Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Teaching Verbal Behavior 101
 

The Integrated Services Department is excited to offer the following educational opportunities for parents in our district.  Our goal is to provide parents/families with information and training relevant to their children's educational needs.  Please take a look at the classes being offered this fall and sign-up today by calling 490-3225 or emailing earensme@psdschools.org

 

 September 30

 

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Teaching Verbal Behavior 101


Mr. Thomas Caffrey specializes in teaching functional communication skills and helping parents and teachers implement strategies to manage problem behaviors in the classroom and at home. He is an internationally recognized speaker that has given over 200 national and international conference presentations and workshops.

 

Where:  Harmony Library Community Room

When:  6-8:30 pm

 

Target Audience:  Parents/families of students with social, communication or behavioral needs, more specifically autism or multiple disabilities.


Thursday, August 26, 2010

DOES MY CHILD HAVE SENSORY INTEGRATION DISORDER?
Have you ever been in a crowded place and suddenly you feel you just can't take it anymore? Have you had to wear clothes that are too tight, too scratchy or uncomfortable? How about having to endure an outing somewhere that has a terrible smell? Have you switched off your car radio because the song that's playing feels like noise in your brain?
What if you couldn't get relief from these things? How long do you think you would be able to hold it together? How long do you think a child would be able to hold it together?
It's common to mistake sensory challenges for bad behavior. But how do you know the difference? Is a child behaving poorly or overwhelmed with sensory stimuli?
When people read this list, they typically say "Hey, I have that too." But usually they don't. We ALL have sensory preferences. But that does NOT qualify as Sensory Integration Disorder. The sensory challenges need to be severe enough to impede a child's ability to function in everyday life.
The following is a checklist of some common symptoms of sensory integration disorder. If your child exhibits many of these symptoms to a large degree, it's a great idea to contact a good Occupational Therapist who will create a sensory diet for your child.
Hypersensitivity (Tactile Defensiveness)
Does not like to be held or cuddled
Does not like to be touched lightly
Hates having hair brushed
Overreacts to small cuts or scrapes
Avoids touching certain textures
Prefers loose clothing and resists jeans, collars, seams in socks etc.
Aversive to messy play such as glue and finger painting
Doesn't like cutting nails or brushing teeth
Likes to walk on toes or barefoot
Hyposensitivity (Not Responsive Enough)
Craves touch and touches everything and everyone
Mouths inedible objects
Unaware of strength and might hurt children or pets while playing
Shows no distress if cut or bruised
Loves messy play and doesn't mind being dirty
Prefers spicy, sweet or sour foods to bland food
Poor tactile Perception
Has difficulty doing crafts such as cutting or tracing
Poor fine motor skills such as zipping clothes and unscrewing tops from jars
Might not be able to identify which part of their body was touched if they are not looking
Unable to identify items by feeling the shape

Hypersensitivity to Movement
Terrified of heights
Afraid of falling
Feels wobbly walking up or down stairs
Hates slides, swings and spinning playground equipment
Comes across as insecure as this child often clings to his parent
Hyposensitivity to Movement
Overactive and can't sit still
Loves spinning
A dare devil at amusement parks
Loves swinging fast and high
Loves jumping – on everything
Fidgety when sitting – taps foot, raps knuckles or bounces in chair
Poor muscle tone and coordination
Poor gross motor skills like jumping and climbing
Difficulty opening and closing jars, windows, doors etc.
Appears floppy and often thought of as lazy
Gets tired easily
Clumsy
Poor in coordinating movements
Appears to have no strength
 
Sensory seeking behaviors (What parents and teachers often notice first)
Chews on everything – clothes and objects
Falls down intentionally
Crashes into things on purpose
Pushes and bumps other children
Spins in circles
Enjoys banging objects
Loves bear hugs and being tucked tightly into bed
Jumps up and down
Kicks feet while seated
Flaps hands
 
Hypersensitivity to sounds
Afraid of hair dryers and vacuum cleaners
Covers ears with loud sounds
Cries or acts out in noisy places like a mall
Dislikes people because of their voice
Hears everything from a ticking watch to a car turning a corner at the top of their street

Oral and Olfactory Sensitivity
Very picky eater and will only eat certain foods because of the smell, taste or texture
Will only eat certain textures and might not mix foods on the same plate
Dislikes or gags with toothpaste
Chews or mouths inedible objects
Either craves sweet and spicy foods or only eats bland food
If a recipe varies even slightly, it will be tasted and the food discarded
Refuses to enter a place because of the way it smells
Self Regulation
Doesn't calm down easily if upset
Needs help falling asleep such as rocking or car rides
Wakes easily and has trouble falling back asleep
Frequent mood swings
Can't tell when hungry or thirsty. Eats or drinks too little or too much
 
One of the best things about sensory integration disorder is that there are so many fun activities to help. Thank you to all the Occupational Therapists who help our children conquer these challenges.
 
Don't forget to check out these two links for some great sensory items.
Sensory Equipment
 
Sensory Toys
http://www.nlconcepts.com/autism-toys.htm
FOR MORE GREAT RESOURCES VISIT http://www.nlconcepts.com
 
By Jené Aviram
This article is property of and copyright © 2003-2010 Jené Aviram of Natural Learning Concepts. Reference of this article may only be included in your documentation provided that reference is made to the owner - Jené Aviram and a reference to this site http://www.nlconcepts.com
Jené is an accomplished author and developer of education materials for children with autism and special needs. She is a co-founder of Natural Learning Concepts, a leading manufacturer for special education materials and autism products. Visit the Natural Learning Concepts website at http://www.nlconcepts.com or call (800) 823-3430
 
 

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

  • Do you have a ASD child turning 18 in a few years and questions about guardianship?
 
  • Do you have questions about IDEA, section 504 or IEP meetings?  Would you like to to learn non-adversarial ways to work WITH the school?
  • Have you considered filing complaints as a last resort?

 

  • Are you concerned about your ASD teen/adult and their interaction with the police?

 

If you answered yes to any of these questions then this presentation is for you! Dr. Jacque Phillips, Esq. will speak on these legal topics and field questions. 

 

Date:  Monday - August 2, 2010
Time: 6:30 pm
Location: 6203 S Lemay Ave, Fort Collins
Space is limited! Please RSVP at telephone 970-377-9640 or by email to aslc@autismlarimer.org

Childcare is no longer available for this month's meeting.

 
 

Sunday, June 20, 2010

 

 

The Longest Day of Golf is tomorrow, June 21st!

Come on by the Collindale golf course and order a meal from C&B Pott's family friendly menu and check on the progress of the golfers.

C&B Pott's serves great food for breakfast, lunch & dinner and our "Four Friends for Autism" team will be starting around 5 am & will cont...inue for 16 hours until around 9:00 pm. You can also shop for boutique quality merchandise from the MaXarT ~ "autism is beautiful" display. In addition, chair massages by Meta-Morphose Touch, massage therapy will be available for purchase starting at 5:30 pm

Come mornning, noon and or  early evening and show your support.

Can't make it? Donate online at www.autismlarimer. org via pay pal.

 
For more information on the event please go to www.autismlarimer. org or call 970-377-9640
 


 

 


 

 


 
 

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    Saturday, May 22, 2010

    Your event reminder - Help Beat Autism



     
     





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    Sunday, May 2, 2010

    Pump It Up: Moms Night Off

     
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    National Mom's Nite Out at Pump It Up!
    Special event!

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    Pump It Up is excited to participate in National Mom's Nite Out, the first nationally organized celebration of motherhood. National Mom's Nite Out is designed to give mom a nite off so she can enjoy some time to herself. Pump It Up is proud to offer an inflatably fun time for the rest of her family, join us on National Mom's Nite Out and bounce the night away.

    Date: Friday, May 7, 2010.                       Time: 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
    Cost: $10 per person Inlcudes: Pizza & beverage, Mother's Days craft, face painting for the little ones, and even a bag of goodies to take home to Mom!!

     Reservations are recommended.  Space is limited so CALL NOW!

    Or visit our website for more information.

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    SPECIAL EVENT

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    Friday, May 7, 2010
    5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
    (970) 472-1122
    Pump It Up of Fort Collins,
    1420 Riverside Ave., #114
    Fort Collins, Co. 80524
    pumpitupparty.com


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    Monday, April 19, 2010

    Demystifying Autism: An Inside-Out Perspective



    Demystifying Autism:
    An Inside-Out Perspective

    Live Video Webcast Wednesday, April 28, 2010
    Featuring: William Stillman

    High-Functioning Autistic, National Expert,
    Best-Selling Author, Speaker and Advocate
    Register now
    9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (EST) Break from 11:50 a.m. until 1 p.m.

    Join nationally-known autism spectrum speaker and author William Stillman for a powerful and inspiring "inside-out" approach to understanding autism. As a person with Asperger's Syndrome, Stillman passionately advances a humanistic exploration of the autism spectrum from the perspective of those who experience it:
    • What is it like to experience autism?
    • What are "severe behaviors" communicating?
    • What is considered best practice in supporting others' communication, sensory sensitivities, learning and movement differences?
    Stillman shatters myths, decodes misinterpretations, and illuminates many unique insights supported by anecdotes from people with autism as well as his own experiences. More importantly perhaps, Stillman shows us how we are all more alike than different, and participants will leave the day having experienced their own "autisms."
    Outline
    Autism in Brief
    • Clinical stuff
    • DSM definitions
    • What drives extreme "autistic behaviors"?
    • Non-clinical, humanistic stuff
    • What the DSM doesn't reveal (includes film and simulation)
    • The importance of presuming intellect
    Understanding Autism
    • Communication differences
    • Exploring alternatives to speech
    • Understanding the secret social code of language and eye contact
    • Learning differences
    • Appreciating the "art of self-teaching"
    • How people with autism best think, learn, process and retain information
    • Movement differences
    • Rethinking "idiosyncratic" movement
    • Rationales for perseveration and "stimming"
    • Sensory Differences
    • Explaining the impact of sensory sensitivities
    • Understanding prevention versus intervention (includes simulation)
    Additional Information and Wrap-Up
    • Commonly experienced forms of pain and discomfort
    • Why pain may go unreported
    • Commonly experienced forms of mental health issues
    • How to delineate from autism
    • Common neurological disconnects we all endure
    • Speaker disclosure and autobiographic anecdotes
    Objectives
    • List the symptoms and sensory sensitivities associated with autism.
    • Define the procedures to presume intellect and enhance relationships.
    • Explain how persons with autism think and learn.
    • Review best practice approaches including adaptations and accommodations.
    • Interpret and apply such best practices in an individualized, person-centered approach.
    • Identify individual passions (not obsessions) to successfully develop them.
    • Discuss clinical myths versus humanistic interpretations of autism.
    Speaker:
    William Stillman is a nationally-known autism spectrum speaker and author with Asperger's Syndrome, and has over 20 years of experience advising parents and support teams on positive, proactive approaches. His books include Demystifying the Autistic Experience, The Everything Parent's Guide to Children with Asperger's Syndrome, When Your Child has Asperger's Syndrome, The Everything Parent's Guide to Children with Bipolar Disorder, The Soul of Autism, Empowered Autism Parenting, and Autism and the God Connection. He also hosts a column in the national publication, The Autism Perspective magazine. Stillman has a B.S. in Education. William provides highly-acclaimed seminars and private consultation nationwide. He served as a point person for the state of Pennsylvania on children with intellectual impairment, mental health issues and autism.

    $169.99
    How to register:
    Online
    http://online.pesi.com
    Phone
    1-877-880-1335.
    Please have your credit card available.
    Fax
    1-800-554-9775
    Mailing address:

    PO Box 1000
    Eau Claire, WI 54702
    One CE certificate included. $19.99 per CE certificate for each additional participant.
    What is a Live Video Webcast?

    Just like a live seminar, you attend a webcast at a scheduled time, only you do it from a web page on your computer. Webcasts include video and audio of the speakers, slides, and seminar handout materials — all on your computer!
    Top 3 reasons to participate in the live video webcast:
    • Earn CE right from your desk
    • Train multiple staff for one low price
    • Get the most-up-to-date, cutting-edge information
    Information and registration information

    Credit Information

    Full Credit Info
    Credits listed for this event have been approved for this program. If interested in credit availability for professions not listed, please contact cepesi@pesi.com or 800-844-8260 prior to the event. Per board regulations, additional credit inquires submitted after the date of the event cannot be honored. For all other inquiries, please contact info@pesi.com.

    Register now


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    Phyllis Zimmerman

    President, Autism Society of Larimer County 

    www.autismlarimer.org
    aslc@autismlarimer.org
    970-377-9640
     
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