ABA Parenting Blog

I am eventually going to have 1 site where all my information will be merged but until then...I created a new blog, the ABA Parenting Blog, which will focus solely on Applied Behavior Analysis and how to apply it to everyday parenting.

I'm a mess

Graduation...










Can't believe my little man has his last day of Kindergarten tomorrow. He's my oldest and my baby so I do everything with him for the 1st time knowing it will also be my last. I'm sure I will shed a tear or two tomorrow. I'm a mess!

Governor Brewer and Autism Speaks

I'll cut Autism Speaks some slack since they are helping AZ get SB 1593 repealed.

Link: http://blog.autismspeaks.org/2011/04/19/tv-ad-blitz-calling-on-governor-brewer-to-veto-misguided-arizona-legislation-to-repeal-autism-insurance-law/

TV AD Blitz Calling on Governor Brewer to Veto Misguided Arizona Legislation to Repeal Autism Insurance Law
April 19, 2011 Autism Speaks Leave a comment Go to comments

Autism Speaks has announced a major, intensive two-day TV ad campaign, running April 19-20, that will call on Governor Jan Brewer to veto a misguided bill that would repeal enacted autism insurance reform legislation and force hundreds of Arizona families to once again pay tens of thousands of dollars a year out-of-pocket for critical autism diagnoses and treatments –– even though they already have health insurance coverage.

“Neighbors,” will run nearly 200 times over two days on Phoenix’s network TV affiliate stations – KNXV-TV (ABC), KPHO-TV (CBS), KSAZ-TV (FOX) and KPNX-TV (NBC). The ads juxtapose two families who have a child with autism – one of whom is getting the treatments he needs because his parents’ insurance company covers his therapies, and another who isn’t because his insurer is not required to provide coverage. The ad calls on viewers to call Governor Brewer and urge her to veto the bill.

For more information, please visit Autism Votes

School Rules software

One of my favorite websites for teaching materials for children with Autism is Natural Learning Concepts. I was checking out their sale items when I stumbled upon Volume 2 of this software. I then looked for a Volume 1 and they have that as well. This looks like a great product for children on the Spectrum. I am going to purchase both and report back!

http://www.nlconcepts.com/products/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=164_111&products_id=411

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEdJvPru_9E

2 parents, 1 child

I have been hearing a lot of stories of parents who are divorced but are still attempting to raise a child together, fighting and letting petty nonsense get in the way. My best friend, Patrick, and my ex's girlfriend, come to mind. These 2 people have constant issues with their ex and it always seems like the other parent causes so much stress. I don't get how people can't get over past hurt and move on for the sake of their child/children?

As much as my ex gets under my skin or doesn't live up to the parent I wish he would be, time makes it easier to understand that he is doing the best he can. I love my son enough to know that I need to have a positive relationship for him. I question parents who don't feel the same. Don't you love your children enough to even try to be civil?

I remind myself and others that once upon a time, I loved my son's father enough to create my son. That has to mean something.

James Durbin - a positive role model for the world of Autism

I love James Durbin. He is a great role model for the Autism community and an inspiration to all kids, whether they have a disability or not.

http://www.theautismnews.com/2011/04/08/durbins-idol-success-giving-parents-of-kids-with-autism-hope/

news_video
Durbin’s ‘Idol’ Success Giving Parents Of Kids With Autism Hope
April 8th, 2011
English


The Autism News

By FOXReno

SAN FRANCISCO — On Thursday night, American Idol fans watched Santa Cruz contestant James Durbin advance to the next round on the competitive reality show.

Durbin has Asperger’s Syndrome, a mild form of autism. His success on the show has provided inspiration to families with children who have autism.

Children’s laughter filled the air inside Pump It Up, a play facility filled with inflatable bounce houses in San Francisco. The playhouse was free Thursday for families with autistic children.

Emily Hanna’s five-year-old son Christian was diagnosed with autism at age three. Christian spent his time at Pump It Up running, jumping and dunking.

Angela Vallecillo brought two of her children: toddler daughter Samiah and her son Zion.

“The baby has PDD — pervasive development delay — which is which is on the autism spectrum,” explained Vallecillo. “He’s also being looked at by a psychiatrist because he has issues with eye contact.

“While every family has their own story– everyone can agree on the importance of an early diagnosis.

“Subtle things: lack of eye contact, social skills, not wanting to be touched,” said Angela Vallecillo when describing the early symptoms. “Repetitive behaviors.

“Families agreed early treatment is key.

“He’s doing much better, he’s more open and social. I’ve seen a big difference,” said Hanna.

Seeing someone with James Durbin’s talent has helped prove of what these children can achieve.

“I’ve seen one end of the spectrum like the gentleman on American Idol who shows how far they can go,” said Hanna.

“It shows that they can achieve anything they want to achieve and be anything they want to be,” said Vallecillo. I” hope one day she’ll grow up and do something big.”

Source: http://www.foxreno.com/news/27474615/detail.html

Please share this news with friends, family and also with your contact list on Twitter, Facebook and MySpace.
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Posted by The Autism News
autism, Durbin, Giving, hope, Idol, kids, parents, success

Safety issue for kids with Autism: Wandering

I remember how Joey would wander away from me or dart away fast, any chance he got. Wandering is a very scary and very real issue for parents of children with Autism.

This is the latest news on wandering for AZ:

http://www.autismkey.com/autism-wandering-remains-a-deadly-problem/

Autism Wandering Remains a Deadly Problem

The recent case of Adam Benhamma continues to highlight the ongoing issue of wandering by those with autism. In fact, drowning has been cited as the leading cause of death for children and adults with autism, with a large majority of these incidents occurring during wandering episodes. Exposure to elements has also been responsible for many autism-wandering deaths.

The issue has become so problematic, some of the largest autism non-profits in the country have partnered to form The Autism Wandering Awareness Alerts Response and Education (AWAARE) Collaboration. The group’s mission is to prevent wandering incidents and wandering-related deaths within the autism community through education, resources and awareness. The organizations that comprise AWAARE include Autism One, Autism Speaks, Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation, Hollyrod Foundation, National Autism Association and Talk About Curing Autism (TACA).

In addition to awareness and education, technology is also being implemented to address this widespread problem. Products from LoJack, SecuraTrac and Project Lifesaver all offer solutions for parents and caregivers to track and locate those with autism.

Despite these efforts, it’s clear that much more needs to be done to address the recent slew of tragic wandering cases. Just a few of those include:

James Delorey – December, 2009. A seven-year-old boy with autism from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, went missing after following his dog into a wooded area. He was later found huddled in the fetal position in thick brush and snow less than a mile from his home. He was rushed to the hospital, but eventually passed away from severe hypothermia and exposure.

Mason Medlam – July, 2010. Five-year-old with autism who died of his injuries after being pulled from a small pond in a town outside of Witchita, Kansas. Medlam wandered from his home out of a partially opened window and had been missing for more than a half-hour before being discovered.

Zachary Clark – August, 2010. A five-year-old boy with autism from Tucson, Arizona who was pulled from a golf course pond located less than a half-mile from his home. Despite efforts at CPR, Clark was pronounced dead shortly after being airlifted to a nearby hospital.

Nathan Kinderdine - August, 2010. A seven-year-old with autism from Ohio, wandered away from his class during a summer enrichment program at school. Kinderline was found by a custodian at the bottom of the school’s indoor swimming pool and although school nurses tried to revive him, he was pronounced dead shortly after his arrival to the hospital.

Skyler Wayne – October, 2010. An eight-year-old boy with autism who was found in an Idaho river three houses away from his home. Wayne was in the care of a babysitter at the time of the incident and was found in less than two feet of water.

Savannah Martin – February, 2011. A seven-year-old girl from Oklahoma who was found face-down in a chilly pond about 50 yards from her home. Her two-year-old brother was also found with her in the water, but was face-up and buoyed by the Styrofoam in a bicycle helmet he had been wearing. Despite the efforts by the girl’s mother to revive her, Savannah was later pronounced dead.

Jackson Kastner – March, 2011. Four-year-old who drowned in a Michigan river after wandering from his home. The river was located 300 yards from Kastner’s home and swept him away — he was later found a mile-and-a-half downstream. The boy was airlifted to a hospital but attempts to revive him were unsuccessful.

Adam Benhamma – April, 2011. A three-year-old boy who is both non-verbal and deaf has been missing since Sunday. Benhamma disappeared during a game of hide-and-seek while his father briefly went inside the house they were visiting. Police believe the boy fell into a nearby icy river. As of today’s date, he has not been found and is presumed to be deceased.

These are just a few of the many heartbreaking stories that continue to play out around the country and world involving wandering individuals with autism. As we continue on with Autism Awareness Month, hopefully more attention will be brought to this problematic issue to ensure wandering-related deaths are minimized or completely eliminated altogether.

To download a copy of a helpful autism wandering brochure from AWAARE, visit: http://www.awaare.org/docs/wanderingbrochure.pdf (Adobe Reader Required)
One Response to Autism Wandering Remains a Deadly Problem

1.
Rita Boul says:
April 7, 2011 at 8:33 am

April is Autism Awareness Month: Care Trak Helps to Relieve Parent Stress When Kids “Bolt and Run.”

Caring for a child with Autism can be a daunting task for parents. Children with Autism can “bolt and run” at a moments notice. Many children with Autism are attracted to water and have no fear of real dangers.
Care Trak International created at risk people tracking in 1986 and has developed a Perimeter Systems that alarms when a child leaves a designated area determined by the parents. These parents also have the ability to track their kids up to a mile day or night inside or outside. “We have moms who become very proficient and are better trackers than we are.”

Hundreds of law enforcement agencies across the U.S. also use Care Trak technology as an added layer of protection. The combination of the home system with agency system offers a high level of protection.

In honor of Autism Awareness Month, Care Trak International is reducing the price of it’s Home Perimeter System $400.00. In addition a 14-day no obligation trial is available. Care Trak also protects people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

For more information go to http://www.caretrak.com or call 800-842-4537