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!