Waiting for No One

Remember yesterday's post? Guess what? There's another book about Taylor on our shelves! In this book, Taylor continues to struggle with independence and self-control. The book highlights the ways—both positive and negative—that her Asperger’s Syndrome affects Taylor's daily life. She wants to be seen as an individual, not as a stereotypical “person with special needs."

Want to check it out? Email us at cedir@indiana.edu or use worldcat.org to find it in a library near you.

Wild Orchid

Looking for a lighter read? Set in Canada, Wild Orchid is about a young adult with Asperger's. Even though she is 18, Taylor cannot be left alone and must accompany her mother on her summer vacation to Prince Albert National Park. What Taylor learns about herself that summer will change her life forever.

Shortlisted for Canadian Library Association Young Adult Book of the Year Award
2007 Manitoba Young Readers' Choice Award nominee
2007 Saskatchewan Young Readers' Choice Willow Awards nominee
Canadian Children's Book Centre Our Choice Starred Selection
White Pine nominee, 2007

Want to check it out? Email us at cedir@indiana.edu or use worldcat.org to find it in a library near you.

April is Autism Awareness Month

Facts:

• In February 2007, the Centers for Disease Control issued a report which looked at a sample of 8 year olds, and concluded that the prevalence of autism had risen to 1 in 150 in American children and almost 1 in 94 among boys.  By 2009, that incidence had increased to 1 in 110. Each year brings new cases of autism and many who present complex challenges. 

• There is no single known cause for autism.  Instead multiple factors may lead to an individual obtaining a diagnosis on the autism spectrum.

• Autism is referred to as a spectrum disorder to signify differences among a group of people who share a common diagnosis.   

• The Autism Society notes the incredible costs associated with autism spectrum disorders and the ongoing need for services that promote early identification and programming, effective transition planning, and individualized adult options.

• Studies show that early diagnosis and intervention can lead to greatly improved outcomes.  However, ongoing support is critical and even into the adult years. 

Want to know more? The Indiana Resource Center for Autism has published an article that includes tips on working with those on the spectrum. To read the entire article, visit: http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/index.php?pageId=359

School Success for Kids with Autism

Looking for a book that outlines the best practices found in today's classrooms? Want something that offers insight into how parents and teachers can work together to create effective environments where kids on the spectrum can succeed? Check out School Success for Kids with Autism. The authors illustrate how to create nurturing, supportive, and effective classrooms from preschool to high school. Practical advice from leaders in autism education will help give students the tools they need to succeed.

Email us at cedir@indiana.edu to check out this title, or use worldcat.org to find it in a library near you.

Mobile App Monday - ConversationBuilder

ConversationBuilder is an award-winning app that is designed to help elementary aged children learn how to have multi-exchange conversations with their peers. Students learn when to introduce themselves, when to ask questions and make observations, and more.

To learn more about this app, visit: http://itunes.apple.com/app/conversationbuilder/id413939366?ign-mpt=uo%3D6&mt=8

Autism Every Day

Looking for a book that combines real-life stories of challenges and successes with practical ideas for handling autism, every day? Autism consultant Alyson Beytien outlines over 150 tried-and-true techniques for home, school, and community in Autism Every Day: Over 150 Strategies Lived and Learned by a Professional Autism Consultant with 3 Sons on the Spectrum.

Alyson’s three boys cover the whole spectrum of autism—Asperger’s syndrome, high-functioning autism, and classic autism. She understands the wide range of needs these children have and has discovered what helps and what hinders. Covering a full gamut of issues—from picky-eating and echolalia to IEPs and “The Woes of Walmart”—Alyson’s ideas and interventions will inspire and inform all those who are connected to a person with autism.

Want to check it out? Email us at cedir@indiana.edu or use worldcat.org to find it in a library near you.

Raising Resilient Children

Looking for help with teaching your child to be more resilient? Pick up Raising Resilient Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Help your child "develop strength, hope, and optimism" with this book using an approach based in the popular field of positive psychology. The book offers practical tips for long-term solutions and tips on how to apply resilience to everyday parenting.

Interested? Email us at cedir@indiana.edu to check it out. Or use worldcat.org to find it in a library near you.

The Partner's Guide to Asperger Sydrome

Book description:
"Adults with Asperger Syndrome (AS) often have difficulties acquiring relationship skills due to the defining characteristics of the syndrome, experiences with peers during childhood and adolescence, and the expectations of their partners. However, an increasing number do go on to achieve happy and successful long-term relationships with non-spectrum (NS) partners. This supportive book, The Partner's Guide to Asperger Syndrome" will give NS partners a better understanding of NS/AS relationships, and of what other NS partners have found to be helpful in terms of better understanding themselves and their partners, and enriching their relationships."


Want to check it out? One of the authors is our very own Marci Wheeler, Social Work Specialist at the Indiana Resource Center for Autism! Email us at cedir@indiana.edu or use worldcat.org to find it in a library near you.

Learning the Hidden Curriculum

Looking for a book on social skills for adults? Learning the hidden curriculum: The odyssey of one autistic adult might be just what you're looking for. The author draws from her own experiences to relate how she learned to maneuver social situations more successfully. Endow presents strategies to help develop  the ability to assess a situation and take steps to avoid making social blunders.

Want to check it out? Email us at cedir@indiana.edu.

How to Talk to an Autistic Kid

Looking for a kid-friendly book on how to help kids relate to kids on the spectrum? How to Talk to an Autistic Kid is a 48-page how-to guide for anyone interested in kids with autism. Written by a 14-year-old with autism, this book helps readers understand why autistic kids act the way they do and offers specific suggestions on how to get along with them.

Want to check it out? Email us at cedir@indiana.edu or use worldcat.org to find it in a library near you.

Mobile App Monday - Grace

Grace is a non-speaking, simple picture exchange system developed for people with Autism to communicate their needs independently. Users can select pictures to form a semantic sentence which they can then share, by tilting the iPhone or iPod touch to create a full screen view, and pointing at each card to hear the listener read each word.

Want to learn more? Visit: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/grace-picture-exchange-for/id360574688?mt=8

Research at IRCA

Ever wonder what type Research is being conducted at the Indiana Resource Center for Autism? Dr. Scott Bellini, IRCA's Assistant Director, has put together an article on just that topic.

"A primary responsibility of the Indiana Resource Center for Autism (IRCA) staff is to conduct research on methods to enhance quality programming for individuals across the autism spectrum. The IRCA is currently engaged in an expansive array of research projects that involve applied and conceptual lines of inquiry. Research conducted by IRCA staff addresses both the general needs of individuals with autism spectrum disorders, and the specific needs of family members and individuals who are residents of the state of Indiana."

Want to read the entire article? Visit: http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/index.php?pageId=3435

Prepositions!

Children need to understand and use a variety of critical prepositions, such as above, below, on, off, under, next to, in front of, and more. Prepositions! models the use of prepositions first in isolation and then in sentences to help build sentence structure. Humor, costumes and songs are used to keep your child engaged and provide additional reinforcement.

Email us at cedir@indiana.edu to check it out or use worldcat.org to find this video in a library near you.

Increasing Incidence Continues

"In February 2007, the Centers for Disease Control issued a report based on a sample of 8 year olds, and concluded that the prevalence of autism had risen to 1 in 150 in American children and almost 1 in 94 among boys.  By 2009, based on a similar sample, that incidence had increased to 1 in 110.  Clearly, each year more children are diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD)."

Want to know more? Read the entire article written by Dr. Cathy Pratt of the Indiana Resource Center for Autism by visiting: http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/index.php?pageId=361

I Get It!: Building Social Thinking and Reading Comprehension Through Book Chats

I Get It!: Building Social Thinking and Reading Comprehension through Book Chats is a guide for parents and teachers to help build a child's reading comprehension from the angle of the student's social thinking ability. The author believes that reading comprehension is less about understanding language and more about understanding social thinking. Contents of the book include:

• Discussion of the research on reading comprehension and its relationship to social thinking
• A teaching approach called Book Chat that uses children's literature to teach social thinking
• Teacher-tested strategies for in-classroom use, aligned with current educational standards
• Numerous examples of Book Chat literature, organized to teach specific concepts
• IEP goal ideas and examples

Want to know more? Email us at cedir@indiana.edu to check out this title.

A Politically Incorrect Look at Evidence-Based Practices and Teaching Social Skills

The book A politically incorrect look at evidence-based practices and teaching social skills: A literature review and discussion takes a hard look at the tendency for children on the spectrum to lack the ability to think socially when coming into the school system. Adding to the issues is the federal policy to rely on evidence-based practices, that may or may not be helpful, when teaching all students.

Want to know more? Email us at cedir@indiana.edu to check out this title, or go to worldcat.org to find it in a library near you.

Superflex takes on Glassman and the Team of Unthinkables

Superflex Takes on Glassman and the Team of Unthinkables is written for elementary students to help them think about how they can save their day by conquering their own everyday issues and problems. As students learn about how Superflex manages Glassman and other Unthinkables, they learn skills that help them work on their own thoughts and behaviors. Quizzes and tip sheets are also built into the book.

Email us at cedir@indiana.edu to check out this title or use worldcat.org to find it in a library near you.