Penquis and BBBS Hold Disability Training

Bangor, Maine - In an effort to better support its Big/Little matches, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-
Maine recently hosted a disability training session on July 17 at the Bangor YMCA.  The training was attended by BBBS of Mid-Maine program staff and volunteers.

Heather Wheaton, a representative of Penquis’ Autism Community Services, led the presentation on Autism Spectrum Disorders, including Autism, Asperger’s, and PDD-NOS. The session included factual information about the disorders and best practices for supporting children with disabilities. The presentation also included information about OCD, Anxiety, and ADD/ADHD as they relate to children on the spectrum. Autism, the most commonly diagnosed developmental disability is a neurological disorder which affects 1 out of every 88 children. For more information on Penquis’s Autism Community Services call (207) 973-3500.

BBBS of Mid-Maine has opportunities for people to have fun and make a difference as Big Brothers or Big Sisters or to serve as School-Based Coordinators at several schools throughout Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Penobscot, Somerset, and Waldo Counties. To find out how you can start something great for a child today by volunteering or donating please call 593-0380 or email: info@bbbsmidmaine.org.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine changes the lives of 560 children facing adversity in Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Penobscot, Somerset, and Waldo Counties for the better, forever by providing strong and enduring, professionally supported 1-to-1 relationships. Children in our program have higher aspirations, greater confidence, better relationships, avoid risky behaviors, and achieve educational success.

Photo Caption: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine (BBBSMM) staff and volunteers learned about Autism from Penquis’s Autism Community Services representative Heather Wheaton. Heather discussed effective sources of calming for those with sensory processing challenges including weighted toys and blankets. If you look closely, you can see sensory items throughout the group and a weighted bear on the shoulder of BBBSMM CEO, Alex Gaeth.