Testimonials

What parents are saying about Teamwork Wins Programs…

Teamwork Wins’ partnership with our local YMCA enabled my children to have the same summer camp experience that their peers got to have. The low ratio of Teamwork Wins staff and peer mentors to campers meant that my kids got more than one-on-one attention all through camp. That’s something the Y just can’t offer on its own. I’m looking forward to sending my children to the Teamwork Wins camp next year.”  ~Rhana

“My son was having difficulty integrating with peers. He often used inappropriate ways to get kids to play rather than ask (e.g, play too close or interfere without saying anything). Now he is understanding better that you have to communicate and ask if others are interested in playing. He is also beginning to understand that you need to conform in a team sport.” Parent of child diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome.

TESTAMONIALS

“Summer Connections” 2011

I do want to let you know, my son told us last night that he is having a lot of fun!  Yeah!!!  Going from the unknown and feeling anxious to having a great time..

Thank you so much for everyone’s help and work this summer with my daughter. She has absolutely loved and enjoyed it! I’m talking utter excitement every day. Thank you.

My daughter is continuing to have a wonderful time at camp. You all have made this a memorable summer for her, as well as for me. She has changed in many, many ways. She is more at ease, more tuned into others and more conversational than she has ever been. Like magic! No, I know that there is a lot of thought that goes into what you do each day at camp with the kids.

 

Amazing.  My step-son was so positive and easy going this afternoon following camp today.  Thanks for all you are doing to support him.  He is having fun and definitely learning!

 

Hi, and thanks for a great first week for my son at camp. He had a wonderful time!

 

My daughter has been loving camp! It sounds as though you have gotten to know her well already, and I appreciate you keeping me informed of all that has transpired. I will continue keeping you informed about anything of significance in her life here at home.

 

After having spoken with you on the phone last week I was so impressed by what you do with the campers to improve their social skills. My daughter is going to get a lot of experience under her belt!

 

“My son had a hard time socializing with other children and did not want to participate in activities or if he did, they ended badly. Now, when we go to Teamwork Wins’ Connections Camp, he never wants to leave. In fact, he wants to know when he will be back! My son feels accepted in this group of children and can relax and be a kid!” Parent of child diagnosed with ADHD.

“My son refused to play any team sports. This was causing problems during gym. Now he will play soccer at Connections Camp.” Parent of child diagnosed with ADHD.

“My children are better self advocates as a result of building their individual self-esteem in programs at Teamwork Wins!” Parent of children diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome.

“My daughter had no awareness that her actions were being portrayed as flirty to boys and all she wanted was to be friends. Connections Camp helped her with learning how her facial expressions and actions can be misconstrued. Also how she presents herself, i.e. clothing, cleanliness, etc., is important.” Parent of teen diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome.

“Our teen enjoyed being on a soccer team and was able to successfully interact with his team members. In addition, The Lego club enabled him to work on his one-on-one social skills and also improve his reading comprehension.” Parent of teen diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome.

“My son is more aware of his conversational topics when speaking with peers. He can be easily prompted to “stop blabbering” when he goes off on some tangent in which others aren’t interested. His time at Summer Connections Camp helped him with this.” Parent of child diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome.

“My daughter is new to Teamwork Wins weekend club. She is still in the beginning progress of learning to make eye contact and responding.” Parent of child diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome.

“(Our four-year-old son)… ended up going last Thursday to the Express Yourself Program…He loved it so much he asked if he could go every Thursday and Friday so we sent him to both this week.” Parent of child who participates in our pre-school Express Yourself program.

“I just wanted to tell you how much (our son) liked the Tai Chi last Saturday. I was stunned when he showed me the moves he learned – as were his OT and psychologist. His demeanor changes immediately when he does it. He immediately has a very calm expression on his face and he moves deliberately. How wonderful to see him so calm. I hope you plan to keep this up and use it throughout the summer as well.” Parent of child who participates in Summer Connections.

“…again thanks for your help. (My son) did very well at the YMCA this year without a TSS (Therapeutic Support Staff). He did well at summer school too.” Parent of child diagnosed with ADHD who participates in Summer Connections.

 

What kids are saying about Teamwork Wins Programs…

 

“I like the way you (TWW Staff) handle problems if kids get in a conflict. I like how there’s all different types of kids.” Camp participant, male aged 15.

“I like to play when I’m here.” Camp participant, female aged 7 diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome.

“I like the (TWW facility). I like the games we play inside and outside. I like the activities, games and going outside. I like everything about it.” Camp participant, male aged 9 diagnosed with ADHD.

“I like camp because I make new friends and meet people I didn’t know before.” Camp participant, female aged 14 diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome.
“Rachael has been working with Drew for a couple years, and this summer has worked with him specifically to impact growth in social ability and get him ready for middle school. She has great enthusiasm for what she is doing, and is very creative in her approach to brainstorm ways in which a child could be taught to “blend” in the school setting as well as social settings.

Rachael thinks “outside the box” in helping AS kids. Her idea of peer models is an revolutionary, practical teaching method to help AS pre-teens and teens learn the skills needed to navigate the complicated school setting in a way in which the teen responds. After the summer, family members have noticed a difference in how Drew carries himself. He has gained some confidence in understanding some of the social rules and even what may be ahead of him in the school setting. She is not afraid to deal with very practical issues of body language, phrases used among teens and boy/girl relationships.

Her expertise has been a great blessing to us as we continue to help our son navigate through life.”

-Lisa Cameron, Parent

“When Rachael came into my son’s life, he had just finished third grade. He had also just exhausted his fourth aide, fourth behavior support specialist, and essentially warn out his “welcome” at the local public school. Rachael was able to inconspicuously observe my son, make astute and accurate observations and implement, for the first time, successful behavior plans. Additionally, Rachael was able to instantly and permanently establish a rapport with my son where no one before or since has succeeded! Rachael’s expertise extends beyond my own child. Children as young as five and as old as fourteen have benefited from Rachael guidance. Rachael has a knack for knowing how to connect with children who have so many different temperaments. She is able to establish and maintain the trust and confidence that is essential to working with children on the spectrum. While many can talk of social skills development, Rachael is able to teach it, and promote it not just to the students/children “on the spectrum” but to the benefit of I any child who walks through her door. It is both a pleasure and a testament to see so many children blossom in the environment that Rachael creates—through fun activities like K’NEX Club, Lunch Bunch, Connections, or social skills camps.”

-G. Smith M.Ed.
Mother and School Psychologist

“On behalf of the Preschool at Tiferet Bet Israel, I want to thank you for the opportunity to get involved with the ASD Spectrum Project. It was at the conference at Gwynedd Mercy College that some of our staff were introduced to the Project.

Rachael Simms and Adele Sacarelli have provided support beyond our expectations. Their observations and advice have been invaluable in our accomodating our early childhood education program to the needs of children on the autism spectrum.

Their suggestions have helped with classroom management for all children. All of the children have especially gained from their lessons. For example, the value of not being a Space Invader has now become part of the classroom culture. When we mention a concern, they are ready with a custom lesson or social story. We are looking forward to a lesson about bullying.

Rachael and Adele have made themselves available to parents and teachers. They presented at our Back to School Night. They are sensitive about commenting on classroom practices. They are willing to speak with teachers and assistants. The mentoring program continues to encourage the teachers and sharpen their skills.

Our involvement with Rachael Simms and Adele Sacarelli continues to enhance our ability to do our job as early childhood professionals.”

-Preschool at Tiferet Bet Israel

“Since my son went through the mentor program his relationship with brother (with ASD) has improved .. greatly improved… “

-Maria Kuhns

“The greatest achievement that I’ve made in fifth grade is getting better at my social skills. At the beginning of the time I was here I barely had any friends and I would do stuff that was not expected for my age. But when I stared taking social skills classes with Ms. Simms I started getting better at making friends and do stuff that is expected for my age. I am proud of myself for doing that and for working at it still. So I say thank you to all the teachers that I’ve had through the years and to Ms. Simms.”

-Sam, 5th grader

“My son was having difficulty integrating with peers. He often used inappropriate ways to get kids to play rather than ask (e.g, play too close or interfere without saying anything). Now he is understanding better that you have to communicate and ask if others are interested in playing. He is also beginning to understand that you need to conform in a team sport.”

-Parent of child diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome.

“My son had a hard time socializing with other children and did not want to participate in activities or if he did, they ended badly. Now, when we go to Teamwork Wins’ Connections Camp, he never wants to leave. In fact, he wants to know when he will be back! My son feels accepted in this group of children and can relax and be a kid!”

-Parent of child diagnosed with ADHD.

“My children are better self advocates as a result of building their individual self-esteem in programs at Teamwork Wins!”

-Parent of children diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome.

“My daughter had no awareness that her actions were being portrayed as flirty to boys and all she wanted was to be friends. Connections Camp helped her with learning how her facial expressions and actions can be misconstrued. Also how she presents herself, i.e. clothing, cleanliness, etc., is important.”

-Parent of teen diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome.

“My son is more aware of his conversational topics when speaking with peers. He can be easily prompted to “stop blabbering” when he goes off on some tangent in which others aren’t interested. His time at Summer Connections Camp helped him with this.”

-Parent of child diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome.