For many neurodiverse young people, the special education assistance they receive ends when they leave high school.
For all, federally mandated services stop when they turn 21.
But as they transition into adulthood, they often need help handling a new set of challenges: jobs, dating, and interacting with people beyond those they’ve known all their lives.
The late teens and early 20s are daunting times even for those who neurotypical. For people with autism and other differences, it can be overwhelming.
The Teen SLP can help.
Deirdre Flores
The Teen SLP is a multi-platform set of services offered by Deirdre Flores. A speech language pathologist (SLP) with a master’s degree from Columbia University, she has worked at Staples High School since 2012. Flores specializes in social skills interventions and language skills.
That means helping students understand vocabulary, listen comprehensively, organize and verbalize their thoughts, and self-advocate for their learning needs.
But she also works with them on pragmatic language skills: joining conversations, making friends, navigating group work in the classroom.
Through the Connections program at Fairfield University, she helps college-age students who are still part of the Westport Public Schools, but need additional special ed. supports. Each morning she runs communication and social skills groups.
Flores established The Teen SLP in 2021. She saw a need for tailored guidance and resources, at a critical phase of young lives.
Through The Teen SLP, she offers group and individual therapy.
Groups include Job-Related Social Skills, Dating Bootcamp, Making Social Connections, Video Game Social Skills and Conversation Groups.
This month, Flores runs “Financial Foundations,” covering ideas like paycheck deductions, how not to fall for scams, and wants vs. needs vs. savings.
This summer, she’ll lead “Technology for Independence.” It will cover things like using apps to figure out what all those laundry characters mean, or how to figure out the tip and split a restaurant bill.
Starting a conversation can be difficult for anyone — especially a young adult who is neurodivergent.
All along, Flores is focused on helping these young adults find friends. It’s tougher to do that after high school — and especially difficult for those who have difficulty with communication.
There are non-verbal skills to learn: Is that person flirting with me? Is my co-worker ignoring me?
How do I flirt? How can I project confidence when talking with my boss, a colleague or customer?
Even verbal communication — like understanding sarcasm — can be hard for neurodivergent people.
Flores provides a space for young adults to practice those skills, in a safe, non-judgmental environment.
“There are few things more important than making a personal connection with someone, when you have often felt alone and on the sidelines of conversation and life,” Flores says.
Her success stories “may not seem like a big deal for someone for whom social and language skills come naturally,” she knows.
But when a client gets coffee with co-workers outside of work, and organizes the hangout himself; when another creates her own friend group by creating a group text, then sets up regular weekend hangouts; and when another client asks someone out on a date, and converses asily throughout the evening — those are reasons to celebrate.
Especially when the young people communicate them on their own, excitedly, to her.
(For more information on The Teen SLP, click here.)
(“06880” regularly spotlights Westporters doing interesting, important work. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
With Memorial Day near, last week’s Photo Challenge showed a plaque dedicated on May 25, 1975, to “Westport Veterans United States Armed Forces, Living or Dead.” (Click here to see).
You’d think it would be near the Doughboy statue in Veterans Green, opposite Town Hall.
You’d be half right.
It was next to that World War I memorial, when it was dedicated nearly half a century ago.
But the statue then was on the Post Road, in the grass median across from what was then the Clam Box restaurant. (It’s now shared by Pizza Lyfe, Dada Salon and One River School of Art.)
The plaque — near that building — remained, long after the statue was moved to its more appropriate location, shortly after that 1975 dedication ceremony.
Paul Rohan, Seth Schachter, Elaine Marino, Scott Bennewitz and Andrew Colabella all knew where it still remains.
Which brings up a question: Shouldn’t it too be moved to Veterans Green?
This week’s Photo Challenge isn’t going anywhere, though. If you know where in Westport you’d see this, click “Comments” below.
(Photo/Richard Fogel)
(Every Sunday, “06880” hosts this Photo Challenge. We challenge you too to support your hyper-local blog. Please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!)
There is one less Brooks, Torrey & Scott property in town.
And one more owned by Regency Centers.
Compo Shopping Center — anchored by CVS — was sold last week for $45.5 million, by the local family commercial real estate firm, to the Jacksonville, Florida-based company.
Compo was one of the first shopping centers in town (along with Westfair Village near Southport, across from what is now Stop & Shop — also built by the current Brooks principals’ father, B.V. Brooks.
Initial tenants includes McClellan’s 5-and-10 store, Compo Barber Shop, a supermarket and Gold’s delicatessen.
McClellan’s is now CVS. The barber is now Dunkin’ Donuts. The supermarket is Awesome Toys & Gifts.
Gold’s is still there.
Torrey Brooks — a third generation member of the Brooks company — told CT Insider, “basically, my brother and sister pretty much wanted to cash out.”
Compo Shopping Center recently underwent a major exterior renovation. The parking lot remains, however, one of the most difficult to navigate in Westport.
It’s right down there with Compo Acres Shopping Center — the one with Trader Joe’s — across the street.
It too is owned by Regency Centers.
Gold’s Delicatessen — a Compo Shopping Center mainstay for nearly 70 yeas.
A common sight: a wrong-way driver entering Compo Shopping Center.
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Pickleball America — one of the largest such indoor venues in the US — was formerly Saks Fifth Avenue, in the Stamford Town Center.
It’s also the site of art shows.
The latest — “Mothers and Fathers,” featuring members of the Connecticut Society of Portrait Artists — includes work from Westport artist Nancy Stember. The show runs through June 28, and is open daily until 10 p.m.
A special Father’s Day reception is set for June 13 (6-8 p.m.).
Stember’s painting — drawn from a family photo taken years ago, with husband Rishon and children Doron, Atara and Joey — is featured on marketing materials for the show.
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Speaking of mothers: “06880” joins Weston’s Jolantha the pig (below) in wishing all moms, in 06880, 06883 and beyond, a happy Mother’s Day.
Westport’s real estate market just had its best week of the year for new listings.
Yet April ended with the lowest inventory for single family homes in over 20 years.
What does that mean?
Our friends at KMS Team at Compass say that before COVID, Westport real estate was a buyers’ market. Inventory was plentiful. In 2019, homes stayed on the market an average of 122 days.
When homes sold, it was at an average 5.2% discount from list price. Sellers were encouraged to beat competition, and list their homes before the traditional “spring” market.
The number of new listings spiked earlier, then tapered down through December. For example, there were 91 new listings in January 2019, 95 in February, 98 in May, then only 20 new listings in December 2019.
During the turbulent pandemic era, Westport homes were in extremely high demand. They sold quickly, often over asking prices.
As inventory declined to historic low levels, prices still rose. Westport continued to be a sellers’ market.
For sale: 5 Boxwood Lane, off Sturges Highway. With 6 bedrooms and 10 bathrooms, it’s 10,414 square feet on 1.89 acres. The asking price is $4,285,000.
The last couple of years have continued the trend. However, with less fear of missing the market, sellers now list their homes when they and the home are ready.
Spring finds some sellers looking for new beginnings, others looking ahead to the end of the school year.
The traditional real estate wisdom of focusing on “curb appeal” still exists, making spring a great time to list. Green leaves, blooming flowers and open pools are key selling points for potential buyers.
With a year-to-date median sales price of $1,985,500 — up nearly 2% from the same period in 2023 — it is not surprising to see 19 single-family homes newly listed for sale in Westport last week.
That’s the best weekly total this year. Yet the 84 homes inventory at the end of April is less than in over 2 decades.
113 North Avenue is on the market for $2,699,000. The 3,920-square foot home includes 5 bedrooms and 3 1/2 bathrooms, on 1.02 acres. It incorporates the Charles Meeker House, c. 1887.
Why the low inventory?
The KMS Team at Compass offer several reasons.
One is that some newer homeowners can’t afford to move again. They locked into a loan when mortgage rates were between 2 and 3%, or at least under 5%. Paying around 7% would be prohibitive.
Meanwhile, owners who have been in their homes for years, and refinanced when rates were low, don’t want to downsize — yet possibly face higher monthly mortgage payments.
Many people stay put because they fell in love with their schools, town and/or neighborhoods. They’ll put on an addition or rework the current home to address their evolving needs.
Some people can afford to “move” to a different part of the country, by buying another residence elsewhere. But they’re not ready to give up their foothold in Westport. So they keep their property here.
For everyone, moving can be stressful. And expensive. Some homeowners think about selling, then decide to stay put.
So what do the coming months look like?
KMS expects the number of new listings this month and next to match or beat April’s total of 54.
July and August will be slow, as Westporters enter vacation mode. The pace will probably pick up again in September and October.
So May may bring more flowers. And, realtors (and buyers) hope: more inventory.
The Northern Lights — a rarity over Westport — were visible early this morning.
A geomagnetic storm caused the show, for the first time in nearly 20 years.
Amateur astronomer Franco Fellah captured the celestial magic over Elmwood Lane:
Staples High School senior Charlie Scott captured this image, near Clinton Avenue:
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The Westport Library’s Big Spring Book Sale starts next Friday (May 17), and runs through Monday, May 20.
There are thousands for children and adults in more than 50 categories of nonfiction and fiction, children’s and antiquarian books, vinyl, CDs, movie and television DVDs, plus ephemera and artwork.
Hours are: Friday, May 17 (noon-6 p.m.); Saturday, May 18 (9 a.m.-5 p.m.); Sunday, May 19 (11 a.m.-4 p.m. — half-price day); Monday, May 20 (9 am.- 5 p.m. — fill the Library’s logo bag for $10, fill your own same-sized bag for $8, or buy items at half price).
On Friday May 17, the Book Sale will be open from 8:45 a.m. to noon only to people who buy an early access ticket in advance. Click here to purchase.
“Walkable cities” are environmentally, socially and economically vibrant.
Can Westport become a “walkable town”?
Sustainable Westport thinks so.
On June 4, the non-profit group brings urban planner Jeff Speck to Bedford Middle School (6 p.m. reception, 6:30 presentation).
Offering firsthand observations of Westport, he’ll share his thoughts on how we can become more walkable, bikeable and sustainable. He’ll also provide suggestions on short- and long-term efforts we can take toward those goals.
Rhone — the men’s clothing store on Main Street and a longtime champion of mental fitness — is hosting an evening dedicated to the topic.
The May 30 event (Westport Woman’s Club, 5:30 to 8 p.m.) includes inspirational speakers, a silent auction, and a “Mind & Muscle” experience led by Eric Johnson. It combines dynamic workouts with mental health discussions, combining physical and mental well-being.
Rhone co-founder and CEO Nate Checketts will deliver the keynote.
Rhone will donate 10% of proceeds from all purchases between May 31 and June 2 to Westport-based Positive Directions.
Westport-based singer Sophie B Hawkins is on a spring tour.
She won’t have to travel far next Saturday (May 18). She’s booked for a 7:45 p.m. show at Fairfield Theatre Company’s Stage One.
She’ll perform a collection from her new album. Each tells a own powerful story. Click here for tickets, and more information.
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Best-selling “Cork Dork” author Bianca Bosker returns to the Westport Library June 11 (7 p.m.), for a chat with artist/author Miggs Burroughs. They’ll talk about her book “Get the Picture” — a fascinating journey into the secretive world of art and artists, from cave paintings to Instagram.
Bosker threw herself into that milieu: gallerists, collectors, curators, and artists themselves. Her research even included a stint as a museum security guard.
Just added to the Westport Country Playhouse calendar: a screening of the film “When My Sleeping Dragon Woke,” followed by a Q-and-A with writer Sharon Washington and director/producer Chuck Schultz (June 14, 7 p.m.).
Washington shares intimate moments that strengthened her as she grew from a little girl in a library, to a young woman embracing new opportunities and breaking down barriers.
Following the screening of the film will be a discussion in the theatre with Sharon Washington herself and director/producer Chuck Schultz.
Westporter Stephen Rappoport — CEO of Lamy America — was honored this week at the Night for Sight gala at New York’s Chelsea Piers. The event benefited the Foundation Fighting Blindness.
Lamy America donates a portion of sales of its Two Blind Brothers optical products toward finding a cure for blindness. (Hat tip: Avi and Liz Kaner)
Stephen Rappoport
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Julie Conti, a 30-year resident of Westport, died Thursday at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Bridgeport. Born on July 4, she was 74.
Her daughter Gabi writes: “She used to scream ‘I love this town! out the window while driving over the Cribari Bridge.
“She lived so many extraordinary lives. She was the only one in her family to get out of Brooklyn. She became an American Airlines flight attendant in the 1970s despite being 5-foot, brunette and Italian (the competition was tall, blonde and from Texas).
“She thought she found her happily ever after at 27 when she met a first-class passenger, but when that relationship crumbled she packed up a trailer and drove back to Brooklyn.
“She didn’t give up. She started working at Doyle Dane Bernbach in New York, where she met her soulmate, Paul Conti. Together they started Big Time Productions, producing commercials and music.
“In the mid-’90s she was diagnosed with a rare form of stomach cancer. After an exhaustive pre-internet search, my dad found the one doctor who could save her life. She was cancer-free ever since.
“Julie was involved in New Neighbors, Green’s Farms Church, Westport Country Playhouse, PTAs and Staples Players.
“When I went off to college she started working for Meridith Baer, a home staging company. She convinced them to bring their business to Westport.
“She always loved the theater. As a girl she auditioned for “The Sound of Music” on Broadway. She didn’t get the part, but in her 60s she decided to follow her love of performing by taking acting classes at Staples with Al Pia.
“My mom was a fighter who never gave up, and lived so largely until it was her time. Her favorite activity was walking along Compo Beach, which she did every day until she couldn’t walk anymore.
“The day she died we went to the beach and felt her walking along beside us, as a ray of sunshine that followed us along the Sound.
“All are welcome to celebrate her life, this Friday (May 17, 11 a.m., Greens Farms Church.”
Julie Conti
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Paul Delano found a host of beautiful birds, all around town. Here’s one for our “Westport … Naturally” feature: an orchard oriole.
Ans finally … in honor of both the “Walkable Westport” and shoe collection stories (both above):
(If it’s happening in Westport, you’ll read about it here. If you enjoy reading about it, please consider a contribution to your hyper-local blog. Just click here — and thank you!)
We welcome a record-setting number of works in this week’s online art gallery.
Many of them are nature- and beach-related. Plenty are photos, too.
Not a lot of abstract art this week.
That’s the thing about this gallery: The exhibits change, every week.
But o matter what your theme or medium — and whether you’re a first-timer or old-timer — we welcome your submissions. Watercolors, oils, charcoal, pen-and-ink, acrylics, digital, lithographs, collages, macramé, jewelry, sculpture, decoupage, needlepoint — we want whatever you’ve got.
Age, level of experience, subject matter — there are no restrictions. Everyone is invited to contribute.
Email it to 06880blog@gmail.com. Please include the medium you’re working in — art lovers want to know.
“Flowers at Bryant Park” (Laurie Sorensen)
“The Little Pine Tree That Could” (Dorrie Barlow Thomas)
“Garden Gate” — watercolor (Jo Ann Davidson)
“Forsythia” (Kathleen Burke)
“Untidaled” (Michael Tomashefsky)
“Beach Sand” (Richard Fogel)
“Remember” (Cohl Katz)
“Driftwood Pier” (Bruce Borner)
Untitled (Andrew Colabella)
“Kite Flying at Burying Hill” (Duane Cohen)
Untitled — Point by the cannons (Steve Moen)
“Beachside Abstract” — digital composite (Ken Runkel)
Untitled (Aerin Lichtman, 12 years old)
“An Easter Island Statue in Connecticut?” Photographer Peter Barlow says, “This one, likely a reproduction, is in Stoney Creek and looks out to the Thimble Islands.”
“Amazing” (Dorothy Robertshaw)
“After Charing Cross” (Tom Doran)
“Distortion on Delancey” (Patricia McMahon)
“Do Unto Others What You Would Have Them Do Unto You” (Mike Hibbard)
“The Beachcomber” (Lawrence Weisman)
“Never Again” — artist Steve Stein shows “the different stars used to mark Jewish citizens in each country the Nazis took over during World War II. May 5 and 6 was Yom HaShoah (Day of Remembrance) for the 6 million who died during the Shoah (Holocaust). May 12 and 13 are Yom HaZikaron (Official Israel Memorial Day) for fallen soldiers in 9 wars. May 14 is Yom Ha’atzmaut (76th Israel Independence Day, after a 4000-year history in the land).
(Entrance is free to our online art gallery. But please consider a donation! Just click here — and thank you!)
There are 3.7 million high school seniors in the United States.
Only 161 are Presidential Scholars.
Staples’ Leigh Foran is one of them.
Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona has chosen Leigh as one of those American 12th graders who demonstrated “outstanding academic
achievement, artistic excellence, technical expertise, leadership, citizenship, service, and contribution to school and community.”
Part of the selection process includes essays, school evaluations and transcripts.
Just 5,700 students qualified for this year’s awards, based on outstanding performances on SAT or ACT exams, or through nominations made by chief state school officers or organizations like the National Foundation for the Advancement of Artists.
Each honoree was asked to name their most influential teacher, who then receives a personal letter from Secretary Cardona. Leigh chose social studies instructor Cathy Schager.
Leigh Foran
This is not Leigh’s first big honor.
Far from it.
Next month, she will address the Staples Class of 2024 as its valedictorian.
Earlier this year, Leigh anchored the Wreckers’ 4×800 meter relay team that finished eighth at the indoor track national competition.
With the soccer team, she has won two state championships.
She will continue her academic career at Columbia University, where she will also run track.
Leigh Foran will run track at Columbia University.
Track and soccer take plenty of time. But she also did biomedical research at Yale University, focusing on kidney disease; worked (as the youngest member) with a research team at Norway-based Center for Global Health Inequalities that examined COVID mortality rates, and conducted research locally with Fairfield University’s Dr. Anthony Santella, looking at HIV disparities in healthcare providers. Those findings will be presented at an international conference.
Leigh’s interest in science also led to research with Dr. Kimberly Doughty of Fairfield University on maternal stress in breastfeeding outcomes, and work last summer at the Yale Center for Analytical Sciences, where she learned to code and organize data on autism. She’s been invited back to the Yale Center again this summer.
The Presidential Scholar enjoys writing too. She has been published in the International Youth Sciences journal.
Before high school, Leigh was unsure of her interests. As a freshman, she realized during Black Lives Matter and Asian Pacific Islander rallies that disparities in backgrounds and socioeconomic status can lead to differing healthcare outcomes. In school, she merged academics with activism. That led to her involvement with Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services, a New Haven-based non-profit organization. She helped provide information to clients navigating the U.S. healthcare system.
Closer to home Foran, who is half Korean and half Irish, teamed up with a friend to start IDEA (Inclusion and Diversity through Education and Awareness). The Staples club teaches young children about the importance of inclusivity, particularly with peers who may not look like them.
As a sophomore, Leigh’s essay — “Embracing Privilege to Tackle Racism” — placed third in TEAM Westport’s annual teen diversity contest.
Leigh Foran, with fellow 2022 TEAM Westport essay winners Colin Morgeson and Ian Patton.
She also volunteers with the Save the Children Action Network, and at Norwalk Hospital.
But that’s still not all. At Staples, Foran is a member of Link Crew, the support program for freshmen; president of the Math National Honor Society; co-president of the National Honor Society; vice president of the Science National Honor Society, and a member of both the Spanish and Social Studies National Honor Societies.
Oh, yeah: She also won a National Merit Scholarship.
(“06880″ is proud to chronicle the accomplishments of Westport’s diverse and talented young people. Readers’ support helps us do it. Please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!)
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