Different Roads meets President Clinton! The UBS/CEO Mentorship Program Leads to the Creation of Different Roads to Learning App Tell Me About It!

Posted on by

It’s been a really exciting few months here at Different Roads to Learning and we wanted to share some of the highlights with you. Different Roads to Learning was one of ten small businesses selected for the CEO-UBS Small Business Advisory Program, a philanthropic partnership between UBS Wealth Management Americas and the William J. Clinton Foundation. Our App – Tell Me About It! – was developed by the incredible and innovative talent at inFusion, and is a product of this program.

The entire process was really exhilirating for all of us here. As a small business, we gained so much incredible knowledge and had the opportunity to work with a team of gifted individuals. And to top it all off, our App was unveiled at a dinner where we had the privilege of meeting President Clinton! That was a truly exciting night for all of us.

Julie and Abigail meet President Clinton along with our mentors Amy Butte and Sharon Sager

At the dinner, they even showed a short video about the making of Tell Me About It! which we wanted to share with you here. Along with interviews and demos, you’ll learn about how and why we created this App for children with Autism and a bit more about Different Roads in general. You can also read the full press release for Tell Me About it here. We hope you enjoy it!

 
 

We also wanted to share the absolutely wonderful reviews of Tell Me About It! that we’ve received thus far from trusted sites devoted to reviewing Apps for children and those with special needs:

Best Apps for Kids: https://bestappsforkids.com/2012/02/tell-me-about-it-learning-language-by-receptive-funtion-feature-category/

I Heart This App: https://iheartthisapp.com/tell-me-about-it-an-app-to-teach-labelling-to-a-child/

Special Apps, Special Kids: https://specialappsspecialkids.blogspot.com/2012/02/app-review-tell-me-about-it-different.html

 

Tell Me About It! App Press Release, Page 1

Tell Me About It! App Press Release, Page 2

Call for Conferences & Workshops

Posted on by

We strive to help our readers be informed about upcoming conferences, workshops, and trainings on ABA, Verbal Behavior and Speech-Language Therapy. If you know of an event that will help parents and educators of children with autism or other developmental delays, please let us know about it! No matter how big or how small. You can email info about your event to abigail@difflearn.com.

We’re always happy to send catalogs or a door prize for your attendees so don’t hesitate to contact us. Help us help our parents and teachers educate and inspire!

We’ll let our readers know about your event on our Facebook and Twitter pages as well as on our site where we keep a running list of upcoming conferences at https://www.difflearn.com/events.

Pick of the Week: The ABA Graphing CD

Posted on by

ABA, Discrete Trial Teaching, Verbal Behavior Analysis, Natural Environment Teaching, and Incidental Teaching Programs share one necessary common feature: Data collection and analysis! The process of translating collected data to interpretable, organized, meaningful visual displays can be a daunting, time consuming task for behavior analysts, parents, and teachers. The ABA Graphing CD will help you save time while making professional behavioral graphs. It contains a preformatted Excel™ spreadsheet for 30 ABA programs; a step-by-step guide describing and showing screen shots; a daily Data Sheet; Monthly Data Sheet; and ASAP™ Preference Assessment Form.
The preformatted spreadsheet allows you to enter data for up to 30 different ABA programs. Entered data automatically updates an individualized graph for that program and instantly produces high quality behavioral graphs. Each program is preformatted for three different steps. The CD is compatible with both Windows and Macintosh operating systems.

This week only, save 15% on the ABA Graphing CD by entering the Promo Code BLOGABAG at checkout.

*Offer expires on March 6, 2012 at 11:59 pm EST. Not compatible with any other offer. Be sure there are no spaces after the Promo Code when you enter it at checkout.

Pick of the Week: Talk Blocks & Boards

Posted on by

We’ve loved these Talk Boards and Talk Blocks since we first laid eyes on them for the myriad possibilities they offer to fully customize a lesson or activity for each student. They’re designed to fit perfectly with the Basic Vocabulary, Alphabet, Kindergarten, and First Grade Vocabulary Photo Card Sets.

The Talk Boards  are double-sided with write-on/wipe-off surfaces and come in a set of 3. You can record a 10-second message for each one enabling you to get creative in endless, fun ways!

 

 

The Talk Blocks come in a set of 5, each a unique color, and you can record 30-seconds for each one to adapt activity instructions, assess or reinforce skills.

This week only, save 15% on all Talk Boards and Blocks as well as the 4 sets of Vocabulary Cards – Alphabet, Basic, Kindergarten and First Grade – by entering the Promo Code BLOGTBT2 at checkout.

 

*Offer expires on February 28, 2012 at 11:59 pm EST. Not compatible with any other offer. Be sure there are no spaces after the Promo Code when you enter it at checkout.

 

AUTISM PARTNERSHIP’S LATEST STUDY PROVES SUCCESS OF INTENSIVE THERAPY

Posted on by

AUTISM PARTNERSHIP’S LATEST STUDY REVEALS PROMISING TREATMENT RESULTS IN CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER

Historically considered a lifelong disorder, a new study published in “Education and Treatment of Children,” reveals that intensive behavioral treatment can have life-changing results for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. (www.autismpartnership.com)

 

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has been regarded as an extremely serious disorder that severely impacts the lives of children and their families.  The prognosis has been bleak at best and the future was one of restricted opportunities. Although treatment based upon Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) has provided strong evidence as to its effectiveness, many of these studies fell under harsh scrutiny and were considered controversial across the field. However, a new study conducted by Autism Partnership to be published in Education and Treatment of Children answers many of these critiques and criticisms.

The study, which tracked 64 students ranging from age 1.5 to 8 years, spanned four countries – the United States, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong and Australia. Each child underwent an average of 22.5 hours of ABA treatment weekly (provided in schools, homes and clinics) for roughly 3.5 years. The results demonstrated that 45 out of the 64 children’s IQ’s increased an average of 22.5 points.  Such a significant increase demonstrates not only the effectiveness of intervention but is predictive of future success in school.  Moreover, these children were able to successfully participate in general education classrooms.

                “It is so gratifying to be part of life changing treatment which will enhance the quality of children and families lives,” says Dr. Ronald Leaf, lead author of this study.  “But parents should understand that this treatment is not a miracle nor is it easy.  It is a long journey, with ups and downs and numerous challenges to overcome. It requires everyone who touches the child’s life to work together in partnership.”

                Autism Partnership is one of the nation’s premier agencies dedicated to providing intensive behavior intervention for children with autism and their families. Established in 1994 by world-renowned psychologists Ron Leaf and John McEachin, Autism Partnership offers a comprehensive program and a variety of proven services, including in-home, in-classroom and one-on-one, as well as lectures and workshops. All programs are handled by expert staff and tailored to each individual child, family and caregiver, with the goal of helping that child achieve their best life. For more information, visit www.autismpartnership.com.

 

Pick of the Week: Getting Our Hands Ready Preschool Prep Kit

Posted on by

This kit prepares children for school by providing active, goal-directed play. Getting Our Hands Ready contains 10 playful games to establish good habits for learning handwriting and promoting proper grasp of pencils. Each item is specifically developed to improve fine motor coordination and the guidebook contains a series of multisensory activities to build the small muscles in hands and fingers. The kit comes with dough stampers, mini crayons, Mr. Crunch and other exclusive pieces.

This week, save 15% on the Getting Our Hands Ready Kit. We’re even going to extend the discount to the other two kits in the series: Snip, Glue & Grow Kit as well as the double kit Following Directions & ABC’s and Simple Shapes Kit. To redeem your savings on any of these three kits, enter the Promo Code BLOGHWGK at checkout.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Offer expires on February 21, 2012 at 11:59 pm EST. Not compatible with any other offer. Be sure there are no spaces after the Promo Code when you enter it at checkout.

Tell Me About It! Sweepstakes – Win A Free Copy of Our New App!

Posted on by

 Different Roads to Learning is thrilled to offer you the chance to win a free copy of our latest iPhone/iPad App for teaching language to students with Autism or speech and language delays: Tell Me About It! Learning Language by Receptive Function, Feature & Category. This special offer ends on February 17, 2012 at 11:59 PM EST.

 Tell Me About It! teaches the label, category, function, and features of more than 235 language targets over 6 levels of incremental difficulty with over 1000 unique testable attributes. The presentation of each language target conforms to an Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) discrete trial program, with reinforcement provided by a token economy system. Once the user collects the given number of tokens, they are rewarded with an adorable 5-10 second animation clip of the token character.

 Tell Me About It! provides a self-contained discrete trial program that error corrects and provides direct reinforcement to the student while collecting and synthesizing data for up to 10 students. There is a Student Report Card in the format of a data sheet that displays data for each student, with an option to email the results.

For complete details on our sweepstakes and to enter, click here! 

Currently, our new app Tell Me About It!is being sold in the iTunes store for $9.99. You have the chance to win it for free by entering our Sweepstakes!

 To learn more about Tell Me About It!, visit the store in iTunes by clicking here! 

 

Pick of the Week: Music In My Mouth Manual & CD

Posted on by

Music In My Mouth presents 26 original songs along with a user’s manual that have been designed by speech-language pathologists, early childhood educators, and families to teach and practice the skills for developing communication skills. Competence in communication is essential for a child’s personal, social, and academic success. The songs target sound production, language skills, fluency, social communication and play skills. The 64-page manual provides tips on how to integrate the songs in individual therapy sessions, group speech therapy, in the classroom, at home, or even in the car.

This week, save 15% on Music In My Mouth by entering the Promo Code BLOGMIM2 at checkout.

*Offer expires on February 14, 2012 at 11:59 pm EST. Not compatible with any other offer. Be sure there are no spaces after the Promo Code when you enter it at checkout.

The Art of Alex Masket

Posted on by


A friend of ours recently introduced us to the art of Alex Masket and we were so blown away by his talent and process, we wanted to share it with all of you. Alex is 24 years old and has severe autism, which greatly inhibits his ability to communicate verbally. According to his website, Alex is a “completely self-taught artist whose work is focused on the interaction of color and form. Utilizing various media in unorthodox ways to realize his vision, Alex has a wholly individualistic process, creating pieces that are intricately composed and beautifully balanced. Alex throws his whole body into his creations, using a highly kinetic process akin to drumming.”

 

The United Nations Postal Administration is issuing stamps in recognition of World Autism Day on April 2, 2012. The goal is for the stamps, and the artists who designed them, to raise awareness about what is now a global cause. has chosen Alex’s Lego® composition “Kinetic Blue” as one of eight images in its Autism Awareness commemorative stamp series. You can read more about all of the stamps and the artists in the UN Press release here.

In addition, Dennis Connors created a must-see award-winning short documentary about Alex and his work titled Breaking Boundaries: the Art of Alex Masket. You can see the trailer below and the full film on Alex’s website at alexmasket.com.


We hope you enjoy and are as moved by the art of Alex as we are.

Share Your Experience: Call for Photos

Posted on by
 
 
Would you like to be featured in the next Different Roads catalog? We’d love to shine a spotlight on you and your child’s journey. Send us a photo of your students using your favorite product from Different Roads. Or send us one that captures your child’s triumphs, both large and small. We’ll be honoring your experience in our next issue.
 
If you’re interested in participating, send a photo with your name and contact information to abigail@difflearn.com with the subject line CATALOG PHOTO.