"It was ability that mattered, not disability, which is a word I'm not crazy about using."---Marlee Matlin
"Imitation Is The Sincerest Form of Flattery"
There's a lot of truth to that famous quote. A recent study out of Michigan State University appears to show that teaching children with autism to imitate others may improve their social skills. Researchers have long known that imitation is a critically important development skill. It enables children to interact and learn from one another in meaningful ways. This particular study analyzed children with autism ages 27 months to 47 months. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.
B.J.: The Therapy Dog
Children with autism at the Madison Elementary School in Davenport, IA, have a really cool friend. His name is Buddy Junior or B.J. for short. He just so happens to be a 6-year old golden retriever. B.J. is also a therapy dog. The children's interaction with B.J. is an important life-skills learning experience. Teacher James Cook said, "These guys are practicing their social and communication skills...The interaction is good for them."
B.J. has been visiting the school since he was 1 year old. "There have been times when the children have been tired and having meltdowns, and it kind of helps when B.J. walks in. It distracts them and the behaviors will stop," said Cook.
Quad-City Times
For more information on therapy dogs for autism, visit Autism Service Dogs of America at http://autismservicedogsofamerica.com/ and 4 Paws for Ability at http://www.4pawsforability.org/
Catalyzing Autism Research
MIT (Mass. Institute of Technology) announced The Simons Foundation has given the school a $26.5 million grant for research in the treatment of autism."MIT has all the ingredients necessary for making spectacular progress in understanding and treating autism, " said Professor Paul E. Newton head of the Department of Brain and Cognitive Studies. This is not the first gift from The Simons Foundation. In the past six years, they granted the school approximately $20 million in support of autism research.
Medical News Today
What Colleges and Universities Offer The Best Programs For Students with Autism?
More and more colleges and universities are offering programs for students with autism. Most of the colleges listed below now provide support, daily and weekly meetings with advisers, mentoring and special classes if needed. If your a student with autism or know one who is considering going to college, you should consider the following programs at the following schools:
Books About Autism: Your Holiday Gift Guide
There is still time left to buy those Christmas gifts. Consider the following books to put in that Christmas stocking:
Resources and Information:
Friends, don't forget to check out the many links to resources on this blog. We are linked to almost every available resource available concerning autism. Take a few minutes to review.
Autism News and Views would like to wish everyone a happy and safe holiday season!!!
Please visit: Dedicated to Heroes at http://dedicatedtoheroes.blogspot.com/
"Imitation Is The Sincerest Form of Flattery"
B.J.: The Therapy Dog
Children with autism at the Madison Elementary School in Davenport, IA, have a really cool friend. His name is Buddy Junior or B.J. for short. He just so happens to be a 6-year old golden retriever. B.J. is also a therapy dog. The children's interaction with B.J. is an important life-skills learning experience. Teacher James Cook said, "These guys are practicing their social and communication skills...The interaction is good for them."
B.J. has been visiting the school since he was 1 year old. "There have been times when the children have been tired and having meltdowns, and it kind of helps when B.J. walks in. It distracts them and the behaviors will stop," said Cook.
Quad-City Times
For more information on therapy dogs for autism, visit Autism Service Dogs of America at http://autismservicedogsofamerica.com/ and 4 Paws for Ability at http://www.4pawsforability.org/
Catalyzing Autism Research
MIT (Mass. Institute of Technology) announced The Simons Foundation has given the school a $26.5 million grant for research in the treatment of autism."MIT has all the ingredients necessary for making spectacular progress in understanding and treating autism, " said Professor Paul E. Newton head of the Department of Brain and Cognitive Studies. This is not the first gift from The Simons Foundation. In the past six years, they granted the school approximately $20 million in support of autism research.
Medical News Today
What Colleges and Universities Offer The Best Programs For Students with Autism?
More and more colleges and universities are offering programs for students with autism. Most of the colleges listed below now provide support, daily and weekly meetings with advisers, mentoring and special classes if needed. If your a student with autism or know one who is considering going to college, you should consider the following programs at the following schools:
- Marshall University
- Boston University
- Mercyhurst College
- Rutgers
- Drexel University
- Fairleigh Dickinson University
- University of Alabama
- Western Kentucky University
- USC (University of Southern California)
- Wright State University
Books About Autism: Your Holiday Gift Guide
There is still time left to buy those Christmas gifts. Consider the following books to put in that Christmas stocking:
- Thinking Persons Guide to Autism
- My Friend With Autism by Beverly and Craig Bishop
- One of Us by Mark Osteen
- Thinking in Pictures by Temple Grandin
- Dude, I'm An Aspie by Matt Friedman
Resources and Information:
Friends, don't forget to check out the many links to resources on this blog. We are linked to almost every available resource available concerning autism. Take a few minutes to review.
Autism News and Views would like to wish everyone a happy and safe holiday season!!!
Please visit: Dedicated to Heroes at http://dedicatedtoheroes.blogspot.com/
