Win a Copy of Carol Gray's New Social Story Book

Autism Speaks is offering a chance to win a copy of Carol Gray's New Social Story Book. I've attended training with Carol Gray, and her methods have been very helpful to me as a teacher of students with Autism. I highly recommend her work!

Here's the info from the Autism Speaks newsletter: "Share a clever Social Story(TM) with us and you may win a copy of Carol Gray's New Social Story Book, the revised and expanded 10th anniversary edition. E-mail your Social Story to familyservices@autismspeaks.org !"

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Autism Awareness Activity Book (10 pages)

April is Autism Awareness Month. Here's an activity book of activities related to Autism awareness. Activities include a crossword puzzle, bookmarks to cut out, and an Autism awareness ribbon coloring page.

http://homeschooling.about.com/od/freeprintables/ss/autismprint.htm

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Autism Awareness Magnet

Assistive Speech iPad App

According to the Verbally website, "Verbally is the first free iPad app to provide a complete assistive speech solution for creative communication." More information and pictures of the app can be found at http://verballyapp.com/

Jacob's Lessons - Free Online Games

Games designed by a behavior analyst for children with autism. Includes labeling, opposites, reading, etc.

http://www.jacobslessons.com/

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101 Games and Activities for Children With Autism, Asperger’s and Sensory Processing Disorders

"Guess How I Feel" Game Giveaway

ImaginationSoup is offering a chance to win the game "Guess How I Feel." A review of the game and a instructions on entering the contest are here: http://imaginationsoup.net/2011/03/guess-how-i-feel-feelings-game-giveaway/

Buy the game from Amazon.com:

Cooking Words Flash Cards

Flashcards (with photos and text) of common objects used when cooking (such as pot holder and baking pan). From Tinsnips.org.

Each link contains two photo flash cards.
Set 1: http://www.tinsnips.org/Media/cooking/cookpix1.pdf
Set 2: http://www.tinsnips.org/Media/cooking/cookpix2.pdf
Set 3: http://www.tinsnips.org/Media/cooking/cookpix3.pdf
Set 4: http://www.tinsnips.org/Media/cooking/cookpix4.pdf
Set 5: http://www.tinsnips.org/Media/cooking/cookpix5.pdf
Set 6: http://www.tinsnips.org/Media/cooking/cookpix6.pdf
Set 7: http://www.tinsnips.org/Media/cooking/cookpix7.pdf

Symposium on Autism Spectrum Disorders - Colorado State University

I'm posting Wednesday's freebie early, because I just found out about it and the event starts tomorrow:

"Colorado State is hosting a two-day symposium focused on the unique needs of students with Autism Spectrum Disorders in the higher education environment. The symposium hopes to engage parents and teaching professionals, to help students as well as faculty and staff succeed in the classroom and on campus."

Wednesday and Thursday, March 23-24
Lory Student Center
Free, open to public
 
More information: http://www.colostate.edu/events/autism-spectrum-symposium.aspx

Online Autism Conference

I received an e-mail about this free conference, so I thought I'd pass the information along. It is in its second year, but I have never attended and don't know much about how it works. It looks like it has a great lineup of speakers, including Temple Grandin as the keynote speaker. Please feel free to post a comment if you want to share any experience you've had with this conference.

http://www.momsfightingautism.com/online-autism-conference-2011/register/

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The Way I See It: A Personal Look at Autism and Asperger's by Temple Grandin

Autism Fact Sheets in Multiple Languages

A listing of Autism fact sheets and information in many languages including Arabic, Chinese, French, Korean, Russian, Vietnamese, and others. From Philly Health Info.org.

http://www.phillyhealthinfo.org/index.php/health_topics/more_information/Autism/Non-English%20Resources/

Autism Cares Financial Support Grants

I just found out about this program in an e-mail from Autism Speaks.

"Financial Support Awards provide financial relief up to $1,000 for individuals with ASD and their families to help cover costs associated with critical living expenses such as housing, utilities, car repair, funeral expenses, and other essential items on a case-by-case basis."

NEXT APPLICATION DEADLINE: MARCH 22, 2011

http://www.autismcares.org/

Potty Training Charts

Potty training charts with a visual icon for each task.

Boy: http://www.freeprintablebehaviorcharts.com/Potty%20Charts%20PDF/potty%20chart%20boy.pdf

Girl: http://www.freeprintablebehaviorcharts.com/Potty%20Charts%20PDF/potty%20chart%20girl.pdf

Special Needs Movie Screening - Free Child's Ticket

Mars Needs Moms (PG)

Date: Sat., 3/19/2010
Time: 11:00am
Locations: All Studio Movie Grill Locations
Admission: Children with special needs - FREE / Adult: Regular Price Purchased @ the Box Office ONLY

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

"Studio Movie Grill is pleased to offer regular Special Needs Screenings for families raising children with special needs, and thanks to its partnership with Variety the Children’s Charity of Texas & Land-O-Lake has been able to present these screenings free to all children for the past 5 years. The program gives these special families an opportunity to enjoy a family-friendly feature in a safe and warm environment. Auditoriums are adjusted with lights a little brighter, sound a little softer and no one minds if audience members dance, sing, shout or walk about during the movie and families can feel relaxed and comfortable enjoying the movie experience together."

Tone of Voice Lesson Plan/Materials

From SpeakingofSpeech.com: "Lesson plan and material for students working on pragmatics. This lesson discusses the importance of tone of voice and how it can affect a conversation."

Teacher copy: http://www.speakingofspeech.com/uploads/Tone_of_Voice1.pdf
Student copy: http://www.speakingofspeech.com/uploads/Tone_of_Voice2.pdf

Spring Break Social Story

A social story with PECS images about spring break, including why school is closed, how the daily routine may be different, and some activities that may be done during spring break. From Slater Software.

http://www.slatersoftware.com/spring%20break%20social%20story.pdf

Sensory Friendly Film - March 12

Not really free, but a great deal.

"AMC Theatres (AMC) and the Autism Society have teamed up to bring families affected by autism and other disabilities a special opportunity to enjoy their favorite films in a safe and accepting environment on a monthly basis with the 'Sensory Friendly Films' program.


In order to provide a more accepting and comfortable setting for this unique audience, the movie auditoriums will have their lights brought up and the sound turned down, families will be able to bring in their own gluten-free, casein-free snacks, and no previews or advertisements will be shown before the movie. Additionally, audience members are welcome to get up and dance, walk, shout or sing - in other words, AMC’s “Silence is Golden®” policy will not be enforced unless the safety of the audience is questioned.
 
Tickets are $4-6 depending on location and can be purchased on the day of the event.
Upcoming Shows - March 12: Mars Needs Moms"

More info: http://support.autism-society.org/site/PageServer?pagename=sensoryfilms

Find a Theatre: http://support.autism-society.org/site/PageServer?pagename=sensoryfilms#theatres

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Social Story: The Restaurant and the Movies

Shamrock Matching Folder Game

Color Match Folder Game (Shamrock Theme) - You color in the circles yourself, or you could make it a different matching game by writing numbers, upper/lowercase letters, etc. in the circles. From childcareland.com.

http://www.earlylearningactivities.com/PDF/shamrockcolorffgame.pdf

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St. Patrick's Day in the Morning by Eve Bunting

St. Patrick's Day Vocabulary Game

St. Patrick's Day vocabulary picture cards that could be used for games, matching, flash cards, lessons, etc. From Slater Software.

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

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Easter Seals State Autism Profiles

State by state information on demographics, state services, insurance information, and education links.

http://www.easterseals.com/site/PageServer?pagename=ntlc8_autism_state_profiles

Great Sale from Autism Asperger Publishing

Okay, this isn't a freebie, but I thought this was a great opportunity. AAPC is having a warehouse sale, and is offering around 30 of their books for $5 each.

Here's the list of book available: http://www.aapcpublishing.net/warehousesalemar

Here's how to order: online at http://www.aapcpublishing.net/, fax in your order at 913.681.9473, or call 913.897.1004.

The sale runs from March 7 - 11.

Social Story: When Mom is on the Phone

A story about being quiet while a parent is talking on the phone. Note that this story does not include information on what to do if there is an emergency and it necessary to interrupt the person on the phone. You can edit the story to add this information, or you can write it as a separate story if this is a skill you are working on teaching. I would also suggest editing some of the pictures from the story with your own photos if this would be helpful for your child.

http://www.positivelyautism.com/downloads/socialstory_momonphone.doc

Temple Grandin Coloring Book

Temple Grandin: My Life in Pictures
A Coloring Book for Children about Autism
By Mary Carpenter
Illustrated by autistic artists from the Project Onward initiative

http://images.barnesandnoble.com/pImages/resources/pdf/temple_grandon_book.pdf

Here's one of my favorite quotes from the book:

"Temple’s mother tells her: 'Be proud you are different.' Even if you don’t do well in school or have a lot of friends, you can still be good at many things.

Using her special talents, Temple becomes a scientist working hard to improve the lives of cows."

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Fire Fighter Protective Clothing Tour

An interactive website with photos and text regarding the clothing that fire fighters wear. I've worked with several students who were very fearful of all of the gear, but have become more comfortable when given information like this. Having a fire fighter visit our school and talk about the gear was also very helpful in overcoming some of these fears.

http://www.ci.davis.ca.us/fire/pct/

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Social Skills Toolbox

A great resource from Do2Learn. Includes social stories, social articles, and teaching tips for a variety of social skills and situations including responding to questions, taking turns, waiting, and tone of voice.

http://www.do2learn.com/organizationtools/SocialSkillsToolbox/index.htm

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The New Social Story Book