Posted in Autism on 02. Jan, 2010
For the past several years I have been joining online communities to connect with other parents who have kids with autism. I started with epinions.com in 2000 before finding Gather.com in August of 2006 CafeMom.com was the following summer along with Wish Upon A Hero.com also known as WUAH, with Twitter.com June of 2008, as well as this blog last summer.
The summer months are when I come across these online communities and expand my relationships and do my part to promote autism awareness. There are many rewards to finding another community to become part of, plus you find some of the same friends from other sites. Each site has their own style so you get to gain new insights from those previous relationships while delving into new opportunities at each site.
I wrote about my impressions of Gather.com back in October of 2006. I was so enthusiastic with the site that I created almost twenty groups for members to belong to where they could post articles, videos, photos and comment on other posts. Every idea I had would mean a new group.
The site has grown and expanded with options over the years to include bookmarks and sharing of posts, pings on profile pages, spotlighting of our own articles for our profile page and having more information on members to help determine if you want to become friends. You can delete a comment on any of your posts, you can remove the option of ratings for anything you post also. Groups can be private for only family members if you choose. Your friends can be categorized by friends, family and colleagues. There are many options on gather.com to read and interact with others plus the fun in earning points for gift cards. The holidays are five months away – time to prepare is now.
Meet people and make new friends is the gather motto. Once you become a member you can search by your location, interest or age group to find conversations and groups to join. At your home page the links to utilize include:
my posts, my photos, my videos, my comments, my friends and my groups. Also the option for guarded viewing is on this page, plus email preferences, your account settings, friend updates are here and comments from your friends on posts around the site.
Your gather points are posted next to your photo or avatar. This is a clickable link so you can find the gift cards available for your point total. The minimum to redeem is 315 points. There are options to get paid through paypal as well. I received a Borders card in the mail today. I redeemed last month. The gather home office is in Boston, Founder and CEO is Tom Gerace. I still get notified when Tom writes a new post. The letter with the gift card thanks you for making gather such a special place. “We love sharing our success with you.”
Just last month was an opportunity for the first 500 Gather Moms to fill out the 2009 summer survey and receive 50 gather points. There are competitions, author chats, review opportunities and contests to take part in on gather.com.
My teenage son has enjoyed over the years looking at photos of cats on gather.com. He will tell me what the rating should be and help with the comment. There are options to rate and comment posts, pictures and videos. You can set which groups are your favorite and change your settings to not receive emails from every group. If you join many groups there is the section at the bottom of your posts where you need t choose which group your photo, post or video gets linked up to.
Some groups are very strict in what they will accept, there are tags that are helpful to find posts as well. My groups are moderated so I need to go into my home page and click on group tasks to find the new content and approve it on a weekly basis. Gather.com also takes copyright infringement very seriously. There are groups on this topic as well.
You will meet many new people who share similar interests, post poetry, short stories, reviews of books and other products, share family experiences and post coupon codes to get deals at each week. Now for summer the reading is about vacations, picnics, movies, favorite television shows and recipes.
There was a children’s health product that had been recalled. I wrote a post complaining about this and wanting to know what other parents were using. This article continued to get comments as it was found in online searches. Through these comments I learned of two new products that were just as good that I started purchasing and still use to this day.
At your home page you will see what your friends are posting, what activity is happening in groups, recent comments and photos. There are many groups to discuss and learn about the site as well. This past week there was an offer to win a free book
The first year I joined gather.com I stock piled 7 or 8 B+N gift cards for holiday shopping for my kids. Although B+N is no longer an option, Borders, Macy’s and CVS have been my gift cards of choice since my first year. I have always received my gift cards within three weeks. You earn points for everything you do on the site. To join gather there are links for you to place on your blog or site, plus you can send invitations. There was a referral program with points earned for new members. I have had a banner on my blog since I started it.
I highly recommend other bloggers join gather.com to form new bonds with those who have similar tastes. There have been cruises for members to attend and meet in person. Members share about their writings and new books, family ventures and find out about other places around the world from the diverse mix of members from all over.
Some of the groups I created include:
autism families
associated content writers
Beauty 101
This is the first blog tour I have signed up with Mom Central since my blog was accepted into their program. Due to the fact that I have personal experience this is a perfect fit for me.
I wrote this review while participating in a blog and giveaway campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Gather. Mom Central sent me a gift cad to thank me for taking the time to participate.
Posted in Autism on 02. Jan, 2010
VizZle – Visual Learning Software for Children with Autism is web-based from Monarch Teaching Technologies. This is the answer for teachers, therapists and parents for quick, easy and effective visual supports.
Back in March my high functioning son Nick and I went to the free exhibitor day at the CSUN Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference. This is where I first saw and heard of VizZle. Awhile after the conference I noticed VizZle on twitter.
VizZle has a searchable library of lessons that range from state-standard academics to personal hygiene, matching boards, game-boards, interactive books and a visual language lab. Lesson tracking will be available by August. Currently there are token boards that can be customized, timers plus first-then boards.
You can match coins to their value, match coin images to written names, play the matching spider game, pick clothing appropriate for each season, learn about gardening, practice grouping animals in a table-top activity and for the next six weeks VizZle is giving away a $25 amazon card to the user with the most new lesson plans each week. There is a new winner every week. The site also has a free trial and there is a quick start guide to VizZle in pdf format.
There is also the option to take a one-hour VizZle training session. You can inquire about special group discounts for the school year 2009-10. The VizZle help section.
VizZle received a Best Education Software Award 2009 from Comput Ed Gazette. They are one of four finalists for the Technology Innovations Golden Lamp Award from AEP (the Association of Educational Publishers), which will be awarded in June. In mid April VizZle sent out their 1000th username and password.
I am thrilled to announce that Monarch Teaching Technologies, Inc. is giving away two 3-month subscriptions to VizZle to readers of Autism Family Adventures blog. This starts today and will run for one-week. This is a great giveaway for parents, teachers or therapists and gives you the summer to work on lesson plans and/or have your child practice learning while on summer break.
RULES FOR GIVEAWAY
Please make sure I have a way to contact you should you be the winner. You can include your email address with your comment. Please do one comment for each entry.
For the main entry please post in comments whether you would use the three month free subscription to VizZle as a parent, student, teacher or therapist. What age group are the students or your child?
For extra entries leave a comment for each option
1 entry – subscribe to my RSS feed or via email
1 entry – follow this blog – can be found in the sidebar
1 entry – follow me on twitter (autismfamily) leave your ID
1 entry – follow @govizzle on twitter – leave your ID
1 entry – grab my button from the sidebar – leave link to blog
1 entry – Fav Autism Family Adventures (this blog) in Technorati
1 entry – digg, stumbleupon or mixx this blog post – one comment for each
1 entry – tweet this giveaway – leave your twitter id & date of tweet
1 entry – join Autism Next Door on Facebook
1 entry – friend me on Facebook – Bonnie Sayers – leave me your name
1 entry – fan VizZle on Facebook – leave me your name
1 entry – connect with me on LinkedIn – Bonnie Sayers
2 entries – do a recommendation for me on LinkedIn
2 entries – blog about this giveaway – leave blog link
If you already do any of the above, please note that with your ID in a separate comment for each.
This VizZle giveaway will run through Sunday, May 31, 2009 at 8 PM PST. The winners will be chosen using Random.org from all valid entries and notified via email. Both winners will have 48 hours to contact me before another winner is chosen. Giveaway is open to US, Canada and International users.
Posted in Autism on 02. Jan, 2010
This is the summize log from the twitter chat with Tali Berman, founder of Meir Autism Treatment Center in Israel that was held on April 28, 2009. Five copies of her book, Play to Grow! Over 200 games designed to help your special child develop fundamental social skills were given away during the twitter chat.
Welcome Tali – please tell us how you first learned of the Son-Rise program
I began with a family in 1997 and was amazed by the honoring approach and progress- child is fully integrated now
What are the 5 stages of development in The Son-Rise Program Developmental Model?
what age range do you cover in your teaching of sonrise?
do son-rise teachers work with therapists like OT and speech? is son-rise done at clinic or in home
5 stages are organized by skill level in 4 fundamental areas:eye contact, language, interactive attention span, flexibility
we work with children of all ages, including adults
can you share some of the games from the book?
Does sonrise target any specific behaviors? Can it help redirect behaviors?
yes, if child has specific need for those therapies. Typically done at home but games can be used in clinics as well
what does the Son-rise program maximum impact cover? How long was this? Do parents learn these programs too?
for sample game ideas see inside our book at our site www.meirautism.org- too little space here for more details
do you see many children with sensory challenges? is this covered in training?
can you explain the flexibility aspect as one of the stages? sonrise
Does sonrise target any specific behaviors? Can it help redirect behaviors?
book is more about teaching skills through interactive play than redirecting- though Son-Rise does address this
what are the 5 stages that are organized by skill level in 4 fundamental areas
do you attend IEP meetings and offer input to the goals?
how is sonrise different than floortime?
yes- the Israeli equivalent to IEP
does sonrise encourage siblings to be involved in playing and initiating games, etc?
what does a sonrise assessment consist of and how long does the therapy last?
play time is in specified room, repetitive play is joined not redirected and the parents attitude has big focus
only if sibling wants to participate if so than yes!
Do you guys offer any ideas on how to capture initial involvement in play?
Identifying where your child’s skills are in 4 areas. Developmental model can be downloaded at www.son-rise.org
do you work on life skills, self-advocacy and/or social skills with adults
any tips on dealing with a child who seeks deep pressure often, my son wants on his chin
yes- this is key.playroom, fun props, your child’s specific motivations during presentation and through out the game
yes- social skills, conversations skills, social cues, reading body language, asking personal q’s, etc
Thank you! Was wondering about any play to help relax
Are the 5 stages of development considered sort of like a “trade secret” or are you allowed to share them?
give to him on ongoing basis- this can be used as leverage in game to keep him interested /willing to be challenged
Just too extensive to share in a sentence- stages are explained in full detail at www.son-rise.org, download check out
Have you found that your strategies help any child populations in addition to those on the spectrum?
A great ‘hot dog ‘ game-try rolling him like a hot dog in a thin blanket- give squeezes and roll out- kids love it
Thank you! My son is very “hugged” inclined, we use to soothe a lot.
yes- any child with social and language challenges- many of our children are not on the spectrum
does therapy last more than one year? How do you know when to terminate – when move thru the 5 stages?
If the play time is in a specified room, what do you do with a child who consistently refuses to stay in the room?
there are dangers to rolling up in blanket, suffocation, need to be very careful with that
start with 15 minutes, build to more time, once the children see the fun they go in and shut door themselves
Specified room? Can we incorporate fresh outdoor play? And does it offer help with classroom transition or trans into adolescence
yes- of course with child’s head out!
do you use sign language, comm devices or picture cards to communicate with nonverbal kids doing sonrise?
yes, plus too much pressure in chest area can suffocate a child..sounds like a great program tho, will def check out
In stages 4/5 games can be done outdoors, in earlier stages in the room. Son- Rise does address transition to school
Yes, but some kids strongly desire to run/move in larger area, really want to leave room, do you force to stay at 1st?
If appropriate for child- yes, still with focus on verbal lang
we do recommend closed/ locked door (if necessary)for initial transition into the room- again, most kids love being there
how long has this program been around?
I recommend mixing it up- 15-20 minutes in room, energetic outdoor activity then room again- building to more time
That makes total sense, but doesn’t it kind of go against the Son-Rise principles?
Will program work with kids with Ds who are also on the spectrum?
I mean doesn’t the closed/locked door sort of go against the basic Son-Rise principles?
One of few places we go against the child- once in the room they have total control- effective environment is crucial
Is there a specific room we should use for a playroom in the house that would work to our advantage? Dont have spare room here.
Interesting! What are some of the other ways you would go against the child’s wishes?
If you don;t have spare room you can use child’s bedroom- just need to modify it so it can be used effectively
If child was hurting himself, others or destroying property
how do sonrise teachers address biting and hitting during therapy?
In short (obviously a bigger discussion) being preventative, give alternative (chew toy to bite), praise when gentle
also offering deep pressure squeezes (if child lets) on head and rest of body- could be a way to release pressure
Does “being preventive” include changing gears when see behaviors coming, could communicate power through aggression?
changing gears just before the aggression, also tracking if there is link to foods, time of day, over stimulation, sleep
Thank you Bonnie for this chat. You are a force of nature! I hope all you winners out there get a lot from the book
So if change gears right before aggression, might still be pre-aggression behaviors, but you honor as communication?
Looking forward to new ideas and less frustration, thank u again
Thank you for sharing your time and talents!
You can check out @playtogrow book on #sonrise program at: http://meirautism.org/principles
Posted in Autism on 02. Jan, 2010
I recently wrote a review on Joey Tote Bags at my personal blog. Chris & Kate of Joey Totes are offering two sets as a giveaway to my readers. A set consists of 1 large and 2 small sized tote bags.
RULES FOR GIVEAWAY
Please make sure I have a way to contact you should you be the winner. You can include your email address with your comment. Please do one comment for each entry.
For the main entry please post in comments what you would use Joey Tote Bags for.
For extra entries leave a comment for each option
1 entry – list one of the cons or pros I have in my review
1 entry – follow this blog – can be found in the sidebar
1 entry – follow me on twitter (autismfamily) leave your ID
1 entry – grab my button from the sidebar – leave link to blog
1 entry – Fav Autism Family Adventures (this blog) in Technorati
1 entry – tweet this giveaway – leave your twitter id & date of tweet
This Joey Totes Bag giveaway will run through Wednesday, May 6, 2009 at 9 PM PST. The winners will be chosen using Random.org from all valid entries and notified via email. The winner will have 48 hours to contact me before another winner is chosen. Giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.
Posted in Autism on 02. Jan, 2010
I have never made a movie online before or put something up on YouTube. It all seems too techy for me to figure out. I finally had the opportunity to make a movie through Muvee Reveal.
Animal Pics is the name of our Muvee Reveal , which consists of pictures from the Los Angeles Zoo, Sea World and the California Wildlife Center that had animals on stage Earth Day for the first day of showing Disney’s Earth Adventure.
The download took over one hour to complete, which gave me a warning before the setup phase -
Your system does not meet the recommended system requirements of 1GB RAM and 128 MB dedicated Video RAM to run Muvee Reveal optimally. Overall performance may be sluggish especially when using High Definition material or saving option.
The setup took about another half hour before I finally got into the site to make my Muvee Reveal. The first step is to add pictures. They are loaded at the top of the page. In four easy steps we had Animal Pics.
1. Add photos or videos – we use pics from flip video camera
2. Choose the Style – we went with default, found options after finished
3. Select Music – I could not figure that out so I think it was default
4. Press play – I got a message a few times telling me that I needed to add more photos – I started at 12, ended at 18 with the message indicating I needed 6 more to have the pictures rotate faster to keep up with music.
Seems the pictures are slower in my Muvee Reveal due to the limited number of photos I uploaded. I liked the way the video turned out. It did not appear sluggish as the warning indicated after the download prior to setup. It seems 24 is the number of photos recommended.
The Reviewer’s Guide really helped guide me through making my Muvee. There are 8 styles to choose from and at the end you can do a voice-over, put up a title and do the credits. Our microphone is not working but I did add a title and my name in the credits. There is a muveee share option for iPod, DVD burning and for various devices and through www.shwup.com you can import for private family album sharing.
There is a 15-day free trial at Muvee Reveal , as well as $20.00 off as a Mother’s Day promotion.
Muvee Reveal is offering a CD program to one winner.
RULES FOR GIVEAWAY
Please make sure I have a way to contact you should you be the winner. You can include your email address with your comment. Please do one comment for each entry.
For the main entry please post in comments who you would feature in your Muvee.
For extra entries leave a comment for each option
1 entry – subscribe to my RSS feed or via email
1 entry – follow this blog – can be found in the sidebar
1 entry – follow me on twitter (autismfamily) leave your ID
1 entry – grab my button from the sidebar – leave link to blog
1 entry – Fav Autism Family Adventures (this blog) in Technorati
1 entry – tweet this giveaway – leave your twitter id & date of tweet
This Muvee giveaway will run through Tuesday, May 5, 2009 at 9 PM PST. The winner will be chosen using Random.org from all valid entries and notified via email. The winner will have 48 hours to contact me before another winner is chosen. Giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.
Posted in Autism on 02. Jan, 2010
Tireless production of gossamer thin propaganda
Harold Doherty, author of Facing Autism in New Brunswick and long time opponent of Michelle Dawson, has this week renewed his pledge to his Autistic son Conner, to continue in his tireless production of gossamer thin propaganda.
Fall to their knees and Do Their Duty
He’s hoping his fellow Martyrdom Mummies will simply gaze deeply into his
Posted in Autism on 02. Jan, 2010
[extremely funny joke censored]
John Best, the Internet’s premier Autism Troll and professional Mercury Mom, has today resigned his post as [this clause has been censored] and given up his rôle as Neurodiversity’s best asset.
The Internet’s premier Autism Troll
In the shock announcement from New Hampshire 12 hours ago, he said that the Truth was to be found on his blog [this clause has been
Posted in Autism on 02. Jan, 2010
This post has been censored
Hecate:
O well done!
I commend your pains;
And every one shall share i’ the gains;
And now about the cauldron sing,
Live elves and fairies in a ring
Enchanting all that you put in.
Witch:
By the pricking of my thumbs,
Something wicked this way comes…
Posted in Autism on 02. Jan, 2010
Welcome to the New Republic’s That Was The Week That Was In Autism Part 7.
This week, on the venerable and currently very Christmassy, LeftBrainRightBrain Emily L. Williams get cerebral with her post Autism: Is it all about bigger brains?
In spite of our bipedalism, tool-making, sweat glands, and opposable thumbs, the thing we deem as the defining human characteristic is ironically something
Posted in Autism on 02. Jan, 2010
Gaudete, gaudete!
Christus est natus
Ex Maria virgine,
gaudete!
Tempus adest gratiæ
Hoc quod optabamus,
Carmina lætitiæ
Devote reddamus
Deus homo factus est
Natura mirante
Mundus renovatus est
A Christo regnante.
Ezechielis porta
Clausa pertransitur
Unde lux est orta
Salus invenitur.
Ergo nostra contio
Psallat lam in lustro;
Benedicat Domino:
Salus Regi nostro.
Normal service will
