Temple Grandin, the February 2010 HBO movie release 10 years in the making, was nominated for seven awards at the 62nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards® televised Sunday, August 29th, and won five, among them the coveted Outstanding Made for Television Movie!

Claire Danes, who played Temple, won Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie; Outstanding Director for a Miniseries or Movie was won by Mick Jackson for his superb work; Julia Ormond won Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie for her portrayal of Temple’s mom; and David Straithairn took home the Outstanding Supporting Actor for a Miniseries or Movie award. Including the untelevised Creative Arts Emmys, which were handed out last weekend, Grandin totaled 15 Emmy nominations and seven wins.  

Temple and her mother, Eustacia Cutler (author of A Thorn in My Pocket, which describes the early years of raising Temple) attended the celebration, with Temple sharing the acceptance speech for Outstanding Movie with producer and autism mom, Emily Gerson Saines, as well as other members of the cast and crew. 

This exceptional movie received the recognition it deserves. If you haven’t yet seen it, the DVD released in August and is widely available now, including on Netflix. (Buy your own copy at www.fhautism.com)

Watch Temple’s Red Carpet interview here. 

Watch a video here from the press conference after the Emmy’s!

And, read an interesting Emmy blog, Who is Temple Grandin?

Earlier this year the AADigest did an interview with Emily Gerson Saines, one of the executive producers of the HBO movie, and the parent of a child with ASD.

An Interview with Emily Gerson Saines

AADigest talks with one of the executive producers of the HBO Films presentation, TEMPLE GRANDIN. Learn some of the backstage buzz on the movie, Claire Danes' role as Temple Grandin, and why the autism community is loving this movie!

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What’s a Newsbite?

Newsbites are focused, brief selections spotlighting an idea, product, teaching strategy, research study, a GFCF recipe or cooking tip – anything that widens your understanding of ASDs and our community. Newsbites are scattered throughout each issue of the Autism Asperger’s Digest.

Check back regularly! We’ll add and subtract newsbites to the site on a regular basis.

Parents, educators, product owners, research programs: Submit your own newsbite to the Digest! We love 'em, readers love 'em, and it's the perfect way to share an idea or introduce your product to our community. Email your idea to the Digest's Managing Editor, editor@autismdigest.com, or visit our Contact page for our mailing address. 



 

Sushi Rolls for Lunch!

Need a nutritious, portable lunch? Try homemade sushi rolls. Traditionally, sushi is rice wrapped in a sheet of nori seaweed and filled with cucumber, avocado and crabmeat, but these days, you can fill them with virtually anything! You’ll need white rice, toasted nori seaweed (available at supermarkets in the Asian section) and your “add in” items.    

To make the rice: Rinse 1 cup white rice in cold water; drain. Place in a lidded pot with 2 cups of water and soak for 15 minutes, then heat on high until it comes to a boil. Turn heat down and simmer for 20 minutes. Let cool.  

To roll sushi: Place a toasted nori seaweed sheet on a piece of plastic wrap.  Using about 1 cup of rice, press to cover the nori about 1/2” thick, and to about 1/2” from each edge.

Add 1/4” matchsticks of cucumber, crabmeat mixed with a little mayonnaise and avocado and stack them lengthwise on one end. Turn this filled edge of the nori inward and roll it like a jellyroll, pressing it tight while you roll it up. Place the plastic wrap on the outside of the roll and press it tight lengthwise. Then slice into individual portions with a sharp knife.

For variety, try using other fillings such as pre-cooked chicken strips with a little raspberry jelly and cooked long beans; flaked, water-packed tuna marinated in balsamic vinegar salad dressing with chopped spinach; egg salad with thinly sliced carrot matchsticks; or chopped toasted almonds with raisins, slices of apple and a dash of cinnamon and sugar.   

Sushi is an easy-to-make, portable meal-in-one food for people living the GFCF lifestyle.

© Jean Duane, Alternative Cook, LLC.  Visit www.alternativecook.com for GFCF cooking instruction on DVD, video streams and in Bake Deliciously! Gluten and Dairy Free Cookbook.

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Make-a-Tag, Save a Life

Communication is critical during a medical emergency or if someone is lost. Minutes count, so how can assistance be provided if the person can’t communicate clearly?

The solution is a custom engraved alert tag from Make-A-Tag.com. These tags might include vital information such as their name, who to call and phone numbers, that the child or adult has autism and/or mentioning if the person has limited communication abilities.

YOU design the 2-inch metal tag on-line at www.Make-A-Tag.com. The custom engraved tag arrives in the mail several days later. The engraving is permanent and the metal means the tags can get wet and won’t bend. A tag is less than $10.

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Powerful Literary Enhancement Strategies 

“When educators are able to reach each student in a meaningful manner, a work of art unfolds.” That rather simple first-page sentence, found in Literary Enhancement Strategies, is the essence of a wonderful new book by Thomas Daly, M.Ed., on oral and written communication strategies for students on the spectrum. And, while the thought may seem rosy-glasses toned, this book contains functional, well-designed, meaningful strategies from start to finish. Daly understands well the “autism way of thinking” and the challenges our students face with social thinking and comprehension. 

Teachers and parents will love the easy to follow format of Literary Enhancement Strategies. Each activity includes Goals and Individual Education Objectives that can be incorporated into a student’s IEP, as well as clear, concise tasks to support the learning goals. Bulleted directions help educators better teach to the different thinking patterns inherent in ASD. Discussion topics further explore the social thinking behind the action. The book is visually clean and uncluttered, a boon to using the reproducible handouts (on an enclosed CD) directly with spectrum students. 

While the book is designed to enrich the oral and written communication of upper elementary, middle, and high school students with HFA/AS, activities can easily be adapted for all students. The enhancement strategies are aligned closely to the existing general education curriculum. This powerhouse of a book is a must-have for anyone working with spectrum students.

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Vocabulary - Tactile Defensiveness                   

Tactile Defensiveness is hypersensitivity to touch/tactile input. While the definition is short, the list of ways this may manifest itself is lengthy. Children who exhibit tactile defensiveness may avoid touching because of the pain involved, and may be bothered by, or exhibit fear around any of the following:   

• textured materials/items, including clothing
• "messy" things: wet, slimy, slippery, gel-like, etc. (paint, shampoo, soap, certain foods)
• vibrating toys, etc.
• a hug or a kiss
• rain; a shower
• rough or bumpy bed sheets/pillowcases
• seams on socks, tags on shirts, blouses, tops and pants
• light touch
• their hands or face being dirty
• shoes and/or sandals
• wind blowing on bare skin or through hair
• getting hair brushed or cut
• bare feet touching grass or sand

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Achievement Products

Using a visual schedule when working with children can be a great way to ease transitions, promote self-regulation and assist with focus and concentration. The visual schedule from Achievement Products is designed for children in an educational environment yet can be customized for use at home as well. Schedule sections can be hung so an entire class can view current activities going on in the classroom and what they can expect next. With 22 activity cards and labels featuring common classroom activities such as “Welcome” and “Clean-Up”, educators can build a schedule for the day using as many sections as needed (each section contains pockets for two activities). Ten blank cards can be customized to meet individual classroom or home needs. Three bright, movable arrows clearly indicate which activities are happening, and when it is time to move on to the next. Learn more at www.Achievement-Products.com or call 800.373.4699.

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Pictures that Talk!

ProxTalker is an augmentative communication device that offers the first moveable picture communication system that actually talks! Users pick and place picture sound tags and then press to produce voice output. For instance, three separate tags may produce the output, “I… want… apple juice.” And, tags can quickly and easily be customized with any image and sound.

ProxTalker.com LLC, the maker of the product, announces the new Light Touch model for people who need a softer button. It also includes a larger Picture Sound Tag for visually impaired individuals or individuals who experience difficulty grasping the standard sized tags.

The ProxTalker is remarkably easy to use, and individuals who already use picture symbols will transition easily. Learn more at www.ProxTalker.com. Ask about a free trial of the device by emailing TryMeDevice@proxtalker.com.

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All the Omega-3…None of the Fish

We know the importance of omega-3 fatty acids, especially one called DHA that’s essential for neurological development, but we probably don’t get enough in our diets because the best sources of DHA are salmon, sardines, herring and tuna. Considering the sensory and dietary challenges of our children on the spectrum, not to mention worries over mercury contamination, these fish are not frequent visitors on the daily menu.

If you’re searching for an alternative source, try Coromega Omega-3 supplements. They call it the “first delicious omega-3” and while everyone’s taste buds are different, we agree…they deliver a truly tasty and fruity flavor without a hint of fishiness or that artificial aftertaste. Even our most difficult eaters are likely to love the taste. Available in orange and lemon-lime flavors, Coromega Kids High DHA comes packaged as a single-serving squeezable (our adult testers loved this too!), similar to Go-GURT® fun tubes. Check it out at www.coromega.com/

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Great Tool for Visual Schedules

Two moms with special needs kids have taken picture communication to another level of organization and ease with a system they developed called Do-N-Slide. It comes with preprinted picture cards showing a wide variety of tasks, but what sets it apart is the simple yet innovative Do-N-Slide board.

The Do-N-Slide board holds five task cards. Each card slides into a slot on the left, which is the “To Do” side.  As each task is completed, your child slides it over to the right, which is labeled “All Done.” It’s a wonderfully effective method to immediately visualize progress! And, it’s flexible enough to use in many situations at home or at school.

The Do-N-Slide can be used to teach steps toward a goal or display the day’s schedule. It also comes with blank cards so you can create your own pictures. A portion of the profits will be donated to Autism Research. Find it here: http://do-n-slide.com.

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Earth Cycle Calendar

Originally developed to teach the cycles of months, seasonal changes and weather, the Earth Cycle Calendar is a unique concept presented in a beautiful poster. The round calendar shows daily lunar cycles, moves in a clockwise rotation to track each day and includes space to note birthdays or other important events. For more information, go to http://earthcyclecalendars.com/.

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Quickly Create Customized PECS

Visual charts are an excellent way to build skills, but finding and organizing graphics can be time consuming. A free Windows application is available to help. Developed by a software developer whose son has autism, Picto Selector is a program that lets you easily view 1400 Pictos (short for pictogram), then simply drag-and-drop the ones you want to create a customized printable page of visual instructions. The variety of Pictos (over 10,000) suits most any need, whether that’s showing steps to achieve a task, creating a daily schedule or even to teach days of the week. The program lets you add subtitles, download and insert photos, add color to the background, or mark Pictos with a red “X” to indicate bad/stop. Learn more at www.pecsforall.com.

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International Autism Symposium

The Geneva Centre for Autism is an international leader in the development and delivery of intervention services and training. Since 1986 they have hosted an international autism symposium to provide a cross-section of perspectives on the most recent research and information on evidence-based best practices. This year’s event, Autism 2010, will take place November 3-5 in Toronto, Canada. A multitude of relevant autism topics will be addressed including bio-medical and neurobiological research, intervention models, social skills, behaviour, communication, Asperger’s Disorder, and more. Speakers from Canada, U.S., Great Britain, and Australia will present. Learn more: www.autism.net.

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MIND Institute on iTunes U

Monthly lectures from the UC Davis MIND Institute are ready for free download from iTunes U. Listen to recent research and developments related to autism spectrum disorders any time that fits your schedule. Learn more at http://itunes.ucdavis.edu/.

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Learn from the Experts

The Yale Seminar on Autism and Related Disorders is the first undergraduate course of its kind in the United States. Now the lectures are freely available online. Learn about all aspects of autism spectrum disorders, including autism in infants, parental perspectives and genetics at http://autism.yale.edu/.

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Confused about Functional Behavioral Assessments? You’re not Alone!

“Unfortunately, IDEA does not provide specific guidelines regarding the conduct of a functional behavioral assessment. Each school district is left to its own devices when interpreting the guidelines and may opt for lower quality standards,” states Stephen Starin on Wrightslaw.  

Effective intervention demands targeting the cause of behavior through a well-designed functional behavioral assessment. Learn how at www.wrightslaw.com/info/discipl.fab.starin.htm.

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Weighted Blankets Covered by Insurance

We all love curling up in a favorite blanket but Cozy Calm blankets offer more…they’re weighted to provide the type of deep pressure that helps soothe and calm children and adults on the spectrum. Each blanket is handmade to meet your needs – you choose the size, color, material and the amount of weight. And now your insurance provider may help cover the cost.  

Cozy Calm recently partnered with Alliance Medical Supply to accept major medical insurance plans such as Blue Cross/Blue Shield and United Healthcare Group, as well as state waivers and alternative funding programs. Alliance Healthcare helps you obtain documentation and a doctor’s order. Even if you’ve been previously denied, they’ll work with you to see if they can obtain coverage. Learn more at www.cozycalm.com.

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Responsible Social Networking 

In rapidly growing numbers, people rely on social networking to keep in touch with their friends. Unfortunately, the number of online predators and bullies also multiplies. ScuttlePad.com addresses these concerns by offering a web site where children can safely learn social networking at an early age.  

Limited to kids aged 6 to 11, ScuttlePad.com combines safety features with a colorful kid-friendly format. Parents approve their child’s registration via email and all photos are reviewed before going online. One of the unique safety features is their “sentence tool,” which eliminates inappropriate communication by placing a limit on words used (similar to Twitter). Using a simple one-line format—“Johnny says let’s be friends”…click on “Become Friends” or “Ignore This Message”—the site is a great introduction to teaching responsible social networking in a protected environment.  

How does the site relate to ASD? It doesn’t, specifically. Socialization for kids with autism is filled with misunderstood nuance, and our kids face multiple complex issues and impaired social thinking. Parents need to consider when, and even if, their child is ready to enter the world of social networking, which brings up other questions to ponder. 

Is there a downside to encouraging young kids with autism to engage in linear concrete socialization? What lessons are learned when an anonymous person asks to be a friend and they have only two choices—be a friend versus ignore? Does this only promote the black and white, two-dimension thinking so common in our kids, and discourage the type of social thinking that builds flexible skills? Or, is this an opportunity they might otherwise miss to build friendships? Is developing a skill they can share with peers a more important consideration?  

ScuttlePad.com is an excellent tool, especially when used together with other tools familiar to parents of kids on the spectrum…use it as a learning opportunity, talk with your child throughout the process, and provide a “big picture” perspective that enables understanding. Work together to build the skill of social networking.

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Silver Award Winner in the 2010 Independent Publisher Book Awards!!!

"If you thought 1001 Great Ideas for Teaching and Raising Children with Autism or Asperger's could not be a more useful resource, you were wrong. The second edition of this must-have guidebook has not dozens but HUNDREDS more ideas for supporting individuals on the autism spectrum! You can find advice on nearly every imaginable subject. Topics span from literacy to eating to communication supports. Parents, get this for teachers. Teachers, share it with parents. I dare any reader to open it up to any page without learning a clever new idea, trick, or tip."

Paula Kluth, Ph.D.
Author of “You're Going to Love This Kid": Teaching Students with Autism in the Inclusive Classroom 



Expanded and updated 2^nd edition of the award-winning bestseller adds over 600 new ideas to tried and true strategies from the first edition. 

Winner of Learning Magazine's Teachers Choice Award, the first edition of 1001 Great Ideas has been a treasured resource in the autism community since 2004. Now, in this expanded edition, Ellen Notbohm (best-selling author of the revolutionary book Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew) and Veronica Zysk (award-winning author and editor of Autism Asperger's Digest magazine) present parents and educators with over 1800 ideas, try-it-now tips, eye-opening advice, and grassroots strategies.

More than 600 fresh ideas join tried and true tactics from the original edition, while many ideas pick up where the first edition left off, offering modifications for older kids, honing in on Asperger's challenges, and enhancing already-effective ways to help your child or student achieve success at home, in school, and in the community.

Time is money ... and this book saves you both. 320 pages. Buy your copy today!

"Genuine, commonsense advice that all parents and educators can quickly and easily use!"
-TEMPLE GRANDIN, PH.D., autism expert and self-advocate, and author of Thinking in Pictures and The Way I See It: A Personal Look at Autism and Asperger's

"I was amazed at the number and quality of ideas, and strongly recommend that parents read and apply the advice. I learned some really good ideas!"
-TONY ATTWOOD, PH.D., author of The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome

Published by Future Horizons, Inc. World leader in books and materials on autism spectrum disorders.

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You'll find all sorts of great information in every issue of the Autism Asperger's Digest. Helpful articles, inspirational stories, lots of newsbites, and featured books.

All material copyright © Autism Asperger's Digest 2010. All Rights Reserved.