Special Learning

We are a resource portal and web-based solutions provider for parents with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

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Want to know what it’s really like to have a child with autism?

I stay up at night worrying about who will care for my child when I no longer can.

"I stay up at night worrying about who will care for my child when I no longer can." -Katherine Sanford

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'I Am Here' - Silenced by Autism, Young Man Finds His Voice

Though he cannot speak, Benjamin Alexander has much to say, one typed word at a time. Ben was diagnosed with nonverbal autism and epilepsy a few months before his third birthday. Now 22, he is a writer and a student at Tulane University in New Orleans with a GPA of 3.7. In his essays, he...

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Brave nine-year-old makes touching speech to her about having autism

Fourth grader Keira Meikus got up during the school announcements of Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School in Alabama, earlier this month, making a speech before all 450 students.

"I am like you, but I am also different to you." -Keira Meikus

A nine-year-old girl in Alabama has bravely given a speech to her entire school about what it is like living with autism.

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For kids dealing with autism, life can be confusing and difficult.

A 10-year-old boy who has Aspergers syndrome has written a poem that shines a light on the struggles he faces every day.

Benjamin Giroux was given an assignment at school, to write a poem. He was given words to use like "I am," and "I wonder."

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Mayfair mom receives scathing letter about her child with autism

An anonymous letter from a neighbor sent one fuming, emotional mother in Philadelphia's Mayfair section to Facebook.

An anonymous letter from a neighbor sent one fuming, emotional mother in Philadelphia's Mayfair section to Facebook. Bonnie Moran went to social media not to just air out the hateful handwritten note she'd received, but to raise awareness about autism.

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people with autism reveal how NOT to treat people on the spectrum

People with autism reveal on New York-based Reddit the things they wish people knew about the condition - including they are 'not just shy' and that not all people with the disorder 'say cringy things'.

From being 'treated like a snowflake' to assuming they're stupid, people with autism reveal how NOT to talk to them.

Some said they hated being patronised or treated as if they are 'special,' others wished people didn't assume they 'always said cringy things,' one person urged others not to dismiss their condition as just shyness.

Read more here: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3533721/From-treated-like-snowflake-assuming-stupid-people-autism-reveal-NOT-talk-them.html

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Prince Saud opens new autism center - Saudi Gazette

DAMMAM —Eastern Province Emir Prince Saud Bin Naif inaugurated the new, state-of-the-art Shamah Autism Centre here in An Nur District – the first multidiscipline autism center for Saudi children in the Eastern Province. The center is a partnership between Shumua Alamal for Special Education and Rehabilitation and one of London’s leading autism providers, Eagle House

Eastern Province Emir Prince Saud Bin Naif inaugurates the new, state-of-the-art Shamah Autism Centre in Dammam’s An Nur District – the first multidiscipline autism center for Saudi children in the Eastern Province.

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Teen author uses art to teach others about autism

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and for one 14-year-old who lives in Thornton, that couldn’t be more true. Max Miller has autism and rather than using words to communicate his thoughts and feelings, he uses art.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and for one 14-year-old who lives in Thornton, that couldn’t be more true.

Max Miller has autism and rather than using words to communicate his thoughts and feelings, he uses art.

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Autistic Adults Shouldn't Be Children of a Lesser God

April is Autism Awareness Month. While I truly hope Autism Awareness Month becomes Autism Acceptance Month, I realize there is a gaping awareness issue. ...

I used to say autistic women are children of a lesser god because they are underrepresented and there are diagnostic disparities between males and females on the autism spectrum. But now I realize the children of a lesser god are the autistic adults because we exit the mainstream consciousness the day we are no longer children. -Haley Moss (Author of two books, artist, autism advocate, University of Miami law student)

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I have autism and the lack of authentic autistic voices in books angers me

Since being diagnosed with ASD (autism spectrum disorder) in her late teens, Sara Barrett has found herself becoming angry at the portrayal of autistic characters in books – none more so than The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time. Here’s why

Since being diagnosed with ASD (autism spectrum disorder) in her late teens, Sara Barrett has found herself becoming angry at the portrayal of autistic characters in books – none more so than The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time. Here’s why

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'Autism Cop' Honored For Educating Law Enforcement On Disorders

Officer Zink is known for his work helping officers understand autism, and people with autism understand officers.

A St. Paul police officer who’s been dubbed “the autism cop” has a new title Thursday evening: Officer Rob Zink is the St. Paul Police Department’s Officer of the Year.

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Kiley Lyall, 24, fell in love with running when she was 8 years old and completing the final leg of a Special Olympics relay. Her team was in last place when she took the baton, and they ended in first.

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My Son’s Autism Changed Everything—Even Our Church

I came to see special needs families as an unreached people group.

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People with autism DO care about others

Alexithymia - which can be found in the general population - causes a lack of emotional concern and is common in people with autism, according to a study published in the journal Scientific Reports.

People with autism are just as emotionally caring as everyone else but prone to a condition which stops empathy, a study has found.

The inability to recognise emotions in others and struggling to put words to their feelings and thoughts is actually caused by another condition - alexithymia.

Read more:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3513641/People-autism-care-Cold-antisocial-traits-actually-separate-condition.html#ixzz44J10tWu9

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[speciallearning]

Tired of your child coming back with an empty basket at Easter egg hunts? Is regular egg decorating too difficult for your child? Here are modified or alternative activities you can do with your child this Easter.

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Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders Need Long-Term Intervention

Autistic children, who tend to deal with diagnostic symptoms and neurodevelopmental problems years after an initial diagnosis, could benefit greatly from long-term intervention care and treatment.

The majority of children diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) could benefit greatly from long-term intervention, a doctoral thesis examining signs of difficulties that autistic children face at school age reported.

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Charities call for mandatory training on autism for all teachers

Letter calls on education secretary Nicky Morgan to include autism in revised teacher training framework

Two autism charities have written a letter to the Guardian calling for all teachers in England to be trained in autism, saying that without this children with autism risk being misunderstood and marginalised.

The letter calls for autism to be included in the initial teacher training framework for England, which is under review by the government. The signatories include MPs and school staff.