Check out my blog at http://dontbitethedog.blogspot.com

My son was diagnosed with Autism at the age of 2 years and 3 months. A month later he was on intensive one-on-one home-based therapy. By five, he was in a regular mainstream school, totally indistinguishable from his peers.

I soon found there was very little software available to teach children with Autism. This document outlines the information on Autism I have acquired over the years and the computer software I used to aid my son's recovery.

To view our complete software list, click on the "Products" tab above.

It is important to understand that without any Autism therapy or intervention, a child with Autism or PDD will absorb far less information and knowledge from the environment than a typical child. A typical child will start to talk at 1.5 to 2 years with almost no help from his parents or siblings. He will then acquire around 6 new words a day and will have a vocabulary of an amazing 10,000 words before the age of seven. A child with Autism may become verbal much later and have poor language and social skills if he is not given speech and behavior therapy. At least initially, a child with Autism must be given a strong knowledge base i.e. he must be taught speech, language and age-appropriate behavior.

To print this document on Autism, click above on "File", then "Print" and then "OK". Bookmark and visit this site again for more tips. I usually add more material on Autism software and other resources every week or two.  read more »

I'm looking for your help again. I'm looking to fill up the Autism Resources page, but I keep coming across spammy or junky links and I'm having a hard time coming up with valuable autism related links. If you have any links to any great autism sites, please post them (create content, link) to the resources page. I'd like to make a great links page that members will find useful. As usual, thanks for the help!!

I would be interested in getting your input. My name is Joel Pearlman, and my 8 year old daughter (Danielle) has autism. Obviously I’m passionate about autism and about a year ago I decided that I would really like to figure out a way to help the cause. Quick background on me, I have successfully run my own business for 18 years (Image One) which has given me the ability to focus on my passion. I decided to start an organization called www.tonerforautism.com. The site sells ink and toner for printers with the idea that people are buying these products for their home or businesses; why not make a purchase with purpose? Our mission is to raise awareness and donate at least $1,000,000 by contributing 5% of every sale to organizations that support autism related research and issues, such as Autism Speaks. I would love to get your feedback and or help in spreading the word to other people who support this important cause. Please check out the website at www.tonerforautism.com and let me know your thoughts. Thanks!

Hi,

Please ck same title under education. I created what I think is a very special teaching tool that you may be interested in.  I am especially interested in your reactionn to the introduction/rationale, so please check it out.

Thanks,  Burt Wasserman  - Author: Stories for Children with Problems & Wishes: A Therapeutic Workbook for Turning Problems into Gifts.and Feeling Good Again: A Workbook for Children who were Sexually Abused.

I got this from a newslist that I subscribe to.  I'll list it in the Links section also. 

Website Developed by Parents

Free website developed to help teach toddlers and children with autism to use the computer and to help reinforce basic skills learned in an ABA program. It has games and activities to help teach the use of the mouse as well as matching, receptive labeling and counting activities. The site is always free with no registration involved. Site is still in development, suggestions welcome.

http://www.jacobslessons.com

http://www.mypreciouskid.com/child-locator.html

I didn't think I should post a link to commercial products on the Links page, so I'm going to post these great safety products here under Resources.  I really like the teddy bear shoe tag transmitter!  Maybe I'll get one and try it out. 

Hello everyone

First post here so hope I don't get it wrong! ;0)

I am involved with a project at www.developing-ability.com where we are trying to create a series of courses aimed at parents but suitable for others, eg. teachers, assistants, supporters.

We are looking for people from all around the world to participate in the design and development of these courses so as to ensure that they reflect best practice. To date we have people from Canada, the UK and USA involved.

We'd be happy to give free guest access to the online version of the first course "First Steps in ABA" to people who express an interest. All you need is broadband internet access. They are designed to be very practical courses, i.e. that you would learn how to use ABA methods and techniques in any setting, school, home, park, car...

We'd welcome enquiries from all areas, whether you are a teacher, parent, ABA therapist, SLT, social worker...

This will probably operate on a first come first served basis, and all we ask in return is that you offer us genuine feedback in the form of an email with recommendations, comments.

Many thanks

Is anyone struggling with the reading issue at this point who could point me in the right direction? My son is 6 years old and we are really struggling with his reading. Any assistance would be great!

MARGATE, SOUTH FLORIDA APRIL 28, 2008 NEW UNIQUE “HYPERBARIC OXYGEN TREATMENT CENTER” OPENS IN MARGATE, FLORIDA “THE HEALING INSTITUTE” WILL BE THE FIRST STATE OF THE ART COMPREHENSIVE CENTER TO OFFER HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY, SPEECH, PHYSICAL & OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIES, AND BIOFEEDBACK THERAPY AT ONE LOCATION FOR PATIENT CONVENIENCE. DR. WEISS’ HEALING INSTITUTE WILL USE HYPERBARIC MEDICINE TO TREAT NEUROLOGICAL ILLNESSES NOT TYPICALLY COVERED BY INSURANCE INCLUDING STROKE, CEREBAL PALSY, AUTISM, NEAR DROWNING, MEMORY LOSS, BRAIN INJURIES, MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS, LYME DISEASE, AND REFLEX SYMPATHETIC DYSTROPHY (RSD). “THE HEALING INSTITUTE” IS THE ONLY MEDICAL FACILITY IN SOUTH FLORIDA TO COMBINE SUCH THERAPIES FOR PATIENT & FAMILY CONVENIENCE SAYS DR. JEFFREY WEISS. THESE MULTIPLE THERAPIES ARE FREQUENTLY USED TO TREAT PATIENTS WITH NEUROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY IS AN EFFICIENT DELIVERY SYSTEM FOR OXYGEN TO THE BRAIN AND BODY. STUDIES IN RESPECTED MEDICAL JOURNALS SUGGEST ITS POSITIVE BENEFIT FOR NEUROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. UNLIKE OTHER CENTERS THAT USE “CLOSED IN” CHAMBERS, DR. WEISS’ CENTER USES SECHRIST CHAMBERS THAT OFFER AN UNRESTRICTED OUTSIDE VIEW. DR. WEISS FELT COMPELLED TO ESTABLISH THIS UNIQUE CENTER WITH ALL THERAPIES INTEGRATED AT ONE LOCATION GIVEN HIS PERSONAL NEAR DROWNING INCIDENT WITH HIS SON JUSTIN IN 2002. DOCTORS GAVE UP ON JUSTIN AND SAID THAT HE WAS IN A PERSISTIVE VEGETATIVE STATE AFTER HE SLIPPED INTO THE FAMILY POOL. HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY WAS HIS LAST HOPE. THE WEISS FAMILY BOUGHT A CHAMBER AND JUSTIN UNDERWENT TREATMENT. JUSTIN, NOW 7, SITS UP, ATTENDS SCHOOL AND WATCHES TV. THE COORDINATION OF SPEECH, PHYSICAL AND BIOFEEDBACK THERAPIES WAS DIFFICULT AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS AND PROMPTED DR. WEISS TO ESTABLISH A “ONE STOP” CENTER. “THE HEALING INSTITUTE” IS LOCATED AT: 1308 A/B NORTH STATE ROAD 7, MARGATE, FL 33063. TELEPHONE 954-975-3563.

Designer Angela Moore created the Autism Awareness Collection to help increase awareness in the treatment and understanding of autism.  While April is Autism Awareness Month, Angela supports this important endeavor all year long by donating 15% of the net proceeds from this collection to the Autism Society of America and their designated affiliates.  One of these affiliates in the newly opened Rimland Center in Lynchburg, Virginia.  The Rimland Center is an autism-based center named after Bernard Rimland, the Founder of the Autism Society of America that provides patients, families and medical professionals a place to receive individual care and education. 

Since its debut in September, the Angela Moore Autism Awareness Collection has raised over $500 in 2007 and promises to raise even more in 2008!

Set on a crisp white background, the Autism Awareness Collection features puzzle pieces and a rainbow of ribbons in happy colors.  The collection includes a bracelet, necklace, earrings, pendant, petite and little girls bracelets and range in price from $25-95.  The collection is hand painted and one of a kind and can be purchased online at www.angelamoore.com or by calling 800-927-5470.

 The Angela Moore Autism Awareness Collection has been featured in Autism-Aspergers Digest, Baby Talk, OK! Magazine and the Palm Beach Daily News to name a few.  The pieces are a beautiful and easy way to support treatments for children.

Due to the popularity of the Autism - Did you know... free download we have made a version for video which is easily accessed on the Theracrew website. There is also a video on using visual cues to support attention and learning which provides some teaching strategies.

Best Wishes

Danielle Lord

Request for Information: Names of Autism Advocacy Organizations in the State of California

We are a group of social scientists at Columbia University studying autism. Our research, under the supervision of Peter Bearman, is funded by the 2007 National Institute of Health Pioneer Award.

Project Background

There has been a staggering increase in the incidence of autism and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) in California in the past decade--- with comparable increases nationally. Three competing theories have been advanced to account for the rise in autism cases: ­­­­­­­expanded criteria for diagnosing autism, increased environmental degradation/toxicity, and increased genetic risk.

Our research is aimed at disentangling the various purported drivers of the autism epidemic. We believe that a comprehensive understanding can not be arrived at without examining the social, environmental, and genetic factors that may be driving the autism and ASDs epidemic.  read more »

When the makers of FunSlides Carpet Skates first started donating their hugely popular toy to schools’ special education programs, they had no idea Carpet Skates would become a new tool for the parents and teachers of specials needs children. Amazingly this is just what happened. And on a larger scale than anyone involved would have thought possible.

Since donating, Simtec Company, the makers of Carpet Skates and other FunSlides brand products, have received letters of gratitude and kudos from a number of schools incorporating the Carpet Skates into their “multiple intensive needs” programs.

Carpet Skates are plastic sliders that use a Velcro strap to secure the skates under athletic shoes allowing the user to glide across carpet with ease. The feedback they’ve received is huge. In one case the skates helped a student with severe autism reduce his involuntary hand flapping for about an hour and 45 minutes after 10 minutes of use.

Below is a list of some specific feedback Simtec has received.

• Dramatic improvements in behavior when used as an incentive
• Helped manage interfering behaviors such as swearing, jumping up out of the seat and toe walking
• Increased eye contact
• Help with balance, coordination and motor skills
• Strengthen muscle

Please let me know if you are interested in speaking with a source at one of the schools, a Simtec rep, more information or simply a sample of Carpet Skates to see for yourself.

The Online Autism Community is trying to build up our links page. In 2008, we are trying to gain as many links to other autism sites as possible. We would like our links page to be a powerful resource for people looking for information on Autism.

If you have a site that is Autism related, please let us know. We'd love to swap links with you. It's a great way to build traffic for both sites, as well as helping your readers find great Autism related information.

Come on, let's swap Autism links!!