Mobile App Monday - Remember the Milk

Looking for a fun app to help with organization skills? Remember the Milk features:
• Add and complete tasks on the go.
• Sync with Remember The Milk online (limit once every 24 hours). Great for backing up your tasks and notes.
• Organize the way you want to with priorities, due dates, time estimates, repeating, lists, tags, and more.
• Search your tasks and notes, and save your favorite searches as Smart Lists.
• See tasks nearby and plan the best way to get things done.
• Get reminded via email, SMS, and instant messenger; see www.rmilk.com/reminders to set up.
• And more!

For more information on this app, please visit:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id293561396

Sisterhood of the Spectrum: An Asperger Chick's Guide to Life

In Sisterhood of the Spectrum: An Asperger Chick's Guide to Life, the author draws on her own real-life experiences rather than preaching from textbooks. She covers everything you need (and want!) to know, from body shapes and love interests to bullying, friendships and how to discover and celebrate your unique, beautiful self.

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

The autism playbook for teens

The autism playbook for teens: Imagination-based mindfulness activities to calm yourself, build independence, & connect with others offers a strengths-based approach to help teens with autism spectrum develop social skills, strengthen communication, and thrive. The activities contained in each chapter are custom-designed to work with the unique perspectives, sensory processing, neurological strengths and challenges that teens with autism bring to their encounters with the social world.

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

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

Programming for kids on the spectrum

An article in the Indiana Daily Student last week highlighted award-winning library programming for children with different sensory needs. Mary Frasier, a children’s services librarian at the Monroe County Public Library who helped develop the program last summer, said the program is the result of a combination of a disabilities-focused library subcommittee, a class through the Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies and work with the Indiana Institute on Disability and 
Community.

To read the entire article, please visit:
http://www.idsnews.com/article/2015/08/storytelling-for-the-senses

Mobile App Monday - Functional Communication System Lite

The Functional Communication System uses real images, audio and video rather than symbols and can be customized. Using the camera and microphone on the iPad 2 (or any images and videos synced to your media roll), you can create a custom user interface which reflects the user's world.

Want to know more about it? Please visit:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id496585489

Expanding Expression Tool Workshop

Expanding Expression Tool Workshop

A Multi-Sensory Approach for Improved Written and Oral Expression

Research consistently indicates that individuals with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often have difficulties with oral and written expression. This workshop will demonstrate a multi-sensory approach for oral and written expression for preschool through 12th grade that will facilitate improvement on vocabulary skills, the common core learning objectives, comprehension of curriculum material, report writing and expressive language.

For more information about this workshop and to register, please visit:
http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/pages/expanding-expression-tool-workshop

My autistic awakening: Unlocking the potential for a life well lived

My autistic awakening: Unlocking the potential for a life well lived offers a positive vision of how an autistic life can develop and includes insight into the benefits of being “on the spectrum” alongside the very real picture of its challenges. Addressing the culture of disability and negativity that surrounds so much of the public perception of the Autism Spectrum, the book presents a more moderate and perhaps more objective assessment of her own life experiences, as well as the potential for others on the Spectrum. -from the book description

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

Indiana’s Medicaid Waiver Programs

Looking for an explanation of the Medicaid Waiver options in Indiana? The Indiana Resource Center for Autism has published an article containing information on the four current waiver options and one that has closed. It also covers the application process, wait list and appeals.

To view the entire article, please visit:
http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/pages/medicaid-waiver-programs-home-and-community-based-services-for-adults-and-children

Autism in young adult novels: An annotated bibliography

In Autism in Young Adult Novels: An Annotated Bibliography, Marilyn Irwin, Annette Y. Goldsmith, and Rachel Applegate identify and assess teen fiction with autism content. In the first section, the authors analyze how characters with ASD are presented. Where do they live and go to school? Do they have friends? Do they have good relationships with their family? How are they treated by others? The authors also consider whether autism is accurately presented. This discussion is followed by a comprehensive bibliography of books that feature a character identified as being on the autism spectrum. -book description

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

Autism Parent Group Meetings

The Indiana Resource Center for Autism has published the schedule for parent group meetings for fall and spring. These parent support group meetings are free and open to the public. However, the content will be geared toward family members of individuals who have a diagnosis along the autism spectrum. The information will not be geared toward professionals. If you are a professional and know of family members in your area that may benefit from such a meeting, you are encouraged to forward the relevant information.

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

Grant Funding Opportunities

The Indiana Resource Center for Autism has posted an article on grant funding that might be of interest to you. "This article outlines grants available nationally, statewide, and through private local community organizations for families, educators, and professional organizations in Indiana." In addition to listing grants that are available, the author has tips on looking and applying for grants.

To read the article in its entirety, please visit:
http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/index.php?pageId=3717

Structured TEACCH®-ing Strategies

October 28 and 29, 2015 - A Two Day Workshop

Sponsored by the Indiana Resource Center for Autism
In Collaboration with MSD of Warren Township

To be held at the Warren Township Education & Community Center
975 North Post Road, Indianapolis, IN 46219

Research consistently indicates that individuals with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) respond favorably to a structured environment. This workshop will provide participants with an understanding of how and why to implement structured teaching strategies (as developed by the TEACCH® Autism Program,) such as visual schedules, work systems and deliberately designed work materials. The workshop will emphasize practical strategies that attendees can begin using immediately in their settings.

To learn more about this workshop and to register, please visit:
http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/index.php?pageId=3569

Mobile App Monday - Classkick

"With Classkick, students work assignments on their iPad and get help from teachers and peers. Teachers create assignments, see all their students’ work in real-time, and give LOTS of student feedback. Best of all, students can help each other anonymously." -iTunes

Want to learn more about this app? Please visit:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/classkick/id909904332

Using the Movie Inside Out to Teach Social Thinking

In an article posted by the Indiana Resource Center for Autism, the authors suggest that Pixar's new movie, "Inside Out," is a good "depiction of how our minds react in social situations and create, process, and alter memories.  This is in large part due to director Pete Docter’s work with neurologists and psychologists who wanted to understand how the brain influences personalities. Altogether, these features provide Inside Out with natural potential for teaching social thinking in individuals with autism spectrum disorders."

To read the entire article, please visit:
http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/pages/using-the-movie-inside-out-to-teach-social-thinking

QUEST Program II: Social skills curriculum for middle school students with autism

Quest Program II is a social skills program created to help middle school students with autism who struggle with social skills and pragmatic language. Developed by a school social worker and speech language pathologist, the program uses an intensive, proactive approach to teaching social skills, combining written instruction with games, activities, and student interaction. -book description

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

Autism and body language

In an article on Smithsonian.com yesterday, we learned of a new study that challenges the misconception that kids on the autism spectrum lack empathy. The article suggests that kids with autism can read emotions through body language since it is often difficult for them to look at faces and make eye contact.

Read more about it at:
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/kids-autism-can-read-emotions-body-language-180956137/

Mobile App Monday - Yes/No Questions

Looking for help with teaching children to answer yes/no questions? Yes/No Questions offers five levels of questions beginning with simple questions and continuing to complex questions and comparing two objects.

Want to learn more about it? Please visit:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id827141234