The Autism Acceptance Project NewsFlash

[Guest guest]

 

 

The Autism Acceptance NewsFlash  8 March 2010   

Please visit our WEB site at :  www.taaproject.com

 

Disability Studies Quarterly 

 

Introduction by: Dr. Anne Donnellan

Professor/Director of Autism Institute, University of San Diego

 

Disability Studies Quarterly (www.dsq-sds.org) is a respected journal representing the academic field of study " Disability Studies. " Disability Studies scholars include anthropologists, psychologists, sociologists, educators, historians, political scientists, medical practitioners, poets, novelists and many others from  the sciences and humanities.   It brings together ideas from all aspects of " disability " or " difference " to address, among other things, what we mean by the terms we use, what we do and don't do, how we help or harm the people we label and how our actions, both present and historical, affect us as individuals and as a community.  I'm happy to report that the latest issue of the journal, Winter 2010, is devoted to autism.

Devoted is the operative word here as the Editor, Ralph Savarese, ably supported by Savarese, parents of DJ Savarese, along with many other contributors. devoted more than a year of time and thought and very hard work into producing a first of its kind journal issue. And, it is quite extraordinary.  There is a mix of " peer reviewed " articles and commentaries by poets, researchers, parents, critical thinkers and advocates with and without a disability label.   There are interviews, and beautiful poems and " thought " pieces and scholarly papers that together provide a kaleidoscopic view of autism that is a refreshing contrast to the one presented by a narrow and self-interested autism industry.

In the interest of full disclosure, I must confess that I am a co-author (with Hill and Martha Leary) on one of the articles, Rethinking Autism, and darn proud that it is included in this volume.  In our article we note that as Albert Einstein, Arthur Schawlow, Gerald Edelman and other Nobel prize winning scientists and thinkers of the 20 century remind us: If we want to understand a phenomenon, we must look at it from as many perspectives as possible. Savarese and Disability Studies Quarterly have made an original and giant step toward that goal. Your can see it on line - FREE - at www.dsq-sds.org.

Enjoy

 

.......................................................

 

 

 

12th Annual Autism Summer Institute

A New View of Students with ASD:

Implications for Inclusive Education

NEW for 2010!

New theme and content - A New View of Students with ASD: Implications for Inclusive Education

New location - Nashua, NH is approximately one hour from both Boston Logan (BOS) and Manchester Regional (MHT) airports New format with expanded breakout sessions with themes to include:

Instruction Communication Social Relationships Behavior Futures' Planning Contemporary Topics

New exhibitors and vendors New single-day registration option*

  Please click hear to Pre-Register Online 

Since 1999, the goal of the Autism Summer Institute (ASI) has been to provide strengths-based perspectives about students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) for families and professionals that improve the quality of education in inclusive settings. Each year, participants gain the knowledge and skills necessary to evaluate and select evidence-based supports and strategies that will enhance the full participation of students with ASD in their schools and communities.

In addition to nationally-renowned experts, the ASI continues to be committed to including the voice of individuals who experience autism as a central part of the conference's message. This year's ASI offers a unique combination of keynote presentations, 36 theme-based breakout sessions, and Action Planning Groups.

Questions? please send inquiries to contact.iod@... 

 

 

.................................................

 

 

 

 

 

 

Engaging All Learners with a KluthPractical tools to create more inclusive classrooms

" You're Going to Love This Kid! " : Educating Students with Autism in Inclusive Schools

Date: April 12, 2010 | Time: 9am - 3pm

Registration Fee: $120**Includes continental breakfast, lunch, and a copy of a's book  " You're Going to Love This Kid! "

Description: This interactive day features group activities, real-world stories, and tools you can bring back to the classroom immediately. Participants will learn practical ways of supporting students with autism spectrum labels and other disabilities within a general education classroom. The centerpiece of the presentation is a's " Top Ten Strategies List for Inclusive Classrooms " in which she addresses the need for sensory supports, visuals, active learning, " safe space " , and materials that capitalize on student strengths. Other topics addressed include defining (and redefining) autism, listening to the voices of those with autism, differentiating instruction, creating more responsive lessons, making the classroom comfortable, and providing opportunities for communication skill development. The presentation provides teachers with the necessary knowledge and strategies to understand every student as complex, as capable, and as a learner.

Joyful Learning: Creating Active and Differentiated InstructionDate: April 13, 2010 | Time: 9am - 3pm

Registration Fee: $120**Includes continental breakfast, lunch, and a copy of a's book Joyful Learning.

Description: Too often, a " one-size-fits-all " approach is used to design lessons, leaving some learners struggling to participate and leaving teachers feeling they have not reached all of their students. In this interactive session, participants will apply principles of differentiation by exploring a number of collaborative, active, and brain-compatible learning techniques aimed at engaging students and making learning joyful. The featured structures can be used to build community, help students study and review, teach whole-class lessons, and assess student learning. The session is appropriate for teachers in K-12 classrooms and is structured for participants to experience these active techniques through demonstration.

These workshops are sponsored in part by the National Inclusive Education Initiative (NIEI) at the Institute on Disability. The NIEI is focused on improving educational services and outcomes for students with autism and related disabilities.

 

 

About the Presenter:Dr. a Kluth is a consultant, teacher, author, advocate, and independent scholar who works with teachers and families to provide inclusive opportunities for students with disabilities and to create more responsive and engaging schooling experiences for all learners. a is a former special educator who has served as a classroom teacher, consulting teacher, and inclusion facilitator. Her research and professional interests include differentiating instruction, and supporting students with autism and significant disabilities in inclusive classrooms.

She is the author or co-author of eight books including  " You're Going to Love This Kid! " : Teaching Students with Autism in Inclusive Classrooms; Access to Academics: Critical Approaches to Inclusive Curriculum, Instruction, and Policy, A Land We Can Share: Teaching Literacy to Students with Autism; Joyful Learning: Active and Collaborative Learning in the Inclusive Classroom; You're Welcome: 30 Innovative Ideas for Inclusive Schools, and Just Give Him the Whale: 20 Ways to Support & Honor the Passions & Interests of Students with Autism. a is also the director of a new documentary film titled " We Thought You'd Never Ask " : Voices of People with Autism.

Know someone who might be interested? If so, please forward this along.

 

..............................................................

Rcommended Reading

Gravity Pulls You In: Perspective on Parenting Children on the autism Spectrum

Edited by Kyra and Vicki Forman

 

 

Please click here to go to the WEB site 

 

....................................................

Assistive and Universal Design TechnologiesAchieving Educational Success for All

 

 

 

The UNH Institute on Disability will present the fifth and sixth sessions of the six-part Assistive and Universal Design Technologies workshop series on Tuesday, March 17, 2010 and Thursday, April 1, 2010, respectively, at the Holiday Inn in Concord, NH. Each workshop qualifies for 6 staff development credits/contact hours. See below for individual workshop details.

RESNA (Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America) CEUs are available for an additional $16 per session.

To download a brochure for the entire series click here (pdf)

Session 5: Building and Using an Assistive Technology Transformer Kit for Solving Everyday Challenges in the ClassroomEach participant will make their very own assistive technology transformer kit that can be used to solve everyday challenges in minutes. This transformer kit includes various PVC components, tubing, flagpole holders, a PVC cutter, dual lock, and Tommy tape. In addition, each participant will use the components and fabricate at least 15 different assistive technology solutions.

Date: Wednesday, March 17, 2010Time: 9am to 3pm, registration begins at 8:30am

Registration Fee: $95Workshop Instructor: Therese Willkomm, Ph.D.For more information and to register click here or call begin_of_the_skype_highlighting                    end_of_the_skype_highlighting.

Session 6: IntelliTools Level II - Next Steps with Classroom Suite 4This intermediate, hands-on session will take you beyond the basics of using Classroom Suite 4. Learn how to download and customize activities from the IntelliTools Activity Exchange, as well as create your own activities from scratch using the blank Paint, Design, Writing, and Math Creativity Tools files. Utilize new tools and actions for creating or editing, including working with Scriptable Bins, Arrays, Number Lines, Sorting Bins, and more.

Date: Thursday, April 1, 2010Time: 9am to 3pm, registration begins at 8:30am

Registration Fee: $75Workshop Instructor: Dan Herlihy*A PC or Mac laptop with an administrative password for downloading and installation is required for this session.

*Workshop pre-requisite: Level I or other introductory Classroom Suite 4 course. Please call begin_of_the_skype_highlighting                    end_of_the_skype_highlighting for more information.

For more information and to register click here or call begin_of_the_skype_highlighting                    end_of_the_skype_highlighting.

 

..............................................................................

 

 

 

TAAProject is also working on new projects and a new website in order that we can globally reach out and change attitudes towards autism to better support autistic people in society. We are in need of your financial support. Donations can be made through Facebook (look for us here) or by sending a Money Order to: The Autism Acceptance ProjectP.O. Box 23030Toronto, ONM5N 3A8Charitable no. 8499 1328 RR0001

  

 _____________________________________________

 

Article submissions for The Autism Acceptance Project NewsFlash as well for the News Letter are welcome.

Sincerely,

Estée Klar

Founder/Executive Director

The Autism Acceptance Project.estee@...

 

For more information on what is going on please visit our WEB site - www.taaproject.com