Tag Archives: Louise Sattler

04.08.13
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BEST OF….


Happy Spring everyone!  I have been receiving a lot of requests for some of my previous blogs to be “re-blogged” on different sites.  I thought that I would take an opportunity to THANK all of the people who have stopped by to read my musings, share with others and leave positive and constructive comments. 

In case you are curious.. here are the “the ten most requested blogs/ topics” from the past three years when I started routinely blogging.  They are not listed in any certain order AFTER Map Skills which by far won the “race”.  Also, this list is fluid.. in a few weeks it all can change

#1- MAP SKILLS   I guess my frustration over people not having “common sense” and the use of a google image (gave credit) helped bring this one to the top of the list.

#2 Wisdom from Christopher Robin  for Parents of College Freshman    This blog has been requested time and time again.  It is not my favorite personal blog but  reflects the power of SEO (Site Engine Optimization) as  Winnie the Pooh still has a strong fan base and people searching “Christopher Robin” stumble upon my blog!  I’ll take it!

christopher-1

#3  Are YOU on a trip to Holland?  Of all the blogs I have ever posted this is by far the most personal one regarding my son and his premature birth.  My most requested blog which resonates with parents who also have unexpected challenges with the birth of their child.

#4 Hello, now GO AWAY!   I decided that I couldn’t keep silent about my cancer of the thyroid.  I wanted to be in an empowered role and educate others.  I wrote a series of articles regarding my thyroid cancer, my experience with the surgery, post surgery and even hanging out with Top Doc and Junior Docs at Hopkins Hospital.  For the most part I tried to keep it “light”..  This was the first one and again, most requested. To read the related blogs click here: CANCER

#5 Resources for Families with Autistic Children - I am happy to offer this information on a frequent basis if it helps one child or family.  I often blog for other sites on the topic of special needs and Autism.

#6 Raising a Confident teen/tween model –  How to get started in the “biz” .. the good, bad and ugly.  There are several articles I have written about raising a child who is a professional actor/model/ filmmaker.

#7 BULLY by Patricia Polacco (and other information about Anti-Bullying)    Sadly the topic of bullying is often searched.. thus the number of visitors to this article.

#8 Articles on Disaster Preparedness   ( I  have written numerous blogs on this topic.  Especially concerning the welfare and safety of children and adults with special needs.)  Here is the general link to all DISASTER PREPAREDNESS articles on this blog

#9 Sign Language  Apparently when you write about deafness, deaf children and sign language you drum up a boatload of readers!  So here again is the general link to all the blogs referencing sign language and topics related to deafness. SIGN LANGUAGE

camp

#10  Guest bloggers..

This last spot is dedicated to guest bloggers.  Jennifer Heicklen’s wrote a very passionate blog about the risks First Responders take when people do not heed warnings about mandatory evacuations.  Her article on the heels of Hurricane Sandy struck a chord with many and resulted in her receiving national press.  (The article was first written as a letter to the editor for  a Philadelphia based publication)

Read Jennifer Martelle Heicklin’s article here

Zaneta Barton also wrote a blog about her experiences with raising deaf children.  This article resonated the feelings of many parents.  Read Zaneta’s blog 

Read these and other guest blogs (including by Kidlutions owner, Wendy Young  here  GUEST BLOGS)

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Again, thank you for reading my blog and please let me know if you have recommendations for topics, want to be a guest blogger and/or have a favorite article that was covered on this blog.

Have a groovy day!

~Louise

04.04.13
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SUMMER SIGN LANGUAGE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES – An ONLINE CAMP via SIGNING FAMILIES


camp

When my children were young I use to sign them up for many different interactive and educational camps.  I recall waiting on a long line to get a “slot” for the AMERICAN GIRL doll camp being offered through our local parks and recreation center.  From sports to creative art camps my kids sampled them all.  Most of the time they were fun and no complaints were heard.

It is because I think learning at any age should be FUN and INTERACTIVE that I am offering this summer via my company SIGNING FAMILIES  an online LIVE sign language ”camp”.  This will be for kids and their families to learn the basics of sign language as an “online summer camp program”.

WHEN WILL IT BE OFFERED?

The online camp dates now available are the week of June 17th or the week of June 24th. If there is great interest then  more online camp dates will be added.

The camp will be for one online hour per day for five consecutive days. It will be group instruction. Time TBD but most likely 1pmET, 11am PT

HOW WILL STUDENTS CONNECT?

All you would need to do is have the ability for video chat online.  We will most likely use SKYPE or a comparable system such as GOOGLE HANGOUT.

HOW MANY STUDENTS PER SESSION?

The class will have up to 9 students involved which will make for great conversation and practice.  Each student also will have an extra 60 minutes during the week for one on one questions and practice.

DO WE GET ANY MATERIALS?

In addition, each person who signs up will get our  SIGNING FAMILIES ASL FOLDER, ASL POSTER and one DVD from our catalog (either Baby, Toddler and Preschool Sign Language  or Sign Language for Emergency Situations).

WHAT WILL THE ONLINE CAMP COVER?

 * Basic greetings in ASL

* People an common places

* School words

* Alphabet and numbers

* Basic animals, transportation and action words

THE COST per STUDENT?

The total cost for the online camp AND the materials mentioned above is $79 ( EARLY BIRD special $69 if signed up by May 1, 2013)

HOW TO SIGN UP?

If you are interested in learning more about the camp or to sign up as an EARLY BIRD.. please comment below or connect via the FACEBOOK post, too.   

HOW TO PAY

Once confirmed that you are signing up for a camp session you will be invoiced via PayPal.

 A non-refundable down payment of $25 reserves your spot. Down payment must be received within one week of signing up.  Payment in full will be required by June 1, 2013.  

 

WILL YOU OFFER INDIVIDUAL SESSIONS FOR THOSE WHO WANT ANOTHER OPTION TO LEARN?

Yes, I offer 30 minute SKYPE sign language lessons or tutoring.  The rates are $20 per session.  No materials are included in this price.  Adults and children may request individual sessions.  I also welcome families with children who have special learning challenges and need adaptive sign language.

We are sorry that this offer is for US residents only.

05.29.12
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First Signs to Introduce to Young Children


Today I received an excellent question on my SIGNING FAMILIES FACEBOOK  page.  It was a very caring grandmother requesting information about First Signs for her young four year old granddaughter who is having sensory and learning challenges.. Where should they start? How can the school support their efforts and vice versa?

I have added a slideshow at the end of this blog to help answer this question. 

Here are my basic rules for teaching sign to children whether they are deaf / hard of hearing or have developmental challenges.  (These rules also can apply to teaching children “just because”.. which makes me all happy inside to think that so many are learning ASL for fun and to make communication bridges.)

1- Introduce signs that are in the child’s enviroment. Concrete signs.  Daily activities or objects.  Nothing that is abstract or not pertinent.

2- I always suggest learning a few signs such as MORE, WANT and FINISHED at the onset of ASL learning, too. These not only help with transitions but also can help with promoting positive behaviors.

3- Signs like I LOVE YOU and GOOD JOB will help the older child who is learning sign language feel comfortable.

4- Don’t use ASL in isolation. Have everyone in the child’s immediate environment learn ASL so that the child is an equal member of the family. Nothing is worse than a holiday celebration, an incidental conversation or a trip to the store where people are chatting all around you but you understand virtually nothing or very little. This is the scenario that has been retold to me time and time again by my deaf friends.

5- Learn only FIVE to TEN signs at a time.  Your child will be able to tackle more, but try to learn and introduce the new  signs in to your basic everyday conversation. Anymore than that and you may feel overwhelmed.

6. Involve your child in to the local deaf community. And, yourselves!  There is a wonderful deaf community waiting to embrace you and share the rich culture that has been part of the fabric of Deaf Life here in the United States.

7. Read up on great resources and also indulge in social media to help you explore for more.  See my resource link page on Signing Families for more info.

FIRST SIGNS LIST

MORE

DRINK

EAT

SLEEP

BATH

PLAY

MOMMY

DADDY

COME

GO

FINISHED

TIME FOR

WANT

DON’T WANT

HELP 

FRIENDS

BOOK

POTTY

WAIT

CAREUL

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

12.09.11
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My Year of Learning How to Kick Cancer to the Door


It has been a year since I heard the words that no one wants to have burned in to their brain- Sorry, but you have metastatic cancer.  Yep, that was me.  A little more than a year ago.  It was a sunny day. I was going for what was suppose to be a “no brainer” ultrasound of a few “probably nothing” nodes in my neck. I walked in an optomist thinking of nothing more than how I would spend the rest of the day after the procedure shopping.   I walked out of Johns Hopkins outpatient center a statistic – someone with cancer. WOW! In fact, according to some recent stats, I was one of 357,000 women living with Thyroid cancer. Oh Goody!

Because people sometimes read what I write or ask me to speak in media, I get to talk about my Life with Cancer – a lot. As an educator, I don’t mind. It gives me an opportunity to set the record straight and educate others about being proactive with personal health issues. I learned from the best on how to be an example of someone who lives with cancer BUT is not defined by cancer, from my friend and colleague, Maimah Karmo.   I learned to blog about my  pre-op, post-op and treatment phases. I helped others learn too by talking to groups, being interviewed and blogging for others on websites such as, DEAR THYROID.    I even filmed a PSA for IamtheFACEofTHYROIDDISEASE.org.

I learned that you can’t be a member of this “club” alone. That people will come and rally around you. Friends and family will support you in ways that are just too numerous to count. I was really lucky to have a bunch of Cancer Warriors join my team. They all should know who they are and consider this a group hug and THANK YOU!   And, a huge thanks to  all the Top Docs at Johns Hopkins Hospital.  Overall, I was damn lucky this year to have so many in my corner.

     

I realized pretty quickly that if I had to go through this crap that I should do it with grace, humor and a purpose. So, I decided to run a TWITTER SCARF campaign. I stole the idea from my friend, Shara Lawrence-Weiss.  (Pictured wearing her TWITTER avatar hat.Read the TWITTER story here). In essence, I changed my TWITTER avatar to be a free advertisement for a company or foundation. I simply would wear a different scarf and photo shop their logo.  The company would then in turn donate monies to the charity of their choice. I had a lot of response and together we all donate almost a thousand dollars. Purpose.. yep- cancer can give you purpose when you are not caught up in the anger.

Now it was not all fun and games. Cancer never is. The treatment for thyroid cancer is not as bad as other cancers. I didn’t have to have chemotherapy, but I did need to have Radioactive Iodine treatments – which are no joy.  The worst part of the process, however is the waiting. Did the treatment work? Do I need another? Is anything else growing and if so, where?

I also learned some really important life lessons. Cancer is expensive and insurance companies can’t make those co-pays magically disappear.   I learned that not all people want to stick by you and remain friends because cancer may be “contagious”.  Real friends stick around and those who are just in it for only the “good” but not the “bad or the ugly” will run for the hills.  I heard from others who also are in the cancer world that it is not uncommon for  relationships to unravel. That is a shame, but a reality. As I mentioned, I’m grateful for those who stuck around (including my amazing hubby) and deleted the rest. Cancer can be an emotional brain sucker.  No need to spend any synapses worrying about those who were afraid that they may “catch’ the BIG C.

I will no doubt have more journey in the coming years. Cancer doesn’t like to just go away easily. There is always follow-up scans, blood work and more. Even if you are in remission you still have “more to do”.  But, I intend to kick cancer to the door in 2012. Not the front door, but the back door. Cancer doesn’t have the right to go out nicely.

Lastly, Happy Holidays and please feel free to share your pearls of wisdom if you too have been on a cancer journey this year or in the past. Let’s all learn from each other.

11.28.11
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SPOTLIGHT OVATIONS – Empowering Kids Through the Performing Arts!


Tuesday, November 29th I will have the pleasure of interviewing on  the 411 VOICES Radio network show, ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT and the BUSINESS OF IT ALL!,  Sharla Mandere, who is the founder and director of  SPOTLIGHT  OVATIONS PERFORMING ARTS (SOPA).  

Sharla’s brainchild is a  performing arts group that is dedicated to helping empower children and instill confidence by providing various skill development classes for acting, circus training and dance.  She has an amazing story and I can’t wait for all to learn more about his dynamic woman!

Listen to the broadcast LIVE here on Nov. 29th at 11a.m. EST

Listen to the podcast here

Learn more about  SOPA and their San Diego based courses here or email Sharla at INFO@SpotlightOvations.com

Follow Sharla and SOPA here on TWITTER

09.27.10
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If I Were to Write an Op-Ed about Education it Would Read Like This….


Many people have become fired up about our “educational crisis” this week due to the release of the new documentary, Waiting for Superman.  It has been at the center of two recent Oprah specials, MSNBC’s new and powerful debate- Education Nation, and many other news outlets. People are talking, tweeting and some are even being driven to action due to the catalyst that Waiting for Superman has provided.  Not me.  I didn’t just happen to wake up this week to the educational crisis in the United States.  Nope, I have been yelling from the sidelines for many years.  However, the one thing I learned this week during my own personal “Ah-Ha” moment was that the sidelines are for wimps.  It is time to get messy.

So, what am I going to do that is DIFFERENT than before?  First, I plan on helping others join the discussion through social media. I have available to me many ways to help stir the debate and help others to join in to find real and viable solutions.  One way is to generate interest via EDUCATION.com. This great educational site has over two million visitors per month. Surely, someone will want to join the debate and heed the call to action on here.

For me, this is a personal and complicated matter.  No easy answers.  For me, there has to be monumental changes of the bad, while preserving what is good with our educational system.  For me, there needs to be inclusion and recognition of children with special educational considerations during these debates.  For me, we need to address the cultural and linguistic differences within our schools among the various populations and act accordingly.  For me, I need to honor the millions of people who have called themselves “educators” before me.  For me, I need to honor  my role model, my Dad.

I want to know how others will “get messy”. Who will YOU honor?   Will senior citizens, who are an amazing resource, become more involved in schools?  Will businesses allow parents to go to schools and volunteer on a regular basis?  Will law enforcement help even more to make the neighborhoods to which our schools exist safer?

I am finished asking questions.  I am ready to get “messy”.  Are you?

For more information about Education Nation,  Waiting for Superman and what YOU can do.. go to these websites:

NBC NEWS Education Nation: http://www.educationnation.com/index.cfm?objectid=E689D721-B6C9-605B-DE1D813E4CDA3339

OPRAH- http://www.Oprah.com

Waiting for Superman: http://www.WaitingforSuperman.com

Thanks for reading.

Louise Sattler is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist, Owner of Signing Families and a national presence in the media.  She will be starting her new radio show- The Louise Sattler Show- Where Learning Meets Laughter this Fall 2010 on soon to be launched network-HerInsight!  Look for her getting “messy” at a school district or state meeting near you!

09.12.10
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Never Forget… the Wisdom of Children


Today is the ninth anniversary of 9/11.  It seems like times stops every year on 9/11 as we reflect as a nation, a world, and as individuals the horrors of the day and the lessons learned. Over the years I have attended many lectures, read books, watched countless hours of documentaries and spoken with hundreds who have all shared and recounted the days event.  Even today I sat among people of a variety of faiths as we came together to make sense of this world that is somehow off kilter with the sole goal to learn from each other and pray- together.

However, through the years I must admit that the people who make the most sense to me are indeed the children.  Nine years ago I asked my Sunday School class to generate an idea to say thank you to the many rescuers who worked tirelessly at Ground Zero.  They decided to make a quilt of written paper messages, woven together with yarn.  The quilt was quite poignant with some messages in other languages, such as Hebrew or Spanish.  One child wrote… “I hope adults learn to play nice with others,someday”.  Others drew pictures of families holding hands.

September 11, 2001 also was the day that a poem was written that struck such a cord with me. It was shortly after 9/11 that I learned about one amazing young man, Mattie Stepanek. I was so awestruck by the wisdom of this child who spoke beyond his years and through his pain of his Muscular Dystrophy.  He wrote the most loving poem I had ever read from a child. And it has been a true privilege for me to get to know and learn more about Mattie from his mom, Jeni. She writes about Mattie and his efforts for peace in her book, MESSENGER. One of the poems that Mattie has left as his true legacy is below for your perusal and is titled, “For Our World”. My favorite portion of this poem reads..

“Stop for a moment.
Before anybody
Says or does anything
That may hurt anyone else.”

Need I say more. Nope.  Children have so much more wisdom than many adults. And because of this I have great hope that we will learn to “play nice with others”.

Here is the poem and please check out Jeni’s book, Messenger on the website dedicated to Mattie’s world and legacy at http://www.MattieOnline.com

FOR OUR WORLDMattie Hug!
We need to stop.
Just stop.
Stop for a moment.
Before anybody
Says or does anything
That may hurt anyone else.
We need to be silent.
Just silent.
Silent for a moment.
Before we forever lose
The blessing of songs
That grow in our hearts.
We need to notice.
Just notice.
Notice for a moment.
Before the future slips away
Into ashes and dust of humility.
Stop, be silent, and notice.
In so many ways, we are the same.
Our differences are unique treasures.
We have, we are, a mosaic of gifts
To nurture, to offer, to accept.
We need to be.
Just be.
Be for a moment.
Kind and gentle, innocent and trusting,
Like children and lambs,
Never judging or vengeful
Like the judging and vengeful.
And now, let us pray,
Differently, yet together,
Before there is no earth, no life,
No chance for peace.

September 11, 2001
© Matthew Joseph Thaddeus Stepanek
Used with permission from Hope Through Heartsongs, Hyperion, 2002

Louise Sattler is a School Psychologist, Owner of Signing Families™ and a radio personality.  Look for her new show on the HerInsight media network coming Fall 2010!

09.06.10
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Welcome to Changes and How Two Truck Drivers Saved the Day!


September is always a month of transitions.  This year is of no exception.  Within just the past month our family has experienced a wealth of changes.

First this past month we changed from being a family with a working air conditioner to one without.  To change back to a cool air family was possible and in my viewpoint- mandatory.  So, we are now the proud owner of a fairly clean piece of machinery known as Mr. Carrier.

Second, Mr. Carrier must have sent word that we were a really nice house to reside in because we then gave birth to an assortment of other new household items, including our soon to be new family member, Mr. New Roof.  I decided to change the roof tiles from green to grey.  I know you are shuddering at my exciting life right now.

We then decided to drive our son to Michigan State and of course, back home again.  This is the part of the blog when I get to introduce our newest and best friends- the two truck drivers who saved the day.  You see, we didn’t realize that hitting a median at a high speed when you are pushed off the road by an idiot that is texting causes a bent wheel as well as the other parts of the back of the car that makes it go straight.  Lucky for us, the guy driving behind us on I-80 was adamant that we were in a FLC (Funny Looking Car) and motioned for us to pull over.  So, we did at the first stop we could.  A nice truck stop.  Two wonderful drivers of awesome rigs ,who also moonlighted as mechanics, assured us that if we drove fairly slowly (say speed limit) and didn’t attempt any stupid turns, we would arrive home safely.  I was so happy to be given the sacred trucker’s blessing that I offered to buy them coffee and lunch.  Not being of sound mind, I missed the clue of them holding bags full of food and a cup of coffee while talking to us.  (And if you are curious one was hauling paper and another sand for highway repairs!)

So on the week that we celebrate the Jewish Holidays I must relish in the changes that have entered my life.  And acknowledge that even in a truck stop trust can be earned and kindness can be found.

L’Shana Tovah  / Happy New Year

Louise Sattler is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist, the owner of Signing Families and a radio personality.  Come tune in soon to her new show on the HerInsight Media network starting this Fall. As always- bring the coffee!

04.07.10
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Hello world!


WELCOME!  Hello everyone and thank you for joining me on my new BLOG, well actually VLOG!  Why is that?  Because, I tend to video blog much of what I want to convey for my friends who are anxious to learn, practice or communicate with American Sign Language!

Like many people, I don’t just wear one hat!  I created my own business- Signing Families™, have worked in education for like a “zillion” years, blog on other sites at maniacal speed, host a radio show on the HerInsight network titled- Learning and Laughter with Louise (Yep – it is both Educational and FUNNY!) and have time to spare for my family…. (more about them later).

However, it is important to note that this blog is mostly for us to have a forum to share and learn from each other.  I will be posting my weekly Learning and Laughter with Louise updates here from now on!  So, look forward to flying fingers as I sign my little heart out!

And from time to time I will post favorite material from others, as well.

Comments are welcome…. but we all need to be adhere to a few rules… be nice, play fair and no negativity.

Thanks for reading….