Embrace Autism Talk Blog

Blog Radio

Search This Blog

Our Creative Minds Inc.'s Fan Box

Friday, October 29, 2010

I'm Not Your Everyday Average Mom!: Friday Freebie Fun

I'm Not Your Everyday Average Mom!: Friday Freebie Fun: "It is that time again!! Head over to my Giveaway's page  to link up your giveaways, or enter some awesome giveaways that other blogs are hos..."

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Behavior Solutions for the Inclusive Classroom


WHY won't he stay in his seat?
WHY does she flap her hands?
And WHAT should I do??

As inclusion becomes the norm in general education, teachers are faced with behaviors they have never seen before. Special needs educators may recognize the telltale symptom of a sensory need or a textbook-case of an avoidance behavior, but this is all new territory for the general-ed crowd!

Written by Director of Special Education Peter Gennaro, occupational therapist Beth Aune, and special needs mom and advocate Beth Burt, this book illuminates possible causes of those mysterious behaviors, and more importantly, provides solutions! Teachers can quickly look up an in-the-moment solution and learn about what the child is communicating, and why.

The authors collaboratively address problem behaviors such as:

  • Out-of-Seat Behaviors
  • Fidgeting
  • Hand-flapping
  • Covering Ears
  • Hiding or Running Away When Upset
  • Putting Head Down or "Shutting Down"
  • Difficulty with Class Work and Homework
  • Losing Materials and Missing Assignments
  • Poor Handwriting
  • Not Following Directions
  • Saying Rude or Inappropriate Things
  • Clothing Issues
  • Difficulty Making Decisions
  • Excessive Talking
  • Laughing Excessively or Being Silly
  • Little or No Eye Contact
  • Temper Outbursts
  • And many others!

Teachers, it is possible to accommodate learning differences and sustain a positive learning environment for ALL students. This book is a must-have for every inclusive classroom!

Binding: Paperback
Pages: 151

Beth Aune, OTR/L currently has a private practice as a pediatric occupational therapist in the Coachella Valley area. She and her dedicated staff provide intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder, developmental disabilities, and other diagnoses in a variety of environments: early intervention in the home, for general and special education students in the school setting, and in the clinical setting. Beth has developed and presented numerous workshops and trainings for parents and educators that focus on the care and treatment of children with disabilities. She is passionate about her profession as an occupational therapist and considers it a calling. She lives in Palm Desert with her three children.

Beth Burt currently resides in Southern California with her husband, their two sons, two cats, and a dog. Because of her experience with her own children, one with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and the other with a learning disability, she became an advocate. She has over thirteen years of experience collaborating and advocating on the behalf of students with ASD and other disorders. She has been actively involved in numerous task forces and committees related to children, disabilities, and education. She has presented numerous times in Southern California to colleges, conferences, parent groups, and businesses. She is currently President of the Inland Empire Autism Society and is a board member of the Autism Society California and Visions R Us, a nonprofit organization that assists young adults with special needs in making the transition from high school to desired employment.

Peter Gennaro is currently the Director of Special Education for the Alvord Unified School District in Southern California. He served as Special Education Coordinator and as Program/Inclusion Specialist prior this. As a teacher, he taught classes for students with emotional disturbances and has taught direct service special education classes consisting of students with varying disabilities. In his current position he continues to work closely with teachers, service providers, and families to develop and implement successful student programs.

Coming soon!

Introduction

Section One: Movement Issues
Arm- & Hand-flapping
Arm-swinging
Breaking Pencils and/or Crayons
Bumping Into Other Students/Touching
Inappropriately
Chewing on Shirt or Other Inappropriate Items
Excessive Yawning
Fidgeting
Out-of-Seat Behaviors
Excessive Hugging, Leaning against People, or Pushing People
Taking Off Shoes

Section Two: Avoidance and Retreat Behaviors
Avoiding Physical Contact or Messy Activities
Covering Ears
Hiding or Running Away When Upset
Putting Head Down or “Shutting Down”

Section Three: Difficulty with Routine and Academics
Difficulty with Carpet Time
Difficulty with Lining Up
Difficulty Starting Assignments
Difficulty with Small Group Activities
Difficulty with Homework
Losing Materials and Missing Assignments
Messy Desk or Disorganized Binder
Poor Handwriting
Not Attending/Off Task or Not Following Directions
Not Following Playground Rules
Problems at Lunchtime
Not Asking for Help
Transitioning and the Insistence on Sameness

Section Four: Social-Emotional Issues
Saying Rude or Inappropriate Things
Clothing Issues
Difficulty Accepting Criticism
Difficulty Making Decisions
Excessive Talking
Humming, Talking to Self, or Inappropriate Vocalizations/Odd Gestures
Interrupting
Laughing Excessively or Being Silly
Little or No Eye Contact
Smelling People or Objects
Talking Loudly
Temper Outbursts

Appendix A: Movement Breaks/Goal-Directed Tasks
Appendix B: Sensory Input Devices
Appendix C: Calming Techniques

Additional Resources

About the Authors

Index

Price: $14.95

Do-N-Slide

Do-N-Slide

Improves your childs' ability to understand and use language
Gives your child a chance to complete activities on their own
Helps your child learn new routines
Reduces your childs' resitance to changing activities or environments
Improves your childs' understanding of organization and sequencing
Keeps your picture communication symbols IN the board...no velcro, no magnets, no mess!

Monday, June 7, 2010

This weeks Special Offer - 6 Containers of Instant Snow!

6 Containers of Instant Snow 
$27 Includes US Shipping!

This Week's Special! 
Amazing Snow Powder Simply add water to the packet of powder, and in just 5 minutes you will have realistic looking snow! Great for creating decorative scenes. Each container makes approximately 4 cups of unpacked snow. Great Summer time fun! Fun for daycare or camp. Use colored water for an added treat.
International shipping available with added shipping fees.









Video: Helen shows us her life at school as an autistic | Autism Support Network

Video: Helen shows us her life at school as an autistic | Autism Support Network

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Percy The Perfectly Imperfect Chicken

"Percy The Perfectly Imperfect Chicken" is a wonderful children's fable
about using patience and
imagination to combat intolerance and prejudice. It is also about
learning to discern and move
beyond impossible or inhumane standards, such as perfection. Beautifully
... told in rhyme and
illustrated in huge, brilliant moving murals, "Percy the Perfectly
Imperfect Chicken" is more than
a recast story of the ugly duckling, it showcases the pervasive need for
acceptance and
celebration of differences . "Percy the Perfectly Imperfect Chicken"
will appeal to children age 4
and up.

 

Sunday, May 16, 2010


Great New Product!
Amazing Wave of Light Animatronic Marine Life Building Set

Monday, April 19, 2010

One Of The Many Causes We Support - Cystic Fibrosis

http://www.cff.org/Great_Strides/dsp_DonationPage.cfm?walkid=6813&idUser=351950


Ella is our 2 year old Granddaughter. She is beautiful, smart and loving. Each year we raise money by participating in the Great Strides Walk. We do this because Ella was born with Cystic Fibrosis. Ella and her parents, Corinna & Justin, live outside of New Orleans, Louisiana. Our large extended family & friends now walk on both the East and West Coast each year. We invite you to join us in raising money not only for Ella, but for the other 33,000 children and adults who also suffer from this life threatening disease. We'd also like to encourage you to join us as we walk or join one of the nationwide Great Strides Events near you.

Friday, April 16, 2010

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

How To Explain "black and white" thinking to a person who only thinks in "black and white"


How to explain "black and white" thinking to a person who only thinks in "black and white"

by Nathan E. Ory, M.A.


Many individuals with autism think in "concrete" or "black and white" terms. They like rules. They follow the rules. They expect every one else to always follow the same rules. They like rules that are always the same way.They don't handle "gray areas." They may not understand well the meaning of language that is ambiguous or abstract. They don't like "wishy-washy," "maybe," "if-then," and "either-or." They frequently become quite frustrated when faced with "sometimes this and sometimes that."
In working with individuals with these frustrations I try to explain to them how they think best, and when they get confused. I explain "black and white" (concrete and clear) versus "gray areas" (an abstract and ambiguous concept). I explain this in specific, black and white terms. You may find this a helpful starting point in your own discussions.
"Black and White" means there is just one rule.
There is a schedule with an exact time, it always the same.
All the rules apply to everybody. There are no exceptions.
There is just one way to do things.
Black and white means things are predictable.
Black and white means things seem fair and are clear.
"Grey areas" means that the rule is sometimes one thing,
and sometimes-another thing.
It is a "gray area" when different rules apply to different people
(Like at a party everyone enjoys pop, cake and ice cream, but the person who is diabetic does not.)
(Like at a party, everyone can drink, but the person who is doing the driving for the night does not.)
It is a "gray area" if different rules apply at different times of the day or week
(Like pay parking at meters only till 6 p.m. and not on Sunday.)
(Like at work, the hours you work might be different on weekdays and weekends.)
It is a "gray area" if different rules apply at different times of the year
(Like school five days a week, except Spring Break, Christmas, Summer Holidays, and Teacher Discretionary Days.)
It's a "gray area" if something is done one way some of the time, and another way at other times.
(Like being driven to play baseball some days, and having to take the bus when there is no one around to drive you at other times.)
Grey areas are unpredictable, confusing, and seem unfair.
For the people you support who become confused about "gray areas" in their lives, it may help to explain in "black and white" terms, "This is a black and white area." Or, "This is a gray area."
By making this distinction black and white they may better be able to handle their confused emotions by having a clear explanation about why some things are not always the same for all people and at all times.




Nathan E. Ory, M.A., Registered Psychologist
© 2003 Challenging Behavior Analysis and Consultation
challengingbehavior@shaw.ca 

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Morgans Wonderland Special Needs Family Park

Check Out The New Special Needs Family Park opening in San Antonio, Texas

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Tweens Browser

The first fully secured environment for Tweens online.

The best place for Tweens online.


Zacbrowser

www.zacbrowser.co
mhttp://www.zacbrowser.com/



Here you will find the best environment on the Internet for children living with various autism challenges.
Zac Browser is a totally free software package. It is the first Internet browser developed specifically for children living with variants of autism spectrum disorders (ASD), Asperger syndrome, Rett syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, PDD not otherwise specified and PDD-NOS, also called atypical autism.
Zac Browser was designed to offer a pleasant, rewarding and secure experience. Children sing, play and discover the best that the Internet has to offer with only a few clicks of the mouse.
Zac Browser is software that allows your child to access games (a lot of games) activities (based on diverse interests) along with videos (that allow a stimulating experience and encourages children to talk). All games, activities and videos are specifically chosen for their positive effect on children suffering from autism.
So why not do like a million other people have done throughout the world, install Zac Browser now.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Hands On Task - Great Site!


Love this site!

http://www.hot-ideas.org/


Hands-On Tasks & IDEAS® was formed by Jeanette Richards to provide educators and parents with a source of economical work task activity products for the classroom or home. 
Our production facilities are located in Katy, Texas about thirty miles west of Houston.
The activities are designed to promote independent work habits and are modeled after the work tasks used in the "structured teaching" method developed by Division TEACCH1 at the University of North Carolina. They are designed primarily for children with special learning needs who benefit from structure in their workspace.
All of the tasks are available Ready-To-Use in complete sets, unit sets, or individually. Each task comes complete with all necessary pieces and detailed instructions. No assembly or fabrication is necessary.
Additional time-saving design features:
  •   The “Double Box & Divider”™ feature allows for easy to no re-set by the instructor.
  •   Bi-Directional Task™ design. Many tasks, upon completion, become the starting point for a new and different task [the secondary objective].
  •   Many tasks are inherently self-checking by design which encourages independence and promotes success.