Chantal Sicile-Kira Founder of Autism College and Award Winning Author, Endorses The Social Express

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Social Express is a great program in many respects. First, the aesthetics: Often programs have so much going on visually that it is too distracting from the actual lesson – but not Social Express. The background is a beautiful calming yet happy blue, with only the necessary visuals for the lesson at hand. The quality of the images  are amazing – just like a Pixar movie. The music and the voices are very enjoyable to hear as well – and we all know how important these sensory aspects are to our loved ones on the spectrum.

Secondly, the lessons are interesting and move at a nice pace.  They cover social skills that many of our children and students do not pick up by osmosis, including identifying emotions, self-regulation coping strategies, perspective taking and reading non-verbal cues to name a few.  The lessons all contain visual cues, and teaching tips, learning points, pacing controls, and preference options – all easy to use by a parent or professional without prior training on the program.

Thirdly, there are worksheets or printables – so the lesson can continue off the computer, and provides the opportunity for the parent or professional to generalize the lesson to other possible situations before practicing them out in a real social context.

I wish this program had been available when my son Jeremy was younger (although he enjoys this program now). I can’t wait to see the teen and young adult version!

I highly recommend this program for parents and professionals.

Chantal Sicile-Kira,

Author of 5 books on autism including A Full Life with Autism

Founder, AutismCollege.com[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Austintistic- January 17th, 2012 Blog Post -Kudos, Deserved

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Thank you to Scott for such kind words in his latest blog titled Kudos, Deserved

Kudos, Deserved
After some much needed time away from the keyboard I try tonight to knock off the rust and get back to sharing the backlog of stories I have for my follow-up effort. Over the last two months I have focused my efforts on finishing my book proposal and all the other things that go into making a book so you one day can get the actual product in your local bookstore or on your Kindle, Nook or iPad. Little did I know as I spent time sharing these stories what would happen as I pounded out these moments residing in my heart and on my brain…

Writing a book is easy. I jest a bit, but truth be told, it is. Well, it was at least the actual writing part. Over the last several months I have been putting together the package- proposal (kind of like a business plan), the appropriate documents and letters. All to secure representation and ultimately put it all together to be sold to a major publishing label in New York. This has all taken what seems like almost as much time as the writing, but for sure it has been the much more frustrating and challenging part.

Of course the writing, putting the stories together and choosing what I want to blog about and share is not easy. But it was challenging and invigorating. I found out something I knew nothing of- that I really enjoy writing and why I continue to blog and write the second part of Austintistic.

The name has changed. Many people want to know how it is going. What’s the status and when can I buy it. And now I know something… it takes a long time to get from A to Z when you sit down to write a book. All I can tell you right now is that I hope we can see it in stores this year sometime and hopefully sooner than later. And a lot of that depends on how able and strong a package I have put together for the folks who want the privilege of taking my “baby” and bringing it to market. And I do believe that. I see my stories as ones that people want and maybe even need to read, therefore, I want the best person and publishing house that will take it and run with it and help me make it a winner. And for me the definition of success will be the number of people I can touch, advocate for and even educate. The better my book does, the more I can advocate.

I had no true idea what I was getting into four years ago as I started to jot down little snippets of incidents and events our family had been through over the years. I suppose I was starting a diary in my mind that would possibly be therapeutic for me. The stress, frustration and challenges we faced had been in our face from day one and what better a way to deal with them than write them down and relive them. Tough times and good times.

So I did.

And a slow burn ensued. I wrote the notes down and added them to a spiral I kept in my bag. But nothing earth-shattering or enlightening happened until the day Austin broke his leg the same day he has just gotten a cast off of his right arm. The day my brother Kevin asked me if I ever thought our luck was something real or were we being repaid for something. He asked me if I had ever thought of putting more into it and telling people about it. You know… truth being often-times stranger than fiction. But I didn’t really get rolling. I put more notes in the book. But more than anything I was really just cataloging my thoughts. For what, I was not sure. And then I read a random blog. I don’t even recall what it was about. But it got me thinking. So I learned about blogs. Once that happened it all came crashing together and has led me to where we are today.

What I was not prepared for was the effect it, the whole journey, has and continues to have on me. Over the past two years I haven’t given much time or thought as to what this path has done for my mind let alone soul. Only now am I really starting to comprehend and understand how this process has touched me. Just as it has done that something else has happened… people have touched me. I have new friends and relationships. I have learned. I have grown. I have stumbled and I have persevered. Something has happened and it is profound.

In the end and today as I sit here tapping away in my hotel room what I am thinking about are all the people whom have touched my life over the last few years. To date all but a couple of posts have been about specific moments in time. They were stories of me, Austin Logan, Teresa…our family. But before I get my next story (I have about 15-20) ready to go I wanted to share with you some of the people who have stepped into my life. Some have come crashing in as you will see and others have kind of slipped in the side door. But these are all people I am sure you would all love to know.

My blog is not about products, services or offers, and it will continue to be just that. However, over the past six months I have gotten countless offers to review a book, screen a documentary or movie, check out some diet-specific products or even join in a political cause for special needs. And I have hesitated and rejected them all. But I can’t deny and ignore them any longer so I want to share some of them and as you will see they are not about selling anything. They may have a book a movie or a product, but what is important is what they have done to me and what impact I see them having on the world, however small the way.
I share with you some fine human beings who have touched my life:

Virginia Hall and Elizabeth Bonker – Virginia (Ginnie) Hall was a venture-capitalist and deal make for years on Wall Street. She lives in New Jersey and now has a wonderful family with three children; two are profoundly affected by autism. One fateful day after some routine immunizations her daughter Elizabeth lost all ability to communicate. At least verbally. Their book I Am In Here is a wonderful story the two of them wrote. The book is written with Ginny’s words and Elizabeth’s poetry.

The makeup of the words and poetry make for a story that is delightful and at times remarkable. She replays some of the stories of dealing with school systems and politics which has touched me too as we currently navigate those waters.

Ginnie has shown me through reading the story and talking with her that we can all learn. I have not really taken a stance and for sure tried to not get controversial on my blog but I learned something from Ginnie. While immunizations may not be the devil or root cause of autism…some kids like Elizabeth I feel may be hyper-sensitive to these types of vaccines which truly look like the causative factor in the change in her daughter.

One part of her book hit me right between the eyes. I will paraphrase, “There are two types of teachers. The first being ones who will generally see special needs children as problems to be endured. The other will see them as treasures waiting to be unearthed.” Amen.

Marc Zimmerman – Marc is a friend and confidante. Marc is the father of twin autistic boys living in Southern California. He was frustrated with the lack of quality tools which met his boy’s needs… so he created his own. The Social Express is an interactive app for autistic youths which is now available on iTunes. Austin has had a great deal of fun navigating the tool.

What has surprised me the most was as a parent it showed me how regardless of the type of autism, social skills are still the hallmark and stumbling block for all affected children. The app is designed to help autistic children navigate all types of social situations in order to better prepare them for life as a contributing member of society. It will help them with the skills needed to create, build and maintain meaningful relationships. It may seem really basic but something as simple as looking someone in the eyes when they talk to you is a skill many autistics struggle with. The app shows you how to work on this and what it means.

The fact that politics and legislation, not to mention ignorance can have a chilling effect on progress and it is people like Marc who are taking charge and making a difference. With a condition like autism being one that often leaves me feeling like I am being dragged behind a car, Marc has turned things upside down and inside out and is in front of that car a leading the way.

Marc has shown me that it is people like him and other parents just like him who will make the difference and progress we so desperately need in the special needs community. He is a difference-maker and I thank him.
Find Marc and The Social Express at: www.thesocialexpress.com

Angie LoSchiavo/FlyPropeller and William Dear/Director – I have never reviewed a movie before. I have had several requests to look at documentaries and books and other things, but this was the first one that caught my eye and made me think. I was asked to pre-screen A Mile In His Shoes… which is a true story about an autistic boy played by Luke Schroder and starring Dean Cain of Superman fame.

The story of Mickey Tusler is about an eighteen year-old boy who is stuck on his farm with an enabling mother and gate-keeping father. All while Mickey has a special gift- he has a rocket for an arm but has yet to touch a baseball. He throws apples into an old bucket as his pet pig looks on and eats up the smashed curve balls out of the troth at the ground.

This is a touching story which subtly shows a couple of very significant things- it showed me something I know all too well: A father who is in full-blown denial and will not release his son to the world for the thought of him being hurt, humiliated or worse and the mother who enabled it all to continue. It shows the young man who learns to stick up to his father, face his fears and learn to be a part of something outside of his farm. All the while it shows the inner struggle Mickey has with making these decisions and the fact that so many unknowns and people just don’t know. They don’t know what autism is and he struggles with this. And Dean Cain plays the part of the small minor-league manager who takes a chance on an unknown only because he is at his wits end and a breath away from being fired. In the process he is enlightened.

Mickey made me think about some of the things I have encountered, endured and grown from. I think all people will like this movie. There is no violence, no sex and no bad language. What a concept. This is a wonderful movie which I hope makes one think.

A Mile In His Shoes premieres on GMT tomorrow. Here is a trailer if you want to take a peak.

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ev2T0BFetH4 You may be asked to hit control/click.

Elaine Hall – Vista Del Mar, Vista Inspire Program – I had the privilege of speaking with Elaine a few months ago. She is a double-Emmy award-winning creator of the HBO documentary, Autism: The Musical. She is located in southern Cailifornia with her autistic son who was also featured in the documentary.
Elaine is a person who too is making a difference through her speaking, advocacy and education all over the country.

At the Vista Del Mar School she is part of the VIP- The Vista Inspire Program. This is a school which serves autistic children using music as the vehicle. Included in the VIP are also specific schools catering to Bar/Bat Mitzvah adaptions. They are in the process of adding another religious part of the program as well as a post-Bnai-Mitzvah program.

The school has helped thousands of special children throughout the state of California. To me it looks like a model for communities all over the land and they are blessed to have the interest, funds and hands to make this all possible.
It takes people like Elaine to do what she is doing to make the difference we need in the special needs world.

Barry Switzer – It has been a pleasure getting to know Coach Switzer. Beyond the obvious, football, many people don’t know what makes Barry Switzer who he is. I suppose I don’t know either but I do know something about him- He Gets It. Coach has been a part of the special needs community through the Special Olympics for almost forty years. This is something I am sure he doesn’t make much noise about and also something most people don’t know.

This came as no surprise to me. In all I know of the Coach one thing I have learned is that he has always, always been for the little guy. The struggling student or the needy young athlete trying to get out and off the streets. He has always been a giver.

I will never forget how he responded when I asked him why he did it. And I will paraphrase, “All special kids have the passion and potential. We need to get them out of the house, off the couch and involved. Most of the special kids I know have as much competitive drive and character as the greatest of athletes. We need to get them out of the house and unlock their hidden potential.”

I could write volumes about Coach Switzer but I will leave you with what I know… The Coach Gets It.

Ricky Robinson – She is the co-director of Descanso Medical Center for Development and Learning in La Canada, California. She is a Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at the Keck School Medicine of USC and Senior Attending Physician at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. She has been in private practice for over thirty years and working with special needs for more than twenty of those years.

Dr. Robinson is a founding board member of Cure Autism Now (now known as AutismSpeaks) and has devoted much of her life to helping children with autism.
I have had the pleasure of getting to know Dr. Robinson and I knew I liked her in the first five minutes as we chatted…she was born an Iowa girl, just up the road in Sioux City.

What I took away and impacted me in our first conversation was something very simple. It was something my friend Angie and I have spoken about at length. It was refreshing to hear her say the same thoughts. They were that she felt all kids should have an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) in our schools. Why shouldn’t we be creating and educating all of our children based on the needs they present? Creating a plan for each and every student to tap into their utmost available potential because every child IS different. Wow.

She enlightened me on her feelings of children and where we are going in the future in terms of education, advocacy and awareness. As connected and influential she may be with the media, the entertainment world and AutismSpeaks she admitted the number one thing we can do is at the community level- educating children, adults, teachers, educators and mentors alike. Getting a grand stage is obviously an important thing but to make meaningful changes it must take grass roots. These were the things we talked of and I couldn’t agree more.

It all begins at home. And again, Amen.

Kerry Magro – Seton Hall Graduate Student (completed undergraduate at Seton Hall- Deans List). 2011 United Nations Youth Representative and USA Today All-College Team. The list is too long to continue, but Kerry is an impressive young man… and he is autistic.

Kerry reached out to me a few months ago after he had become a fan of my blog. He is currently writing his own book about what it takes as an autistic student to survive in the world of college academics.

While finishing his graduate work he also writes a weekly blog for AutismSpeaks and was recently a consultant on the just released, sure-to-be hit movie Joyful Noise starring Dolly Parton and Queen Latifah.

He is active in New Jersey with autism legislation where he routinely speaks to political and academic groups alike.

What Kerry has shown me are the intricate details and often arduous path growing up in a school system which does not “get it” exists. He and his parents were at the forefront of advocating for their son as they broke ground, stepped on toes and took on “the man” in order to make change happen. I am sure I could talk to Kerry for hours about this alone.

I look forward to working with Kerry going forward. We both have some similar goals and our mission is all about the same thing: education and advocacy.

THE SCARY GUY – I write this in all upper-case because that is how he writes and I don’t want to make him mad. Just kidding. Scary, it is his real name, is one of my newest friends and I am proud to introduce him to all of my friends and readers. He is an exceptional human being and is making a difference in our world, every day.
It has always amazed me how the crossroads of life has put certain people in my path over the last four years. Scary is no different. A friend felt this was someone I needed to meet…and it happened.

He talks so much about the “container” we all are. We come in different shapes, sizes and colors…and that’s the way it is supposed to be. When I recently told my good friend Matt about Scary what did he do? He googled him on his iPhone as we spoke. I had not told him anything about Scary, just that I came in touch with this gentleman and I liked very much what he was doing- I liked his mission. And then he said, “Uhmmm. Uh, Scott? What are you doing with this guy? Are you sure you want to have him be a part of what you are doing?” I love my friend Matt, but all he saw was the container.

Scary is all about ridding the world of violence, hatred, and prejudice and bullying. He is all about inclusion, embracing all our differences and a world where we are ALL different and we are killing ourselves over it (because you’re fat, gay, a geek or disabled etc).

Scary is an amazing story and very colorful, duh. Please check out Scary- www.thescaryguy.com and be prepared to look at yourself in the mirror. I love it.
These are just a few of the people who have touched me as I write my books. This post needed to be written. There will be a time and place to thank all the people who are part of my team for the book and I eagerly await that day. Look for my next story in the next week or so. I have it roughed out and just need to finish it.

Until then……… make a difference.

Do you Get It?

 

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How to get your kids with autism to ask you for help

One thing our twin boys have in common with apparently most people in the world is their love of computers.  Our early riser especially likes to play with it before the rest of us are even awake!  The last few days the computer he uses hasn’t been working. Surely he MUST want to use it. He LOVES it. But, will our child with autism simply ask us for help to get back to one of his favorite activities?

This is a question that goes back eight years.  As toddlers they would stand at the gate by the stairs screaming  even though they knew the words, and/or signs, for up, down, open, and help. At least we knew what was troubling them, which was not always the case.  Their adamant avoidance of language left them alternating between screaming and being mute.

I remember when one of the boys ate five waffles in one sitting.  I didn’t even know he was hungry. I felt so sad. The psychology and sociology classes I took in college made me think indicating needs such as hunger and pain is what made us human.  They never mentioned autism.

Here are some of the things we did to get our kids with autism to ask for help:

Modeling: “Say, I need help zipping my jacket.” And have them repeat it.

PECS (picture exchange system): Have them point to, or bring you, the picture of what they need. You can take your own photos of their favorite food or toys.

Hiding: Put their backpack, or other necessary item, out of sight to try to engage them.

Prompting: “If you need help getting the computer to work, you need to ask Dad for help.”

One of the issues we had with their early success was just trying to recognize the success. They both had a problem of projecting their voices, which may be a problem for your child with autism.  They would say ‘help’ for example, but even the people standing very close by couldn’t hear them.

Another issue is time.  This all may sound simple, but for kids with autism, practicing how to ask for help is a goal for the long haul.  In the beginning, if we hid their favorite stuffed animal that they slept with every night, they would simply go to bed without it.  Out of sight, out of mind.  Eventually, they asked for their animals.

This morning one twin prompted the other to ask Dad for help.  We’ve waited a long time for today.

What have you done to get your child with autism to ask for help?

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Lessons for Kids with Autism from Google’s 3D Software

I just came across a great article that talks about a 12-year-old boy named Chris with high functioning autism using a program called Sketch Up. Chris participated in a  University of Utah study that was  published in the December issue of Family & Consumer Sciences Research Journal.

For the past year and a half Chris participated in workshops at the University to teach 3D modeling software developed by Google called SketchUp.

What I found interesting in this article is something I am always promoting with other parents. How do we get kids on the spectrum engaged?  Once kids with autism are engaged, we have an opportunity to see things happen that were completely unexpected.

In this study they used a tool to teach children life skills using a really cool interactive program.  The kids got a lot more out of this than just life skill lessons.

What happened is the children who were learning the program Sketch Up actually were taking pride in their work and sharing it with others. They communicated effectively not only with their peers in the study, but also at home with their parents and grandparents.

Technology Works for Kids with Autism

In our experience with our twins, we learned 3 key lessons about using technology.

– Kids really can learn from quality technology tools

– Limit their use of computers as they may have a tendency to play too long

– Use technology as a way to interact with your child.

I strongly believe we need to continue to develop engaging activities for these highly intelligent children with autism so they can reach their full potential. Flash cards, and other old school methods of trying to engage these children has proven over and over again to be less effective compared to when we apply today’s technology.

 

 

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With a Brush of Love Interview with Marc Zimmerman

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]On January 10th, 2012 With a Brush of Love’s interview link.

Thank you so much Lauren, I had a great time and I love your show!

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/familynetworkradio/2012/01/10/with-a-brush-of-love-presentsthe-social-express[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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How To Navigate The Public School for Your Autistic Child’s Education Part 2

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]As we shared in our last post we learned a ton as we started our autistic twins education inside the public school district.

Having taken a ‘deer in the headlights’ approach to our first IEP (Individual Education Program) meeting, it was more of a survival technique than a strategy. The twins were just two, and we had no advanced knowledge of what an IEP was prior to being immersed in one. Here are some thoughts we learned along the way that we wanted to share with you on your journey to educate your child with autism in the public school system.

Workshops.  Our Regional Center provides meetings twice a year for parents to learn about the special education process.  This includes explaining what an IEP is, tips for preparing for the meeting, and your rights.

Standards. Your school can provide you with a pamphlet each year that outlines the standards for all subjects for your child’s grade.  This will help you see where they are headed and where your child will need a goal.

IEP. IEP’s are prepared by the school team to assess the child’s current status and prepare for the future year.  They are held annually.  Every three years they include an expanded assessment prepared by the school psychologist, and additional questionnaires prepared by the parents.

Meetings generally begin with a review of the goals from the prior IEP. The new IEP starts with an overview of Present Levels, a review of the new Goals, then Accommodations, Modifications and Services that will be provided. You are welcome to invite other team members you are working with outside of school if you have any.

Present Levels. It can be difficult for you to read about your child’s behavior, or level of functioning, seeing it on paper, while other people are around you, even though you live with it. It’s difficult. You may feel defensive or taken back, or in denial. A lot of emotion can come up.

Maybe being around them at home you get used to their behavior. Maybe you don’t see it because life forces you to ’just keep swimming’. Maybe they’re getting away with behaviors at school that they don’t even try at home or  maybe the school is exaggerating.

This is a piece of the having a child with autism in the public school system puzzle you will have to get used to on your own.  Just be aware that this could be upsetting and that everyone is there to help.  Keep in mind that you can’t get to the solutions until you examine the problem.

Goals.  Our approach has been to ask each team member in advance of the meeting for a copy of the new goal.  There’s a lot of information to go over in an IEP meeting (especially when you have 2 kids on the autism spectrum).

Having a little of that information in advance has been very helpful to us. When goals are presented to us at the meeting for the first time we often don’t have feedback, because we are just trying to take it all in.  When we have a chance to review them in advance we feel empowered to roll up our sleeves and be a part of the team.

Accommodations, Modifications and Services. The latter part of the IEP will specify what is needed in terms of personnel and provisions to accomplish the goals. Staff may assist your child in the classroom, or in small groups, or even one-to-one.

Standardized testing may be taken in a smaller setting and with more time.  Even seating in the classroom may be discussed.  Does your child do better being closer to the teacher, or closer to the board, or in the back of the classroom where no noise is behind them?

Anything that can advance the education of your child is welcome for discussion.  Please let us know if you have questions in the comments section below.  We’d also love to hear things that worked for you as you worked with the public school system for your autistic child’s education. Good Luck.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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How to Navigate the Public School System for Your Autistic Child’s Education

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]One of the things we learned early on the road traveled with our twins with autism is that the public school system provides education services to children beginning at age three if they are behind.  We weren’t prepared for the storm of activity that circles the tipping point of the Third Birthday, launching their voyage of receiving an education with autism.

The boys had already received a diagnosis of PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder- Not Otherwise Specificed) when they were two.  This led to many assessments, floor time, ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) therapy, speech, occupational and physical therapy, and social work services through the Regional Center.

We were barely on stable ground when we were told that everything we had done, and were doing, would change when the children turn three. Here is a list of the appointments we had around their third birthday prior to starting their education.

  1. Annual physical. Routine ‘it’s your birthday’ check-up.
  2. Regional Center Psychologist. PDD-NOS opens all doors when you are two, but you have to determine if your child has an autism diagnosis by age three, or doors will close.
  3. Social Worker.  Their case load changes for 3 year old’s, so you will meet with a new Social Worker to set goals. If they receive any services at this point, expect the providers to change as well.
  4. The school. Your child will have meetings with the special education teacher, speech and occupational therapist and physical education teacher, and you will schedule your first IEP (Individualized Education Program), the road map of education for children with autism.

All of this had to be scheduled between all of the therapy they were currently receiving, and, being just two, they were still in need of a nap every day.  And, of course having twins, this was all times TWO!  Did I mention finding time to figure out how to celebrate that birthday?  Oh ya, fit that in too.

So, back to school.  The child will need to have the above mentioned meetings so their new team, at their new preschool, will be able to prepare goals for their IEP. You will receive a stack of forms to fill out prior to the meeting asking you to compare your child to a typical child- whatever that is, thus providing your own input.

Having been whipped around so much in recent months caring for two toddlers with autism our first IEP meetings were a surge of information batted at us. We just sat there and tried to take it all in.  The comforting news was they were planning out a whole year.

No more bouncing around, introducing new people, constantly changing schedules.  School is a great set-up. They would now have a place to go, without us, with people we could trust, who had a plan and were ready to execute it. Happy birthday!

In our next post, we’ll share more behind the scenes about how we navigated the school district for our autistic children’s education.  We hope you find some helpful ideas for your own child with autism’s  education journey.  We’re happy to answer your questions.  Just enter them in the comments section below.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Techie Tuesday – The Social Express

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Momma’s Time
Faith, Family, Autism and so much more…
A stay-at-home mom with an opinion on just about everything!

Techie Tuesday – The Social Express

One of the best apps I have purchased and placed on my son’s iPad has got the be The Social Express.  This is hands down the most amazing social skills app I have found and it was worth every penny I paid.  And yes, it is expensive, but when it comes to helping my son I made a choice to suck it up and bring on the big guns… And this app is the big guns!

Now I know the first question in your mind is how much did it cost so before I tell you that I want you to know that there is a lite version you can try for FREE to make sure that the app suits your needs before purchasing it.

As for the full version, well, it is $89.99.

Don’t freak out!  Take a look at this video and see what the app is about…

Incredible, huh?  Just the graphics alone are amazing, but what’s inside is a fantastic world of social skills adventure just waiting to be tapped into.

I’ve been using the app for a couple of weeks now with my son and it has proven itself over and over again.  The app has 16 lessons and over 30 scenes with two different skill levels to choose from.  With lessons, teaching tips, and printables (all included in the app) I am able to create actual social skills lessons that go right along with things we are working on in therapy – it’s reinforcement at its finest!

If you have a kid like mine that struggles daily with his social world then this app may be something you’d like to look into.  Being an Aspie, my son just doesn’t get those social cues that so many of us take for granted.  This app helps to teach him proper reactions to situations and to teach him how to look at body language in a situation to tell how people are feeling and how it might be best to proceed in a given situation.  It’s an amazing teaching tool and because it is so vibrant and interactive my son is happy to do the lessons and has been fully engaged every time we open the app.

I can’t praise The Social Express enough!  If you’d like to learn more you can visit their site here: TheSocialExpress.com

*This post is my opinion. I purchased the app for $89.99 from the iTunes App Store and I use it with my son regularly. I received NO compensation for this post.

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How to Choose an App for Kids With Autism

You’re so excited! You just discovered the app store on your computer or your mobile device, however, your head is spinning with the amount of apps available for kids with autism. From social skills to math and everything in between, no worries, I know how you feel. I remember my first time checking out apps and thinking ‘how in the world I am going to know what is a gimmick versus what will actually hold my twins attention?’

There are tons of free apps out there and just as many for less than $5.00. My first advice for you is to download an app based on a target area which you are currently working on. I found the non educational apps such as Angry Birds, Bubble Popper, Can Knockdown and Ant Smasher (just to name a few) to be good for my twins to play just for fun. Some of these actually seem to have helped with hand and eye coordination as well.

Be careful though not to let them play some of these apps for too long. Angry Birds in particular seems to make one of my boys extremely anxious. I understand as I have clocked several hours playing this addicting game myself.  Here are just a few apps which I have found to be very useful for my kids with autism.

TT Clock- A great app for learning how to tell time

Kids Math Fun- Another great one for addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. They have it broken out for different grades which is nice

Vocabulary Builder- Learn a new word every day

Sentence Builder– One of my favorites!

Question Builder- A great way to learn who, where, what and why questions

Story Builder- Helps to teach what will happen next.

Shell Lagoon- Works on Homonyms, Synonyms and Antonyms

Piano Plus– A fun way to learn how to play the piano

A Checklist for Choosing an App for Kids with Autism

Making a checklist before jumping into the app store makes a lot of sense to help you decide which app to buy.

1. Write down your target areas.
2. Read reviews before downloading.
3. Ask you therapist or teacher which apps they are using and you can download the same to supplement at home.
4. Make sure to open up the preferences or setting in each new app (if part of the app) and customize to your child’s ability.
5. Pick up a few fun non-educational apps which can be used for downtime fun.

Can you tell us which apps you like to use for your kid(s) with autism?

Image:iStockphoto.com

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Teaching Kids with Autism How to Learn Social Skills

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]You probably ask yourself every day, assuming you are a parent of a child with autism, ‘what is it going to take for my kid to make a friend?’ Or, how many times have you said either out loud or to yourself, ‘yeah, right?  A play date, don’t think so….’

You know the core deficit for kids with autism is the inability to relate to others, but can you actually teach these kids how to socialize? We know for sure children with autism certainly will not learn this by observation, so, the only way they are going to learn social skills is to teach them. Before we founded The Social Express, we tried several different approaches to helping our twins with social learning. Here are groups we have participated in:

Resources or Tools That Helped Us
A Regional Center program called The Star Program consisting of kids with autism.
The Soar program, a program in our elementary school which pairs a ‘typical’ child with a ‘buddy’ learning social skills.
An after school program at our school called “Bunch of Friends” that may or may not include ‘typical’ peers.
Each one of these programs were building blocks for our children to learn how to socialize. All of these programs included adult intervention. The programs providing the most peer interaction proved to be the most beneficial, particularly if outdoor play was included.  Programs exclusively for kids with autism, conducted in an indoor room, often provided more examples of inappropriate behavior than appropriate behavior.

We used Carol Grey’s Social Stories to help our kids learn social skills they needed to learn at various times. These included: keeping the right distance between friends, borrowing and returning supplies, and even bathroom etiquette and recently the twins have really enjoyed using Michelle Garcia Winner’s Social Thinking® Seminar.

While our twin boys are alike in many ways, the peer playmates they respond best to are very different.  One of our boys responds best to girls who are full of energy, basically bossing him around to engage in dramatic play.  Our other son would exit stage right in that situation.  He is more likely to hang out around a mellow child.

As I am sure you know, every child responds differently to various approaches to teaching. Our twins happen to be visual learners as are most children on the spectrum. The Social Express exploits this learning method by incorporating video modeling, engaging characters, an interactive environment with lots of social situations they experience on a daily basis.

The key is patience, and making sure that when you have a moment which requires social skills, try not to do the talking for your child, and see if they will respond to the situation appropriately.  For example, when greeting a familiar person, let them have a chance to say hello, if they don’t, then this becomes a teachable moment.  You need to remember that this is a marathon and not a sprint.

This is how we helped our children with autism. If you would like to share what you have done to help your kids with autism, we would love for you to share. Please use the comment section below.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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