Workshop Rescheduled

Due to the inclement weather, the workshop given by Sue Dixon and Kim Davis "When Actions Speak Louder than Words" which was originally scheduled for Thursday, February 3rd, has now been rescheduled to Thursday, February 24th. All other information remains the same:

TECUMSEH JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
2101 SOUTH 18TH STREET
LAFAYETTE, IN

For more information, contact Donna Beasley at 812-855-6508 or dbeasley@indiana.edu.

Autism and Adolescents Symposium

Autism and Adolescents Symposium

May 12-13

Marriott at Centerpoint

3600 Centerpoint Parkway

Pontiac, MI

For educators, parents, family members, policy makers, researchers,

practitioners, students and persons living with ASD

On May 12th, Jed Baker, Ph.D. will be discussing "Handling Challenging Behaviors and Teaching Social Skills to the Adolescent/Young Adult with ASDs"

On May 13th, Shana Nichols, Ph.D. will talk about "Girls Growing Up on the Autism Spectrum: Understanding and Support in Adolescence and Adulthood" and Avi Glickman, M.Ed. will present on "Technology as a Tool for Teaching: Innovative Community Instruction for Individuals with ASD".

Registration Prices:
Early Bird: $175
Regular: $205
(after March 31st)
Includes lunch and refreshments

To register, please go to http://www.oakland.edu/oucares/

The first diagnosis

Ever wonder who the first person was to be diagnosed with autism? According to an article in The Atlantic magazine, it's Donald Gray Triplett of Forest, Mississippi, who is now 77 years old. The article describes Donald as being "'Case 1 … Donald T,' [...] the initial subject described in a 1943 medical article that announced the discovery of a condition unlike 'anything reported so far.'”

To read more about the story, visit: http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2010/10/autism-s-first-child/8227/

Research

Interested in having your child participate in research? The Christian Sarkine Autism Treatment Center has several active research projects of note. Studies are being done both on the autism spectrum and on Fragile X.

For more information, go to: http://psychiatry.medicine.iu.edu/body.cfm?id=399 or call: 317-948-9766.

Colorful Language - Cautious Vocabulary by Dan Coulter

I like colorful language. Vivid word images can really help communicate a point. But there’s a down side, and it’s one that those of us with Asperger Syndrome need to take to heart.

In the wake of the horrific shootings of Congresswoman Gabrille Giffords and people standing close to her in Tucson, Arizona, we’re having a national debate about language. Did inflammatory language contribute to this tragedy? I don’t know.

I do know it’s been a part of our history since this country was founded. And it can have disastrous consequences.

Vice President Aaron Burr killed former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton in a pistol duel fought over an insult.

Sherman Edwards and Peter Stone make fun of the incendiary language used by our founding fathers in their play “1776.” They have historical character Steven Hopkins showing Ben Franklin a card he’s had printed that members of the constitutional convention can sign their names to and give to each other. It reads, “Dear Sir, you are without any doubt, a rogue, a rascal, a villain, a thief, a scoundrel and a mean, dirty, stinking, sniveling, sneaking, pimping, pocket-picking, thrice double-damned no-good son-of-a-*****.” (The asterisks are mine.)

A young man with Asperger Syndrome I know recently included these words in a letter of criticism to one of his congressional representatives. He thought it was okay because he was quoting an entertaining and moving play. Ouch.

Many people with Asperger Syndrome tend to see things in black and white, as good or bad. This can influence them to be very passionate and use exaggerated language that could be interpreted as threats. Hyperbole might be a particular issue for a student who is frustrated at being bullied, but it can spill over into anything a person feels strongly about.

The debate over the tragedy in Tucson is a reminder that we need to continually explain to our children that while colorful language can be effective, it needs to be tempered by a cautious vocabulary. A young person with Asperger Syndrome may need help understanding how intentions that are crystal clear to him can be misinterpreted by others.

Let’s get out in front of language problems by setting a good example in the things our kids hear us say. And by routinely calling their attention to examples of positive language that moves and motivates others. To effective words and phrases that will help them express themselves clearly.

Let’s help our kids avoid the conundrum captured by Robert McCloskey, “I know that you believe you understand what you think I said, but I’m not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant.”

We’ve all been there.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Dan Coulter is the producer of the DVD, “Manners for the Real World: Basic Social Skills.” You can find more articles on his website: www.coultervideo.com.

Copyright 2011 Dan Coulter All Rights Reserved Used By Permission

When Actions Speak Louder than Words

The Institute’s Indiana Resource Center for Autism and Early Childhood Center will offer two regional workshops designed 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.

When Actions Speak Louder than Words presents a different perspective to support developmental strategies that encourage positive behaviors. This is crucial information to consider so that when an individual “misbehaves” we can learn to pause and ask, “What is this individual saying?”

Training dates and locations are:

· February 3, 2011, Lafayette, IN
· March 2, 2011, Evansville, IN.

This workshop is geared for early childhood providers, preschool and day care providers, early elementary teachers both general and special education, administrators, autism consultants, speech therapists, psychologists, family members, and any other professionals working with young children with or without disabilities.

Registration fee is $125.00 per person and includes a copy of the book When Actions Speak Louder than Words. If you have questions about the workshop content, contact Kim Davis davisk@indiana.edu or (812) 855-6508. Registration questions should be directed to Donna Beasley at dbeasley@indiana.edu or (812) 855-650. Visit http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/index.php?pageId=32 for more information.

Trainman: Gaining Acceptance... and Friends... Through Special Interests

Fascinations play an important part of the lives of children with autism. Trainman: Gaining acceptance... and friends... through special interests is a book about one such fascination: trains and maps. This book is about one boy's isolation in school at the start. After explaining autism to his classmates, understanding and acceptance follow.

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

Pedro's Whale

Written by Paula Kluth and Patrick Schwarz, Pedro's Whale is a book about fascinations. A young boy with autism is told to put away his favorite toy on the first day of school, but the teacher soon realizes that to use Pedro's whale and build a curriculum around it, not only helps Pedro learn, it also helps the whole class understand Pedro's fascination. When the students begin to share Pedro's love of whales, they also learn to embrace Pedro as a friend.

Interested? Send us an email at cedir@indiana.edu to check out this title. Or use worldcat.org to find the book in a library near you.

Apples for Cheyenne

Apples for Cheyenne: A story about autism, horses, and friendship is a book about Rachel, a girl with autism who spends each Monday riding Cheyenne, a beautiful, well-mannered horse, in her therapy sessions. Other children with disabilities are featured in the book as well. Ben, who uses a wheelchair, rides a horse named Coco, and Julie, a girl who has trouble being still, rides Pixie. Together they share a special bond brought about by their beautiful horses.

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

Autism is a blessing

Autism is a blessing: A family's struggle with autism and how they found the blessings is not only a book about autism, it's also a book about faith. Author Patty Myers is a mother of two children, one who has autism. Interspersed with Myers' own story about her son are testimonials from other families who are living with autism. The book is positive and upbeat with lots of praise and thanksgiving for the many gifts that autism brings to each family.

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.

Autism's history

Looking for a comprehensive history of the autism spectrum disorder? The book A history of autism: Conversations with the pioneers is uniquely written in the perspective of a parent. It outlines the development of the concept of the spectrum of autism and offers a peek at the future.

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

The Aspie Teen's Survival Guide

In The Aspie teen's survival guide, you'll find chapters on:

• Organization and School
• Transitioning
• Sensory Sensitivity
• Motor Skills and Awkwardness
• Stress-Management
• Bullying
• Socializing and Friendships
• Dating and Relationships
• Obsessions and Creativity
• And more!

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

Autism/vaccine link now considered fraud

According to a story on NPR, the study that first linked autism to vaccines in 1998 included research that was faked. The story indicates, "A new examination found... that Wakefield and colleagues altered facts about patients in their study."

To read the entire story, go to: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=132691269