“My Child Has Autism: How Do I Get Insurance?” Webchat

This is an upcoming webchat from Autism Speaks. At the last time I checked, there wasn't a link available yet to register for the chat session, but more information is here: http://blog.autismspeaks.org/2012/02/22/lorri-chat/ . The date of the chat is Monday, Feb. 27th at 8 p.m. Eastern time (7 Central/6 Mountain/5 Pacific).

Ways to Increase Communication and Language

A tipsheet from Sandbox Learning.

http://www.sandbox-learning.com/FileLib/Ways_to_Increase_Communication_Article.pdf

Autism Speaks Sleep Toolkit

Autism Speaks has just released its sleep toolkit! Here's their description: "Many children with ASD have difficulty with sleep. This can be stressful for children and their families. This informational booklet is designed to provide parents with strategies to improve sleep in their child affected by autism spectrum disorders (ASD)."

http://www.autismspeaks.org/science/resources-programs/autism-treatment-network/tools-you-can-use/sleep-tool-kit

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Sleep Difficulties and Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Guide for Parents and Professionals

Ideas for Parent-Teacher Conferences

Not autism-specific, but this is a helpful resource for teachers. From the Council for Exceptional Children Tool of the Week.

http://www.tooloftheweek.org/2011/11/ideas-for-parent-teacher-conferences.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=subscriber

New to Autism? Click here for resources!

Teaching Children to Practice Acts of Kindness

A tipsheet from Sandbox Learning. http://www.sandbox-learning.com/FileLib/Acts_of_Kindness.pdf

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Be Polite and Kind


Reach Out and Give

Teaching Children to Understand and Respond to Feelings

A skill sheet from Sandbox Learning. http://www.sandbox-learning.com/FileLib/Teaching_Feelings.pdf

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Mister Rogers' Neighborhood: What Do You Do with the Mad That You Feel?

Arizona Residents: Special Screening of Temple Grandin Film

The Studio Movie Grill presents the 2nd in its film series -- REEL DOCS. Through mentoring and sheer will, a young autistic woman succeeds against the odds -- HBOFilms presents "Temple Grandin." FREE ADMISSION.


Join Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC) for this special presentation, followed by discussion/Q&A with Daniel Openden Ph.D., BCBA-D, SARRC's Vice President of Clinical Services, and Paige Rogers MSW, CPRP, SARRC's Vocational & Life Skills Academy Director. The discussion will focus on what children and young people within the autism spectrum can do when their abilities are recognized and nurtured, and the potential for transition into the workplace.

When: Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 6:30pm

Where: Studio Movie Grill Scottsdale, 15515 N. Hayden Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85260

Cost: FREE

IMPORTANT: Seating is limited to the first 200 registrants! Registration info here: http://www.autismcenter.org/event_details.aspx?id=607

Buy the DVD from Amazon.com, and Amazon will donate a percentage of the price to Positively Autism!

Sensory Friendly Film - Feb. 18 and 25

Please note that not all of these movies have free admission. Contact the theaters for pricing and ticket information.

From the Autism Society of America:
The Secret World of Arrietty
February 25
10 a.m. local time
More information: http://www.autism-society.org/get-involved/events/sensory-friendly-films/
Find a theatre: http://www.autism-society.org/get-involved/events/sensory-friendly-films/theatres
 
From Studio Movie Grill:
Journey 2: Mysterious Island (PG)
Date: Sat., 2/18/2012
Time: 11:00am
Locations: ALL SMG LOCATIONS
Admission: Special Needs children and their siblings are free. Adult: Regular Price - Purchased @ the Box Office ONLY
More information: http://www.studiomoviegrill.com/theaters/familyfunimages/variety.html

Valentine Social Story and Activities

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day! My kids have been really enjoying our Valentine's Day unit with the fun train theme activities! Even if your child doesn't like trains, check out the Social Story, folder games, and other activities on our free Valentine's Day activitiy page!
http://www.positivelyautism.com/free/valentineunit.html

Valentine Train Theme Activities

Just a reminder about Positively Autism's free valentine activities. Includes a Social Story, a train story, sorting games, a folder game, and more!

http://www.positivelyautism.com/free/valentineunit.html

Valentine Craft Communication Board

Another great resource from Tinsnips. http://www.tinsnips.org/Media/valentine/valentineboard.pdf

More valentine social stories, activities, and flashcards are available at our Valentine's Day activity page: http://www.positivelyautism.com/free/valentineunit.html

Valentine's Day Social Story

A brief sample Social Story on Valentine’s Day from Carol Gray’s book, “The New Social Story Book.”

Read the sample Social Story from Google Books

Positively Autism also has a Valentine's Day Social Story on our valentine activities page: http://www.positivelyautism.com/free/valentineunit.html

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(Original Book)


(Updated 2010 Edition)

Valentine's Day Addition

Worksheets from Tinsnips.

Valentine Object Adding: http://www.tinsnips.org/Media/valentine/Add%20Valentines%20Folder%20Game.pdf

Heart Adding: http://www.tinsnips.org/Media/valentine/addhearts.pdf

Want free autism training? Check out Positively Autism's free autism and ABA tutorials!

Valentine Reading Comprehension

A short reading and writing comprehension exercise about Valentine's Day. From Tinsnips. http://www.tinsnips.org/Media/valentine/Valentine%20Comprehension.pdf

Subscribe to Positively Autism's monthly newsletter to get free tips and teaching resources for students with Autism! http://www.positivelyautism.com/signup/

Valentine Describing Game

A game from Speaking of Speech to work on prepositions, asking questions, describing, and more.

Directions: http://www.speakingofspeech.com/uploads/ValentineDirections.pdf
Game Board 1: http://www.speakingofspeech.com/uploads/ValentineGame1.pdf
Game Board 2: http://www.speakingofspeech.com/uploads/ValentineGame2.pdf
Game Board 3: http://www.speakingofspeech.com/uploads/ValentineGame3.pdf

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Thomas in Town: Valentine's Day in Vicarstown

Valentine's Day GF Sugar Cookie Recipe

I'm not sure if this recipe is also casein free, so be sure the check the ingredients if you are GFCF.

http://autismaspergerssyndrome.suite101.com/article.cfm/valentines_day_glutenfree_sugar_cookies

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Valentine's Day Is... by Gail Gibbons