By Sharon Daugherty

My good friend Dena has begun to raise ‘Ragdoll’ cats. I had never heard of this type of cat before.  However,  the more I learn about them the more I see similarities between our lives.  Ragdoll cats are white with a grayish nose and ears, and bright blue eyes.  The cat is a combination of a Siamese and Angora, with a temperament that is like no other cat.  The temperament of the cat is so docile, that it will not squeal, hiss, or strike out in anger or fear. If you pick up this breed, it will flop down on your arm in a relaxed position. At first many breeders mistakenly thought these cats did not feel pain.

Dena was sharing that prior to selling any of these cats, she makes the customer sign a sales contract.   The sales contract states that a cat must be kept inside the home or taken out on a leash. When I asked her why the contract,  Dena shared that the cat is not afraid and has no sense of danger. If outside, they might approach another animal not realizing the result.  They have a normal intelligence, yet are known to walk in front of vehicles and seem unaware of dangerous situations.

I have spent my life raising children with special needs. I wish I could send them out into the world with a contract.  It would not just be for those who will come to love them, hire them, and spend time with them day to day.  The contract would state that they need to be with someone who will care enough to watch them wherever they are, watch whom they are talking to, and watch the reaction from those people.

The contract would state that although you might see a grown man, he is like a tender seven year old longing to make friends. (His desire is not like that of those depicted on Criminal Minds, waiting for a victim.)  I would include the fact that he received straight A’s in special education for 17 years and does not know that he is not like everyone else. His diploma looks far better than mine with no mention of Special Education!  I would also write that he is so kind and compassionate to others he would hold their drugs if asked, he would give you whatever money he had if you asked for it.

My fear is that the outside world for my children is dangerous. The legal system often does not take into consideration a low IQ or disability.  Many children like mine have been victimized or taken advantage of before they are out of the third grade.  I want a contract!

Sharon Daugherty is the Director of Customer Care for National Autism Resources

By: Angela Nelson

Did you know that research shows that children with autism can benefit from computer based education programs?

Studies by Patricia Hutinger and Robert Rippey indicate that computer based education may help children with autism for the following reasons:

• Computer instruction may be more consistent than parental or teacher instruction.
• The consistency of computer instruction is predictable and offers no surprises.
• Software is interesting, responsive, interactive, and presented in more than one mode, appealing to varying interests and sensibilities.
• Computers are safe, they don’t become frustrated or angry.
• Computer based instruction offers the child a level of control which is something they may not have in other environments.

For years photo realistic cards have been a key component of autism and speech therapy programs around the world. Now over 500 images from the best selling Language Builder Card sets have been turned into the Language Builder Software set.  The Language Builder software can be used independently or with assistance to increase vocabulary and help develop basic language concepts.

This software features the following seven essential language development activities:

• Basic Word Identification
• Identical Matching
• Similar Matching
• Categorization
• Matching by Line Drawing
• Voice Recording
• Printable worksheets

A variety of options allow parents, therapists, or teachers to individually customize each activity to meet the needs of each child with whom they are working.  Multiple user settings allow this software to be used by several children in a classroom or clinical setting.  A helpful report feature tracks the progress of each learner.

Angela Nelson received her BA and JD from UCLA where she studied and practiced behavior psychology under Dr. Ivar Lovaas. As Founder and CEO of Stages Learning Materials, Angela has created autism and special needs curriculum products since 1997.

By: Marla Roth-Fisch

Do you know a sensory sensitive child who is trying to understand themselves or starting Occupational Therapy?  If so, Sensitive Sam is the book for you!  This helpful book is based on my experience working with my son who has experienced both challenges and successes when it comes to Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD).  Children will enjoy reading about Sam as he engages in several sensory situations at school, home and at the Occupational Therapist’s office.  Children with sensory issues will be able to relate to Sam as he explains from a child’s perspective what it’s like to have SPD.  Professionals and family members can use this resource to start open communication about sensory challenges and ideas for coping.

Best of all, Sensitive Sam also includes a quick reference guide to Sensory Processing Disorder with a glossary of helpful terms and website resources mixed in with its rhythmic and expressive language and bright illustrations.

The book offers a unique conclusion:  using tools to help manage sensory challenges a child can become more comfortable in sensory surroundings, and a child who feels different isn’t necessarily a bad thing.  A great resource for parents and professionals who are looking for a way to comfort and reassure sensory sensitive  children.

Happy 2012 Everyone!  Here are the top ten most viewed articles from 2011:

1. 10 Fun Gifts That Teach Children with Autism Social Skills

2. Helping Children Focus in the Classroom

3. He Got the Picture, But at What Price?

4. How Much Weight for Your Weighted Blanket

5. 5 Back to School Sensory Strategies for Teachers

6. How to Talk to an Autistic Kid

7. Preparing a Child with Autism for Their Birthday Party

8. 5 Strategies to Help Kids with ADD/ADHD and Autism focus in the Classroom

9. Calming Vibrating Toys & Gifts for Autism & Aspergers

10. All about Emotions Flash Cards

An important aspect of the educational experience for a child with autism is the social interactions he or she will have with other students.  Creating, maintaining, and reinforcing relationships with other students is important for an autistic child.  Interacting  with general education students in the classroom can help increase an autistic individual’s ability to function in society.

Here are a few techniques that educators can use to help foster relationships in the classroom:

1)    Find students who have similar interests as the autistic student and arrange the seating order so that they are near one another.  If each student has a similar interest, it may promote interaction.

2)    Identify students who are more receptive to the autistic child and encourage the receptive student to offer assistance.  Examples could include in-class assignment help, tutoring, pairing for projects, etc.  A student naturally inclined to be helpful can help foster classroom relationships.

3)    Be sure to incorporate lessons and activities into your weekly lesson plans that promote social interactions.  Each autistic child may respond differently to other students, instructions, or activities.  Having a regular session of social interaction, and monitoring how the autistic child responds, can help you refine techniques that can help the autistic student cultivate relationships.

These are just some of the techniques that can help foster friendships in the classroom.  Of course each child is different, so these techniques may need to be adjusted to match the personality of the child.

Something Social

A hallmark of people on the autism spectrum is difficulty with social interactions.  Giving a gift that promotes social skills is a wonderful Hanukkah gift.

• Playtime with Zeebu: This new expanded video modeling set includes a video that covers lots of social situations and two puppets: Zeebu and Neek.  This is a wonderful opportunity for a child to explore and practice social skills in a fun way with the puppets.
• The Blunders Game is a fun family game that teaches manners and social skills for grade school children and works well with higher functioning children with autism or Asperger’s Syndrome.  This is a fun way to learn social skills and talk about social blunders without feeling embarrassed or ashamed because the blunders kids are the ones who make mistakes.
• Cause and Effect toys can provide simple, interactions for people with very limited social abilities.  These toys promote simple communication between parents and their child, help hand eye coordination, and offer sensory exploration.

Something Visual

Did you know many children and teens with autism or Asperger’s Syndrome are very visual?

• Interesting visual toys with spinning or flashing lights are usually a big hit.
• Liquid timers are interesting to look at and can also help people wait.
• A Hoberman Sphere, Light up lamp or Disco Balls can be very enjoyable especially for older kids and teens.

Something Calming

The world can be very stressful for people on the autism spectrum.  Calming items can be very enjoyable and help stop a meltdown before they happen.

• Good vibrations: Simple vibration can be very soothing.  Vibrating toys, mats, massage mitts, or pillows can be very calming and enjoyable.  Note if looking at massage items, which are great, make sure they are vibrating and not the shiatsu style massage.
• Weighted Items: Deep pressure can calm and relax someone when they are stressed or over stimulated.  Weighted vests, neck wraps or blankets are wonderful gifts that may be too expensive for some families on a tight budget.

Three Small Gifts for a limited Budget

Want to send something small that says you care?  Our top three small gifts are the liquid timer, Isoflex Ball and Mini Light Spinner.

Happy Hanukkah!

By: Angela Nelson

These days nearly everyone knows a friend or family member who is touched by autism. Perhaps it’s your own child or your sister’s child. Perhaps it’s the child of your neighbor, your dentist, your mail carrier, or hair dresser.

With the holidays fast approaching, you may be asking yourself: what gifts are appropriate for an individual with autism or related developmental challenges?

Autism is a complex developmental disorder that affects a family in many ways.  It can be emotionally draining, demanding on time, and challenging for relationships… but, perhaps above all, autism is expensive! Rather than a scented candle or a box of golf balls, consider selecting gifts that will support your friend or family member’s efforts to teach their special child.

If you are a parent of a child with autism looking for a gift for your child’s teacher, consider giving educational tools and toys that he or she can use in the classroom. Teachers spend so much of their own money on supplies; they would certainly welcome a box of language cards or a set of manipulative puzzles over a crystal apple or another box of chocolates!

Children with autism face special challenges when it comes to learning through play.  Some educational toys that help most children are not always appropriate for a child with autism. Perhaps the best thing you can give to that child, are tools to help develop language and skills to help them play with their siblings and peers in the future.

“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” ~Benjamin Franklin

Best wishes for a happy holiday and a new year filled with growing, learning and thriving.

Angela Nelson received her BA and JD from UCLA where she studied and practiced behavior psychology under Dr. Ivar Lovaas. As Founder and CEO of Stages Learning Materials, Angela has created autism and special needs curriculum products since 1997.

Did you know that many children and teens on the autism spectrum love visually interesting items?  So here are some proven popular items, to give you some gift inspiration to help make your shopping easy.

Plasma Light

Our Silver Plasma Light is a consistent favorite for people who are highly visual.  Everyone loves to touch the ball and watch the lights gravitate towards their fingertips. This is a great visual toy that also teaches cause and effect and can provide instant positive reinforcement!

Volcano Lamp

The soothing volcano lamp is a calming visual item great for a gift, desk top toy, night light or quiet area.  Fill it with water and watch red balls shoot out of the volcano and fall gently down the sides.  A true visual delight!

Hoberman Sphere

Kids love to pull the Hoberman Sphere and watch it expand from 5 inches to 12 inches in diameter. Push any hub and watch it contract! This fun toy comes assembled with game ideas and instructions.

Disco Ball

Now you can create a rainbow of lights that will dance around any room with our Disco Ball.  The ball rotates a full 360 degrees and flashes blue, yellow, red, green and orange.

Rain Tube

The rain tube is a both soothing to watch and listen to.  Kids and teens love to turn the tube over and watch multi-color and silver beads cascade through the tube while they listen to the soothing sound of rain.

Light Up Twirler

Just pull the trigger and watch the airplanes light up and fly in circles!

Mini Light Spinner

This small item makes a great stocking gift.  Press a button and watch a spinning light show that changes as you hold down the button.  This comes attached to a break-away necklace making an instant calming gift while traveling or on the go.

Rail Twirler

Rail twirlers are always fun this one lights up while you play with it and comes with a magnetic light up wheel that “sticks” to the 10-1/2” rail.  The magnet makes it easy to be successful and keeps frustration to a minimum!

Light Up Helicopter Candy Pop Fan

A candy pop that lights up and spins, need we say more?  Super fun and reinforcing for highly visual children.  If you like this item, you might also want to check out our flashing Skittles Light Up Wand!

Liquid Timers

We have several liquid timers that are calm and soothing to watch and are a proven hit with highly visual teens and children.

Do you have a highly visual gift that you would recommend for an autistic child or teen?  We are always on the lookout for great gift ideas, please share!

Picking out Christmas and holiday gifts for children  with autism can be a challenge.  Fortunately, we have lots of fun toys and games that are also educational. Here are ten of our  favorite gift ideas that also help teach social skills for all of the friends and grandparents who need some Christmas gift inspiration.

The Berenstain Bears Learn to Share

A great gift for a preschooler or young child with autism is the Berenstain Bears Learn to Share game.  This game teaches that negative behaviors have negative effects and that positive behaviors have positive effects.  An added plus is the cute bears are fun to play with.

Playtime with Zeebu

Another wonderful gift for a child with autism is the Playtime with Zeebu set.  This set comes with a video and two puppets so that parents and children can roll play with the puppets different social scenarios.  Young children with beginning social skills will learn how to share, think about others’ feelings, simple ways to calm down and so much more!  This wonderful set was designed by a parent for parents and would make a wonderful gift.  There are also fun Zeebu coloring books available that help to teach calming strategies and social skills.

The Blunders Game

The Blunders Game teaches essential manners and social skills for grade school children, and works well with higher functioning children on the autism spectrum.  The nice thing about this game is that the “blunder kids” are the ones who make mistakes.  It’s a safe way to learn social skills and talk about social blunders without feeling embarrassed or ashamed.  Best of all this game is fun and would make a great gift for the whole family.

Charades

Charades is a classic game that is fun to play with children and teens on the autism spectrum.  This game is helpful for teaching nonverbal communication.  You have to watch a person closely to figure out what they are trying to communicate.  This will make a great gift that can also help children work on nonverbal social cues.

Know the Code

The Know the Code Set will help children with high functioning autism learn the unwritten social codes of school for social success.  A helpful video, instructional guide and fun card game will help family members teach kids basic social rules to help them fit in with their peers.  This is a great gift for a parent or teacher who works with children on the autism spectrum.

Feelings Listening Lotto

Children with autism often can’t tell the difference between simple emotions.  For example, they cannot tell if a person is feeling happy, sad or angry.  A gift that will help children with autism explore emotions while having fun is the Feelings Listening Lotto game.  Children will have fun as they learn about the following emotions: angry, bored, disgusted, excited, happy, pouting, sad, scarred, shocked, silly, thinking, tired, in trouble, and worried.  For very young learners a simpler way to explore emotions is the How Do You Feel puzzle.

Moody Bear Set

The simple Moody Bear Set is a good gift or Christmas stocking stuffer that helps young children with autism explore basic emotions which are so important for social success.

Guess How I Feel Game

This fun game helps children with autism develop skills in self-expression and empathy, and have fun getting to know the other players around them through roll playing and drawing.

Social Skills for Small Groups Play Pack

The Social Skills for Small Groups Play Pack is a deck of cards with 15 different fun games to help your child with autism learn simple social skills.  Each game comes with instructions, and the games in this play pack can be used with children ages 3-12.  This makes a great Christmas gift or stocking stuffer.  A Social Skills for Large Group Play Pack is also available.

Create a Face Pad

It’s fun to explore emotions with this large over sized pad and best of all it’s only $5.00!

Did you know gentle vibration can be extremely calming and soothing for people on the autism spectrum?  A simple vibration toy or product can calm and sooth an autistic person who is feeling overwhelmed or in the middle of a melt down.  They can also sooth an autistic person who is feeling anxious.  Sometimes parents and therapists will give a child with autism a vibrating toy to help with a situation that usually causes a melt down to help keep the person clam during the stressful situation.  While some vibration furniture can run into thousands of dollars here are a few vibrating toys and items for people on the autism spectrum that won’t break the bank!   Vibration products make great gifts for people with autism, Asperger’s or PDD-NOS.

Vibrating Mats

There are a variety of vibrating mats and massage mats out there.  Some also include heat.  When looking at a massage mat make sure that it is a vibrating mat and not the shiatsu style massage.  The shiatsu style mats have hard rolling balls built into the mats.  While some may enjoy this type of massage, for many it is not calming and for some may feel painful.  A favorite mat we recommend is the Vibramat.  This mat is very durable and versatile.  You can place a bean bag chair on top of it for an instant massage chair.  You can stand on it or lie on it and it will automatically shut off after four hours.

Vibrating Pillow

Vibrating pillows are often nice options for the home or classroom.  Some have switches and some are pressure activated.  If you are working with a child who is particularly self injurious it’s best to try and find a pressure activated pillows with no outside switches or hardware that could potentially scratch or harm the autistic person when in the middle of a melt down.  Again remember to avoid the shiatsu style pillows.

Vibrating Toys

Fortunately there are a wide variety of vibration toys to choose from.  Often you can find these toys in the baby section of a store.  Many of these toys are soft, plush toys that are activated by pulling a string.  A favorite massage toy we recommend is a vibrating dinosaur egg.  This egg is small and easy to carry and it doesn’t look like a baby toy so it looks more socially appropriate for children and teens.

Hand Held Massagers & Mini Massage 

There are a variety of hand held massagers and mini massage items you can buy online.  The large variety of styles and shapes make it easy to find something in a favorite color or style, best of all most of these units only cost between $6.00 – $35.00 so they won’t break the bank.  You can even find animal massagers that are fun and engaging for children.

Vibrating Mitt

A newer vibration product that is working well for parents and therapists is the vibrating mitt.  This soft mitt features a soft sheep skin cover.  To use it just place the mitt anywhere on someones body and push down for instant on the spot massage.  This device is pressure activated so there is no on and off switch to worry about.  Also, because it is pressure activated it conserves battery life.

Vibrating Snake

Finally believe it or not, flexible vibrating tubes or “vibrating snakes” are also very calming and work well with people on the autism spectrum.  These flexible tubes can be positioned almost anywhere on the body to provide soothing vibration.  They work well when someone is sitting or laying down too.  The soft rubber cover of these tubes make them a good choice for someone who is agitated.