Tag Archives: learning

Pick of the Week: Trifold Literacy/Choice Board

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Do you ever need to make a quick transition during activities or when working with different students? This Trifold Literacy/Choice Board allows for 6 complete workable surfaces so that you can prearrange symbols on each and every side to ensure a quick and easy transition. The easel measures 4″ x 16″ and is made of the Veltex brand loop fabric so your picture symbols stick directly on to the board – no need for two sides of Velcro anymore! The versatile board can be used for choice-making, scheduling or for a sight word/story board for working on literacy skills.

This week only, save 15% on the Trifold Literacy/Choice Board by entering the Promo Code BLOGTFL3 at checkout.

*Offer expires on June 19, 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: Magic Moves Mic

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Can you stomp like a dinosaur? Wiggle like a worm? The Magic Moves Mic provides fun for all while promoting movement and gross motor activity while developing auditory processing skills. There are 90 fun, physical commands, twinkling lights, and 26 music tunes that get kids up, moving, listening and most of all, smiling.

This week only, save 15% on the Magic Moves Electronic Wand by entering the Promo Code BLOGMMW at checkout.

*Offer expires on June 5, 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: Earobics – Auditory Development & Phonics CD-Rom

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The Earobics CDs are well-known and excellently reviewed by both parents and professionals who use the program with their students. Earobics teaches the phonological awareness and auditory processing skills that are critical for learning how to read, speak and spell. Both Earobics Step 1 and Earobics Step 2 deliver interactive games over hundreds of levels to deliver extensive training and practice. The software automatically adjusts to the appropriate skill level of the user based on the correctness of the responses.

Both levels accommodate tracking and data collection for 2 players and one guest. Earobics Step 1 is recommended for children at a cognitive level of 4-7; Earobics Step 2 is recommended for ages 7-11.

This week only, save 15% on the Earobics Software by entering the Promo Code BLOGEA12 at checkout.

*Offer expires on May 29, 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: Save OVER $100 on the Language Builder Flashcard Bundle

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This is a fantastic deal and it won’t last long…The Language Builder Flashcard Bundle contains 3 sets of cards at savings of over $100! Normally, purchasing these top sellers individually costs $268.90 but this week only, wwe’re offering the Language Builder Picture Cards, Language Builder Picture Noun Cards Set 2, and the Photo Emotion Cards for $165.00 for ALL THREE! That’s over $100 in savings!

To take advantage of this amazing offer, you must click on the links above! This special offer is only available to you – our readers -for one week! The offer ends on Tuesday, May 22, 2012 at 11:59 pm EST. Since it’s an exclusive offer, you must follow the links on this post to access the Language Builder Picture Card Flashcard Bundle on our site.

The Language Builder Card Sets are the most widely used photo language flashcards for teaching key language concepts to children and adults with autism, developmental delays, or speech/language delays. All of the cards measure the same 3 1/2″ x 5″ so coordinating the flashcards is a breeze.

The Language Builder Picture Noun Cards contain 350 photographic flashcards for teaching key language concepts to children with autism or other speech and language delays. This set of vivid, beautiful noun cards was created by a parent and a therapist both personally experienced in the program needs of Applied Behavioral Analysis.
The set includes images in nine basic categories: Animals, Foods, Vehicles, Furniture, Clothing, Toys, Everyday Objects, Shapes and Colors. Stage One is comprised of 105 cards that present two identical images on non-distracting white backgrounds. These basic cards foster matching, labeling and categorization skills. The remaining cards round out Stage Two, which presents the images in their natural settings, enabling children to conceptualize and generalize.
In addition to fostering receptive and expressive language, these cards are also ideal for higher learning, including functions, story telling and more. On the back of each card is an easy to use system for tracking your child’s progress, including a list of possible program uses, with the date that each is introduced and mastered. Each set includes 57 foods, 39 animals, 27 vehicles, 31 clothing items, 24 furniture items, 39 familiar toys, 15 basic stages sets, 13 colors with duplicates, 12 shapes with duplicates and 83 additional objects familiar to your child.

 

The Language Builder Picture Noun Cards Set 2 is a 200-Card set of photographic cards that offers additional vocabulary for students who have mastered the original Language Builder. Categories include Body Parts, Safety Signs, Tools, and Musical Instruments, along with over 100 additional cards to expand your set. This set is great for labeling practice, as well as sorting, adjectives, functions, things that go together, storytelling and more.

 

 

 

 

The Language Builder Photo Emotions depict facial expressions and emotions by presenting various scenarios featuring men and women of various ages and ethnicities. This 80-Card set will help students identify and discuss different feelings and emotions. Half of the images are presented against a plain background, showing only the upper body and face, clearly depicting a single emotion. The remaining cards show people engaging in real activities and situations in natural settings and contexts. This invites discussion about a range of emotions, why people may feel a certain way, and possible responses to these feelings. For the convenience of the instructor, the back of each card is numbered, provides a label for the featured image, and lists suggested activities for which the card is targeted. An included activity booklet provides more detailed instruction ideas.

*This offer ends on Tuesday, May 22, 2012 at 11:59 pm EST.  You must click on the links above to access the Bundle on our website.

Pick of the Week: Clear Schedule with Token Strip

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This new Clear Schedule with Token Strip is ingenious! It combines the value of  a schedule board with a token economy system. You can keep learners on task with either images or actual objects as they move along their picture or written schedule. The clear pockets and Velcro strips can be used on both sides so planning and transitions are easy.

This week only, save 15% on the Clear Schedule with Token Strip by entering the Promo Code BLOGCST2 at checkout.

*Offer expires on May 15, 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: File Folder Activity Sets

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Every time we attend a conference, parents and teachers alike go wild over our File Folder Activity Sets. Gone are the days when you have to spend hours cutting out little shapes and laminating all of your cards…Now, it’s all done for you! Our File Folders tackle three areas of early skills: Letters, Colors & Shapes, and Numbers. Each kit is preassembled and contains 10 unique folders, stuctured around one main skill area. The kits contain various activities that use matching skills as the foundation for learning different skills.

This week, save 15% on the File Folder Activity Sets by entering the Promo Code BLOGFFA3 at checkout.

*Offer expires on May 1, 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.

Fostering Prosocial Behavior: A Guest Post by Terese Dana of TD Social Skills

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To get along with others successfully, people must exhibit prosocial behavior. Susan Fiske, a social psychologist, defines this as behavior intended to benefit others. It includes behaviors such as, helping, comforting, sharing, cooperating, reassuring, defending and showing concern. Prosocial behavior promotes positive interactions and friendships, and exhibiting these behaviors is considered part of the social norm.  Since prosocial behavior is expected, deficits in this area can lead to unfulfilled attempts at developing friendships.

Many children on the autism spectrum can spend much of their time intensely focusing on their own self-interests.  To enhance their social experiences they will need to learn how to include the interests and needs of others into their daily interactions. To increase prosocial behavior, complex cognitive and emotional competencies, along with specific social skills need to be developed.

Studies have shown video modeling to be an effective tool to teach many different skills and behaviors. Using video modeling DVDs that incorporate perspective taking can help children to understand WHY acting in ways that include the needs, concerns, and interests of others can lead to better friendships.  By viewing social interactions from multiple perspectives, children learn, through modeling, what they can do differently to get better outcomes when engaged in social exchanges.

Why does video modeling work?

  • Most children are highly motivated, interested and thus attentive to video
  • Most enjoy repeat viewings
  • It gives the student the opportunity to observe, discuss, imitate and learn skills and behaviors from peers
  • It is easier to implement and has been shown to be more effective then using live models
  • Many students on the spectrum are visual learners

“ I think in pictures. I do not think in language.  All my thoughts are like videotapes running in my imagination.  Pictures are my first language and words are my second language.”  – Temple Grandin, Ph.D, Teaching Tips for Children and Adults with Autism

Increasing social competency provides children with opportunities to interact with peers more successfully.  Video modeling has been shown to be a particularly effective way for children on the autism spectrum to not only gain skills but to generalize those skills as well.

Terese Dana, BCaBA, is a behavior analyst and social skills instructor who has been helping students find solutions to social, emotional, behavioral and organizational challenges since 1988. Ms. Dana consults for both school and home programs. She collaborated with Madison Elementary School, to establish the Madison Educational Center for Children (MECC) in Madison, NH.Ms. Dana is the creator of the Fitting In and Having Fun Video Modeling Program.  The DVD series includes: Fitting In and Having Fun, Moving On to Middle School and Confident and In Control. She has also created the File Factor Emotional Empowerment System, a tool that helps children regulate their behavior by teaching them how to identify, understand, express and control their emotions.  She is the author of the book, The File Factor; Filing Away Disappointment.

Ms. Dana has appeared on national television, in the New York Times and in The Autism Sourcebook, Everything You Need to Know About Diagnosis, Treatment, Coping and Healing.  She lectures across the country and is the autism consultant for Didi Lightful, a children’s television show currently in production.  Ms. Dana also serves as board President of The Laura Foundation for Autism and Epilepsy and in that role is creating the Laura Adaptive Sports and Recreation Center in Madison, NH.

20% Off Two Day Sale at Different Roads in honor of World Autism Awareness Day

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Save 20% Storewide*

at Different Roads to Learning

in honor of Autism Awareness Month

 To redeem your savings, enter Promo Code

WAAD12 at www.difflearn.com

or call us at 800-853-1057/ 212-604-9637

Sale valid today and tomorrow only! April 2-April 3, 2012 at 11:59 pm EST

 

 With the prevalence of autism now at an astonishing 1 in 88 children, awareness is more important than ever. Early diagnosis and intervention are proven to have a positive impact on a child’s outcome. All of our products support early intervention and Applied Behavior Analysis programs in the home and at school.

 

*Sale does NOT apply to the following products: VB-MAPP Assessment Kits (DRK 700, DRK 701), ABLLS-R Assessment Kits (DRK 702, DRK 703), 10- and 25-packs of VB-MAPP Protocols (DRB 682, DRB 683).*  

This promotion cannot be applied to previous orders. The coupon code 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 promotional offer may not be combined with any other promotional or discount offers. 

 

Pick of the Week: The Language of Perspective Taking

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Work on social language and help your students feel more comfortable in social situations as they learn to see things from someone else’s point of view with The Language of Perspective Taking. An important milestone in a child’s development is seeing things from the perspective of someone else. The ability to understand another’s point of view contributes to the development of pragmatic language and communication and is a cornerstone of literacy as well.  
This interactive workbook has pages for both students to work on and guides for teachers that explore emotions, empathy, and how feelings are affected by various factors and experiences.

This week only, save 15% on The Language of Perspective Taking by entering the promo code BLOGLPA at checkout.

*Offer expires on March 20, 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

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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.