Autism First Steps 11-26-01 (Part 2)

AUTISM FIRST STEPS
AUTISM DAILY NEWSLETTER
Monday, November 26, 2001

INDEX:
* Autism Awakening Web Site Now more Interactive
* Catherine's Creative Solution
* Correction: On-line Petitions to Help Parents of Children with Disabilities
* Gifts for the Child with ASD
* More Gift Ideasa
* Gifts Ideas for Individuals with Aspergers

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Autism Awakening Web Site Now more Interactive

Autism Awakening 4 kids web site has under gone a major update of information.

At the same time we have added many new features for more interactive approach. These new upgrades will make the site more informative and and even more user friendly.

We have also added a few more sites to the site map. Check these new site out they have a lot of new information in them.
Here is a list of just a few of the new updates:

Iowa Autism Ambassador Autism Council NEW: Autism First Steps Action Plan

NEW SITE UPDATE: United States Autism Ambassador: State Ambassador Program and United States Autism Ambassador Acceptance Letter New 2002 Updates: Legislation Action Alerts NEW: Autism First Steps Secured Legislative Pages NOTE: These pages are for Govemental Officals, Autism Ambassadors, Autism Council, all State and US Senators, and Representatives.

Autism First Steps Online Daily Newsletter

Worldwide Autism Registry Autism Registry Autism Awakening Autism Workshops

Check out the Autism Awakening 4 Kids Site Map for other links of interest:
Autism Awakening Site Map

www.AutismAwakening.com

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Autism Awakening 4 Doctors link and site has added 5 new pages and a lot of new information. Link:
Autism Awakening 4 Doctors

http://autismawakeninginia.bizland.com/autismawakening4doctors/
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Catherine's Creative Solution

One of Catherine's favorite activities involves cutting and pasting items (only food-related, of course) from the Sunday paper's sales supplements onto sheets of construction paper. She asks to do this by saying "cut" and then "glue". Well, today when she requested this activity, even though I was sitting in front of the
computer, I knew I had no glue and told her so, which led my child to display a bit of fussing and whining.

I tried ignoring her and after a few minutes she was quiet and when I peeked at her, she was working with Play-doh at the kitchen table. Aaahhh, a few more minutes of peace I thought, so I stayed at the computer in the room right off the kitchen.

After a few minutes, I got off the computer and went to check on her. I found that my daughter had discovered a unique way to enjoy her favorite activity.

She had "glued" the food items she cut out of the papers onto construction paper with Play-doh that she had moistened to make it "stick" better! I couldn't help myself and I burst out laughing, which of course made Catherine start laughing, too. I said, "Catherine, girl, you are too much!" I knew she didn't understand that comment, but I know she understood the huge, proud smile I wore on my face when I went over to her and gave her a great big hug.

Every now and then my daughter surprises me and then I pause to think, who knows what level these children with autism are really capable of reaching?
Moments like these remind me to keep fighting for my child, who truly deserves every opportunity to reach her potential.

Vickie N.
Vpar3auadv@aol.com
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"Resolution to Create a New Alternative to Due Process Litigation

within the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act" at
http://www.PetitionOnline.com/CROSS005/

I had a 4 instead of a 5 as the last digit. Sorry for any inconvenience, and thanks again!

Ed

Dear Ed,
Glad To Help!
LD
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The rest of this news letter was a reader request to reprint, since
Christams is getting so close and it is Shopping Time!

Gifts for the Child with ASD

Shopping for the ASD/PDD child is a challenge in many ways. Two of the most prevalent issues are "what to buy" and "how to buy". I know no one wants to hear this, but commercials (and my daughter) assure me that Christmas/Hanukkah is ‘right around the corner’. With this in mind, please enjoy our latest e-news issue, packed with ideas and resources, many of them geared toward specific age groups. Relatives are always asking me what to get my son for his birthday, and I generally answer clothes because toys almost always become broken or ignored. Anything to do with "Toy Story" or "A Bug's Life" has worked in the past, but these toys do not always encourage functional play – they tend to be more of a stim. In the past year, we implemented a program for functional play. We use a few different toys, such as a Fisher Price Dollhouse (garage sale ‘find’ including dolls and furniture - $20 Can), Little Tikes Garage, Lucky Ducks Game, Peg Board (Discovery Toys) and a few others. We are even starting to see some initiating on his part! J When buying, be careful to keep developmental age in mind. Developmental age is not always consistent with chronological age, for example, when shopping for my 6 year old, I chose toys within the 2 to 3 year range. Even though he is not mouthing, I am careful that anything with small parts is only for strictly supervised play. We have been having a terrible problem with him fast forwarding and rewinding his “Aladdin” tape over and over again, Shirley Sutton (OT extraordinaire and co-author of “Building Bridges Through Sensory Integration”) suggested (while guest hosting our BBB Chat last September) getting him a Lite Brite toy. This is something we intend to try, hoping it will help the visual stimming. "How to buy" is a real toughie. Time is limited and as a result, my children are usually with me during shopping hours. I have solved this by shopping online. This is a wonderful treat! (I have even purchased my groceries online during a particularly difficult meltdown weekend!)

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Choosing Toys for a Child With Autism

by Susan SenatorWhen my son was 11 months old, he went to his first birthday party. The birthday boy received a truck, a sing-along video tape, a learn-to-dress doll, and a ball. He was extremely excited about all of his toys, going from one to the other, squealing with the abandon only a baby can muster. I remember thinking, with a sinking heart, that my baby would not like any of those toys. I did not know he had autism at the time; I only knew that he didn’t seem to like, or even notice, toys.I have come a long way since those days of being mystified and heartsick. It hasn’t been easy, but I have now figured out just what toys works for Nat and what toys don’t. The following contains some toys that he has liked and some pointers for how I choose toys successfully for my child with autism
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Ideas for an 11 year old with AS

BBB Member Lynn in BC My 11 year old with Asperger's loves to kick a soccer ball around so we make sure we keep them in stock for him. He also loves to play Nintendo 64 so we have given him some of those games and we have also given him gift certificates to rent them from the video store.

Math Bingo helps him with his math facts especially multiplication which he struggles with. I bought him a wonderful book called "Asperger's, Huh?" which he has spent a lot of time reading and rereading as he learns about His disorder and also figures out ways to help himself.

The only sensory thing that my son enjoys is his pillow so I keep him in cool pillowcases to cover it!
We love games here. We love word games: Boggle, Word Mastermind, etc. Disney Trivial Pursuit, Mystery Games like #13 Dead Man Alley and Clue, and Sorry and of course the card games!

He loves to read about the Titanic, and he loves to read humour so we buy books for him about these topics. It keeps him happy and it teaches him to read. He loves to draw "inventions" so we bought him a supply of art supplies and a book about Leonardo da Vinci another person in history who loved to draw his ideas as they came into his head!

These are very kid specific ideas. My advice is to know your child and their likes and dislikes and find out what is out there that peaks their interest. The sears wish book is a fantastic tool! My son grabs that book and points out to me all the things that interest him! Spends hours reading it! Toys/Gifts – 4-1/2 years old

by BBB Member Lynn D
I had to really look around my house and yard to figure out what to suggest for others that has worked for us so far.
Dylan tends to favor gross motor toys, most take up some space but as crowded as it can get, he needs the sensory input. We have an indoor swing, comes with a net swing, sling swing and a trapeze bar. It costs about $160.00 (U.S.) but it has been money well spent. So have family and friends donate to your indoor swing fund. If you are crafty enough I am sure you could make your own though. (The net holds up to 150 lbs)
I also suggest one of those big bouncy balls that your child can sit on and bounce. If they sit on it and you hold on to their ankles, they have to use more upper body muscles. Dylan has low muscle tone in his upper body so this has been good exercise and he loves it.
A good friend of mine cleared out a closet in her house and made a ball pit inside it. She put netting in front in the doorway so the balls won't fall out. So have someone buy a bag of those plastic balls for your child (ren).
Play huts are good too. Dylan was given one by a friend of ours and he loves it. He sometimes needs his own space and he likes the "enclosed" feeling he gets. Sometimes he will bring a book in the hut and just sit and look at the pictures. (Okay, sometimes he goes in the hut to go poop too!) A guy needs privacy sometimes too! LOL.
I am not sure about the development ages on my suggestions, so I apologize. Dylan is 4 1/2 years and these all seem appropriate for his age group.
Hope these help! My Four-Year-Old By BBB Member Bernie
Giant Floor puzzles.
For his birthday he received a giant Clifford floor puzzle. You can buy different characters. The pieces are big and chunky and they help with problem solving skills.

Ravensburger makes a number of nice puzzles and games. He has a nice matching dominos game in which you have to match the animal pics. You can find these at zany brainy or at the hammet learning centers.

For shape sorting. His therapist brought him these plastic Oreo cookies that when you open them you can see the shapes inside. All the shapes are included and color-coded so that he has to snap the cookie back with the proper shape.

Fisher Price tape recorder. He especially likes this and carries it all around the house. He's big time into music. It also has a mic attached in which he can record himself. His therapist also uses this to get him to mimic sounds and phrases.

Magna Doodle
Again we use this at home. It's a great way to get him to practice writing his name and/or letters, numbers.....

Books are a big plus especially the ones that have the flaps that can be opened and he especially loves the ones that have the buttons that make sounds on the side of it.

Toys for 5-year-old
by BBB Member Juli This is my wish list:

• mini tramp
• a good beanbag chair (last one sprung a leak!)
• marble run game (every OT has one!)
• leap pad - I may buy and just ask people for the "books"

• more wooden track for Thomas
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Gifts My Daughter has liked.....
by Becca (no login) Duplo... later Lego...
Puzzles
Many decks of cards... regular, collector cards, and flashcards
magnets... alphabet, numbers...
videos
Playstation, computer, Nintendo, game boy games (computer games included Reader Rabbit, and Madeline Math Game)
Workbooks.... math and phonetics... she found both fun.
Interactive puzzles..."place the _______ here."
Tapes - music and stories
Earphones
Coloring books
Large Markers for fingers with fine motor problems...
Playdoh... also good for fine motor strengthening and sensory issues...
Paints
Stickers... sticker collector books
A set of food and dishes

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There are some wonderful early hard/thick cardboard books that have tactile stuff in them. "My Little Puppy" is one I remember with each page having a cut out and soft fuzzy material for the puppy's body, plastic for his bone etc. I am sure there is lots out there. I think if you can get a FLAGHOUSE catalogue (on York Blvd., North York) there will be lots of ideas in there for different ages. Unfortunately, I am pressed for time to give you more ideas but the catalogue would be a good start and they will sell to the public. Several of their things cannot be found in stores… From: Rhona Feldt-Stein, OT, Executive Director York Paediatric Therapy Services
10520 Yonge St. # 21
Richmond Hill, Ont. L4C 3C7

Tel: 905-737-9680 Fax: 905-737-2445 email: rfstein@hotmail.com

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Toys For a Two-Year-Old By ASO York Member Protibha 1. Pound a Ball, Ball Party (Tomy) or any toy that involves inserting a ball and watching it go. There's one by Tomy that has balls in a dome and you pull the handle for a ball to come out. My son really enjoys it. 2. Any toy that has a car that rolls along a sloping track - Little Tikes has some good ones. 3. The big Foam squares that can be used to make a path to walk along or into big blocks to stack. 4. The V Tech toys that play music or say a word when buttons or animals are pressed. Actually any toy that makes music. This is his all time favorite. We use the musical snail as a reinforcer. 5. Stacking rings - the best one (by Fisher Price) actually has stacking stars and a smiley face that goes on top. It plays a song when the round face is put on top and some short music when each ring is added so the reinforcer is built in. 6. There is a musical snail shape sorter (Fisher Price) that we've used as well. It plays music when it is rocked. 7. Kooshies has two - one is a very simple shape puzzle with knobs. When the correct shape is inserted and the knob pressed, there is a sound. The other is a plastic see-thru container that has slits on top. The child inserts rings into the slits. The really nice thing is that the rings are textured. This toy be used for putting in (without the cover), dumping out, sensory play with the rings and then also as described above. 8. Books - texture, musical buttons, flap and foam books (Soft Shapes). Gymboree puts a really nice one for infants that has cloth flaps in different materials. 9. A baby bathtub with water, sponges for squeezing, cups for pouring, etc We also use a bucket of dry lentils mixed with rice, cups, little toys for hiding etc. 10. Remember Sleep and Snore Elmo? I still had one from when my other two were little and my son likes its talking, singing and snoring. He'll even almost hold it. There's also rock and roll Ernie. 11. There are a few games that can be adapted for turn taking - Lucky Ducks is one example that we've tried. There's another one with walking penguins. that we've tried at the OT's. 12. Videos of course!!!!!! 13. My son won't touch play dough but he doesn't mind goop or gooze to squish. Also you can put the play dough in a plastic bag. 14. Battat has lots of good toys - a sturdy top with balls inside that spin, and for older kids a 'Count and Match' game with shapes that are pegs as well. They can be sorted by colour and shape and can be stacked. 15. Also for older kids is the pegs by Lauri (?) that come with large pegs that go into a five-hole peg board made of that leathery sponge stuff. There are also shapes that then slide onto the pegs. 16. Other suggestions include a small slide, bubbles, a beach ball for kicking, a small trampoline, a tunnel, wooden blocks, push-and-go cars and trucks, a magnetic board with letters and numbers, a small upright chalk board easel, bingo markers for dabbing, bean bags (large and small), rain sticks and other musical instruments.
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More Toys for young children....1. The Fisher price farm with animals. The animals can be positioned and if placed properly and pushed down, the appropriate sound comes. M likes opening and closing the doors. Once in a while he likes to hold the animals.2. The Fisher Price musical symphony. It has different animals on various sized bases. If animals are placed properly and the button pushed, a beautiful classical song is played and lights flash. It is really cute and has several learning opportunities. It is much better priced than the Nuerosmith music blocks (same idea) $40 vs. $100 and there are more songs that play for a fairly long time. The Nuerosmith music blocks play for only a few seconds. I heard about the music blocks from an autism site and bought them and was very disappointed.3. A magna doodle esp. if your child doesn't like the feel of crayons.4. The Fisher Price kick and play piano, it's meant for infants but we use it still. It plays nursery rhymes for 9 minutes straight!!5. Any infant activity centre that has buttons to push, things to spin, a mirror, etc. It can help develop fine motor skills.6. One of those small plush animals that if you pull the string it vibrates. We stick it in his sleeve and pull it so he can tell it's there. His job is to pull it out with his other hand (works on hand crossover).7. Balls that make noise when rolled (giggle ball), balls with little bumps all over, jelly filled balls for squishing (Scholar's Choice has a neat selection).8. A toddler basketball net, ours has Goofy and makes a comment when the ball goes in.Also it might be a good idea to remind people that our kids don't need a lot of expensive toys for fun and learning. There are often unique ways to play with toys and everyday objects that our kids are gifted in discovering. The most important thing is to make it interactive even if all you're doing is looking out the window and knocking on it (great imitation) or rolling around on the bed while tickling him or as M likes to do, looking between the open stairs of our staircase and seeing every little thread up close. His first initiations have been to get our attention by turning our face to him, raising his arms to get picked up and now, to play ring around the rosy. Money can't buy that.

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Gifts for the Child with Asperger’s Disorder By BBB Member Khris Hmmm.... sensory/motor stuff is always big here- mini tramp, moon shoes, anything that rocks or bounces. The other thing that would probably appeal to AS kids in particular are scientific books/sets. Most of these guys dig the facts, and if they have an enthusiasm a "kit" related to it is a great gift. Here are some places to get those educational type toys:
Discovery Channel Store
Britannica Store
Imaginarium at Toys R Us

Auti-Toys SmarterKids.com -Special offer for FREE CD-ROMS at smarterkids etoys (check out their clearance sale of up to 75% off) Fisher-Price Little Tikes Special Kids Learning Resource Network Discovery Toys - purchase toys at home - demonstrations by experts! Laureate Learning Systems - Special Needs and Language Development Software Play Steps - teaching kids with special needs how to play functionally Smart Laces (not really a gift, but a helpful idea) Ability Kids Dimensions: Speech and Language Therapy Software Mastermind HearthSong Toys 'R' Us Silver Lining Multimedia Gather Stars for our Children - Music for kids on the spectrum, their teachers, caregivers, therapists, etc. Tender Care 4 Kids Dragonfly: Devoted to Children with Special Needs Abilitations Dr. Pearson's Wonderful Toy Company; offers dolls with interchangeable faces to help teach expressions and emotions. Puzzling Thoughts Quality learning materials for kids with ASD - order online! ParentBooks Located in Toronto, this store stocks a vast amount of books on special needs. You can also order online. Autism and Developmental Disabilities Resource Catalog Different Roads to Learning Graduate Beginnings Custom Made Picture Communication
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