January 14, 2010
By Jeanne Holverstott, M.S.
A parent of a client e-mailed me a copy of the school newsletter and asked me to look at the “Wall of Fame” students on page 6. Placement on the “Wall” was based on the Eight Keys of Excellence: Commitment, Flexibility, Balance, Speak with Good Purpose, Integrity, This is it!, Ownership, and Failure Leads to Success. Needless to say, she wagered that many kids on the autism spectrum (and with special needs writ large) would struggle to demonstrate these skills. Then, she asked, “By default, is my kid designated to a ‘Wall of Shame’?”
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January 14, 2010
| April 14, 2010 |
| 6:00 pm | to | 9:30 pm |
APRIL 14. Show your support for your favorite school’s autism program. Fundraiser for Kansas Center for Autism Research and Training (K-CART) and MU Thompson Center for Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders. From 6 – 9:30 p.m. at Boulevard Brewery, 2501 Southwest Blvd., Kansas City. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased here.
January 13, 2010
By Jeanne Holverstott, M.S.
Out of concern for people with autism in their community, police in Scarborough, Maine, have started adding people with special needs to a database that already includes information about residents with Alzheimer’s disease. A member of the police force who has a child with autism says the information will be useful to have when handling missing persons cases.
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January 11, 2010
APRIL 10-11. Lisa Lieberman, MSW, LCSW, Temple Grandin, Ph.D., and Valerie Paradiz, Ph.D., are among the presenters at a free, two-day, virtual conference to celebrate Autism Awareness Month presented by momsfightingautism.com.
January 10, 2010
| April 10, 2010 |
| 7:00 am | to | 11:00 am |
APRIL 10. Help Sherwood Center empower adults and children with autism by participating in a walk at the Longview Community College, 500 S.W. Longview Road, Lee’s Summit. Registration from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.; walk begins at 10 a.m. 100% of the $10 registration goes to the Sherwood Center. For more information, contact Jessica Rushton at 816-529-1939.
January 9, 2010
| April 9, 2010 |
| 8:30 am | to | 4:00 pm |
APRIL 9. Phil Strain of the University of Colorado will present workshop sponsored by the Kansas Center for Autism Research and Training (KCART). From 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., at KU Edwards Campus, 12600 Quivira, Overland Park, Kan. Cost, $60. Click here for registration information.
January 8, 2010
| April 8, 2010 | to | April 10, 2010 |
APRIL 8 – 10. The fifth annual conference, sponsored by the Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, aims to educate and provide support for parents and professionals who work with individuals with autism spectrum disorders. At the Holiday Inn Select Executive Center, 2200 I-70 Drive SW, Columbia, Mo. For more information or to register, go to muconf.missouri.edu/AIC2010/.
January 7, 2010
By Jeanne Holverstott, M.S.
Handheld devices such as iPods have the potential to help individuals on the spectrum in a variety of ways.
Recently, a 7-year-old client walked into my office singing, “Shorty fire burnin’ on the dance floor. Oh whoa!”
I couldn’t help but laugh out loud. “I have that song on my iPod,” Jonah said. “Sean Kingston, you know.” He then showed me some choice dance moves he choreographed for the song.
I didn’t give it much thought until later that evening when Sam came into my office. “Jeanne, I have something to show you,” he said, proudly holding his new iPod. He quickly scrolled to a song, mounted it on my small iPod player, and pressed play. “Ra ra, ra ra ra. Roma…..” He exclaimed, “Lady Gaga!” After applauding his musical taste and enjoying a short and probably horrific karaoke session that would make Gaga herself blush, we talked about how I will be going to her concert and why he likes her music. “She helps me think at school, especially during math,” he said.
Finally, a light bulb turned on.
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January 5, 2010
By Toni Lapp
Happy New Year, friends! It’s been too long, and now I have an abundance of things to write about. One topic: communication with your kids. I’ve been reading Stephen Covey’s “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” and was particularly intrigued by the fifth habit: Seek first to understand, then to be understood. Admittedly, it goes against my instinct to ensure that others understand my position.
In fact, the examples Covey gives in his book are scripts that could have many parents of teenagers squirming. Even though he doesn’t specifically address communication with children with autism, I think the lessons can be applied with good effect.
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January 5, 2010
By Jeanne Holverstott, M.S.
A recent IEP meeting made it apparent that ignorance is only bliss from the perspective of the ignorant.
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