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The 4th Annual World Autism Awareness Day is April 2, 2011. The Empire State Building in New York City and the CN Tower in Toronto , Canada — will turn their lights blue to raise awareness for autism and to commemorate World Autism Awareness Day on Saturday, April 2. Many all over the world will also show respect and promote awareness to Autism by wearing blue and turning their household lights blue on the evenings of April 1st and 2nd.
The Mane’ Center will be showing our support as well and in promotion of awareness everyday. Everyday can be and should be an opportunity to spread Autism Awareness.
This is a message from United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon last year 2010 commemorating World Autism Awareness Day. Please watch.
http://www.worldautismawarenessday.org/site/c.egLMI2ODKpF/b.3917065/k.BE58/Home.htm
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I have a tattered little piece of paper that decorates my fridge, and it’s nothing fancy…really quite worn…but on it is written some of the best advice that I have ever given myself. It is called “10 Helpful Hints”. The reason I keep it on my “fridge” is so that I may FOLLOW this advice that I have given to myself…And…I am reminded everyday, several times a day, every time I open the fridge…”Follow Your Own Advice”…
It seems that the closer I follow these 10 little tips…Life flows a little easier, and the world seems a little brighter. The more I read them and keep these tips foremost in my mind…I seem to be able to muster up more Hope in my heart, along with Courage and Strength.
I have found that in our Autism Spectrum Community, the struggle can be quite hard, and it can take a toll, physically, mentally, and emotionally. If we can muster up though, and be strong enough one day, while our fellow may be lacking on that very same day…then…we can pass along a “shoulder to lean on”…and maybe someone will provide a “shoulder” for us, on another day…when we may be stumbling… The point is, we are all on the same “crooked road”…and just as I have been up built by this tattered little slip of paper…I will pass it along…in the hopes that it may give someone else a boost.
- Never give up on a cure.
- Read, read, and read some more everything on the subject…then keep what’s good, and discard what’s not…and keep a “not sure” file as well.
- Listen to your “Gut”…there is no one on this earth that loves this child as you do…or that knows this child better that you do…so “Arm” yourself with your own wisdom of your child, and become his or her best Advocate.
- If a therapist, doctor, teacher, etc…does not connect with your child…Find someone that does.
- If a therapy or diet is not having successful results…stop…and find something that will bring success.
- Ask questions…lots of questions…and write them down, so that you can carry them with you when you go to your child’s doctors, therapists, etc…and if your questions are met with distain, sarcasm, or with a patronizing response…Find someone that will answer your questions with respect and dignity.
- When you feel like the world is caving in on you…take a Bubble Bath, a Long Walk…or anything to help you re-group to face the challenge again.
- Try to stay healthy yourself…this is hard as you may feel selfish about giving yourself any attention…so…just remember who you need to be healthy for…Your child… and they are depending on you…You cannot assist them very well if you get sick…
- Join a Support Group…and not just any support group. Make sure that you will be able to gather “purposeful” support from this group…and that it truly satisfies your need of support in both a practical, and in an emotional sense. Ask yourself, “What was I able to take away from this meeting?” Any tips or information, and maybe even play dates for my child, etc…not just a “Gripe Session”.
- Do not feel guilty that your child is in this situation, and do not plague yourself with the “What if’s” or the “If only I knew then what I know now”…and Do not look back with regret…just keep moving forward to Accomplishment!
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Don’t forget about this weekend’s free seminar regarding childhood neurobehavioral disorders in Tampa Florida. Topics under discussion will include hemispheric integration therapy, functional medicine for autism spectrum disorders and learning disabilities, autism assessment and intervention and RDI. The speakers will include Dr. Danielle Sutton and Kathryn Peter as well as myself. Jules Burt from the high heel hike will also be speaking. The seminar will be held at the Hillsborough County children’s board in Ybor city. Check-in is at 830 am with a question and answers starting at three o’clock. For more information go to http://www.hitautism.com/events download the PDF.
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This summer is not over yet. I am still getting request from parents for camps and ideas to keep the kids busy and yet progressing over the summer. I became aware of this extreme sports camp. It is not for everyone. Location for a camp like this becomes an issue. Costs also factors into deciding whether you might participate in something of this nature. Still, I feel obligated to pass the information along to you, so that those of you that can and would like to attend, can check it out. As always, please keep the e-mails and suggestions coming so I can pass them along to others. Here is the link, see if it is something that meets up to your standards and that you would like your child to do.
http://www.extremesportscamp.org/register_now_5.html
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I received this email and think it is worth everyone checking out. I think this would be helpful for many of you out there. The link is www.senassist.com
I have been working with children with autism for over 10 years starting with ABA before qualifying to teach. Our software is based closely on TEACCH. It’s aimed at primary children, but secondary students also really love it. First the child chooses their motivational character from a choice of 48. Next they work through 6 independent tasks based on 6 speech therapy exercises – prepositions, pronouns, spelling, sequencing, comprehension and matching. On each task they have to get between 3 and 6 ticks to move on to the next activity. Once they have completed all six they get a personal certificate to print. There are four skill levels and also a related story with animated writing with symbols.
The aim of our software is to eventually get more children with special needs, particularly those with autism into the workplace in the future doing computer related jobs where they can learn routines and have fulfilling jobs working with computers.
Having seen that children in mainstream schools do not always have access to teachers with special needs training I wanted to create something that parents and teachers can switch on, see work and then find out a bit about all the theory.
It also allows students with a wide range of abilities to be taught together as the software allows a teacher to easily differentiate and assess abilities.
Please take a look at our site senassist.com and let me know if you would like further information to post on your site. There is a lot!
I look forward to hearing from you…
Kind regards,
Adele Devine
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I hope you all have heard about what is going on in Arkansas with Zakhquery Price. If you have not, here is some background information and some action steps you can take. I have written previously about Autism and higher rates of encounters with the law but nothing makes the point like a real boy and a real situation. Please do not just read the story, read it and take at least one action step.
The information below was provided to me by Rachela on the Autism Speaks Forum
Senators:
Lincoln, Blanche L. – (D – AR) Class III
355 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4843
Web Form: lincoln.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm
Pryor, Mark L. – (D – AR) Class II
255 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2353
Web Form: pryor.senate.gov/contact/
Governor:
<a href=”http://governor.arkansas.gov/contacts.html”>http://governor.arkansas.gov/contacts.html</a>
Also your state’s reps…
Congress:
Representative Marion Berry (D – 01) 202-225-4076 202-225-5602 <a href=”http://www.house.gov/berry/zipauth.shtml”>http://www.house.gov/berry/zipauth.shtml</a>
Representative Vic Snyder (D – 02) 202-225-2506 202-225-5903 <a href=”http://www.house.gov/snyder/contact-form.shtml”>http://www.house.gov/snyder/contact-form.shtml</a>
Representative John Boozman (R – 03) 202-225-4301 202-225-5713 <a href=”https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml”>https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml</a>
Representative Mike Ross (D – 04) 202-225-3772 202-225-1314 <a href=”http://ross.house.gov/?sectionid=77″>http://ross.house.gov/?sectionid=77</a>§iontree=7677
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Any time I find someone who is offering free resources to the autism community I make those available to you by pointing you in the direction of those kind enough to provide the information and resources. In this case, I came across a a website which offers a lot of general autism information but in addition has some good information regarding PECS picture exchange communication system and their use for children on the autism spectrum. The owner of the site as a nonverbal child with autism and has seen good results PECS. These results motivated her to provide this information and service autism community. Here is the link, I hope this helps someone out there.
http://asdvisualresources.weebly.com/index.html
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I am always looking for tips to share and help others in the Autism community. I found this one on a moms’s web site. I have a few patients for whom this would be a good idea and thus thought I would pass it on. Here goes, let me know what you think. http://recoveringnoah.blogspot.com/2009/01/cheap-communication-devices-for.html
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Every once in a while I run into someone who expresses their feelings frankly regarding autism and how it affects lives and families in a way that I think others can relate to. Living with, or having a loved one affected by an autism spectrum disorder is a lifestyle and culture within itself. As it affects children, it is a highly emotional entity by its very nature. I thought this post reflected wonderfully the feelings of frustration and the feelings of love. I hope you all can relate to it.
http://www.autisable.com/715909345/yesterday-i-hated-autism/
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I was made aware of this by Kim Hammons. Thanks again Kim
Free communication devices are available to Pennsylvanians through a generous donation from AstraZeneca.
The Zam Communicator is a lightweight, two-sided communication device that does NOT generate speech. It was developed to help improve communication between patients who are unable to speak and medical professionals. The device offers a keypad for spelling out words and icons representing medically related messages. The messages are displayed on a dual sided LCD screen at the top of the communication device.
Zam Communicators are available free of charge on a first come, first served basis to individual Pennsylvanians. Individuals will be asked to pick up the device from PIAT’s main office or pay for shipping. Photos of the device are included in the attachment.
AstraZeneca is a Delaware-based pharmaceutical company that donated these devices to Pennsylvania’s Initiative on Assistive Technology. These devices must be distributed directly to patients and may not be distributed to or through physicians, other health care professionals, medical group practices, or to hospitals. They can be distributed directly to patient groups in individual, outpatient, or health clinic settings. Health care and disability professionals can promote the availability of these devices and encourage individuals to contact their Assistive Technology Resource Center (ATRC) (for a listing of ATRCs, go to http://disabilities.temple.edu/programs/assistive/atlend/atrc.shtml. )AstraZeneca and Temple University make no warranty and assume no liability on the device or any of the included components.
If you or someone you know could use a communication device, such as the Zam Communicator, please contact PIAT at 800-204-PIAT (7428), (866) 268-0579 (TTY) or atinfo@temple.edu.
Pennsylvania’s Initiative on Assistive Technology (PIAT), a program of the Institute on Disabilities at the Temple University, helps Pennsylvanians with disabilities learn about and acquire the tools they need in order to learn, work, play, and participate in community life. If you have any assistive technology needs, please contact PIAT at (800) 204-PIAT (7248) voice), or (866) 268-0579 (TTY), atinfo@temple.edu or visit www.disabilities.temple.edu/piat.
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Jennifer M. Seale, M.S. CCC-SLP
Augmentative Communication Services Coordinator
Institute on Disabilities at Temple University
Suite 610 University Services Building
1601 North Broad Street
Philadelphia PA 19122
215-204-3032 (office)
seale@temple.edu
“This virtual community is funded by the Office of Developmental Programs, Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare and implemented by the Institute on Disabilities at Temple University”
Our mailing address is:
Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania
1414 N. Cameron St.
Harrisburg, PA 17103
Copyright (C) 2009 Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania All rights reserved.
