Page 19 - North State Parent July 2020

about things that interested me, like ancient Egypt, dinosaurs and lasers. The kids around me only had a passing interest in those things. High school was especially challenging with my attempts at friendship mostly unsuccessful.”
Programs, such as the UCLA Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relationship Skills (PEERS), have helped Christine develop those verbal and nonverbal cues to enter and exit conversations gracefully and under- stand the social networks around her. PEERS aids autistic and otherwise socially awkward children, teens and young adults in developing the skills they need to find and keep friends.
Today, Christine encourages youth in mathematics, science and art. She believes these are all part of one grand creative universe and can be great landing spots for little professors. “I think in pictures, so it’s natural for me to paint what’s in my mind. In college,
I remembered points in advanced mathematics by recalling the shape of the flowers I drew in the margins of my notes. The arts are important for brain development in ways we have yet to understand. I sing when I paint and move when I’m trying to solve complicated problems, both scientific and personal.
“When raising my two sons I
tried to recognize the strengths in
their unique features. We have many
challenges in our world today, and I
believe the solutions we are seeking
will require new ideas. This is why
it is so important for all of us to be
open to the unique ways of thinking
that we and others bring to the table. By figuring out the best ways to grow and thrive for ourselves and each other, we are making the environment we need to create the future we hope for.”
Having grown up on a farm in Wisconsin, Christine felt at home when she and her husband bought a little farm in Tehama County. She often shares the art studio above the barn with her neighbors. I noticed another slogan on her self-portrait—Enjoy the journey. Her optimism is infectious!
Christine recommends the following resources: psychologytoday.com/us/ blog/my-life-aspergers/201310/what-is-neurodiversity, Neurotribes, by Steve Silberman, www.semel.ucla.edu/peers and autismresearchcentre.com. Ó
Kate Hiller and her husband regularly count their blessings, and many of those blessings come from unexpected friendships. Christine visited their son several times while he was in the Stanford ICU and now, she is passing on her art skills to their daughter.
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Whittenberg Country School
LOCAL KIDS NEED LOCAL FAMILIES
A SCHOOL OF MASTERY
Private Elementary School, Grades K-8
(530) 529-0866 • Red Bluff
PLEASE CONSIDER ADOPTING FROM FOSTER CARE
For information contact:
Tehama County Adoption Services 530-527-1911
WWW.WHITTENBERG.ORG
CSLB #1063007
Expert Tree Removal • Pruning • Stump Grinding
FREE ESTIMATE • LICENSED TREE CARE PROFESSIONALS
530-341-4533 ABOUTTREES.US
A DIVISION OF NORTH VALLEY ARBOR MANAGEMENT
Gaumer's
Specializing in heirloom tomatoes and peaches Open 7 days a week through Halloween
“Produce Picked Fresh Daily”
11475 HWY 99 E, Los Molinos (530) 354-4775
Jewelry • Museum • Lapidary
Offering School Field Trips!
Mining Exhibit • Fluorescent Rocks
Fossils • Crystals & Minerals
Books & Gifts • Jewelry
Free Admission. Mon.-Fri., 9-5 Closed on Saturdays until December.
78 Belle Mill Rd. • Red Bluff www.gaumers.com • (530) 527-6166
www.northstateparent.com • July2020 19
TEHAMA COUNTY A Place Where Families Grow