2009 Walk Now for Autism – Phoenix, AZ
On November 1, 2009, Autism Speaks, in partnership with the Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center (SARRC) will be holding its annual walk to raise money for autism research. Event Information Date: Sunday, November 1, 2009 Location: Tempe Beach Park Registration opens: 8am Walk Start: 9:30am There are two ways you can be involved: If you live in the area, create your own team and gather donations for this great cause by visiting the main website: Team Registration If you don't live in the area, but would still like to contribute, you can support my walk team by visiting my donations page: Donations Page Every little bit ...
A Higher Rate of Autism – 1 in 100?!?
Many of you have probably heard the news about the two government studies which concluded the rate of autism is probably closer to 1 in 100, not the 1 in 150 previously reported. This number includes all spectrum disorders including classic autism, Asperger's, PDD-NOS, Rett's Syndrome, and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder. These findings are very interesting because they indicate the rate of autism spectrum disorders is continuing to rise. This is very important especially when considering public policy, health care, and research. If the rate of ASDs are continuing to rise, there needs to be more research into the genetic ...
Treating Anxiety in Adolescents with ASD
[caption id="attachment_1443" align="alignleft" width="289" caption="From: http://anxietyagoraphobia.info"][/caption] In a pilot study by Susan W. White, Thomas Ollendick, Lawrence Scahill, Donald Oswald and Anne Marie Albano, published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disabilities, the authors were evaluating the efficacy of a modified cognitive-behavioral treatment program to address anxiety and social skills in adolescents with ASD. Prior to treatment the participants were evaluated to assess their specific anxiety-related characteristics. They all had anxiety around social interactions and each had another form of clinically diagnosable anxiety disorders (i.e. generalized anxiety disorder, specific triggers, etc.). The treatment included individual sessions to address specific anxiety ...
Late Summer Cruise for Families of Children with Autism
Travel can be a scary thought for families of children with autism. There are so many concerns: will they be safe, will there be food that fits their special diet, will there be activities for them to do? Well, Disney Cruises has put together a cruise experience you and your family will never forget...a 4-day cruise to the Bahamas aboard the Disney Wonder. They've thought of it all...food, health care, and experienced travel consultants. There are also special times during which you can meet other families of children with autism. This is a wonderful opportunity for your family to go ...
Children with autism
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurological disorder affects 1 in 150 children. It is 4 times more common in boys that in girls. Many children are diagnosed by the time they are 2 1/2 years old. ASD affects peoples social interactions and communication, and is typically characterized by repetitive behaviors. ASD, like it's name implies, is a spectrum disorder which affects people in different ways and to varying degrees. Children with autism are children first and should be treated accordingly. Unfortunately, this is not always the case in many school settings and in the community. Many attributes of people ...
Celebrating the little accomplishments
When teaching in the classroom, keeping an eye on the big picture, sometimes we forget to celebrate the little accomplishments that are students make. This is unfortunate, and often detrimental, because for some of my students the little accomplishments in our eyes are sometimes some of the biggest for them. We need to learn to step back and celebrate every little accomplishment through the use of positive reinforcement so the children with whom we are working will continue to be successful. [caption id="attachment_296" align="alignleft" width="150" caption="Celebrate the little things"][/caption]Positive reinforcement is the addition of a stimulus in response to a ...
Show me what I need to do – Visual Schedules
For children with autism, visual schedules can be the key to success. Rather than telling them what to do, many times its important to show them in the form of visual schedules. Visual schedules can vary widely depending on the ability level of the child. They can be all text, symbols, pictures or objects. They can show the schedule for the entire day or for a single activity. The most important thing to realize is that even if the first form of a visual schedule doesn't seem to work well, that doesn't mean that visual schedules won't work. [caption id="attachment_253" ...
Inclusion…are we doing everything we can to make it work?
As many of you know there is a movement within the schools to ensure that children with autism and other disabilities are included in the general education classroom. As a teacher in a school district I find myself asking the question: Are we actually doing everything we can to make it work? The answer that I keep finding is: No! We are most definitely not doing everything we can. Unfortunately, there are presently many barriers that are making true inclusive education impossible. There are the issues of: inadequate funding, ineffective structuring of caseloads, extremely high caseloads for teachers, and untrained ...
Autism Spectrum Disorders
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affects people in just the way the label states. Every person is impacted to a varying degree of intensity in a variety of areas; therefore, it is difficult to describe in a singular definition. It is important to remember that autism isn’t something a person “has”, it’s not a disease that can be cured. Rather it is a different way of being that is neither bad nor aberrant…it’s just different. People with ASD may have different ways of moving, sensing the world, communicating, socializing or learning. They may also express their interests or fascinations in a way ...
Treatments
Using Omega-3 for Individuals with Autism?
Many families choose to use complimentary and alternative...
Misleading Study About Autism and GI Issues
An article publish on Reuters this week reported on...
Using Self-Monitoring to Address Self-Injurious Behavior
Self-injurious behavior (SIB) can be extremely difficult...
Pivotal Response Training
From: http://www.faithlegg.com Pivotal Response Training...
Read More Posts From This CategoryResearch
Research Study About Child Gestures
Child Gesture Study Website I wanted to let everyone...
Embedding Social Interactions Within Reinforcement
A new study was published in the Journal of Autism...
New Study to Identify Genetic and Environmental Factors in Autism
A new research study, funded by the NIH and Autism...
Treating Anxiety in Adolescents with ASD
From: http://anxietyagoraphobia.info In a pilot study...
Read More Posts From This CategoryLegislation and Advocacy
New Jersey Voting on New Legislation for Adults with Autism
Today in New Jersey, the Senate committee approved two bills which will affect adults with Autism. The first is an anti-discrimination bill aimed at ensuring adults with autism and other related disabilities are provided equal access to housing, employment and public accommodations. The second is a bill which will allow people over age 18 to join a... [Read more of this review]
Seattle Special Education Law Conference October 5-7
The University of Washington’s School of Law is holding it’s 26th Annual Pacific Northwest Institute on Special Education and the Law October 5-7, 2009. This multi-day institute consists of mini-courses, workshops and speaker sessions. Some of the topics covered include: *Special Education *Behavior and Discipline Issues for Students with... [Read more of this review]
Autism Insurace Law Around the Country: What’s the Verdict?
The latest quote I read is that 14 states have passed bills regarding the coverage of ABA services for people with Autism (Autism Speaks Interactive Map). Our states and our country have been very slow at requiring insurance companies to cover behavioral therapies for the treatment of autism, but 14 is a start. What I’d like to research this... [Read more of this review]
Support for Families Navigating the Special Education System
Know Your Rights Whether you are new to the Special Education system or not, it is always important to know your rights and seek out help when navigating the system. This sometimes means working with an attorney to make sure that your child’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is well written and meets the needs of your child. Too many times... [Read more of this review]
Message from LWSD PTSA President
Olympia Washington In these tough economic times, the Washington State Legislature is continuing to work on reforming our state’s education system. The Basic Education Finance Task Force came back to the legislature with a plan which was encompassed in two bills, but unfortunately these bills were dropped due to lack of support. At this time there... [Read more of this review]
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Weekly Questions
Using Omega-3 for Individuals with Autism?
Many families choose to use complimentary and alternative medical (CAM) therapies with their children with autism. Most of the treatments are not yet scientifically proven to be effective. In an article recently publishing in the Journal for Autism and Developmental... [Read more of this review]
Read More Posts From This CategoryLeast Restrictive Environment
Teaching Older Students with Milder Forms of AutismThe transition to middle school and high school can be difficult for any kid, but for kids with autism this may be compounded by their social difficulties. Although students with disabilities are entitled a Free, Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) the services they receive in middle and high school may be... [Read more of this review]
There’s always a reason…All behaviors serve a function, it’s the forms that those behaviors take that are sometimes objectionable. It is useless to try to address a behavior if we do not understand its function because any “interventions” we try will not be maximally effective. The way in which we can address this is by doing a functional behavior analysis.... [Read more of this review]
Untrained Paraeducators in the ClassroomIn many schools across the nation more and more children with autism are being educated within the context of the general education classroom. Many times they will have one or more paraeducators to them to support them in the classroom. The unfortunate reality is that many of these paraeducators are untrained or poorly trained to most effectively support... [Read more of this review]
Smaller Caseloads Equals Bigger SuccessChildren with Autism and other disabilities which affect their ability to access and make progress in the general education curriculum are provided with special education services to help them access and make progress in the general education curriculum. When children are included in the general education classroom they are typically placed on the caseloads... [Read more of this review]
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