Disability Awareness Month

Disability Awareness Month is fast approaching! Check out some of the materials CeDIR has on autism awareness:

-The Power of Words (DVD)

-Algunos niños tienen autismo: Some kids have autism (a bilingual book for children)

-Living along the autism spectrum: what does it mean to have autism or Asperger syndrome? (DVD)

-Diary of a crazy woman: one woman's fight to help her son with autism find a place in the world

-The horse boy: a father's quest to heal his son

-Autism and me: sibling stories

Temple Grandin: The World Needs All Kinds of Minds

Temple Grandin, autism advocate extraordinaire, gave a 20-minute talk this month for TED: http://www.ted.com/talks/temple_grandin_the_world_needs_all_kinds_of_minds.html

Grandin, who has written numerous volumes on autism spectrum disorders and recently had an HBO biopic released in her image (see the blog announcement here), speaks here about the value of people who think differently in society. Grandin explains her own visual way of thinking by likening her brain to those of animals, who are strongly sensory-wired. She suggests modifications to education for children on the spectrum, including putting geometry and trigonometry before algebra, encouraging work experience, and teaching basic social skills early on. Finally, she delves into the essential role people with autism and other neurological disorders play as graphic artists, engineers, and leaders in detail-oriented professions.

Autism Society License Plates

The Indiana chapter of the Autism Society has announced a new way to raise awareness for autism: special license plates!


Plates can be ordered at your normal renewal time using your renewal form or by visiting the IN.gov page. The organizational plate costs $25 in group fees and $15 in administration fees, as well as the usual registration and tax charges. The funds received will sustain the Autism Society's efforts to provide support and resources for people affected by Autism around the state.

For more information about the Autism Society, visit: http://www.autism-society.org/

National Autism Association Gala

On March 5-6th, 2010, the National Autism Association of Northwest Indiana will host a gala and conference at the Radisson Hotel in Merrillville. The NAA released this summary:

"Kick off the fun by joining us on Friday March 5, 2010, for our “Hope Starts Here” Gala in the Celebrity East Ballroom at the Radisson Hotel. The Gala will start at 6pm with complimentary cocktails, followed by dinner, an award presentation, auction and dancing. All proceeds from this fundraiser will benefit future conferences, outreach programs and our Helping Hand grant program.

As parents of children on the autism spectrum, life can be pretty overwhelming at times. We know that educating ourselves is the key to helping our children live the best life possible. That’s why the National Autism Association of Northwest Indiana is bringing to you a one day conference that is jam-packed with new information, amazing speakers, exhibitors, and best of all…hope."

Reduced ticket prices are offered if you register online at http://nwiautismconference.com/ before February 26th.

Cathy Pratt on the Proposed Changes to DSM-5

Cathy Pratt, director of the Indiana Resource Center for Autism, gave an interview for the IU News Room in today's headline: "Indiana University expert can comment on proposed changes to autism diagnosis". In the article, Pratt comments on the proposed changes to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) that would reclassify autism, Asperger's syndrome, and other pervasive developmental disorders into a single diagnosis.

To read the article, and to see how you can send comments and recommendations to the American Psychiatric Association on the subject, visit http://newsinfo.iu.edu/tips/page/normal/13572.html.

Cupcakes for Everyone!

Enjoy Life's cupcakes and sweet treats for everyone! 150 delicious treats that are safe for most anyone with food allergies, intolerances, and sensitivities by Betsy Laakso is a cookbook of cupcakes, muffins, scones, complex desserts and icings that are safe for individuals with the most common allergies (gluten, dairy, peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, soy, fish, shellfish, sulfites, sesame and potato). Laakso provides recipes for kid-friendly treats with fun names like the "Ravin' Raspberry Cupcake" and the "Monkey Wagon Banana Trail Mix Muffin," as well as options for more adult tastes like the "Mexican Chocolate Chili Cupcake" or the "Cozy Chai Muffin." Most recipes call for a mixture of tapioca, rice, oat and chickpea flours and are bound with flaxseed and xanthan gum.

Interested in this book? Indiana resident? Email us!

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

Songs of the Spectrum

Songs of the Spectrum is a collaboration by several artists and composers to spread awareness of autism through music. The song list includes:

1. One Went Missing - Ollabelle
2. Diagonosis - Richard Julian
3. Shiny House - The Cucumbers
4. Hide and Seek - Kelly Flint
5. Understanding - Marshall Crenshaw
6. Afraid (My Brother's Cries) - Teddy Geiger
7. If It Were His Legs - Christina Courtin
8. House on Fire - Dar Williams
9. Treatment - Ari Hest
10. Day After Day (Dr. Maturin's Daughter) - Jackson Browne & Valerie Carter
11. When You Grow Up - Jonatha Brooke
12. He's Coming Back - Don Dixon & Marti Jones
13. It's Time - Dan Bern & Mike Viola
14. My Perspective - James O'Neil

You can download the songs online or purchase a hardcopy of the CD from the SOS Store. Proceeds from each donation will go to Autism Speaks, the McCartan Foundation, the Connecticut Center for Child Development, and others.

Autism and Oxytocin

Oxytocin, the "love hormone" produced in new mothers that fosters bonding, may aid the development of social attachments in people with autism.

Researchers at the Centre of Cognitive Neuroscience in Lyon found that a nasal spray containing oxytocin helped 13 adults with high-functioning autism or Asperger's to make eye contact and interact better with others in games.

Unfortunately, though the findings are promising, oxytocin breaks down quickly. More study would be needed to harvest the same effects from similar compounds that last longer in the body.

You can read a summary of the research in the Washington Post.

Disconnected Kids

Disconnected kids: the groundbreaking brain balance program for children with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other neurological disorders by Dr. Robert Melillo provides an individualized program for parents to improve their children's every day skills. The first chapters are heavy on theory, explaining early brain development and the effects of different irregularities in that pattern. Dr. Melillo explains that too much emphasis is placed on "talking," and not enough on non-verbal communication; he fills the remainder of the book with exercises to train children to connect with the world instead of giving the artificial appearance of connection through words.

Interested in this book? Indiana resident? Email us!

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

DSP of the Year Nominations

ANCOR is now accepting nominations for the 2010 DSP of the Year Contest at http://www.ancor.org/nac/2010dspcontest/nomination.

This contest is a great way to recognize the tremendous role Direct Support Professionals play in the lives of people with disabilities, and the impact their work has in the communities they serve.

This is the fourth year ANCOR has sponsored the DSP of the Year Contest as part of its National Advocacy Campaign. The purpose of this program is to recognize the best of the DSP workforce and at the same time raise awareness in Washington of the devotion, professionalism and quality supports DSPs bring provide in their daily work.

Nominations are being accepted now through February 26, 2010. You can learn more about the DSP of the Year Contest and to nominate a candidate here: http://www.ancor.org/nac/2010dspcontest.

Cooking for Children with Autism

The Everything guide to cooking for children with autism : From everyday meals to holiday treats : 200 tasty recipes your child will love to eat by Megan Hart and Kim Lutz is a collection of gluten- and casein-free recipes. The book begins with an introduction to dietary changes, followed by a chapter on how to provide a nutritionally adequate GFCF diet. The recipes section is divided into baked goods, soups, breakfast recipes, salads, entrees (with vegetarian options), snacks, vegetable dishes, desserts, and "odds and ends" like spreads and dips. The recipes do not include pictures, but present straight-forward ingredient and procedure lists with caloric, fat, protein, and fiber content.

Interested in this book? Indiana resident? Email us!

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

Link: Maternal Age and Autism

A study outlined in Science Daily confirmed that "Advanced maternal age is linked to a significantly elevated risk of having a child with autism, regardless of the father's age." A father's age only comes into play when the mother is under thirty and her partner significantly older.

The study, published in Autism Research, found an 18% increase in the risk of autism for every five years in a mother's age. A small percentage of the increase in autism diagnoses can be attributed to parents waiting longer to have children, the authors said. The senior author of the study noted that the results were a step in the right direction for understanding the causes of autism, but "We still need to out what it is about older parents that puts their children at greater risk for autism and other adverse outcomes, so that we can begin to design interventions."

You can read the Science Daily summary here.

Friends of the CeDIR Library

We launched a new section of the website today: Friends of the CeDIR Library!

Friends contains a list of books we have pulled from the collection to sell to the public, sorted by subject area. Each listing includes a picture of the item for sale, author and year published, pricing and, when applicable, the WorldCat page for the title.

Call (812) 855-6508 or email us to inquire about purchasing any of the materials.

Save the Date: 2010 Autism Expo!

The 2010 Autism Expo, sponsored by the Autism Society of Indiana and the Easter Seals Crossroads, will be held on March 20th from 10am to 1pm at The Fountains Banquet and Conference Center in Carmel. The Seals' website for the event reads:

"This is a free, all-about-autism event for families, professionals and anyone else involved in the autism community. There will be over 100 vendors with great exhibits, special products for sale and IndyMoms KidzKorner - an area just for kids!"

Registration is not necessary for attendees. Organizations wishing to set up an exhibit, however, should visit http://www.autism-society.org/site/Clubs?club_id=1259&sid=11760&pg=event. The cost of a booth for non-profit organizations is $100, for-profit organizations $175, and for-profit organizations selling merchandise $250.

Movie Premier: Dear John

The latest movie adaptation of Nicholas Sparks' romantic dramas, Dear John, premiered today. The movie stars Channing Tatum as John, a young soldier, and Amanda Seyfried as Savannah, the love he is forced to leave after 9/11. Central to the plot are the speculative diagnosis of John's father, who may have Asperger's Syndrome, and the single fatherhood of Savannah's friend Tim, whose son has autism.

Dear John is playing in the Bloomington Kerasotes, as well as most chain theaters across the country. The film is rated PG-13.

Algunos niños tienen autismo (Some kids have autism)

Algunos niños tienen autismo = Some kids have autism is a bilingual book that explains the condition of autism to early elementary-aged children. The hardcover, written by Martha Rustad and illustrated by Richard Morden, describes children with autism, their challenges and adaptations, and their everyday activities. Each page contains both English and Spanish text.

Interested in this book? Indiana resident? Email us!

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

Grad Students: Earn Credit at the IRCA Summer Institutes

The Indiana Resource Center for Autism has solidified their plans for the 2010 Summer Institute on Evidence-Based Practices in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Over five days, new and seasoned special educators will learn "tools to evaluate classrooms, validate outcomes of programming and learn how to implement evidence-based practices."

Graduate students can earn three hours of credit by attending the workshop June 7 through June 11. The cost of the workshop for students is determined by the university; and is $400 for the public (including breakfast and snacks!)

For more information and a copy of the registration form, visit http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/irca/conferences/SummerInstitute.html. If you have questions about content, contact Cathy Pratt at prattc@indiana.edu or call (812) 855-6508.

Movie: Temple Grandin Airs on Saturday

This Saturday on HBO, watch Claire Danes star in the movie Temple Grandin, based on the memoirs of the famous author and autism advocate.

Grandin was diagnosed with autism in 1950. In an interview with MSNBC, she recalls, "I remember some behaviors like picking carpet fuzz and watching spinning plates for hours. I didn’t want to be touched. I couldn’t shut out background noise. I didn’t talk until I was about 4 years old. I screamed. I hummed. But as I grew up, I improved." She also shared her views on why autism diagnoses may be on the rise, what it was like to watch someone portray her, and what children with autism today need to improve (short answers: "one-on-one interaction with an effective teacher" and "teach these kids manners...autism is used too much as an excuse for bad behavior.")

Read the full interview at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35150832/ns/health-mental_health/.

Also check out check out some of CeDIR's titles written by Temple Grandin:

-Developing talents : careers for individuals with Asperger syndrome and high-functioning autism
-The way I see it : a personal look at autism and Asperger's
-Animals in translation : using the mysteries of autism to decode animal behavior
-Thinking in pictures : and other reports from my life with autism

Love Is In The Air

An open-armed welcome for February! This month, the CeDIR display cabinet is filled with books on relationship advice for people with Asperger's and Autism Spectrum Disorders. Here are some titles perfect for preparing for leading up to the big chocolate-filled day:

-Autistics' guide to dating: a book by autistics, for autistics and those who love them or who are in love with them

-The Asperger couple's workbook : practical advice and activities for couples and counsellors

-The guide to dating for teenagers with Asperger syndrome

-Love, sex, and long-term relationships : what people with Asperger syndrome really really want

If you're interested in any of these titles and are an Indiana resident, email us to check them out!