PPBF: Sabita Finds Her Voice

Good morning and happy end of April.

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Autism Uncensored

Today I'm excited because our incredible Art teacher is almost done with this, the entrance to our Book Barn. Her talent begs the question: Could we just hire her to welcome-ize all of the doorways in our school? 

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Helping Children On The Autism Spectrum Thrive

Happy Great Kindness Challenge, Day 4.

Did you catch the Kids for Peace Kindness Team 

on Good Morning America this morning?

Click the Kids For Peace Kindness Bus image for the schedule.

I'm so excited that the Kindness Bus is making its way from NYC down to our town in Texas over the next few days; they're set to arrive Monday evening and help us put the finishing touches around the playground that they've donated and beautify the area around our kindness rocks Peace Garden. Isn't it phenomenal?

Come play with us!

The Challenge Course sign went in this afternoon.

What kind things have warmed your world this week?

My friend Ann found this book and bought it for me;

isn't that so kind? I can't wait to dig in.

Click the image to find out more.

I found this freebie download for a Kindness Kit; 

the posters are so pretty and this Texas educator's gift so generous.

Then, Kelly Tatera, a therapy provider in Austin, reached out to me to kindly offer a guest post on ways to help children with autism. I'm feeling warmed from the inside out.

Six Learning Tools and Tips to Help Kids on the Autism Spectrum Thrive

For many school teachers and counselors, figuring out how to best accommodate children with special needs in school settings can be tricky. Each case of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is unique, accompanied by its own set of behaviors and personality traits. While there’s no ‘one size fits all’ approach for autism inclusion, there are a number of tools and tips that teachers can implement in their classrooms.

1.     Visual teaching

In an Indiana University article, Temple Grandin, one of the most recognized voices in the autism community, outlined her experiences with learning in ways that worked for her, stressing the importance of visuals. 

Many individuals on the spectrum are visual learners, so it helps to have some kind of visual to go along with lessons. For example, teaching words like “fast” and slow” could be demonstrated with toy cars moving at a fast pace versus a slow pace.

2.     Highlight skills and talents

Many children with autism are extremely gifted in areas like art, music, mathematics and computer programming, to name a few. Encourage these talents and incorporate them in the child’s curriculum. These are the areas that can cheer them up on a challenging day and potentially even serve as future employment opportunities.   

3.     Teach lessons in multiple locations

Generalization is one of the obstacles in teaching children with autism. They might learn how to overcome a challenging behavior at school, but parents could still see this behavior at home. It’s important to teach in such a way that a skill or behavior is learned and can be applied in all settings.

One way to help with generalization is to work on a lesson in a few different areas around a classroom or throughout the school. Also, make sure to keep parents in the loop with different lesson plans that they can help work on at home.

4.     iPads and Autism Apps

Children on the autism spectrum often struggle with communication or are entirely nonverbal. iPads are a great tool to help with communication, as well as some of the other challenges faced by those with ASD. 

There are a variety of iPad apps engineered specifically to meet the needs of those on the spectrum. Apps can offer an alternate means of communication, help teach emotions and behaviors, and provide prompts and visual schedules to ease the anxiety associated with transitions.

5.     Use reinforcements

In order to reduce the amount of undesirable behaviors in those with special needs, it’s important to reinforce the desirable ones. Reinforcers could be a fun toy, a favorite snack, stickers on a chart to earn prizes – get creative with it.

6.     Use fixations to help teach

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Children on the spectrum often become fixated on specific objects or topics, like cars or dinosaurs. Use these fixations to help teach other academic subjects, like math or reading. For instance, read books about dinosaurs or teach addition and subtraction using toy cars.

About the author: Kelly Tatera works for Action Behavior Centers, a therapy provider for children on the autism spectrum. Through online and community outreach, the ABC team strives to educate others on ASD and raise autism awareness.

Please join me in thanking Kelly for sharing her expertise.

Here are a few more resources to complement her post.

I've been reading this interesting manual.

Click image to go to the book's website.

Here's what the Smith Publicity Press Release had to say:

• Applied Behavior Analysis: The best opportunities to lift the trajectory of the life of a child with autism is through this therapy seldom found in public special education
• Access, Not Excellence: Special education in the United States is based on the concept of access, which is no longer sufficient
• IDEA: The upcoming reauthorization will provide an opportunity for the law to catch up to scientific advances and social change
• Unbundling: IDEA is likely to follow the societal trend of unbundling to offer more tailored services and protections
• Social Media: The existence of social media greatly enhances parents’ ability to organize and advocate
• Reading Disabilities: Why reading disabilities could be moved from special education to mainstream education
• How Autism is Reshaping Special Education can be purchased from Amazon and Barnes and Noble

Do you know about Jetpulse Comics? Visit the link to meet Jake, a 7-year-old with Asperger's who wants to be the greatest superhero that the world has ever known. Prepare to be amazed; I think you'll agree he's well on his way.

Julia Cook's new book Uniquely Wired addresses autism;
I can't wait to get my hands on a copy.

Finally, click {here} for a Feelings Book template 

to help increase emotional literacy in your students.

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The Un-Prescription For Autism: A Review

Today I'm excited because I finished this book while it is still

National Autism Awareness Month.

I've always had a heart for children with Autism and this comprehensive newcomer, written by Dr. Janet Lintala, the mom of a child with autism, kept me engaged through each and every page in each and every chapter. As far as I could tell, there isn't a pebble that Dr. Lintala left unturned as she walks her readers through everything imaginable to, first and foremost, help ease the physical pains from which children on the spectrum suffer. Dr. Lintala's masterpiece spells out how behavioral and academic issues become easier to navigate once a child's physical issues and concerns are under control.

The book's format is super reader-friendly to get through and use. Dr. Lintala generously shares what has and hasn't worked for her child while she gives suggestions and options for managing the daily ins and outs of helping children with an autism diagnosis. I especially love the "Why I ask?" boxes in Chapter one. 

Getting to the why always matters.

There are so many things that I appreciated about this text, but one of the things that stands out is how honest and authentic, at times even blunt, this mom/author/doctor/advocate is. So be warned; you will be reading about BMs and urine and GI function. But the end more than justifies the means as you make your way through this thorough "Natural Approach for a Calmer, Happier, and More Focused Child." Oh, and there's even a chapter for adults on the spectrum.

Here are some related links that might interest you:

Newsmax: The Hard Line | Dr. Janet Lintala discusses Autism Awareness Month

The Register-Herald: ’The Un-Prescription for Autism’

Library Journal: On the Spectrum: New Titles for April, National Autism Awareness Month

GeekDad: ’The Un-Prescription for Autism’: Not the Voodoo I Expected 

If you or a loved one is living with autism, check out this book!

From the Publisher:

The Un-Prescription for Autism
A Natural Approach for a Calmer, Happier, and More Focused Child

By Janet Lintala with Martha W. Murphy
Published by AMACOM
Paperback: 304 pages
April 1, 2016

Description

Each year, more than 50,000 U.S. families receive an autism diagnosis. On top of turmoil and worry, they share the same urgent question: What can we do to help our child?

The answers parents find can be contradictory . . . even dangerous. The conventional approach (employed by too many pediatricians) is to medicate difficult behaviors into submission -- suppressing symptoms while leaving underlying health challenges untouched. Surfing the Internet for alternatives just leads to confusion.

Now, Dr. Janet Lintala, founder of the Autism Health center and an autism mom herself, shares the natural protocols used in her practice to dramatically improve the function and well-being of children on the spectrum. Drawing on the latest research developments, as well as personal and clinical experience, she targets the underlying issues (chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, gastrointestinal dysfunction, immune dysregulation) associated with the behavior, bowel, and sleep problems so common to autism.

Correcting these overlooked conditions with digestive enzymes, probiotics, antifungals, and other nonpsychiatric treatments brings transformative results: less pain, less aggression, and a child who is more receptive to behavioral and educational interventions.

While the medical profession is slow to change, autistic kids need help immediately. The Un-Prescription for Autism provides clear explanations, detailed protocols, and examples to help parents act quickly to restore their child's health, self-control, and language -- paving the way for reaching their full potential.

Author Bio: Janet Lintala, author of The Un-Prescription for Autism, founded and heads Autism Health!, which serves children and adults in 12 states. Her advice integrates the clinical expertise of a nonprescription autism practice with the firsthand experience only an autism parent can deliver.

Martha W. Murphy is an award-winning health writer.

For more information please visit http://janetlintala.com/ and follow the author on Facebook and Twitter

Reviews
". . . [T]he extraordinary outcomes Dr. Lintala has helped hundreds of patients and their families achieve over the past 10 years is why I am delighted to see her accessible and affordable health support strategies gathered into a book. . . . By reading this book, you can benefit from the lessons learned the hard way by a dedicated autism mom and savvy clinician. . . . Above all, what you'll find here are valuable clinical insights packaged into doable action plans to help your child." 

-- From the foreword by Elizabeth Mumper, MD, FAAP; President & CEO, Rimland Center for Integrative Medicine; Former Medical Director, Autism Research Institute

"Amidst a sea of confusing opinions, techniques and advice, this book provides a rare combination of science-based research and practical strategies for parents and professionals. . . . [Dr. Janet] possesses a deep understanding of autism that enables her to cut through the misconceptions and deliver common sense, effective strategies for moving these children toward optimal cognitive, behavioral and physical health. . . . I have witnessed transformations in children with autism that professionals and parents alike thought impossible. Following the clear, concise approaches outlined in this book gives children the best shot at obtaining their maximum potential." 

-- Maureen H. McDonnell, BS, RN, Health Editor, WNC Woman Magazine; Former Medical Coordinator, The Imus Ranch for Kids with Cancer; President, Health Education Services, Wellness Workshops, Inc.; Cofounder, Saving Our Kids, Healing Our Planet 

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PPBF: Leah's Voice

It's been two weeks since my last PPBF and I've been waiting for this book to arrive so I could share it with you while it was still April, Autism Awareness Month. This is without a doubt an important book because of its potential to give children with autism (and their siblings!) a voice. 

Title: Leah's Voice
Author: Lori DeMonia
Illustrator: Monique Turchan
Publisher: Halo Publishing International
Date: October 6, 2012
Suitable for: ages 5 and up
Themes: autism, acceptance, kindness, compassion, art, siblings
Realistic Fiction
Brief Synopsis: When Leah's differences start to get in the way and ruin things for her younger sister Logan at a play date and then at the movies, Mom decides it's time to explain to Logan that her big sister is on the spectrum and has autism.

Opening page: Logan stood at the window waiting with excitement. Her friend Abby was coming over for her very first play date. As soon as a car pulled in the drive, Logan yelled out, "She's here!"
Logan waited with the door open as Abby waved to her mom.
"Hi Logan," Abby said.
"Hi Abby, what should we do first?" Logan asked.
"Let's play a board game."
"Yeah, that's a great idea. I have a new one we can play too." Logan started to set up the board. "Abby, I can't wait for you to meet my older sister Leah."
"Does she want to play with us?" asked Abby.
"I can ask her."

Resources: 
Check out Leah's Art Work at KindTree.org {here}
Check out the activities at the book's website {here}
Read a review from Cozy Little Book Journal Blog {here}
Find a list of other books on autism and links to activities {here}
Read Sean Barron's list of unspoken rules that people with autism might have {here}
Download a Feelings Booklet I created {here}

It's challenging for a student on the spectrum to draw his/her feelings.

Why I like this book:  First of all, I like this book because I blogged earlier this month that I had it on my wish list and the author offered to send me a copy with no strings attached. I thought that that was so nice. But even more delightful is that I was instantly drawn to the playful and brightly-colored illustrations that enhance this simple story of two siblings who are dancing through life and learning the steps it'll take to successfully navigate life on the spectrum. 

The book is so realistic that it took me back to my life as a little girl. When family friends with two girls would come to visit my sister and me, I always wanted to play with the younger one because I didn't connect with the sister who was my age very well. I was a kid, so I'm not entirely sure about this part, but I think that she was challenging in a way that I found difficult to understand. The younger one was so much more like me and I remember feeling so torn and conflicted about wanting to do the right thing and play with the older one, yet longing to spend time with the younger one with whom it was easier to be friends.

Compare and contrast this tale with Anthony Best, a story about a boy on the spectrum from the viewpoint of a friend.

For enrichment and character infusion, use this sibling story as a springboard for accepting - and celebrating! - differences. I just love that Leah found her voice through painting and art, but you don't have to have autism to find your voice. And a voice doesn't have to be words either, does it? Ask your students how and/or where they find their voice. Maybe it's outdoors, exploring or playing, where they find their voice. Maybe it's in a book, connecting with the characters, or maybe it's dancing up on a stage. I know I find my voice when I'm writing or when I'm presenting material that I'm passionate about at a workshop or seminar. Have students illustrate a paper for a bulletin board showing how they make their voice heard, then vote on a title for the visual display: See My Voice or Hear My Voice? Or something else?

Check out Leah's Voice; I think you'll be glad that you have this

 Mom's Choice Award Winner on your shelves.

For more information on autism, 
visit Autism Speaks or Students First Project.

And if you want to link up to Susanna Leonard Hill's Perfect Picture Book Friday today or see what other titles are being recommended, you can do so {here}.

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