Friday, April 29, 2011

Sensory Friendly Film - April 30

Not free, but I wanted to let you know about this event.

Don't miss the next Sensory Friendly Film!

Rio
April 30
10 a.m. local time .

More information: http://www.autism-society.org/get-involved/events/sensory-friendly-films/

Find a theater: http://www.autism-society.org/get-involved/events/sensory-friendly-films/#theatres

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

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Interactive Online Books

A partnership with Autism Speaks provides a free 2011 subscription to this site. Details are at the link below.

Mighty Book Jr. - 900 animated online books.
http://www.mightybookjr.com/AS/

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

See.Touch.Learn™ iPad App/Free Library Contest

This app allows you to "create, save and reuse your own custom lessons" using picture cards programmed into the app.

The app is free, but it looks like you pay for picture libraries. http://brainparade.com/products/light-it-up-blue

This company is also offering a contest to win a picture library for the app: http://brainparade.com/contact/free-bonus-library/

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Autism Awareness Jewelry

The Autism Asperger Publishing Company is offering the following promotion. You must sign-up for their newsletter to receive the free offer.

Click on the Join My List icon (under "Notes" and "Events") on the left side of the Autism Asperger Publishing Company Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Autism-Asperger-Publishing-Company/74393094265) and sign up for the AAPC mailing list. Now though April 30, 2011, anyone who joins will get a free set of Autism Awareness jewelry (incl. bracelet, earrings and necklace).

Amazon.com recommends...

Large Autism Awareness Magnet 4"x 8"
Autism Awareness Magnet

Monday, April 25, 2011

Passover Freebies

This is really late, as today is the last day of Passover this year, but here are a few resources I found:

http://www.jgateways.org/passoverresources.html (includes visual aids/picture symbols for Passover stories and traditions).


http://specialchildren.about.com/od/allergysaferecipes/qt/gfpassover.htm?nl=1 (Gluten-Free Passover Recipes)

Friday, April 22, 2011

Special Needs Movie Screening - Free Child's Ticket

Special Needs Screening of "Rio"
Studio Movie Grill
Saturday, Apr 23, 2011, 11 am - 1 pm CDT
More information:
http://www.studiomoviegrill.com/theaters/familyfunimages/variety.html

Please call the theater to confirm availability and times.

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

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Easter Social Story

An Easter Social story with PECS-type images that focuses on coloring Easter eggs. From Slater Software.

http://www.slatersoftware.com/Easter%20Social%20Story.pdf

Amazon.com recommends...
The Easter Egg
The Easter Egg by Jan Brett

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Peter Cottontail Song with PECS Pictures

Here's a printable sheet with lyrics and PECS-type images for the Easter song, "Peter Cottontail." From Slater Software.

http://www.slatersoftware.com/PeterCottontail.pdf

Amazon.com recommends...
The Tale of Peter Rabbit (Reading Railroad)

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Easter Preposition Game

I've been so busy, I guess I forgot to be looking for Easter resources for the approaching holiday! I'll start featuring them for the rest of the week. Here's a great game for teaching prepositions with an Easter bunny theme from SpeakingofSpeech.com:

Directions: http://www.speakingofspeech.com/uploads/EasterBunnyDirections.pdf
Game Page 1: http://www.speakingofspeech.com/uploads/BunnyPrep1.pdf
Game Page 2: http://www.speakingofspeech.com/uploads/BunnyPrep2.pdf
Game Page 3: http://www.speakingofspeech.com/uploads/BunnyPrep3.pdf
Game Page 4: http://www.speakingofspeech.com/uploads/BunnyPrep4.pdf
Game Page 5: http://www.speakingofspeech.com/uploads/BunnyPrep5.pdf
Game Page 6: http://www.speakingofspeech.com/uploads/BunnyPrep6.pdf

Amazon.com recommends...
Easter

Monday, April 18, 2011

Summer Camp Checklist

Questions for parents of kids with autism to ask when evaluating summer camp possibilities for your child. From Autism Speaks.

http://www.autismspeaks.org/docs/family_services_docs/Camp_Checklist.pdf

Friday, April 15, 2011

Power Card Fact Sheet

The "Power Card Strategy involves including special interests with visual aids to teach and reinforce academic, behavioral and social skills to individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders." The following fact sheet includes information on what a Power Card is and several examples.

http://autismspectrum.illinoisstate.edu/resources/factsheets/powercard.shtml

Amazon.com recommends...
Power Cards: Using Special Interests to Motivate Children and Youth with Asperger Syndrome and Autism

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Video Modeling App

A member on our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/PositivelyAutismcom/133524426684006 suggested that I post some apps relating to autism. I'll keep posting these as I find them. Today's is a video modeling app. Here's the description of the app from Model Me Kids:

"Model Me Going Places™ is a great visual teaching tool for helping your child learn to navigate challenging locations in the community. Each location contains a photo slide show of children modeling appropriate behavior. Use in conjunction with the new Model Me Going Places™ DVD."

Here's more info about the app and a link to download it: http://www.modelmekids.com/iphone-app-autism.html

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Evidence-Based Practices Comparison Chart

This chart compares the lists of evidence-based interventions for children with autism developed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the National Autism Center, and the National Professional Development Center on ASD. Brief descriptions of the practices are also included.

http://www.autism-society.org/living-with-autism/treatment-options/ebp-comparison-chart-o.pdf

Amazon.com recommends...
Pivotal Response Treatments for Autism: Communication, Social, & Academic Development

Monday, April 11, 2011

Autism Speaks Transition Toolkit

Designed for families of children and young adults with autism ages 14 to 22. Includes planning resources for self-advocacy, community living, employment, post-secondary education, and more.

http://www.autismspeaks.org/community/family_services/transition.php

Amazon.com recommends...
Developing Talents: Careers For Individuals With Asperger Syndrome And High-functioning Autism- Updated, Expanded Edition
Developing Talents: Careers For Individuals With Asperger Syndrome And High-functioning Autism by Temple Grandin and Kate Duffy

Friday, April 8, 2011

Opportunity for Nebraska Residents through Autism Action Partnership

From the Rethink Autism website:
"Rethink Autism offers a web-based platform for training, individualized programming, and student data tracking. The system includes a comprehensive curriculum with over 1,200 video demonstrations, which show parents and teachers how to implement research-based teaching strategies utilizing the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)."

Information and a link to the application process for the subscription to Rethink Autism (for Nebraska residents) are here: http://www.rethinkautism.com/AboutUs/IntheMediaStory.aspx?ID=691

Amazon.com recommends...
Overcoming Autism: Finding the Answers, Strategies, and Hope That Can Transform a Child's Life
One of my favorite ABA resources by Dr. Lynn Koegel and Claire Lazebnik

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Educational Programs for Young Adults with Asperger Syndrome/HFA

A GREAT list of resources on educational programs (both college support programs and living skills programs) for young adults with Asperger Syndrome and HFA.

http://www.adnetonline.org/:/HTML/Topics/Asperger/AS%20programs%20for%20young%20adults.pdf

Amazon.com recommends...
Developing Talents: Careers For Individuals With Asperger Syndrome And High-functioning Autism- Updated, Expanded Edition
Developing Talents: Careers For Individuals With Asperger Syndrome And High-functioning Autism by Temple Grandin and Kate Duffy

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Autism Spectrum Disorders Symposium Presentation Video

This free event at Colorado State University was featured as our daily freebie a couple of weeks ago. The topic of the symposium was "Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders in the College Environment." Dr. Temple Grandin's keynote address from the event is now available in video on the CSU website. Copies of her presentation slides are also available.

Video: http://www.colostate.edu/events/autism-spectrum-symposium.aspx

Presentation Slides: http://www.colostate.edu/downloads/asd/tg-ppt.pdf

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

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Going to the Dentist Social Stories

Today is my 3-year-old son's first visit to the dentist, so I found a few social stories on the topic. I read him the first story listed below, and then showed him the dentist office photos found here: http://daily-autism-freebie.blogspot.com/2010/11/dentist-appointment-photos-good-for.html and explained to him what was happening in each picture. He actually seemed a little nervous after reading the first story, but after looking at the photos linked above, he seemed excited about going. Of course, each child is different, so the first story might work better for your child.

Story 1: http://leechbabe.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/dentist-social-story.pdf (written with a specific child's name, PECS images)

Story 2: http://www.handsinautism.org/pdf/StrategyAtWork_VisitToDentistSocialStory.pdf (includes photos and clip art)

Amazon.com recommends...
Going to the Dentist (Usborne First Experiences)

Monday, April 4, 2011

Friday, April 1, 2011

Win an Autism Book Bundle

From Brooks Publishing:
"As part of our National Autism Awareness Month recognition this year, we are giving away three mini-libraries each week in April. Three weekly winners will get to select their choice of one of the follow bundles featuring 6 Brookes titles.
 Pick which bundle would be your choice, and be sure to enter to win!http://www.brookespublishing.com/autism/giveaway/index.htm "
 
Here are a few of my favorite autism titles from Brooks:
You're Going to Love This Kid! 2e
You're Going to Love This Kid! Teaching Students with Autism in the Inclusive Classroom

Just Give Him The Whale!: 20 Ways to Use Fascinations, Areas of Expertise, and Strengths to Support Students with Autism
Just Give Him The Whale!: 20 Ways to Use Fascinations, Areas of Expertise, and Strengths to Support Students with Autism

Pivotal Response Treatments for Autism: Communication, Social, & Academic Development
Pivotal Response Treatments for Autism