As you all know, the autism community is buzzing about the iPad and it’s implications for individuals on the autism spectrum.   Here was a good story on CBS highlighting the iPad’s potential.

Of course, the first obstacle for the family is paying for the the iPad.  Some families have found that they can get refurbished iPads (first generation) after the iPad2 was released.  Rumor has the iPad3 is being released soon!

(As a foot note…the Autism Society will once again be awarding an iPad2 (or maybe iPad3) to our top fundraiser for the 2012 Autism Puzzle Walk!  So get ready for walk information coming soon!)

But the next question that comes up from our families that that now that they have an iPad what applications should the be getting?

We had the good fortune of attending an amazing national autism conference this fall and a break out session where they shared a comprehensive list of apple applications worth considering.   Please keep in mind that technology is always changing and there may be newer apps out since the production of this list but this is a good starting place for you!  Download this list created by Heather Bridgman and Nick Weiland for the OCALI Conference HERE.

Also here is an industry insider (Autism Mom) who has made it her job to do the research for us!  You can check out her spreadsheet of apps that she shares from her blog, Squidalicious.

While many happily anticipate the coming holiday season, families of people on the autism spectrum also understand the special challenges that may occur when schedules are disrupted and routines broken. Our hope is that by following these few helpful tips, families may lessen the stress of the holiday season and make it a more enjoyable experience for everyone involved. The following tips were developed with input from the Autism Society, the Indiana Resource Center for Autism, Easter Seals Crossroads, the Sonya Ansari Center for Autism at Logan and the Indiana Autism Leadership Network..

1. Preparation is crucial for many individuals. At the same time, it is important to determine how much preparation a specific person may need. For example, if your son or daughter has a tendency to become anxious when anticipating an event that is to occur in the future, you may want to adjust how many days in advance you prepare him or her. Preparation can occur in various ways by using a calendar and marking the dates of various holiday events, or by creating a social story that highlights what will happen at a given event.

2. Decorations around the house may be disruptive for some.

(Read more here.)

Holidays = Yummy Treats!
But what if you are on a gluten free or dairy free diet?
Well, there might just be hope!

Be sure and check out this article at the Alternative Cook, LLC for some expert advice for converting that special recipe to one that fits your special diet!

There is a wealth of information available on the internet twww.o help educate you about autism. Here is one resource that we think you should definitely checkout!

www.coultervideo.com

They produce some great videos that you can buy BUT they also have some great articles for FREE on their web site.

The Autism Society of America has a series called, Living with Autism, which presents user-friendly information within four eye-catching pages. The series was developed to provide easy-to-understand, practical information related to the autism spectrum for a broad audience on a wide range of topics. The series will continually evolve, adding new pieces on a regular basis, and address topics across the spectrum and lifespan. Emphasis of all pieces in the series is on living successfully with autism, so articles will provide useful information, helpful tips and additional resources provided by those with expertise on the particular topic. The Living with Autism series is designed for individuals on the autism spectrum, their families, friends and concerned professionals.

Check them out!  Now that it is back to school time you might have some people around you who could benefit from a such a great resource describing our loved ones!

Check out the LIVING WITH AUTISM series HERE.

Check out a great FREE resource called Autism Buddy.

AutismBuddy.com aims to provide a cost-free user-friendly website that provides high quality printables, resources and articles for teachers and parents for use with children with special educational needs.

They provide easy to download resources in many categories including booklets, puzzles and games, flashcards, worksheets, visual timetabling, activities, visual aids, emotions, teaching aids, matching and sorting, classroom display, clip-art, E-books, social skills and many more.

When you visit the site it will look like the resources cost.  They used to…however they are now free!  All you need to do is register with the site!

Visit www.autismbuddy.com to check it out!

The NE ASD Network has partnered with a number of networks including the Autism Society of America to develop a variety of web training modules on issues related to autism spectrum disorders.  It is a wonderful training tool for new parents, teachers, para-educators or anyone who wants or needs to learn more about autism. 

Be sure and check it out HERE!

Best of all the modules are FREE! This is a great item to share with your support staff at school! They often can’t get away to attend trainings because of the cost and time away.

This is an awesome alternative!!!!

(For more tips please visit our Autism News section where everything is archived!)

Social skills are such a big hurdle for individuals with autism.  Rethink Autism’s web site is a great resource with some helpful tips.  Check them out at www.rethinkautism.com.

This week’s tip is focused on Social/Emotional needs.  You can check it out HERE…

Be sure and check out the ASD Network as they have a wealth of information - books, DVDs and toys- available for checkout. 

Each region has their resources listed on their web site.

WESTERN REGION - Click here for a list of resources and how to go about checking them out.

CENTRAL REGION - Click here for a list of resources and how to go about checking them out.

NORTHEAST REGION - Click here for a list of resources and how to go about checking them out.

SOUTHEAST REGION - Click here for a list of resources and how to go about checking them out.

METRO REGION - Click here for a list of resources and how to go about checking them out.

We polled members on the Autism Society Listserv to help us share some advice to parents new to an autism diagnosis.  Check out and see what the veteran parents had to say!  Visit our new Toolkit area on our website here.

Look for more exciting changes to our web site content coming soon!

We had a community member forward a link to share with everyone.  Be sure and check out   www.sandbox-learning.com

Success Stories are fun, printable children’s books with personalized text and illustrations focusing on character development by addressing emotions, social skills, safety, and communication skills.   You can customize them with your child’s name and even customize the pictures to look like your child.  This is a great resource for families and teachers!  Sign up today and get one free story customized for your child.  If it works for your child, you might choose to go back and pay their modest fee to have other success stories personalized!

(For more tips please visit our Autism News section where everything is archived!)

Our friends at Autism Action Partnership have asked us to encouraging everyone to take a few moments and put on your advocacy hats!    The Autism Action Partnership has been a pivotal force with this Autism Waiver and they are telling us that it appears that we are (once again) receiving some “legislative delays.” 

Please help elevate our voices and remind them that we are still waiting!  There once was a bill known as LB482 that created an autism waiver for early intervention services.  Families across Nebraska rejoiced when it passed!  But they waited and they waited.  It turned out that there were legislative delays that ultimately prevented it’s implementation.  So advocates made changes and then in May of 2009 we passed LB27 to create these much needed services.  And here we are 8 months later and due to “legislative delays” our children are still waiting for their early intervention!

Our loved ones are still waiting without services!

Please consider contacting Kerry Winterer and/or Ben Nelson. We have a sample message written below that you can copy and paste into your email.  Or feel free to write your own message.  But please take a few moments and stand up and be heard!  We also encourage you to have Grandma and Aunt Trudy and Uncle Chester send emails!!!!  We thank you for all that you do!

Information for Mr. Winterer can be found here http://www.dhhs.ne.gov/contact.htm
Information for Mr. Nelson can be found here http://bennelson.senate.gov/email-issues.cfm

Information regarding the waiver can be found here   http://www.hhs.state.ne.us/HCS/Programs/Autism-Waiver.htm and you can download a copy of the final legislative bill here.

(Here is a brief suggested message)

Mr. Winterer/Nelson,

The people of Nebraska need reform for Autism-related services, and you have the opportunity to make this a reality!

As you know, the Autism Treatment Program Act was passed into law in May 2009, yet we stand here in January 2010 without services for our children affected by autism. I urge you to expedite the process of enacting the Autism Waiver to provide real and permanent change to our youth on the autism spectrum. Nebraska deserves better.

Thank you for your action in advance.

Sincerely,

(NAME)
(ORGANIZATION)

Rethink Autism (a web-based autism treatment platform) has a terrific modeling video on how to help your child understand and enjoy Halloween. Click HERE to watch the video and get a free one week trial of Rethink Autism.

Kids Against Bullying” was created for elementary school children, with a unique emphasis on children with disabilities. This Web site is an informative and creative resource to educate students about bullying prevention and provide methods to respond to bullying situations. The site features an animated cast of characters, information, celebrity videos, Webisodes, interactive games, animation, contests, and other activities.

Parents and professionals will find helpful tips, intervention strategies, and resources for use at home or school.   Check it out!                          www.pacerkidsagainstbullying.org/

(For previous tips please visit our Autism News section where everything is archived!)

Congressman Jeff Fortenberry will conduct two town hall meetings with constituents in Lincoln on Thursday, August 27.  The first will be held at the People’s City Mission starting at 2 pm.  The second will begin at 7 pm at Lincoln Southwest High School .

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Let’s Cook!  Life Skills for Kids on the Autism Spectrum combines video, slides and downloadable visual aids in an entertaining and informative digital format that demonstrates how to help kids with autism learn an important life skill – cooking.  At the same time, it features structured, predictable activities that help support children on the spectrum to engage and communicate in a natural social situation.  For more information, visit their website at www.mywire.com/pubs/lets-cook

This tip on declarative communication is another in the series that has appeared here under “Tip of the Day” that is based on the principles of Relationship Development Intervention (the RDI® Program) developed by Dr. Steve Gutstein.  The following information on communication is taken from that program.

Children and adults on the autism spectrum vary greatly in how much they talk.  At one end of the autism spectrum, when a child is non-verbal, parents want nothing more than for their child to start talking. They feel ANY words would be welcome! So parents ask many close ended questions and meaningless questions (e.g., What color is that?) just to hear them speak.  That is where I was as a parent not too long ago.  At the other end of the verbal spectrum, are those who talk a lot informing or incessantly asking questions, but they often miss the cues that the other person has quickly tired of listening to their favor topic.  Individuals on both end of this spectrum have big problems with communication which greatly hampers their ability to have meaningful, reciprocal relationships.

So how do we teach our children to use language for experience-sharing?  

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