A MONTH OF DISCOVERY DECEMBER 2024 – The Center for Discovery

TCFD: A Month of Discovery

Dear Friends and Supporters,

As we embark on a new year filled with promise and possibility, we’re thrilled to share the remarkable achievements and opportunities taking place at The Center for Discovery. This month’s newsletter features our groundbreaking research collaborations, joyous community events, national recognition on CBS, Dr. Terry Hamlin’s inspiring podcast appearance, and incredible moments from our ski outing at Windham Mountain. You’ll also find a heartfelt tribute to the legacy of beloved community member Elaine Corrington.

Thank you for being part of our journey—your support makes everything we do possible!

THERE IS STILL TIME TO GIVE TO OUR 2024 ANNUAL APPEAL

We’re thrilled to share that we’re closing in on our goal for our most important fundraising campaign of the year! We launched our Annual Appeal this past fall, and it will continue through the end of this month.

You still have an opportunity to provide life-changing support to those in our care. This is your chance to help change a life.

Here are the ways you can give:
•Donate Online
•Donate by Check
•Donate via Donor Advised Funds (DAF)
•Donate Stock or by ACH and Wire
•Leave a Legacy Gift to The Center for Discovery

Dr. Terry Hamlin Featured on the Podcast Hope is My Middle Name

Center for Discovery President & CEO, Dr. Terry Hamlin, joined Kate Tucker Music on the Hope Is My Middle Name podcast to talk about our lifestyle medicine approach – the HealthE6 model – and finding joyful outcomes for individuals and their families living with autism. Listen on your favorite podcast platform or click here.

Please share this episode with your friends and family members, too!

Sharing Our Work Nationwide

It seems like just yesterday The Center for Discovery was featured on CBS Saturday Morning!

During the segment in December, Dr. Jon LaPook highlighted our life-changing work and gave viewers a look inside our organization – showcasing our groundbreaking nutrition program and unique approach. In case you missed it, you can view it here.

The segment was also featured in the Sullivan County Democrat.

We are so proud of this work, and even more thrilled to have the opportunity to share it nationally!

OPWDD Visits The Center for Discovery’s Children’s Specialty Hospital

Willow Baer, OPWDD (Office for People with Development Disabilities) Interim Commissioner, paid a visit to The Center’s Children’s Specialty Hospital with her Chief of Staff, Deborah Ellis. During the visit, the team toured the hospital, visited with some of the Hospital’s patients, and got a firsthand look into the evaluation and treatment currently being done. They also toured some of TCFD’s transformative programs on the Harris campus. Thanks for a great visit – we are looking forward to continued collaboration in the future!

Turning Day Dreams into Realities at Windham Mountain

One of the most unforgettable moments of the year (and it’s just begun!) – is our annual ski outing with the Adaptive Sports Center at Windham Mountain Club. Watching the remarkable individuals in our program hit the slopes and celebrate their achievements is pure magic. Their smiles, pride, and joy were beyond inspiring. A heartfelt thank you to our Recreation Therapy team and the staff at Windham Mountain for making this day truly an unforgettable one.

A New Publication for TCFD: Off-Body Sleep Analysis for Predicting Adverse Behavior in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder

We are excited to announce the publication of our latest research article, in collaboration with Emory University and Georgia Tech, titled “Off-Body Sleep Analysis for Predicting Adverse Behavior in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder,” available in the IEEE Journal of Biomedical and Health Informatics.

In this study, we explored the use of off-body sleep analysis to predict adverse behaviors in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Our findings indicate that sleep patterns can serve as significant indicators for anticipating behavioral challenges, potentially leading to improved intervention strategies and enhanced quality of life for those affected by ASD.

This research was made possible through the collaborative efforts of experts from The Center for Discovery, including Conor Anderson, Dr. Johanna Lantz, Jenny Foster, Tania Villavicencio, and Dr. Terry Hamlin, alongside esteemed colleagues Yashar Kiarashi, Pradyumna Suresha B, Ali Rad, Matthew Reyna, and Gari Clifford. Our combined expertise in biomedical informatics and behavioral science has been instrumental in advancing this important work.

At The Center for Discovery, we are dedicated to pioneering research that directly benefits the autism community. This study is another great example of our commitment to integrating innovative technologies and collaborative research to develop practical solutions for individuals with complex conditions.

We invite you to read the full article and join us in discussing how these findings can inform future interventions and support strategies for individuals with ASD.

Have you been to Hurleyville?

Now that the holidays are over and we’re back to regularly scheduled programing, why not head on over to Hurleyville to explore all there is to offer?

Forage & Gather on Main Street is getting cozier by the second, thanks to their warm and inviting atmosphere, tables to relax at with friends and family, winter drink specials like virgin white Russians and citron London fog, and so much more. There are so many local goodies and delicious treats, as well!
Shop at All That Glitters is Old, Morgan Outdoors (hello outdoor winter gear), & La Salumina for cozy eats!
Follow along on the Hurleyville Performing Arts Center’s website for an up-to-date movie schedule!

Honoring the Memory of Elaine Corrington

As one TCFD parent beautifully put it, “A dear, sweet, wonderful friend who made a real difference on this planet. There is a saying that reads: you make the world a better place, just by being in it. The author must have had Elaine in mind.”

Elaine was much more than a decades-long staff member at The Center for Discovery. She was a tireless advocate for individuals with disabilities, a pillar in the Hurleyville community, and a beacon of kindness to everyone she encountered. Her joyful spirit and infectious smile brightened every room she walked into. Elaine was always there, ready to lend an ear or a helping hand, and she always put the needs of others before her own.

Her dedication to the Hurleyville community was unwavering—whether it was picking up litter along Main Street or Columbia Hill (while joyfully waving hello to passing cars), or curating a rotating collection of books in her beloved outdoor free library, Elaine was always looking for ways to give back – and that she did. To those of us at TCFD, she was a constant and friendly face, a true symbol of warmth and generosity. She was part of the fabric that wove our community together and will be deeply, deeply missed.

You can read Elaine’s obituary and watch a movie tribute to her here, showcasing the many lives she touched throughout her time with us. A Celebration of Life for Elaine will be held in the Big Barn on February 2^nd and a link to the service will be included in our next newsletter.

Operation Santa Paws