Page 9 - Jupiter Spotlight - July '23

Jupiter Spotlight, Page 9
Jupiter Senior Softball News

Members of the Jupiter Senior Softball Association paid Players from four teams,
tribute this past Memorial Day to those in the military who made many of them veterans,
the ultimate sacrifice for their country. The pregame ceremony gathered before a large
included several persons who called out the names of relatives American flag for the
and friends who died in World War II, Korea or Vietnam. observance at Maplewood
Community Park. Gary
Vitaletti explained the
difference between Veterans
Day that honors all who
served in the military and Gary Vitaletti, foreground, led Memorial Day ceremony. Photo by Mike Richmond
Memorial Day, which is
reserved for “those who made the ultimate sacrifice while of remembrance and not coincide with other celebrations.
defending the ideals that make us the greatest country on Vitaletti also said Waterloo, N.Y., was among the
earth.” Memorial Day originated during and after the Civil first towns to make the holiday an annual community-
War when deceased soldiers were honored by placement wide event which in 1966 led the federal government to
of flags and flowers on their graves, Vitaletti said. And, designate the town as the birthplace of Memorial Day. A
Participants in the Memorial Day tribute included, from it was Union General John Logan who designated May recording of the solemn music of Taps ended the ceremony
left, Bob Davis, Gene Holmes, Tom Guarino and Ron Seely. 30 as “Decoration Day,” a day on which no named war as players listened with their caps over their hearts.
Photo by Mike McClanahan battles had occurred so it would become a universal day The senior softball program is sponsored by the
nonprofit Jupiter Senior Softball Association in
cooperation with the Town of Jupiter and is open
to persons 55 and older. Games are every Monday,
Wednesday and Friday morning at Jupiter Community
Park, and new players of all skill levels are welcome.
Registration can be made online at www.leaguelineup.
com/jssa. For more information contact Gary Newman at
(917) 623-0791.

Testing Children

For Autism

By Jim Forgan, Ph.D.,
School Psychologist
Autism diagnoses
continue to increase.
According to results
from a recent Centers
for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC)
funded study, the autism
prevalence was that
one in 36 children had
autism. For every one
girl identified with autism, four boys were identified.
For the first time, more African-American, Hispanic,
and Asian children were identified than White children.
Researchers agree that early identification and use of
evidenced-based treatments lead to the best outcomes for
children with autism.
We test children for autism starting at age 2. There is
no one test or even a medical test or blood test to diagnose
autism. In our practice we utilize the gold standard
assessment called the Autism Diagnostic Observation
Schedule or ADOS, second edition. In addition, we use
caregiver interviews and tests of language, attention,
intelligence, and memory.
Five criteria should be met for a psychologist to
diagnose Autism Spectrum Disorder. First, the child
must demonstrate deficits in social communication
and social interaction across settings. Second, the child
must display restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior,
interests, or activities, currently or by history. Third, the
child’s symptoms must have started early. Fourth, there
must be evidence of a significant impairment. Fifth,
the symptoms must not be caused by another mental or
physical condition.
If your child is diagnosed with autism, we recommend
you start with treatments identified by the National
Clearinghouse on Autism Evidence and Practice. These
are 28 evidenced-based practices that independent
research documented best help children with autism.
Treatments include applied behavior analysis (ABA)
therapy, discrete trial training, cognitive behavioral
intervention, and social narratives. Many insurance
companies pay for evidenced-based therapies with an
official autism diagnosis. In addition, Florida offers the
Family Empowerment Scholarship to provide you funding
to help your child.
I co-authored the book Parent’s Quick Start Guide to
Autism which provides a quick, but deep dive into what
to immediately do when your child is diagnosed with
autism. When it comes to helping your young child, time
is too precious to squander.
Call to discuss your child as we test for autism,
dyslexia, dysgraphia, attention-deficit hyperactivity
disorder (ADHD), depression, and anxiety. Visit
JimForgan.com or call (561) 625-4125.