 | The signs of spring are finally appearing here at The Birchtree Center: melting snow, blooming crocuses, budding trees, and a fast-approaching week-long school vacation. We offer some school-vacation tips for families living with autism below. . . . . |
 | Birchtree's students with autism are fortunate to have many good friends in our neighborhood. First responders from Newington Fire and Rescue have helped our students and staff learn about fire safety, emergency procedures, and CPR. . . . . |
 | Greetings from the students and staff at The Birchtree Center! On Monday, the wonderful volunteers from Altrusa International helped our students with autism make Valentine's Day cookies for their families. I wish you could have been here to see the frosting, the sprinkles, and the big smiles. . . . |
 | Some friends of Birchtree have asked us about our "wish list" of items we could use in our classrooms and school to help our students learn. We welcome donations of equipment and supplies ranging from bookshelves to cubicle dividers to toothbrushes. To see our current "wish list," click here. For more information, contact our Director of Development & Community Relations at 603-433-4192 or by email. |
 | The Birchtree Center has a wonderful new home thanks to the vision of architect Bruce Dicker, Principal and CEO of JSA, Inc. To read an article Bruce wrote for our Family Newsletter about his design work for Birchtree, click the link above. |
 | The first day of our new swim program began on Wednesday, February 4th. The children all arrived at school with their bags packed full of swimming gear and big smiles on their excited faces. The morning was filled with energy from the staff and students in anticipation of the afternoon swim. . . . |
 | I had an amazing experience on Friday, the second night of the 2008 ice storm. As was the situation for so many others in the seacoast community, I thought my family could brave it out at home. However, the lack of power was becoming especially difficult for a teen with autism. . . . |
 | On February 8, women and girls from the Seacoast experienced a fashion photo shoot while supporting The Birchtree Center. Professional photographer Lisa Arvidson was inspired to organize the fundraiser . . . |
 | Getting kids to eat a well-balanced diet that offers a variety of nutrients which will help keep them healthy and at a fit weight is a difficult task for any parent, but for a family living with autism, simply getting through mealtime without a major catastrophe is often a more realistic goal. . . . |
 | Every year on both of my children’s birthdays I write them a letter about the past year and what they have accomplished. It helps me to remember events and milestones that I would probably forget otherwise. . . . |
 | On February 13, volunteers from the Portsmouth chapter of Altrusa International helped our students say “I Love You” with handmade valentines for their families. . . . |
 | Art by Birchtree students was included in SPLASH! The Art of Portsmouth’s Young People, an exhibit organized by the Friends of the Portsmouth Public Library at the Portsmouth Public Library this past March. . . . |
 | It seems you’re happy, I join you and laugh. It goes no further. I stand in my place . . .
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 | Our new administrative assistant is Rosemarie Halloran. Rosemarie is a multi-talented, highly organized woman who brings her many skills, competencies and talents to The Birchtree Center. Rosemarie earned a BA in Art from University of Southern California . . . |
 | At Birchtree we make it a priority to provide our students and their families with as many opportunities as we can. Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder often do not have the chance to have the same experiences that their typically developing counterparts do . . . |
 | Pawtuckaway State Park was the last in a series of educational field trips for the students and staff of The Birchtree Center this summer. The trips were funded in part thanks to a generous donation from the Portsmouth Rotary Club. As we arrived at the park, the excitement buzzed. . . . |
| At 3 yrs old, my son Eddie was diagnosed with Autism. We all know too well, the emotions that take over when you’re given that news. It only gets harder as you are trying to sort through the “what do I do next” list. . . . |
 | We had many adventures this past summer taking advantage of our community resources. The Birchtree Center began taking field trips this past July and August and on all counts, they were a great success. Our first trip was to the Great Bay Discovery Center. . . . |
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