Stop That!

Do you find yourself trying looking for new strategies to help address your child's noncompliance, aggression and repetitive actions? Then check out Beth Glasberg's new book "Stop that Seemingly Senseless Behavior" published by Woodbine House. This new volume in the popular "Topics in Autism" series uses a two part method to determine what the function of challenging behavior is and how it can be improved. Glasberg's methods are based on Functional Behavior Assessment [FBA]. In this volume you will find out how to prevent challenging behavior, customize interventions write behavior intervention plans and more. For more information about FBA, you can also check out Glasberg's other Book "Functional Behavior Assessment for People with Autism."

To check out these books and more on behavior related topics Indiana residents can call us at 800-437-7924, or email us at cedir@indiana.edu.

Universal Human Rights Month

Did you know that December is Universal Human Rights Month? Well now you do if you didn't already!

Know your rights or check them out here at this website on the Universal Declaration for Human Rights.

Check out these following new books pertaining to human rights:

The ABCs of the ADA: Your Early Childhood Program's Guide to the Americans with Disabilities Act by Karren Ikeda Wood & Victoria Youcha. This book answers early childhood administrator's questions about legal issues surrounding inclusive programs and gives the reader everything they need to know to implement a successful plan that is in compliance with the ADA. The book also includes checklists, guidelines, and sample policy statements that programs can use to improve the physical accessibility of play areas, create parent handbook, operation manuals, etc.

Education for All: Critical Issues in the Education of Children and Youth with Disabilities by Teresa Jimenez & Victoria Graf. This book is a result of the gathering of practitioners, advocates, policy makers, researchers, individuals with disabilities, and parents that gathered at Loyola Marymount University thirty years after the passing of the 1975 Education for All Handicapped Children Act to discuss the current practices in the field and make recommendations for the future.

If you are an Indiana resident and would like to borrow these books, contact us!

If you are not an Indiana resident, click here to go to WorldCat and find these books at your local library!

Accessibility with W3C

On December 11, 2008 W3C announced a new standard that will help Web designers and developers create sites that better meet the needs of users with disabilities and older users.

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 covers a wide range of recommendations for making Web content more accessible. Following these guidelines will make content accessible to a wider range of people with disabilities, including blindness and low vision, deafness and hearing loss, learning disabilities, cognitive limitations, limited movement, speech disabilities, photosensitivity and combinations of these. Following these guidelines will also often make your Web content more usable to users in general.

Check out the Guidelines here!

Did you hear..Health and Saftey

Online Resources:

IIDC Early Childhood Center's Health and Safety Resources

National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education

Healthy Childcare America

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Advocacy Resource Book

Special Needs Advocacy Resource Book: What You Can Do Now To Advocate for Your Exceptional Child's Education by Rich Weinfeld and Michelle Davis teaches parents how to work with schools and achieve optimal learning situations and accommodations for their child's needs. The authors provide parents and professionals with concise, easy-to-understand definitions and descriptions of legal terms and school regulations, along with checklists, tips, questionnaires, and other tools.

Interested in this book and an Indiana resident? Contact us!

Not an Indiana resident? Find this book at your local library!

No More Meltdowns!

Meltdowns, every parent and teacher is familiar with them, but what do you do when your rewards and punishment system doesn't seem to be enough? Jed Baker, author of the Social Skills Picture Book series, has written a helpful guide for parents and educators to break through the "meltdown" cycle.

No More Meltdowns is separated into three sections: The Problem, The Solution and Plans for the Four Types of Meltdowns. In the first section Dr. Baker defines what a meltdown is and introduces the 4-step model for reducing meltdowns. In The Solution, in-depth explanations of each of the steps is presented. In the final section, the reader is practical advice for addressing each of the 4 types of meltdowns as well as tools to help make a personalized plan.

Not only is this book full of excellent advice, it is laid out in a reader friendly manner and includes quick reference guides presented in gray boxes that are easy to find and use so that readers can find the information they need quickly when they need it most!

Indiana residents interested in checking out No More Meltdowns can contact us at 800-437-7924. Not an Indiana resident? No worries find this book at a library near you with worldcat.org!

New Books on Autism and Asperger's!

We just got in five new books on Autism and Asperger Syndrome. Check them out!

Basic Skills Checklists: Teacher-friendly Assessments for Students with Autism or Special Needs by Marlene Breitenbach is an easy-to-use, informal assessment tool that focuses on pre-academic, readiness, and academic skills expected from learners in the early elementary years. It contains simple, customizable charts making it easy to record a child's progress in various areas.

The Way I See It: A Personal Look Autism & Asperger's by Temple Grandin offers helpful do's and don'ts, practical strategies, and try-it-now tips regarding issues that parents, teachers, and individuals on the spectrum face everyday.

Dietary Interventions in Autism Spectrum Disorders: Why They Work When They Do, Whey They Don't When They Don't by Kenneth Aitken explores the main dietary approaches that have been advocated in ASDs. He lists the pros and cons for each one and recommends the Simple Restriction Diet.

How to Make School Make Sense: A Parent's Guide to Helping the Child with Asperger Syndrome by Clare Lawrence gives parents practical advice on how to make the most of the important partnership with educators and how to work with schools to ensure their children's needs are being met. Invaluable guide!

Counselling for Asperger Couples by Barrie Thompson is the first book to provide a complete model for counselling couples where one partner has Asperger Syndrome.

Are you an Indiana resident and interested in any of these books? Contact us!

Not an Indiana resident? Look up any of the titles on Worldcat to find if your local library has them!

Special Educator's Tool Kit

Looking for more ideas to make your classroom an enjoyable place of learning and discovery for ALL children? Well, look no further! CeDIR just got in a new book called, The Special Educator's Tool Kit. This book has ideas on tools to use for understanding child development, for educating special children, for classroom activities, and even for specifics such as handwriting. It also talks about differentiating instruction for each student, the potential need to modify the classroom itself, and the need for assistive technology for some students.

Interested? Hoosier residents can give us a call to check it out. If you're not an Indiana resident, check worldcat.org to find it in a library near you!

Did you hear...Seasonal Affective Disorder

Resources:
Medline Plus: Seasonal Affective Disorder

Factsheet: Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

More resources:
http://delicious.com/cedir/seasonal_affective_disorder


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Conference on Self-Determination

Please save the dates! The Center for Self-Determination announced that the 2nd Annual International Conference on Self-Determination will be held May 3-5, 2009 at the Benton Convention Center in Winston-Salem, NC. For more information, go to: http://www.self-determination.com/index.php/New-Events/

Give Thanks

CeDIR will close for the Thanksgiving holiday
at 12:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 26th
and reopen at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, December 1st.

Have a happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Teaching Students with Learning Disabilities

The Complete Learning Disabilities Handbook: Ready-to-Use Strategies & Activities for Teaching Students with Learning Disabilities by Joan M. Harwell just came out with its third edition. This book provides suggestions and ready-to-use materials for teachers and parents on helping students with learning disabilities of all ages learn and perform at their fullest potential. In this book is an overview of learning disabilities, diagnostic tools and remediation techniques, specific interventions, strategies for building academic skills, ways to increase motivation, solutions to common problems, and tips for working with parents.

Are you an Indiana resident and interested in this book? Contact us!

For those non-Indiana residents, find this book at your local library!

Social Skills Games

Social Skills Games for Children by Deborah M. Plummer is a handbook designed to promote successful social strategies for children aged 5 to 12. This book helps adults with understanding and encouragement of children's social skills and also includes a wide variety of activities for different sized groups.

Interested in the book and an Indiana resident? Contact us!

If you're not an Indiana resident, click here to find this book at your local library.

Home Visitor's Guidebook

The Home Visitor's Guidebook: Promoting Optimal Parent & Child Development by Carol Klass just came out with its 3rd edition and is the ultimate professional development resource for early interventionists, social workers, and other practitioners who work directly with parents and children. This book contains updated material on assessment and evaluation, childhood illnesses, coping strategies for families, and much more.

Indiana resident? Interested in this book well then contact us!

Not an Indiana resident? Find this book at your local library!

Help in the inclusive classroom

We all need a little help now and then, and for educators in inclusive classrooms a little more help just arrived! A second edition of Brief References of Student Disabilities ...With Strategies for the Classroom has been published by Corwin Press. This updated reference provides information on common disabilities found in classrooms such as AD/HD, bipolar disorder, down syndrome, epilepsy and more! A brief description of each disability with common characteristics and background information is presented with a reading list, strategies for teachers, and organizations to contact for more information. In addition, the book provides readers with an overview of the laws concerning students with disabilities, a review of health disorders, and a list of children's book to help awareness and understanding. Indiana residents can contact us to check out this book, and others can go to worldcat.org to find it in a library near you.

Fun with Messy Play

Getting messy is not only fun, but it can be educational too! Fun with messy play: Ideas and activities for children with special needs by Tracey Beckerleg is chock full of activities that can help to improve coordination, communication skills, social skills and cognitive abilities, as well as your child's self confidence . These exercises highlight movement or sensation that kids will be able to apply to everyday life. The great part about messy play is that it encourages sensory responsiveness while having fun, without being stressful for kids. This is an excellent resource for parents and professionals. Interested in checking it out? Indiana residents can contact us at 800-437-7924. Not an Indiana resident? Find this book at a library near you!

Freedom Scientific

Last week, Freedom Scientific released the latest version of its screen reader software, JAWS 10. This newest version of JAWS allows users access to iTunes 8, including support for the iTunes store, a big plus for music lovers! It also supports Microsoft Access 2007 for both braille and speech output, boasts better performance with Microsoft Outlook Calendar, and more!

Also from Freedom Scientific is a portable video magnifier called SAPPHIRE. This product contains a small camera and displays images on a brightly-lit 7" screen. SAPPHIRE can be used for reading lists in the grocery store, a menu at a restaurant, or even signing your name.

Check out these products plus Freedom Scientific's other products, their online newsletter, and more at http://www.freedomscientific.com/default.asp

Did you hear...Alzheimer's Disease

Resources:

Schnurbush, B. (2007). Striped shirts and flowered pants: A story about Alzheimer's disease for young children. Washington, D.C.: Magination Press.

Cambridge Educational (2006). Alzheimer's: The long goodbye. Lawrenceville, NJ: Author.

Tame, A.C. (2005). ABC's of activities for Alzheimer's: Therapeutic activities that work for persons with demintia. Victoria B.C.: Trafford.

Peterson, B. (2004). Boices of Alzheimer's: Courage, humor, hope and love in the face of dementia. Cambridge, MA: Da Capo Life Long.

Online Resources:
http://delicious.com/cedir/alzheimers

Are you SAD?

According to the American Psychiatric Association, Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, affects people at this time of year as the seasons change from summer to fall and winter. Some people are affected only mildly but for others the change brings severe symptoms of irritability, fatigue, weight gain or depression. However, there are treatments that can help.

SAD has been linked to a biochemical imbalance in the brain, thought to be brought on by the shorter days and longer nights in fall and winter. Sometimes, treatment can be as simple as spending more time outdoors in the sunlight during the fall and winter months or arranging furniture in a way that provides direct sunlight while indoors. Light therapy has been beneficial to some people who experience symptoms of SAD, while others turn to psychotherapy or even medication for help.

For more information, see CeDIR's Delicious links at:
http://delicious.com/cedir/seasonal_affective_disorder

Autism and Libraries

The folks at the Scotch Plains Public Library and the Fanwood Memorial Library, have put together an excellent training program to help public libraries better serve people with Autism Spectrum Disorders, called Libraries and Autism: We're Connected. This program includes a training video for library staff as well as customizable handouts for patrons and a training workshop with supporting materials. Also included are links to great resources for parents such as Autism Speaks: First 100 Days kit. This program is a great resource for parents and librarians alike!

Car Talk

Looking for information about buying an accessible vehicle? Car Talk did a feature on drivers with special needs and compiled a list of resources on all sorts of organizations and websites that are out there and willing to help.

Check out the website: http://www.cartalk.com/content/features/Special-Needs/

They have sections on questions and answers for driving with mobility challenges and driving challenges for short, tall, and large drivers. They also list tons of resources on general information and adaptive technologies. They also have section where they have posted "remarkable stories about physically challenged drivers who have demonstrated incredible personal determination and in doing so, they have also pushed the limits of adaptive technologies."

This website was recommended to us by one of our faithful blog readers. If you have any recommendations for our blog feel free to contact us, or leave a comment with those suggestions!

Did you hear...Family Involvement Fund

Online Resources:
Family to Family: Connecting Families in Community

Family Involvement Fund



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UCP Election Day Twitter Patrol

United Cerebral Palsy has set up a twitter feed for real time reports of polling conditions for people with disabilities! For more information and to find out how you can participate, visit their blog at http://twitterpatrol.blogspot.com/. Want to find out more about voting accessibility? Visit: http://delicious.com/cedir/voting

Did You Hear...No Child Left Behind ACT

Online Resources:

http://delicious.com/cedir/nclb

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10 Tools for testing Web Accessibility

Jacob Gube at Six Revisions has put together a list of 10 free tools available to test how accessible your website is for people with disabilities. Often when people think of web accessibility they mainly think about whether or not their website is legible to a screen reader. Mr. Gube's list also includes tools to ensure that your website is accessible for people with low vision, and people who are color blind. Check it out at:

http://sixrevisions.com/web-standards/accessibility_testtools/

Technical difficulties...

Due to some technical difficulties our regularly scheduled podcast will be delayed by a day or so. In the meantime, please enjoy a book review!

Peer Buddy Programs for Successful Secondary School Inclusion. Everybody wins when schools include kids with disabilities and their peers without. This book looks at the ideas, philosophy an research behind inclusion in the schools. It goes on to say exactly what a peer buddy program is and how to start one, how to recruit participants, and how to sustain the program.This book will help school administration, teachers and anyone interested in inclusion in today's schools.

Call us to check it out or go to worldcat.org to find it in a library near you!

Brett Favre

Everyone knows that the National Football League has great players, but did you know that a lot of them give back to their communities? Here's one example: "The Brett Favre Fourward Foundation's mission is to provide aid to disadvantaged or disabled children in Wisconsin and Mississippi."

The foundation supports national organizations with programs in Wisconsin and Mississippi which help remove barriers to attain self-sufficiency for disadvantaged children. Another focus is youth programs for disadvantaged children and children with disabilities.

This foundation works with a number of different charities such as Special Olympics, Make A Wish Foundation, Boys and Girls Club and Gaits to Success. For those interested in applying for a grant, go to http://www.brettfavre.com/foundation_about.php.

Awards presented by the City

The City of Bloomington's Council for Community Accessibility (CCA) presented recognition awards to organizations and individuals honoring their efforts in working for and with people with disabilities. The awards were presented at a ceremony on Monday, October 20, sponsored, in part, by the City of Bloomington's Community and Family Resources Department and Human Rights Commission. See the City's webpage for a full listing of the awards and award winners.

New Study on Alzheimer's Prevention

Can Google help ward off Alzheimer's?

"A team out of the University of California-Los Angeles found that middle-aged and older people who frequently perform web searches seem to have more activity in the part of their brain that controls decision-making and complex reasoning."

The first article discusses the benefits of web searching and other healthy brain activities (like Sudoko) that can help ward off Alzheimer's. http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_28060.aspx

The second article is information on the study done at UCLA discussing the impact of technology on our brains. He talks about the brain gap which is the difference between what he calls "digital natives (those who have never known a world without e-mail and text messaging) and digital immigrants (those who witnessed the advent of modern technology long after their brains had been hardwired)." Interesting article. http://www.newsweek.com/id/163924/

(Image is from Jeff Sherman/Taxi-Getty Images)

Did you hear...Epilepsy

Resources:

Hart, Y.M. (2008). Epilepsy: Questions and answers. Jupiter, FL: Merit Pub.

Gay, K. (2007). Epilepsy: The ultimate teen guide. Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press.

Freeman, J.M. (2007). The ketogenic diet: A treatment for children and others with epilepsy. New York: Demos.

Kutscher, M.L. (2006). Children with seizures: A guide for parents, teachers, and other professionals . Philadelphia: Jessica Kingsley

Online Resources:
http://delicious.com/cedir/epilepsy

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New materials on Down syndrome

Parents must make a lot of adjustments when a new bundle of joy arrives. And when that bundle of joy arrives with an extra 21st chromosome (the genetic cause of Down syndrome) there are usually a few more adjustments.

Last month a third edition of Babies with Down syndrome: A new parent's guide was released by Woodbine House, thoroughly updated and revised to include the latest information on caring for children with Down syndrome through the age of five. This latest edition is a comprehensive revision of the book and examines so much of what parents need to know about their child's medical, developmental, and educational needs. Authors include parents, an adult with Down syndrome, advocates, educators, early interventionists, medical professionals and legal experts.

Indiana residents interested in checking out this book can give us a call or send an email. Others can use worldcat.org to see about library holdings in their area.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Another new book from Woodbine House is Helping children with Down syndrome communicate better: Speech and language skills for age 6-14. This book is a follow-up to Dr. Libby Kumin's Early communication skills for children with Down syndrome, published in 2003.

Helping children with Down syndrome communicate better provides parents and professionals with information and resources during this age where the communication gap widens between children with Down syndrome and those without. The book includes a suggested reading list, sample evaluations and blank forms, resource guides and more.

Check worldcat.org to see if the book is available in your local library!

National Photo Gallery

The mayor of Bloomington, Mark Kruzan, has proclaimed October 13-19, 2008 National Down Syndrome Awareness Week. A traveling photo gallery will be on display at the College Mall in Bloomington October 15-22nd. Everyone is welcome to attend the unveiling. Click on the photo at right to see a larger size.

Disability Mentoring Day

Disability Mentoring Day is tomorrow, October 15, 2008.

The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and the Disability Mentoring Day (DMD) have put together a website with listing of local coordinators throughout the United States. Check out the website here!

The local coordinators for Indiana are:

Indianapolis, IN
Kelly Brown
Indianapolis Private Industry Council
151 N. Delaware St., Suite 1600
Indianapolis, IN 46204
VOICE: (317) 684-2225
FAX: (317) 639-0103
http://www.ipic.org

Johnson County, IN
Mark Kevitt
Interlocal Association
P.O. Box 69
Greenfield, IN 46140
VOICE: (317) 392-3279, Ext. 314
FAX: (317) 398-0502
markkevitt@hotmail.com

Sarah Sharp
Pierce Sharp & Associates
587 South Vermillion Place, Suite 102
Gary, IN 46403
VOICE: (219) 484-7601
ssharp@piercesharp.com

Did you hear...Home Improvement Fraud

Unfortunately two communities hit hardest by home improvement fraud are the elderly and people with disabilities. This podcast give tips on what to look for as well as where to get more information.

Online Resources:

http://delicious.com/cedir/fraud

CeDIR Citings Fall 2008

A new edition of CeDIR Citings is now available! This issue will focus on Employment. Also included in this issue is information about our new website, podcasts and our new public browsing hours.

Teaching Mathematics Meaningfully

Teachers who have students struggling with math and its concepts now have help. In the book, Teaching Mathematics Meaningfully: Solutions for Reaching Struggling Learners, teachers are provided insight into the how and the why of instruction and are provided with a system to teach mathematics to kids in all grade levels who have learning difficulties. It's an easy-read resource, giving background on the basics of mathematics. The book also shows teachers how to implement strategies in their classrooms that will help students understand mathematical concepts and strategies.

Indiana residents can give us a call to check it out. Others can use worldcat.org to find the book in their own local library.

Playing, laughing, and learning with children on the autism spectrum

Parents of young children with a new autism diagnosis can often feel confused about how to play with and how best to help their children. Playing, Laughing, and Learning with Children on the Autism Spectrum can help break down activities into manageable stages so that small achievements can be celebrated and built upon.

Each chapter is written around a theme such as music, art, or playing outdoors. There are also chapters on reading, using a computer, and even using a digital camera. The book offers many useful resources to help parents help their children learn how to play.

Interested? Indiana residents can give us a call to check it out. Others can use worldcat.org to find a library in their area.

Mental Illness Awareness Week

October 5 to the 11th is National Mental Illness Awareness Week.

In 1990, the U.S. Congress established the first week of October as Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) in recognition of the National Alliance on Mental Illness's efforts to raise mental illness awareness. Bipolar Disorder Awareness Day (BDAD) is held each year on the Thursday of MIAW. Bipolar Disorder Awareness Day is this Thursday October 7.

Want to learn more on MIAW or BDAD check out this the National Alliance on Mental Illness's webpage at http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=Mental_Illness_Awareness_Week

Looking for a resource on Bipolar Disorder? Try Wiley's Concise Guides on Mental Health: Bipolar Disorder by Brian Quinn. It uses clear, highly accessible language to comprehensively guide the reader through the entire spectrum of bipolar and related disorders.

Interested in this book? Contact us! Not an Indiana resident, find this book at your local library!

Did you hear...Down Syndrome

Welcome to CeDIR's weekly Podcast "Did you hear...!" Join us each Monday for a new episode. We'll cover a wide variety of subjects about disability as well as providing resources guides for further information! Want to automatically be notified when a new episode comes out? Subscribe to our RSS Feed!

• October 2008
• October 6, 2008 Down Syndrome
  
  
  Kumin, L. (2008). Helping children with Down Syndrome communicate better: speech and language skills for ages 6 - 14. Bethesda, MD: Woodbine House.
  
  
  Pitzer, M. (2008). My up & down & all around book. Bethesda, MD: Woodbine House.
  
  
  Groneberg, J. (2008). Road map to Holland: How I found my way through my son's first two years with Down syndrome. New York: New American Library.
  
  
  Greenwald, K. (2008).Kellie's book: The art of the possible. Windsor, CA: Rayve Productions.
  
  
  Online Resources:
  http://delicious.com/cedir/down_syndrome

Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month began on September 15th and ends October 15. This month of hispanic recognition began in 1968 as a week-long event and was expanded to a full month 20 years later. This year's theme is, "Honoring the Awesome Way of Life." In recognition of this month, here are a few disability-related Latino sites:

• http://www.familyvillage.wisc.edu/multicultural/Latino.htm
• http://www.wid.org/resources/hispanic-latino-resources
• http://www.proyectovision.net/
• http://www.colorincolorado.org/calendar/celebrations/hhm/
• http://www.nchealthystart.org/aboutus/maternidad.htm
• http://www.aspira.org/
• http://www.ilr.cornell.edu/edi/DisabilityStatistics/glossary.cfm?g_id=243&view=true
• http://deafness.about.com/cs/hispanic/f/latino.htm
• http://nnlm.gov/mcr/resources/community/ethnic/latamer.html

Down Syndrome Awareness Month

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month and that also means it's time for Buddy Walks! Never heard of a Buddy Walk? The National Down Syndrome Society established the first Buddy Walk in 1995 to promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down Syndrome. Actor Chris Burke led the flagship Buddy Walk in New York City. Last year more than 230,000 people participated in Buddy Walks across the country. Since the Buddy Walk was created in 1995, over 2,000,000 people have participated in Buddy Walks worldwide!

Go to buddywalk.org to find a walk in your area!

Family Center on Technology and Disability

Ever wonder about what's happening with captioning in America? How about the use of descriptive audio? Or what's happening with assistive technology? The Family Center on Technology and Disability is a federal program funded from the Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs and managed by a partnership of organizations, including the Alliance for Technology Access (ATA), Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights (PACER), Center for Assistive Technology and Environmental Access (CATEA) and InfoUse, Inc.

The center has a great website. Check out their monthly newsletters available online, explore their assistive technology resources database, or read through their AT success stories. They also have Family Information Guides to Assistive Technology and more resources in Spanish.

Where do they stand?

With the election nearly upon us, many voters are interested in where each candidate stands on disability related issues. The folks at the Ohio Legal Rights Service have put together a side by side comparison chart with information found on the candidates' Web sites, the candidates' Senatorial Web sites and supplemented by other sources, to help voters make an informed decision.

Did you hear...Disability Employment Awareness Month

Griffin, C. (2007). The job developer's handbook: Practical tactics for customized employment. Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes.

Synatschk, K.O. (2007). Employment and career planning. Austin, TX: Pro-ED.

Wehman, P. (Ed.) (2007). Real work for real pay: Inclusive employment for people with disabilities. Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes.

Indiana Institute on Disability and Community & Center on Community Living and Careers.
A roadmap to choosing an employment agency. Bloomington, IN: Author.

Online Resources:

http://delicious.com/cedir/employment

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Winter Heating Costs Assistance

From the September "First Call for Help" Newsletter...
Local Community Action Programs (CAP) are accepting
mailed-in applications for energy assistance for the upcoming
winter season. Energy assistance application packets are
available to anyone who has a family member that is elderly,
disabled, or 5 years old or younger. There are also income
guidelines that a family must fall within. (Guidelines listed
below). Proof of income and other documentation listed in
application packet must be sent with application to complete
process. When applications are received they are processed,
but benefits won’t be applied until after the program start date.
Those who were not able to mail in their application may
contact their local CAP agency to schedule an appointment.
Energy assistance will begin October 6th.
Income Guidelines:

# in Household Yearly Income
1 $15,600
2 $21,000
3 $26,000
4 $31,800

For each additional member add $5,400

For more information, contact your local CAP agency today:

http://www.incap.org/CAP_agencies.htm

Unstrange Minds

Ever wonder why autism seems to be so much more prevalent these days? Author Roy Richard Grinker does in his book, Unstrange Minds: Remapping the World of Autism. Grinker sets out on a worldwide search to find out what may be causing the increase, and his controversial discovery will surprise you.

Curious? Call us today to check out this interesting book. Or if you're not an Indiana resident, check worldcat.org to see if your local public library has a copy.

Apple Accessibility

Do you love Apple's iTunes and iPods? Do you have difficulty using them because of low vision or vision loss? Well, take heart! Apple has recently announced major accessibility changes to these products in the way that they work with screen readers and screen magnifiers.

iTunes version 8 makes managing accounts and shopping much more user-friendly for those using screen readers. Screen readers can also access iTunes U (university-based content) that will allow users to search, download, and play course content. The 4th generation iPod nano has optional spoken menus to take the guess-work out of accessing music for those with low or no vision. In addition, the new nano has a feature which will allow users to choose a larger-size font.

Cool new features for a couple of very popular products!

Did you hear...Autism: Obtaining a Diagnosis

Resources:
Myles, B.S. (2007).Autism spectrum disorders : a handbook for parents and professionals. Westport, CT: Praeger.

Sherman, D.A. (2007). Autism : asserting your child's right to a special education

Ball, J. (2008). Early intervention & autism : real-life questions, real-life answers. Arlington, TX: Future Horizons.

Online Resources:
IRCA's How and Where to find a Diagnosis

Michael's List: A Web Access Point for Autism Resources in the State of Indiana

First Signs

More online resources:
http://delicious.com/cedir/autism

Miss an episode? Visit our podcast homepage.
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National Resource Center on AD/HD

The National Resource Center on AD/HD is the nation's clearinghouse for science-based news and information on attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD). From health statistics from the CDC, to job listings at the NRC, to research studies, this site has it all! Many topics of interest to parents, professionals and individuals with AD/HD are here: Diagnosis and Treatment, Educational Issues, and more general topics on Living with AD/HD. You'll find a wealth of information in English and in Spanish. Have a specific question on AD/HD? Click on the "Ask a question about AD/HD" link and fill out the form that follows.

The NRC also has a library which maintains a database of cataloged records of books, journal articles, DVDs, audiotapes and other material on AD/HD. Check it out at www.help4adhd.org.

the disorganized mind

In Nancy Ratey's wonderfully insightful book, The Disorganized Mind: Coaching Your ADHD Brain to Take Control of Your Time, Tasks, and Talents, we learn how coaching an individual with AD/HD can be rewarding and potentially life-changing. Ratey shows us through her own experiences how we can coach others, or self-coach, to create organization and peace in the lives of people with AD/HD. She provides us guidance on how to develop skills and strategies to stay focused and get things done.

Interested? Call us today and check it out! Or if you're not an Indiana resident, check worldcat.org to see if it's available at your local library.

Assistive Technology in the Classroom

Assistive Technology can make all the difference for a student with a disability in a classroom setting. However it can be very difficult to know what's available to students as well as which assistive devices are the best fit for each students needs. Great Schools.com has put together a great guide for parents to help explain what assistive technology is and help evaluate which technologies might be best for your child.

For more information about Assistive Technology resources in Indiana, visit Easter Seal Crossroads website, or contact CeDIR.

Did you hear...ADHD

Resources:

Taylor, B.E.S. (2007). ADHD & me: What I learned from lighting fires at the dinner table . Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Pub.

Ratey, N.A. (2008). The disorganized mind: Coaching your ADHD brain to take control of your time, tasks and talents. New York: St. Martin's Press.

Kutscher, M.L. (2008). ADHD - living without breaks. Philadelphia: Jessica Kingsley Pub.

Honos-Webb, L. (2007). The gift of ADHD activity book: 101 ways to turn your child's promblems into strengths. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Pub.

Online Resources:
http://delicious.com/cedir/adhd

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More Than Little Professors

More Than Little Professors: Children with Asperger Syndrome: In Their Own Words will delight and amaze you! In this wonderful collection of quotes, stories, poems and art, the editor brings together fabulous insight into the minds of children with Asperger syndrome. From as young as age 2, incredible things come out of the mouths of these children. From older kids, we learn about some of the common misunderstandings that can arise when people interact with kids on the autism spectrum.

Check it out at CeDIR today! Or if you're not an Indiana resident, check worldcat.org to see if it's available at your local library.

Access to Recreation

Access to Recreation is a three-year initiative, launched in 2006 that aims to increase access to recreation through the building of accessible recreation venues, including trails, playgrounds, spray parks, and more.

The Access to Recreation initiative began in Michigan and has expanded to four states and includes more than 40 accessible recreation projects, funded in part by the W.K. Kellog Foundation. In Indiana, there are six different projects ranging from accessible water recreation areas to docks, trails and cabins.

Interested in helping out? Monroe County Parks and Recreation are looking for volunteers Sept. 12, 13 & 14th to help install part of Karst Farm Playscape. For more information visit www.weallplay.org.

Caring for Myself: A Social Skills Storybook

Any parent will tell you that getting their child to wash their hands or brush their teeth can be a difficult thing. This can be especially true if their child has an Autism spectrum disorder. To help kids understand the importance of these activities Christy Gast and Jane Krug have developed a great book called "Caring for Myself"

"Caring for Myself" is divided into 5 activities: washing hands, getting a haircut, brushing teeth, taking a bath and going to the doctor. Each section starts with a "Who: What: Where: When: How: and Why:" summary of the activity followed by clear, concise descriptions and photos of each step of the activity. At the end of each section the authors have provided lists of things to consider for parents.

Interested in checking it out? Indiana residents can contact us at (800) 437-7294 for more information. Not an Indiana resident? No worries! Find it at your local library!

Did you hear....Get out the Vote!

Online Resources:

Indiana's Help Americans Vote Act Page

Frequently asked Questions about Voting Rights for People with Disabilities

ADA checklist for Polling Places

For more online resources visit:
http://delicious.com/cedir/voting

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Collaboration & Teaming!

Dr. Carrie Chapman and Cate Hart of the Center for Education and Life Long Learning have created a great training tool for education professionals called "Collaboration and Teaming: Eight Dramatic Vignettes of Teams Working & Learning Together."

This DVD includes eight vignettes featuring a school team during a year-long planning process, facing problems, and designing realistic solutions. Some areas of focus are:

• listening and conversation skills;
  
• conflict management and negotiation;
• co-teaching styles and models;
  
• teamwork tools and more.

This DVD is available for check-out to Indiana Residents at CeDIR, or for purchase from the Indiana Institute E-Store.

Social Security Benefits

Do you have questions about Social Security Disability Benefits? Concerned about keeping your benefits after returning to work? CeDIR has a copy of the latest edition of Nolo's Guide to Social Security Disability: Getting and Keeping your Benefits. It's filled with the latest information on applying for benefits, how to prove your disability, appealing if your claim is denied, and more!

If you would like to learn more about this book, check it out at CeDIR today or, if you are not an Indiana resident, visit worldcat.org to find it at a library near you.

Tuberous Sclerosis Complex

Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) is a genetic disorder that can cause tumors to form in the body's vital organs, such as the brain, eyes, heart, lungs and more. People affected by the disease can experience developmental delays, cognitive disabilities, and even autism, but TSC does not always affect everyone severely. Symptoms can be so mild in some people, that it can go undiagnosed. And while TSC is a genetic disorder, it is also believed that two-thirds of those diagnosed develop TSC by spontaneous genetic mutation. The cause of the mutation is still a mystery.

There is no cure for TSC, but treatments are available. Early intervention is helpful in combating developmental delays, and surgery can be performed to prolong organ function. Technology is being used to help create new therapies and to help control seizures. Many people living with TSC lead healthy, productive lives.

For more information on Tuberous Sclerosis Complex and what's being done to find a cure, visit:

Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

MedLine Plus

National Organization for Rare Disorders

Did you hear...Recreational Therapy

Online Resources:
Therapeutic Recreation Directory

National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification

Occupational Outlook Handbook 2008-2009: Recreational Therapy


More Online Resources:
CeDIR's links on Recreational Therapy

CeDIR's links on Inclusive Recreation


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Web Community

WrongPlanet.net is a thriving web community designed for people who have Autism or Aspergers and anyone else who is interested in understanding people with these disorders. Wrong Planet offers a a variety of information including interviews, articles, chat, a blog list and a shop.

One of the most notable aspects of the site is the active message board, where a diverse group of people post questions, trade advice and tell stories. Wrong Planet has many forums, including a Parent’s Board, an area where people with Aspergers can talk about employment and several topical boards that discuss anything from video games to philosophy. Wrong Planet provides a very personal and interesting look inside the world of people who have Aspergers or Autism.

ADHD & Me

In ADHD & Me: What I Learned from Lighting Fires at the Dinner Table, author Blake E. S. Taylor describes some of his experiences living with ADHD. He shows readers how to overcome social anxiety, avoid being misunderstood by people around them, and how to be more organized, among other things. Every chapter ends with a "Cause & Effect" and "Solutions" section, which explains some of the challenges of ADHD and how they can be dealt with. This first-hand account of school and family life with the disorder is recommended for students, parents, and professionals who have or work with others who have ADHD. If you would like to learn more about this book, check it out at CeDIR today, or visit worldcat.org to find it at a library near you.

Adaptive Clothing

Adaptive Clothing is designed for people with disabilities. Some disabilities often make traditional clothing uncomfortable to wear or difficult to put on. Special adaptive clothing is available to suit many needs, including those who use wheelchairs, patients with Alzheimer's, persons with developmental disabilities, anyone with a limited range of motion or children with special needs.

Many companies have addressed the need for adaptive clothing and some have a web presence where one can browse a catalog or look at samples.

Here are a few directories that link to adaptive clothing companies:

Northwestern Center for Special Care List of Adaptive Clothing Providers

A Disability Resource Directory of Adaptive Apparel for All Ages

Yahoo Open Directory on Adaptive Clothing