Running on Dreams

Written by Herb Heiman, Running on Dreams tells the story of two teens, Justin and Brad, who endure the trials of adolescence - fitting in, dating, and developing relationships, to name a few. The book is written from both of their perspectives; Brad, a popular student at a mainstream school, is the aide of Justin, who has autism. As they truly get to know one another, a friendship based on loyalty and trust emerges. To check out this interesting novel, visit CeDIR today! Or, click here to find Running on Dreams at a library near you.

ThinkCollege.net

Choosing which college to attend can be a daunting task, this is especially true when the student has an intellectual disability. In the past, these students were often not given the opportunity to attend college, but that's not the case today. The folks at the Institute for Community Inclusion at the University of Massachusetts in Boston have put together a great website called ThinkCollege.net to help students and families find the right program for them! This site includes a searchable database of post-secondary programs that support students with intellectual disabilities, a resource guide with links to information to help students and their parents make informed decisions and much more. ThinkCollege.net is organized into different sections for students, families and professionals to help users quickly find the information they need most.

Talking to People with Disabilities

What is the most appropriate terminology to use when addressing a person with disabilities? This is one of the topics discussed on a new YouTube video by Millerchat, along with a short history of words such as "handicapped" and "physically challenged." Join Joe Bellil and Mike Kennedy as they give their take on such terminology and what it means to them. Click here to watch this video and learn more about communicating with people with disabilities.

Strategies for Summer Reading

LD Online, the world's leading website on learning disabilities and ADHD has put up an online article titled Strategies for Summer Reading for Children with Dyslexia by Dale S. Brown. The article is geared towards parents and lists some summer strategies to help a child with dyslexia remember what they learned in school and help them discover that reading is useful and enjoyable. Check out the article here!

Also on this website there is a link to listen to Dale Brown talk about tips for summer reading on Parent's Journal, a national radio series.

Adventures in the Mainstream

Author Greg Palmer documents the transition of his son Ned, who has Down syndrome, to adulthood in Adventures in the Mainstream. This book describes Ned's life at school, work, and in relationships in journal format, beginning in June 2002 and ending in September 2004. Emily Perl Kingsley, a writer and former member of the National Down Syndrome Congress Board of Directors, says of Palmer's work, "The joys, disappointments, fears, rewards, challenges, and the overwhelming love and pride - it's all here, beautifully told with humor and passionate authenticity. The book resonated with me on every page!" If you would like to check out this interesting read, visit CeDIR today, or click here to find it at a library near you.

Helping People with Developmental Disabilities Mourn

Written by Marc A. Markell, Ph.D., a grief counselor and university professor, Helping People with Developmental Disabilities Mourn: Practical Rituals for Caregivers provides 20 easy rituals that can be used to help individuals with developmental disabilities understand what death is and how they can cope with the death of a loved one. Little time and few materials are needed for these activities, and each is followed by an example with a story to show how it is successfully used in practice. If you are interested in this book, check it out at CeDIR today, or click here to find it at a library near you.

Knowing Yourself, Knowing Others

Knowing Yourself, Knowing Others: A Workbook for Children with Asperger's Disorder, Non Verbal Learning Disorder and other Social Skill Problems

Asperger's disorder is a common neuropsychiatric condition that affects children's abilities to understand and become involved in social interaction. When a child in your life struggles with Asperger's or Nonverbal Learning Disorder (NLD), developing social skills will be a particular challenge for him or her. This illustrated workbook--written by the founders of SuperKids, an innovative program that treats hundreds of children with Asperger's disorder each year--offers simple exercises you can use to facilitate this important process.

Knowing Yourself, Knowing Others includes activities that will help kids with Asperger's disorder and related conditions learn how to read social cues, avoid meltdowns, understand others' needs and intentions, resolve conflicts with friends, build basic nonverbal skills, and more.

To find this title at a library near you, click here!

-Amazon.com

First Annual International Autism Summit

Presented by Autismtoday.com and the Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital, the First Annual International Autism Summit will be held in Cleveland, Ohio on October 10th through the 12th. This event will be a great way to connect with others who are interested in autism issues, locate new resources, ask questions, and hear professionals discuss current topics relating to autism and Asperger's syndrome. It is open to anyone interested; for more information, visit www.autismcleveland.com, or call Autism Today at (866) 838-3687.

A Parent's Guide to Autism

With strategies for early detection and intervention, Could It Be Autism? provides direction for parents of children with autism spectrum disorders. Chapters cover diagnosis, treatment options, and short descriptions of various autism-related disorders, as well as parents' rights, talking to relatives or friends whose children may have autism, and coping with the situation. Author Nancy D. Wiseman, founder and president of First Signs, Inc., provides a "To Do Now" section at the end of every chapter to guide parents through the next steps they should take through the various stages of this disorder. To read more about this invaluable resource, check it out at CeDIR today, or click here to find it at a library near you.

Autism Heroes

With artwork by Joe Buissink, Autism Heroes: Portraits of Families Meeting the Challenge shows the perspectives of autism through the eyes of 38 families, each with their own story to tell. In this book, author Barbara Firestone, who has thirty years of experience working with children with special needs, speaks with families about how autism has affected their lives, along with their hopes and challenges. To view the amazing photographs by Buissink and read the stories of these courageous people, check this book out at CeDIR today, or click here to find it at a library near you.

Life As We Know It

A father writes about his life raising a child with Down syndrome in Life As We Know It, one of the books currently on display at CeDIR. When his son Jamie is born in 1991, Michael Berube learns about the treatments available for developmental disabilities and the many ways in which Down syndrome is misunderstood by society. He also contemplates what it is to be human. He says in his book, "My job, for now, is to represent my son, to set his place at our collective table. But I know I am merely trying my best to prepare for the day he sets his own place. For I have no sweeter dream than to imagine that Jamie will someday be his own advocate, his own author, his own best representative." To read about the first four years of Jamie's life, check this title out at CeDIR today, or click here to find it at a library near you.

Disaster Relief for Individuals with Disabilities

Due to the recent flooding and tornadoes that have made parts of Indiana disaster areas, the Arc of Indiana is offering $100 debit cards to people with disabilites who have been severely affected by these events. The criteria to receive financial assistance is that the person must be disabled and receiving Supplemental Security Income or Medicaid Disability. Also, he or she must live in a county declared a disaster area; the individual must use the money as it is intended, and use it to assist, and not supplant, income used to pay bills. Individuals with cerebral palsy who need medical equipment can contact the United Cerebral Palsy Association of Greater Indiana, Inc. at (317) 632-3561 or (800) 723-7620. If you are in need of financial assistance, visit http://wwwarcind.org/ and click on the "Disaster Relief Assistance" link to find the certification form. Or, if you would like to make a donation to the Arc of Indiana for disaster relief, checks can be sent to the following address: The Arc of Indiana, 107 N. Pennsylvania St., Suite 300, Indianapolis, IN 46204.

Uncommon Fathers

In the spirit of Father's Day, one of the books on display at CeDIR is Donald J. Meyer's Uncommon Fathers: Reflections on Raising a Child with a Disability. This is a collection of essays written by nineteen dads raising children with special needs, who have disabilities such as autism, Down syndrome, and cerebral palsy. Share their joys, struggles, and heartaches as they describe their reactions to their children's diagnosis, how it has changed their lives, and what they see in their future for themselves and their children. This book provides a unique perspective on parenting sons and daughters with disabilities; to check it out, visit CeDIR today. Or, if you are interested and are not an Indiana resident, click here to find it at a library near you.

China Doll

The China Doll by D.M. Rosner is a great children's introductory book to autism. The story is about a new doll that helps a little girl learn that differences may hide wonderful surprises. It is meant to teach children about other students with autism. The book also includes a section at the end for parents and educators with tips on how to facilitate interaction and understanding.

If you're an Indiana resident and interested in this book, contact us!
Not an Indiana resident, find this book at your local library!

Autism: Moment in Science

WFIU: A Moment of Science Podcast

Yesterday a podcast was posted on Learning About Autism One Yawn at a Time. One person in the room yawns, and suddenly the urge to follow suit takes hold of you as well, even if you aren't tired. Before long, the yawn has passed from person to person around the room. Find out what contagious yawns have to do with autism on this "Moment of Science." Check out the podcast here!
Our source is Scott Bellini here at the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community.

David Roche

(Photo by Vince Maggiora, San Francisco Chronicle)

On Saturday, June 14, VSA Arts is presenting a one-hour, family friendly performance of David Roche's signature one man show "The Church of 80% Sincerity" on the Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.

Showtime is 6 pm East Coast (USA). The show will be video webcast live by the Kennedy Center. http://www.kennedy-center.org/programs/millennium/ There will be ASL interpretation, real time captioning and audio description of the show. Admission is free. After the live webcast the show will continue to be available at the same url.

David Roche is an inspirational humorist who has transformed the challenges and gifts of living with a facial disfigurement into a compelling message that uplifts and delights audiences around the world. He presents keynote speeches and entertainment for corporate, association, disability and educational events of all kinds. David Roche's recently published book based on his show, also titled "The Church of 80% Sincerity" is available in bookstores nationwide. www.davidroche.com

Born on the Wrong Planet

Living with Asperger's syndrome and Tourette syndrome, author Erika Hammerschmidt feels alienated from her classmates and the world around her. Born on the Wrong Planet, her latest work, describes her life and how her experiences often left her feeling misunderstood. Stephen M. Shore, executive director of Autism Spectrum Disorder Consulting, gives it the following review: "Erika takes us on a whirlwind ride, and in the process we witness the inner workings of a brilliant Aspie mind. From toddler to school age, to marriage and beyond, we are privileged to learn more about what it is to be human." If you would like to check out this insightful book, stop by CeDIR today. Or, if you aren't an Indiana resident, click here to find it at a library near you.

My Strange and Terrible Malady

Written by Catherine Bristow, My Strange and Terrible Malady takes the reader into the mind of a teenage girl with Asperger's syndrome. Main character Ronita Baker narrates her experiences at school and home with humor and wit, as well as her interactions with her family, life coach, and best friend Hannah. Meredith Coates, a Youth and Family Ministries coordinator and parent of a teenager with Asperger's, calls the book a "must-read not only for teens with AS and those who care for and love them but for all teenagers who cope with trying to fit in and find themselves." Visit CeDIR to check this book out today, or click here to find it at a library near you.

Call for Emerging Artists!

VSA Arts is calling for entries from emerging artists with disabilities, ages 16-25 for this years exhibition called "Green Light." The theme, "Green Light", challenges artists to pinpoint the motivation behind their work and the infinite possibilities that creativity provides. Art must be an original work that has been completed in the last three (3) years. The deadline for these entries is July 11, 2008.

VSA arts is an international nonprofit organization founded in 1974 by Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith to create a society where people with disabilities learn through, participate in and enjoy the arts.

Check out the ArtWorks of Indiana website for more details or go to the VSArts website to download an online application!

Fathers

Fhotos of Fatherhood: Every Dad's Journey from Ordinary to Extraordinary by Jay Hodge delightfully catches the small instants of childhood and fatherhood, reminding us to savor the simple moments of daily life with out family. Hodge takes the seemingly insignificant and reveals the unforgettable. This is a cute little read that reveals to us just how important and priceless the little moments are in life.

Interested in this book? Indiana resident? Contact us!
Out of state? Find this book at your local library!

Alzheimer's Caregivers

Coach Broyles' Playbook for Alzheimer's Caregivers: A Practical Tips Guide is book organized much like a coach's playbook. The author approached Alzheimer's disease much like he would have approached an opponent on the field, with a solid game plan and a dedicated team. He promised himself that someday he would share all that he had learned from his research and his experience with Alzheimer's disease to other families and now he is doing just that in this creative approach. The Playbook talks about the three stages of Alzheimer's disease which are the early, middle, and late stage. There is also a resource guide at the end of the Playbook that lists various contact information for organizations.

Are you an Indiana resident and interested in this book? Feel free to contact us!
If you don't reside in Indiana, find this book in your local library!

A New Guide to Bipolar Disorder

One of the most recent additions to CeDIR's collection is The Bipolar Child, written by Demitri Papolos, M.D., and Janice Papolos. Revised and updated, this book tackles the challenges of the disorder for both parents and children, and also addresses the latest treatments available. Psychological and genetic aspects of the issue are discussed, as well as the impact the disorder has on the family and how one can best cope with it. The authors have even included a bipolar questionnaire at the back of the book for parents and a list of resources to consult. If interested, check this new book out at CeDIR today, or click here to find it at a library near you.