Dec. 8 KVM Discovery Series Session Will Help Families Prepare for the Holidays

The Kalamazoo Valley Museum will host a December 8 Sunday Discovery Series session at 1:30 p.m. with special guest Melissa Grant who will help participants plan for holiday chaos and discover ways to keep calm and peaceful with helpful tools anyone can use. She will address ways to prepare children for the holiday season, tips and tricks for holiday shopping amid crazy crowds, and how to choose toys wisely.

Participants are invited to join Autism Spectrum Therapies as they ring in the holiday cheer for all. Autism Spectrum Therapies (AST) is a Kalamazoo Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) provider offering in-home services for children with developmental disabilities. AST offers families the guidance and support they need for their children to be successful and independent. "We look forward to giving you the tools for success this holiday season and resources for support within the Kalamazoo community," Grant said.

She received her undergraduate degree in psychology and special education, and a graduate degree in psychological sciences/applied behavior analysis from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. She began working with Autism Spectrum Therapies in July 2018 and became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in August 2018. She works primarily with children with developmental disabilities, specifically autism, but has also worked with adults with disabilities. Her graduate training focused on parent education and training and treatment planning with multidisciplinary teams such as speech pathologists and occupational therapists.

The Kalamazoo Valley Museum is operated by Kalamazoo Valley Community College and is governed by its Board of Trustees.