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

Lego Challenges

World Guinness Records: Post-It Notes

Water Balloon Baby

Water Balloon Baby: Caring For Others

Computer Science: Characterization Coding

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.

Camp Paradigm 2022 - COVID-19 Update

Camp Paradigm 2022

COVID-19 protocol & Guidelines

[Last updated June 2022]

Camp Paradigm is scheduled for three separate weeks with the first camp starting on June 27, 2022. Camp Paradigm executes and enforces the Health & Safety protocol stated in the Texas Health & Human Services protocol for Youth Day Camps. Camp Paradigm adds some requirements that will be enforced daily, from the start of the camp day to the end of the camp day during every Camp Paradigm week. All staff and camp families will receive a webpage link to the Camp Paradigm COVID-19 Protocol [emailed June 16, 2022].

• All campers and staff are encouraged to wear masks indoors when social distancing is unable to be practiced. Masks are not required for campers and staff outdoors.

• Parents are required to stay in their cars at drop-off and pick-up.

• There will be no unscheduled visitors allowed in or around the school or camp spaces.

• Staff exhibiting symptoms in the form of sneezing, a stuffy nose, or coughing will put on a mask, immediately. If their symptoms continue OR their symptoms develop into symptoms described under "COVID-19 Symptoms" below they will be isolated, given a PDC-administered COVID-19 test, and asked to leave.

• Campers exhibiting symptoms in the form of sneezing, a stuffy nose, or coughing will put on a mask, immediately. If their symp;toms continue OR their symptoms developm into symptoms described under "COVID-19 Symptoms" below they will put on a face mask, immediately. If their symptoms continue they will be isolated, given a PDC-administered COVID-19 test, and their parents are required to pick them up.

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.

• There will only be up to 15 campers and 7 staff per week in Camp Paradigm buildings at any time.

• All staff will receive training on appropriate hand hygiene, cleaning and disinfection, and respiratory etiquette. 

COVID-19 Testing

Campers and camp staff may be asked to take a COVID-19 rapid test if or when they are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms. 

Visitors

There will be no unscheduled visitors allowed in or around the school spaces. Schedule visitors are required to socially-distance themselves while visiting Camp Paradigm.

Leaving & Returning During the School Day

If staff or camper leaves the school during the school day, they must immediately wash their hands before touching anything anywhere in the school.

Hand Sanitizer

There are hand sanitizer bottles for students and staff to use throughout the school. Campers and staff will be frequently encouraged to use hand sanitizer. Staff and campers will wash their hands after outdoor sessions.

In Closing

This protocol is not a guarantee a camper or staff will not contract COVID-19. Camp Paradigm staff will execute this protocol to reduce the risk of a camper or staff contracting COVID-19. Camp Paradigm staff reserves the right to add to and edit this protocol at any time. Please review this protocol, periodically.

By signing this form, I acknowledge I have carefully read through the COVID-19 protocol for Camp Paradigm. As a Camp Paradigm parent, I will do everything I can to assist Camp Paradigm staff and students in reducing the risk of contracting COVID-19. Most importantly, I will let the camp director know if or when my family has been exposed to or in contact with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19.

 

Camp Director

Maranda Marvin

director@paradigmdevelopmentcenter.com

Call or Text (281) 755-6631