Friday, December 31, 2010

Funny New Year's Resolutions

Take a joke break (you know you deserve it) and check out this list of New Year's Resolutions. Link from the Howard County Autism Society; Written by Shelly McLaughlin, Pathfinders for Autism.

http://howardcountyautismsociety.org/forum/attachment/download?id=5206289%3AUploadedFile%3A1871

Wishing you and your family a wonderful new year!

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Street Safety Songs

Videos of songs made for kids about street safety. Also includes printable activities and lyrics. From Do2Learn. My son loves listening to the songs!

http://www.do2learn.com/games/songs/streetsafety/index.htm

Amazon.com recommends...
I Can Be Safe: A First Look at Safety (First Look at...Series)

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Handout Cards

Small printable cards for handing out to the public. A great response to obnoxious comments in the grocery store, in my opinion. From Bridges4Kids.

http://www.bridges4kids.org/AutismCards.pdf

More Awareness Items from Amazon.com:
Autism Awareness Ribbon Car Magnet. Size 8"long 3 3/4"wide. Made in USA 

 Autism Awareness Puzzle Car Magnet 8" X 4" Autism Awareness Puzzle Piece Car Magnet

I Love Someone with Autism Jumbo Car Magnet

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Yet Another Chance to Win an iPad

Autism Speaks is offering a chance to win an iPad. Check http://action.autismspeaks.org/ipad-contest for details, but it looks to me like what you need to do is send an e-mail to your contacts asking them to make a donation in order to be entered in the contest. I don't think you or your contacts actually have to make a donation in order to enter.

Deadline for this contest is December 29th at 11:59 PM.

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season! Stay tuned this week for New Year's resources.

Monday, December 27, 2010

Visual Supports: Playground

An article with free tips and printable posters to teach children how to use playground equipment. From Autism.About.com and Explorations Unlimited.

http://autism.about.com/od/childrenandautism/ss/playgroundpost.htm

Amazon.com recommends...
Maisy Goes to the Playground: A Maisy Lift-the-Flap Classic
Maisy Goes to the Playground

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Monday, December 20, 2010

Christmas Vocabulary Cards

A set of picture vocabulary cards with Christmas-related words. Use for games or vocabulary instruction. From Slater Software.

http://www.slatersoftware.com/Xmas%20VocabCards.pdf

Friday, December 17, 2010

Holiday Letter for Relatives

Here's an awesome holiday letter to send to relatives you will be visiting over the holiday season, written from the perspective of a child on the autism spectrum. Scroll on this page to see the letter:

http://griffinblaise.blogspot.com/2005/12/letter-to-family-and-friends-for.html
 

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Homeschool Samples

A list of free samples and materials from different homeschool curriculum and resource providers. Try before you buy!

http://thehomeschoolmagazine.com/freebiedirectory/2010/2010FD.html

Amazon.com recommends...
Homeschooling the Child with Autism: Answers to the Top Questions Parents and Professionals Ask (Jossey-Bass Teacher)
Homeschooling the Child with Autism: Answers to the Top Questions Parents and Professionals Ask

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

ABC Data Sheet

An ABC data sheet is used for for some of the data collection for conducting a functional analysis of behavior.

You can access the data sheet here: http://www.positivelyautism.com/downloads/datasheet_abc.pdf

For a brief tutorial about how to use an ABC data sheet, click here: http://appliedbehavioranalysis.blogspot.com/2007/05/abc-and-functional-behavior-assessment.html
 
Amazon.com recommends... 
Functional Behavior Assessment for People With Autism: Making Sense of Seemingly Senseless Behavior (Topics in Autism)
Functional Behavior Assessment for People With Autism

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Special Needs Movie Screening - Free Child's Ticket

Studio Movie Grill presents Yogi Bear! Children with special needs - FREE / Adult: Regular Price Purchased @ the Box Office ONLY
What: Studio Movie Grill-Special Needs Screening
When: Sat Dec 18, 2010, 11 am - 1 pm CST

Where: Studio Movie Grill, for locations and more information, go here: http://www.studiomoviegrill.com/theaters/familyfunimages/variety.html


Amazon.com recommends...
Social Story - The Restaurant and the Movies (Now I get it - Social Stories, The restaurant and the movies)
Social Story: The Restaurant and the Movies

Monday, December 13, 2010

Another Chance to Win an iPad

The National Inclusion Project is offering a chance to win an iPad. You can view the details at http://www.inclusionproject.org/pepsi . While you're there, check out some of their inclusion summer camp programs!
Amazon.com recommends...
You're Going to Love This Kid! 2e
You're Going to Love This Kid: Teaching Students with Autism in the Inclusive Classroom

Friday, December 10, 2010

Gluten-Free Gingerbread Recipes

A wide variety of gluten-free gingerbread recipes (some both GF and CF) compiled by About.com: Special Needs Children. http://specialchildren.about.com/od/glutenfree/a/GFgingerbread.htm

Amazon.com recommends...
The Autism Cookbook: 101 Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Recipes
The Autism Cookbook: 101 Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Recipes

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Christmas Social Story

A Christmas social story with PECS. Specifically focusing on holiday decorations and the vacation from school. From Special Education Technology British Columbia.

http://www.setbc.org/pictureset/resources/christmas_holidays/christmas_holidays.pdf

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Setting Priorities & Organizing Goals

A graphic organizer to help students with organization and setting goals. From Scholastic.

http://printables.scholastic.com/printables/detail/?id=35610

Amazon.com recommends...
The Big Book of Reproducible Graphic Organizers: 50 Great Templates to Help Kids Get More Out of Reading, Writing, Social Studies and More
The Big Book of Reproducible Graphic Organizers

Monday, December 6, 2010

Gifts Not to Buy for Children with Autism

An insightful list of tips for holiday shopping for children with Autism by Lisa Jo Rudy from Autism.About.com. This one might be a good one to pass along to relatives and friends.

http://autism.about.com/od/familyeventsandautism/tp/whatnotbuygifts.htm

Friday, December 3, 2010

iPad Giveaway

The HollyRod Foundation is having an iPad giveaway for families of children with autism. There are certain income and other requirements. You can read the requirements and download the application on the foundation's website. Go to http://www.hollyrod.org/ , click on the iPad logo at the top of the page, then scroll down to "Holiday 2010 iPad Application."

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Special Needs Movie Screening - Free Child's Ticket

Studio Movie Grill presents Tangled! Children with special needs - FREE / Adult: Regular Price Purchased @ the Box Office ONLY
----------------------

What: Special Needs Screening of Tangled
When: Sat Dec 4, 2010, 11 am - 1 pm CST
Where: Studio Movie Grill
Locations: http://www.studiomoviegrill.com/theaters/familyfunimages/varietymovies2.html

More information about this program: http://www.studiomoviegrill.com/theaters/familyfunimages/variety.html

Amazon.com recommends...
Social Story - The Restaurant and the Movies (Now I get it - Social Stories, The restaurant and the movies)
Social Story: The Restaurant and the Movies

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Rufus Goes to School Game

An online game design to help students cope with taking different ways to go to school, or having different people take them to school in the morning.

Access the game at: http://www.whizkidgames.com/

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Step-by-Step Picture Recipes

Step-by-step recipes with pictures. Great visuals for individuals with autism to make foods such as banana toast, pancakes, garlic mashed potatoes, etc. From Spectrum Visions.

http://sv4u.net/blog/recipes/

Amazon.com recommends...
Kids' Fun and Healthy Cookbook
Kids' Fun and Healthy Cookbook

Monday, November 29, 2010

Friday, November 26, 2010

Autism Black Friday Deals

These aren't exactly freebies, but I thought I would share the deals that I've heard about for autism-related products on black Friday.

Different Roads to Learning
20% discount
Enter the Promo Code:THANKS10

http://www.difflearn.com/
Sale valid from November 26 @ midnight-December 1st, 2010 @ 11:59 pm EST
There are a few products the sale does not apply to.


Autism Community Store
Holiday Shopping Kick-off Sale
$10 off a purchase of $40 or more. Bring your coupon to the store or online enter coupon code: KICKOFF. Coupon is good from 11/26/10 through 11/29/10.
http://www.autismcommunitystore.com/


The Autism Asperger Publishing Company
‎50% off Hidden Curriculum Calendars
Use coupon code HCCALENDAR to order at http://www.asperger.net/


The Gray Center for Social Learning and Understanding
Black Friday (and Saturday) shopping at The Gray Center: Save 15% on your entire order using coupon code "THANKS15"
http://www.thegraycenter.org/


Amazon.com is having a variety of online specials. You can shop at Positively Autism's Amazon.com bookstore at http://www.books4allkids.com/ .

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Thanksgiving Fun!

Here are a few coloring pages and activities your child may enjoy today. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

My Thanksgiving Book (fill in details about your family): http://www.abcteach.com/free/members/21977.pdf

Thanksgivng Coloring Pages: http://www.coloringpages.net/thanksgiving.html

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Thanksgiving Recipes for Restricted Diets

A vareity of recipies including reduced sugar, gluten free, dairy free, and food allergy safe.

http://specialchildren.about.com/od/restricteddietrecipes/Thanksgiving_Recipes_for_Restricted_Diets.htm

Amazon.com recommends...
The Autism Mom Cooks Gluten-Free Casein-Free, Traditional Holiday Fare
The Autism Mom Cooks Gluten-Free Casein-Free Traditional Holiday Fare

Monday, November 22, 2010

Tips for Helping People with Autism Have a Happy Holiday

Some great tips and strategies from the Autism Society of America. Here's one of their ideas that I hadn't thought of: "If a person with autism has difficulty with change, you may want to gradually decorate the house."

Read the rest here: http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer?pagename=holiday_tips&JServSessionIdr009=ul32qrofp2.app26a

Friday, November 19, 2010

Thanksgiving Social StoryTM

A Social StoryTM from Slater Software about having a Thanksgivng meal with family. If some of the situations don't apply to you (for example, if someone other than mom is doing the cooking), you could use the basic text of the story, just making a few changes and adding your own pictures, clip art, or photos.


http://www.slatersoftware.com/Thanksgiving%20Social%20Story.pdf
 
Amazon.com recommends...
The Everything Guide to Cooking for Children with Autism: From everyday meals to holiday treats; how to prepare foods your child will love to eat (Everything Series)
The Everything Guide to Cooking for Children with Autism: From Everyday Meals to Holiday Treats

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Autism Fact Sheet

At the request of one of PositivelyAutism's facebook fans, I've been trying to find an autism fact sheet that could be sent to relatives to help them prepare for a Thanksgiving visit with a child with autism. I'm still looking for a Thanksgiving-specific one, but here is a general overview from NICHCY: http://www.nichcy.org/InformationResources/Documents/NICHCY%20PUBS/fs1.pdf

You can join our Facebook community here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/PositivelyAutismcom/133524426684006

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Rubber Duck Idiom Game

A game to teach the meaning of common idioms. From LinguiSystems.

http://www.linguisystems.com/pdf/201008/Rubber%20Ducks%20Make%20Learning%20Idioms%20Fun.pdf

Amazon.com recommends...
Scholastic Dictionary Of Idioms (Revised)
Scholastic Dictionary of Idioms

In a Pickle: And Other Funny Idioms
In a Pickle and Other Funny Idioms

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Positive Office Referral Form

One school's form for a Positive Behavior Support program. A student is recognized for positive behavior by a a positive note to the office. I like the spin that this has - being recognized for positive behavior instead of being sent to the office for negative behavior!
http://www.wcpss.net/positive-behavior/06-07/day_two06-07/handouts-d2/reinforcement%20_items/lynn_rd_positive_referral.pdf
 
Amazon.com recommends...
Building Positive Behavior Support Systems in Schools: Functional Behavioral Assessment
Building Positive Behavior Support Systems in Schools

Monday, November 15, 2010

Video: Classroom Routines for Arriving in the Morning

A free video from Scholastic about how teachers can create morning routines for students. While, it is not specifically about autism, many of the structured, visual aids would be very helpful for students with autism. Great ideas!

http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/media.jsp?id=268

Amazon.com recommends...
The First Days of School: How to Be an Effective Teacher
The First Days of School: How to Be an Effective Teacher

Friday, November 12, 2010

Special Needs Movie Screening - Free Child's Ticket

MegaMind (PG)
Starring: Will Ferrell, Brad Pitt, Tina Fey, Jonah Hill
Date: Sat., 11/13/2010
Time: 11:00am
Locations:
SMG Arlington, Dallas: Royal, Lewisville, Plano
Houston: Copperfield, CityCentre, Atlanta: Holcomb Bridge
The movie is being shown at Studio Movie Grill locations. More information here:

http://www.studiomoviegrill.com/theaters/familyfunimages/varietymovies2.html and here: http://www.studiomoviegrill.com/

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

PuzzleMaker

Create your own puzzles (mazes, word search, hidden message, etc.). What's great about this site is that you can use your own word lists, so you could make puzzles related to students' special interests.

http://www.puzzlemaker.com/

Amazon.com recommends...
My First Book Of Mazes
My First Book of Mazes
(The Kumon series is great for visual learners).

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Social Language Dictionary

Teachers (or parents) and students can record, define, and list examples of any social language that is confusing for the student. From Speaking of Speech.

http://www.speakingofspeech.com/uploads/SocialLanguageDictionary.pdf

Amazon.com recommends...
The Unwritten Rules of Social Relationships: Decoding Social Mysteries Through the Unique Perspectives of Autism
The Unwritten Rules of Social Relationships by Temple Grandin and Sean Barron

Monday, November 8, 2010

Reinforcement Survey Generator

Create your own reinforcer/researd surveys and menus. From jimwrightonline.com.

http://www.jimwrightonline.com/php/jackpot/jackpot.php

Amazon.com recommends...
The ABA Program Companion: Organizing Quality Programs for Children With Autism and PDD
The ABA Program Companion