Halloween Events and AAC Month!

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Hello, nature explorers!

Fall temperatures are taking their time in arriving, but fall colors are starting to appear! You can track the progress throughout the season with the MN DNR Fall Color Finder. Can you and your child find a rainbow of leaves? 

AAC Awareness Month!
October is AAC Awareness Month, to spread knowledge about alternative forms of communication that some neurodivergent individuals rely on.
This post from local OWL Therapy explains the basics, and this reel from A Friend For Lillybug dispels some common myths. The only thing I would add is this: Having spoken language does not always mean that AAC is not needed. Some individuals use it intermittently; my 10-year-old son is one who only needs it during and after meltdowns, but it benefits him hugely to have access to many different communication options at those times. 
In addition a focus on education about this topic, there are also deep discounts on AAC programs this month. We use the options below in our groups sometimes, in addition to a free text-to-speech app. If you're interested in purchasing a robust AAC program for your child, check out the variety of options in the image below!

LAMP app

Proloquo2Go app


Halloween!

Check out the Halloween-themed AAC visual above, then head to one of these kid-friendly Halloween events coming up this month!
  • Trunk or Treat at Momentum (previously Bluestem) As usual Nurture in Nature is participating in this one; I love that it's full of individuals that work with neurodivergent kids every day. Very safe and sensory-friendly. Join us for games and treats!
    FREE
    Friday, October 25th 5:30-7:00pm 
    at 
    124 Elton Hills Ln NW
    Rochester MN 55901
    $FREE
     
  • Boo at the Zoo at Oxbow
    FREE
    Saturday, October 26th 10:00am-4:00pm
    at
    5731 County Rd 105 NW
    Byron MN 55920
    $FREE
     
  • AccessABLE Kids Halloween Party at 125 Live @ the Rec Center
    $10/person
    Saturday, October 26th 3:00-4:30pm
    at
    Willow Room in
    125 Live @ Rec Center
    125 Elton Hills Dr NW
    Rochester MN 55901
    Park at lower entrance - look for the balloons!
     
  • Spooktacular Halloween Event at Boundless 
    FREE for MEMBERS, admission price for all others ($12/active participant, $3/spectator)
    Wednesday, October 30th 5:00-8:00pm 
    at 
    3825 Superior Drive NW
    Rochester MN 55901
     
  • Halloween Sparktactular at Spark
    $12/member, $20/non-member
    Thursday, October 31st 5:30-7:00pm
    at
    1201 12th St SW Suite 632
    (inside Apache Mall)
    Rochester MN 55902

College Planning!
Got a neurodivergent kid in grades 7-12? Here's a chance to learn about college planning and navigating the application process! 

Register!

Music Therapy!
Did you know that music therapy has shown to have many of the same health benefits as nature-based therapy? I have had the pleasure of meeting several music therapists in Rochester, and I have been awed EVERY TIME at their ability to connect with kids of all abilities and SO quickly spark the kids' joy and bring their strengths to the surface. Here are a few local options for music therapy!

Flashlight tag tomorrow and storytime next weekend! We'll post any updates and future dates to the calendar and website as well as sharing with the Rochester Tag email list and Facebook group.

Did you know that there is an apple tree at Root River Park?! We have been loving the yummy treats!

Interested in joining our team? We're hiring OTs!