Autism: See the Potential

This video, which features the incredible Michael McCreary, is a wonderful introduction to autism spectrum disorder. The video was created to support customer service professionals when they provide services or support to people with ASD; however the positive response from the general public has been overwhelming. This video is so accessible and entertaining, it offers something for everyone.

View the video here. 

Autism 101

How is autism diagnosed? What explains the rise in autism’s prevalence? How much do genes contribute to the condition? What about the environment?

In this section of Spectrum, dubbed Autism 101, we answer these and other questions about autism. Each article pulls together the latest science to reflect what we know.

Autism 101 is designed to both provide information and highlight knowledge gaps, indicating where data on a subject are absent or contradictory. Like our understanding of autism, this section is evolving, so please check back often.

Read more here. 

Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood Introduces A New Autistic Character Named Max

A new friend is coming to Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood. The popular animated series on PBS Kids recently introduced viewers to Max, an autistic boy who is the nephew of Teacher Harriet. Voiced by a 13-year-old autistic boy, Max will make his big debut in April. 

Max will join the little tiger and his friends in the classroom on Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood on April 5. As a young autistic boy, Max is sensitive to bright lights and loud sounds, and sometimes has trouble meeting new friends. The show will follow Daniel and his friends, including Max’s big sister Amira, as they learn to find ways to keep their environment calm for him so they can all play together.

Read more here at Romper.

Owen’s odyssey: The difficult path to an autism diagnosis

This is part 1 of the story of one boy’s long journey to an autism diagnosis and therapy.

Read more here at Spectrum. 

Autism Navigator® ASD Video Glossary

The ASD Video Glossary is a web-based tool built to help families and professionals learn more about the early signs of autism. This tool was developed by the Florida State University Autism Institute in collaboration with First Signs and Autism Speaks and has been available to the public free of charge since 2007. The Glossary contains more than 100 video clips illustrating the diagnostic features of ASD. Side-by-side video clips show behaviors that are typical in contrast with those that are red flags for autism. The Glossary also contains over 100 video clips to illustrate common treatments available for children with autism. The ASD Video Glossary has been brought into the Autism Navigator collection and updated to be in line with the new DSM-5 diagnostic framework.

Read more here. 

An Open Letter to the Media: On “Severe” Autism and Inspiration Porn

Inspiration Porn: The Basics

So, what is inspiration porn, exactly?

Well, let’s condense a big topic into a few points that should be easy enough to identify, understand, and then, most importantly– NOT practice in journalism.

1. Featuring Disabled People Doing Everyday Tasks

If a disabled person is doing something that most people do, like communicating, attending an event, or– say– graduating from high school, then it’s not newsworthy.

A few months ago, there was a daughter who was signing for her father at a concert. This became national news, and everyone talked about how touching it was.

But this is a daughter and a father communicating. They’re using language like everyone else does when they communicate. To film them… creepy.

Two people communicating in their language is normal.

Again, for the people in the back: people communicating in their language is

NORMAL

Let’s imagine how cringe-worthy this scenario is in another context:

Marissa and Maya are meeting after work to have a chat over a glass of wine.

They are speaking Spanish in Nebraska. An amazed patron who has never seen two real-life people speaking Spanish films it and puts it on YouTube.

It becomes a national story. Women had a glass of wine and– communicated. Stop the presses.

See? It’s weird, right?

Was an autistic person graduating what was newsworthy? Because most autistic people graduate. Was a woman signing to her deaf father in their everyday, normal communication? Because that is not unique to them. That’s their daily life.

Not being the majority does not mean that someone is fair game for being exoticized. A disabled person sighting is not like bigfoot, and footage of their interactions in life does not make for ethical clickbait.

Read more here. 

Pablo - A New Show on Netflix

PABLO, a young boy with autism uses his creativity to invent a world where he can better process the complex emotions he feels in various social situations. Each episode opens with five-year-old Pablo (William Burns and Oliver Burns, voiced by Jake Williamson) facing a new and potentially frightening event, such as a friend's birthday party or a haircut. As he draws with his magic crayons, he's transported to a magical world where his animal friends -- Wren (voiced by Sumita Majumdar), Tang (Michael White), Mouse (Rachael Dickson), Noasaurus (Tony Finnegan), Llama (Rosie King), and Draff (Scott Mulligan) -- help him understand what he's feeling and gain the confidence he needs to face the unknown.

The series uses a mix of live-action and animated sequences to differentiate between Pablo's real-life experiences and those that take place in a world of his imagination, where his animal friends help him process his complex emotions and find the courage to face the unknown. Featuring a core cast of actors with autism and using real-life experiences of kids and adults on the autism spectrum as its inspiration, this series is an excellent tool for helping kids on the spectrum identify their own emotions. It also offers a unique glimpse into the effects of autism for viewers without firsthand experience.

Review from Common Sense Media. 

Study: Specialized Teacher Training Yields More Success For Kids With ASD

Training public school teachers specifically to work with students who have autism makes a big difference, new research suggests, helping kids on the spectrum excel in mainstream classes.

A new study looking at elementary schools in districts across the country finds that providing teachers with just a little bit of extra knowledge about how to work with children with the developmental disorder can yield significant results.

In cases where teachers received specialized training, those on the spectrum “were initiating more, participating more, having back-and-forth conversations more and responding to their teachers and peers more frequently,” said Lindee Morgan of Emory University who led the study which was published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology.

Read more here at Spectrum. 

Not Autism, but A Good Short Video About a Young Woman

This video was created to help Kathryn's peers learn about her on their first day of 7th grade!

Understanding the spectrum

I hear alot of people misinterpreting or misusing the term ‘autism spectrum’. So for Autism Acceptance week, I decided to make a comic to help explain the term and how it affects things. Archie is one of the reasons I became so interested/knowledgeable in autism (I like to go all out in research when I write characters for comics n such) so he’s the one presenting everything! 

See more here. 

DATE: 

February 01, 2017, 11:00 am CST - 45-minutes

TITLE: 

Supporting Students with Severe and Multiple Disabilities: What Paraeducators Need to Know and Do

DESCRIPTION: 

This session will demonstrate how to choreograph effective paraeducator support to students with severe and multiple disabilities that is student-centered, non-intrusive and non-stigmatizing. Participants will learn strategies to maximize academic and social learning opportunities for students they support while facilitating growth of independence and reduce adult dependence. The inclusion of classroom scenarios and student-specific vignettes during the presentation will help with implementation of best-practices.

COST: 

FREE

PRESENTER: 

PADMAJA SARATHY

LEVEL: 

Beginner

LEARN MORE & REGISTER

10 Things I Keep in My 'Toolkit' as an Autistic Person

7. Something that smells good: My sense of smell is sensitive. Public bathrooms, household cleaners, chemicals, and air fresheners all make me queasy. I like to have good scented lotion or perfume (that smells like food or candy) in my bag to apply when I need to smell something pleasant and block out something obnoxious.

8. Gum/mints/candy: My stims are less obvious, possibly because I’ve turned to an oral fixation. I like to keep organic mints, candy, or gum in my bag. Personally, I cannot handle aspartame or artificial sweeteners as they aggravate my stomach. I tend to be more sensitive to any non-organic chemicals than most people.

9. Taking breaks: I’ve found it is better for me to step away for a quiet moment alone than to have a public meltdown or shutdown. Don’t be afraid to excuse yourself and step away to take a break if you need one.

Read more here. 

Archived Webianrs - Autism Case Training

Read more here.

Autism Explanation Videos for Kids and Adults

See the videos here. 

Libraries and Autism

Find the resources here. 

Webinars - STRATEGIES FOR WORKING WITH STUDENTS WITH AUTISM IN THE GENERAL EDUCATION SETTING

If you only have 30 minutes for professional development, this series is for you!!! This twelve part series of 30-minute courses presented by Dr. Amanda Boutot was designed to give general educators, parents, administrators, paraprofessionals and others quick, practical strategies that can be easily implemented in the general education classroom.

(C) STRATEGY 3: CREATE PREDICTABILITY

WORKSHOP #SU1224754

This is the third course in a series of 12, 30-minute online courses. After completing Strategy 3: Create Predictability, a participant will be able to discuss: 1) Understanding an individual's need for predictability, 2) Establishing routines: Consistent schedules, 3) Establishing routines: Consistent activities and expectations, 4) Using visuals to support predictability, and 5) Preparing for changes.

(I) STRATEGY 9: USE BEHAVIORAL STRATEGIES THAT PROMOTE SUCCESS LEARNING

WORKSHOP #SU1224760

This is the ninth course in a series of 12, 30-minute online courses. After completing Strategy 9: Use Behavioral Strategies That Promote Successful Learning, a participant will be able to discuss: 1) Behavior management vs. discipline, 2) Using positive reinforcement vs. punishment, 3) Using positive behavioral supports, 4) Using group vs. individual behavior systems, 5) Using behavior contracts and self-management system, 6) Selecting a reinforcement system.

Read more here. 

5 Ways to Be a Supportive Sibling to Someone On the Autism Spectrum

I come from a very close-knit family. My parents have been married for over 30 years, and I have two wonderful brothers. Fifteen years ago, when my youngest brother Joe was just 7 years old, we found out he has Asperger’s syndrome. At the time, there was not much research about it; my family treated Joe like everyone else.

Being an older sister has its perks, but when you are dealing with someone on the autism spectrum, there are things to consider.

1. Be careful how you tease. If you are an older sibling, you will inevitably find ways to torment your younger brothers and sisters. But, if one of them happens to have Asperger’s, they may not get over the torments so easily, and likely will not understand sarcasm.

2. Realize you may never win a debate. My brother is very headstrong and insists that Donovan McNabb should have never left the Philadelphia Eagles. He has statistics to prove it. I do not. I can just argue. He can back up his arguments about everything from sports to politicians with facts and figures.

Read more here.

School Community Tool Kit

The purpose of this kit is to provide helpful information about students with autism and tools and strategies to achieve positive interactions and increase learning for all members of the school community.

With help from respected experts in the field of autism and special education, and experienced parents, caregivers and teachers, we’ve included an introduction to autism and specific strategies for supporting students.

The School Community Tool Kit is broken down into sections. Click here to download the full version of the kit, or click the links below to download the individual sections. 

About the School Community Tool Kit
Information about the resources included, a section on how to use the tool kit, a note to families and caregivers, an "About Me" profile form, and more.

About Autism
Information about autism, Asperger Syndrome, social symptoms, physical and medical issues, additional challanges and unique abilities that may accompany autism.
Click here to view the "Autism Basics" brochure from the tool kit.
Click here to view the "Asperger's Syndrome Basics" brochure from the tool kit.

The School Community
Autism and Asperger Syndrome Basics brochures, and information for classmates, teachers, school administrators, paraprofessionals, bus drivers/transportation supervisors, custodial staff, lunch and recess aides, office staff, peers, nurses and security officers. 

Educating Students with Autism
Information about about the rights of students with autism, instructional methods in teaching students, assistive technologies, therapies used, and ideas for a team approach.

Supporting Learning in the Student with Autism
Information about supporting communication, organizational and sensory needs, improving social interaction and development, ideas for preventing behavior, and more.

Web, Print and Video Resources
A list of various resources for all members of the school community.

Appendix
Insights, strategies, assessments, handbooks, and lots more!

Using the Power Card Strategy to Teach Social Skills to a Child with Autism

Learn more about Power Card Strategies here. 

15 People on the Autism Spectrum Describe What a Meltdown Feels Like

People on the autism spectrum, and their loved ones, unfortunately hear phrases like these every day. Why? Because they often experience sensory overload when too much sensory stimulus is occurring at once. It can be triggered by a crowded room, a TV turned up too loud, strong aromas, fluorescent lighting — or a hundred other things. It’s also associated with diagnoses like sensory processing disorder (SPD), chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, post-traumatic stress disorder and more, although anyone can experience it. Often, a meltdown is the only way to relieve the building tension of sensory overload.

The outsider may perceive this as throwing a tantrum.

Let’s get a few things clear: a meltdown is not  the same as a tantrum, and people who experience meltdowns do not choose to break down. Every person has different techniques for preventing or getting through meltdowns. Different coping mechanisms work for different people. What universally doesn’t work? Judgmental stares, points and especially comments. But we’re not trying to call you out if you’ve ever mistaken a meltdown for a tantrum — we’re just here to help you understand the difference.

We asked autistic individuals in our community to describe what it feels like to have a meltdown. Hopefully their insight will help spread some understanding and empathy.

Read more here.