Category Archives: Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism and Managing Multi-Tasking and Memory

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Source: (Huffington Post)
Writer: Mary Bailey

There are studies and articles that explore the mysteries of multi-tasking and memory in the life of individuals with autism, but there are still huge question marks which have yet to be answered. In my own search for the keys to Chase’s brain, I learned that researchers have discovered that the brains of children with autism are inflexible at rest-to-task performance. This basically means that specific brain connections do not change or function as they should, when switching from a resting-state to a task-state. There can also be impairments in the parts of the brain responsible for prospective memory (remembering things that need to be done in the future) and retrospective memory (remembering things that occurred in the past). Click here to read the rest of the story

What’s the Difference Between High and Low Functioning Autism?

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Teacher helping student in classroom
Source: (Very Well)
Author: Lisa Jo Rudy

People with autism are often described as being “high functioning”  or ” low functioning” But there are no such diagnoses in the diagnostic manual.

In 2013, new diagnostic criteria for autism were created to describe three levels of autism. These levels are supposed to describe the level of support each individual requires.  But there is nothing in the criteria that describes which strengths or challenges would slot an individual into a particular level.

And of course the level of support required by any individual varies based on the situation and setting.

So what is meant by these terms? The answer isn’t obvious. Click here to read the rest of the story.

Why “High Functioning” Autism Is So Challenging

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Man with head in the clouds
Source:(Very Well)
Author: Lisa Jo Rudy

The autism spectrum is very large.  If you think of it as a rainbow (or a bell curve), you’ll note that there’s an awful lot of the spectrum that is at neither one end nor the other — but somewhere in the middle.

At this point in history, we don’t have good information to tell us whether MOST people on the autism spectrum are “somewhere in the middle,” but it is clear that the lion’s share of media attention goes to folks at the high and the low ends of the spectrum — that is, the profoundly disabled and the very high functioning. Please click here to read the rest of the story.

2017 Autism Conferences

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Hi Everyone!

It that time again for the yearly upcoming autism conference listings. The conferences listed are specifically on the topic of autism spectrum disorder. The conferences vary from 1-day seminars to 3-day sessions and keynote speakers. Some of the conferences focus on parents and people with autism, while others are geared specifically for researchers and educators.

2017autism-conferences

When you click on the highlighted links, you will find additional information on the costs, location, hotels and detailed information on each conference..

January

Date: January 13

Future Horizons

Autism One Day Conference
The River Center
136 E. 3rd Street
Davenport, IA 52801

Features Renown Dr. Temple Grandin who will give insights backed by research evidence and her own experience.

Date: January 18-20

Council for Exceptional Children, Division on Autism and Developmental Disabilities

18th International Conference on Autism, Intellectual Disability and Developmental Disabilities
Sheraton Sand Key Resort
1160 Gulf Blvd
Clearwater Beach, FL 33767

Featured sessions on post-secondary initiatives, differentiating instruction in the inclusive classroom, sexuality education and managing challenging behaviors.

Date: January 21-22

Massachusetts General Hospital

Autism Spectrum Disorders Across The Life Span
The Westin Conley Place
10 Huntington Avenue

Conference offers a broad review of advances in ASD research, genetics, diagnostic tools and treatments.

Date: January 31- February 2

Association for Behavior Analysis International
11th Annual Autism Conference
Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel and Casino
San Juan, Puerto Rico

This conference will focus on behavioral assessment and intervention across the life span of autism.

February

Date: February 9-10

The Matthew Reardon Center for Autism
305 Fahm Street
Savannah, GA 31401

March

Date: March 18

9th Annual Southern Main Autism Conference
Doubletree Hotel
363 Maine Mall Rd.
Portland, ME 04106

A one-day conference for parents and family members of children with autism, educators and service providers

Date: March 26-27

19th International Conference on Autism
NH Collection Madrid
Eurobuilding
Padre Damian 23 28036
Madrid, Spain

Aims to bring together leading academic scientists, researchers and research scholars to exchange and share their experiences and research results on all aspects of Autism. It also provides a premier interdisciplinary platform for researchers, practitioners and educators to present and discuss the most recent innovations, trends, and concerns as well as practical challenges encountered and solutions adopted in the fields of Autism

April

Date: April 26-29

22nd Annual Minnesota Autism Conference
Doubletree Minneapolis

A 3-day conference for educators, parents, caregivers, mental health professionals, service providers and people on the spectrum.

Date: April 28

Center for Advancement of Behavior Analysis
CABA Autism Conference
Seal Beach
Old Ranch Company Club
3901 Lampson Avenue
Seal Beach, CA 90740

A conference on autism for behavior analysis, educators, psychologists, speech language pathologists and parents.

May

Date: May 3-4

Autism Conference and Expo of Georgia 2017
Loudermilk Conference Center
40 Courtland Street NE
Atlanta, GA 30303

The conference theme is, ‘Innovation to Action: Connecting the Pieces with Practical Strategies.’ This conference is intended for professionals, parents and self-advocates.

Date: May 10-13

International Society for Autism Research
Marriott Marquis Hotel
San Francisco, CA

An annual scientific meeting, convened each spring, to exchange and disseminate new scientific progress among ASD scientists.

July

Date:July 12-15

49th Annual Autism Society National Conference

The Wisconsin Center
400 W. Wisconsin Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53203

Will include session, keynote addresses and social events for individuals, families, educators, caregivers and service providers on concrete strategies that allow people to interact with one another and the world on their terms.

August

Date:August 24-25

U.S. Autism and Asperger Association
12th Annual World Conference
Location: TBA (To Be Announced)

Conference open to anyone interested in learning more about autism, Asperger’s and related disorders including parents/families, caregivers, adults with ASD, employers, educators, professionals, agencies, and self-advocated.

September

Date:September 7-9

Asia Pacific Autism Conference, 2017
International Convention Centre
14 Darling Dr,
Sydney NSW 2009,
Australia

3 Ways Technology Can Help Students With Autism

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Image result for technology
(Article Source: Ed Tech)

It is a statistic that most Americans would probably be stunned to find is so prevalent: One of out every 68 kids in the United States is on the autism spectrum, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While it’s true that most children these days are considered “digital natives,” children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) also find themselves most comfortable with a device in their hands.

In an article for the Indiana Resource Center for Autism, author Kristie Brown Lofland notes that children with ASD are visual learners, which means technology can be a valuable tool in the learning process.

“Technology just makes visual images more accessible to the individual with ASD. Computer graphics capture and maintain their attention,” Lofland writes. Click here to read the rest of the story.

The invisible girls on the Autism Spectrum — Everyday Autism

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I recently helped a friend with her niece, who had just been diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder. My friend strongly felt that this diagnosis was wrong, and after reading more about my symptoms and experiences with ASD believed that her niece “Anne” (name changed) was actually Autistic. The symptoms were all there – social issues, […]

via The invisible girls on the Autism Spectrum — Everyday Autism

4 Things You Must to Make Standards-Based Instruction Meaningful

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Standards-based instruction can be tough for students with significant disabilities. Here are 4 tips to help make it meaningful for our students.

 

 

 

 

 

I’ve been thinking a lot these past few weeks about standards-based instruction.  I’ve been working on a presentation to help teachers teach based on the standards.  Most (if not all) states require standards-based instruction be identified in the IEP.  In addition, we evaluate our students based on the grade-level standards, even the students taking the alternate assessment.  So, how do we keep what we teach relevant to the lives of most of our students? How do we make our teaching meaningful and functional for students who are not college bound.  For those students who will need significant support after school, how do we help them use science and social studies information daily? Click here to read the rest of the story

 

A Board Game Designed to Help Autistic Adults Make Friends

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Source: Innovation by Design

Almost everyone can relate to the feeling of social isolation—lunch time at a new school, a party with no familiar faces, the first day on the job. But it’s a particularly persistent problem for many young adults on the autism spectrum, who report feeling left out socially with few friendships or invitations to gatherings. While there are many resources for children with autism, there are few aimed at helping an older demographic make friends and find their way in a social world. Click here to read the rest of the story

Book Review: The Out-Of-Sync Child Grows Up

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outof sync

The Out-of-Sync Child Grows Up: Coping with Sensory Processing Disorder in the
Adolescent and Young Adult Years
By: Carol Kranowitz
Forward by: Lucy Jane Miller
Published by: Peguin Random House
Pages: 320
Format: Paperback, Kindle

This book is the long-awaited follow-up to the best seller, The Out-Of-Sync Child. Presenting information and advice for tweens, teens, and young adults living with Sensory Processing Disorder, and their parents. The purpose of the book is to offer coping strategies for SPD, help readers living with SPD share their stories and to increase public awareness about SPD.

The book is broken into 4 parts. Ms. Kranowitz begins the first chapter with background history o how she started gathering information on SPD. Chapter 2 describes typical and atypical development. Part 2 describes coping with daily activities and part 3 explains coping with relationships while part 4 provides insight into living an “In-Sync” life.

The book also provides personal stories from people with SPD. Their stories move the book from one of practical tips to truly understanding the experiences of a child with SPD. The format of the book will help people with SPD realize they are not alone and help both parents and professionals understand the needs of a teen and young adult with SPD.

 

 

 

10 Speech Therapy Blogs You Should Be Reading

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Speech therapy is a key component in the life of a child with a disability. When it comes to speech therapy, there are so many blogs that provide an abundance of resources for other speech therapist, teachers and parents. Finding the right ones however can be a challenge.

speechblog2

The following blogs provide tons of information, resources and tips on speech language topics. Here are 10 speech therapy blogs worth checking out (in no particular order).

Beautiful Speech Life– Creates and develops therapy materials for fellow SLP’s and teachers. This website provides freebies, language materials and quick therapy tips.

Nicole Allison Speech Peeps– This website offers speech language resources on a variety of topics and an evidence-based intervention series.

PediaStaff– A resourceful blog providing informative news information and article blogs from speech language websites.

Simply Speech– A site with freebies and great blog ideas and activities

Speech 2 U- Provides resources, freebies and therapy topics on communication, social language, social language, organization, plus more!

Speechy Musing– Provides speech therapy resources on a variety of topics. Age range includes, birth to 3, elementary school and middle school on the subject of articulation, language and AAC; The site also includes a blog for fellow speech therapist.

Sublime Speech– Provides therapy to children with severe and profound disabilities. Website includes information on apps, articulation, language, materials and social skills

Teach Speech 365. Includes freebies, giveaways and therapy topics.

The Dabbling Speechie– A website for speech and language pathologist and parents offering a variety of resources on articulation, language and social skills.

The Speech Room News– Specializing in pediatric speech and language therapy, Jenna’s site provides resources for speech language pathologists and educators. The website includes free resources, and treatment topics on articulation, social language, preschool and more.