CeDIR's holiday hours

In observance of the holiday season, CeDIR will be closed to the public starting at 4:00 p.m. today. We will re-open for library circulation on Monday, January 3rd at 8:00 a.m.

Happy Holidays!

Autism-Friendly Austin

Want to get away to a warmer climate this winter? Got a child on the spectrum? Try Autism-Friendly Austin, Texas! The state's capital is a fun, vibrant city with thoughtful people and thoughtful rooms. Thoughtful rooms, you ask? Check out this blog post from National Geographic:

http://blogs.nationalgeographic.com/blogs/intelligenttravel/2010/12/autismfriendly-texas-vacation.html

Coloring Outside Autism's Lines

Looking for family-friendly adventure that includes a child on the spectrum? Written by a mom who has a child with autism and a set of twins, Coloring outside Autism's lines: 50+ activities, adventures, and celebrations for families with children with autism can help. Find out what works best for your family. Suggestions include:

• Unconventional backyard fun: zip lines, trampolines, tree stumps, and even exercise bikes!
• Easy ways to adapt public places such as bowling alleys, ice skating rinks, and swimming pools into stress-free outings
• Surprising activities that can lead to lifelong interests
• Dreaming big: there's a world of amusement parks, water slides, camping, and other family getaways that are truly within reach
• Special activities for grandparents and extended family members
• How to team up with other parents to maximize the fun

Interested in checking out this title? Send us an email at cedir@indiana.edu. Or try worldcat.org to find it in a library near you.

How do I teach this kid to read?

Coming from a special educator with over twenty years of experience, the book How Do I Teach This Kid to Read?: Teaching Literacy Skills to Young Children with Autism, from Phonics to Fluency reminds us that reading is so much more than words on page. Get help with teaching phonemic awareness, vocabulary, comprehension, and fluency to young children. This book also includes a CD that has:

ABC Books

Text-Picture Matches

Songs, Chants, and Poems

Word Webs

Visual Organizers

Sentence Builders

And many more!

Interested? Send us an email at cedir@indiana.edu, or you can use worldcat.org to find it in a library near you.

Teaching Life Skills

Written by Jennifer McIlwee Myers, Aspie at Large, the book How to teach life skills to kids with autism or asperger's will make you laugh and make you cry. Most importantly, however, it will help you understand that children on the spectrum will function better as adults if they learn basic skills, from personal hygiene to punctuality. Learn how to:

• Create opportunities for children to learn in natural settings
• Teach vital skills such as domestic tasks and being polite
• Improve time management skills, and more!

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

Gluten-free kids

New from Woodbine House comes the book, Gluten-free kids: Raising happy, healthy children with Celiac Disease, Autism, and other conditions, which is the second edition of Danna Korn's book, Kids with Celiac Disease: A family guide to raising happy, healthy, gluten-free children. This new edition was re-titled due to the benefits of a gluten-free diet for many people, not just those with Celiac Disease. This book is full of practical strategies and tips to help people adjust to and enjoy eating gluten-free.

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

The best kind of different

The best kind of different: Our family's journey with asperger's syndrome is written by Shonda Schilling, wife of the former Boston Red Sox pitcher, Curt Schilling. In this book, Shonda chronicles her life with her baseball husband and their four children, one of whom is diagnosed with asperger syndrome at the age of seven. She retells their journey of discovery and her anguish at having missed the cues that something was not quite right with her son.

Interested? Send us an email at cedir@indiana.edu to check out this book. You can also use worldcat.org to find it in a library near you.

Good Job by Dan Coulter

What’s your child with Asperger Syndrome going to do for a living?

Too early to start thinking about that? Really, it's not. While your ten year old or teenager doesn’t have to immediately choose a career, he’s much more likely to find and keep a job when the time comes if you start preparing him in two important ways.

First, assess any social skill deficits your child has and help him work to overcome or mitigate them. Many people with superior job skills have trouble getting hired or staying employed because they lack basic social skills.

Second, expose your child to a variety of jobs and careers. Don’t apply pressure to have him pick a job or even a career field, but make it an interesting topic of conversation. Take him to see people working. Your goal is to have your child find something that sparks his interest so he tells you what he wants to do with his life. From my experience, when a child with Asperger Syndrome latches onto a special interest, you don’t need to do any pushing.

If your child can find a career field that aligns with that special interest, it could be his ticket to an independent livelihood. Of course, you may have to be creative in helping him see a way to capitalize on that interest in a job. Try turning it around, "Gee, look how doing this job would let you do the thing you love."

If your child still has challenges with social skills when he starts a job search, you want an employer to willingly provide reasonable accommodations because your adult child demonstrates he’ll be a valuable employee.

He can also seek a job that’s in high demand but has little competition. For example, I recently heard an interview with Joel Leonard, who calls himself "the maintenance evangelist." He points out that few young people are going into the building maintenance technologies and that buildings are being maintained by older people who will be retiring at an increasing rate in the years ahead. He sees a coming crisis. If your child has a mechanical or electronic aptitude and can make that the focus of his education, he might find a multitude of building maintenance engineer openings with supervisors willing to accommodate some odd behaviors. You can seek out similar "high demand" career niches that might suit your child.

If your child finds dealing with other people especially difficult, he may want to look into jobs that are not "people intensive." An online listing of such jobs I saw recently included accountants, computer programmers, writers, budget analysts, medical transcriptionists, actuaries, and forensic science technicians.

Self-sufficiency is an important goal for children who have Asperger Syndrome. If you can begin a positive, low-key campaign to help your child be "job ready" when the time comes, you’ve managed one of the most important tasks a parent has.

Good job.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR -- Dan Coulter is the producer of ten DVDs about Asperger Syndrome and autism, including "Manners for the Real World: Basic Social Skills" and "Asperger Syndrome at Work." You can find more articles on his website: www.coultervideo.com.

Copyright 2010 Dan Coulter All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission.

iPads for kids with autism

The HollyRod Foundation is donating Apple iPads to kids with autism who are either nonverbal or have severe difficulty communicating. Fortunately, the iPad in combination with special software can give many of these kids the ability to communicate. To receive an iPad, families must meet income requirements. Software for the iPad will be purchased with a gift card from the foundation, and a professional (speech pathologist, doctor, teacher) working with the child must take responsibility for the card.

To apply, download and complete the application here: http://fifthfreedom.org/u/55. ("Holiday 2010 iPad Application" at the bottom of the page.) If clicking the link does not work, copy and paste the link into your browser's address bar.

Attach some documentation of your child's diagnosis and verbal abilities, and financial need. Applications are due by 11:59 pm on December 31, 2010. Grantees will be notified in January of 2011.

For more information about the HollyRod Foundation, visit http://www.hollyrod.org.

Toys

Looking for a toy this season for a child with autism? Need some help figuring out just what to get? Check out this guide before you shop:

http://susansenator.com/choosingtoys.html

Then be prepared on Cyber Monday with this short list. There are many more stores that sell toys for children with autism, but this will help get you started:

• http://www.bbbautism.com/gifts_for_the_autistic_child.htm
• http://kidscopetoys.com/
• http://autism.about.com/od/childrenandautism/tp/ChildrenandAutism.htm
• http://www.toysforautism.com/
• http://www.nlconcepts.com/products/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=121_122&zenid=8a96edb9489d135252762456c5d20a33
• http://www.especialneeds.com/aba-autism-games-toys-puzzles.html
• http://www.autism-blog.com/toys-autistic-children
• http://www.stepforward123.com/
• http://www.playabilitytoys.com/Playability-Toys-Toys-for-Children-on-the-Autism-Spectrum-s/22.htm?gclid=CLe5jfeHt6UCFcnc4Aod5xf8Xw

New book on communication

From the award-winning author of Asperger's: What does it mean to me? comes a new book, Communication: What does it mean to me? Catherine Faherty takes on the myriad issues that may come with communicating with individuals on the spectrum and offers a "Contract for Communication," complete with sample communication forms. The companion CD offers printable handouts in .pdf format.

Email us at cedir@indiana.edu to check out this resource. Or try worldcat.org to find it in a library near you.

Behaving positively

No fighting, no biting, no screaming: How to make behaving positively possible for people with autism and other developmental disabilities is a remarkable book by Bo Hejlskov Elvén. Understanding that these behaviors are often triggered by unsuitable surroundings or unrealistic demands is the first step toward minimizing or eliminating them. The author shows how identifying and adapting these problem areas can dramatically improve behavior. Learn how to assess difficult situations and apply strategies to bring about positive responses.

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

Sensory Friendly Films

What: See Legend of the Guardians - The Owls of Ga’Hoole

When: October 2nd at 10:00 a.m.

Where: Participating AMC Theatres nationwide

How: The auditoriums dedicated to the program have their lights up, the sound turned down and audience members are invited to get up and dance, walk, shout or sing!

Sensory friendly classrooms

In Building sensory friendly classrooms to support problem behaviors, you'll find a wealth of ideas from teacher, author, renowned lecturer, and mother of a child with Asperger's Syndrome, Rebecca Moyes. Moyes provides data-driven strategies to deter unwanted behaviors based on sensory stimuli and provides ways to implement them.

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

Temple Grandin

Temple Grandin is an HBO film based on the life of a woman with autism. The movie depicts her early years, struggling with a disorder that was relatively unknown at the time, through adulthood. Special features include the making of the movie and audio commentary with Dr. Temple Grandin.

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

Social skills and frustration

Dr. Jed Baker is director of the Social Skills Training Project in New Jersey and presents lectures all over the world on social skills training. The DVD, Social Skills Training and Frustration Management, brings his many years of expertise in the subject together in a 2 1/2 hour disc. The film was created for family members and professionals alike, or for anyone working with individuals with autism spectrum disorders, attention deficit disorders, learning disabilities, mood and anxiety disorders, and other issues that impact social-emotional functioning. Learn how to help build an individual's social skills in crucial areas such as:

• conversation
• conflict resolution
• emotion management
• employment
• dating, and more!

Interested? Email us! Those outside of Indiana can use worldcat.org to find this title in a nearby library.

Families with special needs and worship

Looking for a resource designed to meet the spiritual needs of families with special needs? Don't feel comfortable in a traditional religious setting? The curriculum, Rhythms of grace: Worship and faith formation for children and families with special needs may be just what you're looking for. The program, designed specifically to support children on the spectrum, is a once-monthly gospel-based program for any child with special needs. It is centered around the Eucharist and was developed in an Episcopal church but is appropriate for everyone.

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

Conference: Redefining Autism

The Interdisciplinary Council on Developmental and Learning Disorders will be hosting the 14th Annual International Conference called Redefining Autism. The conference will take place from November 5th through the 7th in Tysons Corner, Virginia.

On Friday November 5th, Cathy Lord, Ph.D., Connie Kasari, Ph.D., Jim Stieben, Ph.D. and Devin Casenhiser, Ph.D. will share their studies that redefine research in Autism. On Saturday November 6th Lucy Miller, Ph.D., Stewart Mostofski, M.D. and Ricki Robinson, M.D. will join Cathy Lord,Ph.D. and Connie Kasari,Ph.D. in discussing the proposed changes to the new DSM V, and how autism will or could be redefined by the new research. Sunday November 7th will include two panels: 1) Redefining Education, with Serena Wieder, Ph.D., Stuart Shanker, Phil.D., and Richard Lodish, Ph.D., and 2) New Approaches to Adress the Needs and Wants of Adolescents and Adults with Austim, featuring Margaret Bauman, MD, Deborah Flaschen, MBA, Dave Nelson, MBA, MS, LPC, and Josh Sparrow, MD.

The conference will end with a personal tribute from Dr. Brazelton to Dr. Greenspan.

For more information and to register, go to: http://www.icdl.com/

Cooking with kids with ASD

Want to get your child with autism spectrum disorder involved in the kitchen? Cooking with kids helps to ground their learning through the use of fractions, addition and subtraction, and measuring. Check out "Let's Cook!" a fun website that uses multimedia (videos, slides, images and text) to show how kids with autism can learn life skills through making foods they love. The site even offers outtakes to demonstrate this teacher's use of redirection when issues with the child arises.

http://www.mywire.com/pubs/Lets-Cook

What’s So Funny About Asperger Syndrome?

Dan Coulter, of coultervideo.com, writes:

I’ve heard many parents of children with Asperger Syndrome talk about their kids’ sense of humor. This may be because a lot of humor comes from seeing things from a different perspective. Both my son, Drew, and I have Asperger Syndrome, so my wife and daughter have years of experience dealing with our intentional and unintentional comedy.

When Drew was little, Sesame Street often taught Spanish words along with English words. On a visit to see Drew’s grandparents, his proper Southern grandmother (who has the grandkids call her “Mimi”) asked in a delicate way if he needed to go to the bathroom, “Drew, do you need to go tee tee before you go to bed?”

Drew looked up at her seriously, “Mimi, is that Spanish for pee pee?”

Want to read the entire article? You can find it at http://www.coultervideo.com/whatssofunnyaboutasessay.htm

New webinar

THE ROLE OF DIRECT CARE PROVIDERS FOR PERSONS WITH AUTISM

A Webinar with Dr. Sally Burton-Hoyle

November 4, 2010

10:00-12:00 Pacific

Q & A time following the webinar

Families Together is pleased to have Dr. Sally Burton Hoyle present this important information to direct care providers who are working with adults with autism and parents of young adults with autism who are transitioning from school to community life.

Dr. Burton Hoyle grew up helping her brother with autism and, as an adult, she helped him have a meaningful life where he lived in his own apartment close to her family. She will discuss the critical role of direct care staff in supporting self-determination for persons with autism.
Autism is a lifelong neurological disorder that impacts socialization, communication, and behavior. Direct Care Providers need to understand how persons with autism may use their behavior as communication. Dr. Burton will discuss how to support persons with autism, and how they experience the world through their sensory systems. This discussion will include addressing the need to use visual supports such as checklists, pictures, objects and technology in supporting persons with autism.

To register, go to:

https://familiestogether.webex.com/mw0306lb/mywebex/default.do?service=7&nomenu=true&main_url=%2Ftc0505lb%2Ftrainingcenter%2FLoading.do%3Fsiteurl%3Dfamiliestogether%26rnd%3D9652942507%26servicename%3DTC%26RT%3DMiM0%26FM%3D1%26ED%3D140189177%26UID%3D1140813577%26needFilter%3Dfalse&siteurl=familiestogether

Maine Sensory Conference

Need or just want to go to Maine in October? Why not attend a conference while you're there? Future Horizons is announcing a Sensory conference in Portland on October 8th. Topics at the conference include:

• "The Out-of-Sync Child" with Carol Kranowitz, M.A.
• "Raising children with Asperger's and ADHD" with Shonda Schilling
• "Building Bridges Through Sensory Integration" with Paula Aquilla, B.Sc., O.T.

For more information and to register, go to: http://www.fhautism.com/Conferences/MaineSensoryConference/tabid/245/Default.aspx

Workshop schedule

Looking for a professional training to attend on Applied Behavior Analysis or Structured Teaching Strategies? Interested in the Behavior-Communication Link? The Indiana Resource Center for Autism has announced their upcoming workshops through the end of the year. Check out their Conferences/Events/Trainings page for details on the dates, times and locations at http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/index.php?pageId=270

Superheroes on a medical mission!

Brooke's brother, Ben, has autism, and Brooke doesn't understand why Ben would rather count the number of marbles he has than play with her and the other kids. Medikidz to the rescue! Take a trip through the brain with the Medikidz superheroes as they explain, in comic book fashion, the way the brain works in people on the spectrum. Medikidz explain autism is a fun, fast-paced read for kids interested in knowing more about the disorder.

Want to check it out? Email us at cedir@indiana.edu. Or try worldcat.org to find the book in a library near you.

Autism and vaccines

According to an article posted yesterday at Medical News Today, a new study has found no link between autism and the use of thimerosal, a mercury-containing preservative used in a number of vaccines. The findings, from an article published in the medical journal Pediatrics, were that thimerosal in vaccines "does not increase the risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD)" and, in fact found that the children in the study who were already on the spectrum had less exposure to thimerosal than the children without ASDs.

Read the entire article from Medical News Today at http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/201047.php

New technique in brain assessment

According to a story from NPR, doctors have discovered a new way to scan our brains to help identify what happens in the brains of kids on the spectrum. Researchers have developed a "brain age scale" that shows a link between the age of the person and the age of his/her brain. If a 15-year-old has a brain age of 15, that person would be considered to be developing typically. If, however, that same 15-year-old had a brain age of 8, it would send up a red flag.

Read the entire article at: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129754434

Autism and Asperger's Conference

Future Horizons Conference on Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome and Sensory Issues

Dr. Temple Grandin and Dr. Jed Baker will be in Evansville, Indiana, for a one-day-only Autism & Asperger’s SuperConference. If your life has been touched by one of these disorders you must plan on taking advantage of this fantastic opportunity! Dr. Grandin has been hailed as a hero by Time’s Magazine as she was named to their top 100 Most Influential People list. Dr. Baker brings a wealth of information as he tries to help families deal with these disorders.

For more information on this conference, go to: http://www.fhautism.com/Conferences/EvansvilleAutismAspergersConference/tabid/243/Default.aspx

Silly Bandz

Have you or your kids joined the silly band craze? Then check out the AutismLink's store. They have puzzle-shaped, tie-dyed silly bands to help spread autism awareness. These bands are made of silicone and are fun to collect and/or trade.

http://autismlinkstore.com/-newpuzzleshapetiedyesillybandspackof10.aspx

Advice from an expert

In an article on the YAI Network's site, Dr. Fred Volkmar shares some practical advice for parents of children with autism. Here he offers five tips for living and working with children on the spectrum:

• Know your child’s strengths and vulnerabilities.
• Work on organizational skills.
• Parents should be educated consumers of care and service.
• Have a good primary care doctor AND dentist and use them for routine well child care.
• Work on generalization of skills.

To read the entire article, go to: http://www.yai.org/about/sharing-our-stories/dr-fred-volkmar-shares-5.html

New clue to the causes of autism and other cognitive differences

"A clue to the causes of autism and mental retardation lies in the synapse, the tiny intercellular junction that rapidly transfers information from one neuron to the next," begins a new report out yesterday from Medical News Today. Researchers at Tufts University School of Medicine, with students from the Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences at Tufts, found that dysfunction of a certain protein in the brain prevents the synapse function required for typical learning and memory. The findings are published in the August 18 issue of The Journal of Neuroscience.

To read the entire article from Medical news Today, click here: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/198610.php

Now I see the moon

Enthusiastic praise for Elaine Hall's book, Now I see the moon: A mother, a son, a miracle:

“Now I See the Moon provides insightful ways to teach and work with individuals with autism and severe disabilities. It will give parents great hope.” (Temple Grandin, author of Thinking in Pictures )

“Elaine Hall yanks the reader out of preconceived notions of what having a child with autism means. This book is for anyone wishing to learn about the potential autism has to bring out the best in people—and for developing a deeper appreciation of what true humanity is all about.” (Stephen Shore, professor of special education and author of Beyond the Wall )

“Inspirational and realistic, Now I See the Moon shows how real progress can be made in the life of a child. So many of Elaine’s experiences reminded me of my own family’s struggle, as we search to find answers that will bring us closer to solving the mysteries of autism.” (Suzanne Wright, cofounder of Autism Speaks )

“A moving, unvarnished look at living with autism and a helpful guide to action.” (Kirkus Reviews )

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

Asperger's in Pink

Asperger's in pink: A mother and daughter guidebook for raising (or being!) a girl with Asperger's is a story of one family's journey through life with a girl with Asperger's. The book is an easy read with sections broken out into the following categories: The Diagnostic Process, School, Community, and Day-to-Day. Each chapter begins with a quote from Kristina, the daughter in this parent/child saga, and ends with "pink pearls" of wisdom from the author, Julie Clark, for not only family members but also for professionals in the field, educators, and others. Addtionally, Clark recounts specific instances of relevance from Kristina's life in a feature called, "Inside the Bubble" that helps the reader explore life with a girl with Asperger's further.

Indiana residents interested in checking out this book can email us at cedir@indiana.edu. Others can use worldcat.org to find it in a library near you.

The autism mom's survival guide (for dads, too!)

Reviews for the book The autism mom's survival guide (for dad's too!): Creating a Balanced and Happy Life While Raising a Child with Autism are positively glowing! One reviewer on Amazon.com states, "Upbeat and honest, but never condescending or perky. The book manages to be very supportive but keeps an arms length from the dark places autism can take a family."

Another reviewer says, "This informative book should be in the library of every autism parent. It gives useful, practical advice from both the author and other ASD parents on how to survive and thrive as the parent of a child with a very difficult disability."

And yet another: "This book is a wonderful and enjoyable look into the world of the parent of an autistic child. It is also a wonderful and enjoyable look into the world of [a] remarkable parent. It will be worthwhile reading even if you have absolutely no connection to autism."

Indiana residents can email us at cedir@indiana.edu to check out this title. Others can check worldcat.org to find it in a library near you.

Check out the latest article by researcher Kim Davis on IRCA's Website!

What Do I Really Need to Know?

Contributed by Kim Davis

Many students with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are included in general education classes. In some instances, the general education teacher may be comfortable with having a student with ASD enrolled in his or her class. Yet, some general education teachers may feel a sense of discomfort or fear, or maybe even overwhelmed and unsure. These are all legitimate feelings which may lead to undesirable behaviors or attitudes from those teachers. Let's take a minute to begin to understand those feelings and behaviors.

When a student with ASD is included in a general education class, that student can enter with a preconceived reputation based on past experiences between the student, the student's family, and other school staff. In many cases, if the reputation is positive; the inclusion process can move forward smoothly. In other cases, where the reputation is not so positive, the process can be filled with resentment, discomfort, and even anger. These feelings can also be generated when a teacher suddenly feels unsure or inadequate in his or her skills. The anger and resentment may have nothing to do with the student at all, but be a very personal response to the situation.

Read More...

Dr. Stephen Shore Talk

From the Indiana Autism Society's Website:

"Life On and Slightly to the Right

of the Autism Spectrum:

An Inside View for Success"

October 23, 2010

9 am - 12 pm

The Monon Center
Carmel Clay Parks and Recreation
1235 Central Park East Drive
Carmel, IN 46032

Diagnosed with "Atypical Development with strong autistic tendencies" Dr. Shore was viewed as "too sick" to be treated on an outpatient basis and recommended for institutionalization. Nonverbal until four, and with much help from his parents, teachers, and others, Stephen completed his doctoral dissertation at Boston University focused on matching best practice to the needs of people on the autism spectrum. Recently, Dr. Shore has accepted a professorship at Adelphi University teaching courses in special education and autism.

For more information visit:
http://www.autism-society.org/site/Clubs?club_id=1259&pg=main

Conference news

The National Autism Association is announcing its National Autism Conference to be held at the Trade Winds Resort in Tampa, Florida, November 11-14, 2010. Family members, medical professionals, educators, therapists, and college students interested in the latest advances in autism and related disorders are all encouraged to attend. Keynote speakers will be Rodney and Holly Robinson Peete.

For more information and to register, go to: http://www.nationalautismconference.org/index.htm

Brain scan could test for autism

According to an article from Reuters, a quick 15-minute brain scan could be used in the future to screen for autism. The brain scan, which picks up on structural changes in the brain, is more than 90 percent accurate in adults and could be ready to use in the next couple of years. The next step is to test the scan in children, and researchers seem optimistic that the success rate should be just as high for children as it is for adults. The scan is a standard MRI in which doctors look at the variations in the shape and structure of brain regions linked to language and social behavior.

To read the entire article, go to: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6795I420100810

Sensory Friendly Film: Cats and Dogs 2

Sat. August 7th at 10 a.m. at an AMC theater near you!


"AMC Entertainment (AMC) and the Autism Society have teamed up to bring families affected by autism and other disabilities a special opportunity to enjoy their favorite films in a safe and accepting environment on a monthly basis with the "Sensory Friendly Films" program.

In order to provide a more accepting and comfortable setting for this unique audience, the movie auditoriums will have their lights brought up and the sound turned down, families will be able to bring in their own gluten-free, casein-free snacks, and no previews or advertisements will be shown before the movie. Additionally, audience members are welcome to get up and dance, walk, shout or sing - in other words, AMC’s “Silence is Golden^®” policy will not be enforced unless the safety of the audience is questioned."

For more information visit:
http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer?pagename=sensoryfilms
http://www.amcentertainment.com/SFF/

INDATA Project to Host Demo Day on Autism

From the Folks at INDATA and Easter Seals Crossroads:

INDATA Project to Host Demo Day on Autism
*Editor's Note: Media interested in covering the event should contact
Sara Croft at 317-466-2013 or scroft@eastersealscrossroads.org
to confirm appointment times.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Autism affects more than one million Americans and is the fastest-growing developmental disability, according to the Autism Society of America. People with autism benefit from assistive technology in areas such as social interaction skills, expressive communication and understanding the environment.

The INDATA Project at Easter Seals Crossroads is hosting a year-long series of free statewide "Demo Days" showcasing assistive technology devices for a wide variety of disabilities. The next "Demo Day" will feature devices that assist people with autism and will take place Thursday, August 19, at the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community, 2853 E. 10th St., in Bloomington.

To register for your free half-hour appointment during "Demo Day," contact Carol Girt at 1-888-466-1314. Please register by 4 p.m. on Wednesday, August 18. If you are interested in learning about assistive technology devices for other disabilities, please contact Carol Girt.
A variety of devices will be demonstrated, with a particular emphasis on autism, including: touch screens, adaptive keyboards, trackballs, Visual and Schedule Assistant and some communication devices.

The "Demo Day" gives those individuals who make an appointment the opportunity to experience an abbreviated one-on-one device demonstration, during which they learn how assistive technology can increase independence through a hands-on session with the many low-tech and high-tech assistive technology devices available.

In some cases, the assistive technology provided can ultimately determine whether someone is able to work outside of their home or attend a public school. In addition, that technology can be used to help better the interaction and communication between individuals and their families or friends.

For more information, visit the INDATA blog at blog.eastersealstech.com.

Signs of Autism May Show in Early Infancy

Jennifer Goodwin of Healthy Day News says:

Signs of autism may show up in babies as young as 1 month old, a new study shows.

But the tip-offs are not the usual red flags, such as a lack of eye contact or smiling, the researchers noted.

Instead, they found babies who needed neonatal intensive care and were later diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder were more likely to have abnormal muscle tone and differences in their visual processing than babies who went on to develop normally after time in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)

read the rest...

Asperger's on the job

Asperger's on the job: Must-have advice for people with Asperger's or high functioning autism and their employers, educators and advocates by Rudy Simone with a foreword by Dr. Temple Grandin is an excellent guide for employers as well as job seekers. This book is divided into 20 chapters, each chapter addressing a common situation that may come up in the workplace. Advice is given for potential employees as well as employers and advocates.

Job seekers will also find additional information to help them find the right fit. Included in the appendices are instructions on creating a personal job map, interview tips and resources for further information. Throughout the book personal narratives from people with Asperger's are included.

Interested in checking it out? Contact us at cedir@indiana.edu. Not an Indiana Resident? Find it at a library near you!

Successful school change and transition

Have a child who is moving to a new school? Need help with ideas on how parents can make the transition to a new school smoother? Then reach for Successful school change and transition for the child with asperger syndrome: A guide for parents. Author Clare Lawrence provides practical ideas and suggestions for parents, from choosing the right school to identifying and practicing the different social rules and expectations of the new school. This book is an excellent resource not only for parents of children with AS who are moving to a new school, but also for the teachers and education professionals who work with them.

Interested? Contact us! Or try worldcat.org to find it in a library near you!

Get Out, Explore, and Have Fun!

Getting out into the community is a "given" for many families. But for families whose lives are touched with autism, it can be very difficult to do. Worrying about a child's behavior or reaction to specific sights, sounds, smells, etc. can make a pleasurable outing much more work than fun. Get out, explore, and have fun!: How families of children with autism or asperger syndrome can get the most out of community activities can help.

Author Lisa Jo Rudy is a mom of a child with autism and knows the topic well. The book is a guide to what's out there, how to find it, and how to make it work for your family. The no-nonsense style and "you can do it" attitude will win families over and give them the hope to go out and try things on their own.

Indiana residents can contact us to check out this title. Others can try worldcat.org to find it in a library nearby.

Workshop: When Actions Speak Louder Than Words

A new workshop by the authors of the book When actions speak louder than words: Understanding the challenging behaviors of young children and students with disabilities will be presented on Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010, at the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community in Bloomington, Indiana.

Join the authors in a day-long workshop where participants will learn to build an understanding of how different behaviors are communicative, to understand what their messages might be and how to begin to interpret those messages, and to provide positive approaches for supporting behavior.

For more information, contact Donna Beasley at the Indiana Resource Center for Autism. Call 812-855-6508.

Hope for the autism spectrum

As the title promises, the book Hope for the autism spectrum: A mother and son journey of insight and biomedical intervention delivers just that: Hope. If you're looking for help with your own journey into biomedical therapies, then look no further. Author Sally Kirk, a mother of a boy with autism, shows us the path she took toward biomedical therapies which significantly improved her son's behavior and changed their lives for the better.

Email us if you're interested in checking out this title. Or try worldcat.org to find it in a library near you.

ABA in inclusive classrooms

Bringing ABA into your inclusive classroom: A guide to improving outcomes for students with autism spectrum disorders is a wonderful resource for teachers in inclusive settings. Filled with practical advice and suggestions for using ABA, this book is a how-to guide for assessments and goal setting to data collection and analysis. Fifty sample teaching plans are also included demonstrating how to use ABA to support students across social, communication, behavioral, academic, and independent functioning domains. Use these sample plans to adapt to your students' needs.

Interested? Contact us to check it out. Or try worldcat.org to find it in a library near you!

A really big sale

Need more low-cost tools to help when working with a child on the spectrum?

The folks at Natural Learning Concepts are having a sale!

From books to games and more, visit

http://www.nlconcepts.com/autism-saleweek.htm

to see what's in stock.

Middle school: the stuff nobody tells you about

In her own words and from her own experiences, author Haley Moss has brought us an amazing book on the trials and tribulations of middle school life. Middle school: the stuff nobody tells you about : a teenage girl with high-functioning autism shares her experiences is a wonderful handbook for all kids entering middle school but especially for those kids on the spectrum. From hidden curriculum rules to social misunderstands, Haley shares it all. A section called "What I Did" follows the discussion of each topic and is brimming with helpful advice.

Contact us if you are interested in checking out this title. Or try worldcat.org to find it in a library near you.

A quest for social skills

Got a middle school student with autism who struggles with pragmatic language and social skills? Try A Quest for Social Skills for Students with Autism or Asperger's: Read-to-us Lessons with Games, Role-Play Activities, and More! QUEST (Questioning, Understanding, and Exploring Social Skills and Pragmatic Language Together) is a social skills program developed by a school social worker and speech language pathologist that uses an intensive, proactive approach to teaching social skills, combining written instruction with games, activities, and student interaction. The book also includes a CD of printable worksheets, letters, forms, and more!

Contact us if you're interested in checking out this title. Or try worldcat.org to find it in a library near you.

Raising Temple Grandin - A Family Affair

Join Eustacia Cutler in

RAISING TEMPLE GRANDIN - A FAMILY AFFAIR

An online event

August 3, 2010 10:00 am PDT

SPECIAL REGISTRATION EXTENDED through July 16, 2010

ONE FEE PER SITE - NO LIMIT ON ATTENDEES AT YOUR SITE.
Sponsored by Washington State University and Autism Families Together

A Journey Through the Autism Spectrum

Looking for two days of interactive activities, real-world stories, and tools you can use with your students with autism? The folks at Spectrum Training Systems have put together a power-packed conference in St. Louis, MO, on August 26th and 27th featuring well-known authors Paula Kluth, Ph.D. and Temple Grandin, Ph.D.

Paula will focus on her “Top Ten Strategies List for Inclusive Classrooms” in which she addresses the need for sensory supports, visuals, active learning, “safe space," and materials that capitalize on student strengths. Temple will focus on issues that students, parents, and teachers face every day.

Early bird registration ends July 12th. To register and for more information, go to http://spectrumtrainingsystemsinc.com/st_louis.html

Dr. Tony Attwood in Canada

Autism Today is sponsoring two workshops in Canada presented by Dr. Tony Attwood. "How to Make Friends & Manage Feelings for those with Autism Spectrum Disorders - The Complete Guide to Aspergers Syndrome" will be held on July 12th in Edmonton, Alberta, and on July 14th in Toronto, Ontario. Dr. Attwood will suggest ways for parents and professionals to handle challenging behaviors, prevent temper outbursts, and increase social skills for all children and students.

For more information about and to register for the Edmonton workshop, go to http://www.autismedmonton.com/

For more information about and to register for the Toronto workshop, go to http://www.autismtoronto.com/

Holiday Hours

In observance of the Independence Day holiday,
CeDIR will close at 3:00 pm today
and will re-open at 8:00 am on Tuesday, July 6th.

Have a safe and fun 4th of July!

Activity schedules for children with autism

Now in its second edition, Activity Schedules for Children With Autism: Teaching Independent Behavior by Lynn McClannahan and Patricia Krantz is a popular tool for parents and professionals teaching children with autism how to build skills in the areas of making choices, social interactions and engaging in meaningful activities. This second edition also emphasizes on the needs of adults with autism, including the use of current technology for today's world.

Email us if you're interested in checking it out. Otherwise, try worldcat.org to find this title in a library near you!

Islands of Genius

In the book, Islands of genius: The bountiful mind of the autistic, acquired, and sudden savant, author Darold Treffert shares his vast knowledge of the mind and, specifically, the mind of the person who is a savant. The book is divided into 5 sections: The Mind of the Savant, The World of the Savant, Significant New Dimensions to Savant Syndrome, Training the Talent, and Our Journey Has Just Begun. The book also includes some of the amazing artwork done by people who are savants.

If you'd like to check it out, contact us! Or check worldcat.org to find it in nearby libraries.

Neurodiversity: Discovering the extraordinary gifts of autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other brain differences

In Neurodiversity: Discovering the extraordinary gifts of autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other brain differences, author Thomas Armstrong argues that the human brain can be wired many different ways. He believes that we should not think of conditions such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, etc. as "disorders" but to recognize that people who have these conditions may also have gifts or strengths in certain areas.

Armstrong offers tips for teachers who have students with one or more of seven different disorders (autism, ADHD, dyslexia, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, intellectual disabilities, and schizophrenia). He emphasizes that a better understanding of neurodiversity will help generate more respect for people with these conditions and, with more respect, a more fullfilling life.

Email us if you're interested in checking out this book. Outside of Indiana, check worldcat.org to find the book in a library near you.

Early intervention games

In Early intervention games: Fun, joyful ways to develop social and motor skills in children with autism spectrum or sensory processing disorders, author Barbara Sher brings together a collection of simple, no- or low-cost games to play with children with processing disorders. With each game, Sher spells out what is being learned while playing and suggests modifications that can quickly be made if necessary. Broken out into chapters including gross motor, fine motor, and water games, this book will help parents and teachers alike find fun and interactive games to play with the children in their care.

Interested? Email us, or check worldcat.org to find it in a library near you.

Social skills for teenagers

This book provides support for those working with teens on the autism spectrum. From screening to goals to activities to measuring progress, Social Skills for Teenagers with Developmental and Autism Spectrum Disorders even provides helpful case studies to ensure understanding about what the program means to the teenager as they go through the process. With teen-directed as well as parent-directed techniques this well-rounded book provides interest for a wide variety of readers.

Want to check it out? Contact us or check worldcat.org to find it in a library near you.

Autism spectrum disorders in infants and toddlers

In this age of placing importance on the early detection and intervention of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), comes a timely book, Autism Spectrum Disorders in Infants and Toddlers: Diagnosis, Assessment, and Treatment. This book looks at the science of identifying and treating autism in infancy and the toddler years. It also looks at theoretical models and presents approaches to assessing children in the first two years of life. This book addresses ways to support families with an early ASD diagnosis, and provides a special chapter on popular, controversial treatments. A book for both practicing clinicians and those in training.

Interested? Contact us! Or check worldcat.org to find it in a library near you.

The Asperger's Difference

The Asperger's Difference: A Film For and About Young People with Asperger Syndrome is a 30 minute DVD designed to help young people with Asperger syndrome understand both the positive and the challenging aspects of their diagnosis. The film is divided into chapters and includes a discussion guide that offers questions to help individualize the content of the film. It addresses the needs of people with a new diagnosis or an old one, people who would benefit from seeing others who face similar circumstances, and/or people who want to explore issues of self-advocacy and self-disclosure.

Interested? Contact us, or check worldcat.org to find it in a library near you.

We're Moving!

CeDIR is going to be moving to our Administration building here at the Institute! If you come to visit us we will be located in the same building you stop at to get your parking permit. We will be closed June 11th-15th for the move. Please visit us in our new location starting June 16th.


We look forward to seeing you!

Self-Advocacy Curriculum

The Integrated Self-Advocacy (ISA) Curriculum by Valerie Paradiz is a curriculum designed for educators and service providers, families and people with Autism who are interested in supporting greater autonomy in decision-making, vocational planning, self-regulation and more from the person-centered planning perspective.

This curriculum is geared towards students in middle school through high school, as well as adults, however throughout the Teachers Manual, you will find icons that signify helpful hints for modifying the lessons for elementary school students, nonverbal and partially verbal students as well as other disability groups.

This curriculum is made up of a Teacher's Manual and a Student Workbook, and focuses on topics such as defining self-advocacy, learning how to articulate thoughts and feelings, background information about Autism, teaching students how to understand and interpret their surroundings as well as practical advice for becoming involved in their IEP and understanding how the ADA will affect their life.

Interested? Call us at 812-855-9396. Not a Hoosier? Find it at a Library near you.

You're gonna love this kid!

Paula Kluth's wildly popular book on teaching students with autism in the inclusive classroom is now out in a 2nd edition! Along with the great information included in the first edition, teachers can now find even more reproducible worksheets, photos of adaptations in the classroom, study guides and more!

Are you interested in checking it out? Email us! Not an Indiana Resident? No worries, find it at a library near you!

Planning a visit to CeDIR?

Because our patrons are scattered throughout the state, it's a special treat when we get to meet you in person! If you are planning a trip to Bloomington and you would like to stop by CeDIR and browse the collection or check out materials here are some things to know:

• If you have a specific topic in mind, or you would like research help, give us a call ahead of time (800-825-4733) and we'll be sure to have materials and resources you might be interested in all set and ready for you to begin exploring!
• Once you get here, it may at first appear that there isn't any parking available to you...no worries! Just park in any "C" spot and stop by the Information Desk in Building "A" for a free pass.

Hours:

Monday - Friday
8:00am-11:30am
12:30pm-4:00pm

If these times don't work for your schedule, let us know! We'd be happy to set up a time for you to come in and visit.

Have a great summer and we hope to see you soon!

Researching autism

At the International Meeting for Autism Research in Philadelphia last week, researchers from the University of California, San Diego reported on finding differences in brains of even very young children with autism. In a small study of 43 subjects, some as young as 14 months, children with autism were found to use different brain regions than their typically-developing peers. It is hoped that this research will one day be able to help clinicians accurately diagnose children with autism at a much younger age.

Read the Wall Street Journal's entire article at:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704113504575264623494086854.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLENexttoWhatsNewsForth