Soaring Heights School in State College conducted the first in a series of three free parent trainings on Thursday, February 7. Dr. Melissa Hunter presented “Autism and Sleep Issues”.

Forty-four to eighty-nine percent of autistic children have sleep issues. Dr. Hunter reviewed problems that can develop in the classroom and at home due to sleep issues, and shared schedules and routines that help facilitate better sleep.

Dr. Hunter also discussed various sleep studies that assist with identifying potential relief for students who struggle with sleep and their families. She reviewed how to complete sleep graphs, a data sheet that helps identify solutions that can lead to better sleep.
 
On March 7, Transition Coordinator Rebekah Laird will conduct the second presentation, focusing on IEP and transition Issues. The presentation will address the various parts of preparing students on the spectrum for independent living and job skill training.
 
Dr. Hunter will conduct the final training on April 4. She’ll host a “Hot Topics in Autism” presentation and cover current trends in research in parent-friendly language.
 
Please call 814-325-2131 to RSVP, but walk-ins are welcome.
 
Soaring Heights School provides educational and behavioral programming for students in grades K through 12 with ASD, and is licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Students from the Altoona and State College Soaring Heights Schools campuses visited the residents at Maybrook Hills Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center and conducted caroling. Students sang various seasonal carols and also presented small gifts to the residents. Students then went to the Altoona school site for lunch and seasonal activities.