Spotlight Individuals

   Berkshire County Arc recently announced receipt of an $8,000 grant from the Department of Mental Retardation to provide a sensory integration program for children with autism.  The program, “Sensory Processing and Your Child on the Autism Spectrum”, will offer four hands-on sessions for children with autism after an orientation session that will be facilitated by an occupational therapist.  The OT will provide an overview of the program and lead parents in completing a Caregiver Questionnaire of the Sensory Profile.  The results of this survey will then be used by both the OT and staff to develop activities and hands-on sessions that the children will participate in during their sessions.

   Session topics will include: Deep Pressure, Movement, Oral-Motor Development, and Use of Suspension Equipment. There will also be a lending library available to caregivers to borrow equipment used in the program for home use.

   The program is a collaboration between Berkshire County Arc and Community Resources for People With Autism.

   For more information and registration please contact Barbara Henry at Berkshire County Arc at 499-4241 Ext. 228.

Tom Coutherut, Mark Sartori, and Doug Risk Walk for Diabetes

    This issue BCARC is honoring Tom Coutherut, Mark Sartori, and Doug Risk.  On September 25, 2005, these energetic men, along with Anne and Carol Guest, Amber Hardaker, and Chris, Lisa and Brianna Locke, walked three miles to support the American Diabetes Association.    

   Tom, Mark and Doug worked extra hard during the weeks prior to the event to line up donations for their part of the walk.  A website was set up for the guys’ team, and each member had a link to help obtain online donations. 

   The team, “Brianna’s Idea”, raised a total of $850.50 for this cause that is becoming more important and relevant to the lives

of people in Berkshire County and the United States as a whole. 

   When not raising money for good causes, these Spotlight Individuals also find time to work and spend time with their friends enjoying their favorite hobbies.  Mark Sartori works at Zip ‘N Sort, enjoys bowling, art class, socializing and going out to eat.  Doug Risk loves traveling to new places, participates in both the spring and summer Special Olympics, shopping and going to the library.  Tom Coutherut currently works for Airtight Holders and is an avid collector. 

   Congratulations Tom, Mark and Doug!

Spotlight Individuals Tom Coutherut, Doug Risk and Mark Sartori walked three miles in the ADA Walk for Diabetes and helped their team to raise $850.50. 

4