Blogs of Interest

I have seen some great blogs recently. Here is a small sample:

Before you explore keep in mind:

1. It is very easy to get information overload or over consumption, so go slow.

2. If overconsumption occurs, you can put yourself on an information diet and set some limits. I know I have put off a lot of responsibilities to read just a little longer....

2. You may shed some tears, I definitely did (mostly of happiness and inspiration, but you never know)

3. Expect to get some very PrAACtical ideas. Set a goal to try out a few things at a time and keep track of the strategies that were helpful. I

am sure we would love to hear them at the next Language Links group meeting, or see them in the comment section of this blog.

4. You may get inspired to want to be a guest blogger on the Language Links blog or even more inspired and want to write a blog of your

own. If you do, Jamie and I would be happy to help you get started. It's free and easy.

Blog about girls on the autism spectrum. Has information about girls of ALL ages.

http://autismwomensnetwork.org/

Blog from a mom with a son with autism. I love her most recent post about a holiday party. I love that the holiday party included ALL ages

Running to be Still: A Holiday Party for the Rest of Us


A collection of professional blogs from Spectronics Inclusive Learning Strategies. Amazingly great PrAACtical AAC information with focus on including everyone. Has a ton of iPad/iTouch resources. 
http://www.spectronicsinoz.com/blog/

Blog from the Speech Techie- Sean Sweeny.  This blog provides great information on technology and teaching speech and language.  It goes beyond mobile apps and focuses on integration of technology into IEP goals and language learning. Speech Techie, as he likes being known as, spoke at a NSU speech conference recently and was just amazing. He will be coming back for UM-NSU CARD's Issues in Autism conference in April (April 21, 2012 to be exact but the final details are still underway).
http://www.speechtechie.com

Blogs from Autism Hangout. This is a list from Autism Hangout readers. They are very interesting, but I really wanted to let you know about the website Autism Hangout which has really wonderful resources for ALL ages.

http://www.autismhangout.com/myhangout/blog_list.asp


Okay, I said just a few... but I want to also tell you about a new blog I have started with Dr. Zangari. It is all about PrAACtical AAC ideas.  We are trying to focus on visual communication and language learning with of course some Random Apps of kindness. Check it out.  www.prAACticalAAC.org  

  

APPS Everywhere!!

In our last Language Links meeting (in most Language Links meetings, actually), we talked about how overwhelming it can be to choose the right APP(S). We are certainly not alone in our struggle through the APP jungle. In a previous post, I included a link to a survey that Linda Hodgdon was conducting about APPS. Her findings revealed that we have a TON of questions!

With new APPS APPearing each and every day (or minute!) it is really difficult to keep up and even harder to make an informed choice about what APP will be most beneficial for your child and for what goal. As a group, we thought that creating some type of rubric or evaluation tool might be helpful in this endeavor. To get you thinking in this direction, visit Linda's latest newsletter where she gives a ideas for an elementary map to use on the treasure hunt to find the 'perfect' APP!

Science is Accessible to Everyone!

Nasa does more than Rockets- Who Knew?

Science is for EVERYONE!
There are student resources for children K-12 and Higher Education.  Then they also have a great assistive technology guide in pdf format (which the highlighted words is linked too- just click). 


There is also a Kids Club with some super fun interactive games.  You can choose games at the easy to hard level, making it great for ALL of us.  There are also many resources for educators (just click on the space  NASA image).   
It turns out It's a Great Day for Science!


 Creating and Using Accessible Materials a new guide is from Nasa.

                Links in case you have any trouble linking:

http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/259240main_Space_Science_Is_for_Everyone.pdf

http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/

http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forkids/kidsclub/flash/index.html

Random APP of Kindness- Holiday Special!

An Early Holiday Present- Get Toca Boca Special Edition Hair Salon - Santa.  So much fun AND FREE!

One of my favorite app development companies, Toca Boca, does it again.  They make GREAT apps AND are generous as well!  This app is fun for ALL ages!

Autism Speaks Launches "Visual Supports" Tool Kit | Autism Speaks

It's a Great Day to USE visual supports! 

Autism Speaks Launches "Visual Supports" Tool Kit | Autism Speaks

Make it a day where visual supports are Used at home, in the community, in the school, in the clinic, AND in intervention. We should serve as good models!

What are YOUR plans for December 1st from 9:30 - 10:30am??

LANGUAGE LINKS - TOMORROW!!!!

Will YOU be there??

Webinar Today!!! Holiday Help with Dr. Bridget Taylor!

Hi All!

I hope everyone is doing well and getting ready for Thanksgiving...just one week to go!

As I'm sure you're just sitting around with nothing to do, we thought we'd give you something to fill your time (please read with sarcasm!!). Today from 1 - 2pm there will be a webinar featuring Dr. Bridget Taylor, Rethink Autism Senior Clinical Advisor & Director of the Alpine Learning Group. Dr. Taylor will be discussing why the holidays can be so challenging for children on the spectrum as well as providing some strategies for alleviating some of those challenges.

Get Ready for Thanksgiving- Visuals Work!
An E-Book
Mr. Turkey, where are you? 
 by Lorrie Ann Harrington


Check out this new Thanksgiving story app which  is now available FREE !  It was designed to teach new thanksgiving vocabulary, language based concepts, and social communication skills.  
This book can be read together with your child focusing on 'Where' or a more difficult question Are you?  It has a few predictable patterns which will help your child 'read' with you.   The story can be used to teach beginning narrative or story skills.  It has a clear beginning with character introductions, a clear middle with a problem- looking for Mr. Turkey, and a clear ending with celebrating Thanksgiving.  The graphics are very cute and fit with a wide range of ages but if you wanted to you can customize the story with your own  pictures.  For some children or adults, you can use this app to 'create or direct' your own book by taking pictures to insert.   By modelling, interacting, and focusing on specific language concepts, this app offers many learning opportunities and a lot of fun.   I highly recommend it!

mobilelearning4specialneeds - Apps

I was doing some searching this morning to put off starting my run and 2 hours later here I am.  At least I found some things to share.   If you want to see reources with many many apps, I have included a 2 good ones. These sites have 'curated' or gathered app resources and organized them in clear educational categories.  If you are new to apps and/or can become overwhelmed with too much information,  save this post for another day.  However, if you want to search and you have extra time then enjoy.....
  appitic.com

mobilelearning4specialneeds - Apps

How do YOU feel about the iPad? Inquiring minds want to know!!

Greetings All!

I've mentioned Linda Hodgdon in a previous blog and I'm going to talk about her again! She is asking for feedback on the use of the iPad with individuals with ASD. I figured that since we are a group that is more than hAPPy to discuss and play with...err, I mean use, the iPad, we might be a good selection of people to participate in her study. Ms. Hodgdon has put together short survey on Survey Monkey that should only take a few minutes to complete. She will use the results to publish an eBook about the iPad and will send a FREE copy to all survey participants when it's complete. You've got nothing to lose - except maybe a few precious minutes!

To take the survey, click here Linda Hodgdon's iPad Survey

Check out this Video Scheduling App- Good for ALL ages including over 16.  A little expensive but on sale for $9.99 (usually $54.99) and has many options.  I got it and if anyone wants to check it out, just let me know when  you can stop by the office.  - From your apple fangirl....

First- Then Support

Random Apps of Kindness

Let’s Name Things Fun Deck 

 FREE for short time (regulary $5.99)

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This app is based on SuperDuper Deck cards.  This app is meant to be played with someone as it just gives the category but no items for the caterfory. Nice categories to discuss though- things that are heavy, things you see at school etc.  Can use this app with many students and is designed for therapists or teachers to use by tracking progress.


*Things I like- colorful, great categories


**NOT -not my favorite app as children can not learn independently, no prompting system

New Book on Apps from Future Horizons

Apps for Autism- An Essential Guide to Over 200 Effective Apps by Lois Jean Brady is a new book that discusses how to use technology to help children learn and communicate. Provides information on over 200 apps but also gives rationales, responsibilities, and teachning strategies that go with using technology.  We will be getting a copy for the CARD resource library and we will let you know as soon as it arrives.

Protective iPad 2 Case

iPad 2 CASE recommendation
Take a look at these videos of a super protective case for your iPad 2. I like to pretend I need it is becasue I use the iPad with children with ASD however, I have found I am much more likely to drop, run over, throw (by accident of course) my iPad then any of the children I work with.

Halloween is almost here!

For those of you who celebrate Halloween, it can be a "tricky" time for kids with autism. People are disguised, acting strangely, doing things differently, some are very scary looking and trying to scare everyone who walks by them! Trick or Treating can be concerning as well, but have no fear! We have found a social story for you!! Going Trick or Treating by Autism Inspirations can be used as is or you can use it as a guide and adjust it to meet your specific needs. Either way, we hope your celebration is a treat!! (So corny, I know!)

Don't forget! Our next meeting is next week! Hope to see you all there!

Random Apps of Kindness Alert- PRC Language Lab: Core Words

AAC companies are continuing to get into app development. We are so happy to add PRC to the list of good quality apps! Check out this FREE app- Language Lab: Core Words for the iPad. This app is released as the first app in a series, which we think is great because it means more are coming. This app targets core word vocabulary that relates to the Unity Core Word icons and language. Take a look at an app  Review by Pad Gadget.

CBS 60 Minutes.  Great segment on iPad and communication apps. Just remember that teaching of underlying language will be very helpful.

Coming this Sunday- October 23rd
iPads & autism on 60 Minutes

Language Links: Link it Up! can connect to your email so that you do not miss any blog posts.  So, this is
 an additional way to keep us connected between meetings. Every time a new blog post is written, you will get an email letting you know and the email will have a link to the Language Links website.

If you do not want to receive e-mail blog post links, just let us know and we will remove your name from the list. You can still get into the website.

Everyone is talking about the iPad!

Hello Everyone!

It's no secret that Robin and I think Apple products are incredible (I just got my first iPhone last week and LOVE it!!), but we're not the only ones! Linda Hodgdon, the author of several wonderful resources on using visual strategies and the website www.usevisualstrategies.com, wrote about the use of technology (and the iPad) in her latest newsletter.

She touches upon the many ways technology can be incorporated into our everyday lives and how it's becoming almost a necessity. Linda points out that we must remember to change with the times and to prepare our kids for what the future brings. Often our attitudes may be resistant at first, but weaken as we see the usefulness (and fun!) of the advancements. Even my mom said she would never understand "this texting thing" - and now she's disappointed that she can't use the same emoticons because, now that I have an iPhone, we can no longer use Blackberry Messenger. We now have to use regular texting -- oh! the insanity!!!

Read what Linda has to say in her October Newsletter.

I have been thinking about where we should start... I encourage everyone to take a look at the app Pictello.  Check these out:   Pictello Video Tutorial & Pictello Video Review  You can use Pictello to create a social story,  which provides information about what to EXPECT during an event, activity, or situation.  You can also use Pictello as a talking picture album to TELL someone about an event, activity, or situation. 

Here is one thing that  I have done with Pictello:

When I use Pictello as a talking picture album to TELL something, I create a 'starter' page as the first page- 'Let me tell you about ___________'' or 'I have a story to tell you'.  I use this format for all my talking picture albums, I primarily change theme of what is talked about but not the starter phrase.  For a variation, I may use 2-3 starter phrases to provide different models of language to start a story. I may use 'Let me tell you about, I have a story to tell you, and Let's talk about'.   

Let us know if you have used Pictello or any other social story/talking picture album app and what you have done with it, how it was introduced and taught.  We can get a list together of our favorite social learning apps so when we are ready for a new one, we will have options to choose from.

Welcome to Link It Up CARD!

Test Blog: to Link us up throughout the time between our fave to face meeting!