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CD Raises Awareness for Autism

Mary Riposo — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 22:48:00 GMT

I'm happy to share this product with you, as I believe it speaks to the heart of many parents who have a child diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. When I first heard "All He Has To Say", by aika, I was touched by the depth of emotion that is expressed through this song. If you or someone you know has a child with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, you will want to check out this CD.

Here are the lyrics:

When I walked into his room

He was sitting on the floor

Last night I prayed that he would

Wake up to something more

When I reached for his hand

He tightly held to mine

I looked him in the eyes and smiled

Told him everything was fine, child

I wonder what he’s thinking

When he's starin' off in space

His eyes filled with emotion

an innocent look on his face

As the silence filled the room

I wished for just one day

I could give him a voice

And hear all he has to say

all he has to say

all he has to say…

Where’s the link we need

That piece to make it whole

I need my little boy back

I need what autism stole

Before I put him to bed

I kneel beside and pray

One day he'll speak again

All He Has To Say was written by Boston songwriter Will Carr (www.WillCarrMusic.com) after reading a poem written by Lea Bishop about Autism. Lea Bishop, a teacher's assistant at the May Center for Child Development in Randolph, MA, who is devoting her higher education to bettering herself in order to change the lives of those on the Autism Spectrum. The inspiration for the song came as one of Ms. Bishop’s colleagues in the classroom was leaving the school to join another division of May Institute. “There is an inextricable bond between teacher and students with autism,” Ms. Bishop explains. “We were talking to the kids about their teacher leaving. Some of them are non-verbal or have difficulty with communication. We weren’t sure whether all of them understood that the teacher wouldn’t be coming back. But then one child got up from the circle and walked over to give her a big hug. For me, that moment captured the connection that exists between the child with autism and the world around him or her,” Ms. Bishop said.

All He Has To Say features award wining singer/songwriter aika (Aika Hirahara) on vocals (www.aikahirahara.com), with music by Music Producer/songwriter Nicolas Farmakalidis (www.Neilaproductions.com). The song, which was released in 2009, is available for purchase through www.allhehastosay.com, iTunes, and www.cdbaby.com. A portion of the proceeds from sales of the song will be donated to the May Center for Child Development in Randolph, MA, a full-day, year-round school for children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum and related disorders. For more information on the May Center, go to www.MayInstitute.org. For more information on the song, go to www.AllHeHasToSay.com.

Blessings,
Mary
Mary E. Riposo, PhD
www.AlternativeAutismSolutions.com

Picture Card Communication

Mary Riposo — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 00:16:00 GMT

Marion Pusey is a woman who would likely agree with the old adage; "necessity is the mother of invention". She has created personalized and individualized visual resources and educational materials for people affected by Autism and/or other disabilities where communication is affected. These materials can be used by families, teachers, therapists, and care givers to more effectively communicate with the individual.

Marion is the creator of Picture Card Communication (www.picturecardcommunication.com). Her creation was born out of a deep love for her family. You see, Marion has a 25 year old son with Autism and a 22 year old son with ADHD. In addition, her mother is 86 years old and suffers from Parkinsons and Dementia. Marion's love for her family inspired her to create the Picture Card Communication System in order to maintain communication despite all of the challenges that life often brings.

About five years ago, Marion met with a Speech Pathologist who was a member of the Autism Team for the local school board, and his enthusiasm for her work spurred her on to offer her products to a wider audience. Now she offers her products to others via her website (www.picturecardcommunication.com). She creates picture cards, puzzles, visual schedules, key chains, matching materials, visual step-by-step materials and more. She uses the child or individual's personal pictures to create the materials, and can further personalize them to the needs of the individual.

The Picture Communication Card products include:

1. Toileting, hand washing, bedtime sequence

2. Choice boards:

- outings eg. McDonald`s, Canadian Tire, Toys R Us,

Loblaws, Wal-Mart, Zellers

- park, bicycle, trampoline

- snacks, food and drinks

- pre-school and school activities

- Emotions (no thermometer) - "I feel .."

3. Picture key chains - to attach to belt loops for easy and quick access.

4. Dressing Program: for Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter, rain and bed-time.

5. Puzzles - farm animals (full colour cartoon)

- "5 Little Monkies"

6. Visual Schedules: hand washing, brushing teeth, toileting, dressing,

bedtime, pre-school and school

7. Emotions - choice board with "I feel."

- emotion thermometers

- calming sequence

8. Visual materials to support ABA/IBI programs:

- numbers, colours, shapes, alphabet

9. Visuals to support "Social Stories": eg.

- birth of a sibling

- telephone etiquette

- going to the movies

10. Visual materials to support Music programs

- pictures of instruments and activities

- puzzle - Old McDonald had a Farm

- puzzle - The Wheels on the Bus

11. Learning materials:

- alphabets - block letters and cursive letters with upper

and lower case

- alphabet letters are all single cards good for learning

the alphabet and pairing with pictures to learn

spelling.

- clocks - to teach time with both regular and digital

clocks

- Circle of Life

- Community helpers

12. Communication "PECS" books/binders

Marion's business is based in Canada. You can view her products by going to her website (www.picturecardcommunication.com). For more infrormation, you can contact Marion directly at ppusey@sympatico.ca.

Blessings,
Mary
Mary E. Riposo, PhD
www.AlternativeAutismSolutions.com

Brenda Smith Myles Conference in Syracuse 2/26/10

Mary Riposo — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 01:05:00 GMT

Brenda Smith Myles, PhD will be presenting a conference in Syracuse, NY entitled "Autism Spectrum Disorders: Developing a Comprehensive Program for Young Students" on Friday 2/26/10 from 8:30-4:30 pm. The conference will be held at the Sheraton Syracuse University Hotel and Conference Center, 801 University Avenue, Syracuse, NY, 13210, ph (315) 475-3000. Registration deadline is 2/22/10. The cost of the conference is $85 for professionals and $55 for parents. For telephone reservations call (315)-464-8668 or toll free (800)-464-8668. To pay by mail, make checks payable to the MLW Developmental Evaluation Center, 215 Bassett Street, Syracuse, NY, 13210. For more information, go to www.cnypreschoolcoalition.org. Click here to download the conference brochure.

Dr. Myles has made over 500 presentations all over the world, written more than 150 articles and

books on Autism and Asperger Syndrome, and served as the co-chair of the National ASD

Teacher Standards Committee. She is on the National Institute of Mental Health’s Interagency

Autism Coordinating Committee’s Strategic Planning Consortium and the Autism Society of

America’s Panel of Professional Advisors.

The conference will focus on a comprehensive, yet easy-to-use system that allows educators to understand how and when to implement an instructional program for young students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The Comprehensive Autism Planning System (CAPS) model answers the questions:

• What supports does my student/child need to be successful in school and home?

• What goals are my student/child working on?

• Is there a thoughtful sequence to the student’s/child’s day that matches his learning style.

The CAPS is a practical resource that addresses yearly progress, response to intervention (RTI) and positive behavior supports in a common-sense format. The CAPS process was developed to be used by the child's educational team consisting of parents, educators and therapists. The structure of CAPS ensures student success as well as data collection to measure that success. The CAPS program identifies supports for each of the student's daily activities focusing on the core deficits and strengths of autism. Specifically, the conference will discuss teaching social skills and social/emotional control.

At the end of the session, attendees will:

1. Identify evidence-based practices for young children with ASD.
2. Describe a structure to ensure that young children with ASD have their needs met throughout the day.
3. Identify the hidden curriculum and how it impacts young children with ASD.

The conference is being sponsored by the Central New York Coalition for Young Children with Special Needs, Kohl's Autism and Related Disorders/Margaret L. Williams Developmental Evaluation Center, Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital, and Kohl's Cares for Kids.

This should be a great conference!
Blessings,
Mary
Mary E. Riposo, PhD
www.AlternativeAutismSolutions.com

U.S. Autism Prevalence Rises 57% in 4 Years

Mary Riposo — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 00:29:00 GMT

Bethesda, MD (December 18, 2009) -- The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released their national autism prevalence report today, confirming that the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders in the United States is 1 percent of the population, or one in 110 of children 8 years of age in 2006.

The long-awaited report was conducted by the CDC’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network in 11 sites in 2006 and tracks prevalence in children 8 years of age. The Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network is a group of programs funded by CDC to determine the number of people with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) in the United States. The ADDM sites all collect data using the same surveillance methods, which are modeled after CDC’s Metropolitan Atlanta Developmental Disabilities Surveillance Program (MADDSP).

“This report confirms what we at the Autism Society have been saying for years about the prevalence of autism in America and the critical importance of early identification and interventions. For the first time, we are hearing our government acknowledge the real increase in autism and validating the impact this condition has on individuals, families and their communities,” said Lee Grossman, Autism Society President and CEO. “The question still remains: How bad does it have to get before families receive appropriate lifespan services?”

This report presents a number of other important details, including:

The study suggests that while better diagnosis accounts for some of the prevalence, a true increase cannot be ruled out. The report also underscores that “efforts are needed to understand how complex genetic and environmental factors interact to result in symptoms which make up the autism spectrum.”
The report again highlights that delays in identification still persist. Children in 2006 were being diagnosed only five months earlier on average than those in 2002, thus still missing the critical years of early intervention. (In 2002, children were diagnosed at an average age of 53 – 66 months, and in 2006, the average age was 50 – 60 months.) The report laudably notes that the continued lag in identification needs to be addressed as a public health concern so that this nation “can ensure that children in the U.S. receive optimal early intervention services.”
Increases in prevalence among minority population were significant, with a 91 percent increase in Hispanic children (with 144 percent increase in Arizona contributing to this) and 41 percent in black non-Hispanic. There was a 55 percent increase in White non-Hispanic.
Prevalence in boys was found to be 4.5 times higher in males than females. The report states one in 70 boys and one in 315 females have autism.
This study gathered data on prevalence and cognitive impairment, showing a 90 percent increase in children with borderline intellectual functioning and a 72 percent increase among children with average to above average intelligence. As intelligence testing is unstable in the autism community, further analysis needs to be done to understand this change.
Overall prevalence was lower among the sites with access to health evaluations alone, so sites that did not include educational evaluations likely underestimated ASD prevalence for that site. The lack of educational data would have impacted the cognitive functioning analysis as well.

It is important to note the ADDM study does not cover adult prevalence or those children who receive diagnoses later than 8, which can be common in the Asperger’s community, where the average age of diagnosis is 11 years old.

The ADDM report, which was conducted in the states of Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Missouri, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Wisconsin, is consistent with the Department of Health and Human Services National Survey of Children’s Health, published last October.

I'd love to know what you think about this newest research. I invite you to post a comment to this blog with your thoughts and comments.

Blessings,
Mary
www.AlternativeAutismSolutions.com

Support the Preventing Harmful Restraint and Seclusion in Schools Act, HR 4247

Mary Riposo — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 17:06:00 GMT

The Preventing Harmful Restraint and Seclusion in Schools Act, HR 4247 by Chairman George Miller (D-CA) and Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) was introduced on December 9, 2009. A companion bill was also introduced in the Senate by Senator Chris Dodd and is numbered S 2860.

The legislation draws on a Government Accountability Office report on restraints and seclusions released last spring, which found “hundreds of cases of alleged abuse and death related to the use of these methods on school children during the past two decades,” with a majority involving students with disabilities. Still, investigators could not ascertain the full extent of this problem - cases often go unreported, with some states not even keeping track of incidents.The bills seek to establish the first federal standards to protect students from misuse of restraint and seclusion and ensure the safety of everyone in the classroom. It would apply to public schools, private schools and preschools receiving federal education support. Specifically the legislation would:

• Establish important minimum federal safety standards in schools, similar to the protections already in place in hospitals and other non-medical community based facilities;
• Limit physical restraint and locked seclusion, allowing these interventions only when there is imminent danger of injury, and only when imposed by trained staff;
• Outlaw mechanical restraints, such as strapping kids to chairs, and prohibit restraints that restrict breathing;
• Require schools to notify parents after incidents when restraint or seclusion was used;
• Call on states, within two years of enactment, to establish their own policies, procedures, monitoring and enforcement systems to meet these minimum standards;
• Encourage states to provide support and training to better protect students and prevent the need for emergency behavioral interventions; and
• Increase transparency, oversight and enforcement tools to prevent future abuse.

Please take the time to advocate for people affected by autism and ask your Representative and Senators to cosponsor this important legislation. Go to https://secure2.convio.net/asa/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=349 and fill out a user friendly form today.

Blessings,
Mary
www.AlternativeAutismSolutions.com

Twelve Tips for Helping People with Autism and Their Families Have a Happy Holiday

Mary Riposo — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 23:49:00 GMT

The holiday season can be a stressful time for many families, and families of children on the Autism Spectrum may face additional challenges associated with the disruption of schedules and routines at this time of the year. The following tips, developed with input from the Autism Society, the Indiana Resource Center for Autism, Easter Seals Crossroads, the Sonya Ansari Center for Autism at Logan, and the Indiana Autism Leadership Network, were developed to help families of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders enjoy the holidays with the least amount of stress. Please feel free to share these tips with others who may be interested; and I also encourage you to post your own tips to this blog. Please share the tips that have helped you and your family get through the holidays.

(reprinted from the Autism Society website www.Autism-Society.org)

Twelve Tips for Helping People with Autism and Their Families Have a Happy Holiday

1. Preparation is crucial for many individuals. At the same time, it is important to determine how much preparation a specific person may need. For example, if your son or daughter has a tendency to become anxious when anticipating an event that is to occur in the future, you may want to adjust how many days in advance you prepare him or her. Preparation can occur in various ways by using a calendar and marking the dates of various holiday events, or by creating a social story that highlights what will happen at a given event.

2. Decorations around the house may be disruptive for some. It may be helpful to revisit pictures from previous holidays that show decorations in the house. If such a photo book does not exist, use this holiday season to create one. For some it may also be helpful to take them shopping with you for holiday decorations so that they are engaged in the process. Or involve them in the process of decorating the house. And once holiday decorations have been put up, you may need to create rules about those that can and cannot be touched. Be direct, specific and consistent.

3. If a person with autism has difficulty with change, you may want to gradually decorate the house. For example, on the first day, put up the Christmas tree, then on the next day, decorate the tree and so on. And again, engage them as much as possible in this process. It may be helpful to develop a visual schedule or calendar that shows what will be done on each day.

4. If a person with autism begins to obsess about a particular gift or item they want, it may be helpful to be specific and direct about the number of times they can mention the gift. One suggestion is to give them five chips. They are allowed to exchange one chip for five minutes of talking about the desired gift. Also, if you have no intention of purchasing a specific item, it serves no purpose to tell them that maybe they will get the gift. This will only lead to problems in the future. Always choose to be direct and specific about your intentions.

5. Teach them how to leave a situation and/or how to access support when an event becomes overwhelming. For example, if you are having visitors, have a space set aside for the child as his/her safe/calm space. The individual should be taught ahead of time that they should go to their space when feeling overwhelmed. This self-management tool will serve the individual into adulthood. For those who are not at that level of self-management, develop a signal or cue for them to show when they are getting anxious, and prompt them to use the space. For individuals with more significant challenges, practice using this space in a calm manner at various times prior to your guests' arrival. Take them into the room and engage them in calming activities (e.g., play soft music, rub his/her back, turn down the lights, etc.). Then when you notice the individual becoming anxious, calmly remove him/her from the anxiety-provoking setting immediately and take him/her into the calming environment.

6. If you are traveling for the holidays, make sure you have their favorite foods or items available. Having familiar items readily available can help to calm stressful situations. Also, prepare them via social stories or other communication systems for any unexpected delays in travel. If you are flying for the first time, it may be helpful to bring the individual to the airport in advance and help him/her to become accustomed to airports and planes. Use social stories and pictures to rehearse what will happen when boarding and flying.

7. Know your loved one with autism and how much noise and activity they can tolerate. If you detect that a situation may be becoming overwhelming, help them find a quiet area in which to regroup. And there may be some situations that you simply avoid (e.g., crowded shopping malls the day after Thanksgiving).

8. Prepare a photo album in advance of the relatives and other guests who will be visiting during the holidays. Allow the person with autism access to these photos at all times and also go through the photo album with him/her while talking briefly about each family member.

9. Practice opening gifts, taking turns and waiting for others, and giving gifts. Role play scenarios with your child in preparation for him/her getting a gift they do not want. Talk through this process to avoid embarrassing moments with family members. You might also choose to practice certain religious rituals. Work with a speech language pathologist to construct pages of vocabulary or topic boards that relate to the holidays and family traditions.

10. Prepare family members for strategies to use to minimize anxiety or behavioral incidents, and to enhance participation. Help them to understand if the person with autism prefers to be hugged or not, needs calm discussions or provide other suggestions that will facilitate a smoother holiday season.

11. If the person with autism is on special diet, make sure there is food available that he/she can eat. And even if they are not on a special diet, be cautious of the amount of sugar consumed. And try to maintain a sleep and meal routine.

12. Above all, know your loved one with autism. Know how much noise and other sensory input they can take. Know their level of anxiety and the amount of preparation it may take. Know their fears and those things that will make the season more enjoyable for them.

Blessings,

Mary

www.AlternativeAutismSolutions.com

Rethink Autism

Mary Riposo — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 20:09:00 GMT

Did you catch the story on ABC's World News Tonight earlier this week that featured "Rethink Autism"? Rethink Autism is a company out of New York City that has come out with a web-based ABA treatment program for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. A subscription to their service, which goes for $100 per month, provides:

-individualized ABA-based curriculum for your child
-hundreds of step-by-step video lessons
-training videos which show you how to teach using ABA
-automated curriculum management
-progress tracking and data management
-online professional support

The owners of Rethink Autism state that they want to offer effective Autism treatment to all families, indpendent of where they live, their level of inclme, or the resources of the school district they reside in. However, can anyone effectively treat their child's Autism Spectrum Disorder after viewing some internet videos? It will remain to be seen how this treatment is used and how effective it ultimately is.

Rethink Autism also provides a service for programs and professionals, which includes:

-cost effective support for teachers and staff
-training and professional development
-data monitoring

To view the video on ABS's World News Tonight, go to http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=9069753. For more information on the program, go to www.RethinkAutism.com.

What do you think? I'd love to hear your comments, so please consider posting a response if you are so inclined.
Blessings,
Mary
www.AlternativeAutismSolutions.com

Grass Roots Autism Tour comes to Syracuse

Mary Riposo — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 19:50:00 GMT

Kristin Selby-Gonzalez, Director of Autism Education for Enzymedica and a mother of a son with Autism is giving a free presentation in Syracuse, NY as part of the Autism Grass Roots Tour. In this presentation, Selby-Gonzalez will describe innovative solutions to promote progress for children on the Autism Spectrum. Attendees will learn about a variety of effective tools, such as biomedical treatment, dietary modification, enzyme therapy, sensory integration, educational therapy, living toxin free, and Son-Rise Program techniques.

Here are the details:
What: Autism Grass Roots Tour
When: Thursday, December 3, 2009, 7 pm
Where: Drumlins Country Club, 800 Nottingham Road, Syracuse, NY 13224
Cost: FREE

The Autism Grass Roots Tour is sponsored by Enzymedica, Autism Hope Alliance, Autism Treatment Center of America, and Natur-Tyme. Visit www.AutismNationwide.org to learn more.

If you can't make the live presentation, Kristin Selby-Gonzalez will be featured on the Nutritional Insights Radio Show with Wendy Meyerson at 10 am on Sunday, November 22, 2009. Tune your radio to 570 WSYR locally (Syracuse, NY) or go to the Natur-Tyme website (www.Natur-Tyme.com) after the show and listen on your computer anytime.

Blessings,
Mary
www.AlternativeAutismSolutions.com

Just for Today

Mary Riposo — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:32:00 GMT

I'd like to share a poem written by Delia Thompson, which was originally published online in the Child Autism Parent Cafe (http://www.child-autism-parent-cafe.com/just-for-today.html). I like this poem because it describes the parent-child relationship between a mother and her child, who happens to have been diagnosed with Autism. I believe that every parent is a parent first, and that we frequently give parents so many directives once their child has been diagnosed that the parent-child relationship can become strained and even turn into one that could be more accurately characterized as a parent-teacher relationship. This poem serves as a reminder to me that children are children first, no matter what.

Just for Today

Just for today, little one,
I'm going to forget that you're autistic
And remember that you're a child.
For this brief shining time,
I will only see the beauty of you and your world.

I will marvel at the spun gold of your hair in the sunlight.
How can anything be so impossibly brilliant?
I will see the blue-green of your infinite eyes
And not worry if they focus on me.
I will admire your concentration
And not mind that it isn't directed in the usual way.

Your smile and laugh will bring me joy.
It won't matter what caused them,
They are marvels unto themselves.
Through your eyes I will delve into the unseen,
Looking at the world with that perspective unique to you.

I will see your lines of leaves and stones
And share your happiness at their precision.
I will close my own eyes
And let the textures you explore overwhelm my senses.
Spinning in circles with you,
I will let go until all is lost but the dizzy.

Just for today,
I will close my books and ignore the research,
The worry, the 'shoulds' and the shadowy future.
You are my baby, my son, my love.
Today, we play.

Tell me what you think of this poem by posting a response to this blog.
Blessings,
Mary
www.AlternativeAutismSolutions.com

Dangers of Alcohol Based Hand Sanitizers

Mary Riposo — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 22:51:00 GMT

With all of the frenzy going on about the seasonal flu and the H1NI (swine) flu, many of us are opting to use alcohol based hand sanitizers in an attempt to remain germ free. I work in a hospital clinic with a pediatric population and there are bottles of hand sanitizer everywhere you look, as well as in dispensers on the wall. I have also seen these in preschools and daycare settings. Sometimes it seems easier to squirt a little hand sanitizer on the children's hands for a quick cleaning rather than motoring them through hand washing at a sink that may be outside of the room in many of these locations. Seems like a good idea, right?

Maybe not. There is documented evidence dating back to at least 2007 in which young children have sustained injuries due to ingesting alcohol based hand sanitizer. Children are naturally curious and explore their world by mouthing objects. Hand sanitizers come in different scents and may be enticing to young children, who may lick the stuff off of their palms. The palms represent a direct point of entry onto the bloodstream, and many of you who use essential oils know that we strategically place the oils on the palms of the hands or the soles of the feet for just that purpose. Snopes has posted an article called "Booze Ooze: Ingestion of Hand Sanitizer in Children can Result in Alcohol Poisoning". To read the article, which includes parents' letters about their shocking experiences, go to: http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/sanitizer.asp.

I went looking for a safe and effective alternative to the Purell type of alcohol based hand sanitizers and found a good one. I found it at Natur-Tyme (www.Natur-Tyme.com), a local health food store. It's made by Clean Well (www.CleanWellToday.com) and I highly recommend it to anyone who is health conscious and who cares about the health of their children or the children they work with. Clean Well was founded by the father of a little boy who was born with an immune dysfuction, who was seeking natural alternatives to toxic disinfecting agents found in everyday cleaning products.

Clean Well hand sanitizers contain a patented formulation of essential plant oils (called Ingenium) proven to kill 99.99% of germs, including MRSA, E.Coli and Salmonella. It is alcohol free, safe for children, free of toxic chemicals, 100% biodegradable, and certified cruelty free (which means it has not been tested on animals). The hand sanitizers come in convenient 1 oz. pocket sized sprays, desktop bottles, and wipes. The ingredients include thyme oil, aloe vera, citric acid, orange oil, and copper pca. Clean Well even has a blog http://abetterwaytoclean.com, which offers clear information and simple tools to empower you and improve your health. You can order from the website or use their handy store locator to find a distributor near you.

I have been carrying around the pocket size hand sanitizer and I love it. It's handy, convenient, and smells great. I have been sharing it with everyone I know in the hopes that it will raise awareness and make a difference. I hope you give it a try!

Blessings,
Mary

Mary E. Riposo, PhD
www.AlternativeAutismSolutions.com

Fall Family Fun Day for Families Affected by Autism

Mary Riposo — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 22:02:00 GMT

The CNY Autism Society of America (ASA) and Families for Effective Autism Treatment (FEAT) of Central New York are hosting the Fall Family Fun Day for Families Effected by Autism at Critz Farms, 3232 Rippleton Road, Cazenovia, NY 13035. The event will take place on Sunday, October 18, 2009 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.
(note: Critz Farms will be open exclusively to our families from 9:00 to 10:00 am)

Fun Activities include:

Gigantic Corn Maze
Slide Mountail Playground
Wagon Rides
Pumpkin Picking
Animal Area
Face & Pumpkin Painting
Musical Entertainment
Refreshments
and more.........

Costumes are welcome for a Fun Fantasy Parade!

Reservations are recommended as space is limited.
Call 315-464-8668 or toll free 1-800-464-8668.

This event is generously sponsored by Kohl's Autism and Related Disorders Awareness and Outreach Program, Kohl's Department Stores, Kohl's Cares for Kids, and the Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital.

Please consider taking your family to this fun and important local event!

Blessings,
Mary
Mary E. Riposo
www.AlternativeAutismSolutions.com

"Growing Up in a Stressful World: Supporting Vulnerable Children & Their Families" workshop

Mary Riposo — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 23:23:00 GMT

The Central New York Coalition for Young Children with Special Needs will be offering the following workshop as part of its 2009-2010 Pizza Series:

"Growing Up in a Stressful World: Supporting Vulnerable Children & Their Families" with Mona Ivey-Soto, PhD, MSW, Assistant Professor of Education and Child Studies, Cazenovia College. The workshop will be held on Thursday, November 19, 2009 from 4:30 - 8:30 pm at Jowonio School, 3049 E Genesee Street, Syracuse, NY, 13224. The cost of the session is $25 and includes dinner (pizza and salad). Registration information is available by going to the website: www.cnypreschoolcoalition.org or by calling Jowonio School: (315) 445-4010.

Workshop Information:

Have you ever asked yourself, "What's going on with that child?" or "What is it that makes her who she is?". Key dimensions to understanding children, families, and ourselves include the examination of temperament and the "goodness of fit" model. These constructs provide a framework within which to prevent and address behavioral concerns of children. Understanding more about who children are allows us to fully support their development and strengthen the relationship that exists between caregiver/educator, children, and their families. Background research on temperament and an examination of some childhood disorders (anxiety, attachment disorders) as well as practical strategies for intervention will be presented.

Presenter Information:

Mona Ivey-Soto, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Education and Child Studies at Cazenovia College, who prides herself on being a passionate advocate for multiculturalism and inclusion and has carried her message of breaking down barriers (race, religion, ability, social class) into her teaching and community work as a social worker in cities across the country. Her clinical work and research has been on early childhood mental health and she has worked in policy and leadership in the Office of Head Start in Washington, DC.

Blessings,
Mary
Mary E. Riposo, PhD
www.AlternativeAutismSolutions.com

Using Energy Balancing Techniques for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Mary Riposo — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 13:52:00 GMT

I will be doing a presentation for the Madison Cortland ARC entitled "Using Energy Balancing Techniques for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders". The presentation will be held at the Madison Cortland ARC offices located at 701 Lenox Avenue, Oneida, NY. In this talk, which will be held on 10/5/09 from 6 to 8 pm, I will give an overview of energy balancing techniques and their effectiveness in the treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Included will also be an experiential piece for all participants. The workshop is free and open to the public. If you are planning on attending, please call Chris Evans at (315) 363-3389 to register. I hope to see you there!
Blessings,
Mary
Mary E. Riposo, PhD
www.AlternativeAutismSolutions.com

Complementary and Alternative Approaches to the Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders

Mary Riposo — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 20:27:00 GMT

I will be doing a presentation for the Madison Cortland ARC entitled "Complementary and Alternative Approaches to the Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders". The presentation will be held at the Madison Cortland ARC offices located at 701 Lenox Avenue, Oneida, NY. In this talk, which will be held on 9/21/09 from 6 to 8 pm, I will give an overview of Autism and then discuss traditional vs. CAM approaches to the treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders. The talk is free and open to the public. If you are planning on attending, please call Chris Evans at (315) 363-3389 to register. I hope to see you there!
Blessings,
Mary

Mary E. Riposo, PhD
www.AlternativeAutismSolutions.com

2009 Walk Now for Autism Central New York

Mary Riposo — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 14:16:00 GMT

The Central New York Chapter of Autism Speaks will be sponsoring a walk to raise public awareness about Autism.

Here are the details:

2009 Walk Now for Autism
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Longbranch Park
Liverpool, NY

For more information or to sign up, call Erica Guinta, Northeast Regional Director of Community Development at 1-888-627-6227 or go to
www.walknowforautism.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=307489

Please consider supporting this cause by doing one of the following:

Joining the walk committee
Organizing a family or business based team to walk in the event
Offering a corporate sponsorship or an in-kind donation

The more we can raise awareness, the better!

Blessings,
Mary
Mary Riposo
www.AlternativeAutismSolutions.com

"Autism and the God Connection" workshop with William Stillman

Mary Riposo — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 22:53:00 GMT

I am happy to announce that my friend, author, and advocate William Stillman will be presenting a workshop entitled, "Autism and the God Connection" at Lily Dale. For those of you who don't know, Lily Dale is a spiritualist community in Cassadaga, NY just south of Buffalo, NY. It's a great place to go to get an intuitive reading, see the house that the Fox Sisters grew up in, and shop for metaphysical items. Lily Dale is open for the summer season and offers many workshops and educational opportunities for spiritually minded people. I will be personally attending this workshop and invite all of you who have an interest in this topic to join me.

What: Autism and the God Connection
When: Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Time: 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Where: Lily Dale Assembly, Cassadaga, NY
Fee: $40 per person
Registration: http://www.lilydaleassembly.com/events-workshops/workshops/september-workshops/autism-and-the-god-connection/ or go to www.lilydaleassembly.com, click on events and follow it to William's workshop

Workshop Information:
Across the country and around the world, the spotlight is on autism, a neurological disorder that impacts approximately one out of every 150 children. Recent studies indicate the prevalence of autism is ten times higher than it was ten years ago. Despite the international scrambling of science and research to provide an explanation, there still remains no single known cause for the rise in autism.

However, there exists a little-known and controversial facet that, until now, has been largely “closeted,” un-discussed, or dismissed altogether. Do individuals with autism have a greater likelihood to be predisposed to both autism and spirituality? “Autism and the God Connection” explores autism and a strong spiritual connection. These blessings present in abilities to perceive spiritual protectors and angels, and interact with them; to know through telepathy what someone is thinking; to receive premonitions; or to have special, unspoken bonds with animals.

Author William Stillman, affirms that individuals with autism-often labeled mentally retarded-are advanced souls possessed of great spiritual brilliance and beauty. Stillman shares anecdotes from his research and tells how to enact three miracles designed to strengthen relationships with persons with autism on a spiritual level. Throughout, the author reveals his own challenges as a person with a mild form of autism and the clairvoyance that aids him in his work as a consultant to those with autism and beyond.

William Stillman is the author of special needs parenting books including the groundbreaking Autism and the God Connection, the first study of profound spiritual, mystical and metaphysical giftedness of some individuals with autism, which has been lauded by bestselling authors Gary Zukav, Larry Dossey and Dean Hamer. Stillman also writes a column Children of the New Earth magazine, and the film rights to his book have been optioned for a documentary. As an adult with mild autism, Stillman endeavors to highlight the exquisite sensitivities of our most valuable, wise, and loving “teachers.”

William Stillman lives in Pennsylvania. His website is www.williamstillman.com.

Blessings,
Mary
www.AlternativeAutismSolutions.com

The World Needs Autism

Mary Riposo — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 03:12:00 GMT

In this post, I would like to introduce you to the work of my friend, William Stillman, who among other great things is an author and self advocate. This is a piece from his book, "The Soul of Autism". His views are groundbreaking and his work comes from a place of compassion, inclusion, and nondualism. I agree; the world does needs autism. And I would go one step further; the world needs William Stillman to speak for those who have difficulty speaking for themselves. I invite you to read this article and let me know what you think by posting a comment to this blog.
Blessings,
Mary
www.AlternativeAutismSolutions.com

The World Needs Autism
by William Stillman

The world needs autism. Of this, I am convinced. The world needs autism now more than ever. Don’t believe me? Look around...look closely and carefully. Contemplate a global awareness. Consider the call to action we’ve received in recent times by way of grand-scale, devastating natural disasters and international terrorist attacks—which drastically spiked an online “rapture” index, a Christian speedometer that measures how quickly the world is careening toward the day of reckoning. Popular culture has relaxed ethical conduct so much so that films and television programming have desensitized us to sex, violence, and abusive language to the point of no further room in which to push the proverbial envelope. Motion pictures like Saw and its sequels, Wolfcreek, The Devil’s Rejects, Turistas, and Hostel have given rise to a pornographic franchise: human beings mutilating other human beings with sadistic ardor in gratuitous, graphic depictions of torture. Witness, too, the celebrity behavior we have come to condone as acceptable due to “wardrobe malfunctions,” racial rants and sordid misconduct. Although this book was written during wartime, it is the irresponsible misbehavior of certain public figures that made top news. There is vague accountability and fewer repercussions in consequence for one’s misdeeds which may, in fact, be rewarded post “rehab.” Further, the premise of most reality television is predicated upon lust, greed, manipulation, deceit, and the endeavor for physical beauty at all costs. Such cultural poison has anesthetized us to our own humanity.

Think people don’t emulate what they see? A recent Associated Press article speculates there’s an astounding drop in social etiquette—rudeness and amorality is on the rise. Corporate corruption has fostered employee disloyalty. Email has taken passive-aggressive interactions to new heights. The 2006 National Violent Crime Summit concluded that “crime is coming back” in a big way. USA Today recently cited an FBI estimate for a 94 percent increase in hate crime attacks against persons with developmental disabilities. Reports of “road rage” are a daily occurrence. “Happy Slapping” has become the latest craze: someone physically accosts an unsuspecting victim while another perpetrator records the assault with a camera-phone, and posts the attack online for all to see. Internet child sex predators are rampant, and child pornography has become more brutal with the number of images depicting violent abuse rising fourfold since 2003. Americans are insulated with artificial complacency from heinous international human-rights violations perpetrated by megalomaniac dictators. Instead, self-absorbed and selfish behavior without consideration of others has become the norm, it would seem. A “messiah complex” has emerged; we have become a narcissistic society bent on gratifying our own needs because “it’s all about me.” Violators of this pursuit are perceived as rivals. And it’s autistics that, clinically, are defined, in part, as lacking empathy and social reciprocity!

In early 2007, the Centers for Disease Control revised its autism statistics from the previous tally of 1 in every 166 children (which excludes countless untabulated adults), now suggesting that the national figures are closer to 1 in every 150. But perhaps the reverse statistic signifies the greater epidemic: of every 150 individuals, 149 are “normal” or neuro-typical! We so dearly need people with autism and other differences—in their mild, unaffected manner—to lend balance to the world, and refocus us on what’s truly important. Perhaps this principle resonates most with parents who have been obliged to undergo a personal transformation as a result of their child’s diagnosis—parents who otherwise may have succumbed to the messiah complex. One mother confessed, “I think [autism] has humbled me. I think I’m a pretty good parent, and I can do that sort of stuff well; but with autism, that ego is taken down a few pegs. I think it has helped me be more accepting of people with disabilities. Not that I was a complete anti-handicapped person before, but now I think more in terms of what people can do.”

Dwindling are the days of parental shame and self-deprecating guilt, as underscored by the mother who wrote, “Autism for me was a challenge not a defeat.” A new evolution is compelling parents to re-envision their lives, to see clearly their own transcendence, and to hold greater hope for the future. This is supported by research such as the “Qualitative Investigation of Changes in the Belief Systems of Families of Children with Autism or Down Syndrome,” a document that concludes, “Although parents may grapple with lost dreams, over time positive adaptations can occur in the form of changed world views concerning life and disability, and an appreciation of the positive contributions made by children to family members and society as a whole. Parents’ experiences indicate the importance of hope and of seeing possibilities that lie ahead.”

One parent rejoiced and opened her heart by telling her circle of parent-friends, “I was just thinking about all the reasons I am ticked that my child is autistic and then thought, you know, if autism had not happened to our family I would not have learned so many things! So many people I would have never known! I believe it has taught me courage beyond words…As much as I hate it, it has made me a better person and better parent to my child. Anyone here feel as though you were helped on some level by this diagnosis?” She received an avalanche of glowing responses.

I have yet to meet a person with autism who has not in some capacity declared their desire to give back of themselves, to share their gifts, and to teach others. In their gentle way—as befits their nature—people with autism compel us to higher standards of deference and respect for humanity. Being present with the autistic individual requires us to be calm and refrain, to be silent and truly listen. What do you suppose people with autism have indicated they’re here to teach? The most salient themes of the human experience: tolerance, patience, sensitivity, compassion, and, of course, unconditional love. These themes consistently emerge in my work as a consultant no matter where I go.

We need people with autism in the numbers with which they’ve increased, especially if we’re to unite in a renaissance for what is right and true and good and kind. It is coming. And the next major human rights movement to shatter myths and tear down walls of hate will be lead by those meek of voice but strong of will.

William Stillman is speaker, consultant, self-advocate and author of numerous autism and special needs parenting books. His Website is www.williamstillman.com.

The Ward Program

Mary Riposo — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:12:00 GMT

The Ward Program (www.thewardprogram.com) is a program based in the UK which offers Daily Living skills training for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Asperger's and ADD. The skills , which are taught with a focus on independent living for individuals aged 14 and older, include:

Physiological needs-

Domestic skills
Cookery

Security needs-

Everyday math and time management
Money management
Independent travel

Social needs-

Citizenship and the community
Personal safety

Esteem needs-

Everyday health
Personal hygiene
Hobbies and socializing

Self-actualizing needs-

Communication skills
Personal development

The Ward Program, an Independent Skills for Life Educational Course for Special Education Needs, was developed by Alison Ward, an NLP practitioner and Cognitive Behavioral Therapist. The purpose of the program is to allow individuals to work through workbooks at an appropriate pace with the support of a coach who will demonstrate, explain and discuss the activity.

Workbooks, which are divided into units reflecting Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, are written in a way that ensures that all learners can access the content. All materials are printed on cream colored paper using comic sans MS font, as it is thought that people with learning differences find it easier to read workbooks presented in this format. Workbooks are designed for to track progression of independent living skills, and are accredited by the National College Open Network (NOCN).

Progress is monitored using SMART goals. Assessment is flexible and can incorporate the following methods; photographic evidence, oral questions and answers, a project, diary, practical demonstrations, and further evidence.

I had the opportunity to personally review the unit on Personal Hygiene Awareness for women, which qualifies for 3 NOCN credits. I found the unit to be practical and realistic. The program is thorough and flexible enough to meet the needs of individuals with varied skills, including clients with limited functional language skills. I am not familiar with any program in the US that is similar to this, but if you are interested in knowing more about this innovative and practical program, I would recommend you contact Alison Ward by emailing info@thewardprogram.com.

Blessings,

Mary

www.AlternativeAutismSolutions.com

Product Review: Speech Games for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Mary Riposo — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 17:19:00 GMT

Melinda Clougherty, MS, a Speech Language Pathologist with 26 years experience in the public schools, has recently published two speech games that were developed for use with children with language problems including children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. They are called Guess'em Language Games and come in two versions; "What's Your Wish?" for children age 4-10 years and "Are You in the Doghouse?" for children age 5-12 years. If you have an older preschool or elementary school age child with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, I recommend that you check these games out. Both games are a fun way for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders to learn important language skills. A description of the two games follows:

Guess'em Games "What’s Your Wish?" and "Are You in the Doghouse?" will enhance your student’s skills in the areas of language, auditory processing, vocabulary acquisition, problem solving/logical thinking, social/pragmatic language, question formulation, descriptive language/elaboration and humor. Players take turns asking yes/no questions to guess the “secret card” held by their opponent. Easy and more advanced versions of play are included in the instruction manual to help you adapt the game to the cognitive level of your clients. Perfect for language remediation and social skills groups. Many students find the colorful and amusing cartoon pictures to be highly motivating for practicing written language as well.

Guess'em Language Game- "What's Your Wish?"

Item #: 11302383166

Catalog: 049 SPEECH BIN FALL 2008

Catalog Page #: A3

Price: $29.99

For more information or to purchase, go to https://www.schoolspecialtyonline.net/search/intermediateDetails.jsp?catalogPartNum=11302383166&catalogCode=531428&returnURL=/search/mainSearchResults.jsp&catalogProductId=43168470

Guess'em Language Game- "Are You in the Doghouse?"
Item #: 11302381166

Catalog: 049 SPEECH BIN FALL 2008

Catalog Page #: A3

Price: $29.99

For more information or to purchase, go to https://www.schoolspecialtyonline.net/search/intermediateDetails.jsp?catalogPartNum=11302381166&catalogCode=531428&returnURL=/search/mainSearchResults.jsp&catalogProductId=43168468

Both games are available from The Speech Bin, which is a good source for books, computer software and tests, and materials for persons of all ages who have special needs, including children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. They can be contacted through their website www.speechbin.com or by phone at 1-800-850-8602. Melinda Clougherty, the author of Guess'em Language Games, can be reached at mclougherty88@yahoo.com.

Blessings,
Mary
www.AlternativeAutismSolutions.com

If you have a product you would like me to review on my blog, please email me at drmary@twcny.rr.com with "Autism Prouct Reviews" in the subject line.

2nd Request for Survey Participants

Mary Riposo — Thu, 14 May 2009 23:22:00 GMT

As many of you know, I am helping William Stillman, a nationally known author and speaker in the area of Autism Spectrum Disorders, to gather information from individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders which will be used in his upcoming book. As you may know, William is a person with Asperger Syndrome who has written several books, including "Demystifying the Autism Experience", "The Everything Parents' Guide to Children with Asperger Syndrome", "The Everything Parents' Guide to Children with Bipolar Disorder", "Autism and the God Connection", and "The Soul of Autism". His newest book, "Empowered Autism Parenting" will be available in August, 2009. Information on Mr.Stillman's work can be found at www.WilliamStillman.com.

Mr. Stillman is continuing his exciting research on the connection between Autism and spirituality, and will be including the information gathered from his survey of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder in his next book. He is looking for individuals who would be interested in completing this survey, which includes questions on spirituality. The survey is designed for individuals who have insight into their own thought process, and have a good ability to express themselves in writing. There is no designated age range. The only requirement is that the individual has been diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder.

If you, or someone you know, is interested in completing this survey, please email me (Mary@AlternativeAutismSolutions.com) and I will send you a copy. Please feel free to forward this information to others you know who may be interested. For more information on my work, please visit my website www.AlternativeAutismSolutions.com.

Blessings,
Mary