Author: Andrew Kistner

Nicole Cunningham, our new Functional Nutrition Therapy Practitioner and Restorative Wellness Practitioner.

February 2023 Newsletter

Written by Andrew Kistner on . Posted in All News, All Posts, News, Newsletters.

Launching our New Nutritional Services

The Oxford Center is thrilled to welcome Nicole Cunningham to our team as the head of our nutritional services program. Nicole is a certified Functional Nutrition Therapy Practitioner (FNTP) and Restorative Wellness Practitioner (RWP). Nicole offers individual and whole group nutrition classes that are highly personalized and customizable to what will best suit each individual. Our nutrition coaching seeks to help you learn more about food and how it interacts with your body, learn what foods and diets will work best for you and your specific needs, and support you on your journey to making ever-healthier nutritional choices. Clients will find that it is empowering knowing that you can change and improve your health without needing help from anything else.    

Nicole’s journey with nutrition began 10 years ago with the birth of her son, Cameron. Cameron was born with over seven true food allergies and about a dozen food sensitivities that caused his body to break out in rashes and made eating exceedingly difficult. She spent countless hours poring over research, trying different foods, and tracking the effects different foods had on her and her son’s body.  Eventually Nicole’s efforts paid off, and she eliminated all but one of her son’s food allergies. Through this journey, Nicole discovered a passion for nutrition and understanding the effects someone’s diet might have on their body and overall health.

Nicole has personally gone through everything a client would go through and is here to help guide every client on their way to understanding food and their body and improving their overall quality of life. 

Discover More About Our Nutritional Services

“TOC Talks” Podcast

The Oxford Center is excited to launch our new podcast, “The Oxford Center Talks” (or TOC Talks for short!). Our new podcast will be released on Thursdays once a week and will be able to be found on all streaming platforms with a video podcast on our Facebook and YouTube page. Every week, follow our Marketing Director Andrew Kistner as he dives into different issues and stories here at The Oxford Center with a new special guest every week! In our podcast, you can hear the personal stories of some of our patients and their journey with The Oxford Center, learn more about how some of our services can benefit different conditions, learn more about some of our staff here at The Oxford Center, discover new techniques and tips to help improve your life, and more! If you have any topics or ideas you’d like to hear about in our podcast, let us know! You can submit any thoughts, suggestions, or questions by emailing our podcast host himself, Andrew Kistner, at andrew@theoxfordcenter.com.  

Check out our first episode below and don’t forget to subscribe! 

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Check Out Our Video Podcast

Tips and Tricks for Managing ASD at Home

Any parent of a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) knows what a challenge it can be to manage the condition at home, ON TOP of managing everything else at home. Being a parent is such a wonderful gift, but it is also a full-time job and can be exhausting at times. Adding on managing an ASD diagnosis could very easily prove to be exhausting for many parents. Thankfully, The Oxford Center can share some tips and tricks to help you manage while providing the best environment possible for your children and yourself.    

Jessica Dodson, our ABA Program Director, says “At The Oxford Center, we help create routines within a successful environment to not only help the child grow, but the whole family. I have so many parents that focus on comparing how their child is doing against how another child is doing, so I always remind my parents and caregivers that everyone has their own separate path and journey. Most importantly, remember that we will all make it through our paths with a little teamwork and perseverance.” 

Read More on Managing ASD
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COMPASS Program Update

Our COMPASS program is underway! All of our students have been working very hard this past month. Our COMPASS program is targeted towards teens and adults diagnosed with autism and other developmental disorders. In this program, we help these individuals learn the skills needed to move on to the next stage of their life whether that be going to and succeeding in higher education, living independently, obtaining and maintaining meaningful employment, and more. 

We talked to Matt Nivison, our COMPASS Coordinator, and he has this to say about the first class of COMPASS students. “The first class is going excellent. I am so incredibly proud of them all. You can see how hard they’re working, how quickly they’re picking things up, and just how much they want this. Every day, they’re actively taking steps to succeed and grow and it’s so cool to watch it happen in an environment where they don’t have to worry about the negative consequences that we all faced in our first jobs. They’re learning what works for them while gaining experience and confidence! It’s really, very cool”. 

The program will run for approximately 6 months, 5 days per week, for 3 hours per day. If you would like to learn more about the program or ask about enrollment, please feel free to contact us at 248-486-3636.

Learn More About COMPASS

Oxford Kids Foundation Annual Fundraising Gala

Don’t forget The Oxford Center will be hosting the 13th Annual Fundraising Gala Dinner and Auction for the Oxford Kids Foundation on April 22nd! This event is a longstanding and beloved tradition in raising funds to support children with disabilities, chronic illness, and traumatic injuries.  

Tickets for the Gala are available for purchase now. Tickets will feature fine dining, access to our silent/live auction, and drinks will be available. For more information on the Gala and how to purchase tickets, please click here.  

If you or anyone you know is interested in sponsoring the “Be the Change” gala event, please click here for more information or contact andrew@oxfordkidsfoundation.org to look over a sponsorship packet. The Oxford Kids Foundation is also accepting donations of any unique quality to be included in the Gala’s silent/live auction. If you would like to make any item donations to the Gala auction, please contact Andrew Kistner at andrew@oxfordkidsfoundation.org.

We can’t wait to be a part of the change with you!

Purchase Tickets & Sponsorships

Concussions: More Than “Getting Your Bell Rung”?

Written by Andrew Kistner on . Posted in All Blogs, All Posts, Blog Posts, HBOT/Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Informational, Specific Conditions, Specific Therapies.

Most people know someone who has had a concussion or has even had one themselves. If you are an athlete in a high impact sport, odds are you’ve had a concussion of your own. Because concussions happen so frequently, there is a common misconception that they aren’t a big deal. You just, “got your bell rung.” No big deal… right?

What is a Concussion?

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) that occurs when the brain is jostled inside the skull. This can happen because of a blow to the head, a fall, or a sudden stop in motion, such as in a car accident. The effects of a concussion can range from mild to severe, and can include symptoms such as headache, dizziness, confusion, memory loss, and difficulty concentrating. Typically, once you have had one, you are more likely to get another one.

Concussions are a common injury, particularly in sports such as football, soccer, and hockey. In fact, studies show there are as many as 3.8 million sports-related concussions in the United States each year. However, concussions can also occur in other ways, such as from a fall or a car accident.

It is important to seek medical attention if you suspect that you or someone you know has sustained a concussion. A doctor will be able to evaluate the individual and provide appropriate treatment.

How To Identify

Concussions can be difficult to identify, as the signs and symptoms can vary from person to person and may not always be immediately obvious. However, there are some common signs and symptoms of a concussion that can help to indicate that an injury has occurred.

  1. Physical Symptoms: These can include a headache, nausea, dizziness, balance problems, double or blurry vision, sensitivity to light or noise, and fatigue.
  2. Cognitive Symptoms: These can include confusion, memory loss, difficulty concentrating, and feeling dazed or disoriented.
  3. Emotional Symptoms: These can include irritability, sadness, anxiety, and changes in mood or behavior.
  4. Loss of Consciousness: A loss of consciousness, even briefly, can be a sign of a concussion, but it is not always the case.

It’s important to note that some of these symptoms may not appear until days or even weeks after the injury. Also, if someone has a history of concussions, the symptoms may be more severe.

If Left Untreated

If a concussion is left untreated, it may lead to a number of serious complications. Some of the potential consequences of untreated concussions include:

  1. Second Impact Syndrome: This is a rare but potentially fatal condition that can occur when a person sustains a second concussion before the symptoms of the first one have fully resolved. The brain swells rapidly and can cause severe brain damage or death.
  2. Post-Concussion Syndrome: This is a group of symptoms that persist for weeks or months after the injury. These can include headaches, difficulty with memory and concentration, and changes in mood or behavior.
  3. Cognitive Impairments: Long-term cognitive impairments can occur if a concussion is left untreated such as difficulty with attention, memory, and concentration.
  4. Emotional Changes: People who have had a concussion may experience changes in mood or behavior, such as irritability, anxiety, or depression.
  5. Increased Risk of Further Injury: If a person returns to activities, such as sports, before fully recovering from a concussion, they are at risk of sustaining another concussion, which can have more severe consequences.
  6. Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE): This is a progressive degenerative disease that can occur due to repetitive head injuries. Symptoms include cognitive and emotional difficulties, as well as Parkinsonian symptoms.

The standard approach to treating concussions is to watch and wait. The problem with this is that when it comes to concussions, the sooner the treatment, the quicker the healing. While concussion symptoms may improve through simply resting, they could also worsen. So why take the risk?

The Oxford Center’s Approach to Concussions

HBOT helps with concussions

The Oxford Center takes a proactive approach to treating concussions and TBI. We understand you do not want to take risks when it comes to your health, and we can help you avoid any long-term effects from concussions. That’s why we turn to Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT).

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy decreases inflammation, oxygenates the entire body, stimulates the growth of new healthy blood vessels, and releases healthy cells, up to 800% more after twenty sessions. Research has shown that HBOT has a significant improvement in cognitive symptoms, improves brain perfusion (blood flow), reactivates neuronal activity in stunned areas of the brain, reduces brain edema and repairs tissue. 

No physical injury can heal without oxygen and the same applies for the brain. The improvement of symptoms is most ideal if a patient is treated with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy within 48 hours of the injury. However, dramatic improvement of symptoms is possible even years after the injury occurred.

In an HBOT chamber, the patient breathes 100% pure oxygen and air pressure is raised above normal atmospheric pressure. Normal air only has oxygen levels of 21% so the difference is dramatic. As patients breathe normally in the chamber, their lungs absorb increased amounts of oxygen and super-oxygenated blood carries throughout the body. This initiates and supports the body processes that help the brain recover and improve the symptoms of a concussion.

No matter how severe, The Oxford Center can help you on your way to recovery.

Learn More About Concussions
Learn More About HBOT

January 2023 Newsletter

Written by Andrew Kistner on . Posted in All News, All Posts, News, Newsletters.

New Year, New Title, Same Care

The new year has brought us the official launch of our new company name- The Oxford Center! Previously, the word “recovery” in our name has been commonly misunderstood to mean recovery from various addictions, rather than the neurological and wellness focus our company has held from the beginning. This misunderstanding has made it difficult for patients who need our care to find us.

Our new title of “The Oxford Center” allows us to proudly welcome new and old patients without any misunderstanding of the services offered here, as well as a base name to add services to (I.e., The Village of TOC, ABA at The Oxford Center, Physical Therapy at The Oxford Center, etc.).

We can now be found as “The Oxford Center” on all platforms, including our website, social media, email addresses, Google, other Internet listings, and more. Our website will now use the URL www.TheOxfordCenter.com and emails will use the name @TheOxfordCenter.com. Anything directed to our old name will be redirected to our updated information. If you have any questions, feel free to call us at 248-486-3636.

13th Annual “Be The Change” Gala

We are excited to share that The Oxford Center will be hosting the 13th annual Fundraising Gala Dinner and Auction for the Oxford Kids Foundation on April 22nd. This event is a longstanding and beloved tradition in raising funds to support children with disabilities, chronic illness, and traumatic injuries. The Oxford Kids Foundation helps provide access to therapies and medical care that are not covered by insurance. The Foundation enables these children to receive the therapies they so desperately need but cannot afford.

Tickets for the Gala are available for purchase now. Tickets will feature fine dining, access to our silent/live auction, and drinks will be available. For more information on the Gala and how to purchase tickets, please click here..  

If you or anyone you know is interested in sponsoring the “Be the Change” gala event, please click here. for more information, or contact andrew@oxfordkidsfoundation.org to look over a sponsorship packet. The Oxford Kids Foundation is also accepting donations of any unique quality to be included in the Gala’s silent/live auction. If you would like to make any item donations to the Gala auction, please contact Andrew Kistner at andrew@oxfordkidsfoundation.org.  

We can’t wait to be a part of the change with you! 

More Gala Information
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COMPASS Program

We are excited for our COMPASS program to start (1/16)! Our COMPASS program is targeted towards teens and adults diagnosed with autism and other developmental disorders. In this program, we help these individuals learn the skills needed to move on to the next stage of their life whether that be going to and succeeding in higher education, living independently, obtaining and maintaining meaningful employment, and more.  

Clients and Caregivers will be assessed so we can develop a personalized plan and curriculum that will afford clients the skills needed to be successful and reach their goals. We care about all our clients and are committed to doing everything we can to ensure their success, both during and after the program ends.  

The program will run for approximately 6 months, 5 days per week, for 3 hours per day. If you would like to learn more about the program or ask about enrollment, please feel free to contact us at 248-486-3636. 

Learn More

The Village of TOC, with its Coffeehouse, Cafe, and Smoothie Shop, is open to the Public!

Our café is looking for more volunteers to be a part of our growing community. The café is open to the public from 8 am to 5 pm and includes a coffee shop, smoothie shop, and a soup/salad/sandwich shop. Chef Joe has worked hard to put together delicious options at all our shops and is starting to feature a weekly special! Some specials so far have been tacos and nachos, reuben sandwiches, and margarita pizza! In addition to new weekly specials, Chef Joe has just announced that we will be featuring Taco Tuesday every week that will include tacos and/or nachos and queso! Join our fiesta! 

We are currently working on a new website to feature everything The Village of TOC has to offer, so stay tuned for updates! In the meantime, if you have any questions about the delicious options from our café, please contact us at 248-486-3636. 

Sensory Friendly Santa Event

Our sensory friendly Santa event was a big success in December! Santa and Mrs. Clause visited our Brighton and Troy locations for a few days while he was very busy preparing for Christmas! Our kids loved being able to visit with Santa and Mrs. Clause in a safe and sensory friendly environment! Everyone that visited received a digital photo with Santa and Mrs. Clause that could be printed wherever they like.  

Everyone here at The Oxford Center was so happy with how this event turned out that we have invited Santa and Mrs. Clause to come back and visit with us next year as well! Next December, be on the lookout for flying reindeer to know when Santa is on his way back to us!  

2023 Wrapped Videos

Our kids at The Oxford Center work so hard all year to learn and grow. We always want to make sure we are sharing this growth with parents, so every year we make and send a “wrapped” video of the kid(s) to their parents. We love this tradition of putting together each kids growth and can’t wait to share how far your child has come with us this past year.  

Videos of your child are being sent out now, so keep a lookout for the link in your email! In the meantime, take a look at Ansh’s adorable video! If you have any questions or do not receive your video, please contact your BCBA.  

Natural Environment Teaching

“The Importance of Natural Environment Teaching in Applied Behavior Analysis”

Written by Andrew Kistner on . Posted in All Blogs, All Posts, Autism/ABA Therapy, Blog Posts, Informational.

“Enhancing Generalization and Individualized Instruction
for Individuals with Autism”

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a widely recognized and evidence-based approach to treating individuals with autism and other developmental disorders. An important strategy in ABA is natural environment teaching (NET). NET involves teaching new skills and behaviors in a real-life simulated environment. This approach allows individuals to learn new skills in a more natural way so that skills can more easily translate to real-life situations.

Why is Natural Environment Teaching important in ABA?  

ABA typically focuses on teaching new skills and behaviors in a therapeutic setting. Individuals with autism often have trouble imagining real life scenarios when learning new skills. For example, they might have trouble learning to look both ways before crossing a street without being on an actual street. NET addresses this issue by teaching new skills and behaviors in the environments where they will be used most. This allows individuals to learn skills in a more meaningful and relevant way and increases the chances that they will use skills consistently and correctly in real-life situations. 

What are the benefits? 

  • NET allows individuals to apply skills across different environments and situations. By learning in a natural environment, individuals are more likely to encounter a wide variety of circumstances. These circumstances can help prepare them and provide the adaptability needed for success in the real world. 
  • NET also allows for more individualized instruction. Individuals with autism and developmental disorders are all unique, so they have unique needs and abilities. NET allows therapists to tailor instruction to the individual’s specific needs, interests, and abilities. For example, if individuals with autism are interested in playing sports, the therapist can use that interest to teach new skills and behaviors in a natural setting, such as at a local park or community sports league. 
  • Additionally, NET allows individuals to be active participants in their own learning process. By teaching skills in a natural setting, it promotes active engagement and helps the individual feel more invested in the process. This ultimately leads to greater motivation, greater understanding, and more meaningful changes in behavior. 

Natural Environment Teaching At The Oxford Center 

The Oxford Center offers The Village of TOC, the only facility of its kind in the US. This is the best location in the country for natural environment teaching. The Village features indoor sidewalks, streetlights, crosswalks, grass, park benches, and roads. Twelve fully functioning retail stores, including a dentist office, hair salon, coffee shop, grocery store, and more, surround our park setting.  

Our features at The Village of TOC allow individuals to learn in a safe and controlled natural environment. Our ABA program uses NET to teach real-life skills while in a simulated real-life environment. We reward with play to improve social skills all while working to ensure goals. In our park setting, children are able to ride bikes and scooters around the indoor roads to boost engagement. To learn more about the ABA services program offered at The Oxford Center, visit us here https://theoxfordcenter.com/therapies/aba-autism-services/.

Teaching in a natural environment
Teaching in a natural environment
Teaching in a natural environment
Teaching in a natural environment

Summary  

In conclusion, natural environment teaching is an essential component of ABA because it allows individuals with autism and other developmental disorders to learn new skills and behaviors in a natural and functional way. By teaching new skills in natural environments, individuals are more likely to retain these skills and apply them in real-life scenarios. This approach proves to be more effective and efficient than traditional, structured teaching methods. The Village of TOC is the best location in the country for NET, offering an unparalleled learning experience for your child.  

Contact our team at The Oxford Center today to discuss the learning possibilities available through our ABA and NET programs. Call us at 248-486-3636 to schedule a no-fee discovery session.

The Oxford Center

Written by Andrew Kistner on . Posted in All News, All Posts, Events, News.

The Oxford Center is Updating Our Name to “The Oxford Center” 

With our 35,000 square foot village and autism program expansion, we are thankful that we can serve more members in our community than ever before. We are excited to announce that we will be offering new innovative programs and therapies, published research, and support in the coming months. 

With this, we are extremely excited to announce a new name, The Oxford Center. Since we first used the name “Oxford Recovery Center”, the term “recovery” has often been associated with drug and alcohol programs versus the neurological focus our company has had since the beginning. In turn, search engines, social media platforms, and overall community awareness have classified us incorrectly and made it challenging to ensure those who need our care can find us.  

Also, with The Village open to the community, there is a community misconception of what we do at The Oxford Center. The new name, “The Oxford Center”, allows us to have a base name and then add the services to it, i.e., ABA at The Oxford Center, Physical Therapy at The Oxford Center, etc. 

After the first of the year, we will be known as The Oxford Center on all platforms. This includes all social media, email addresses, website, Google, other internet listings, and more. Email accounts and websites will use the URL: www.TheOxfordCenter.com and emails as name: @TheOxfordCenter.com. 

Do not be concerned if you forget the updated name, email, or website as everything will automatically be redirected to the latest information. Please feel free to call us at 248-486-3636 if you have any questions. 

November 2022 Newsletter

Written by Andrew Kistner on . Posted in All News, All Posts, News, Newsletters.

Sensory Friendly Santa Event

Oxford Recovery Center is hosting 3 days of Sensory Friendly Santa! We will have Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Brighton location on Monday and Tuesday, December 12th & 13th, then at our Troy location on Wednesday, December 14th. Everyone will receive a digital photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus where they can have printed wherever they like. Santa visits will be by appointment only and we’ve made it very easy to register at the link below.

Register Here

Happy Thanksgiving from Oxford Recovery Center

We hope that everyone enjoys a wonderful time with their friends and family this Thanksgiving. Every year we go around to as many staff members as we can find and ask them one thing they are thankful for this Thanksgiving. Watch the video of all the wonderful responses.

Autism & Law Enforcement Workshop

Autism & Law Enforcement Workshop

Although law enforcement is tasked with keeping the public safe, interactions between first responders and those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or other psychiatric conditions can be contentious, and in some cases, deadly. To address this challenge, Oxford Recovery Center presents: An Autism Recognition and Response Workshop presented by our CEO and Founder, Dr. Tami Peterson, and Officer Edward Blackburn, head of security at ORC. We have invited all local law enforcement agencies to the workshop. If you are interested in attending, please register at the link below.

Register Here

Treating Post COVID-19 Long Hauler Syndrome

Are you still struggling with COVID symptoms even though you’ve recovered from virus? COVID-19 can cause long lasting symptoms such as loss of taste and smell, brain fog, headaches, memory problems, fatigue, and more. Research shows that Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is a very safe and effective treatment to alleviate these lingering symptoms to help you get your life back. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy has been proven to reduce inflammation, saturate plasma with oxygen, and increase stem cell circulation which enhances the body’s ability to heal itself. Oxford Recovery Center has had tremendous success in treating post COVID and COVID Long Hauler Syndrome. Whether you have recently had COVID or if you had it in the past, hyperbaric oxygen therapy can help you in your COVID recovery. 

Learn More

Meeting and Event Room Rentals

Oxford Recovery Center has several meeting and event spaces available to rent. Whether you are in need of a small conference room for a board meeting or a large gathering space for a family reunion, The Village of ORC has a space that can accommodate.

– Our full conference room accommodates up to 100 people or can be divided into three rooms to hold simultaneous conferences.

– Hybrid Meetings – host your in-person meeting with remote access through video conferencing applications on our four large scale monitors.

– Sound System – ceiling microphones and speakers throughout the room ensures that everyone has clear audible access.

– Video Recording – we can record and edit your meeting and upload it directly to you.

– Customizable Setup – hold your meeting in a conference room setup, U-shape setup, roundtable setup, or many other options.

– On-Site Catering – our professional chefs can cater your event in our attached lunchroom.

For more information or to schedule an event, call 248-486-3636 or email lynn@oxfordrecoverycenter.com

Trailer

September 2022 Newsletter

Written by Andrew Kistner on . Posted in All News, All Posts, News, Newsletters.

Order Your Lunch from The Village Cafe at The Oxford Center!

Order your lunch or dinner from The Village Cafe! Make sure you have a healthy meal even when you’re busy at work or out running errands. We have a fantastic selection of gluten-free sandwiches and pizzas as well as delicious soups and salads. You can take your lunch to-go, or relax in one of our seating areas and enjoy the wi-fi while you eat. For a quick and healthy fall dinner, grab one of our take and bake pizzas and a salad for the family. Feel free to park in the circle drive for your quick order pick up.

All proceeds from The Village of The Oxford Center shops go to The Oxford Kids Foundation. The Oxford Kids Foundation helps pay for life changing therapies not covered by insurance. An act as simple as ordering your lunch can help a child in need!

Check out our MENU HERE.

ORDER ONLINE HERE

Colossians 3:23 Coffee House & The Village Cafe are Giving Back to Our Local First Responders

Colossians 3:23 Coffee House and The Village Cafe will be providing a free meal to our local fire and police departments. On Tuesday, September 13th from 7:30am – 3pm we will be welcoming the Green Oak Police Department for a free coffee and breakfast or lunch item of their choice. On Tuesday, September 20th we will be welcoming the Green Oak Fire Department.

At The Village of The Oxford Center, we are always striving to create great relationships within our community and to showcase our love for serving others. As the year progresses we hope to be able to continue providing a small thank you to other organizations that do so much for all of us.

Claudia’s Story

The Hix family came to The Oxford Center after Claudia Hix suffered her second stroke. Claudia’s treatment plan included Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Occupational, Speech, and Physical Therapies. Claudia made amazing progress treating at The Oxford Center. Watch this full testimonial video to hear Claudia’s story and the progress she made.

Find out more about our stroke treatment program

Play Is Important For Adults Too!

We frequently discuss how important play is to children, but did you know that it is important for adults too? Adults who have forgotten how to play can end up experiencing adult play deprivation. Adult play deprivation can affect the ability to handle stressful situations, stay open-minded, and adapt to change. We see this so much in today’s world. While play can look quite a bit different for adults than it does for children, it is no less beneficial. It can help us in our personal lives, work lives, and general well-being. 

According to Dr. Brown, founder of the National Institute for Play, adult play can include art, books, movies, music, comedy, and daydreaming. During adult play, we forget about the stress and commitments that may be weighing us down. It is a pleasurable, fun experience that can include an activity or can just be a state of mind. Adult play is anything that we want to do in our free time, the things that make us happiest or calms our minds. 

Playing together with our loved ones is one of the best things that we can do to bring feelings of closeness into our relationships. It can help to keep things fresh and exciting. Playing together can create a sense of trust and security. The intimate interactions that happen during play can help to resolve hurt feelings and resentments. We can bring more play into our relationships by doing an activity that we enjoy together, or by simply trying to add a little more humor into our interactions. 

Play in the workplace can sometimes be frowned upon today, but it could be a key to our workplace success. Children learn many of the basics about teamwork and social interaction during play. The same thing holds true for adults. A workplace that encourages fun and playfulness will foster employees that are more imaginative, better problem solvers, and more empathetic toward each other. Coworkers who enjoy spending time together will also be more likely to work together as a successful team. 

Play can also be good for our mental health. When we participate in play, our bodies produce “feel-good” chemicals called endorphins. These endorphins can help reduce stress and depression. Challenging our brains through play by playing board games or working on a puzzle can help to improve our cognitive function and memory. Playing can even help us to learn new skills. Learning has been proven to be easier when it is fun. 

For some of us, it has been so long since we have done anything that felt like play that it can be hard to remember what that looks like for us. It can be helpful to remember that play will look different for everyone. We can think of the last time we felt genuinely happy or at peace. What were we doing when we felt that way? If we can identify some of those activities that have made us happy in the past, we can work toward making them part of our life again. 

Play is so important, no matter our age. Incorporating play into our lives is an easy and fun way to better our personal relationships, our workplace success, and our mental health. In the words of George Bernard Shaw, “We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.”

– Alicia Hisey, DPT

Click Here To learn more about our Physical Therapy Program

Call 248-486-3636 to set up a discovery session

July 2022 Newsletter

Written by Andrew Kistner on . Posted in All Posts, News, Newsletters.

Concerned Your Child With Autism Isn’t Ready For School?

Are you a mom or dad struggling with the thought of putting your child with autism into school? Feeling that they just might not be ready for school? ABA Academy, our insurance covered ABA based program lead by certified BCBA’s may be right for you.  We help your child gain the necessary skills and behaviors they need to be successful in school, whenever that time may be. This program utilizes Oxfords ABA procedures to teach school readiness behavior. We teach them behaviors including attending to and tolerating tasks, requesting breaks, following group instructions, and advocating their wants and needs. 

ABA Academy is enrolling now! Call 248-486-3636 to schedule your discovery session.

Find out more HERE.

Colossians 3:23 Coffee House

Our coffee house is officially open to the public! On your next visit, enjoy a hot coffee, an iced latte, or our selection of teas. Our coffees and teas are all organic, and our flavored syrups are all made in house! All proceeds from our coffee house benefit The Oxford Kids Foundation, helping children in need get access to life changing therapies not covered by insurance. 

The most unique function of the coffee house is the way it will be utilized in the COMPASS Therapeutic Vocational Training Program. The COMPASS Program provides support for teens and young adults with autism or other developmental disabilities who face barriers to entering the workforce. In Colossians 3:23 Coffee House, these young adults will be able to run through real life situations similar to what they will experience in the workplace. We will provide therapy to minimize potential barriers to employment in our own facility so that they are less likely to become issues in our client’s career or schooling.

Stop in and see us! Your morning coffee can help kids and young adults with developmental disabilities continue on their journey to the most fulfilling life possible.

To find out more about The Village of The Oxford Center and see menus from all of our shops, click HERE.

Waylon’s Story

This is Waylon’s story. Waylon is a two year old little boy, almost three, that was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. His mom, Debbie, has done absolutely everything she can to help Waylon. After receiving his diagnosis, Debbie started down the path that all of us are all too familiar with, the search for answers and help. Debbie searched for ABA therapy in her South Carolina town and was put on waiting list after waiting list. Her family heard about the possible help that Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy can have when treating Autism, but struggled to find a facility that would treat Waylon. That’s when Debbie’s journey started with The Oxford Center and Oxford Kids Foundation. As the costs are great to travel out of state to treat at The Oxford Center, Oxford Kids Foundation was there to help. Please watch the short film we put together about Waylon’s journey. Thank you to all that support Oxford Kids Foundation. We have approved 9 grant applications between June and July, and are in need of your help as we still have several that we’d like to approve. Please consider donating to help kids get the therapies they so deserve. Donate To: New tab (oxfordkidsfoundation.org)

Dinner Time Tips for Children with Autism (Part 2)

Last month we talked about working on fine motor skills and decreasing food aversions at the dinner table. This month, we will talk about a few ways that we can help our children with autism build Independent Living Skills, engage them in dinner time conversation, and help them feel included. The dinner table is a place where our families gather, bond, and learn more about each other. There are plenty of ways that our children on the autism spectrum can benefit from this special time together. 

Many of the kids in our ABA program are working on Independent Living and Self-Help Skills. Preparing or clearing a dinner table is a fantastic opportunity to practice those skills. As you work, talk about all the objects you are laying out. You can count them, talk about their features, or point out where they should go on the table. When setting the table, you can model through how each place setting is laid out and then have them set the last one. In ABA therapy, we often use something called “backward chaining” to teach new behaviors. This means that the parent/instructor completes all the steps except for the last one. When the child gets to accomplish that last step in the process, they feel a sense of accomplishment. As they build their skills, they can slowly begin to complete more steps of the process. 

To involve non-vocal children in dinner time conversation, I recommend using their AAC device and contriving situations for them to use it.  Each day, we send a parent note home with your child that tells you about their day. You can ask them various questions and have them point to the correct icons based upon what activities they did that day and the toys they played with. You can also involve the child’s siblings by having them ask the questions and help the child utilize their device. This will help build functional communication skills and will help our children feel involved during dinner time conversation! 

There are so many ways that we can help our children feel included, and to continue their progress at home. At The Oxford Center, we want to help make each of our kids as successful as possible. If you have questions about our ABA program, please call us at any time. We would love to talk with you and set up a discovery session for your child.   

-Shannon Hunyadi, M.A., BCBA, LBA

Click Here To learn more about our ABA Program

Call 248-486-3636 to set up a discovery session

June 2022 Newsletter

Written by Andrew Kistner on . Posted in All News, All Posts, News, Newsletters.

Grand Opening Success!

Thank you to everyone who came out for our grand opening. We had over 1,000 people stop in to see the new ABA Center expansion. The kids had a wonderful time doing crafts and participating in fun activities. The adults enjoyed educational classes, and we gave so many tours that we ran out of tour guides! If you missed out on your tour, please be sure to call us. We would love to schedule an appointment to show you around and tell you about everything we have to offer.

Dr. Tami was interviewed by Mitch Albom during his live show to talk about our grand opening. They spoke about all the beneficial therapies offered here at The Oxford Center, the amenities of the new building, and Dr. Tami and Mitch’s firsthand experiences with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. If you missed it, You can listen to it any time HERE.

Call 248-486-3636 or

Learn more about our ABA Center expansion HERE

Safety and Security at The Oxford Center

The health, safety, and security of our patients, visitors, and staff here at The Oxford Center is our highest priority. While we have not experienced any concerning incidents within our facility, we feel that based on events happening in our world today, we must be proactive in the protection of those we care for. With that in mind, we have hired our first security officer, Officer Edward Blackburn. He will be working in the Brighton location.

Edward has over forty years of public and private sector security, law enforcement, emergency management and public safety experience. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Human Services and a Master of Science Degree in Security Administration from University of Detroit Mercy. He has served as a police officer, firefighter, a Lieutenant public safety director, and associate dean of homeland security at Wayne County Community College and as a parole / probation agent with the Michigan Department of Corrections. He has trained with various local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. 

We feel that Edward brings the knowledge, skill, and ability needed to maintain security here in our building. He also openly displays empathy and kindness that will help our kids become comfortable not only with him but with other public service members in our community. In his spare time, Edward enjoys cooking and playing golf. He has been a little league football coach for twenty years, and his favorite part of coaching is all the big hugs that he gets from his players. When you see Edward around the building, please stop and say hello. He would love to get to know you. 

“I am so excited about being a part of the The Oxford Center family and overwhelmed by the love and support that I have received. I am at a loss for words. My goal, commitment, and obligation is to provide the highest level of protection and safety to all our little ones, our staff, and all who visit this tremendous facility. My daily prayers are for peace, blessings, and love for the whole world. Thanks to all of you for your support. I will do my best to always protect you and keep you safe.” – Officer Edward Blackburn 

If you have questions about safety protocols at The Oxford Center, Please call the Brighton location at 248-486-3636.

Registration is Open!

Silent Auction
Opens Saturday, July 9th at 12 pm
Closes July 15th at the Completion of the Event Dinner
Golf Classic
Fox Hills Golf and Banquet Center in Plymouth
Friday, July 15th, Shotgun Start at 9:04 am
18 Holes of Golf with Cart
Hot Dog, Pop, and Chips at the Turn
Dinner Buffet After the Round
Gather your foursome and spend the day out on the course, or log in online and bid on some great auction items. All proceeds go to Oxford Kids Foundation to help families in need pay for therapies not covered by their insurance. 
Golf Classic is capped at 36 teams, so register now!
Register at: OKFGolf2022.givesmart.com
or by texting OKFGolf2022 to 76278

Dinner Time Tips for Children with Autism

Many children with Autism face struggles at dinner time. Whether it is a sensory aversion, a fear of certain foods, deficiencies in fine motor skills, or difficulty participating in conversation, there are many things that we as providers and parents can do to help them. This month, we will look at what we can do to work on fine motor skills and decreasing food aversions at the dinner table. 

Learning to use utensils can be a challenge for some of our kids. One thing that I recommend to parents is to have their child help pick out their preferred utensils. They may want to use the same utensils that parents or older siblings are using, or they may be more comfortable with something completely different. Have them feel the textures of the handles. Do they like smooth or rough handles? The feel of the utensils or the weight of them may be particularly important. Offering our kids choices can help them to feel involved and set them up for a more successful outcome. 

When first using utensils, I often tell the parent to help guide the child’s hand in the appropriate motion and assist them with stabbing or scooping up their food. This helps the child get used to the amount of pressure it takes to get the food onto the fork or spoon. The parent can then release their hand and give the child the independence to bring the food to their mouth. As the child gets more practiced at these motions, the parent can gradually fade out the physical prompt. All these motions are things that we may take for granted as adults, but they are especially important for our children who may be working on their fine motor skills. 

One of the most important things that I stress to parents when working with utensils is consistency. If you are going to work on eating with utensils, then you should follow through with that to the best of your ability. If a food requires the use of a spoon or a fork, then the child should be using one every time. Being inconsistent can cause them to question when they should or should not use utensils. 

The food that you put on your child’s plate can also present important opportunities for learning. Many children on the autism spectrum have aversions to different types of foods. I recommend putting a little bit of whatever you have made for dinner on your child’s plate, even if you are uncertain that they will eat it. Manipulating new foods can help children discover new textures and may leave new scents on their fingers, exposing them to new food groups and smells. Putting the food in their mouth may be too large of a goal, but these smaller accomplishments are great ways to incorporate desensitization to different foods. 

At The Oxford Center, we want to help make each of our kids as successful as possible. If you have questions about our ABA program, please call us at any time. We would love to talk with you and set up a discovery session for your child.  

-Shannon Hunyadi, M.A., BCBA, LBA

Premier Pet Supply In The Village of The Oxford Center

Our pet supply store is sponsored by Premier Pet Supply. They have 13 locations across Southeast Michigan, offering nearly everything you need to take great care of your furry friends. From food, toys, and even Do-It-Yourself washing stations, they have you covered. Our pet supply store in The Village of The Oxford Center has toys and treats for your dog or cat, fish tank supplies, lizard and snake supplies, and much more! All proceeds from purchases made in our store will go back to The Oxford Kids Foundation.

The Village of The Oxford Center uses our Premier Pet Supply for many Natural Environment Teaching opportunities, along with program based rewards and of course FUN within our non-traditional ABA program. We teach appropriate behaviors within the pet store, such as: the proper way to gain a workers attention, requesting and waiting, how to appropriately interact with pets and their surroundings, tolerating denied access by not taking pets home, and more. We also teach responsibility management on how to care for pets, the cost of pets and the supplies needed in order to own a pet. Last, but not least, FUN! Premier Pet Supply is one of our kiddo’s favorite stores to visit. They absolutely love holding and interacting with the animals there. It’s a great reward for them after they’ve worked so hard to master their goals. 

All of these skills are hugely important for kids within the autism community. At The Oxford Center, we are leaders in advancing the way ABA is done. Premier Pet Supply is an instrumental partner in our program’s success 

Find out more about The Village of The Oxford Center Here

Find out more about Premier Pet Supply Here

OUR NEW PARKING LOT AND NEW MAIN ENTRANCE ARE OPEN!

The Maltby Road entrance will soon be closed. Please park in the parking lot on the south side of the building on Whitmore Lake Road. Use the entrance with the beautiful butterfly sculptures.

April 2022 Newsletter

Written by Andrew Kistner on . Posted in All News, All Posts, News, Newsletters.

We are excited to announce our new Culinary Operations Manager, Chef Joe Schaffer. Chef Joe attended Schoolcraft College to study Culinary Arts and has been active in the restaurant industry for 42 years. His experience reaches across all areas of food service including restaurants, country clubs, catering companies, private schools, and now The Oxford Center.

Chef Joe has enjoyed the challenges of the culinary industry. He is excited about his ability to make a direct community impact at The Oxford Center. His favorite parts of his job are teaching parents how to plan and cook healthy meals for their children and ensuring that the kids are eating nutritious foods while they are here.

Chef Joe grew up in Livonia, Michigan and as a child, was always busy. He played baseball, football, basketball, ran track, swam in the family pool, and rode his bike everywhere. He became fascinated by food at an early age. He was enthralled with the smells, the ingredients, the meals, and the cooking shows of the time like, “The Galloping Gourmet” and “Julia Child.”

Both of his parents were incredible cooks. Inspired by the smells and flavors that often came from his family kitchen, he started to experiment with his own recipes. One day when his parents were away, he began pulling ingredients from the refrigerator, freezer, and cupboards, and decided to try his hand at making a milkshake. While the result tasted great, Joe felt that its appearance was just missing something. Running across a little bottle of blue food coloring, he squeezed several drops into his mouth to taste-test it. Finding that it had no flavor, he emptied the rest of the little bottle into his milkshake. This gave just the appearance he was looking for: a deep, atomic blue. When his mother arrived home, the kitchen was clean and there was no evidence of his cooking adventure. That is except for Joe walking into the kitchen and saying “Hello” with his amazingly blue lips and causing her to nearly faint. This began Chef Joe’s culinary journey, and his understanding that a little food coloring goes a long way.

Camp ABA is Enrolling Now!

The school year is quickly coming to an end. That means it’s time to enroll in Camp ABA. Our summer camp is full of new activities like shelter building, crafts, scavenger hunts and much more. We believe that ABA doesn’t have to be confined. We want our kids to experience the communities around them. Watch our video to see all that Camp ABA has to offer. Make sure you reserve your child’s spot today.

ENROLL NOW!

Thank You For Your Google Reviews

Our clients have amazing things to say about The Oxford Center. Watch our video to see for yourself! To quote one of our Google Reviews:

“From the moment we entered the foyer, it was apparent from the administrative staff’s friendly welcome and engaging nature that we had entered an inspirational five-star facility. We are exceptionally grateful for finding The Oxford Center. It is so much more than just a facility. It is a fantastic experience. We have no hesitation in recommending such a monumentally marvelous place as we very much look forward to taking our beloved son and our whole family on this incredible and unforeseen fairy tale journey together.”

Please leave us your review at: Google-The Oxford Center.

Creating Opportunities, Maximizing Potential, Achieving Successful Skills

 The COMPASS Therapeutic Vocational Training program is ready to start enrollment! It is the first program of its kind, targeted toward young adults with autism or other developmental disabilities who need extra support to move on to their next stage in life. There is a large population of young adults who have graduated with a high school diploma; however, due to post graduation trauma or lack of functional skills, these individuals exhibit deficits in executive functioning and life skills. These deficits lead to an inability to successfully attend college, live independently, and/or obtain meaningful lasting employment.

 The COMPASS TVT program is specifically tailored to address these deficits. We will use our simulated work environment in The Village of The Oxford Center to work on skills that our clients can generalize and use in their careers and education. Some target areas we may work on to achieve success are:

  • Internet safety and peer safety
  • Learning skills needed to live independently at home
  • Planning and navigating public transportation
  • Managing a daily schedule
  • Interacting with members of the community
  • Managing finances
  • Successfully maintaining meaningful employment

If you would like more information about the COMPASS program or would like to set up your free discovery session, please contact Matthew Nivison at matthew@oxfordrecoverycenter.com or call 248-486-3636.

MEXICAN CHICKEN SALAD

Cinco De Mayo is almost here, and Chef Joe has a delicious, healthy recipe for you! His Mexican Chicken Salad will make for an easy weeknight meal packed with protein. For paleo diets, use cauliflower rice and omit the corn.

  • 1 lb. skinless boneless chicken breast
  • 1/4 cup avocado oil
  • 1 packet gluten free taco seasoning
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 cups cooked brown or cauliflower rice
  • 12 oz. can pinto beans, rinsed & drained
  • 1/2 cup red bell pepper
  • 1/2 cup diced tomato
  • 1/4 cup diced red onion
  • 1 cup frozen corn, thawed
  • 1/4 cup sliced scallions
  • 2 tablespoons diced jalapeno
  • 1/3 cup cider vinegar
  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro
  • 1/3 cup lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons diced garlic
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1 cup olive oil
  • salt and pepper to taste
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Place chicken in a bowl and mix with taco seasoning, salt, pepper, and avocado oil.
  3. Place chicken on a sheet tray and roast in oven at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Cool completely.
  4. While chicken roasts, make your vinaigrette. Using a blender, blend together cider vinegar, honey, lime juice, garlic, and cilantro. With blender running, drizzle in the olive oil. Salt and pepper vinaigrette to taste.
  5. In a large bowl, combine the cooked chicken, rice, beans, red bell pepper, tomato, red onion, corn, scallions, and jalapeno. Mix in the vinaigrette. Salt and pepper to taste.
  6. Serve as is, or with gluten free flour tortillas.

Whitmore Lake Road Construction

Whitmore Lake Rd. will be southbound only between Lee Rd. and Silver Lake Rd. for the next few months, but the Brighton location will remain open and accessible.  You can get to us from Maltby Rd., or by taking the Lee Rd. traffic circle to southbound Whitmore Lake Rd. Please call the front desk if you have trouble with the detour and we would be happy to give you additional directions.

248-486-3636

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