29 February 2016

Mobile App Monday - ABC Food


Got a picky eater? Want to explore new foods with them?

"Honored to have been selected as a Parents' Choice Award winner.
Children's Technology Review Editor's Choice Award for Excellence in Design.

Expose your child to the exciting world of Food! Our award-winning ABC Series teaches children new words through sight, sound & touch. Let them chop celery, cook pasta, slice strawberries & more through beautiful pictures, lively videos, and interactive scenes." -iTunes

For more information, please visit:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id460479661

26 February 2016

Visual supports for people with autism


Visual supports for people with autism offers teachers, parents, and service providers a practical guide to making visual supports--any pictorial, graphic, or scheduling aid. These aids often help people with autism learn academic subjects, daily living and self-help skills. Strategies for using visual supports are also included.

Want to check it out? Email us at cedir@indiana.edu or use worldcat.org to find it in a library near you.

The Indiana Resource Center for Autism also offers a collection of visual supports on their website. Please visit:
http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/pages/visualsupports

24 February 2016

Summer 2016 Camps and Programs

Already looking for a listing of summer camps? The folks at the Indiana Resource Center for Autism have compiled a list of camps and programs that will be running this year. The list is lengthy and includes a couple of camps outside of Indiana as well.

To find the entire list, please visit:
http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/pages/summer-camps-and-programs

23 February 2016

Autism in Love

The Institute’s Indiana Resource Center for Autism and Center on Community Living and Careers, along with WTIU Bloomington and the City of Bloomington, are sponsoring a viewing of the documentary film Autism in Love on Saturday, April 23, 2016 starting at 2:30 pm in the City Council Chambers, Bloomington. This highly acclaimed, insightful, and touching documentary, directed by Matt Fuller, brings awareness to the challenges of dating and love for people who have an autism spectrum disorder. Autism in Love is simultaneously sorrowful and heart wrenching while also encouraging and hopeful. It’s a raw, sometimes emotional look into the lives of four people with ASD who share their frustrations, pain, and successes in trying to find, date, love, and connect to someone understands and appreciates them.

Special Guests Lindsey Nebeker and Dave Hamrick, a couple featured in Autism in Love, will answer questions following the film. Questions and answers with Ms. Nebeker and Mr. Hamrick will follow at 4:00 p.m. Light refreshments will be served.

Educators, family members, parents, caregivers, and adults with ASD should plan to attend. The Indiana Institute on Disability and Community is committed to providing equal access to this event for all participants. If you have questions about accessibility or have a request for alternative formats or other accommodations, contact Lisa Bidwell (lbidwell@indiana.edu) at (812) 855-6481 with your request at least three weeks in advance of the event. Deadline for an accommodations request for this workshop is April 1, 2016. For questions about film content, contact Melissa Dubie at mdubie@indiana.edu or call (812) 855-6508.

This event is FREE, but seating is limited. Please register online at
http://go.iu.edu/197T

19 February 2016

Executive Function Workshop

Executive Function Workshop

Presented by 
Brenda Smith Myles, Ph.D.

April 11, 2016 - Indianapolis, IN

Sponsored by
Indiana Resource Center for Autism
In Collaboration with the MSD of Lawrence Township

The newly defined 21st Century Skills recognized the importance of executive function skills to life success. Deficits in executive functioning mean students struggle with planning, being organized, following multi-step directions, time management, combining information from several sources to problem solve, and their working memory, among other things. The multiple aspects of executive function challenges that impact home, school, community, and employment will be described with examples that relate to each of these environments. In addition, the speaker will describe evidence-based interventions and supports that can be implemented to help individuals on the spectrum develop and use the diverse skills known as executive function.

For more information and to register, please visit:
http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/pages/executive-function-workshop

18 February 2016

Take charge of treatment for your Asperger child


Take charge of treatment for your Asperger child offers you "the knowledge and tools to become an effective case manager for your child, this book provides straightforward, practical instructions to create a comprehensive guide to your child's unique ASD profile. The individualized guide will:

- Provide information about your child's unique profile for anyone who needs it
- Serve as a toolbox and teaching template for your child's teachers and support team, with effective strategies to use with him or her
- Be an instruction booklet for your child, helping him or her to thrive at home, school and in the community
- Act as a case management road map to help you support your child and collaborate with teachers and service providers.

The book includes checklists and worksheets, which can also be accessed online, so that you can easily create a personalized guide for your child with autism aged 5-14." -publisher

Want to check it out? Email us at cedir@indiana.edu or use worldcat.org to find it in a library near you.

17 February 2016

Autism spectrum disorder in mid and later life


"Including a range of personal, academic and clinical perspectives, [Autism spectrum disorder in mid and later life] considers historical and contemporary perspectives on autism, including diagnosis, developmental outcomes and life course issues. Attention is given to medical, care and psychological issues that arise as people with ASD age, such as declining cognitive function and speech and communication issues. Family, community support, housing, advocacy, and socio-cultural considerations for older adults with ASD are also given careful consideration, and there are chapters on relationship and sexuality issues and on environmental design." -publisher

Want to check it out? Email us at cedir@indiana.edu or use worldcat.org to find it in a library near you.

12 February 2016

Sensory friendly performance

In honor of Dr. Seuss' birthday (March 2nd), Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre is announcing live performances of The Cat in the Hat. The show will run from February 23rd through March 3rd. Sensory friendly performances will be offered February 27th at 2 pm and March 1st at 10 am. For more information, please visit:

http://www.thecenterfortheperformingarts.org/tickets/production.aspx?PID=4628

11 February 2016

New Partners in Policymaking Class Announced

Partners in Policymaking is "a national leadership training program for adults with disabilities and parents of children with disabilities. The program teaches leadership skills and techniques to develop positive partnerships with elected officials, school personnel and other individuals who make policy decisions about services and supports that are offered by state and local agencies and schools."

Indiana's Governor's Council for People with Disabilities is announcing that a new class will be scheduled for this fall and applications are being accepted until May 9th.

For more information about the program and to download the application, please visit:
http://www.in.gov/gpcpd/2465.htm

09 February 2016

Free Improv Class for Teens on the Autism Spectrum and Teachers

Fans who remember watching Drew Carey and friends make up scenes and songs on “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” will enjoy this four-week improvisational theater class for teens on the autism spectrum and teachers. Improv offers a safe, supportive, and creative environment for teens on the spectrum and teachers to develop communication and social skills together. In the words of one Camp Yes And teen attendee, "The activities exercised my imagination. It was really creative and fun."

Sponsored by Indiana University's Center on Education and Lifelong Learning, classes will be held at the Monroe County Public Library auditorium in Bloomington, IN, on March 4, 11, 25, and April 1 from 4-5:30 PM. Classes are designed to support teens (13-18) on the autism spectrum with Asperger’s or compatible diagnoses and teachers -- including para-educators, mentors, supervisors, etc. -- of any discipline working in K-12 public or private, university, and/or community-based settings (e.g., arts or social services organizations).

To register, visit: http://go.iu.edu/169M. Registration is limited to 7 teens and 7 teachers, so please commit to attending if you register.

For more information contact Jim Ansaldo at (812) 855-3702 or jansaldo@indiana.edu

08 February 2016

Mobile App Monday - ExerciseBuddy


"ExerciseBuddy solves the difficult problem of introducing exercise to individuals with autism. Using best practice autism strategies, ExerciseBuddy inspires children and adults with autism to exercise without challenging parents, professionals, educators or caretakers.

"ExerciseBuddy was built by a team comprised of an Autism Fitness Specialist (Coach Dave), Special Education Teacher, Speech Language Pathologist and Technology Specialist." -iTunes

Want to learn more about this app? Please visit:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id1007991748

05 February 2016

Tools for Successful Transition

In a new article posted by the Indiana Resource Center for Autism, author Anna Merrill, MSEd, discusses what it takes, beyond simple intelligence, to become most successful in the transition from adolescence to adulthood. "The presence of traits like self-determination, resilience, and grit in adolescents with ASD has been linked to several positive outcomes including meaningful employment, independent living, recreation and leisure outcomes, and an overall improved quality of life."

Want to read the entire article? Please visit:
http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/pages/tools_for_successful_transition

04 February 2016

Supporting students with emotional and behavioral problems: Prevention and intervention strategies


Supporting students with emotional and behavioral problems: Prevention and intervention strategies "presents a highly effective tiered approach that helps you develop school- and class-wide interventions and match behavior interventions to each student's needs. Developed by trusted PBS experts and packed with concrete strategies, this essential resource will prepare teachers to prevent and reduce severe behavior problems, improve students' social interactions, and increase academic engagement." -publisher

Want to check it out? Email us at cedir@indiana.edu or use worldcat.org to find it in a library near you.

03 February 2016

Recognize, respond, report: Preventing and addressing bullying of students with special needs


Recognize, respond, report: Preventing and addressing bullying of students with special needs "gives K–12 educators, administrators, and school counselors the research-based interventions they need to stop bullying in its tracks—and prevent it before it starts. Using a simple framework of 3 Rs (Recognize, Respond, and Report), you'll master the core components of preventing and addressing bullying and disability-based harassment at the district level, classroom level, and individual level. Practical, proven strategies and tools blend with heartfelt, real-world advice from students who've experienced bullying themselves." -publisher

Want to check it out? Email us at cedir@indiana.edu or use worldcat.org to find it in a library near you.

01 February 2016

Mobile App Monday - Read&Write for iPad


Read&Write for iPad is an easy to use alternative keyboard and Safari toolbar to help with everyday tasks like emailing, working on documents, browsing the web and using online forms. It’s great for students, English Language Learners and people of all ages with dyslexia – or anyone who needs a little help typing with their iPad.

Want to learn more about it? Please visit:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id934749270