Free Apps

Here you go folks, if no one has heard yet, right now, in appreciation of Autism Awareness Month, all of the apps for the iphone/ipod at http://kindergarten.com/ are free. Many
on categories and receptive language. A nice one on emotions and
others on problem solving. Check them out and enjoy!

Sorry, I still have no idea how to get a link in the post.

there is also a good article from WrightsLaw.


http://www.fetaweb.com/success/advo.parent.askqs.htm

Seclusion and restraints bill

So, what do you think of this.

Seclusion & Restraints Bill Passes House of Representatives

The seclusion and restraints bill, HR 4247, now known as the Keeping All Students Safe Act, passed the U. S. House of representatives by a vote of 262 - 153. Here is an account by the Policy Insider blog of the Council for Exceptional Children.

The bill now moves to the senate where it is sponsored by Senator Dodd and is called S.2860. The bill would make seclusion and restraints a last resort and would require training on the techniques and parental notification. There is also a competitive grant program established to encourage school-wide positive behavior supports. Here is a summary of the bill. Here is Sen. Dodd's description. This site has the full text of the bill.

Call or write your U.S. senators and tell them what you think of this bill. This official contact tool
of the U. S. senate may be useful in that regard.

Related articles by Zemanta

§ Disability Coalition applauds passage of Preventing Harmful Restraint and Seclusion Legislation (leftbrainrightbrain .co.uk )

§ House Republicans Support Restraint and Seclusion For Children (dailykos.com)

http://specialeducationlawblog.blogspot.com/

diary of a wimpy kid

Upcoming Sensory-Friendly Films

Don't miss the next Sensory-Friendly Film, "Diary of a Wimpy Kid," on March 20 at 10 a.m. @ AMC Framingham 15, 22 Flutie Pass, Framingham, MA 01701


AMC Entertainment (AMC) and the Autism Society have teamed up to bring families affected by autism and other disabilities a special opportunity to enjoy their favorite films in a safe and accepting environment on a monthly basis with the "Sensory Friendly Films" program.

In order to provide a more accepting and comfortable setting for this unique audience, the movie auditoriums will have their lights brought up and the sound turned down, families will be able to bring in their own gluten-free, casein-free snacks, and no previews or advertisements will be shown before the movie. Additionally, audience members are welcome to get up and dance, walk, shout or sing - in other words, AMC’s “Silence is Golden®” policy will not be enforced unless the safety of the audience is questioned.

Tickets are $4-6 depending on location and can be purchased on the day of the event.

anyone going? I think I am going to bring the kids. the books were pretty good, I didnt even know they made a movie.

"Bounce for Autism" this April
Thursday, March 11, 2010
By: Carin Yavorcik

Nationwide event to raise awareness, support families affected by autism

The Autism Society and Pump It Up, the nation's largest and fastest-growing franchise of giant indoor inflatable playgrounds for private parties, are teaming up for a third year to host "Bounce for Autism" this April in 144 locations nationwide. Find a location near you.

This community-based fundraising event combines family fun with raising awareness and support for autism in locations that welcome children on the autism spectrum. Autism now affects one in every 110 children in America, and the Autism Society and Pump It Up hope to energize families affected by autism and their friends to raise funds for and awareness of autism today.

The sensory environment at Pump it Up encourages people with autism of all ages to run, jump, laugh and play in an environment where they feel comfortable and accepted. Participants form a Bounce Team and ask friends, family, community members and anyone else to support the cause by giving a donation to sponsor them. This event promotes physical fitness and helps families affected by autism, while having fun at the same time.

Everyone is encouraged to get their teams together and bounce today. There are three ways to support the Bounce. Twenty-two sites have home pages for online fundraising with the local Autism Society chapter – visit www.bounceforautism.org to find one near you. You can also use this site start a virtual team: everyone can virtually register to have a nationwide team of fundraisers. Finally, you can stop by one of the other 122 sites on the day of their Bounce open House. Visit http://www.bounceforautism.org/ for more information, forms, and details. For questions email info@bounceforautism.org.

PPP

So what ever happened to pay per post? I really have been out of blog world for a while, I couldn't even log on. It seems there format changed.

Anyone know?

Morgans Wonderland

I found this interesting. I don't much about it yet, but our biggest issue believe it or not has been the lines.

I know in disney world, they allowed us to cut the line with our special needs pass. That made all the difference.

But this seems to be an interesting concept.

Morgan's Wonderland is the world's First Ultra Accessible Family Fun Park. This 25-acre park is an oasis of fun dedicated to special needs individuals, their families, caregivers & friends.

article from ABC News with video:
American Heart: Creating a Theme Park for Those With Special Needs

A Father Creates Morgan's Wonderland, Where His Own Special Needs Daughter and Others Can Play

March 9, 2010
http://abcnews. go.com/WN/ american- heart-father- creates-morgans- wonderland- theme-park/ story?id= 10052908

http://www.morganswonderland.com/

Obama and a million dollars for autism

Obama Announces Nearly $100 Million For Autism Research
By Michelle Diament
September 30, 2009

The National Institutes of Health is awarding nearly $100 million in grants — the most ever — to research the causes of autism and look for treatments.

The funding is part of $5 billion that’s being awarded by the NIH to study autism, cancer and heart disease, among other conditions. The grants represent half of the NIH funding allotment from the federal economic stimulus package enacted earlier this year.

Collectively, the grants are “the single largest boost to biomedical research in history,” President Barack Obama said at the NIH Wednesday.

The grants also represent the largest single amount of money allotted for autism research.

The funding for autism research will go toward studying the DNA of people with autism and their parents and establishing better diagnostic screening tools. Researchers will also look at prenatal and early life risk factors for autism, test early interventions and adapt treatments known to work with young children so that they can be effective with older kids and adults.

“What we learn will hopefully lead to greater understanding, early interventions, more effective treatments and therapies to help these children live their lives and achieve their fullest potential, which is extraordinary,” Obama said.