Study linking chemicals to autism

Worth a look. We all are surrounded by, and ingest, so many chemicals every day.

http://www.collective-evolution.com/2014/05/11/new-study-links-autism-to-toxin-exposure/

Guardian Guide for free

This will walk you through making a "how to" guide for someone who may have to become the guardian for your child. Not a pleasant thought but important to do.  Our children have specialized needs and require more in depth care than many people know. This is a good way to share those needs. 

GuardianPack is currently offering our GuardianGuide for free. The GuardianGuide is a 25-page guide to create an “instruction manual” for future guardians, providing them the information they would need to care for a child. You can download the GuardianGuide by clicking here.

Free seminar on "Addressing Challenging Behaviors"

	Addressing Challenging BehaviorsOne characteristic of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder is the presence of aberrant or stereotypical behaviors. These behaviors, often referred to as “challenging behaviors” (e.g., aggression, self-injurious behaviors, disruption, and hand flapping) cause increased stress for parents/caregivers and teachers and may lead to social isolation for the child. This session will focus on understanding why these challenging behaviors occur as well as how to assess why the behaviors are occurring. Finally, participants will learn how to use positive behavior intervention and supports to address the behaviors and improve the lives of children with ASD and their families. Date: April  10, 2014                                   Time: 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm EDT Presenter: Melissa Olive, Ph.D., BCBA-D, Applied Behavioral Strategies Phone: 1.719.325.2141 Or US/CAN Toll Free: 1.800.245.1683 Passcode: 570084 If you can't make it, that doesn't mean you have to miss out. To hear a free replay of the entire seminar after the originally scheduled time, go to cigna.com/autism. These are general information seminars. The information provided is not intended to replace the care or advice of your doctor. You should always consult with your doctor for appropriate care or treatment recommendations and advice. If you are a Cigna customer and have specific questions about your medical or behavioral benefits, please call1.800.274.7603 to speak with a Cigna Customer Service Associate or Health Advocate.

CDC is having a Public Health Grand Rounds entitled "ASD: From Numbers to Know-How"

We are pleased to announce CDC’s first ever Public Health Grand Rounds on autism spectrum disorder. Please mark your calendars for April 22, 2014, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m., EST for CDC’s Public Health Grand Rounds “Autism Spectrum Disorder: From Numbers to Know-How.” This event features presentations on autism etiology, surveillance, early identification and screening, and evidence-based intervention.  Please share this information widely.

You can receive free training and continuing education opportunities/contact hours for watching Grand Rounds. Visit http://www.cdc.gov/about/grand-rounds/index.htmto register.

There are two ways to attend

1.      A live webcastwill be available. Visit http://www.cdc.gov/about/grand-rounds/ to watch the event.

2.      Attend in person at CDC’s Tom Harkin Global Communication Center, 1600 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30333. Due to security measures at CDC’s campus, non-CDC staff who wish to attend the session in person must have prior clearance and a U.S. state-issued photo ID (e.g., driver’s license or U.S. passport).  Please send your request to attend in person to the CDC Grand Rounds Team.(International visitors are required to submit a copy of passport and U.S. state-issued photo ID 10 days prior to the session for clearance.)

Save the Date: April’s Public Health Grand Rounds Save the Date CDC’s Public Health Grand Rounds Presents: “Autism Spectrum Disorder: From Numbers to Know-How” Tuesday, April 22, 2014 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m., EST Global Communications Center (Building 19) Alexander D. Langmuir Auditorium Roybal Campus Presented By: Julie Daniels, MPH, PhD Associate Professor, Epidemiology and Maternal and Child Health, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill “Autism Etiology – What We Know and How to Learn More” Jon Baio, EdS Behavioral Psychologist, National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, CDC  “Surveillance for Autism Spectrum Disorder: Key Findings and Trends” Susan L. Hyman, MD Division Chief, Neurodevelopmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Professor of Pediatrics, University of Rochester Medical Center “Early Identification and Screening” Samuel L. Odom, PhD Director, Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill “Evidence-based Intervention for Persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder” Facilitated By: John Iskander, MD, MPH, Scientific Director, Public Health Grand Rounds Phoebe Thorpe, MD, MPH,Deputy Scientific Director, Public Health Grand Rounds  Susan Laird, MSN, RN, Communications Manager, Public Health Grand Rounds    For questions about this Grand Rounds topic:  Feel free to e-mail your questions before or during the session. Announcement Point of Contact: grandrounds@cdc.gov

Take a minute for this, please. Great read

This is a great list! 68 things to know about children with Autism. Take a moment to read how parents describe their children. Heartwarming and so full of truth. 

http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/5051597?utm_hp_ref=fb&src=sp&comm_ref=false

CARD Releases a free app for iPad and Android

I have played around with this app for a while and I like it.  I think the educational piece is solid and kids will most likely find it fun. I am going to try it with a few of my kids this week.  I would love feedback if anyone has tried it out yet

As you may have heard, CARD has released the app, Camp Discovery, available at no cost for iPad and Android devices. Camp Discovery is a suite of learning games developed by experts in the field of applied behavior analysis (ABA). All of the learning games incorporate evidence-based teaching principles and are designed for children with autism spectrum disorder. Camp Discovery offers a number of unique features, including preference assessments to individualize rewards, fun mini games to motivate learning, easy-to-read graphs to track progress, and control settings to individualize the player’s learning experience!            Camp Discovery currently includes three learning games, the original Objects game and two new games, Colors and Community Helpers! The new learning games are available now on the app store and are coming soon to Google Play. These games are just the beginning of the large suite of learning games Camp Discovery is developing based on CARD’s comprehensive curriculum. Camp Discovery will release one new learning game each week and has more than 50 games currently in development. Upcoming games include Letters, Numbers, Locations, Body Parts, Emotions, and much more, so stay tuned!

Check out our video! Check out our short video on the features and gameplay of Camp Discovery. See the video on Youtube.

Two upcoming events, one for families, another for parents

Autism Awareness Day at Marlins Park w/Autism Speaks

Autism Awareness Day at Marlins Park Marlins vs. Padres Friday, April 4, 2014 - 7:10 p.m. Enjoy some Major League Baseball action while supporting a great cause! Catch the Marlins at a discounted price through this online offer. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Autism Speaks. In addition, there will be a pregame Resource Fair. Seating will be located in the Lexus Legends Level, which will provide your family a comfortable setting to enjoy the game. A quiet room will be available if needed. Buy your tickets here.

New England Journal of Medicine publishes a study about brain development in children with Autism

This study was published recently in the "New England Journal of Medicine" and shows that the brains of children with Autism have abnormalities before birth. This is consistent with a large amount of prior research but is important to continue studying in order to disprove the rumor that vaccines are to blame.


http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1307491

CDC study finds number of people diagnosed with Autism has risen from two years ago

CDC study states that one in every 68 children has Autism, up from one in 88 two years ago.  Additionally, they are stating that the intelligence level among people with Autism has risen.  The article asks some pertinent questions regarding whether the number has really gone up or has diagnosing improved. Additionally, the article asks whether this takes into consideration the possibility that people with Asperger Syndrome may well not have been diagnosed two years ago, just considered somewhat different.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2014/03/27/u-s-autism-rate-surges-cdc-reports/

Win a 3 year lease on a 2014 Hyundai Elantra SE and support 2 great causes! Only $10 per ticket

Car Raffle.pdf

 Please download the order form here to purchase tickets.
Car Raffle Order Form.pdf

Palm Beach Autism Festival, Downtown at the Gardens. Brand new event for the family & an opportunity for sponsors

Autism Festival Partnerships.pdf

Great reference and free seminars

Cigna insurance provides an Autism Awareness Series of free phone seminars on its website. You do not have to be a Cigna consumer, these are open to everyone.  There are currently only three new seminars scheduled but you can access the old ones via MP3. They are a phone seminar so you would just be listening to the presenter, no video, but some of the topics are really relevant.

Additionally, each seminar has a handout that can be downloaded and some of them, like the toilet training one, has a data tracking sheet, as well. I have listened to a few and feel that they do a nice job presenting the subject matter. Below is a list of the seminars. I would recommend taking a few minutes to look at the topics to determine if any of them are relevant to your family. The link to access the site is:

http://www.cigna.com/healthwellness/behavioral-awareness-series/all-about-autism

CURRENT TOPICS

COMMUNITY INCLUSION FOR YOUR CHILD WITH AUTISM

TOILET TRAINING YOUR CHILD WITH AUTISM

HOW TO HELP YOUR CHILD WITH AUTISM SLEEP BETTER

USING TECHNOLOGY TO ENHANCE TREATMENT AND INCREASE INDEPENDENCE

MANAGING CHALLENGING BEHAVIORS

INCREASING YOUR CHILD'S SOCIAL INTERACTIONS WITH PEERS: PRACTICAL APPROACHES FOR PARENTS

SIMPLE STRATEGIES FOR CHANGING BEHAVIOR

THE SOCIAL WEB FOR CAREGIVERS OF AUTISM

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY: STATE OF THE SCIENCE

TALKING TO YOUR CHILD ABOUT AUTISM: WHEN, HOW OFTEN, AND HOW

HELP! MY CHILD IS A PICKY EATER!!!

PAST TOPICS

TIPS & TRICKS FOR HOLIDAY SUCCESS

BEHAVIORAL PARENT TRAINING

PREVENTING AND RESPONDING TO CHALLENGING BEHAVIORS IN THE HOME

HOW ANXIETY AFFECTS THE LIVES OF INDIVIDUALS WITH AUTISM AND TREATMENTS THAT HELP

FOSTERING FRIENDSHIPS BETWEEN CHILDREN WITH AN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER AND TYPICALLY DEVELOPING PEERS

COMMUNITY SAFETY ISSUES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS: COMMON CONCERNS AND STRATEGIES FOR BUILDING INDEPENDENCE

FACILITATING INDEPENDENCE IN INDIVIDUALS ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM

SOCIAL SKILLS

MOMS, DADS, SIBLINGS AND GRANDPARENTS: AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS & HOW THEY IMPACT THE WHOLE FAMILY

AUTISM AND OTHER MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS

Webinar for parents and professionals, CEUs available for BCBAs

Assessment and Treatment of Stereotypy in Individuals with Autism Presented by: Geoffrey DeBery, M.A., BCBA     Session one: 04/29/2014 12:00pm-1:00pm EST  OR Session two: 04/29/2014 7:00pm-8:00pm EST   Description:  Excess in stereotyped behaviors, interests and activities is a behavioral impairment that is necessary for a diagnosis of autism. In many individuals with autism this impairment manifests as stereotypy (i.e., stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms). Several decades of research in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) have yielded many effective assessment methodologies and treatment strategies that are successful in reducing stereotypy in individuals with autism. This presentation will provide an overview of stereotypy as well as a thorough description of the evidence-based assessments and treatments for stereotypy using case studies and citations of scientific literature wherever possible. Experience Level: Basic to Intermediate. Procedures will be discussed in detail using behavioral terminology. However, behavioral terms will be translated for unfamiliar audiences when needed. Target Audience: Behavior Analysts, parents and autism professionals. CEUs provided for BCBAs.  Click Here to Register for Session one OR Click Here to Register for Session Two

Eden II Diagnostic & Outreach Center 2285 Victory Blvd Staten Island, New York 10314 600 Newbridge Road East Meadow, NY 11554  Eden II Programs is an approved continuing education (ACE) provider of Type 2 continuing education hours for BCBA and BCaBA certificants

2 Webinars for SLPs, ASHA CEUs available

Introduction to ABA for Speech Pathologists

Presented by: Joanne Gerenser, Ph.D., SLP-CCC Session one: 04/03/2014 12:00 pm-2:00 pm EST Description: This webinar will provide an introduction to applied behavior analysis.  Specific topic areas will include reinforcement, decreasing behavior, use of various prompting strategies, shaping new behavior, chaining behavior and task analysis, developing individualized motivation systems and conducting preference assessments.   Focus will be on application to speech, language and communication programs Experience Level: All levels (basic concepts will be explained in detail)    Target Audience: SLPs. CE provided for SLPs   This course is being offered for 0.2 ASHA CEUs. (Introductory Level, Professional Area)  Non-Financial Disclosure:  There are no relevant non-financial relationships to report Financial Disclosure:   Presenters are employed through Eden II/Genesis Programs and receive a salary. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER Components for Successful Communication: Using Alternative and Augmentative Systems with Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders Presented by: Janine Kipp, M.A., CCC-SLP Cassandra M. Mariano, M.A., CCC-SLP      Session one: 04/10/2014 1:00pm-3:00pm EST Description: Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) typically demonstrate difficulty in all three components of communication: encoding, transmitting and decoding. Despite intervention, a large percentage of those with ASD will not develop functional speech, and will require an alternative or augmentative mode of communication. Today's technology has gone far beyond the traditional assistive devices and systems previously made available to this population. At a much lower price point, these alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) systems are also more accessible to a much larger market of individuals.    Experience Level: All levels (basic concepts will be explained in detail) Target Audience: SLPs. CE provided for SLPs This course is being offered for 0.2 ASHA CEUs. (Introductory Level, Professional Area) Non-Financial Disclosure:  There are no relevant non-financial relationships to report Financial Disclosure:  Presenters are employed through Eden II/Genesis Programs and receive a salary.     CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

ESE school survey

Please consider filling out this online survey about the quality of education being provided to children with IEPs. The Florida Department of Education hosts this survey to collect data that drives the implementation of services. Hopefully, your feedback will help to improve the quality of the education being provided to children with special needs across the state.

http://www.esesurvey.com/Login.php

Summer camp, can't believe we are planning for that already! Delray

Donation based yoga class for PARENTS of children w/special needs, Deerfield Beach

Sibshops, fun workshop for siblings age 8-12 of children with ASD, in Delray

14 week PEERS program in Delray

Free special needs bowling day with teen volunteers for support and friendship, WPB

6-week teen and pre-teen social and academic skill building in Delray

FREE Family Connections conference at FAU in Jupiter

Communication and AAC programs

I had the opportunity, a few years ago, to teach a class of 6 non-verbal high school students how to use an AAC device to communicate. We used ProLoQuo on iPads as it seemed to be the best system out there. I watched as the students came alive with the ability to get their needs and desires met and have had a passion for enabling communication ever since!

To that effect, I wanted to share an AAC (Augmentive & Alternative Communication) system that I am excited about. As I mentioned, I initially used ProLoQuo and feel that it is a good program with a lot of benefits, least of which are it's virtually unlimited vocabulary and the ability to customize for the user. But, that can make it an overwhelming program for both learners and teachers.  Additionally, I feel that it is more suited to people who have some, or a lot of, language skills but need the verbal output piece.

Touch Chat, on the other hand, is a program that seems very well suited to children who have both a language disorder and verbal output problems.  I am currently using the program with one of my clients and I feel that it is a very intuitive program and quite user friendly.  It has more options for customizing and offers more features than ProLoQuo. Additionally, they have a great website for support and a blog that offers ideas for teaching the initial use of the device and how to expand/teach language skills using the device.  

The software is available as a app for iDevices or can be purchased as a dedicated device with a tablet, the software and a case/speaker system.  With documentation from an SLP, medicaid here in Florida will cover the dedicated device package as will some private insurance companies. The links to both options are below if you are interested in exploring Touch Chat further.

Be wary, there is a Lite version of Touch Chat offered for sale in the iTunes store but it doesn't speak. We learned this the hard way by making the $10 purchase to find that it has most of the features, including the ability to customize, but does not have speech output.  Not a very well spent $10.  This is disappointing as it doesn't provide a very accurate trial of the program.

 http://touchchatapp.com/apps/touchchat-aac-with-wordpower

http://saltillo.com/products

Webinar on "Building appropriate sexuality skills for individuals w/significant ASD"

 This is not a free one, but it is only $45 for the two hour webinar and it is a topic I know many of you have questions about.  It is for parents and professionals.

Webinars Great for: *Behavior       Analysts *Parents *School       Psychologists *Speech    Language   Pathologists *Teachers *Other    Autism    Clinicians Fee:  $45 (2 hour webinar) BCBA CE Credits included in registration Click here  for more information Eden II Diagnostic & Outreach Center 2285 Victory Blvd Staten Island, New York 10314 600 Newbridge Road East Meadow, NY 11554  Eden II Programs is an approved continuing education (ACE) provider of Type 2 continuing education hours for BCBA and BCaBA certificants

MEET YOUR PRESENTER Dr. Cicero is the Director of Psychological Services for the Eden II Programs, an Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) program in New York State serving children and adults on the autism spectrum. He is a New York State Licensed Psychologist with over 18 years of experience providing ABA programs for children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Dr. Cicero received his Master's degree in school psychology from St. John's University and his Doctorate in Educational Psychology from the City University of New York Graduate Center. He is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, a Certified School Psychologist and the President-Elect of the New York State Association for Behavior Analysis (NYSABA). Dr. Cicero serves as an adjunct instructor in applied behavior analysis at the master's and doctoral level. He frequently conducts workshops, consultations, and research presentations at the national level and has been published in the areas of toilet training and developmental disabilities. Dr. Cicero is renowned for his straightforward approach to addressing the difficult and uncomfortable topic of sexuality in the autism population.  __________________________________________ Dr. Cicero will be presenting the following live webinar  on March 27, 2014: Building Appropriate Sexuality Skills for Individuals with Significant Autism Spectrum Disorder  _______________________________________  The webinar is offered at two different times on March 27: (click the link to register) Session one: 03/27/2014 12:00pm-2:00pm EST OR Session two: 03/27/2014 7:00pm-9:00pm EST Fee: $45 (includes 2 hours of BACB type 2 CE) Click here for more information about the webinar program at the Eden II Diagnostic and Outreach Center and see below for additional information about the upcoming webinar. Building appropriate sexuality skills for individuals with significant autism spectrum disorder Presented by: Frank Cicero, Ph.D., BCBA Session one: 03/27/2014 12:00pm-2:00pm EST OR Session two: 03/27/2014 7:00pm-9:00pm EST Description:  Sexuality is a topic that is often difficult for parents and professionals to discuss, however, it is a topic that often comes to the forefront as children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) become adolescents and adults. The current webinar will discuss general topics related to sexuality including sexuality development, important behavioral curriculum areas and useful Applied Behavior Analysis based teaching methods and strategies. This particular webinar will focus on issues affecting individuals on the more challenged end of the spectrum. Specific topics will include teaching basic social awareness, masturbation, private versus public behaviors and decreasing inappropriate behaviors related to sexuality expression.  Experience level: Basic to Intermediate. Procedures will be discussed in detail using behavioral terminology. However, behavioral terms will be translated for unfamiliar audiences when needed.  Target Audience: Behavior Analysts, parents and autism professionals. CE provided for BCBAs Click Here to Register for Session one OR Click Here to Register for Session two