Are you ready for the return to school?
The start of the school year is an exciting time but the transition back can be stressful for many children. Here are a few great tips from the Sandbox Learning web site.
You can help your children prepare for the new school year with these helpful strategies.
http://www.sandbox-learning.com/FileLib/Summer_Activities_to_Prepare_for_School.pdf
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.
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!
The following is an excerpt from the Nebraska Advocacy Services, Inc. law-in-brief, Guide to Voter Eligibility in Nebraska
Can I vote if I have a guardian?
It depends. The law in this area is not clear. When you are registering to vote, one of the requirements is that you have not been “officially found to be mentally incompetent.” If you have received an official determination of mental incompetency, you cannot vote. If you have received no such legal determination, you should register and vote.
If you have a limited guardianship—a situation where a judge has decided that you need a guardian to make decisions for you in certain areas such as medical care or deciding where you live—it is less likely that your vote may be challenged based on mental incompetence.
If you have a full guardianship—a situation where a judge has decided that a guardian needs to make decisions for you in all areas of guardianship law—then it is more likely that you may be challenged based on mental incompetence. The areas of guardianship law include deciding where you live; medical care; protecting personal property; giving consent; arranging for training/education/services; applying for benefits; assuring that whoever may have a duty to support you is doing so; entering into contractual arrangements; and handling money or property to make sure your needs are being met. Therefore, you still have a right to vote if you have a guardian as long as you have not been found mentally incompetent by a court of law.
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!
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…
