Storytime for Children on the Spectrum in Mt. Vernon, IN

The Alexandrian Public Library in Mount Vernon, Indiana is announcing an event specially designed for children ages 3 and older and their caregivers at 6:00 p.m. on January 10th. This event focuses on the needs of children on the autism spectrum. Children and their caregivers are invited to engage in activities such as active movement songs, action rhymes, interactive play, and creative crafts. This monthly event requires registration and a caregiver must attend each event. To register your child, call Youth Services at 838-3286 or register online at www.apl.lib.in.us

New article in The Reporter

The Indiana Resource Center for Autism has issued a new article in their online newsletter, The Reporter. This latest article touts the efforts of two ladies in Goshen, Indiana who worked to create support for parents where there was little or none. It outlines the history of the Asperger Autism Group of Goshen and highlights their continuing efforts to reach out to the population touched by autism in Elkhart County.

To read the entire article, visit: http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/index.php?pageId=3492

CeDIR Holiday Closing

Happy Hanukkah! Merry Christmas! Happy Kwanzaa! Happy New Year! These holidays and more are celebrated at this time each year, giving us the chance to sit back and reflect on the past year and prepare for the new year.

After today, CeDIR will be closed for the next two weeks in observance of the holiday season. We will re-open at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 3, 2012.

Happy Holidays!

Mobile App Monday -- QuestionIt

Looking for an app to help a child with autism or other language disorder with WH questions? QuestionIt might be for you. Activities include sorting words by type of question they answer, answering questions about sentences, and answering questions about paragraphs. Fireworks reinforce consecutive correct answers.

Want to learn more? Visit: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/questionit/id458737797?mt=8

Literacy Skills

Looking to ramp up your child's literacy skills? The folks at the Indiana Resource Center for Autism have put together a listing of books, curriculums and programs, websites, software and iPad applications that can be used to promote literacy among children on the autism spectrum. Both parents and teachers will find interesting products listed that can help them help their children on the spectrum increase their literacy skills.

Please visit: http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/index.php?pageId=3467

Developmental Drama

Looking for a way to help a child with severe or profound multiple disabilities (PMLD) connect with the world around them? Unsure where to begin? Developmental drama: dramatherapy approaches for people with profound or severe multiple disabilities, including sensory impairment shows how drama can help kids develop their communication skills, learn to deal with emotions more effectively and gain a greater understanding of their physical and social environment. Using drama as a medium for assisting the social and emotional development of people with PMLD, including sensory impairment, this book offers proven techniques in working with kids and also suggests ways to include support staff effectively within the process.

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

Mobile App Monday -- Communication Skills

Oftentimes, people on the spectrum need help with their communication skills. This app is designed to teach and reinforce basic social skills critical for independent living. For some, going on a shopping trip, using basic literacy skills, or understanding what to do when seeing a warning sign are very difficult tasks. The Communication Skills application provides easy-to-understand information that allows users to become more capable of functioning independently at work, at home, and in the community.

To learn more about this app, visit: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/communication-skills/id375400807?mt=8