AUTISM.SPEAKS.OUT

Advocating for inclusive education for children with Autism. Broken up into the following categories: video photo research activities current events book website for more information visit:http://www.autismspeaks.org/

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autism symptoms, common signs of autism, disability, high functioning autism, symptoms, Symptoms of High Functioning Autism

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The Black Balloon

This is by far one of the most beautiful movies I’ve seen in a long time.

     The story is about a boy named Thomas, journeying through the already difficult period of adolescence whilst co-existing and aiding in the care of his severely autistic brother.  While his mother is in the hospital suffering from a condition secondary to her third pregnancy,Thomas is thrown some incredible responsibilities which exceed those of the average young teen.  The story follows his daily life and how the object of his affection (Gemma Ward) helps him to develop compassion for his severely autistic older brother, as well as an acceptance for the things in life that you can not change.

If you don’t shed at least one tear throughout the course of this movie, you are not human. That is all…

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Is there an increase of autism, or an increase of awareness & diagnoses? 

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The Official Autism 101 Manual

The Official Autism 101 Manual The most comprehensive book on Autism. The Official Autism 101 Manual is your ultimate resource for understanding and responding to autism as a parent or a professional. Only this master collection brings you the very latest ideas and insights from the authors and experts you already trust plus many new voices you can now hear for the first time. Take action immediately!!w_ You do not have to wait any more.

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Love on the Spectrum

Jack Robison and Kirsten Lindsmith, two college students living in Greenfield, Mass., discuss how autism affects their lives and relationship.

(click 1st photo for video)

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Having a child on the spectrum presents many challenges, both now and in the future. As adults, will they be able to care for themselves? Will they be able to function independently?

This complimentary presentation addresses children with autism spectrum disorders and what you can do to help...

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Grade:  1-4 Summary This is a wonderful story which explores the issue of autism through the perspective of Callie the sister of Charlie, a boy with autism.  This story really teaches to the students the idea of having understanding, empathy, patience, and embracing differences. While the story doesn’t necessarily point out exact traits and characteristics of children who have autism, it does a good job to presenting these traits in a very familiar context. For example in the story it mentions, “when he looks at the sky, he finds jets and helicopters. And sometimes my brother gets very quiet”. This is something many students can relate to, at times they too stare off into the clouds or into space, and also get very quiet. By presenting these characteristics of a child who has autism in a very common familiar light students can see how children like Charlie aren’t so different from them. After great element of this story is the family togetherness, despite their difference Callie stays very loyal to her brother embracing him for all that he is. She even goes to say that she has a list of “Charlie’s Blessings”, which she adds to each and every day.

Use in Classroom

My brother Charlie will be a great book for a read aloud to the students. After the read aloud the teacher can discuss how Callie and Charlie were similar and different, and how even with differences what their relationship was like. Once the teacher finishes with the discussion the teacher can play a game of Simon Says. This game would include a few scenarios from the story for example, “Simon says jump on one foot if you have trouble telling those you care about I love you”. This process would continue with other hobbies, traits, and experiences. As the students are following along they will be able to observe their peers and discover similarities and differences.  Once the teacher is complete with Simon Says, a discussion on the difference and similarities students discovered amongst their peers will be held. As the students provide the teacher with these different traits, hobbies, and experiences, the teacher would add it to her class blessings chart. Once finish the teacher will explain to the class that even with all the differences and similarities, these are all wonderful blessings and should be celebrated and embraced.

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Sparkly, glittery water is sure to attract little eyes. This alphabet bottle is fun to make and a great activity to keep your child busy either inside on a rainy day or traveling in the car. The craft helps kids recognize letters in a creative way, and is also a great time to start a quick conversation on recycling.

What You Need:

Empty water or plastic soda bottle (best to use one without ridges)

Alphabet beads from the craft store

Glitter

Sequins or any tiny sparkly things

Corn syrup

Water

Sheet of paper

Highlighter

Glue gun (optional)

What You Do:

Write the alphabet from A-Z on a sheet of paper. Have your child lay all the beads from A-Z on the table. Check that she has all 26 letters and then drop them into the empty bottle.

Have your child drop in sequins. Help your child sprinkle some glitter inside.

Fill half the bottle with water and the other half with corn syrup. The corn syrup slows down the motion of the contents and helps the glitter not to stick together.

You can hot glue the lid onto the bottle so little hands don't spill.

Shake it up and watch the pretty water! How many letters can your child spy? Using the alphabet paper you wrote, have her highlight each letter she can find. Can she also spot the letters in her name? Have fun shaking!

By Tina Cho

via:http://www.education.com/activity/article/underwater-spy-alphabet-bottle/

MORE FUN ACTIVITIES, for children with Autism:http://www.education.com/magazine/article/10-activities-children-autism/

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-Maria Mora

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TASK BOXES

People with autism tend to be very visual thinkers. There's a program called TEACCH (www.teacch.com) and one of the basic principals is visual structure. Applying visual structure to learning activities leads to task boxes. They are self-contained activities (in this first instance, the activity is matching animals). The student can see how much work there is to do and can tell what to do by looking at the materials. The teacher can work one on one with the student on a new activity or skill and when the student starts to become comfortable with the activity, they can work independently to practice the skill. This is more meaningful for the student than completing worksheets because the materials are manipulative and it is also more practical, especially if the student isn't able to read and write

via: http://nicolemays.blogspot.com/2009/03/task-boxes.html#ixzz1svjb3I00

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Children with autism often have difficulty pretending. They don't always use toys the way typical children do - give them a tea set and they may bang the cup on the table, spin the plate, etc. rather than pretend to pour or drink tea. They don't intuitively associate the toy pieces with real-life situations or they don't know what to do with the toys. One thing that we work on in my classroom is learning *how* to play appropriately. Here is one way I address that - by providing visual prompts of what to do with the toys!

via MNicoleM

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What your child eats has a major impact on his brain and body function. Eating for Autism is the first book to explain how an autism, Asperger’s, PDD-NOS, or ADHD condition can effectively be treated through diet.

Eating for Autism presents a realistic 10-step plan to change your child’s diet, starting with essential foods and supplements and moving to more advanced therapies like the Gluten-Free Casein-Free diet. Parents who have followed Strickland’s revolutionary plan have reported great improvements in their child’s condition, from his mood, sleeping patterns, learning abilities, and behavior to his response to other treatment approaches. Complete with 75 balanced, kid-friendly recipes, and advice on overcoming sensory and feeding skill problems, Eating for Autism is an essential resource to help a child reach his full potential.

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be aware.