Autism in the news

Ever wonder about the history of autism? Here's an article from the Smithsonian you might be interested in:
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/early-history-autism-america-180957684/?no-ist

And from National Geographic comes a short film about a musician with autism from New Zealand:
http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/short-film-showcase/how-a-freestyle-rappers-autism-shaped-his-rhymes

Sesame Street includes character with autism

According to a story on cnn.com, Sesame Street has added a character with autism to its resources for parents. The little girl named Julia is part of a new program designed to spread awareness about children with autism. The digital storybook shows Elmo at play with Julia and explaining some of her differences to other children.

The Sesame Street and Autism: See All in Amazing Children program is available as an app and on desktop. It includes daily routine cards and resources to help family, friends and others who encounter children with autism.

Fact Sheet from the Arc Insurance Project

The Arc of Indiana Insurance Project is a resource for families who need information and support to understand options for health care insurance coverage for their loved ones with developmental disabilities. In collaboration with About Special Kids and Family Voices Indiana, the Arc has released a new Fact Sheet with information that is important for families seeking insurance coverage of ABA services.

Here is the latest Fact Sheet from the Arc Insurance Project which is important information for those seeking insurance coverage for ABA services:
http://www.arcind.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/EPSDT-ABA-Appeal-Letter.pdf

For assistance and questions contact Michele Trivedi, Arc of Indiana Insurance Project Manager at mtrivedi@arcind.org,  317-977-2375 or toll free 800-382-9100. Family Voices Indiana can also assist with health care financing questions and resources. They can be contacted at 317-944-8982 or info@fvindiana.org.

Best Kept Secret

Best Kept Secret follows a New Jersey teacher and her class of young men with autism over the year and a half before graduation from high school. The clock is ticking to find them a place in the adult world – a job or rare placement in a recreational center – so they do not end up where their predecessors have, sitting at home, institutionalized, or on the streets.

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

Self-regulation interventions and strategies: Keeping the body, mind and emotions on task in children with autism, ADHD or sensory disorders

Self-regulation interventions and strategies will help you keep children bodies, minds and emotions on task. Featuring more than 200 practical and proven interventions, strategies and adaptation for helping children gain more control over their lives. Each chapter provides rich background and theoretical material to help the reader better understand the issues our children face. -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.

Mobile App Monday - Avaz Lite - AAC App for Autism

Avaz Lite is a FREE AAC app for children who are non-verbal, or who have difficulty with speech or language. Avaz has received top international awards, including being on MIT’s list of Top 35 Innovations, and is the subject of a TED talk.

Avaz allows you to create a vocabulary of photographs and voice recordings to help kids create messages. It comes with 3 research-based, graded vocabularies, and a Core Words set that will help a child begin to communicate. These have been designed to facilitate spontaneous novel utterance generation, encouraging a child to use language, and generalize from it.

Want to know more about it? Please visit:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/avaz-lite-version-aac-app/id838037460?mt=8

Mobile App Monday - Autism iHelp Play

Autism iHelp is a vocabulary teaching aid developed by parents of a child with Autism and a speech-language pathologist. Autism iHelp was inspired by the need for specific language intervention tools for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder focusing on their unique strengths and difficulty with expressive vocabulary. -iTunes

Want to learn more about it? Please visit: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/autism-ihelp-play/id521485216?mt=8

Mobile App Monday - ANDDS

The app allows parents to answer a series of questions about a child’s development at ages 8 months, 12 months, 15 months, 18 months, and 24 to 36 months. It offers results to indicate if the child is at risk for development delays and conditions such as autism.

Here are few Sample questions from the app –

• Does the child turn around to look at you when his or her name is called?
• Does your child imitate you when you clap hands or wave bye-bye?
• Does your child point at things?
• Does your child smile back at you when you smile at them?

Want to know more? Please visit: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/andds/id583295023?mt=8

Autism as Context Blindness

Autism as Context Blindness is a plain-speaking guide to how the autistic brain functions and, in particular, how those with autism seem blind to the context in which things happen. The book examines context as it relates to observation, social interactions, communication, and knowledge. It makes recommendations on how to reduce context blindness in these areas.

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

A mother's courage: Talking back to autism

A Mother's Courage: Talking Back to Autism is a frank look at the reality that families endure to get assessments, a diagnosis, and advice. It shows the emotional turmoil parents feel as they watch their happy, verbal child regress into autism. This film can be used as an autism awareness tool for relatives, neighbors, and the community to help them understand what families with kids on the spectrum go through.

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

A-U-T-I-S-T-I-C? How Silly Is That!

A-U-T-I-S-T-I-C? How silly is that! gently pokes fun of the onerous label "autistic".  The readers will feel better about themselves after reading about their new friend, the narrator, who also HAS autism, as well as many other more important characteristics.  Having autism is just one small part of his overall character and humanity.  And we would never again label him as simply "autistic".

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

Different... Not Less

Different... Not less: Inspiring stories of achievement and successful employment from adults with autism, asperger's, and ADHD is a compilation of stories from people who have become successful in their lives despite their various disabilities. Overcoming social obstacles in order to share their greater potential has helped the individuals in these stories succeed in their work and lives. Pick up the book and be inspired!

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

Mysterious Journey

It's summer time! Ready for fun? Ready for adventure? Well, ten-year-old twins Matthew and Marissa are not! In Mysterious journey: Hot air ballooning, we find out that they don't want to leave their friends to travel to New Mexico with their family. But Matthew finds a curious old map under a cushion in their RV and everything changes. They even begin to overcome the distractions from their 4-year-old brother, David, who has autism.

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

April is Autism Awareness Month

Facts:

• In February 2007, the Centers for Disease Control issued a report which looked at a sample of 8 year olds, and concluded that the prevalence of autism had risen to 1 in 150 in American children and almost 1 in 94 among boys.  By 2009, that incidence had increased to 1 in 110. Each year brings new cases of autism and many who present complex challenges. 

• There is no single known cause for autism.  Instead multiple factors may lead to an individual obtaining a diagnosis on the autism spectrum.

• Autism is referred to as a spectrum disorder to signify differences among a group of people who share a common diagnosis.   

• The Autism Society notes the incredible costs associated with autism spectrum disorders and the ongoing need for services that promote early identification and programming, effective transition planning, and individualized adult options.

• Studies show that early diagnosis and intervention can lead to greatly improved outcomes.  However, ongoing support is critical and even into the adult years. 

Want to know more? The Indiana Resource Center for Autism has published an article that includes tips on working with those on the spectrum. To read the entire article, visit: http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/index.php?pageId=359

Learning the Hidden Curriculum

Looking for a book on social skills for adults? Learning the hidden curriculum: The odyssey of one autistic adult might be just what you're looking for. The author draws from her own experiences to relate how she learned to maneuver social situations more successfully. Endow presents strategies to help develop  the ability to assess a situation and take steps to avoid making social blunders.

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

How to Talk to an Autistic Kid

Looking for a kid-friendly book on how to help kids relate to kids on the spectrum? How to Talk to an Autistic Kid is a 48-page how-to guide for anyone interested in kids with autism. Written by a 14-year-old with autism, this book helps readers understand why autistic kids act the way they do and offers specific suggestions on how to get along with them.

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 -- AutismTrack

Looking for an app to track behaviors, interventions, etc., for those on the spectrum? A powerful journaling tool, AutismTrack can be used by several professionals tracking one person. This app is server-based, and data can be recovered if your device is lost or not performing.

Want to learn more about this app? Visit http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/autismtrack/id391660393?mt=8.

Russell's World

Russell's world: A story for kids about autism is a wonderful book for kids to learn what having an autism spectrum disorder can look like. Kids on the spectrum can vary widely in their own abilities, but Russell is on the severe end of the spectrum. With love and patience that really shine through, Russell's father, the author of the book, paints a picture of Russell and his family. It's a story of acceptance and nurturing that will win your heart, and the use of pictures along with illustrations will keep even the younger kids' interest. An extensive Note to Parents at the end also provides resources and support.

Check it out by sending us an email at cedir@indiana.edu. Or use worldcat.org to find it in a library near you.

Growing Up with Autism

Looking for ideas on working with older kids? Written for clinicians and educators, Growing up with autism: Working with school-age children and adolescents uses case studies and assessment forms to help with

• supporting positive behavior, communication, and social skills
• managing issues related to mental and physical health and sexuality
• helping families access services and navigate the legal system
• optimizing the educational and transition planning process

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

Timer mobile app

Looking for a mobile app timer for a child with autism? Try Autism Timer. It clearly shows how much time has elapsed in bright colors, and three different times can be set at once. When time is up, it will beep/vibrate and the black and white checkered flag is shown.

Learn more about it at: http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=409539780&mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D6#