Matheny Adult Learning Center: Off-site Facility Enhances Learning

Each weekday, as many as 45 adults come to Valley Park to participate in a day of learning designed just for them.

For the last 10 years, the Matheny School and Hospital, a facility for children and adults with medically complex developmental disabilities, has operated an Adult Learning Center in the Route 206 complex. The adult program is designed to instill self-respect and enable participations to participate in various forms of self-expression.

“It started being an off-site location for Matheny patients,” Joe Lupo, program coordinator, said. “Today, about half of them are part of Adult Day Health Services (residents of area group homes); the rest are Matheny residents who come here for the day.”

The program provides a variety of activities for the clients. In the sports room, Todd Deremer helps clients participate in adaptive physical education activities. Light resistance bands enable participants to pull and release a basketball toward a height-adjustable hoop. A magnet on the end of a fishing line and another on the back of a plastic fish allows clients to try their hand at fishing.

Deremer also developed a series of pulleys and ropes so individuals can pull themselves up and move across the room. A specially designed “sleeve” helps clients hold such sports equipment as a hockey stick.

In the team-building class, clients with different abilities learn to “interact as a team,” said Deremer.

Other programs regularly offered at the Hillsborough site include yoga and computer-generated art and dance, led by members of Matheny’s highly acclaimed Art Access program.

The facility’s three classrooms offer a variety of interactive experiences. On a recent day, one group was working on forecasting the weather while those in the computer lab (with multiple computers donated by Friends of Matheny) were creating a 2011 calendar.

“There is so much new technology available,” Sue Antelis, who works with clients in the computer lab, said. “We work with web access and email and using augmentative and access devices. They do a lot of individual work.”

The seven-member staff is supplemented by 9-10 general care personnel and three nurses.

For township resident Debbie Baker, supervisor of the personal care staff, it’s a joy to be part of the center.

“I love working with the clients and everybody here,” she said.

Matheny encourages community involvement. Anyone interested in volunteering and/or providing a special program at the Hillsborough center should contact Gail Cunningham, Matheny coordinator of volunteer activities, at 908-234-0011, ext. 282 or volunteers@matheny.org.

For more information about the Matheny School and Hospital and its programs, visit www.matheny.org.