The language of autism

It has taken society a long time to give a name to autism and we are still in the process of understanding it. Wired reports on a woman named Amanda Baggs who has Autism and has used a synthetic voice on YouTube to explain why she does the things she does.

An excerpt:

In a synthesized voice generated by a software application, she explains that touching, tasting, and smelling allow her to have a "constant conversation" with her surroundings. These forms of nonverbal stimuli constitute her "native language," Baggs explains, and are no better or worse than spoken language. Yet her failure to speak is seen as a deficit, she says, while other people's failure to learn her language is seen as natural and acceptable.

And you find yourself thinking: She might have a point.

Check out the article and the video to learn more about the language of autism and the ways people on the autism spectrum are expressing themselves online.

31 Days of Disability Awareness

March is Indiana's Disability Awareness Month! This year we would like to share some of the great disability awareness resources available. Each day in the month of March we will highlight a new resource here on our blog. For a sneak peek visit our Disability Awareness bibliography.

Autism resources in Spanish

Here at CeDIR we work hard to reach out to all patrons. Therefore, we've created this list of autism resources in Spanish. If you are an Indiana resident, please contact us at cedir [at] indiana [dot] edu to request the books.

Autism Resources in Spanish

Books in our collection

Atwood, Tony. (2002). El síndrome de Asperger: Una guía para la familia (Asperger's syndrome: A guide for the family). Barcelona : Paidós.

Ellis, Marvie. (2005). Las puertas de Keisha : Una historia de autismo. Libro uno (Keisha's doors : An autism story. Book one) Round Rock, TX: Speech Kids Texas Press.

Ellis, Marvie. (2005). Alguien quiere tacos? : Una historia de autismo. Libro dos (Tacos anyone?: An autism story. Book two). Round Rock, TX: Speech Kids Texas Press.

Hodgdon, Linda. (2002). Estrategias visuales para mejorar la communicación: Ayudas prácticas para la escuela y el hogar (Visual strategies for improving communication: Practical aid for school and home). Troy, MI: QuirkRoberts Pub.

Myles, Haley Morgan. (2004). Soluciones practicas para problemas corrientes de niños con sindrome de Asperger (Practical solutions to everyday challenges for children with Asperger syndrome). Shawnee Mission, KS: Autism Asperger Pub. Co.

Savner, Jennifer L. (2004). Preparación de apoyos visuales para uso en el hogar y la comunidad: Estrategias para las personas con autismo y sindrome de Asperger (Making visual supports work in the home and community: Strategies for individuals with autism and Asperger syndrome). Shawnee Mission, KS: Autism Asperger Pub.

Websites in Spanish

NIH site
Autism Online
Autism Society
CDC site

Wheelchairs for Iraqi Children

CNN.com has an article about Brad Blauser's efforts to bring much needed medical equipment to children in Iraq. Originally a civilian contractor in 2004, Blauser now works with the charity Wheelchairs for Iraqi Kids.

Autism

Tonight Larry King is doing a special show on autism. Autism celebs including Holly Robinson Peete, Doug Flutie and Toni Braxton will talk about autism. He's also invited Jason McElwain, the young man with an autism spectrum diagnosis who made a tricky basketball shot and won the heart of the world.

Check it out this evening, and happy Valentine's Day!

Wheelchair Bowling in Indy

Indystar.com has an article today about George Simpson, a bowling enthusiast in Indianapolis hoping to revive wheelchair bowling in the city. The article talks about Mr. Simpson's previous experiences in the sport and his plans to try to revive the Indy Wheelers bowling league. You can read the full article here.

Spring break!

As spring break approaches, CeDIR has a new book called "101 Accessible Vacations: Travel Ideas for Wheelers and Slow Walkers." As you plan for spring break, give us a call at 812-855-9396 to check out this book (Indiana residents only).