Girl Scouts of Southwest Indiana - Girl Scouts Achieve

Girl Scouts Achieve is a troop designed especially for girls on the autism spectrum in grades 1-6, or 7-12 years old. The troop can accommodate 15 girls. This troop focuses on the same leadership development elements as traditional troops, but also focuses more on inclusion and less on badge earning.

The group also works toward spreading autism awareness, diversity in social groups, and acceptance in the community by encouraging participants to visit local organizations, schools, education venues, and businesses.

Location:
GSSI Office, 223 NW Second St. Evansville, IN 47708

Dates:
August 24, September 21, October 19, November 16, December 14

Time:
5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

With questions or to register your girl, contact support@girlscouts-gssi.org or 812-421-4970.

Upcoming Events in IRCA

The Indiana Resource Center for Autism at Indiana University's Indiana Institute on Disability and Community is pleased to announce numerous training opportunities for the 2016-2017 school year. Details of workshop and training opportunities are distributed through the IRCA e-newsletter, the Reporter.

To subscribe to the Reporter, scroll to bottom of the screen, "Sign up for the IRCA Reporter"contact Pam Anderson at pamander@indiana.edu or call (812) 855-6508.

For Parents: Preparing for the School Year

Summer is winding down. School is about to start and, for some in this state, it already has! To help parents get ready for the new school year, the folks at the Indiana Resource Center for Autism has put together an article of tips on advocating for their son or daughter.

Read the article by visiting:
https://www.iidc.indiana.edu/pages/for-parents-preparing-for-the-school-year

Save the Date

The Indiana Resource Center for Autism is announcing a November date for the workshop by Ross Greene, Collaborative & Proactive Solutions: Understanding and Helping Students with Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Challenges. Dr. Greene will present this workshop on November 18, 2016, at the Westfield High School Auditorium, 18250 North Union Street, Westfield,  IN 46074. Special and general education teachers, early childhood educators, psychologists, speech language pathologists, administrators, counselors, social workers, family members, and others for whom this topic is relevant are all invited to attend.

For more information about the workshop and to register, please visit:
https://www.iidc.indiana.edu//index.php?pageId=ross-greene-workshop

Mobile App Monday - Pokémon Go--Benefits of gaming

We have probably all heard about the latest mobile app craze going on right now: Pokémon Go. But have you heard about its potential benefits? This augmented reality app seems to be having a good effect on individuals with autism. Here are three different articles on its benefits:

https://www.autismspeaks.org/blog/2016/07/15/pok%C3%A9mon-go-what-parents-individuals-autism-need-understand

http://www.friendshipcircle.org/blog/2016/07/21/5-benefits-playing-pokemon-go-autistic/

http://nymag.com/scienceofus/2016/07/why-pokmon-go-might-actually-be-helping-kids-with-autism.html

To learn more about this app, please visit:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pokemon-go/id1094591345

Workshop Dates and Locations Announced

Understanding and Managing 

Challenging Behaviors

Presented by 

Dr. Cathy Pratt, BCBA-D 

Director, Indiana Resource Center for Autism

Sponsored by the Indiana Resource Center for Autism

If you work with students who have challenging or difficult behaviors (regardless of their diagnostic label), this workshop may be relevant to you.

The goal of this full-day workshop is to provide affordable and localized training for those working with students who engage in challenging behaviors. It is relevant for certified and non-certified staff, including general and special educators, paraprofessionals, school psychologists, behavior consultants and interested others. Content is practical, based on ongoing experience in the field, and addresses students with various disabilities, including autism spectrum disorders and across grade levels. The hope is that those attending can walk away with ideas that can be implemented immediately and that are evidence-based. Many of these strategies work with students without disabilities as well.

For more information including dates and locations of this workshop, please visit:
https://www.iidc.indiana.edu/pages/understanding-and-managing-challenging-behaviors-workshop

Going to college with autism: Tips and strategies from successful voices

Going to college with autism: Tips and strategies from successful voices is 110 pages of information about autism written with college professors in mind. As more and more students with disabilities go on to higher education after high school, professors, special educators, high school transition coordinators, and families can appreciate the wisdom and success stories found in this book.

The book begins with an overview of autism, its prevalence in the population, and some of its defining characteristics. It offers professors a look into some of the behaviors they might see in a student on the spectrum as well as some of the different learning styles that can accompany the disorder. Transition planning is key for students with autism and links to agencies that can help are included. Information on developing relationships and independence for students is highlighted in addition to the importance of a student knowing what works best for them and being able to advocate for themselves. Each chapter ends with success stories offering a personal glimpse into what life is really like for students with autism.

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

It's not a perfect world, but I'll take it: 50 life lessons for teens like me who are kind of (you know) autistic

It's not a perfect world, but I'll take it is a guide to life according to Jennifer Rose, a young adult on the autism spectrum. Rose is a college student working toward a degree in writing who decided to share her life lessons with other teens with autism who may be struggling like she does.

The 136-page book is organized into eight topics: Dreams and Reality; School; Friends and Family; Autism; Optimism; Stress and Setbacks; Coping; and Life Happens. In each, Rose offers her take on what worked or didn't work for her while growing up in the form of life lessons. Her sense of humor offers hope to kids who may be bullied or having to change schools several times as Rose did as a teenager. The stories that comprise the life lessons are short and are great examples of her ability to overcome, with help, the issues that she faced.

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

Mobile App Monday - Rush Hour

Looking for a fun, problem-solving app? Rush Hour is a great sliding puzzle game similar to those old plastic ones you held in your hand as a kid. This version has four levels of difficulty with hints if you get stuck and a solve button for the ultimate hint. Great for all ages with 2,500 different games!

Want to learn more about it? Please visit:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id336542036

The Aspie College, Work & Travel Survival Guide

The Aspie College, Work & Travel Survival Guide is 236 pages of guidance on transitioning from high school to adult life, not only to higher education and/or the workforce, but also travel tips when visiting a foreign country or a large city and tips on family emergencies and ill health. Written by a young man with Asperger syndrome, the author offers his personal experience of life as an "Aspie." It's uplifting message is encouraging for other Aspies who are nearing the end of public school life and beginning to answer the question, "What's next?"

More than half of the book covers the end of high school, planning for college, and college life. It discusses the different types of colleges and costs, applying to colleges and scholarships, study tips, and graduation. The chapters that follow cover topics such as building a resume, interviewing tips, and accepting a position. Toward the end of the book, the author highlights concerns for an Aspie regarding domestic and international travel as well as topics on families and emergency situations.

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

Vacation and Thinking Social

It's halfway through July now, and we already wonder where the summer has gone. School begins again, at least in Bloomington, in less than a month! Have you taken a vacation yet? Worried about traveling with someone who has social difficulties? The folks at socialthinking.com have put together an article with tips that may help.

The article provides tips on planning the vacation and problem-solving during the vacation along with examples of visuals that may be of benefit. To read the entire article, please visit:
https://www.socialthinking.com/Articles?name=TipsForTravelingWithIndividualsWithSocialLearningChallenges

Training, Coaching, Program Evaluation and Consultation Options

Ever wonder in what ways the Indiana Resource Center for Autism can work with your organization? An article has been posted on their website detailing the services they offer. Customizing the professional development options IRCA has to offer gives your organization exactly what it needs.

To learn more, please visit:
https://www.iidc.indiana.edu/pages/irca-training-coaching-program-evaluation-and-consultation-options

"Parent Perspectives on Preparing Students for Adulthood" Webinar

"Parent Perspectives on Preparing Students for Adulthood" Webinar

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

11:30-1:00 p.m. EDT/10:30-12:00 p.m. CDT 

What do you envision for your son or daughter as they go through elementary school, middle school and then complete high school?

Your children need you to help them achieve their visions and succeed as an adult. Providing them with supports and guidance will help them achieve that success at home and in the community.   This webinar will help you learn how you can assist your child prepare for their life after high school.

To register for this webinar, please visit:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfmULs_RqNgT1am9VSWHnHbMC8fAtmcQ5iYVTFtKRcoZuqoSg/viewform

Mobile App Monday - Drawing Pad

"Drawing Pad is a mobile art studio for all ages! Create your own art using photo-realistic crayons, markers, paint brushes, colored pencils, stickers, roller pens and more!" -iTunes

The app is a multiple award winner with the ability not only to draw but also to download coloring books. Great for folks of all ages who enjoy the sensory stimulus or want to work on fine motor skills.

To learn more about this app, please visit:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id358207332

Strategies for a Successful Mealtime

Strategies for a successful mealtime offers parents, caregivers, and teachers help and hope for making mealtimes more successful for children on the autism spectrum with eating difficulties. Written by a speech/language pathologist with almost four decades of experience working with children with a variety of disabilities, this 132-page book details a program that can help children with a sensory-motor disorder overcome their aversions to the use of utensils and textures of foods.

The book covers typical feeding development from birth along with the oral movement components that make feeding possible and causes for concern at each stage of development. It then goes on to discuss how the senses are involved with feeding and introduces activities or play that can help desensitize children to the process of eating. A chapter on creating your child's treatment plan and one on sensory activities to do in the home or school precedes the conclusion chapter. Further resources, appendices, and a glossary of terms can be found at the end of the book.

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

Revolutionary grandparents: Generations healing autism with love and hope

Revolutionary grandparents: Generations healing autism with love and hope is 180 pages of advice and love from 22 grandmothers and grandfathers who have either moved in with their children or have dramatically altered their life in order to become more active members of their children and grandchildren's life.

The grandparents in these stories share a glimpse into their lives not only to record the progress of their grandchildren but also as a way to offer advice, hope and compassion to others who may be going through the same, oftentimes difficult, journey. Their unique voice offers a point of view that is a step removed from the sometimes overwhelming fear and uncertainty that often comes with being a parent whose child is diagnosed on the spectrum. Their words of awe and support as they watch their own children parent a child with autism is a comforting testament to the power of positivity.

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

Camp Yes, And?

Wondering about Camp Yes, And? While both sessions are already full this year, you will have an opportunity to see the campers in action. Final showcases for each camp are open to the public and anyone interested in seeing what the campers have learned throughout the week is invited to attend. There will be two offerings:

Bloomington
July 15 from 3-4:30 PM in the auditorium of the Monroe County Public Library

Indianapolis
July 22 from 3-4:30 PM in the Lilly Auditorium at the IUPUI University Library

For more information about Camp Yes, And?, please visit:

http://yesand.indiana.edu/home.php

Library Hours

(photo courtesy CCWray)

The Library will close today at 2:00 p.m. and will re-open on Tuesday, July 5th at 8:00 a.m.

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy, and safe 4th of July!