CENTER OFFERS UNIQUE SERVICE SPECIAL-NEEDS KIDS FOCUS OF PROGRAM.Byline: ERIC LEACH Staff Writer AGOURA HILLS -- As a special-education teacher, Barbara Hofer had talked to dozens of parents who asked about after-school activities for their kids. At the time, the options were slim. So last fall, the Calabasas High School Calabasas High School is a four-year high school, freshman-senior, in Calabasas, California, United States. Calabasas High School, which serves portions of Calabasas and the West Hills, Los Angeles, California section of Los Angeles, is one of three high schools in the Las teacher started her own program called the Achievement Center for Exceptional Students (ACES) to fill that void and give special-ed students the same choices other teens have. ``Most parents of special-needs students search for enriching activities for their children to participate in, but the reality is there are very few options,'' said Hofer, who has taught special education for eight years. ``Kids with developmental delays, including autism autism (ô`tĭzəm), developmental disability resulting from a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain. It is characterized by the abnormal development of communication skills, social skills, and reasoning. and Asperger's syndrome As·per·ger's syndrome n. A pervasive developmental disorder, usually of childhood, characterized by impairments in social interactions and repetitive behavior patterns. , need lots of reinforcement to master skills that can help them gain confidence and acceptance in social settings.'' Hofer's program offers a fun, relaxed environment along with a curriculum designed to teach the children skills to help themselves advance in life. For example, some students get help with homework, go on community outings, practice cooking or craft projects or do fun exercises like the Dance Dance Revolution Dance Dance Revolution, a.k.a. DDR and Dancing Stage in Europe, is a music video game series produced by Konami. It was first introduced to Japanese video arcades in 1998, after being shown at the Tokyo Game Show earlier that year. computer-guided dance game. Margaret Rulon-Miller of Westlake Village said the program was ``a godsend'' for her and her 14-year-old daughter, Emmy, who has epilepsy. ``Those of us in the community with children with special needs are always looking for Looking for In the context of general equities, this describing a buy interest in which a dealer is asked to offer stock, often involving a capital commitment. Antithesis of in touch with. programs for our children, places where they can fit in and be comfortable. This is just a perfect place,'' Rulon-Miller said. ``I don't want to put her in a large program that could be very difficult for her. This is a great service to the community.'' Vicki Thon of Thousand Oaks Thousand Oaks, residential city (1990 pop. 104,352), Ventura co., S Calif., in a farm area; inc. 1964. Avocados, citrus, vegetables, strawberries, and nursery products are grown. said her 14-year-old daughter, Adira, has some learning difficulties, but the center is helping her become more independent. ``It's a fantastic program. It's truly phenomenal,'' said Thon. ``They have been helpful beyond what I expected. ... They are addressing all aspects of special-needs children, helping them integrate better and function better in their lives and in society.'' Adira said if she needs it, she gets help with homework from Hofer and looks forward to coming each day. ``It's really, really fun,'' she said. ``Barbara is probably one of the nicest people I've ever met.'' She and Emmy said they love the field trips, and there are several nice parks in the area for outdoor activities. ``This is way better than school,'' Emmy said. The program so far has five regular students between the ages of 10 and 16 and costs $20 an hour or $45 for four hours, with lower rates by the month. The center includes a television with videos and video games See video game console. . There is a small library of books, art supplies, computers and games such as Monopoly, Scrabble Scrabble Game in which two to four players compete in forming words with lettered wooden tiles on a 225-square board. Words spelled out by letters on the tiles interlock like words in a crossword puzzle. Words are scored by adding up the point values of their letters. and playing cards playing cards, parts of a set or deck, used in playing various games of chance or skill. The origin of playing cards is unknown, and almost as many theories exist as there are historians of the subject. . It also has its own mascot, a rabbit named ACES, that is lovingly cared for by the students. ``Some of these kids are not as independent as their peers, and a lot of times they go home after school and watch television or sit in front of a computer,'' Hofer said. Her program gives them new opportunities to socialize so·cial·ize v. so·cial·ized, so·cial·iz·ing, so·cial·iz·es v.tr. 1. To place under government or group ownership or control. 2. To make fit for companionship with others; make sociable. and gain independence. ``That's what I'm trying to bring to this after-school program, how to function in the community, home environment, with their peers,'' she said. ``It's been rewarding to help these kids take some risks in a safe environment, gain confidence to be able to do things a lot of people didn't expect.'' eric.leach@dailynews.com (805) 583-7602 CAPTION(S): photo, box |
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