Making the Most of the Holidays

Staff at the Indiana Resource Center for Autism have put together a handy list of tips for helping your family make the most of the upcoming holiday season. The tips were developed with input from the National Autism Society, the Autism Society of Indiana, Riley Child Development Center, Easter Seals Crossroads, LOGAN Autism Learning Centers, and the Indiana Autism Leadership Network and are updated annually.

To read the article, please visit:
https://www.iidc.indiana.edu/pages/making-the-most-of-the-holidays-for-your-family-and-your-son-daughter

Free Parent Group Meetings

This fall, The Indiana Resource Center for Autism staff will present information to parent support groups across Indiana. Meetings have been scheduled through February throughout the state. These meetings are free and open to the public and will be geared toward families with a diagnosis on the autism spectrum rather than professionals.

To view the meetings list, please visit:
https://www.iidc.indiana.edu/pages/parent-group-meetings

Going to college with autism: Tips and strategies from successful voices

Going to college with autism: Tips and strategies from successful voices is 110 pages of information about autism written with college professors in mind. As more and more students with disabilities go on to higher education after high school, professors, special educators, high school transition coordinators, and families can appreciate the wisdom and success stories found in this book.

The book begins with an overview of autism, its prevalence in the population, and some of its defining characteristics. It offers professors a look into some of the behaviors they might see in a student on the spectrum as well as some of the different learning styles that can accompany the disorder. Transition planning is key for students with autism and links to agencies that can help are included. Information on developing relationships and independence for students is highlighted in addition to the importance of a student knowing what works best for them and being able to advocate for themselves. Each chapter ends with success stories offering a personal glimpse into what life is really like for students 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.

The Aspie College, Work & Travel Survival Guide

The Aspie College, Work & Travel Survival Guide is 236 pages of guidance on transitioning from high school to adult life, not only to higher education and/or the workforce, but also travel tips when visiting a foreign country or a large city and tips on family emergencies and ill health. Written by a young man with Asperger syndrome, the author offers his personal experience of life as an "Aspie." It's uplifting message is encouraging for other Aspies who are nearing the end of public school life and beginning to answer the question, "What's next?"

More than half of the book covers the end of high school, planning for college, and college life. It discusses the different types of colleges and costs, applying to colleges and scholarships, study tips, and graduation. The chapters that follow cover topics such as building a resume, interviewing tips, and accepting a position. Toward the end of the book, the author highlights concerns for an Aspie regarding domestic and international travel as well as topics on families and emergency situations.

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

Revolutionary grandparents: Generations healing autism with love and hope

Revolutionary grandparents: Generations healing autism with love and hope is 180 pages of advice and love from 22 grandmothers and grandfathers who have either moved in with their children or have dramatically altered their life in order to become more active members of their children and grandchildren's life.

The grandparents in these stories share a glimpse into their lives not only to record the progress of their grandchildren but also as a way to offer advice, hope and compassion to others who may be going through the same, oftentimes difficult, journey. Their unique voice offers a point of view that is a step removed from the sometimes overwhelming fear and uncertainty that often comes with being a parent whose child is diagnosed on the spectrum. Their words of awe and support as they watch their own children parent a child with autism is a comforting testament to the power of positivity.

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

Local Teams Trained in Autism Spectrum Disorders

The Indiana Resource Center for Autism has been hard at work training school or district teams of folks across the state "to build local capacity to establish and implement proactive and positive programming that reflects evidence-based practices for students across the autism spectrum." If you are interested in connecting with a team in your area, a list has been compiled to help.

Read more about the teams and the list at:
https://www.iidc.indiana.edu/pages/local-teams-trained-in-autism-spectrum-disorders

Walker finds a way: Running into the adult world with autism

Walker finds a way "tells a story of crisis and recovery of a young man with low-functioning autism. Battling miscommunication, misinterpreted behaviour and a lack of appropriate services, Walker and his parents' resilience shines through, providing a much-needed portrayal about what life is like for adults with low-functioning autism, and how we can understand the complex personalities of people with communication difficulties." -publisher

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

Autism in Love

The acclaimed documentary film featured on the PBS show "Independent Lens"

Saturday, April 23, 2016
2:30 p.m. (Doors open at 2 p.m)

City Hall Council Chambers
In the Showers Building, Suite 115
401 N. Morton Street
Bloomington, IN

This event is FREE, but seating is limited. Please register online at http://go.iu.edu/197T

This highly acclaimed, insightful, and touching documentary, directed by Matt Fuller, brings awareness to the challenges of dating and love for people who have an autism spectrum disorder. "Autism in Love" is simultaneously sorrowful and heart wrenching while also encouraging and hopeful. It's a raw, sometimes emotional look into the lives of four people with ASD who share their frustrations, pain, and successes in trying to find, date, love, and connect to someone understands and appreciates them.

Doors will open at 2 p.m. Questions and answers with Ms. Nebeker and Mr. Hamrick, a couple featured in the movie, will follow at 4 p.m. Light refreshments will be served.

For questions about film content, please contact Melissa Dubie at mdubie@indiana.edu or call the Indiana Resource Center for Autism at 812-855-6508.

Suggested Audience
Educators, Family Members, Parents, Caregivers, Adults with ASD

Accommodations
The Indiana Institute on Disability and Community is committed to providing equal access to this event for all participants. If you have questions about accessibility or have a request for alternative formats or other accommodations, please contact Lisa Bidwell (lbidwell@indiana.edu) at 812-855-6481 with your request at least three weeks in advance of the event. Deadline for an accommodations request for this workshop is April 1, 2016.

"Merling and Luke Tsai accounts their approach to confronting major and unexpected challenges in the past 40 years with their son, Stephen with lower functioning autism in Raising Our Son With Autism: A Family's 40 Year Journey. Newly released, this engaging book presents the full life Stephen leads despite significant limitations in home, school and community. The Tsais are telling their story to keep record of the way Stephen has been able to touch many people s hearts and changed their spiritual direction despite his severe handicaps in cognition, communication, and social relationships. Stephen has become a friend, a teacher and guide to his own parents by enlightenment to a better understanding of their relationship with God." -publisher

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

Autism and the extended family: A guide for those outside the immediate family who know and love someone with autism

Autism and the extended family: A guide for those outside the immediate family who know and love someone with autism examines the complex relationships that develop, and are changed by, an autism diagnosis in the family.

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

After the Diagnosis of an Autism Spectrum Disorder

The folks at the Indiana Resource Center for Autism in a collaborative effort with numerous organizations have put together a new brochure to help families who have children with a new diagnosis on the spectrum. This free booklet, “After the Diagnosis of an Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Resource for Families Whose Child is Newly Diagnosed,” includes information on what it means to have an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis, what services and supports are available, funding, and a state resource list.

To read more about it and to place an order, please visit:
http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/pages/after-the-diagnosis-booklet%22

Free Webinar with Temple and Eustacia

Eustacia Cutler talks with Temple Grandin:

A Mother and Daughter Chat

Monday, August 31, 2015 

Temple Grandin, Eustacia Cutler, and Autism Fund invites you to attend a Web seminar using WebEx. This event requires registration..

Topic: FREE webinar Conversation with Temple Grandin and Eustacia Cutler 

Host: Temple Granding Eustacia Cutler Autism Fund

Date and Time:

Monday, August 31, 2015 1:00 pm, Eastern Daylight Time (New York, GMT-04:00)

Monday, August 31, 2015 11:00 am, Mountain Daylight Time (Denver, GMT-06:00)

Monday, August 31, 2015 10:00 am, Pacific Daylight Time (San Francisco, GMT-07:00)

Monday, August 31, 2015 12:00 pm, Central Daylight Time (Chicago, GMT-05:00)

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To register for the online event

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1. Go to https://familiestogetherevents.webex.com/familiestogetherevents/onstage/g.php?MTID=e1b0a15d6062ea699ea833c5a291ea014

2. Click "Register".

3. On the registration form, enter your information and then click "Submit".

Once the host approves your registration, you will receive a confirmation email message with instructions on how to join the event.

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For assistance

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You can contact Chris Curry at:

curry@familiestogether.org

Free webinar on Monday

A free webinar will be offered on Monday, April 27th, focusing on autism and co-morbid mental health conditions in children. Cathy Pratt, Director of the Institute’s Indiana Resource Center for Autism will be one of the featured speakers. The discussion will address the challenges families face in accessing comprehensive services, as well as community and school based interventions.

There is no cost for this webinar but you must register. To do so, please visit:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1515679343730442241

Siblings of autism: The challenge and the hope

Siblings of Autism is a 30 minute DVD that explores the relationships between kids who have autism and their siblings. Their lives are deeply affected as they may struggle with the feelings of frustration, inadequacy and depression, and yet they learn to balance these challenges with caretaking, acceptance and hope. -from the publisher

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

Talk to Me

Talks to Me looks at the lives of three children with autism who attend public school in Oakland, California, following them throughout their entire day. Provides a look into the daily lives of families from various socio-economic and racial backgrounds and sheds light on which families receive services for their children, which families don't, and why.

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

Gork!

Content description:
"GORK! is an entertaining and moving documentary that traces the life of Adam Terrill – a loud, charismatic, flag-twirling redhead with a complex mix of creative talents and developmental disabilities (including autism, ADHD and retardation). From his early years as a foster child, through high school graduation, to his present placement in a group home in Iowa, the film explores the conflict, humor, hopes and frustrations that arise within his 7-member family as Adam’s life unfolds."

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

Autism in the family

Got a child on the spectrum in the family? Wondering how to best support that child without losing focus on the family as a whole? Autism in the family: Caring and coping together might be just want you're looking for. This book is written by a psychologist and father of an adult son with autism who has years of both clinical practice and first-hand knowledge under his belt. Learn how to:

*navigate the complex emotional journey to acceptance
*guide their child's behavior and development at every age
*maintain a strong and mutually supportive marriage
*understand the needs of siblings and provide sensitive support
*address specific issues like meltdowns, food sensitivities, sleeping, and toileting
*and more!

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

Siblings of Children with Autism: A Guide for Families

Looking for an updated book on what it's like to grow up as the sibling of a child with autism? Siblings of Children with Autism: A Guide for Families includes an updated resource section and tips on how technology can help siblings and their families connect with other families. It also includes examples highlighting improvements in applied behavior analysis (ABA) techniques and family case studies that provide insights into how other families deal with common concerns and situations.

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

One of Us: A Family's Life with Autism

Know a family who lives with severe autism? Check out One of us: A family's life with autism. This is a dad's story about life with a child with severe autism and learning disabilities. The book follows the family's progress from uncertainty to denial to acceptance.

Temple Grandin calls the book, "A brave dad's honest diary of raising a son with severe autism who has difficulty learning basic skills. It should be read by psychologists, family therapists, and others who are helping families to cope."

To check out this title from CeDIR, email us at cedir@indiana.edu. Or try using worldcat.org to find it in a library near you.

Autism: Coming of Age

Autism: Coming of Age is a public television documentary about families facing the future as their children with autism become adults. This film focuses on the day-to-day struggles and issues families face not only while raising their children with autism but also continuing to care for them once they become adults. MassMutual Financial Group sponsored this documentary which was produced by public television station WGBY (Springfield, MA) to help raise awareness of the challenges faced by individuals with autism and their families.

For more information on this documentary and to view it, browse over to: http://www.massmutual.com/planningtools/additional-resources/special-needs/special-care/autism-coming-of-age