It’s amazing that a whole new market of educational tools have popped up in the market for educating individuals with ASD. In the last few months, there have been so many apps for autism to choose from that it’s difficult for parents and teachers to navigate and find the ones that will work best for their particular child. There are now entire sites dedicated to showcasing various Apps and describing them in detail to help you narrow your choices. Check out today’s Gadgetwise column in the NY Times for the list of 4 sites so you can make wiser choices for your student.
Category Archives: In the News
Autism Moms Have Stress Similar To Combat Soldiers
We came across this article from a few years ago but thought that the content was certainly still relevent: mothers of adolescents and adults with autism have stress levels that match that of soliders in combat!? According to the study reported in the Disability Scoop, mothers of children with autism spent a greater portion of their day caregiving, were twice as likely to be tired and three times as likely to have experienced a stressful event compared to mothers of children without disabilities. In addition, their bloodwork indicated that a hormone associated with stress was very low, consistent with people experiencing chronic stress such as soldiers in combat.
That said, the mothers in the group were just as likely as their peers to report a positive experience, volunteer their time and help out their friends, in spite of more stress and less sleep. How much more amazing can one group of people be?
As parents, particularly, the moms out there, do you feel you’re able to manage your stress effectively? Do you have any advice for other parents out there?
People with Disabilities to Vote with iPad
The state of Oregon provided iPads to voters with disabilities who may find it difficult to use a paper ballot in Tuesday’s election. The program is being tested and if successful, will continue in January. Read more about this initiative in the Disability Scoop.
Apps for Autism on 60 Minutes
CBS just aired an interesting segment on apps for individuals with autism and communicating with the iPad. You can watch the entire segment here:
There’s also an interesting follow-up segment interviewing teachers who feel the apps for people with autism are “overblown”:
Are you using apps with your students with ASD? If so, which ones? What do you think the value of the iPad and other tablets is to the learning needs of the autism population?
No TV for Children Under 2, Doctors’ Group Urges
According to this article in the NY Times, the American Academy of Pediatrics has issued a statement that watching television or videos is discouraged for babies younger than 2 because studies suggest it could harm their development. These are the first guidelines issues by the AAP in more than a decade. What do you think of the AAP statement?
Special Needs Talk Radio has debuted!
Coffee Klatch, a corporation dedicated to providing resources and educational programs for families with special needs children, has a new sister company called Special Needs Talk Radio which features interviews with leading experts, advocates and more in the field of Special Needs. Special Needs Talk Radio debuted on September 6 and will present six new shows hosted by twelve different moderators. This new network is aimed at providing parents with the most current news and information covering a wide range of special education topics.
The network will present six shows that will be broadcasted weekly and are currently scheduled to run through mid-October. They cover topics from Parenting Issues, Raising children with ASD, Special Education and the Law, Inclusion and more. The website also offers interactive features that allow users to be actively engaged in the content by suggesting topics, making comments, and asking questions that can be answered during the live shows.
To find the show schedule and to learn more about each program and upcoming guests, visit:
25% OFF SALE! Today and Tomorrow Only
Today marks the official start of Autism Awareness month and Different Roads to Learning is kicking things off by offering a 25% storewide sale* today and tomorrow only!!!! To redeem your savings, enter the Promo Code WAAD11 at checkout at www.difflearn.com. The sale runs April 1 and 2, 2011 until 11:59 pm EST. Don’t miss out on our biggest sale of the year, celebrating Autism Awareness and education.
VB MAPP Assessment Kits (DRK 700, DRK 701), 10-Pack (DRB 682) & 25-Pack (DRB 683) of VB MAPP Protocols, ABLLS-R Assessment Kits (DRK 702, DRK 703)*
**The coupon code WAAD11 must be entered during checkout to receive offer. Offer only applies to selected products and not those currently on sale. Your order must be placed during the time of the World Autism Awareness Day Sale to qualify for this special offer. This promotion cannot be redeemed on previous orders placed. This promotional offer may not be combined with any other promotional or discount offers. Offer valid on www.difflearn.com only.
Walks for Autism
With Autism Awareness Month just around the corner, there are loads of walks to raise awareness and money. Here are just a few across the country. We encourage everyone to participate! Let us know about any others going on near you.
Organization for Autism Research (OAR)
Whether you are a runner, walker, donor or volunteer, your contribution makes you part of OAR’s Run for Autism team and helps create awareness for the cause. When you raise money for OAR’s autism research, more than $.87 of every dollar you raise will directly fund research studies that help answer some of autism’s most pressing questions.
Run for Autism 2011 Events Schedule:
March 20, 2011- New York City Half Marathon
April 16, 2011- Blue Ridge Marathon and Half Marathon
May 14, 2011- Rite Aid Cleveland 5K presented by OAR
May 15, 2011- Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon, Half Marathon & Marathon Relay
May 15, 2011- Chloe K 5K Run Rock Ride
May 15, 2011- Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K
* If the race you are interested in isn’t on this list, you can still run and raise money for autism research through OAR’s iRun For Autism program. You can sign up for one of OAR’s charity partner events or any other event of your choice through their Run America and Tri for Autism programs.
For more information about these events, please visit: https://www.firstgiving.com/OAR
Easter Seals Disability Services’ Walk With Me
April 2. 2011 (7:30am)- Grapevine Mills Mall, TX
The indoor walk will unite hundreds of Dallas/ Fort Worth area participants at Grapevine Mills Mall to raise funds for Easter Seals services, drive awareness of issues affecting the disability community, and change the lives of individuals and families living with disabilities.
For more information about this event, please visit: www.ntx.easterseals.com
Variety the Children’s Charity 5th Annual Autism Walk for Awareness, Resources, and Education
April 3, 2011- Plymouth Meeting, PA
Variety will hold its 5th annual Autism Walk in the Plymouth Meeting Mall on April 3rd to benefit Variety’s Autism Resource Center. Families, schools, companies, and individuals will join together to raise money for this resource center that provides immediate support to children and youth with autism in our community. This event also has the support of the Autism Society of America, who is proud to support Variety’s fifth annual walk for Autism.
For more information or to register for this event, please visit:
https://variety.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=465730
Caldwell College’s 2nd Annual 5K Run/Walk for Autism
April 16, 2011- Caldwell, NJ
Calwell College hosts this annual event to help raise public awareness of autism. In addition, this race will help raise funds for Caldwell College’s on-campus Center for Autism and Applied Behavior Analysis. This state-of-the-art facility allows Caldwell College to serve the needs of hundreds of individuals with autism and help them and their families to lead more satisfying and productive lives.
For more information or to register for this event, please visit:
https://www.caldwellcollege5krun.com/home.php
Northwestern Pennsylvania Autism Society’s 10th Walk
April 30, 2011- Presque Isle State Park, PA
ASA-NWPA is organizing this two-mile walk to increase awareness of autism, to support national research, and to fund projects and activities for individuals with autism in our community. Everyone is invited to participate, including the children. You may rollerblade and bring strollers or wagons. They’ll have the jumping inflatables (weather permitting), face painting, theme basket auction and autism merchandise booth. Snacks and drinks will be available. Lunch (hot dog and chips) will be provided to 1,000 participants.
For more information or to register for this event, please visit: https://www.nwpa-asa.org/WalkInformation.asp
Walk Now for Autism Speaks
Walk Now for Autism Speaks is a fun-filled, family friendly event and is Autism Speaks’ single most powerful force to fund vital research that will lead them to the answers we need. Thousands will be united by a single cause by joining Walk Now for Autism Speaks. Participants will not only raise funds, but become a part of a fun and supportive family focused community. Participants are also welcome to join their new “Grand Club” (walkers that raise $1,000 or more).
For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.walknowforautismspeaks.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=443494
Upcoming Walks for Autism Speaks:
2011 Walk Now for Autism Speaks: Greater Hartford
East Hartford, CT- Sunday, June 5, 2011
2011 Walk Now for Autism Speaks: Treasure Coast
Port St. Lucie, FL – Saturday, April 2, 2011
2011 Walk Now for Autism Speaks: West Texas
Abilene, TX – Saturday, April 2, 2011
2011 Walk Now for Autism Speaks: Broward County
Fort Lauderdale-Davie, FL – Saturday, April 9, 2011
2011 Walk Now for Autism Speaks: Cumberland Tri-State
Cumberland, MD – Saturday, April 9, 2011
2011 Walk Now For Autism Speaks: Sonoma
Windsor, CA – Saturday, April 9, 2011
To find a Walk for Autism Speaks in your neighborhood, please visit:
https://www.walknowforautismspeaks.org/site/c.igIRL6PIJrH/b.4356939/k.BF85/Home.htm
Congress To Consider Parent Financial Burden In IDEA Cases
Parents who challenge schools over a child’s IEP are currently responsible for the cost of expert witnesses in due process cases no matter if they win or lose, but a bill introduced in Congress would change that. Read more on the Disability Scoop.
Defining ‘Essential’ Care
With healthcare reform underway, this article in the Wall Street Journal highlights the differences between habilitative services and rehabilitative services and how those definitions will impact future insurance coverage. The article specifically looks at coverage for children with Autism and whether early intervention services will be covered or considered reimbursable expenses. More specifically, if services defined as habilitative are indeed covered, families would be entitled to behavioral therapy as well as speech and OT. Opponents claim that the costs would be too high. What are your thoughts on the issue?