Lemonade for Birchtree

On a hot, humid day last weekend, Joseph and Laura Lynne Riggle offered passers-by some cold lemonade. But instead of selling the drinks, they suggested that each customer make a donation to The Birchtree Center!

With their hard work, they collected over fifty dollars in donations to support educational programs at The Birchtree Center. Thanks, Joseph and Laura Lynne!

Birchtree at the Beach

A trip to the seashore can be overwhelming for some children with autism. The roar of the ocean, the briny smell of seaweed, the slimy rocks, the goopy sunscreen, the jostling crowds of people, the intense sun… All this can lead to painful and frightening sensory overload for children with autism, many of whom are extraordinarily sensitive to sound, smells, and textures.

This summer, The Birchtree Center's highly qualified instructors are helping our students with autism become accustomed to the seashore environment. During summer field trips to the beach and the Seacoast Science Center, our staff is teaching students about sea life, biology, and ecology. At the same time, we’re helping them learn how to cope with the sensory and social experience of summertime beach-going.

Thank you to the Rotary Club of Portsmouth for providing a generous donation towards The Birchtree Center’s field trip expenses this summer!

A Recent Donation

Individuals of all ages are supporting The Birchtree Center!

This June, high school student Katja Ritchie conducted a book and toy drive to benefit The Birchtree Center. She was inspired to help our students after one of our instructors visited her English class to talk about autism.

Her project was part of the "Power of One" initiative at Oyster River High School in Durham, New Hampshire, where each student worked to make a difference in their community or worldwide.

Under Katja's leadership, students and families at her school donated dozens of board games, puzzles, and picture books to use in our classrooms. Executive Director Dr. Christine Guarino was delighted to accept these generous donations from Katja on our students' behalf (photo above).

Now our instructors are using the materials to help our students develop their language and social skills. The games and puzzles also offer fun rewards for our students' hard work.

Thank you to everyone who supported the toy and book drive!