Camp Paradigm 2022

 Week One

June 27, 2022 through July 1, 2022

Here is a brief run-down of the happenings & activities that occured during Camp Paradigm - Week One.

Check out this short video of campers expressing what they like most about camp! The week one pictures & videos have been sent to campers and parents! 

Here are the Camp Paradigm 2022 instructors. These instructors possess passionate hearts and an enormous amount of energy! Their committment to ensuring campers had an amazing time is to be admired! 

---- Shout out to the Cy-Woods high school volunteers that gave up their time to engage with our campers. Thank you, Cara, Jennifer, and Alice. And thank YOU Rebecca Rivard for always sending your best students. We look forward to meeting the next set of volunteers during Camp Paradigm Week Two! [Rebecca Rivard is the National Honor Society Volunteer Coordinator @Cy-Woods high school] ----

Day One

Campers were dropped off at 9:00 am. Camp staff met each camper at their car. Staff used carts to tote camper supplies while also walking campers into the schoolhouse to get their name tags. Everyone socialized and walked around the schoolhouse getting familiar with things.

At 9:30 am, Camp Paradigm 2022 - Week One began in the Recreation Room. Camp staff led campers in a Welcome & Introduction session. Everyone introduced themselves, then everyone played "My name is and I like to". 

At 10:00 am, Dr. Cadarrall led the campers in a problem-solving scenario session. Campers were asked to think about some of these specific scenarios. Then, they were asked what would they do in these scenarios. This activity revealed a need for all campers, students, and children to be introduced & instructed in these areas. Camp Paradigm campers provided examples and asked excellent questions.

After lunch at 11:45 am, campers played a "surface tension" water pouring game. The objective of this game was to take a cup of water and carefully pour a drop of water into a full cup of water without spilling it. The camper or staff that pours the drop of water in that causes the full cup to spill over was out of the game.

At 1:00 pm, Krishna instructed and prepped the campers in a session of Stop Motion Animation using Legos. The campers really enjoyed this session. The camper Lego creations were well thought out and each of them put in a significant amount of time creating them.

At 2:00 pm, the campers were getting very tired so we decided to engage in "chill time". Staff set up a vote and the campers voted to watch Tom & Jerry, the movie. They watched about half of the movie before it was pick up time. Everyone ate popcorn and relaxed together in the group break area.

Day Two 

At 9:30 am, Dr. Cadarrall led campers through a flooding & hurricane lesson. The campers watched a brief video. Then, he discussed floods with the campers. This discussion prepared the campers for Ms. Diane's Survival Scenarios session.

At 10:00 am, Ms. Diane led campers through a Survival Scenarios lesson. She taught the campers survival strategies in the following areas: Fire, snakes, hurricanes, lightening, and tornadoes. Here she is teaching campers about snakes. Here she is after her lesson on fires helping the campers practice using a fire extinguisher.

Also at 10:00 am, the ladies at Crossfit Champions [Debbie & Esther] worked one-on-one with one of our campers. They brought their equipment and built a small obstacle course. These ladies exhibited patience and a passion for what they do. We look forward to working with them again soon so that more of our campers will get to engage in their fitness & agility activities.

At 11:45 am, the high energy Ms. Brittany led the campers in stretching & breathing exercises. After a pretty active morning, the campers and staff all settled in to relax their minds & bodies during this session. After stretching & breathing exercises, Ms. Brittany took the campers outdoors for a hula hoop challenge. Here Ms. Brittany is encouraging the campers!

At 12:30 pm, campers had fun competing in a pretty intense game of musical chairs. Check them out here.

At 1:00 pm, Krishna began her second session of Stop Motion Animation. The campers took their time building and practicing for production day.

At 2:00 pm, campers engaged in a water balloon fight, while some simply just played in the water on that hot afternoon. Here is the beginning of the fight!

Day Three

At 9:30 am, Dr. Cadarrall led campers into yet another survival skills lesson. This lesson was on 911. What it is, what it is not, when to call, when not to call, and the importance of knowing your address. Here he is instructing campers and letting them express what they know.

At 10:00 am, all campers gathered in groups or individually to learn more about each other through this brief questionnaire. This session was specifically set-up so that campers could socialize while also learning about themselves. There were four cohorts for this session in which each gathered in separate classrooms. The camp instructors went through the questions and helped guide the responses of the campers in their cohort. This was a FUN session as campers got to share their likes and dislikes.

At 11:45 am, campers engaged in another session of stretching & breathing exercises with Ms. Brittany. Here are the calm beginnings of this class. So relaxing! After this class, campers and staff went outside to jump rope while singing Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear Turn All Around and one other jump rope song. Other campers played corn hole and some practiced their hula hooping!

At 12:30 pm, campers were provided the opportunity to visually express through painting on canvas. While painting, campers enjoyed calm peaceful classical music. This session was scheduled for one hour. However, the campers enjoyed themselves so much they painted for two hours. Talk about engaged! And ALL of their visual works of art turned out beautifully! Camp Paradigm staff will be hanging their works of art on the walls of the schoolhouse for all to enjoy!

At 2:30 pm, campers voted to finish the Tom & Jerry movie they started on Monday. 

Day Four 

This was a pretty intense day as one of our campers had some difficulties adjusting to being at camp. Everyone did the best they could do in managing their emotions and behaviors and it all turned out fine.

At 9:30 am, all campers and staff gathered in the group area for a brief discussion on the events happening that day and to address any concerns they had. Additionally, we used the last portion of this session to think up questions for our guest speaker from Wild Birds Unlimited. 

At 10:00 am, Ms. Diane instructed campers in martial arts. They engaged in Kali, Karate, punching, kicking, catching, and some long staff exercises.

Also at 10:00 am, Richard from Wild Birds Unlimited presented a visually-engaging presentation on hummingbirds. He also fielded lots and lots of questions on birds, in general. Here he is talking with our campers.

At 11:45 am, Ms. Candice showed the campers how to make Pool Noodle Shooters and Paper Butterflies.

At 12:30 pm, Ms. Brittany set up the campers' yoga mats outside on the school's new deck. After Ms. Candice's class, the campers walked over to begin their afternoon stretching & breathing exercise session. It was a beautiful day for this activity!

At 1:00 pm, campers finished up their Stop Motion Animation project. Krishna filmed each campers' Stop Motion Animation production. [She is making each of them into a .gif which will be shared with campers and camper families upon their completion.]

At 2:30 pm, campers had the opportunity to showcase their canvas paintings. They were asked to stand up to explain why they painted what they painted and how their painting made them feel.

Day Five 

On this day, campers and staff expressed their desire to simply rest and socialize. This group got along very well. 

At 9:30 am, some campers competed in a Switch Mario Kart challenge, others worked on drawing pieces, others watched YouTube videos that everyone wanted to watch, and others sat around and chatted. 

At 11:00 am, Krishna prepared homemade pasta, white sauce, and garlic bread. Everyone ate their lunches and watched The Cat in the Hat Movie.

At 12:30 pm, everyone gathered on the school deck to take a group picture. After the group picture, campers were provided another opportunity to paint on canvas. Others continued to socialize through games and other activities.

This was a fun group of campers. 

Camp Paradigm - Week Two begins on July 18, 2022. During this camp week, campers will be engaging in completely different activities. For example, an obstacle course, regular and liquid limbo, painting a robot, more survival lessons, independent living skills (changing batteries in different devices), how to use a compass, scavenger hunt, throwing darts at balloons, and much more.

PDC Staff Guide

Paradigm Development Center (PDC)

Staff Guide

MISSION STATEMENT

Paradigm Development Center (“PDC”) focuses on preparing students with autism and learning differences for success in life.  Our mission is to provide education services that prepare students for a meaningful, integrated adult life.

PDC uses a holistic educational framework to execute all educational programming. At PDC, a holistic education is an academic education that integrates emotional, intellectual, vocational, physical, natural, and sociological applications. The goals are adaptability, consideration of others, self-awareness, concentration, attention, and calmness. This kind of education not only improves a student’s academic outcomes, but also improves a student’s ability to cope and manage adult life issues.

STANDARD POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Independent Contractors (IC), Interns, and Volunteers at PDC understand that PDC students are always our central focus. All PDC workers should exemplify a high standard of moral, ethical, and professional behavior. 

EQUAL WORKER OPPORTUNITY

We are committed to providing equal opportunity in all of our workforce practices and to compliance with all federal, state, and local laws that prohibit workplace discrimination and unlawful retaliation. PDC strictly prohibits all discrimination and retaliation on the basis of race, ancestry, color, age, national origin, ethnicity, religious creed, belief, physical or mental disability, marital or familial status, legally protected medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical condition), gender (including gender identity and gender expression), sexual orientation, citizenship status, AIDS/HIV status, sickle-cell traits, protected activity (such as opposition to or reporting of prohibited discrimination or harassment), or any other status or classification protected by applicable federal, state, and/or local laws. PDC will also make reasonable accommodations for disabled applicants and workers and for the sincerely held religious beliefs of applicants and workers depending upon individual circumstances. This commitment extends to all areas of personnel actions, including recruiting, selection, hiring, training, promotion, transfer, disciplinary actions, evaluation, work assignments, benefits, and compensation. Every worker at PDC must follow and adhere to this policy. If you believe that you were treated inconsistently with this policy, please immediately report your concern to the School Director. You will not be retaliated against for bringing forth a complaint in good faith. In the event that PDC determines that this policy has been violated, PDC may take disciplinary action against any violator as it determines necessary including discharge from a PDC worker position. 

WORKER AUTHORIZATION

The Immigration Reform Act of 1986 requires PDC to ensure that all workers are authorized to work in the United States. PDC will only work with those individuals who are lawfully authorized to work in the United States. Federal law requires that all workers hired by PDC after November 6, 1986, complete the Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification Form) on or before the first day you work at PDC. Please contact the PDC School Director if you have any questions.  

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT 

We are firmly committed to complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other federal and state legislation designed to ensure equal work opportunities for persons with disabilities. PDC prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in regard to all workforce practices. PDC will make reasonable accommodation to the known physical or mental disabilities of qualified applicants or workers unless to do so would cause an undue hardship on the operation of PDC. In addition, if a pregnant worker is in need of any type of accommodation, including light-duty, modified work assignment, or other similar assistance, the worker should immediately contact the School Director. If you would like to discuss or request an accommodation or have a concern related to discrimination or retaliation, please contact the School Director. 

WORKER STATUS

This section excludes Interns and Volunteers.

All workers are considered Independent ICs (“IC”), and as such, IC will receive 1099 income for tax purposes. IC must also provide a new, signed W-9 form. IC understands that IC is not eligible to participate in any worker pension, health, vacation pay, sick pay, or other fringe benefit plan of PDC.  IC is paid weekly on Fridays either through PayPal or Zelle.  

PDC POLICIES

As an independent contractor, intern, or volunteer at PDC, you understand:

• All workers must read and comply with the PDC COVID-19 protocol. Failure to comply with this protocol is grounds for termination of the PDC and worker relationship/contract.
• You must record your hours worked and reasons for absences on the provided PDC Timesheet.
• Dress, grooming, and personal cleanliness standards affect the professional image presented to students, parents, and visitors. You are expected to present a clean, neat appearance and to dress in clothing appropriate for work in a middle & high school setting. 
• PDC expects the full attention of its independent contractors, interns, and volunteers while they are working. No phone calls while working with students or campers. Personal calls should be conducted either before or after the workday or during breaks or meal periods and personal phone calls should be kept short. If you need to make a call during your workday, let the PDC Director know.
• PDC believes in maintaining safe and healthy working conditions for everyone. Each IC, intern, and volunteer must be safety conscious. We ask all workers to continually be on the lookout for unsafe working conditions or practices. If you observe an unsafe condition, please warn others and report the condition to the PDC School Director, immediately. If you have a question regarding the safety of the workplace and practices, please ask the PDC School Director for clarification.
• Any work-related injury or accident, no matter how minor, is to be reported to the PDC School Director. immediately. If emergency medical care is required, this also should be reported to the PDC Director, immediately.
• There is no leaving early unless you have specifically arranged it with the PDC School Director. If you need to leave early or you need to come in later, contact the PDC School Director at (281) 755-6631.
• Teachers are expected to prepare for a class before the class begins. To be clear, teachers and teaching assistants should read materials and prepare classroom documents and activities before their class begins. 
• Workers should never touch or hug students for any reason. If a student is struggling or having a difficult time, the PDC worker should offer praise, offer a listening ear, or allow the student to take a short break. 

COMPENSATION POLICY

In establishing its wage compensation program, PDC strives to achieve the following: 

• Attract and retain highly competent workers.
• Maintain internal equity among workers based on similar education, skills, and responsibilities. 
• Reward workers according to performance. How workers do their jobs directly influences their compensation, pay increases, and career growth. Annual evaluations assist in providing objective measurements of work performance. 
• Comply with all governmental regulations. 

The procedure for establishing pay rates and job ranges is: 

•  To evaluate each job in objective terms. 
•  To establish a salary or rate for each job, taking into account its relative value to PDC. 
•  To determine a job’s worth in comparison to the marketplace. 
•  To set an individual’s salary by using such factors as performance, time in the specific job, the worker’s education, and the worker’s unique skill set and special achievements. The School Director is responsible for the overall administration of all compensation programs. 

WORKDAYS/PAYDAYS

Our work week begins every Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. daily. Upon worker authorization, PDC will make direct payments every Friday afternoon by either PayPal or Zelle.

CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS

In accordance with applicable law, PDC will not work with any person in a position that requires direct contact with students who have been convicted of a disqualifying offense identified under Texas Penal Code Section 22.011. Although not an exhaustive list, the type of offenses that are disqualifying include convictions relating to sexual misconduct; voyeurism; assault; battery; murder; abuse of a child, adult, or developmentally disabled person; kidnapping; false imprisonment; certain firearms offenses; carjacking; and other similarly egregious crimes. You should note that the listing of offenses that disqualify an individual from working with PDC is PDC’s minimum standard. PDC may determine, in its sole discretion, that other offenses require disqualification from work if PDC concludes that such offenses may impact the specific job. Such disqualification will be based upon an individualized assessment of the circumstances and can occur at any time during a worker’s time with PDC or during the application process. PDC runs Criminal Background checks on all new workers in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws. The workers who work with children may also be required to submit additional criminal background checks if they have lived outside of Texas within the past 5 years. Workers are required to report to the PDC School Director within 24 hours any change in their criminal background (including, but not limited to, arrests involving alcohol or drug offenses). You must also report within 24 hours if there are any changes to your driving record if driving is a part of your job functions or if you drive for PDC in any way. PDC will assess the information to determine whether the worker remains eligible to work at PDC in the current or alternative position in accordance with applicable law. Failure to self-report may result in immediate termination. You may obtain a copy of our full Background check policy from the PDC School Director. 

DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE POLICY 

As a part of its commitment to safeguarding the health of its workers, providing a safe place for its workers to work, and promoting a drug-free working environment, PDC has established this Drug-Free Workplace Program (“Program”) relating to the abuse of drugs (including alcohol by its workers). Drug abuse, while at work or otherwise, seriously endangers the safety of our students, workers, as well as the general public, and creates a variety of workplace problems including increased injuries on the job, increased absenteeism, increased health care and benefit costs, increased theft, decreased morale, decreased productivity, and a decline in the quality of products and services provided. This Program is established in part to detect and remove abusers of drugs from the workplace, to prevent the use and/or presence of these substances in the workplace, and to assist workers in overcoming any dependence on drugs in accordance with the following guidelines. 

HOLIDAYS

The eight (8) designated holidays, which are subject to change at PDC’s discretion, are:

New Year’s Day.

Memorial Day

Independence Day

Labor Day

Thanksgiving Day

Christmas Day

Presidents Day

Martin Luther King Day

DRESS CODE AND GROOMING

All workers should maintain professional standards of dress and grooming. One’s personal expression will be respected. However, dress must always be tasteful and respectful to the ages of the children we serve. 

Sleeveless shirts are allowed. Shorts must not be excessively tight, hanging off the hips, or exposing any private parts of the body. As it relates to shoes, be mindful that we will be walking through grass and woods and doing physical activities. It may be wise to bring indoor and outdoor shoes.

Non-acceptable clothing items include those that may be deemed provocative to our students or maybe too casual for a school environment.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Workers must maintain the confidentiality of all trade secrets, intellectual property rights, and other confidential information of PDC, its students, parents, and other family members, contributors, suppliers, or joint venture parties that are entrusted to them, except when disclosure is legally mandated or expressly authorized by PDC. “Confidential information,” for this purpose, includes any proprietary or other non-public information of PDC, or of other entities or organizations, or of any of the students, parents, and other family members that PDC makes reasonable efforts to keep secret. 

Confidentiality needs to be preserved as it relates to the individual student and their families. Discretion should be used at all times. All written and oral reports about children are confidential. If you wish to privately discuss a child with the previous teacher, this is acceptable. Gossip of any kind is destructive and should not take place at PDC. All discussions should take place in a private setting. 

Workers who receive a request to disclose confidential information must consult with the PDC School Director and receive written confirmation that the disclosure is legally allowed or required before any such information is disclosed. 

Nothing in this policy is intended to interfere with or restrict any worker’s federal or state labor law rights, including all rights under the National Labor Relations Act, or any whistleblower protections under federal or state law. 

CHILD ABUSE REPORTING OBLIGATIONS 

Child Abuse Reporting Obligations: As PDC workers, we have a responsibility to provide the children we teach and interact with the opportunity to obtain the best education possible. However, our responsibility does not end there. We also have a legal responsibility to report any information that we receive that leads us to suspect that a child has been abused, neglected, or abandoned. 

Unfortunately, child abuse, neglect, and abandonment are all too frequent occurrences in today’s society. In our capacities as PDC workers in an educational institution, at some point in our careers, we are likely to come into contact with child abuse, neglect, or abandonment. This prompts the question, “How do I recognize and deal with such a situation when it occurs?” This policy is designed to provide guidelines for reporting suspected child abuse, neglect, and abandonment. 

Texas law requires that all School personnel report suspected child abuse, neglect, or abandonment to the State’s Abuse Hotline [Texas Abuse Hotline at 1-800-252-5400]. The following conduct should be reported under this policy: 

“Abuse”: Any willful act or threatened act that results in any physical, mental, or sexual injury or harm that causes or is likely to cause the child’s physical, mental, or emotional health to be significantly impaired. 

“Neglect”: when a child is deprived of or is allowed to be deprived of, necessary food, clothing, shelter, or medical treatment, or a child is permitted to live in an environment when such deprivation or environment causes the child’s physical, mental, or emotional health to be significantly impaired or to be in danger of being significantly impaired. 

“Abandonment”: A situation in which the parent or legal custodian of a child, or in the absence of a parent or legal custodian, the caregiver responsible for the child’s welfare, while being able, makes no provision for the child’s support and makes no effort to communicate with the child, which situation is sufficient to evince a willful rejection of parental obligations. 

If you have any belief or concern or thought that you have witnessed, or heard about a situation possibly involving abuse, neglect, or abandonment of a student, by any person who is a parent, custodian, caregiver, or is otherwise responsible for the child’s welfare, or is in a supervisory capacity over the child (for example, another relative, pastor, physician, counselor, etc.), you must report your concern to the PDC School Director. If you know or have reasonable cause to suspect, that a child is abused, abandoned, or neglected, you must report it to the Abuse Hotline, either by calling the Texas Abuse Hotline at 1-800-252-5400.

Workers who report concerns of suspected abuse, abandonment, or neglect are expected to cooperate in any investigation by child protective services. In addition, workers who, in good faith, report suspected child abuse, neglect, or abandonment are immune from civil or criminal liability for reporting such information and participating in any investigation. PDC will not retaliate against any worker who makes a report under this policy. Other than the report itself and the communication of appropriate information to the PDC School Director, or as approved by the School Director, the information about the suspected child abuse, abandonment, or neglect should remain confidential for the protection of the child. 

You should also understand that the failure to promptly report suspected abuse, abandonment, or neglect can result in criminal charges for a first-degree misdemeanor. In addition, an educator’s teaching certificate may be suspended from any person who knowingly failed to report child abuse, abandonment, or neglect. Finally, workers are reminded of their obligations to report worker misconduct that affects the health, safety, or welfare of children. Failure to do so will result in disciplinary action and could result in the suspension of an educator’s teaching certificate or termination of an independent contractor contract. 

Sexual Predator and Sexual Offender Notification: PDC would like to inform you of the Texas Department of Law Enforcement sexual predator and sexual offender registry website that gives access to sexual predator and sexual offender public information. Parents and workers should regularly visit the public registry to review it for individuals who may have prior criminal records and sex offenses. [https://www.registeredoffenderslist.org/texas-sex-offenders.html]

October-November 2020: What's Been Happening At PDC!?!

   A Journey Through The PDC Universe

    In the realm of academics, our students have been pressing forward with all of their might, individually & within a group setting. 

    On Planet ELA (AKA English/Language Arts) students are brainstorming, compiling interesting content, developing paragraphs, writing essays [realistic fiction & personal narratives], and revising essays line-by-line. In the Seas of Math, students are diving into decimals & geometry while also swimming through multiplication and division reviews. 

    During their travels through the countries of South America, students learned to spell and locate all 14 countries. The weeks before Christmas break, students will be digging away at different World Histories while stopping to take in the countries of Europe. Google Earth has been such an amazing tool to use in our travels around the world. One of our students LOVES trains and everything having to do with trains. He and his teacher (Ms. Jen) enjoy traveling all around the world checking out different train stations and following the tracks throughout a country.

    In the field of Science, students have been journeying through the microcosmos. Additionally, in Biology, they have been gaining a better understanding of just how connected LIFE on Planet Earth truly is. #academics

Day-by-day, year-by-year the development of PDC's academic curriculum is occurring. A part of the PDC vision is a replicable academic, social-emotional, and vocational curriculum. Additionally, we seek to publish a PDC educational board game.

    Now, there is one particular realm within the PDC universe that has truly been amazing to visit, daily. This is the Land of Zen. Zen, by definition, means a state of calm attentiveness. The Land of Zen has two most interesting provinces. Every morning, in the province of Calm & Concentration, students and staff engage in stretching exercises focused on releasing stress and tension. After stretching exercises, students and staff either do guided breathing exercises OR mindful activities focused on directing the mind toward the movement of their body and/or their mind (self-awareness). 

Calm & Concentration

    Peaceful Warrior Training also occurs in the Land of Zen. In this second province, students learn about themselves (self-awareness), about harmony, and about being at peace and having an “inner smile,” which is a state of contentment and gratitude. They do this through the process of what we call “silence,” “gathering,” “flow,” and “condensing,” as taught to Sifu Ramon Diaz by his teacher Sigung Jorge Gonzales, D.O. Assisting is NASM-Certified Personal Trainer Diane Simmons, owner of Healthy Movement: Cypress Taiji.

Sifu Ramon & Laoshi Diane

    The Land of Zen is very important at Paradigm Development Center. Why, you may ask? Because many people on the autism spectrum experience mild-to-severe anxiety, difficulties managing their emotions, and other mental health issues. In addition to these, social identity and communication challenges also directly contribute to an inability to focus, decreased concentration, racing thoughts, and low self-esteem. Our daily visits to the Land of Zen have proven to be beneficial for this particular student population because it allows for a consistent, safe space to dig deep into self-awareness, develop a calmer mind, bring detailed attention to one's surroundings, and it allows for the genuine ability to "be still" and sit in this stillness. #socialemotional

Part of PDC's vision is to expand the Peaceful Warrior program to include people and families from in and around our community.

Thermostat Minds

Calm & Concentration is a daily session that occurs at 9:00 am every morning at Paradigm Development Center. During these sessions, students and staff work on self-awareness, concentration & focus, and emotion regulation. These very important abilities are achieved through guided breathing exercises and yoga.

Friday morning (September 11, 2020), during Calm and Concentration, my students and I discussed the spirit of the work we do in our morning sessions. We are attempting to connect our minds with our bodies and to gather our intentions in a constructive manner, to prepare ourselves for the mental, emotional, and academic challenges of the day.

We talked about how many of us wake up with feelings of exhaustion, negativity, and resistance to the challenges that the day promises to serve up. We all connected with this reality as it is common among some people who wake up early, or that have their days planned out by parents and caregivers.

Then we talked about an analogy for the successful setting of our intentions and the bringing together of our internal resources for the day. This analogy was the contrast between Thermometers and Thermostats.

Thermometers can be useful in what they do. The students identified that Thermometers take the temperature of the atmosphere that they are placed in. They can tell us a concrete number to represent the heat or cold that we experience in that environment. 

Next, we discussed what a Thermostat was. Thermostats not only tell the temperature of the atmosphere but they control other resources that can bring the environment to the desired temperature.

To bring home the analogy, I asked how useful it would be for someone to use a Thermometer to tell them that the room they are sweating in was 125 degrees. Without a way of adjusting the environment, this measurement would not relieve the suffering of anyone sitting in the room. Only with a Thermostat would the reading of the extreme temperature be useful, as the Thermostat has the ability to change the environment to a more suitable temperature. 

Our minds are much more useful when they play the role of the Thermostat. We do need to recognize when there are uncomfortable environments, unsuitable for productivity and enjoyment of our days. Then, we must bring our resources together to tame our environment and make it suitable for the challenges that the day will present.

This is ONE of the purposes of our morning Calm & Concentration session.

- Mr. Loren Marvin

Co-Founder & Lead Teacher @Paradigm Development Center

COVID-19 Protocol

Daily Guidelines & Procedures

Updated Protocol as of August 2022

Paradigm Development Center (PDC) staff and students are not required to wear a face mask.

COVID-19 Testing

PDC is no longer administering COVID-19 testing on-site to our community. PDC administers COVID-19 testing for PDC staff, interns, & students only.

After a positive diagnosis, a negative COVID-19 test is required to attend or work in person at PDC.

Hand Washing & Hand Sanitizer

Staff and students are required to wash their hands after field trips into the community. Hand washing also occurs before meal eating and after using the restroom.

There are hand sanitizers for students and staff to use throughout the school. Students and staff will be frequently encouraged to use hand sanitizer. Additionally, hand sanitizer will be provided to staff and students after outdoor sessions.

COVID-19 Symptoms

Cough, fever or chills, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, muscle or body aches, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell, diarrhea, headache, fatigue, nausea or vomiting, and congestion or runny nose.

Staff exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 will be isolated and asked to leave, immediately. If the staff member is having symptoms related to allergies, they will need to get a note from their primary care physician (PCP) that states the symptoms are directly associated with allergies. Otherwise, the staff member will be required to begin the process to get a COVID-19 test at Paradigm Development Center or at a Houston Health Department affiliated test site. The test results need to be emailed to houstonpdc@gmail.com.

Students exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 will be isolated and their parents are required to pick them up, immediately. If a student is having symptoms related to allergies, they will need to get a note from their primary care physician (PCP) that states the symptoms are directly associated with allergies. Otherwise, the student will be required to begin the process to get a COVID-19 test at a Houston Health Department-affiliated test site or take a government approved COVID-19 home test. The test results need to be emailed to houstonpdc@gmail.com.

Parent Responsibilities

Please note: You and/or your family are obligated to contact the PDC school director at director@paradigmdevelopmentcenter.com or (281) 755-6631 if or when your student, yourself, or a live-in immediate family member is exposed to or tests positive for COVID-19. You and/or your family are obligated to contact the PDC school director if or when your student, yourself, or a live-in immediate family member begins to express symptoms of COVID-19. 

If your student continues to attend in-person PDC classroom sessions, please keep the following in mind. PDC staff, students, and student families are directly affected by what each staff and student brings into the school, every day. Please stay mindful and proactive in efforts to keep yourself and your family aware of what you/they are touching and consistent with hand washing, wearing face masks, and social distancing.

PDC Staff Responsibilities

Please note: You and/or your family are obligated to contact the PDC school director at director@paradigmdevelopmentcenter.com or (281) 755-6631 if or when you or a live-in immediate family member is exposed to or tests positive for COVID-19. You and/or your family are obligated to contact the PDC school director if or when you or a live-in immediate family member begins to express symptoms of COVID-19. 

PDC staff will sanitize and disinfect public areas and surfaces to stay proactive in efforts to control the transmission of COVID-19. PDC staff will stay mindful and proactive in efforts to keep in-person attending students aware of what they are touching and consistent in handwashing & sanitizing.

If you continue to attend in-person PDC classroom sessions, please keep the following in mind. PDC staff, students, and student families are directly affected by what each staff and student brings into the school, every day. Please stay mindful and proactive in efforts to keep yourself and your family aware of what you/they are touching and consistent with hand washing, wearing face masks, and social distancing.

PDC’s Responsibilities

PDC will keep staff and student families updated if or when a PDC staff, student, or live-in immediate family member tests positive for COVID-19.

PDC will continue to execute this protocol until June 1, 2023. On this day, PDC will review this protocol and send an update to staff and student families. Due to the quickly evolving nature of COVID-19, PDC reserves the right to update this protocol at any time. [Last updated August 2022]

Educational Resources Relating to COVID-19

World Health Organization course -  https://openwho.org/courses/introduction-to-ncov

Harris County Public Health - http://publichealth.harriscountytx.gov/Resources/2019-Novel-Coronavirus

If you have questions or concerns, contact the PDC school director at director@paradigmdevelopmentcenter.com or (281) 755-6631.  

PDC reserves the right to update this protocol at any time.

Camp Paradigm 2020: The Genuine Strength & Patience of Women

Camp Paradigm Moms & Grandmoms

Due to the Coronavirus, Camp Paradigm 2020 - Week One was facilitated online. I wanted to take some time to recognize the amazing character and qualities of the women that helped facilitate this all-girls camp crew in the challenging online format.

Accessibility

So, if you didn't know already, there are a super-duper amount of challenges that arise when asking a camper with learning disabilities to engage in a series of online tasks throughout a day with presence, enthusiasm, and sustained concentration. Facilitating online learning and activities can be very difficult for most special education camp instructors and parents. This is because there are inherent issues with the online learning format such as technological problems. Some examples of this are internet connection & bandwidth gaps, camera & voice issues, comfortability with laptops & applications for the parents. All of these technological components supply the supports for camp activities. 

Parents are required to become familiar with these components in order to assist their campers in accessing online camp settings. This is without mentioning the actual disabilities that are inherent within a camper’s level of autism and the individualized challenges that each camper's diagnosis brings to the table. With that being said, Camp Paradigm Week One - Online was no small task to pull off especially for campers that had not already established the trusting and enthusiastic relationship that we like to cultivate in the face-to-face environment at Paradigm Development Center (PDC).

Supports

During Camp Paradigm Week One - Online,  the moms and grandmothers of the all-female campers were so impressive.  Their level of patience, presence, and interaction with their campers enabled them to take part in each and every activity and to enjoy the overall amount of fun that was designed for them. These moms had to coordinate with Camp Paradigm staff on materials, expectations for each activity, facilitating with the controls of logging in & changing from one virtual room to another virtual room (breakout rooms), repeating directions and questions,  and prompting their campers appropriately to gain depth of thought and responses. These women organized their “at-home” environments in such a way that their campers had the ability to do yoga. This requires space for stretching and these women prompted their campers to participate and to put forth effort into each of the moves and stretches. These women made sure that the campers were back from breaks on time after ensuring their campers had an appropriate amount of relaxation during the breaks. This allowed campers to maintain their peak concentration during the camp activities and interactions according to the daily camp schedule.

Enthusiasm

One of the greatest things that we noticed about the Camp Paradigm Super Moms and Grandmas was the level of enthusiasm, willingness, and openness to each online camp activity. This really drove the interaction to a level of engagement that is not accomplishable without the strength & patience of the women present. This is especially impressive knowing the amount of stress, concern, lack of understanding of where an activity might take us, and what it might look like and its finality. Oh, these women showed out with their extraordinary amount of relationship skills and leadership skills.

Patience

So, let’s discuss patience real quick. We all know the huge challenges that can arise from technological failures, connection issues, the lack of good video quality, and/or problems with audible communication. During Camp Paradigm Week ONE online, there were times when some or all of these tech failures disrupted camp sessions. All of these tech failures seemed to naturally take place at times when communication was at its greatest need and these moms and grandmas made do. They stayed in the moment, stayed present and patient, and saw through each one of these particular challenges to a point of the successful conclusion of all activities.

Relationship

As I pointed out at the beginning of this blog post, TEAM Paradigm staff prefers to cultivate trusting personal relationships in a face-to-face setting. Why? Because we have learned that many autistic folks rely on the background standing of trust in the people that they're interacting with. In this case, that wasn't completely possible as some campers were new to the Paradigm Development Center programs. The moms and grandmothers of our campers were crucial in bridging the gaps in pre-existing relationships while at the same time actively building new relationships between their camper and other campers. This was completed through all of the explicit interactions that were designed into the Camp Paradigm daily schedule. I witnessed these women going above and beyond what most people feel they’re able to accomplish. 

I am so proud to have been a part of what occurred during Camp Paradigm Week ONE online. I am so proud to know these families and to see the extent of love and support they have expressed for their kids and grandkids at every level. We love our Camp Paradigm families!

- Loren Marvin, Lead Teacher at Paradigm Development Center

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Camp Paradigm: Frequently Asked Questions

Camp Paradigm FAQs

Does my camper have to wear a mask?

All campers and staff are required to wear masks indoors. Campers may take their mask off during indoor activities when they are seated and socially-distanced from one another. Masks are not required for campers outdoors UNLESS social distancing is unable to be practiced.

What will drop-off and pick-up look like each morning & afternoon?

Parents are required to stay in their cars at drop-off and pick-up. At drop-off, parents must stay on the campgrounds until after their camper completes the COVID-19 screening process. Parents are welcomed to log into the Camp Paradigm Virtual Space to observe their camper.

What kind of screening process will my camper need to go through?

All campers and staff will be screened (using a COVID-19 screening questionnaire) & they will have their temperatures taken each camp day. 

What is Camp Paradigm staff doing to reduce the risk of my camper contracting COVID-19?

Please read the Camp Paradigm COVID-19 protocol here.

What medical resources are near Camp Paradigm?

America's ER Medical Centers 
13902 Spring Cypress Rd, Cypress, TX 77429
(281) 503-8160

AFC Urgent Care 
10850 Louetta Road, Suite 1500 Houston, Texas 77070
(281) 666-9981

Will there be a Camp Paradigm Virtual Space option?

Yes. Parents or siblings may request the Camp Paradigm Virtual Space daily login to observe their camper.

Where do I go to stay updated on the Camp Paradigm's COVID-19 protocol?

Click here, then bookmark this page for quick future reference. 

How is social distancing going to be exercised at Camp Paradigm?

All campers will have their own tablespace, chair, and supplies. (e.g., lunches, thermometer, water bottles, paper towels, soap, art supplies, eating ware, laptops, hand sanitizer, alcohol wipes, etc.)

During each camp day, there will be one staff member with the responsibility of observing staff and campers for symptoms of COVID-19 and they will ensure social distancing is being practiced. 

Will my camper go on field trips?

Campers and staff will not leave the campgrounds. Campers will have the opportunity to participate in virtual field trips. Additionally, Camp Paradigm has guest speakers/instructors lined up to interact and/or instruct in the areas of financial literacy, job readiness, and running a small business.

When can I make a payment for Camp Paradigm?

• Payment for Camp Paradigm Week One can be made on June 29, 2020. [Week One: July 6, 2020 - July 10, 2020]
• Payment for Camp Paradigm Week Two can be made on July 13, 2020. [Week Two: July 20, 2020 - July 24, 2020]
• Payment for Camp Paradigm Week Three can be made on July 27, 2020. [Week Three: August 3, 2020 - August 7, 2020]

Payments can be made through Zelle or Venmo (using 281-755-6631 or houstonpdc@gmail.com). Payments can also be made using cash or a check. There is a $50.00 fee for returned checks.

For more information on Paradigm Development Center's Summer programs, click here.