Parallel Play: Growing Up with Undiagnosed Asperger's

Parallel play: growing up with undiagnosed Asperger's is a memoir by Pulitzer Prize-winner and music critic Tim Page. The book was prompted by a popular article in the New Yorker, in which Page describes his confused and directionless childhood. Page's writing is lyrical and self-aware, with insightful passages like, "Not only did I not see the forest for the trees; I was so intensely distracted that I missed the trees for the species of lichen on their bark" and, "It would be easier for me to improvise an epic poem at a sold-out Yankee Stadium than to approach an attractive stranger across the room and strike up a conversation."

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The ECLIPSE Model

The ECLIPSE Model: Teaching Self-Regulation, Executive Function, Attribution, and Sensory Awareness to Students with Asperger Syndrome, High-Functioning Autism and Related Disorders by Sherry A. Moyer is an excellent guide for those wishing to gain skills that will help improve social skills and behavioral functioning on a day to day basis. The ECLIPSE model contains helpful projects tools that allow people to understand themselves better and the world around them.

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If you've ever wanted to crawl in the closet with an OREO...

If you've ever wanted to crawl in the closet with an OREO...: Tips for parenting a child with special needs- The perfect book for the parent with major challenges, but little time or energy to read a bigger book by Martha Kate Downey is an excellent guide to figuring out life's little issues and learning to see the positive side of things. In the book, the reader can learn that not everything is easily fixable, so just take things one at a time, get help when you can, doing all you can do, is what you can do, then let it go.

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Define Me

Define Me by Sondra Williams contains a presentation called "Define Me" which she gives often at conferences. The DVD also includes an interview with Laurel Hoekman, the Executive Director of the Gray Center. The Gray Center is anon-profit organization that is dedicated to individuals with autism spectrum disorders. In Define Me, the viewer can gather useful information Sondra presents about understanding and supporting people with autism.

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All Star Saturdays

Kerasotes ShowPlace Theaters, in collaboration with the IRCA, announce the first “All Star Saturday” sensory friendly film event in Bloomington, IN on October 31, 2009. Future All-Star Saturdays will be held on the last Saturday of the month (providing there is an appropriate movie available).

This sensory friendly environment allows families affected by autism and other disabilities a special opportunity to enjoy family films in a safe and accepting environment. Join us for a “Sensory Friendly” showing of Astro Boy.

• Cost is $6.00/adults and $5.75/children
• Doors open at 9:00 a.m./Movie time at 9:30 a.m.
• All children/students must be accompanied by an adult
• Location: Kerasotes Theater - East 11, Bloomington, IN (1351 South College Mall Road)
• Lights will be up and sounds will be down
• Families can bring gluten-free, casein-free snacks
• Snack bar will be open
• No previews

For more information, contact Pam Anderson at (812) 855-6508 or e-mail pamander@indiana.edu.

Raising a Left-Brain Child in a Right-Brain World

Raising a left-brain child in a right-brain world: strategies for helping bright, quirky, socially awkward children to thrive at home and at school is by Katherine Beals, a lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education and mother of three "left-brained children." The book examines areas like how to find friends in the classroom, how to teach children to conduct themselves on playdates and hold conversations, and how to approach "all-absorbing interests and other quirks." The tips are useful for parents of children both on and off the spectrum who have difficulties conducting themselves socially.

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Lucy's Story

Lucy's Story: Autism & Other Adventures by Lucy Blackman tells the story of how she was born with autism and how she learned to communicate to the world. Lucy's Story is an excellent resources for those who have autism,or know someone who does. In the book, the reader will discover information about sensory issues. alternative or augmented communication, and about language and the writing practice.

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Chronic Schizophrenia and Adult Autism

Chronic Schizophrenia and Adult Autism: Issues in Diagnosis, Assessment, and Psychological Treatment by Johnny L. Matson gives the reader information on many things concerning autism and schizophrenia. In the book, the reader will learn about the two conditions, theories, treatment programs and services, behavior assessments, and much more. Chronic Schizophrenia and Adult Autism is an excellent source of information for those who know someone with theses conditions or if you, yourself have schizophrenia and autism.

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Confronting Autism

Confronting Autism: The Aurora on the Dark Side of Venus- A Practical Guide to Hope, Knowledge, and Empowerment by Victoria A. Beck is an excellent source of information and hope for those who have children with autism. In Confronting Autism, the reader can discover an idea of what autism is and the effects it has on the people around it. The book also gives a guide of sorts about treatments and therapies that can be helpful for your child.

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

Adopt-A-Dog Month

The mayor of Bloomington has dubbed October Adopt-A-Dog Month, and the local shelter is following through by offering 1/2-priced adoptions. Adoption fees, which cover "a first round of vaccinations, a free visit to a local veterinary office, heartworm testing, microchip identification and spay/neuter surgery, will be $37.50 for dogs younger than 5 years old and $27.50 for those 5 years and up."

Though the shelter is not a resource for service dogs, companion animals have been shown to be beneficial to children and adults with disabilities. Pets aid in teaching children nurturing behaviors and nonverbal communication (Beck&Myers 1996). Furthermore, the use of animals in therapy "strengthens...contact with reality" in children with autism and "[decreases] agitated and aggressive behavior" in children with ADHD (Barker 1999).

The Bloomington animal shelter is located on South Walnut, next to the Recycling Center. Its hours are:

Mondays 12-5pm
Tuesdays 12-7pm
Wednesdays 12-5pm
Thursdays 12-5pm
Fridays 12-7pm
Saturdays 12-5pm
Sundays 1-4pm

The shelter can be contacted at 812-349-3492.

Early Intervention and Autism

Early intervention & autism: real-life questions, real-life answers is written by Dr. James Ball. "Dr. Jim" walks parents of newly diagnosed children through the treatment options. He explains available services and modern treatments, as well as everyday advice on what behaviors to expect, how to react to them, and how to develop a positive home environment.

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Not Stupid

Not Stupid by Anna Kennedy describes the trials, tribulations and eventual successes after she and her husband faced after their two children were diagnosed with autism. After being turned away by 26 special needs schools, the Kennedy s started their own center that would help support and care for people with autism. In Not Stupid, the reader can discover the lack of proper educational provisions that exists in the UK and well as gain hope that not giving up will end in success .

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

Roadmap to Special Education: Laws and Process

On Tuesday, October 20th, at the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community there will be a training combining Article 7 and IEP training on special education laws and regulations for Indiana children ages 3-21.
There will also be a section of the training dedicated to how to prepare for a case conference and how to write and IEP.
This training is a great opportunity for family members and professionals who advocate for children with a disability or serious chronic illness.
Registration for the training will end on October 16th.
For information on how to register for the event.


Want more information on About Special Kids?
Check out their website or call at 800-964-4746.

Coach Yourself Through the Autism Spectrum

Coach Yourself Through the Autism Spectrum by Ruth Knott Schroder gives helpful parenting tips for people raising a child with autism. Within the book the reader can discover how to deal with such things as doctor visits, educational decisions, sleeplessness, bullying and much more. Coaching Yourself Through the Autism Spectrum also gives information about dealing with neurotypical children alongside your child with autism. It talks about fairness, and "autism-free" zones. Not only can the reader see how to work with their children but they can also find useful information about themselves and how to work through things like single parenting, and finding your "parent-strengths."

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Autism

Autism is a short but comprehensive hardcover by Jeri Freedman written for children in upper elementary through middle school. The text is sectioned into five chapters: "The History of Autism," "Genetics and Autism," "The Human Side of Autism," "Current Research," and "Future Approaches." The book also contains a glossary and suggestions for further reading. This is the perfect resource for preteens looking for scientific information or writing a school report on autism spectrum disorders.

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The Child with Autism at Home

The Child with Autism At Home: the home-life guide, 350 tips for work & play is a slim guidebook by Kathy Labosh of Labosh Publishing, co-authored by LaNita Miller. The resource focuses on tailoring every aspect of the home environment (playrooms, bedrooms, kitchen appliances, doors, etc.) to the needs of young children with autism. The text is heavy on bulleted lists, and the compact format of the book encourages conciseness.

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Normal People Scare Me

Normal People Scare Me: A Film About Autism is a documentary by seventeen year old Taylor Cross. Here, Ms. Cross shows what life is like when living with autism. In her documentary she interviews over 65 people who have either autism or asperger's syndrome. Normal People Scare Me shows what living with autism is like through a unique perspective.

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Act Early Against Autism

Act Early Against Autism: Give Your Child a Fighting Change from the Start by Jayne Lytel is an excellent guide for parents about the importance of early intervention in their children' s lives. In Act Early Against Autism, the reader can discover how to recognize early warning signs of autism, how to face emotional issues and financial problems that may ensue, how to find therapies that best fit your child and how to explore alternative methods of treatment. The reader can also find out about working through legal issues in schools and much more.

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Teach2Talk WH Questions

We've been getting a lot of requests for the popular Teach2Talk DVDs. Well, they're finally here! The WH question series contains four videos:

Volume 1, Where?
Volume 2, Why?
Volume 3, What?
Volume 4, Who?

Each portrays real children modeling the use of these "WH" questions in both simple and advanced situations. The videos also "[incorporate] humor and songs to keep children engaged and provide additional reinforcement."

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The Autism Checklist

The autism checklist: a practical reference for parents and teachers is an all-encompassing resource by Paula Kluth, author of Just give him the whale!, A land we can share and You're going to love this kid. In the book, the reader can find early indicators for autism and tools used for screening and diagnoses. The reader can also discover ways to modify your home safely, and how to help build your child's social skills at home and at school. The Autism Checklist gives great advice on the dos and don't s when working with a child who is autistic and much more.

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Autism is a World

Autism is a World tells the story of Sue Robin. Sue was diagnosed and treated as mentally retarded until the age of thirteen when she was re diagnosed as being autistic. This changed her life dramatically and now communicates through the used of her computer and is in college. In Autism is a World, the viewer can see Sue's daily life, how she reacts to it and how the world reacts to her.

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