April 11, 2010
The reviews have been great for HBO film ‘Temple Grandin,’ which offers stunning insights into the world of the autism pioneer. However, those of us who are cable-challenged have been unable to view it, as not even Netflix has the movie available.
Now KC-area publisher Autism Asperger Publishing Company is offering the DVD on sale with an anticipated release date of August 17.
Those who preorder can buy the title for 20% off through May 7 at AAPC.
March 8, 2010
By Jeanne Holverstott, M.S.
Q. I read that when Temple Grandin was a young girl, her mother hired a nanny to play turn-taking games with her to improve social skills. What sort of games do you recommend? Are there any that you don’t recommend?
A. After every holiday meal, my family would gather around the dining room table with a game purposefully selected by my mother for this occasion. I remember Taboo, Scattergories, Trivial Pursuit, Outburst. No matter the age of the player, the expectations were the same: follow the rules, win with humility, lose with grace, do your best, and never, ever complain. Games make up the fabric of a childhood and, perhaps, a lifetime, and appropriate game play opens doors to respect, friendship, and fun.
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February 1, 2010
By Toni Lapp
Kate Duffy
When “Temple Grandin” aired on HBO recently, one Kansas Citian watching with keen interest was Kate Duffy, who teamed with Grandin to write “Developing Talents,” published in 2004 by Shawnee-based Autism Asperger Publishing Company. Duffy, mother of two sons on the autism spectrum, had written How to be Happily Employed in Kansas City and a careers column for six years for The Kansas City Star.
When Duffy’s editor, Kirsten McBride, met Temple Grandin at a conference, Grandin complained about the number of people on the spectrum who were unemployed or underemployed. McBride suggested Grandin collaborate with Duffy on a how-to book about career planning for those on the spectrum, and Developing Talents, now in its second edition, was born.
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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 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.
October 6, 2009
By Kate Duffy
People on the spectrum often resist change, even change that might be good for them. They don’t have a lot of motivation to try new things and sometimes can get stuck in patterns that aren’t particularly good for them. This is not a character flaw, just a byproduct of brain wiring and temperament.
But one thing we know about life is that change is what it’s all about. So how do you learn to adapt well enough to hold down a job or start a small business?
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April 30, 2009
By Kate Duffy
For many of our kids on the spectrum, schools are not always the friendliest of places. Often, high-functioning teens misbehave or tune out in high school because they get bored. So it’s especially important that you help your teen find a mentor in his interest area to keep him learning and plugged into life.
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