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Angels For Autistic Children

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  • Angels For Autistic Children

  • 50 / Female
  • Clinton, Illinois, US
  • Last Login: 11/8/2009

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  • General




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    There are a lot of things about raising a child with an autistic spectrum disorder that teachers, therapists, and doctors don't know much about. The way you live will change, like it or not.

    The good news is that the behaviors that cause these changes usually don't last forever: the child who this week broke wine glasses just to hear them smash will probably not be tossing them two years from now. But if you want to avoid rushing from disaster to disaster, you must have a proactive parenting style. Avoid conflict, redirect behavior, and always be on the lookout for an alternative solution to behavior problems.

    Click here for some advice from parents on handling typical trouble spots...
    ~Haircuts, nail clipping, bathing, clothing, and more.


    Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) Picture Exchange Communication Systems are simply a visual representation of spoken language. Temple Grandin and other people with Autism often tell us that they "think in pictures," while the rest of us think our thoughts with words. Usually the word and a picture of what the word represents are put on a small card. The word "drink" is placed on a card that has a picture or a photograph of a "drinking glass." In this manner, people with autism understand that words have meaning - a difficult concept for many to comprehend. There are many other methods of communication available through assistive technology. Intellitools and other software companies offer valuable resources for people with Autism who are non-verbal, or who have limited verbal ability. Using pecs does not mean they will never "want" to talk, in fact I believe it was the use of pecs that started our son to verbally ask for things as he was handing us a card....building his vocabulary. It was very easy to teach him to start pecs and by the time he was 2 1/2 years old, he could scan over 300 pecs cards/pictures knowing what he was looking for. Even though he is now very verbal, he will not "let us" take down his pecs. Maybe he just feels safer when they are available for him to use. He can let me know what he wants in his lunchbox each day by placing the wanted items on his velcro holder lunchbox.

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    Many persons with autism have deficits in social cognition, the ability to think in ways necessary for appropriate social interaction. For example, theory of mind describes the difficulty individuals with autism have in assuming the perspective of another person. This can be addressed by a technique which is used to help individuals with autism "read" and understand social situations. This technique, called "Social Stories" presents appropriate social behaviors in the form of a story. It was developed by Carol Gray and seeks to include answers to questions that persons with autism may need to know to interact appropriately with others (for example, answers to who, what, where, when, and why in social situations.)

    EXAMPLES OF SOCIAL STORIES WE USE WITH OUR SON:

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    As children get older and can read, a social story can have less visuals to it if any at all.

    Many children on the autism spectrum have a difficult time with transitions. Visual Schedules help them with transitions and to know what to expect next hour, day, etc. Our son uses a weekly visual schedule. This is especially helpful during the school year so he knows from day to day what classes/therapies he has. It also helps prepare him for going places like out to eat, shopping, visiting, to the doctor, etc:

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    Using visuals as Reminders are wonderful too. We use them for all of our children (we have several with disabilities)...they help them remember times to do things, safety reminders, even chores. We use them for taking medications so each child has his own strip and "done" envelope it helps us keep track of who needs their A.M. or P.M. meds.

    HERE ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF REMINDERS WE USE THROUGHOUT OUR HOME: Photobucket

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    IF ANYONE HAS ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT VISUALS, E-MAIL US AND WE'LL SEE WHAT WE CAN DO TO HELP!

    A few of our fundraising efforts and events we held...

    AFAC Christmas Party 2006...
    It was so much fun passing out gifts to some of the local autistic children....



    Our very first Fundraiser was held at Wal-Mart, March 4, 2007, where we gave away Autism Awarenss information and items..

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    Easter 2007 we enjoyed filling baskets for some local autistic children and having a little Easter party at our home...

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    On May 15, 2007 we held another fundraiser at Wal-Mart....

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    Pictured above is Lisa Rowe, Kelby Johnson, Pam Johnson and Napoleon Kendall.

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    Pictured above is Jeremy Biggs, Napoleon Kendall, Lisa Rowe, a friend for Autism, Kelby Johnson and James.

    A Family Fun Night was set up and held on July 28, 2007....



    4 Paws for Ability Assistance Dogs

    Do you know of a disabled person who needs a service dog? 4 Paws for Abilities has few restrictions for acceptance and works with most families within the boundaries of our organization's ability to train and place the type of dog needed. We says "yes" when many more traditional assistance dog placement agencies say "no."



    Matthew and Lauren have received their Dog Brock through 4-Paws.
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    Click on the logo below to go to 4 Paws for Ability website to learn more.

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    Medical Alert Bracelets can help many people with disabilities and/or allergies. A child/person with Autism could greatly benefit from wearing one. It can be life saving.

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  • Music

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  • Movies

    Backstreet Dreams, Change of Habit, House of Cards, Rainman, The Boy Who Could Fly, Mercury Rising, Silent Fall, David's Mother, Mozart and The Whale, The Other Sister, I Am Sam, Forest Gump, What's Eating Gilbert Grape, Little Man Tate, Run Wild Run Free, Silence (also known as Crazy Jack and The Boy), Down in the Delta, Radio, Relative Fear, Silence, Things That Hang From Trees, Touch of Truth, Touched by Love, and many others.


  • Books

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    We are in need of books for our lending library.

    If anyone has any books they would like to donate, please contact us. If you have books on special needs, autism, sensory issues, PECS, OCD, etc. and you no longer need them and want to sell them at a reasonable price, please get in contact with us.
    Our parents need books to learn how to help their children.

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    Special Education: Autism In Autism Caselaw, you'll find links to several important decisions about educating children with autism. The issues in these cases include what constitutes a free appropriate public education (FAPE) for children with autism, ABA/Lovaas therapy, extended school year (ESY), and LRE/inclusion.

    Recommended Books:

    Educating Children with Autism by National Academy Press.

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    Children with autism have difficulty interacting with other people, communicating ideas and feelings, and imagining what other people think or feel. Although education is the primary form of treatment for autism, educators are often poorly equipped to deal with these children.

    Educating Children with Autism describes effective educational practices, programs, and strategies.

    Learn:

    * How children's specific diagnoses should affect educational assessment and planning

    * How to support the families of children with autism

    * Features of effective instructional and comprehensive programs and strategies

    * How to prepare teachers, school staffs, professionals, & parents to educate autistic children.

    How Well Does Your IEP Measure Up?

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    Step-by-step guide to writing IEPs for children with autistic spectrum disorders. Includes sample goal & objective templates for areas of functioning typically neglected in IEPs including oral-motor skills, executive function, theory of mind, & critical thinking. Includes recommendations for teaching strategies, educational programming formats & useful resources.

    Thinking in Pictures by Temple Grandin

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    In this unprecedented book, Temple Grandin, gifted animal scientist who is also autistic, writes about autism from her unique personal perspective. Thinking in Pictures is a good reference to the types autism and treatments being used successfully today.

    Louder Than Words by Jenny McCarthy

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    Jenny McCarthy takes us on journey of a mom dealing with her son’s Autism diagnosis and treatment. We learn what it is like to be a parent and have your dreams shattered. We learn about a disease and about how others dealing with similar circumstances can aid one another. We learn about alternative approaches that seem promising. We learn about healing, hope, and faith.

    Ten Things Every Child With Autism Wish You Knew

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    This book is an amazing personal look at the joys and challenges of parenting a child with autism. Ellen gives concrete examples for each of her "Ten Things..." and educates her readers about how the world is experienced by both the autistic child and his or her parents.

  • Heroes

    Our heroes are, of course, those families who deal with autism on a daily basis, our supporters as we could not reach our goals without the support and donations.

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Details

  • Status: Single
  • Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Status and Mood

Activity Stream

Blurbs

About me:

I decided to start Angels For Autistic Children a few years after my youngest son was diagnosed with autism. It was then I learned that not very many people understood what Autism is. I didn't even know what Autism was at that time.

As a mom to two autistic children, I decided to try to spread awareness and along came my dream of having a non for profit organization to help me spread this awareness and to help other families. It was then I started Angels For Autistic Children Community Outreach NFP (AFAC)

We are a non-profit organization to benefit autistic children and their families.

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Our MISSION is to educate the public about autism and the struggles families with autism face, Assist families of autistic children find the resources needed for their family such as therapies and other helpful organizations, advocate helping with IEP's, Provide funding for autism related needs such as items needed for therapies (weighted vests/blankets/lap pads, PECS (picture exchange communication system cards, boardmaker, picture this pro), learning, computer software, etc.

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In order to provide services to family members of individuals with autism AFAC relies on the support of its members and other concerned individuals both within and outside the autism community. The diagnosis of autism is on the rise. Financial support allows us to maintain, improve upon and expand the ability to meet the community's growing needs.

Products or Gifts in Kind help, too. Perhaps you have a service or business where you can donate items (e.g. tickets to events, printing services, office supplies, laminating machines, electronics or just about anything).

"The test of our worth is the service we render." ~Theodore Roosevelt

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We have a monthly goal of $350.00 to be able to maintain our ability to meet the needs of those in the Autism Community.

Donations for AFAC to continue would be greatly appreciated. You may make a donation through PayPal sending to the following e-mail address:

afac_co_nfp@mchsi.com

or you may send donations to our home address:
Angels For Autistic Children Community Outreach
9406 Meadowbrook Rd.
Clinton, Illinois 61727

As you give to a good cause, MAY YOU BE BLESSED 10 FOLD!

HERE IS AN AWESOME VIDEO... I'M IN HERE....PLEASE WATCH...VERY HEART TOUCHING!



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HELPFUL RESOURCES

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

Different Roads to Learning
Family Matters ­ Parent Training and Information Center
Autism Society of America (ASA)
Future Horizons
Relationship Development Intervention
Michelle G. Winner's Center for Social Thinking, Inc.
National Registry (NARY)
Spectrum Training Systems
Illinois State Board of Education
1st Illinois Special Education News

GOVERNMENT, LEGAL, AND ADVOCACY RESOURCES

Autism Speaks ­ It’s Time to Listen
Wrights Law - Special Education Law and Advocacy for Children with Disabilities
Autism Society of Illinois
Illinois STARNET
Special Needs Future Planning

BIOMEDICAL RESOURCES

Autism Research Institute / Defeat Autism Now (DAN)
Association for Behavior Analysis
Behavioral Intervention Tools and Resources
Behavior Analyst Certification Board
ABA Resources for Recovery from Autism,PDD,Hyperlexia

FINANCIAL AND RESPITE RESOURCES IN ILLINOIS

StarNet-Center for Best Practices in Early Childhood
Western Illinois University,
27 Horrabin Hall
1 University Circle
Macomb, IL., 61455
Phone: (800) 227-7537

SSA-Social Security Administration
207 N. Williamsburg Dr.
Bloomington, IL., 61704
Phone: (309) 662-1836 or (800) 772-1213

Illinois Department of Human Services
405 Stratford Office Building
Springfield, IL., 62765
Phone: (800) 843-6154

The ARC of Illinois

Who I'd like to meet:

What is Autism?

Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and is the result of a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain, impacting development in the areas of social interaction and communication skills. Both children and adults with autism typically show difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and leisure or play activities.

Autism is one of five disorders that falls under the umbrella of Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD), a category of neurological disorders characterized by “severe and pervasive impairment in several areas of development.”

Myths About Autism

~Individuals with autism never make eye contact; they do not look at you.
~Autism is a mental illness.
~Progress means a person doesn't have autism.
~Individuals with autism don't speak.
~Autism can be outgrown.
~Individuals with autism can't learn.
~Underneath all the difficult behaviors is a normal person.
~Individuals with autism cannot show affection and do not respond to physical affection.
~Individuals with autism do not want friends.
~Individuals with autism do not relate to peers/adults.
~Individuals with autism are very manipulative.
~Individuals with autism could talk if they wanted to.
~Individuals with autism can't smile.
~Individuals with autism don't notice others and don't pick up cues from adults.
~When a person with autism does not respond to a question/direction to which he has shown a previous correct response, he is being stubborn/non-compliant/obnoxious.

Common Co-Occurring Conditions in Autism

Mental Retardation: Although it has been estimated that up to 75% of people with autism have mental retardation, research studies have frequently used inappropriate IQ tests, such as verbal tests with nonverbal children and, in some cases, estimating the child’s intelligence level without any objective evidence. Parents should request non-verbal intelligence tests that do not require language skills, such as the Test for Nonverbal Intelligence (TONI). Furthermore, regardless of the result, realize that autistic children will develop more skills as they grow older, and that appropriate therapies and education can help them reach their true potential.

Seizures: It is estimated that 25% of autistic individuals also develop seizures, some in early childhood and others as they go through puberty (changes in hormone levels may trigger seizures). These seizures can range from mild (e.g., gazing into space for a few seconds) to severe, grand mal seizures. Many autistic individuals have subclinical seizures which are not easily noticeable but can significantly affect mental function. A short one- or two-hour EEG may not be able to detect any abnormal activity, so a 24-hour EEG may be necessary. Although drugs can be used to reduce seizure activity, the child’s health must be checked regularly because these drugs can be harmful.

Chronic Constipation and/or Diarrhea: An analysis of the ARI’s autism database of thousands of cases show over 50% of autistic children have chronic constipation and/or diarrhea. Diarrhea may actually be due to constipation—i.e., only liquid is able to leak past a constipated stool mass in the intestine. Manual probing often fails to find an impaction. An endoscopy may be the only way to check for this problem. Consultation with a pediatric gastroenterologist is required.

Sleep Problems: Many autistic individuals have sleep problems. Night waking may be due to reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus. Placing bricks under the head of the bed may help keep stomach acid from rising and provide better sleep. Melatonin has been very useful in helping many autistic individuals fall asleep. Vigorous exercise will help a child sleep, and other sleep aids are a weighted blanket or tight fitting mummy-type sleeping bag.

Pica: 30% of children with autism have moderate to severe pica. Pica refers to eating non-food items such as paint, sand, dirt, paper, etc. Pica can expose the child to heavy metal poisoning, especially if there is lead in the paint or in the soil.

Low Muscle Tone: A study conducted by the first author found that 30% of autistic children have moderate to severe loss of muscle tone, and this can limit their gross and fine motor skills.

Sensory Sensitivities: Many autistic children have unusual sensitivities to sounds, sights, touch, taste, and smells. High-pitched intermittent sounds, such as fire alarms or school bells, may be painful to autistic children. Scratchy fabrics may also be intolerable, and some children have visual sensitivities. They are troubled by the flickering of fluorescent lights. If the child often has tantrums in large supermarkets, it is possible that he/she has severe sensory oversensitivity. Sensory sensitivities are highly variable in autism, from mild to severe. In some children, the sensitivities are mostly auditory, and in others, mostly visual. It is likely that many individuals who remain non-verbal have both auditory and visual processing problems, and sensory input may be scrambled. Even though a pure tone hearing test may imply normal hearing, the child may have difficulty hearing auditory details and hard consonant sounds. Some children have very high pain thresholds (i.e., be insensitive to pain), whereas others have very low pain thresholds.

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What is the difference between Asperger’s Syndrome and Autism?

Asperger syndrome is usually considered a subtype of high-functioning autism. Most of the individuals with Asperger syndrome are described as “social but awkward.” That is, they want to have friends, but they do not have the social skills to begin and/or maintain a friendship. While high-functioning autistic individuals may also be “social but awkward,” they are typically less interested in having friends. In addition, high-functioning autistic individuals are often delayed in developing speech/language. Those with Asperger syndrome tend not to have speech/language delays, but their speech is usually described as peculiar, such as being stilted and perseverating on unusual topics.

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