Pick of the Week: Time Timer

You’re probably all familiar with the excellent Time Timer. These visual timers have been a staple at home and in classrooms for students with special needs for years now. This week, save 15% on all three sizes of the Timer Timer: 3-inch, 8-inch and 12-inch. The Time Timer is ideal for transitions, scheduling, getting ready and so much more.

Save 15% on the Time Timer today through April 5 by entering the promo code BLOGTTR at checkout.

*Offer expires on April 5, 2011 at 11:59 pm EST. Not compatible with any other offer.

Pick of the Week: MotivAider

Save 15% this week only on the invaluable MotivAider. The MotivAider is a simple electronic device that vibrates at timed intervals to provide an individual with a private prompt to engage in a specific behavior. It can be programmed to vibrate on a fixed or variable schedule at different duration and intensity levels. The MotivAider is a fantastic tool that can be used to manage a wide variety of behaviors and scheduling issues for individuals of all ages.

Save 15% on the MotivAider today through March 29 by entering the promo code BLOGMVR at checkout.

*Offer expires on March 29, 2011 at 11:59 pm EST. Not compatible with any other offer.



Pick of the Week: Rainbow Sorting Crayons

Save 15% this week on our wonderful Rainbow Sorting Crayons. This charming sorting kit contains 48 manipulatives sorted by color into 8 large crayon containers. Use the objects for patterning, counting, color identification, 2-D to 3-D matching and language development.

Save 15% on the Rainbow Sorting Crayons through March 22 by entering the promo code BLOGRCX at checkout.

*Offer expires on March 22, 2011 at 11:59 pm EST. Not compatible with any other offer.

Special Playdate

Specialplaydate.com helps parents connect with others to arrange play dates in their local communities. The site enables users to find a playdate for loved ones with or without special needs to create opportunities for them to build social and communication skills while making friends. Check out their site to learn more!

Apps for Children with Special Needs

For all you technophiles who are loving using the iPad with your students and children, this website – Apps for Children with Special Needs – is going to knock your socks off. They’re completely on top of all the new educational apps coming out. They list each one, explaining their features in detail and even provide a video of the app in use so you can decide if it’s right for you before shelling out the money. This is a GREAT site that we highly recommend!

Upcoming Conferences on Autism and Special Education

Here are some upcoming conferences on Autism across the country. The conferences cover a broad range of topics for learners at different levels and are geared towards both educational professionals and family members.

Queens College Developmental Disabilities QCDD Conference
March 25, 2011- Flushing, NY (Queens College)

The QCDD Conference is focussed on promoting research and effective services focused in the areas of advocacy, behavioral supports and interventions for people with developmental disabilities. Seminar topics include: Assessing the Effects of Behavioral Skills Training on Adult Teaching Responses, Learner Acquisition, and Learner Disruptive Behavior across Responses and Instructional Skill Sets; Effects of Behavioral Skills Training for Teaching Staff to Conduct Functional Analyses: A Component Analysis.

To register and for more information, visit: https://qcpages.qc.cuny.edu/Psychology/

Connecticut Families For Effective Autism Treatment’s (CT FEAT)
Advances in Autism in Connecticut
March 29, 2011- Hartford, CT (Gray Conference Center)

Attending this CT FEAT conference is an efficient way to keep current on the latest autism treatment developments. The new research often presented in such forums can take a long time finding its way into the mainstream of information. Topics will include: Behavior Management; Generalizing Requesting in Social Situations; Using Video Modeling to Teach Social Skills; Using iPad & iPod Applications for Communication.

To register for this event or for more information, please visit: https://www.ctfeat.org/conferences.htm

Los Ninos Services & Fordham University’s 8th Annual Young Child Expo & Conference 2011
April 7-8, 2011- New York, NY (New York Hotel Pennsylvania)

This event brings together top leaders to provide the latest information about essential topics in early childhood development. Early childhood professionals and parents will learn also about services, resources, and products to help all children reach their full potential. In one unique event, this conference integrates learning about typically developing children as well as those with special needs, including autism.

To register or for more information, please visit www.youngchildexpo.com

National Head Start Association’s (NHSA) 38th Annual Head Start Conference
April 4- 8, 2011- Kansas City, Missouri (Kansas City Convention Center)

This event offers targeted training and educational opportunities that enhance participants’ ability to deliver high-quality comprehensive services and optimize early childhood development by bridging the divide between theory and practice and equipping participants with the practical skills and essential knowledge needed to effectively address the many challenges they face in their professional roles. Carefully selected conference seminars and workshops highlight evidence-based methods and evolving knowledge in the early childhood field and provide an engaging forum for open, thoughtful, and candid discussions on a broad range of topics. Participants learn best practices, effective strategies, and cutting-edge approaches that keep them current with new advances and trends in the field.

To register or for more information on this event, please visit: https://www.nhsa.org/?e=events.detail&event_id=78


Council for Exceptional Childrens’
2011 Convention & Expo
April 25-28, 2011- National Harbor, MD (Gaylord National Hotel & Convention Center)

The CEC 2011 Convention & Expo is one of the largest professional gatherings of the special education community. This event offers you an experience with more than 800 sessions to help you learn the latest in evidence-based practices; explore innovative technologies, products, and services; and network with other professionals working with children with exceptionalities and their families. To register for this event or for more information, visit: 
http://www.cec.sped.org/Content/NavigationMenu/ProfessionalDevelopment/ConventionExpo/

Autism Research Institute’s 2011 Spring Conference (Formerly known as Defeat Autism Now!Conference)
April 28-May 1, 2011- Atlanta, GA (Renaissance Waverly Hotel)

This website is for physicians, researchers, and parents committed to finding biomedical effective treatments for autism. Exhibitors will provide attendees with a broad sampling of products and services that are specifically helpful to the autistic population.

To register for this event or for more information, please visit: https://www.ariconference.com/

Pick of the Week: Emotions Flashcards

Emotions Flashcards Sale You’re in luck because this week’s pick is a whole CATEGORY of products! We’re highlighting our wonderful Emotions flashcards this week and offering them to you at a 15% discount. Click here to see the full list of products on sale this week. There are basics such as the Emotions Language Cards which are an ideal introduction to teaching feelings to young learners as well as the more advanced Faces & Feelings Listening Lotto which is a creative way to work on auditory processing and emotions. With 9 different sets of Emotions Flashcards on sale this week, you’re sure to find a set that’s right for your child or student.

Today through March 1, visit Difflearn.com to save 15% on our Emotions Flashcards by entering the Promo Code BLOGEM22 at checkout.

 *Offer expires on March 1, 2011 at 11:59 pm EST. Not compatible with any other offer.

Discoveries Program at the NY Metropolitan Museum of Art

We just found out about this program and think it’s fantastic! Discoveries is a Sunday program offered at the Metropolitan Museum of Art for adults and children with learning and/or developmental disabilities and their friends and family members.  Each Discoveries workshop focuses on a theme and includes a gallery tour followed by a related art activity. The program is free of charge but advance reservations are necessary. Here’s the upcoming schedule:

Guitar Heroes: Legendary Craftsmen from Italy to New York
March 20
11 am – Ages 6-17
2 pm – Ages 18 and above

April 10
11 am – Ages 18 and above
2 pm – Ages 6-17

Rooms with a View: The Open Window in the 19th Century
May 1
11 am – Ages 18 and above
2 pm – Ages 6-17

May 15
11 am – Ages 6-17
2 pm – Ages 18 and above

Group Residences and Organizations:

The Museum offers customized programs for adult group residences and other agencies that serve adults with developmental disabilities.  For scheduling and fee information, call (212) 650-2010 or email access@metmuseum.org.

For anyone living in or visiting New York, the museum is an absolute  gem and a lovely place to spend a day roaming about. We’re thrilled about the Discoveries Program!

Pick of the Week: Community Helpers Listening Lotto

This week’s pick is the Community Helpers Listening Lotto at a 15% discount. This is a creative way to teach young learners about community helpers in their neighborhood. The 12 photographic game boards depict the mailman, firefighter, police officer, teacher and more. The audio CD asks players to “find the person on your game card that helps children learn to read and write.” This is a fun and interactive way to make the community come to life.

Today through February 22, visit our site at https://www.difflearn.com to save 15% on the Community Helpers Listening Lotto by entering the Promo Code BLOGCH3 at checkout.

 *Offer expires on February 22, 2011 at 11:59 pm EST. Not compatible with any other offer.

Help Line for Families with Special Needs Kids

The Mom2Mom help line was recently launched by the autism center and behavioral health care unit of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. The program seeks to offer caregiving moms peer counseling, clinical assessments and the resources and referrals they might need to locate services. Its founders recognize, however, that sometimes what a mother might need most is to talk to someone “who has walked a mile in their shoes,” said Cherie Castellano, program director for UMDNJ Behavioral Health Care.

This sounds like a great resource. With the preponderance of support available online, it’s nice to know there’s still a voice that understands a phone call away.