30 June 2009

RaceBridges for Schools

"Sharing life stories allows us to see in new ways, grapple with new ideas, and grow into more respectful and compassionate people."

RaceBridges for Schools is a website that offers free lesson plans for educators to encourage acceptance of diversity through storytelling. Though several plans focus on ethnic diversity, the general spirit of acceptance will be beneficial for teachers seeking to promote inclusion of preteen-through-college aged students of all abilities.

29 June 2009

Caring for Myself

Caring for myself: a social skills storybook, by Christy Gast and Jane Krug, is a picture book written for children with ASDs, ADD/ADHD, or other developmental delays. Each page contains a colorful photograph and accompanying sentence to teach children to become comfortable with activities such as taking baths, getting haircuts, and visiting the doctor. The book is a great first step to encouraging independence in everyday routines.

Interested in this book? Indiana resident? Contact us!

Not an Indiana resident? Find this book at your local library through WorldCat.

26 June 2009

Fragile Success

Fragile Success: Ten Autistic Children, Childhood to Adulthood by Virginia Walker Sperry chronicles the lives of ten of her students over the course of thirty years. Through this book, the reader can see the development of not only the children but also the parents, teachers, social workers and peers that have been affected. Fragile Success allows a view into the world of autism and how it develops and affects the person over the years.

Also included in this book is a new case study about pervasive development disorder and the original evaluations of the children and test data reviewed in adulthood.

Interested in this book? Indiana resident? Contact us!

Not an Indiana resident? Find this book at your local library.

25 June 2009

Crossing Bridges

Crossing Bridges: A Parent's Perspective on Coping After a Child is Diagnosed with Autism/PDD by Viki Satkiewicz-Gayhardt, Barbara Peerenboom and Roxanne Campbell is a guide for parents who have had a child diagnosed with autism. Crossing Bridges provides in a easy-going, caring tone a basic introduction to autism and how to cope with a child who had been diagnosed. The book describes what autism is, possible causes, how you and your family may feel or react after diagnoses, medical supports, special education, helpful hints for the future and much more.

Crossing Bridges is a great introduction into the world of autism and how to get started.

Interested in this book? Indiana resident? Contact us!

Not an Indiana resident? Find this book at your local library.

23 June 2009

Autism Community Mourns Passing of Dr. Ted Carr

Dr. Edward (Ted) Carr, professor at the Department of Psychology at the SUNY Stony Brook and one-time president of the Association for Positive Behavior Support, was killed by a drunk driver on Saturday afternoon. A tribute page has been constructed by the Autism Society of America.

The CeDIR library holds copies of two of his acclaimed works:

Positive behavior support for people with developmental disabilities: a research synthesis

Communication-based intervention for problem behavior: a user's guide for producing positive change

If you are interested in either of these books and are an Indiana resident, email us to request them. If you are not an Indiana resident, you can find these and other of his publications at your local library through WorldCat.

22 June 2009

Social Skills for Teenagers and Adults with Aspergers

Social Skills for Teenagers and Adults with Aspergers: a practical guide to day-to-day life by Nancy Patrick is a "survival kit" to help teens and adults with social interactions. The book covers job searching, public situations, and the like, and offers solutions to many common relationship problems.

Interested in this book? Indiana resident? Contact us!

Not an Indiana resident? Find this book at your local library through WorldCat.

19 June 2009

I'm Not Naugty- I'm Autistic

I'm Not Naughty- I'm Autistic: Jodi's Journey by Jean Shaw tells the story of Jodi's life from birth through his eyes. Here, you can read about Jodi's transformation at eighteen months from "a happy, lively, loving baby...into the toddler from hell." The reader will discover through Jodi's eyes what it's like to grow up with autism and how his family has been with him through his diagnosis, seeking treatment and much more.

I'm Not Naughty- I'm Autistic gives the reader an interesting view into the life of a child with autism.

Interested in this book? Indiana resident? Contact us!

Not an Indiana resident? Find this book at your local library.

18 June 2009

Hurricane Dancing

Hurricane Dancing: Glimpses of Life with an Autistic Child, by D. Alison Watt, is a collection of poems and photographs chronicling the life of of her daughter Alexa. Within the poems, the reader can hear about the joys and challenges of raising a child with autism. Throughout the book, the reader gathers encouragement as well as being able to reflect on motherhood and autism.

Interested in this book? Indiana resident? Contact us!

Not an Indiana resident? Find this book at your local library.

17 June 2009

The Potty Journey

The Potty Journey: guide to toilet training children with special needs, including autism and related disorders, by Judith Coucouvanis, is an essential resource for caretakers of young children with ASDs. With a good dose of humor, Judith leads parents and educators through motivating children, establishing schedules, and tracking progress through this important life skill milestone.

Interested in this book? Indiana resident? Contact us!

Not an Indiana resident? Find this book at your local library.

16 June 2009

Normal People Scare Me

Taylor Cross, a teenager with high-functioning autism, interviews over 65 individuals with ASDs in Normal People Scare Me, a documentary co-directed by Joey Travolta. Interviewees span elementary to senior ages, all occupations and walks of life. Originally an award-winning short, the film has been expanded to full-length through the efforts of its ambitious director and his mother, public speaker and Pause4Kids founder Keri Bowers.

Interested in this documentary? Indiana resident? Contact us!

Not an Indiana resident? Find this DVD at your local library.

15 June 2009

Free Workshops: Making Businesses Accessible


The City of Bloomington has received $1,276 in funding from ADA-Indiana and the Indiana Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities to provide two workshops aimed at educating inspectors, builders, contractors and architects on new federal and state regulations regarding people with disabilities.

Workshops will target those who approve plans and inspect construction, and those who design, build and renovate buildings. The City’s goal is to help businesses and organizations understand how to be fully accessible early on, even as they design and construct their buildings.

The City’s Council for Community Accessibility applied for the funding for its project entitled “Making Businesses Accessible: If We Build It Right, They Will Come!”

Workshops will be offered on Tue., July 28, for government building inspectors, and on Wed., Aug. 19, for architects, builders and contractors. Both workshops begin at 8:30 a.m. at City Hall, 401 N. Morton Street, Bloomington, and will include free lunch.

Presenting will be representatives from the Great Lakes ADA Center, a program of the Department of Disability and Human Development at the University of Illinois at Chicago, and from the U.S. Access Board. The Great Lakes ADA Center provides information, materials, technical assistance and training on the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). The Great Lakes ADA Center's service area is designated as Region 5 and is one of 10 regional centers funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), a division of the U.S. Department of Education. The U.S. Access Board is an independent Federal agency devoted to accessibility for people with disabilities. It provides technical assistance and training on accessible design criteria and enforces accessibility standards that cover federally funded facilities.

For further information about the workshops, contact Craig Brenner, Special Projects Coordinator, City of Bloomington Community and Family Resources Department, at 349-3471 or brennerc@bloomington.in.gov, or Barbara McKinney, Human Rights Director, City of Bloomington Legal Department, at 349-3429 or mckinneb@bloomington.in.gov.

12 June 2009

Playing by the Rules

Playing by the Rules: A Story about Autism tells the story of when Josh and Jody's Aunt Tilda comes to visit. Aunt Tilda who hasn't visited in awhile must learn the rules to Josh's games. Jody explains that Josh, who has autism, plays by his own rules. Playing by the Rules is an interesting way for children to learn about other children with autism. The easy to read sentences and pictures make it simple to understand as well as being an enjoyable and educational experience.

Interested in this book? Indiana resident? Contact us!

Not an Indiana resident? Find this book at your local library.

11 June 2009

Autism and the New Law

Autism and the New Law: resources for Treatment, hope for a Cure is a great way for parents, educators and health care professionals to get a better understanding of autism and asperger's syndrome. In Autism and the New Law you will learn about the Advancement of Pediatric Autism Research Act, a part of the Children's Health Act of 2000. The Pediatric Autism Research Act was passed in order to find more effective treatments for autism. The video also includes information on autism as well as interviews from researchers in the field.

Interested in this book? Indiana resident? Contact us!

Not an Indiana resident? Find this book at your local library.

10 June 2009

Act Early Against Autism

Act early against autism: give your child a fighting chance from the start is written by Jayne Lytel, a veteran journalist whose son Leo was diagnosed with autism at a young age. Through various therapies, Leo has been successful in overcoming his condition and transitioning to a mainstream school. Jayne, now the Director of Marketing for the nonprofit Zero to Three, describes early symptoms, interventions, and the practical challenges of treatments for ASDs.

Interested in this book? Indiana resident? Contact us!

Not an Indiana resident? Find this book at your local library.

09 June 2009

Born on the Wrong Planet

"I found Star Trek and fell in love with Spock. He was a hybrid, torn between his human side and his alien side...I felt that Spock and I were made for each other, and it seemed to me to be a cruel trick of nature that he didn't exist in real life."

In Born on the Wrong Planet, Erika Hammerschmidt writes of her experiences as a young woman growing up with Asperger and Tourette Syndromes. The book follows her journey from the escapism of childhood to finding love and her place in the world of adulthood.

Interested in this book? Indiana resident? Contact us!

Not an Indiana resident? Find this book at your local library.

08 June 2009

Animal-Assisted Interventions

Animal-assisted interventions for individuals with autism by Merope Pavlides is an informative book on the therapeutic use of dogs, horses and dolphins for children with ASDs. The volume serves as a practical handbook for those with no prior experience in animal services, written unassumingly with parents and the public in mind.

Interested in this book? Indiana resident? Contact us!

Not an Indiana resident? Find this book at your local library.

Autism Advocates of Indiana Walk - 9/19/09



Mark Your Calendar! -- 9th Annual--Autism Advocates of Indiana


"Answers for Autism" Walk

Saturday, September 19, 2009; 9:00 am - 1:00 pm

Check website for updates: www.aaiwalk.org



05 June 2009

Reflections of Self

Reflections of Self by Sondra Williams is a different way to look at the world of a person with autism. In her book, Sondra Williams has written poetry including reflections and insight into her own life with autism. Reflections of Self gives the reader a unique look at the world of autism and how it effects the people in it.

Interested in this book? Indiana resident? Contact us!

Not an Indiana resident? Find this book at your local library.

04 June 2009

Parent Survival Manual

Parent Survival Manual: A Guide to Cris Resolution in Autism and Related Developmental Disorders is a great way for parents to learn about raising children with autism. Within the book, you can read about the definition of autism, background and techniques for treatment. Each chapter goes into detail about a specific detail they may need to know in raising their child. These chapters include communication, play and leisure, aggression, hygiene and using the toliet, eating and sleeping, and much more. Each chapetr also includes a reference section for further research in that area.

Interested in this book? Indiana resident? Contact us!

Not an Indiana resident? Find this book at your local library.

03 June 2009

Autism Life Skills

Autism Life Skills: From Communication and Safety to Self-Esteem and More--10 Essential Abilities Every Child Needs and Deserves to Learn is written by Chantal Sicile-Kira, a national speaker and host of a show on Autism One Radio. Her book takes a practical approach to teaching the parents and educators of persons on the autism spectrum the social tools they will need as children, adolescents, or independent adults.

Interested in this book? Indiana resident? Contact us!

Not an Indiana resident? Find this book at your local library.

02 June 2009

Adults on the Autism Spectrum Leave the Nest

Adults on the Autism Spectrum Leave the Nest: Achieving Supported Independence by Nancy Perry teaches parents and supporters of persons with ASDs how to introduce their loved one to an independent, adult life outside the family home. The book discusses how to prepare growing children for adult responsibilities, the value of living with peers, and proposed models of supported living.

Interested in this book? Indiana resident? Contact us!

Not an Indiana resident? Find this book at your local library.

01 June 2009

Model Me Kids Series

The Model Me Kids series consists of six DVDs designed for children on the autism spectrum. The collection includes Time for School, Model Me Friendship, Time for a Playdate, Tips & Tricks, Conversation Cues and I Can Do It! Studies conducted here at Indiana University have shown that videos such as these which model desirable behaviors effectively help teach children with ASDs to develop social skills.

Interested in any of these DVD's? Indiana resident? Contact us!

Not an Indiana Resident? Find this collection at your local library.