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?
Pick of the Week: Seasons Flashcards
As Summer has turned into Fall, it’s important for children to understand the changes that come along with the shifting of the seasons. This deck of Seasons Flashcards shows the activities of each season and what clothes we wear so that children understand how the things we do both inside and outdoors are affected by the time of year. The included cards depict how we snuggle under the covers in the winter cold or splash in the pool in the summer heat. With Autumn in full swing, this is the perfect time to introduce this concept.
To save 15% this week only on the Seasons cards, enter the Promo Code BLOGSF11 at checkout.
*Offer expires on October 25, 2011 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: Small Steps, Big Skills Video Modeling Game
This week’s pick at a 15% discount is Small Steps, Big Skills which is an evidence-based video modeling game that teaches 22 skills for independence. The software combines Applied Behavior Analysis methods of video modeling and least-to-most prompting by having players watch the skill being completed and then practicing it in a game format. The interactive program rewards players with 8 fun games and shows a wide variety of materials to promote generalization skills. The skill areas covered in the program are: Helping in the Kitchen, Getting Ready for the Day, Helping at Home, Cafeteria Time, My Clean Room, and Time to Relax.
To save 15% on Small Steps, Big Skills this week only, enter the Promo Code BLOGSSBS at checkout.
*Offer expires on October 18, 2011 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: Winomino
This week’s pick at a 15% discount is Winomino, a colorful geometrical puzzle game that develops fine motor, visual spatial, and problem solving skills. The challenge is to find as many patterns as you can from the puzzle pieces shown on the card. This can be a 2-player game or adapted for one player. There are various levels of difficulty so you can adjust the game to over 900 possible puzzle combinations.
Save 15% on Winomino this week only by entering the Promo Code BLOGWOM at checkout.
*Offer expires on October 11, 2011 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.
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:
Pick of the Week: Music in my Mouth – Songs for Speech & Language Skills
This CD with 26 original songs and the accompanying manual are designed to be used by SLPs, early educators and families to teach and practice a variety of skills related to the development of communication skills. Competence in communication is essential to a child’s personal, social, and academic success. Each song equips children with the concepts, behaviors, and self-talk skills that support the development of speech, language and social interaction. The manual provides detailed tips on how to integrate the songs with other activities.
Save 15% on Music In My Mouth this week only by entering the Promo Code BLOGMMM at checkout.
*Offer expires on October 4, 2011 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: Laundry Jumble Game
The Laundry Jumble Game is our Pick today, being offered all week at a 15% discount. We LOVE this game! Beautifully illustrated cards with various animals tell users which article of clothing they need to find. Reach into the dryer to find the piece of clothing that matches the card using only your sense of touch. Make a match and you can keep your card. Watch out for the Skunk’s undies though! Draw that and you lose a card. This is a fun and engaging game that encourages tactile exploration and fine motor skills with laughter.
Save 15% on the Laundry Jumble Game this week only by entering the Promo Code BLOGLJ2 at checkout.
*Offer expires on September 27, 2011 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.
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
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.