults to perform at many local events. She even got them a chance to perform at the Winter Guard International (WGI) Color Guard World Championships.

I was invited to speak at the screening of Bridging the Gap. Here are some excerpts from my speech.

“Martin Luther King had a dream of freedom. Ellen Kleinert-Cohn and Jerry Cohn have dream of inclusion, a dream that children and adults with special needs such as developmental disabilities will be fully included as belonging. They understood that we all have special needs.
Lawrence of Arabia said “All men dream, but not all equally. Those who dream by night, in the dusty recesses of their mind, wake to find it was all vanity. But the dreamers of the day are dangerous, for they may act their dreams with open eyes and make things happen”.

Dr. King dreamed with open eyes. So do Ellen and Jerry.

I too dream with open eyes. I dream of taking the best of neuroscience research and combining it with great computer technology to ignite people’s sparks of genius. I dream of brain fitness centers where people of all ages “work out” to improve cognitive and executive function skills.

Today people between the ages of six and eighty-three come to Boca Sparks of Genius. They exercise their minds playing computer “games” specifically designed to improve their mental strength, stamina, speed, flexibility and balance and, of course, to spark their genius. We use the term “brainworksbetter” exercises, and each member receives a customized set of exercises. They are assisted by friendly, highly-skilled personal trainers who are passionately dedicated to the success of each member of our fitness community. Many members of the fitness center also “work out” on home computer to maximize brain functioning and peak performance.

I dream of hearing the sounds of success, joy, confidence and discovery as more people around Florida, the country and the world discover, ignite and express their unique sparks of genius in a fun-filled, challenging, supportive, gym-like environment.

I see them all overcoming limitations, defying labels and breaking boundaries with their awesome accomplishments.”

–Dr. Rohn Kessler, Ed. D.

Hi there everyone!I have spoken much about The Florida Special Needs Color Guard. Now is your opportunity to see them in action. Do not let anyone tell you that individuals with developmental disabilities are not talented, capable, special & so very unique. You will read the write-up from Winter Guard International & see an amazing video of this this fabulous color guard team. They are performing here in front of 23,000 at Winter Guard International World Championships in Dayton, Ohio at the University of Dayton Arena. This took place just 6 weeks ago, April, 2007. Here is what thousands of hours of practice, determination, perseverance and guts can produce!

Just click on:

http://wgi.org/news_detail.php?id=1013%20class

ENJOY THIS TRUE “LESSON IN HUMANITY”.

WOULD LOVE TO HEAR YOUR COMMENTS.

ALL THE BEST, ELLEN

Parents, teachers and students are often afraid to interact with THEM–you know THEM: the kids with IEPs and 504s. The kid who gets extra time on tests and has to visit the nurse every day to take his meds. The other kids call her EMO and him SPAZ because he won’t sit still.

As a teacher, it can be tricky game of balance to give the challenged student everything he or she needs to be successful in the classroom without turning the student into a complete outsider. Here’s some tips to make life easier. Since you already have way too much to remember, these tips will all be about forgetting.

1. Forget labels. ADD, ADHD, Asperger’s, LD…they are a bunch of baloney. I’ll give 2-to-1 odds that any given student in your school has been misdiagnosed. Let’s be honest: the professionals in this field are likely to be compassionate, but not exactly rocket scientists. It just doesn’t pay enough!
2. Forget fair. There are two parts to this. First, only the kids who need glasses wear glasses. Nobody complains that it isn’t fair that only some kids get glasses. A learning disability of any kind is no different than needing glasses. The child with a learning disability needs corrective tools that others do not. Teachers: never deny or delay the challenged child’s accommodations because it seems unfair to the other students. It isn’t!The second part is that the teachers are supposed to be in charge of the classroom. When other students complain that they want extra time too and that it isn’t fair it is the teacher’s responsibility to lay down the law, “This is my decision and it is not up for discussion.”
3. Forget different. All students want the same things: they want to learn, and be respected, and feel a sense of accomplishment. They want to be recognized and valued as-is without having to become something worthy of appreciation. They want to have fun, live their lives and make friends.When I say all students, I mean ALL. You have a kid that isn’t interested in learning? Wrong! He IS interested, but something is getting in his way. Maybe his family life is rotten, or the only people who appreciate him are his fellow gang members and he’s dissing school to please them.
4. Forget lazy. If you’re thinking that this kid would do fine if he wasn’t so lazy, you’re on to something alright, but not the fact that he’s lazy! It is up to the professionals in a child’s life to (help him or her) figure out what the underlying causes are (of apparent laziness) and address them. That’s so important, I’m going to say it again and bigger.

It is up to the professionals in a child’s life to (help him or her) figure out what the underlying causes are (of apparent laziness) and address them.

Good luck!

Allen Dobkin

My name is Ellen Kleinert-Cohn. I live in Florida and am extremely involved in the plight of the developmentally disabled. I am a mother of three young adults, two of whom have special needs. In addition, I work in my husband’s law firm where we specialize in advocating for individuals with special needs. I also am a Management Team Member of The Special Olympics Broward County.

Our mission is to “bridge the gap” between the general & special population by showing the world how truly talented, capable, special & unique individuals with developmental disabilities are.

I am also the director of the world renowned Florida Special Needs Color Guard & Dance Program. It is the first special needs color guard team in the world. We perform as exhibition on The South Florida Winter Guard Association Circuit & perform annually, at Winter Guard International World Championships in Dayton, Ohio. Our mission is to “bridge the gap” between the general & special population by showing the world how truly talented, capable, special & unique individuals with developmental disabilities are. And, this past November, 2007 we had the amazing opportunity to do just that. Our very special color guard program made history by being the very first group of developmentally disabled young adults ever invited to perform in a fabulous American Tradition….The 80^th Anniversary Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

When these kids perform…there is “not a dry eye in the house.”

Our team consists of really fabulous young adults. They range from the age of 12 through 40!!! (The average age is 21), and some of their disabilities are Cerebral Palsy, autism (Asperger’s Syndrome), Down Syndrome, Learning Disabilities, and Attention Deficit Disorder, just to name a few. On this amazing team we stress our ABILITIES rather than our disabilities. With the inclusion of flags, wooden rifle & metal sabers, and interesting dance movements, combined with inspirational music, we create a performance that is fabulous! When these kids perform…there is “not a dry eye in the house.”

Also we have non disabled coaches who are involved with our very special kids & they serve as role models for each other. These high school & college kids learn to be more compassionate, caring and the world sure needs more of that!!!

I often wonder what it would be like if my oldest son, who is now 26 years of age, did not have special needs.

OK……so that’s a little background about me. I am truly blessed to do what I do & to have the family I have. It has been a long, hard road, to say the least. I truly believe that G—D has decided what my destiny in life was going to be & has given me what it takes to “give it my all” and make the best out of an often difficult situation (s). I often wonder what it would be like if my oldest son, who is now 26 years of age, did not have special needs. He has Asperger’s Syndrome (mild autism), a seizure disorder (under control), learning disabilities & ADD. I love him dearly for who he is & accept him for the fabulous, kind, good natured, very special human being he is….but that is not to say that for his sake, I would not mind his life being easier. This goes for my daughter, who is 20 years of age, as well. Her issues are different than her brothers & she has learning disabilities, ADD and a few other letters of the alphabet. Although, her functioning level is higher & she, as well as her brother, excel in areas that others have only dreamed of. Their brother, age 22 is a Network Administrator at the school district in our county & spends a great deal of time volunteering and coaching our kids.

The sad part, which I encounter everyday, is that many in the general population just “don’t get it”. [Editor: Including some teachers!]

 Because they may not be deeply involved with a person who does have a developmentally disability or are not privy in one way or another to such, they lack the patience and understanding so needed in dealing with such worthy individuals. They have a negative attitude and to be completely honest & blunt, cast them aside as not being important or worthwhile. How wrong they are & it is for us to make sure that the message gets out that their concept of such individuals is so wrong and misguided!

Wow….these children & young adults are worth a second look! And a third & a fourth, to say the least! They are truly amazing! Their attitudes are grateful, thankful and positive. They are proud of whom they are & I believe we can all take a lesson from them. And, most importantly, they can achieve anything they put their minds to with much determination, positive reinforcement and hard work.

Our goal is to help individuals with developmental disabilities fulfill their dreams & live up to their maximum potential.

I will say that this is my opportunity to perhaps “spread the word” that as parents, especially of young children who have disabilities such as Asperger’s Syndrome, ADD and the likes, don’t get intimidated or discouraged by school professionals. In your plight to advocate for your child/young adult, you will be confronted by some wonderful, supportive teachers, ESE specialist, etc & others that “have a lot to be desired”. Don’t give up…..hang in there….no one knows your child better than you. Which brings me to the teacher that may be overwhelmed & overworked & recommends that you immediately “get your child on medication to help him attend better.” I realize that every situation is to be handled on an individual basis, of course, but be smart…..and look into other alternatives, as well…FIRST!!!! Medications do have many side effects, as we knew all along, but even more so as time goes on.

In your plight to advocate for your child/young adult, you will be confronted by some wonderful, supportive teachers, ESE specialist, etc & others that “have a lot to be desired”. Don’t give up…..hang in there….no one knows your child better than you.

Speaking from experience, over 20 years of it, I have been through it all. I cannot stress enough that I wish many of the various alternatives to medications were available many when my son was young. I was one of the Mom’s who battled constantly…here was my motto, “If a child can’t learn the way a teacher teaches, a teacher must teach the way a child can learn.”

Thank goodness for Sparks Of Genius. 

Thank goodness for Sparks Of Genius. For not only the kids in my family, but me as well. There are good alternatives, and this, I know first hand is one of them! We need to be “open” and as time goes on you do recognize the good honest people from the ones who are not. These methods of technology are here for all of us….check it out….embrace them…….such an alternative can make the real positive difference in your child/young adults life. It is a pleasure to see everyday, and an emotional experience, as well,  to see what I thought I would never see…….consistent training does make the difference (improving focus, thinking more clearly, making conversations with others we thought previously impossible).

Everyday is another adventure with your kids, especially if they have special needs, but we become better people for it, this is for sure!

Love to hear your views……All the best to everyone….Keep up the great work… don’t give up, no matter how tough it may get at times. (Remember someone else always has it worse.) There is nothing more rewarding than working with our kids & seeing the progress…it is their futures & our legacy….they deserve our best efforts! G—D Bless!!!!

(Good luck on your journey!!!!)

Hang in there……ELLEN