April 2008

Another parent on Twitter pointed me in the direction of a new drawing tool on Google:

Children with Autism Architect Their Ideas Using 3D Design Software

Project Spectrum was developed by the SketchUp Team at Google to help people with autism take advantage of their visual and spatial gifts.

The idea for Project Spectrum originated when we began getting phone calls and emails from users telling us about how much kids on the autism spectrum were enjoying SketchUp. <more>

Also, see: Google for Educators

An Update from our Summer Program Expo:

Lions Camp Tatiyee would like parents to know that they do take some children with autism, and in the future they plan to expand.  For more information contact the Executive Director of Camp Tatiyee, Pam Swanson, 480-380-4254.
 

I’ve been asking around about Second Life as a possibility of being a training tool for my son, and have discovered that there is a Second Life for Teens, which may be a possibility.

This morning, I found an article on msnbc.com that shows that other therapist and teachers are already exploring the use of virtual worlds for working with kids with Autism and Asperger’s.

Virtual reality helps autistic kids develop skills: Lessons learned in controlled environment are transferable to real world

I suspect the applications might be much wider than just those mentioned or for these specific diagnosis.  Any experiences that you have to share?

Forwarded from Lisa Meyerson Marshall, SEPACs VP – Strategic Relationships:

The ASA-Greater Phoenix Chapter’s Annual Conference will be May 3-4, 2008 in Phoenix.  This year’s conference will feature Jenny McCarthy, Kathleen Ann Quill and many others…

The conference brochure is available for download from our website (http://www.phxautism.org/conferences.html) and online registration is coming soon!

Definitely worth reading – Opinion by high school freshman with Aspergers

IN MY OPINION: Knowing autism is knowing me

By: Amanda Phillips

Summer recreation program registration starts next week, and programs do fill up fast. If your child needs additional support from Adapted Recreation Services, be sure to contact Deanna Zuppan as soon as you’ve decided on the programs you’d like your child to attend. She will need this information to staff appropriately.  Deanna’s phone number is (480) 312-2204 and her email is DZuppan@scottsdaleaz.gov

THE SUMMER BROCHURES (for Scottsdale Recreation Classes & programs,) will be distributed by April 18th. If you do not receive one in the mail, you can e-mail konstott@scottsdaleaz.gov and ask that she send you one, or you can pick one up at your closest community center or library. The information on the brochure will be VIEWABLE on the internet, APRIL 6th: http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/sports/brochure.asp

REGISTRATION begins at 6am on THURSDAY APRIL 24th; FOR THE TOTAL RECREATION ENRICHMENT CLUBS. MANY AREAS will fill up QUICKLY. IF I was signing up my child, I would dial in or get on the internet early, and stay on there until my child was registered. (I would let my work know that I might be a little late that morning, so I could get my child registered for a summer program)

• TOUCH-TONE registration or E-CONNECT are the most convenient ways to register and offer immediate confirmation. CHECK your Recreation brochure, for exact dates of Touch-Tone registration for the classes and or programs you are interested in. **TOTAL RECREATION ENRICHMENT CLUBS registration starts THURSDAY, April 24th at 6am. For other program registration dates, check the first few pages of your brochure
• If you have not used the touch tone or the online registration systems, or misplaced your access code information, please call 480/312-7957 BY end of day (5pm,) on Tuesday, April 22nd. One of our staff will provide you with the numbers you need.

Terry Erickson-Eldorado Park /Parks & Recreation
Office phone: (480) 312-2771  

From the Scottsdale Unified School District’s Special Education web site – April is Autism Awareness Month:

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) include:

• Autism
• Asperger’s Syndrome
• Pervasive Developmental Disorders/Not Otherwise Specified (PDD/NOS).

Did you know that today 1 in 150 children is diagnosed with an ASD?

A new case is diagnosed almost every 20 minutes resulting in 67 children being diagnosed per day.

There will be more children diagnosed with an ASD this year than with AIDS, diabetes and cancer combined. It affects over 1.5 million people in America and is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the U.S.

In SUSD 1 out of every 145 students has a diagnosis of ASD.

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Autism is a spectrum disorder. This means that it affects every individual differently. Some people with an ASD will be mildly affected, some moderately and others, severely affected.

There is no known cause or cure at this time.

ASDs can affect sensitivity to sound, smell, sight, touch and taste. The effect can be hyper sensitivity (too much) or hypo sensitivity (not enough). Furthermore, because of the complexity of ASDs, each individual’s senses may or may not be affected and there can be a combination of hyper/hypo sensitivity within the affected senses (i.e. hyper sensitive to sound, hypo sensitive to touch/pain and no issues with smell, sight or taste).

Key areas of development that are impacted are communication and the ability to know how to build social relationships.

The good news is that individuals with ASDs can learn, progress and develop. How much they do differs from individual to individual.

One of the easiest ways to help a person with an ASD learn, progress and develop is to provide them with support from peers. The SUSD offers social programs that help provide social encounters for individuals on the Spectrum and their peers. The social interactions students experience in school are a stepping stone toward independent adult life. These experiences help students learn to navigate the world…get a job, drive, go to college, live away from home. Many times, amazing strengths and skills can be present in individuals with ASDs. They can really excel in the areas of math, music, art, architecture and memory which make them prime candidates for many rewarding jobs. But because of their deficit in socialization, these gifts can be overlooked and lead to being misunderstood and ostracized. The social programs are geared toward expanding understanding and awareness in the school community, guiding peers to recognize and focus on the strengths, and increasing exposure to social interactions that build skills that can lead to a better chance later in life for the individuals with ASDs.

There are many remarkable people with ASDs who have made notable contributions to society because of their ability to look at things with a unique perspective. Temple Grandin is a prime example. She holds a PhD and is a professor at Colorado State University. In addition, she is an inventor, author, and public speaker. She attributes much of her progress and success to having supportive mentors.

To learn more about Autism Spectrum Disorders, visit the Autism Society of America’s web page at www.autism-society.org

Please join us for our final meeting of the school year:

How to help your child prepare for transition from:

Transition Introduction

• Lois Healey, Director of Special Education, SUSD

Transition Workshop Leaders

• Jan Brusca, SUSD

• Jill Castle, Parent Information Network

• Judy Merrill, SUSD

• Jill Pearns, Raising Special Kids

• Barb Rechlin, SUSD

• Kim Yamamoto, Raising Special Kids

at the
SUSD Mohave District Complex
8505 E. Valley View Road, Scottsdale 85250

View Larger Map

Board of Directors Elections will be held at this meeting. If you or someone you know would like to submit for a board position, please contact Shauna Mattson at (480) 661-0471 or shauna@sepacs. org.

Arizona TASH Presents:

Everyone Belongs Together!

The 4th Annual Arizona Inclusive Schools Conference

National speakers include:

• Carol Tashie will present on the importance of meaningful friendships.
• Deborah Chen will present on inclusive practices for preschools.
• Elizabeth Kozleski will present on supporting systems change for administrators in inclusive schools.
• Kathie Snow will present a full-day strand on family partnerships for inclusive schools.
• Lou Brown will present on inclusive vocational options.
• Mike Wehmeyer will present on self-determination and self-advocacy.

Paula Kluth will present on inclusive practices for students with autism spectrum disorders.

• Rachel Janney will present a full-day session on adaptations and modifications for the elementary school level.
• Wendy Murawski will present a full-day session on co-teaching.

Breakout sessions on the following topics:

• paraeducators in the inclusive classroom
• inclusive IEPs
• assistive technologies
• alternative and augmentative communication systems
• accessing the general education curriculum through accommodations and modifications for elementary and secondary levels
• positive behavior supports
• inclusive post-secondary transition options

Early registration started on April 1st.  Details on the conference and registration information.
 
Arizona TASH is a state chapter of TASH, which is an international membership association leading the way to inclusive communities through research, education, and advocacy. TASH members are people with disabilities, family members, fellow citizens, advocates, and professionals working together to create change and build capacity so that all people, no matter their perceived level of disability, are included in all aspects of society.