tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30564677283828329722011-10-04T13:44:50.684-04:00The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.comBlogger881100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-11185883601530295952011-06-24T11:05:00.004-04:002011-07-14T09:09:34.198-04:00

For over five years, members of the Seacoast chapter of Altrusa International have volunteered at The Birchtree Center. They have arrived at our school with craft supplies, creative ideas, and warm smiles, ready to help our students make holiday gifts for their families. They have assisted with school-wide projects and celebrations and have given generously of their time, talents, and resources

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16841125922492816450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-39856091827602514412011-06-01T09:19:00.092-04:002011-07-13T10:01:36.353-04:00

Every day, Zach’s instructors write a note to his parents to let them know about the progress their son is making at The Birchtree Center. Birchtree’s autism specialists measure Zach’s learning every hour of every school day, and regularly report back to his family and local school district about his progress reaching his educational and behavioral goals. But, for Zach’s mom Annette, nothing

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-85458481221050445352011-05-16T13:57:00.004-04:002011-07-12T12:34:21.790-04:00

 On April 20th, approximately 250 students from the University of New Hampshire came out to show their support for children and youth with autism by participating in a dodge-ball tournament to benefit The Birchtree Center.  The Tau chapter of Alpha Xi Delta organized the event in celebration Autism Awareness Month. Twenty-three teams participated in the tournament.  After three hours of

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07792320306930752937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-53690430952077489582011-04-19T15:51:00.000-04:002011-04-19T15:51:52.513-04:00

Our new five-minute video, Danny's Story, tells the story of one Birchtree family in their own words.  We produced the video thanks to a generous pro-bono donation from Heartwood Media.  Heartwood's video experts came to Birchtree to help us plan our story, film our programs in action, and interview Danny's parents and instructors.  It was a pleasure working with the Heartwood staff, from

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-78018589832712953512011-03-31T15:23:00.056-04:002011-04-19T15:22:06.782-04:00

  On March 31st, The Birchtree Center's students with autism enjoyed a concert by The Silver Linings, a group of twenty-four singers and instrumentalists from Oyster River Middle School. During their visit to Birchtree, the seventh-grade musicians performed a half-hour program under the direction of music teacher David Ervin.  Birchtree's students smiled, clapped, and moved to the rhythm of

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-50977842606269466912011-02-11T10:23:00.004-05:002011-02-14T14:46:25.423-05:00

We call them our "Altrusa Angels"--the local professionals from the Altrusa Club of the Seacoast who volunteer regularly at The Birchtree Center. With help from these caring volunteers, our students develop their social skills and make beautiful holiday gifts for their families. Here's what the "Altrusa Angels" have said about their work at Birchtree . . . "I always leave Birchtree feeling

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-65888875933128346632011-01-03T14:15:00.193-05:002011-01-07T09:14:36.841-05:00

Birchtree's students gave their families the gift of music during our Winter Concert on December 23.   Seventy-two Birchtree parents, guardians, grandparents, siblings and friends gathered to watch Birchtree's students with autism play their instruments and perform seasonal favorites including "Let it Snow" and "Frosty the Snowman." For many Birchtree students, this was their first

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-31583933170076496362010-11-29T11:06:00.045-05:002011-01-07T09:10:51.913-05:00

On November 24, we gathered for Birchtree's yearly practice Thanksgiving.  Our clinical instructors guided students through the customs of a traditional holiday meal and introduced students to some of the unusual foods they might encounter during holiday celebrations with their families. The week before the holiday, each student made a turkey place-card holder to use at school and at home.

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-4076160118840766962010-11-22T15:05:00.117-05:002011-02-14T14:47:26.252-05:00

On November 18, staff from Newington, NH, Fire and Rescue visited Birchtree to speak to our students and staff about fire safety. Students enjoyed meeting the fire-fighters and examining their equipment. The visit also gave these first-responders an opportunity to get to know our students and learn more about the special challenges our students could face during an emergency. At the end of

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07792320306930752937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-11371871884672275362010-11-01T11:11:00.000-04:002011-01-10T11:12:55.371-05:00

On October 31, John Glynn ran more than twenty-six miles through the streets of Washington, D.C., as a participant in the Marine Corps Marathon. John is the uncle of one of our students, and he asked his family and friends to make donations to Birchtree in recognition of his efforts. More than 30 individuals and families contributed, raising more than $1,800 in support of Birchtree's programs for

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07792320306930752937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-19794207511025740782010-09-01T11:34:00.012-04:002010-09-01T13:27:51.906-04:00

One hundred people attended The Birchtree Center’s first annual Summer Autism Workshops at The Community Campus in Portsmouth on August 25 and 26. Parents, educators, and caregivers traveled from as far as Bangor, Maine, to participate in these day-long seminars. On the first day, five of Birchtree’s autism specialists and one Birchtree parent spoke about how to help children with autism achieve

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07792320306930752937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-36495497160373397552010-08-13T11:31:00.002-04:002010-08-13T11:34:46.953-04:00

In Memory Dr. O. Ivar Lovaas 1927-2010 The Birchtree Center notes with sadness the passing of Dr. O. Ivar Lovaas. Dr. Lovaas was a distinguished researcher and professor of psychology at the University of California at Los Angeles. He was a pioneer in applying the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis to benefit individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders. We honor his contributions and thank

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07792320306930752937noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-89940451112952788422010-07-22T14:01:00.017-04:002010-07-30T13:37:20.283-04:00

Learning continues throughout the summer for Birchtree's students with autism--inside and outside the classroom. This week students from our center-based program enjoyed a field trip to Charmingfare Farm. Before the trip, our Clinical Instructors helped students prepare to visit this exciting new place. Some students learned animal names in class. Others studied a picture schedule or social

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07792320306930752937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-66064130494843118592010-06-30T09:08:00.010-04:002010-06-30T09:29:17.589-04:00

Letter to the Editor, June 17, 2010: At the end of this month, Dr. Barbara Frankel’s tenure on the Birchtree Center’s Board of Directors will end. It is with utmost respect and admiration that the Birchtree’s Board wishes to thank Dr. Frankel for her outstanding service and leadership, knowing that the Birchtree Center only exists because of her vision, passion and dedication to our mission.Over

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07792320306930752937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-59312914860853954122010-05-25T16:08:00.023-04:002010-06-02T14:40:41.710-04:00

On May 13, Birchtree's friends, families, and neighbors gathered for a Grand Opening Celebration at our new school building. Members of our board cut the ribbon and then welcomed guests in to see Birchtree's beautiful new classrooms. Inside, guests watched a video, did family art projects, and viewed displays of student photography.Outside, we enjoyed carnival games, cotton candy, and some

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07792320306930752937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-23606961034927833172010-01-07T12:24:00.031-05:002010-01-21T17:03:10.409-05:00

We are so thankful to Birchtree's loyal friends who helped us find a wonderful new home in Newington! This is the story of just a few of the skilled and generous people who helped us get here.For many years, Birchtree had been looking for room to grow. Our old school building was unable to accommodate the growing number of children and youth with autism who needed Birchtree's specialized autism

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-69619381000812740022010-01-04T15:40:00.020-05:002010-08-02T14:15:14.148-04:00

2010 brings exciting changes for Birchtree's students. Starting today, students in our special educational day program for children and youth with autism will no longer go to school in a small, overcrowded school building in Portsmouth. This morning, students arrived ready to learn in a much larger, newly renovated facility at 2064 Woodbury Avenue in neighboring Newington, New

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-18330493710869856922009-12-21T15:12:00.011-05:002010-04-20T09:28:42.448-04:00

The Birchtree Center helps students with autism in our center-based day-school program learn the skills they need to celebrate holidays at home with their families. We hold a large practice Thanksgiving for our students every year, and we help our students learn and practice the ritual of Trick-or-Treat every Halloween. This month, our clinical instructors are helping students learn how to make

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-69925380904260566212009-12-21T14:36:00.010-05:002010-01-19T14:36:29.876-05:00

This is the story of Hot Rod Bob, the One Arm Bandit, and a very special guitar.Bob Canney, also known as Hot Rod Bob, wanted to help Seacoast children in need. So he organized a fundraising Cruise-In at the Texas Roadhouse in Newington this summer to benefit The Birchtree Center. As Canney spread the word about the fundraiser, he was surprised to learn how many people have family members

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-26815920997029599962009-09-11T12:42:00.013-04:002010-12-22T11:58:46.791-05:00

Students enrolled in our special education/therapeutic day program for students with autism are learning swim and water safety skills during weekly lessons at the YMCA pool in Portsmouth. These lessons are made possible with help from the Seacoast Family YMCA staff and a generous grant from The Rite Aid Foundation.Some of our students are experienced swimmers while others have never entered a

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-90562417060784178302009-08-21T17:50:00.006-04:002009-08-21T18:21:58.131-04:00

On August 12, hot rod enthusiasts of all ages gathered at the Texas Roadhouse restaurant in Newington for a Cruise-In to benefit The Birchtree Center's autism programs.  Volunteers drove in from throughout northern New England to display their prize vehicles.  Guests were able to get a close look at cars and trucks ranging from Fords of the 1930s, to Mustangs of the 1960s, to custom cars of

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-79247596140304277982009-07-30T10:30:00.007-04:002010-12-22T11:59:57.018-05:00

Many students have the summer off from school, but students with autism in our special educational day program work year round, both inside and outside their classrooms. This week, we traveled to Newcastle Commons to explore the rocky shore and tidal pools, play in the sand and water, and enjoy a picnic lunch.At the beach, students learned hands-on about topics ranging from personal safety to

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-12108614606850253542009-03-18T16:10:00.011-04:002010-12-22T11:59:33.828-05:00

Art by Birchtree students is included in SPLASH! The Art of Portsmouth’s Young People, an exhibit at the Portsmouth Public Library now through Monday, 3/30/09. The Friends of the Portsmouth Public Library organized the exhibit, which features art by students at several local schools.Birchtree students created their artwork to honor Eric Carle, who this year celebrates his 80th birthday and the

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-16047054302515376792009-02-17T08:48:00.009-05:002009-03-18T17:15:00.539-04:00

Women and girls from the Seacoast experienced a fun fashion photo shoot on February 8 during a fundraiser for The Birchtree Center. Professional photographer Lisa Arvidson was inspired to organize the event after learning how many local families living with autism were struggling to get the services their children needed. “Programs like the ones at The Birchtree Center can really make a

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-14401143097021559732008-12-24T15:15:00.030-05:002009-03-18T17:06:49.734-04:00

Students and staff members worked together to adorn their classroom doorways with winter-themed artwork for The Birchtree Center's First Annual Door Decorating Contest.Local artists Tess Feltes and Teri Weidner evaluated the decorations' creativity, use of students' artwork, overall appearance, and use of winter themes. They awarded a prize to each classroom as well as a Grand Prize; prizes are

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-36750894555549760702008-12-24T11:02:00.010-05:002008-12-24T15:15:08.645-05:00

Students decorated holiday cookies this week at The Birchtree Center. Instructors also worked with each child's family to prepare students for the winter break and for their family's holiday celebrations.Happy Holidays from the students, staff, and board of The Birchtree Center, and best wishes for 2009!

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-9419940907279625012008-11-27T13:19:00.007-05:002008-12-03T11:41:18.400-05:00

On November 26, a five-year-old student at The Birchtree Center tasted turkey for the first time in his life. He dipped it in ketchup--one of his favorite foods. Other children sampled stuffing, green beans, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie, and one student discovered that even tiramisu can be a tasty treat!Eating novel foods with unusual textures is a real challenge for many children with

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-41963424978534362972008-11-05T14:41:00.004-05:002008-11-05T15:01:42.479-05:00

The Birchtree Center is expanding its services, and we're seeking talented, dedicated professionals to join our staff. We offer comprehensive training and supervision within a supportive educational team environment.A list of immediate openings is posted in the Employment Opportunities section of our website.

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-58034978389252135572008-10-31T11:16:00.001-04:002010-12-22T12:01:26.924-05:00

Students and staff at The Birchtree Center created scarecrows this month as part of the city-wide Scarecrows of the Port celebration. We also offered our students a practice "trick-or-treat" session to help prepare them for Halloween night. For Halloween tips from The Birchtree Center's staff, click here.

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-87105371828718322272008-10-16T22:15:00.005-04:002008-10-22T18:11:19.621-04:00

From 6:00 p.m. on Friday, October 10, until 6:00 p.m. the following day, intrepid volunteers conducted a twenty-four-hour Read-A-Thon at SecondRun Bookstore to benefit The Birchtree Center. Seventeen individuals of all ages read, answered literary trivia questions, played Scrabble, and heard local author Tim Horvath read from his work, all while raising pledges in support of The Birchtree

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-45531218846054017412008-10-03T14:27:00.005-04:002008-10-31T11:15:48.798-04:00

The Birchtree Center launched a new, improved website this fall. At www.birchtreecenter.org, you can learn more about our programs for children and youth with autism, read about upcoming events, and find out how you can help. You will also find tips for families living with autism, and you can suggest questions for our staff to answer online.Thank you to the many individuals and organizations

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-11791315927771312452008-10-02T16:44:00.008-04:002008-10-07T15:27:35.289-04:00

On September 20, volunteers from The Birchtree Center, Seacoast United, and Liberty Mutual offered a fundraising yard sale at the Seacoast United Indoor Arena in Hampton, NH. The weather smiled on us, and it was a great success, raising important funds to support programs at Birchtree and Seacoast United.Many thanks to the dedicated volunteers and generous donors who helped make this event

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-37237639694440153352008-08-22T11:25:00.002-04:002010-12-22T12:02:04.966-05:00

On July 31, our students and staff explored York's Wild Kingdom animal park in York Beach, Maine. This field trip offered many new experiences for our students: petting animals, riding a paddle-boat, observing wildlife, and even riding in a go cart--with our instructors at the wheel, of course! Our skilled clinical instructors, special educators, and behavior analysts helped our students navigate

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-76143408531770050952008-08-18T11:07:00.002-04:002008-10-07T11:50:57.037-04:00

Saturday, September 20, will offer a real bargain for the Seacoast community. From 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., volunteers from The Birchtree Center, Seacoast United, and Liberty Mutual Group will host a giant fundraising yard sale at the Seacoast United Arena at 311 Winnacunnet Road in Hampton, New Hampshire.The sale will feature high-quality furniture, toys, sporting equipment, tools, books, and

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-91065470263004165842008-08-15T10:57:00.012-04:002008-10-07T11:22:58.410-04:00

On Tuesday, September 9, at 7:00 p.m., RiverRun Bookstore and The Birchtree Center are hosting author John Elder Robison for a reading from his New York Times bestseller, Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger’s.The reading will take place at RiverRun Bookstore on 20 Congress Street in downtown Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Staff from The Birchtree Center will be present to offer information

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-26307066484484529602008-07-24T11:30:00.007-04:002008-08-22T17:12:57.783-04:00

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!

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-19025309821399711362008-07-16T17:18:00.008-04:002010-12-22T12:02:57.835-05:00

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

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-59520057392455725942008-07-15T11:00:00.002-04:002008-10-08T12:45:58.890-04:00

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

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-47836341230510368582008-06-23T16:36:00.008-04:002008-10-07T11:16:52.737-04:00

The Birchtree Center had its First Annual Family Picnic on June 20 at Four Tree Island park in Portsmouth. In spite of the stormy weather, approximately 75 of our students, parents, siblings, staff, and board members gathered for an afternoon of food, games, and visiting.Thank you to the many family, staff, and board volunteers who helped make the picnic possible!

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-50798704785078266912008-06-15T15:50:00.015-04:002008-07-01T09:44:23.857-04:00

On June 10, members of the Portsmouth branch of Altrusa International helped our students make hand-painted stone paperweights as Father's Day gifts. Each student selected a stone to decorate during a field trip to the seashore the week before.

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-21897951484195261632008-05-15T11:07:00.012-04:002009-03-18T17:21:55.482-04:00

Colorful multi-media art by The Birchtree Center's students is included in SPLASH! The Art of Portsmouth’s Young People, an exhibit at the Portsmouth Public Library now through May 31.The Friends of the Portsmouth Library organized the show, which features art by students from public and private schools throughout Portsmouth. A small exhibit reception will take place this Sunday, May 18, from 2:

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-57721306408475756842008-05-11T17:21:00.015-04:002008-10-07T11:42:39.372-04:00

On May 6, volunteers from the Portsmouth chapter of Altrusa International helped students at The Birchtree Center show their love and appreciation for their mothers by planting flowers in decorative pots as Mother’s Day gifts.Many children with autism are extraordinarily sensitive to smells and touch, and may have difficulty working with dirt or plant material. With guidance and encouragement

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-63185985365719689682008-05-09T10:22:00.006-04:002008-12-17T16:30:13.930-05:00

Thank you to everyone who supported The Birchtree Center's fundraisers during Autism Awareness month this April! With your help, we raised more than $1,200 in support of The Birchtree Center's educational programs for children and youth with autism.On April 1, The Flatbread Company in Portsmouth hosted a benefit night for The Birchtree Center. Families, staff, board members, and friends of The

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-6369328625982206902008-05-05T17:00:00.002-04:002008-10-07T11:38:43.471-04:00

Thanks to everyone who supported The Birchtree Center's Autism Awareness Month programs this April. The series increased autism awareness, promoted discussion about the impact of autism on our families and communities, and offered practical suggestions for families living with autism. For a complete list of programs, click here.The series received some excellent media coverage. The Portsmouth

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-7671112002915097562008-04-25T10:26:00.026-04:002008-10-07T11:45:03.842-04:00

On April 15, volunteers from Altrusa International's local chapter helped our students celebrate spring with a festive treasure hunt.Students searched for small toys and candy hidden throughout our center, with encouragement and assistance from The Birchtree Center's instructors and the friendly Altrusa volunteers.This activity provided an excellent opportunity for our students to practice social

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-68226405456320749202008-04-11T11:00:00.001-04:002008-04-11T10:52:52.468-04:00

During this season of growth, The Birchtree Center will be expanding its Outreach Program and welcoming new students to our center in Portsmouth. For information about new employment opportunities, click here.

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-49187737141199984552008-04-08T16:00:00.007-04:002008-12-17T16:30:13.930-05:00

The Birchtree Center is offering a Spring Fever Fundraising Raffle this April in celebration of Autism Awareness Month. All raffle proceeds go to support educational programs for children and youth with autism at The Birchtree Center. Buy your tickets for a chance to win fantastic prizes including:A signed baseball from Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Mike Timlin (photos below)4 Box Seat Tickets

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-23577251991463469022008-03-22T10:00:00.001-04:002008-10-07T12:00:22.695-04:00

New Hampshire Public Radio (broadcasting in Portsmouth from 103.9 FM) featured The Birchtree Center’s story today in a two-minute segment as part of the “Giving Matters” series sponsored by New Hampshire Public Radio and the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation. Board member Dr. Barbara Frankel and staff behavior analyst Dr. Sandra Pierce-Jordan were both interviewed for this feature. To hear

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-32893549440844275842008-03-20T17:00:00.020-04:002008-10-07T11:36:56.816-04:00

Join The Birchtree Center in celebrating Autism Awareness Month with series of admission-free educational programs and events this April. For a PDF version of the series schedule, click here. For program information and reservations, contact us. Tuesday, April 1, 4-9pmBenefit Night at the The Flatbread Company, PortsmouthSupport educational programs for children and youth with autism at The

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-4152656294282970042008-02-14T17:00:00.011-05:002009-03-18T17:14:52.374-04:00

On February 11, volunteers from the Portsmouth chapter of Altrusa International helped our students with autism say “I Love You” with handmade valentines for their families.Because autism is a neurological disorder that impairs brain development in the areas of communication and social skills, many children with autism find it difficult to express their emotions using words. “These beautiful

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-33254819941420475602008-02-07T17:00:00.000-05:002008-02-08T09:18:32.378-05:00

On February 3, two of The Birchtree Center's instructors, Cynthia Birse and Ryan Kent, braved icy winter waters and took the "Penguin Plunge" to raise money for the Special Olympics of New Hampshire. They were joined by 805 fellow “plungers” wearing a variety of festive, luau-inspired costumes--see photos at www.sonh.org/penguinplunge.“This Plunge is a great event for a great cause,” explained

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-70217800356493302162008-01-07T10:00:00.002-05:002008-10-07T11:28:36.548-04:00

We’re pleased to announce some great news for the New Year: The Birchtree Center has been awarded grants from The Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism, The Fuller Foundation, and The George A. Ramlose Foundation in support of our new outreach program.Thanks to startup support from these generous foundations, our outreach specialists are now ready to travel throughout Maine, Massachusetts, New

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-24777272906806457382007-12-31T17:00:00.000-05:002008-03-05T18:03:36.589-05:00

An anonymous donor has contributed two unopened boxes of "Flutie Flakes" cereal to be auctioned off on eBay this week, with 100% of the auction proceeds going to support programs for children and youth with autism at The Birchtree Center.These 2001 cereal boxes feature a photo of NFL quarterback Doug Flutie, a founder of the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism. Both auctions end Monday, March

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-91789237676445214952007-12-03T23:00:00.001-05:002008-02-15T16:56:07.557-05:00

We are honored that the Guild at Portsmouth Regional Hospital selected The Birchtree Center as the beneficiary of its Tree of Lights this December.On the evening of December 3, we gathered in front of the hospital to illuminate a tree and celebrate the individuals who have made a positive impact on the world. Members of the public made donations to The Birchtree Center in memory or in honor of a

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-65410908125575950462007-11-21T20:00:00.001-05:002008-12-03T11:42:25.615-05:00

Today, staff members at The Birchtree Center helped students eat a practice Thanksgiving meal in preparation for holiday celebrations at home.The Thanksgiving holiday provides a challenge to many individuals with autism. The food is often unfamiliar, and a large social gathering with a lengthy meal can be overwhelming.To help prepare students for the holiday, we gathered staff and students

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-54684738787078579752007-11-01T20:00:00.001-04:002008-10-07T13:51:53.276-04:00

The Birchtree Center offered a variety of activities at its center in Portsmouth this October to help prepare students for the Halloween holiday.The week before Halloween, instructors began pre-teaching the holiday. On October 29, students learned a Halloween song and visited a pumpkin patch. The following day, six generous volunteers from the local chapter of Altrusa International hosted

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-12079095273780992252007-10-25T12:00:00.000-04:002007-12-05T11:04:05.144-05:00

The Birchtree Center is very pleased to announce that the winning bid was:$5,100 for the package of four tickets for the 10/25/07 World Series Game.Congratulations to the winner, and thank you to everyone who supported our auction! Thank you especially to the Portsmouth law firm of Coughlin, Rainboth, Murphy & Lown for the generous donation of the tickets to The Birchtree Center for this auction

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-86033577297833115292007-10-24T18:00:00.000-04:002007-10-24T15:00:08.374-04:00

Bidding has now closed.The winning bidder and the next highest bidder or "runner up" will be notified by telephone.The winning bid will be posted here tomorrow, October 25, 2007.Thank you very much for your support of our fundraising auction!For more information about The Birchtree Center and its programs helping children and youth with autism, see www.birchtreecenter.org.

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-37584848044742380412007-10-24T17:00:00.000-04:002007-10-24T14:33:35.876-04:00

As of 2:00 pm, the highest bid received so far is:$4,300 for the package of four (4) tickets.Bids must be submitted in $100 increments. For bidding instructions, click the link on the right. Please note that you must follow the voice prompts and press the pound key (#) twice after you have recorded your message.Please note that the bidding deadline has been extended to 3:00 pm ET today, October

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-82608571248650365482007-10-24T16:00:00.000-04:002007-10-24T14:03:35.087-04:00

As of 1:00 pm, the highest bid received so far is: $4,300

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-85510698320555437982007-10-24T15:45:00.000-04:002007-12-05T11:00:44.415-05:00

How do I place a bid?Bids must be placed by phone at 603-319-4843. For bidding instructions, click on the link on the right. Please note that you must follow the voice prompts and press the pound key (#) twice after you have recorded your message.When does the bidding end?Bidding will close today (Wednesday, October 24, 2007) at 3:00 pm ET. After the close of bidding, the auction administrator

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-23963043404106371672007-10-24T15:00:00.000-04:002007-10-24T13:04:45.809-04:00

As of 12:00 noon, the highest bid received so far is: $4,000

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-88119220286096213382007-10-24T14:00:00.000-04:002007-10-24T12:04:21.898-04:00

As of 11:00 am, the highest bid received so far is: $4,000

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-21986779372239951522007-10-24T13:00:00.001-04:002007-10-24T11:01:02.389-04:00

As of 10:00 am, the highest bid received so far is: $3,800

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-72865857901435137762007-10-24T13:00:00.000-04:002007-10-24T10:04:07.311-04:00

As of 9:00 am, the highest bid received so far is: $3,800

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-42147267963305970022007-10-24T01:00:00.000-04:002007-10-24T09:00:52.960-04:00

As of 10:00 pm, the highest bid received so far is: $3,600

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-21256856920721680022007-10-24T00:00:00.000-04:002007-10-23T22:10:07.191-04:00

As of 9:00 pm, the highest bid received so far is: $3,600

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-25699165226522903782007-10-23T23:00:00.000-04:002007-10-23T21:07:25.327-04:00

As of 8:00 pm, the highest bid received so far is: $3,200

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-23020576216757650022007-10-23T22:00:00.000-04:002007-10-23T20:02:49.375-04:00

As of 7:00 pm, the highest bid received so far is: $3,200

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-28002904065114428262007-10-23T21:00:00.000-04:002007-10-23T19:11:16.420-04:00

As of 6:00 pm, the highest bid received so far is: $3,200

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-12817745740104686442007-10-23T20:00:00.000-04:002007-10-23T18:10:03.473-04:00

As of 5:00 pm, the highest bid received so far is: $3,200

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-67596217580921201322007-10-23T19:00:00.000-04:002007-10-23T17:13:52.126-04:00

As of 4:00 pm, the highest bid received so far is: $3,200

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-5137490057679446352007-10-23T18:00:00.000-04:002007-10-23T16:13:55.274-04:00

As of 3:00 pm, the highest bid received so far is: $3,200

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-50157242351325904822007-10-23T17:00:00.000-04:002007-10-23T15:09:17.674-04:00

As of 2:00 pm, the highest bid received so far is: $3,200

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-38168465533229088612007-10-23T16:00:00.000-04:002007-10-23T14:11:43.508-04:00

As of 1:00 pm, the highest bid received so far is: $3,200

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-29210151555738403042007-10-23T15:00:00.000-04:002007-10-23T13:02:38.783-04:00

As of 12:00 noon, the highest bid received so far is: $3,200

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-88618548960774420042007-10-23T14:00:00.000-04:002007-10-23T12:05:21.824-04:00

As of 11:00 AM, the highest bid received so far is: $2,800

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-3576387582886037612007-10-23T13:45:00.000-04:002007-10-23T11:11:30.505-04:00

The deadline for bidding has now been extended by three hours to:3:00 PM Eastern Timeon Wednesday, October 24, 2007, in order to compensate for an unanticipated delay in the start of bidding yesterday due to technical difficulties. Thank you for your understanding and support!

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-39123427826577224742007-10-23T13:00:00.000-04:002007-10-23T11:19:12.238-04:00

As of 10:00 AM, the highest bid received so far is: $2,500

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-12184495541263141412007-10-23T12:00:00.000-04:002007-10-23T10:05:32.826-04:00

As of 9:00 AM, the highest bid received so far is: $2,500

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-84412914111485236462007-10-23T01:00:00.000-04:002007-10-23T10:04:53.636-04:00

As of 10:00 PM, the highest bid received so far is: $2,300The next bidding update will be posted tomorrow at 9:00 AM.

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-22660591882020677862007-10-23T00:00:00.000-04:002007-10-23T09:08:44.452-04:00

As of 9:00 PM, the highest bid received so far is: $2,300

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-83519661100859759842007-10-22T23:00:00.001-04:002007-10-23T09:09:03.789-04:00

As of 8:00 PM, the highest bid received so far is: $2,300

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-82608448934345296722007-10-22T22:00:00.000-04:002007-10-23T09:09:19.894-04:00

As of 7:00 PM, the highest bid received so far is: $2,300

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-241510802866189772007-10-22T21:00:00.000-04:002007-10-23T09:09:36.695-04:00

As of 6:00 PM, the highest bid received so far is: $2,300

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-43742683360416326192007-10-22T20:00:00.000-04:002007-10-22T17:06:57.437-04:00

The opening acceptable bid is $1500 for the package of four (4) tickets.Bids must be submitted in $100 increments. Bidding instructions are below.If you tried to submit a bid earlier, you may have encountered difficulties with our phone line; we apologize for the delay.

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-61436692044798633672007-10-22T17:00:00.000-04:002007-12-05T11:04:30.051-05:00

About our AuctionThe Birchtree Center, a not-for-profit in Portsmouth serving children and youth with autism, will auction off four box seat tickets for Game Two of the World Series in a telephone auction ending Wednesday, October 24, 2007, at 3:00 pm ET. The Portsmouth law firm of Coughlin, Rainboth, Murphy & Lown donated the tickets to The Birchtree Center for the auction. One hundred percent

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056467728382832972.post-76873956434520462422007-10-12T13:00:00.000-04:002007-12-05T11:04:58.505-05:00

The Birchtree Center announced the location of its future home at a sign unveiling on October 11 at 1:00 p.m. at 237 Portsmouth Avenue in Stratham, New Hampshire. In spite of the rain and cold, more than a dozen staff, students, parents and board members from The Birchtree Center gathered with community supporters to celebrate the acquisition of a nine-acre parcel of land at 237 Portsmouth Avenue

The Birchtree Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18215833572522313624noreply@blogger.com