Tips for Parents
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For some individuals, especially those with an autism spectrum disorder, there may be sensory processing dysfunctions or difficulties. This is the “inability to respond appropriately to ordinary experiences and occurs when the CNS processes sensations inefficiently” (Kranowitz, 2003).

Presently there is not one specific cause for sensory dysfunction, but it can cause tremendous misperception from those who support these individuals. Children with ASD may often experience an inability to respond ‘appropriately’ and be seen as having challenging behaviors or obsessions. Basically the degree and intensity of the input/output don’t match.
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Examples of being overloaded or Under responsive may look like the following in various areas:

The information listed above was provided to you by Sensory-Processing-Disorder.com Please visit their site for a great deal of information that will benefit you or your family regarding SPD.

Want to join parents that really understand SPD?  Check out SPD Parent SHARE and look for a local support group for you to join. If you don't have a local group it is easy enough to start your own.

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Toilet Training

If your child cannot tolerate sitting on the toilet, try to make it as safe as possible:

• Make the hole smaller like an infant seat
• Try a handrail so they can hold on to it and feel safe
• Try having your child wear their weighted vest to encourage sitting for a longer period of time
• Place a stool under your child's feet so they are not dangling
• Let them read books, sing songs, listen to music, anything to occupy their time and allow them to sit longer
• Try a padded toilet seat - they are much softer and generally not as cold.

When noise is too much try earplugs, running water, soft music

Never force a child - respect their tolerances or the matter will be much worse

If it is the toilet paper that they can not tolerate - instead of dry toilet paper - use the flushable wipes

And if they aren't aware when they do go potty, it is highly possible that they aren't feeling the sensation. Let them go around naked and then when they do urinates the connection with the sensation will begin to click for them.

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NEW SENSORY TIPS

SHOES AN ISSUE?
If you or your child have sensory issues and need soft shoes or soft boots - this is the place!
Minnetonka Moccasin is the ONLY brand we sell. 

Taos Moccasins Online Store Made in Taos, New Mexico -- The only complete line of moccasins made entirely within the USA. Children's sizes   Infant Sizes

Spring Creek Traders Children's Moccasins

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CHEWING AN ISSUE? NEW click on PINK!!

Chewlery is a great way to keep kids from chewing on their clothes, while letting them work through their chewing tendencies. It’s also great for oral motor stimulating activities. This collection of non-toxic, colorful, plastic jewelry includes necklaces and bracelets that “streeeetch.”

Chewlery bracelets are a great way to keep kids from chewing on their clothes, while letting them work through their chewing tendencies. It’s also great for oral motor stimulating activities. This collection of non-toxic, colorful, plastic jewelry includes necklaces (6.25"Diameter) [16cm] and bracelets (2.25"Diameter) [6cm] that “streeeetch.”

Have you tried the ChewEase buy them today! - it is a practical solution whether you encourage chewing for self-regulation or for strengthening jaw muscles, ChewEase is a terrific, convenient solution that is always there. Each one features 3, safe, non - toxic, plastic objects that are linked together and can be taken anywhere. Colors vary - 

For at home - have you tried the monster teeth or the hillbilly teeth? Kids love them, OT's use them as a treat at the end of therapy and during therapy  - its great because they fit right over their own teeth and does encourage jaw closure, facial exercise and can be lots of fun - keeps them from chewing on their clothes! You can pick those up at the dollar stores. We have them in stock!

Also have you tried the Oral Probe buy them today! Its new, safe and an oral treatment option - Its a high-quality, oral-therapy tool which is perfect for oral-motor treatment and sensory input. Use it to safely stimulate the gums, palate and tongue through stroking or applying pressure. Made from sturdy, medical-grade plastics, latex free. We have them in stock!

There is also the Grabber which is a great mouthing toy. Buy them today! Developed by a speech-and-language therapist, The Grabber is specifically designed to encourage jaw movement, tongue movement and oral exploration. The handle makes it easy to hold by small or large hands and looks just like a Capital P. Made from medical-grade plastic and is latex-free. $6.50 each. If you order A set of 1 P and 1 Q made with the same high quality material  you can get the set for $8.50. We have them in Stock!

Picture Communication/Visual Aid Books, Schedules & Aprons Velcro Friendly-Visual Aid Veltex® Display Fabric Picture Communication Book Holders Velcro®/Hook & Loop.

Boardmaker is a computer software program used to make communication boards, picture schedules, instruction sheets and more.  In our opinion, it is one of the most commonly used programs in the field of augmentative/alternative communication.  Boardmaker contains over 3,000 Picture Communication Symbols in it's picture libraries.  These symbols can quickly and easily be pasted onto communication boards for use by children and adults whose speech is not readily understood by others.

Foam clocks provide tactile sensory while your child take out all of the numbers and then put them back where they belong teaches them how to tell time by moving the arms of the clock and hand eye coordination. This is safe, non toxic and very colorful. We have them in stock!

Multi-Sensory balls are light enough that you can play catch and roll them back and forth as well as play hoops inside and they “shouldn’t” Break anything! Try to juggle with the balls great for eye hand coordination.  We have them in stock!

Whistles  are a wonderful tool to encourage forced expiration with auditory feedback. Buy them today! We offer you here 3 top-quality whistles at 3 different resistance levels from easy (requires just a puff of air) to our Power Whistle which requires force expiration. They are colorful and some are sports whistles just like they were at the games! Your occupational, speech, and respiratory therapists approve of these sturdy non toxic brightly colored whistles. We have them in stock!

Rapper Snappers (WE have them in stock!) are great fun and are made from non toxic brightly colored plastic that encourage your child to twist, bend, crunch and stretch them this way and that way and then put them back to size! You’ll find your sensory craver will love this tactile feedback that they gain from building their hand and arms when pulling and twisting in different directions. Buy yours today!

Tactile Reflex Balls are great for your sensory cravers as they are fun to touch their porcupine surface. Great to roll on the table with your arm and between your hands for stimulation, however, not intended for throwing as they could hurt someone. We have them in stock!

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Parent Tips on raising your children and books to purchase:  NEW

Did you know:

IEP Information -
Has your school told you that they want full access to your child's medical records? Here is an Article that outlines a parents rights under HIPAA laws.

If things become more difficult and you feel like you need legal advice, you can find legal help in your area

This fact sheet will tell you How to file a health information privacy complaint with the Office for Civil Rights.

Wright's Law - If you need to know something about your special needs - this is the place to start!

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NICHCY Connections to Literacy
Here's what we added---you'll see why when you visit them... The Access Center knows about improving access to reading--especially for students with disabilities.

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Preparing for a Field Trip - It seems like every year we get one week's prior notification for school related field trips. Ideally I would like to receive a listing at the start of the new school year with the impending plans the Teacher has for the class. Surely they do not prepare for these trips at the last minute. I believe they need to make arrangements for a school bus to transport them to and from the field trip location and secure funds for the event. read more...

Pica includes strong cravings for non-food items. The most frequent are read more...

*Wal-Mart offers the Starter shirts which are compression shirts and shorts I find them in black / blue/white - for around  $5-10 each - I ALWAYS look in the Clearance racks for them - and pick them up even if they are the bigger sizes for now - because in Clearance I've found them for $3.00 - $5.00.
Our nephew HAS to have one on or he will not wear clothes because of the seams. No seams in socks either. I always check out the Wal-Mart online store for their Clearance just so we don't miss any opportunities for lower prices. The last one I got was a XL regular price 8.96 I picked it up for $5.00.

The tags state: STARTER ALL weather Work Out DRI-STAR  STAR FIT  -

The DRI-STAR -
- Transfers perspiration away from the body
- Technically engineered molecular fabric
- Ideal use Workouts & practice
STAR-FIT
-Stretch fabric offers maximum mobility for ultimate comfort
- For enhanced results wear alone or layer with Starter Performance Products

*That due to ADA you can obtain a FREE ID from your local  DMV for your child? Purchase a wallet with a front opening and sew the ID into the front opening. Put your name, address, cell, home and work numbers on a separate card and laminate the card to protect it and put this card into another pocket in the wallet preferably with a zipper. This way in case your child gets away from you, your child can be returned to you quickly.

*Also in this wallet should be the Autism awareness card which can be purchased from Autism Society of America or you can call them directly at 1-800-3-Autism. When you purchase a product from SensoryCritters.com LLC you will receive a card with each order.

*If your child can't wear anything around their neck or wrists there are ways to help identify your child. Place a temporary tattoo on their back. There is a parent that does this and when their child is picked up for school the parent gets the tattoo and places it on the back and acts like he gives the child a "firm pat on the back" before leaving for school each morning. The tattoo is easy to wash off at bath time.  

*Children's shoes can be identified with lacing a stainless steel metal ID tag with their name, address, phone # and type of disability through their shoe laces. Make sure the tag is located at the bottom of the laces so the tag can't be removed easily.  SensoryCritters.com LLC checked the web and searched for tags that aren't so expensive but are durable and can be purchased one at a time. The site that we recommend is Boomerang Tags. Please do Not be offended as they sell these tags as dog tags, but we feel once you look at this site, and see the quality, the shape of these stainless steel metal ID tags, ability to ship in one day and price of these stainless steel metal ID tags you too will find this site a value.

*Call your local 911 NON Emergency Number (check your local phone book for this number) and inform them that you have a child or children in your home with the type of disabilities (deaf, blind, Autism, Sensory Integration, etc.) they have.

*Make sure to include their: names, ages, identity (black hair brown eyes, freckles, etc.). Also include where the child's bedroom is located (first floor back SW corner) this way in case of an emergency such as a fire the Police and Fire Department are aware of your household and will be able to respond quicker with proper information.

This also helps when your child may accidentally hit the phone and it dials 911 and you aren't aware of who they just called and hang up the phone, the 911 operator will call you back to verify that there is an actual emergency in the home before coming out. This will save you and the Response team time and money.  

Because children grow and change every year, make sure to call this number and update your information yearly.

*A valuable sticker is for purchase to place on your front door and the window of your child's room.  You should also place this sticker on your vehicles. To locate this sticker on this site page down and it is on your left side. The cost is $1.50 per sticker if purchased under quantity 50.

** Have you visited Donna M. Cooper's website to purchase her products of:  The AWEtism Shop™, Awetism™, AWEtism...Life on the BRIGHT SIDE of the Spectrum™? If you have been looking for merchandise such as hats, shirts, tote bags, mugs, you name it you can find it on her site. This site is loaded with many products from infant to adult products and you too can be wearing Life on the BRIGHT SIDE!!! Check it out today!

More tips will be posted on this page continue to check back...

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Abbreviations - What do they mean? - NEW

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Parent's Dictionary of Terms Used in Special Education*
*Note: The following definitions have been compiled from a variety of sources. The contents of this dictionary do not necessarily represent definitions endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education.

Adaptive Development - development of the child in comparison to other children the same age. This might include the child's ability to dress himself, feed himself, toilet training, how he/she plays with other children, how he/she plays alone, understanding dangers in crossing the street, how he/she behaves if mother leaves the room, etc.
Advocate - someone who takes action to help someone else (as in "educational advocate"); also, to take action on someone's behalf
Amendment - a change, revision, or addition made to a law
Appeal - a written request for a change in a decision; also, to make such a request
Appropriate - able to meet a need; suitable or fitting; in special education, it usually means the most normal situation possible
Assessment - a collecting and bringing together of information about a child's needs, which may include social, psychological, and educational evaluations used to determine services; a process using observation, testing, and test analysis to determine an individual's strengths and weaknesses in order to plan his or her educational services
Assessment Team - a team of people from different backgrounds who observe and test a child to determine his or her strengths and weaknesses
At Risk - a term used with children who have, or could have, problems with their development that may affect later learning
Child Find - a service directed by each state's Department of Education or lead agency for identifying and diagnosing un-served children with disabilities; while Child Find looks for all un-served children, it makes a special effort to identify children from birth to six years old
Cognitive - a term that describes the process people use for remembering, reasoning, understanding, and using judgment; in special education terms, a cognitive disability refers to difficulty in learning
Comprehensive service system - refers to a list of 14 areas each participating state is to provide under early intervention services. These 14 points range from definition of developmentally delayed, to guidelines for identification, assessment, and provision of early intervention services for the child and family, and include timelines and quality control
Counseling - advice or help given by someone qualified to give such advice or help (often psychological counseling)
Developmental -
having to do with the steps or stages in growth and development before the age of 18 years
Developmental History - the developmental progress of a child (ages birth to 18 years) in such skills as sitting, walking, talking, or learning
Developmental Tests - standardized tests that measure a child's development as it compares to the development of all other children at that age
Disability - the result of any physical or mental condition that affects or prevents one's ability to develop, achieve, and/or function in an educational setting at a normal rate
Due Process (procedure) - action that protects a person's rights; in special education, this applies to action taken to protect the educational rights of students with disabilities
Early Interventionist - someone who specializes in early childhood development, usually having a Master's degree or Ph.D. in an area related to the development of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers
Early Intervention Policies - early intervention services or programs - programs or services designed to identify and treat a developmental problem as early as possible, before age 3 (services for 3-5 year olds are referred to as preschool services)
Eligible -able to qualify
Evaluation - (as applied to children from birth through two years of age) the procedures used to determine if a child is eligible for early intervention services; (as applied to preschool and school-aged children) the procedures used to determine whether a child has a disability and the nature and extent of the special education and related services the child needs
Free Appropriate Public Education [often referred to as FAPE] -
one of the key requirements of IDEA, which requires that an education program be provided for all school-aged children (regardless of disability) without cost to families; the exact requirements of "appropriate" are not defined, but other references within the law imply the most "normal" setting available
Handicap - see disability
Identification - the process of locating and identifying children needing special services
Individualized Education Program (IEP) - a written education plan for a school-aged child with disabilities developed by a team of professionals (teachers, therapists, etc.) and the child's parents; it is reviewed and updated yearly and describes how the child is presently doing, what the child's learning needs are, and what services the child will need; (For children ages birth through 2 years, the IFSP is used.)
Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) - a written statement for an infant or toddler (ages birth through 2 years old) developed by a team of people who have worked with the child and the family; the IFSP must describe the child's development levels; family information; major outcomes expected to be achieved for the child and family; the services the child will be receiving; when and where the child will receive these services; and the steps to be taken to support the transition of the child to another program; the IFSP will also list the name of the service coordinator assigned to the child and his/her family
Lead Agency - the agency (office) within a state or territory in charge of overseeing and coordinating service systems for children ages birth through 2
Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) - an educational setting or program that provides a student with disabilities with the chance to work and learn to the best of his or her ability; it also provides the student as much contact as possible with children without disabilities, while meeting all of the child's learning needs and physical requirements
Multidisciplinary - a team approach involving specialists in more than one discipline, such as a team made up of a physical therapist, a speech and language pathologist, a child development specialist, an occupational therapist, or other specialists as needed
Occupational Therapy -a therapy or treatment provided by an occupational therapist that helps individual developmental or physical skills that will aid in daily living; it focuses on sensory integration, on coordination of movement, and on fine motor and self-help skills, such as dressing, eating with a fork and spoon, etc.
Parent Training and Information Programs - programs that provide information to parents of children with special needs about acquiring services, working with schools and educators to ensure the most effective educational placement for their child, understanding the methods of testing and evaluating a child with special needs, and making informed decisions about their child's special needs
Physical Therapy - treatment of (physical) disabilities given by a trained physical therapist (under doctor's orders) that includes the use of massage, exercise, etc. to help the person improve the use of bones, muscles, joints, and nerves
Placement -
the classroom, program, service, and/or therapy that is selected for a student with special needs
Policy/Policies -rules and regulations; as related to early intervention and special education programs, the rules that a state or local school system has for providing services for and educating its students with special needs
Private Agency - a non-public agency which may be receiving public funds to provide services for some children
Private Therapist - any professional (therapist, tutor, psychologist, etc.) not connected with the public school system or with a public agency
Program (s) - in special education, a service, placement, and/or therapy designed to help a child with special needs
Psychologist - a specialist in the field of psychology, usually having a Master's degree or Ph.D. in psychology
Public Agency - an agency, office, or organization that is supported by public funds and serves the community at large
Public Law (P.L.) 94-142 - a law passed in 1975 requiring that public schools provide a "free appropriate public education" to school-aged children ages 3-21 (exact ages depend on your state's mandate), regardless of disabling condition; also called the Education For All Handicapped Children Act, with recent amendments now called the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
Public Law (P.L.) 102-119 - passed in 1991, this is an amendment to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which requires states and territories to provide a "free appropriate public education" to all children ages 3-21; and provides funds for states and territories to plan a comprehensive service system for infants and toddlers (ages birth through 2 years) with disabilities
Related Services - transportation and developmental, corrective, and other support services that a child with disabilities requires in order to benefit from education; examples of related services include: speech pathology and audiology, psychological services, physical and occupational therapy, recreation, counseling services, interpreters for the hearing impaired, and medical services for diagnostic and evaluation purposes
Service coordinator - someone who acts as a coordinator of an infant's or toddler's services, working in partnership with the family and providers of special programs; service coordinators may be employed by the early intervention agency
Services/Service Delivery - the services (therapies, instruction, treatment) given to a child with special needs
Special Education - see special education programs and services
Special Education Coordinator - the person in charge of special education programs at the school, district, or state level
Special Education Programs/Services -programs, services, or specially designed instruction (offered at no cost to families) for children over 3 years old with special needs who are found eligible for such services; these include special learning methods or materials in the regular classroom, and special classes and programs if the learning or physical problems indicate this type of program
Special Needs - (as in "special needs" child) - a term to describe a child who has disabilities or who is at risk of developing disabilities and who, therefore, requires special services or treatment in order to progress
Speech/Language Pathology - a planned program to improve and/or correct communication problems

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Websites to visit:

NICHCY is Providing this information for your resources:
NICHCY
P.O. Box 1492
Washington, DC 20013
1.800.695.0285 (V/TTY)
nichcy@aed.org
www.nichcy.org

We'd like you to know that we have added reading resources to our A-Z page called NICHCY Connections to Literacy. The entire resource page can be found on NICHCY's Web site

RESOURCES ON TEACHING READING

To teach or not to teach phonics, that is the question.

Reading Rockets' slogan is Launching Young Readers, and that's exactly what this content-rich site intends to help you do. At the link above, you'll find selected research studies that investigate issues important to phonics.

103 things to do before, during, and after reading.

This article features ideas on how to engage students in what they read in class.

Especially for principals.

Reading Rockets has created a new Web page especially for principals seeking to raise reading achievement. They are also partnering with the National Association of Elementary School Principals, which is highlighting a Reading Rockets article in each issue of its Before the Bell newsletter.

The Family Involvement Storybook Corner.

This section of the Harvard Family Research Project Web site is a new source for information on using children's storybooks with family involvement themes to engage families in their children's education and encourage family-school-community partnerships, all while supporting literacy. Launched in partnership with Reading Is Fundamental, Storybook Corner provides a list of storybooks with family involvement themes and tools for using the storybooks.

Why is this child struggling to learn to read?

Target the Problem! helps parents and teachers determine the specific problem a child may be experiencing with reading. The Web site describes aspects of reading such as phonological awareness and fluency and gives examples of how each area affects a child's reading. Here, you'll find ways to help and resources for more information.

Finding the right reading software for students with special needs.

With the range and variety of commercial software products on the shelves today, how can an educator or parent choose a program that will most benefit a particular student? This Tech Works brief from the National Center for Technology Innovation (NCTI) connects you with four Web-based resources containing detailed information on reading software programs that address specific needs of students with special needs in reading.

TEACHING READING TO ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS

Effective reading instruction for struggling Spanish-speaking readers.

Why do so many Hispanic students demonstrate a high rate of reading failure, and what can we do about it? Find out in this L Donline article.

And when the ESL student also has a learning disability?

LDonline offers A Guide to Learning Disabilities for the ESL Classroom Practitioner.

More on learning disabilities in English language learners.

NICHCY hopes you'll find these resources helpful to your interests or can pass along the information to someone who will. As they come across new resources, SensoryCritters.com will post them here. Until then, please feel free to call  or email them with your disability-related concerns, or visit our Web site

Websites on Disability Topics and ACCESSIBLE LIVING

The site dedicated to making all home "visit able."

The site that offers information on a certification program to bring builders and home buyers together for homes that are easy to build, easy to live in and easy to sell.

Autism Related:
Carol Gray is the Director of The Gray Center for Social Learning and Understanding in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She recently completed over 22 years of employment with Jenison Public Schools in Jenison, Michigan, initially as a teacher with students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and in recent years as a consultant to students with ASD in inclusive educational programs. In 1991, Carol developed Social Stories™ and Comic Strip Conversations strategies that are used worldwide with children, adolescents, and adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). She has published several resources on topics related to children and adults with ASD, including articles on bullying, death and dying, and how to teach social understanding.

ADVOCACY RELATED

This is the site for the Disabled Action Committee, a Virginia based non-partisan entity formed to promote voting and political participation by members of the disability community. Has an extensive list of web links.

This site links to a free self-paced web course that explores the legal requirements and the spirit of the ADA and is a project of ADA & IT Assistance Centers.

EDUCATION RELATED 

The HEATH Resource Center, located at The George Washington University Graduate School of Education and Human Development, is the national clearinghouse on postsecondary education for individuals with disabilities. Support from the U.S. Department of Education enables the clearinghouse to serve as an information exchange about educational support services, policies, procedures, adaptations, and opportunities at American campuses, vocational-technical schools, and other postsecondary training entities.

Adaptive Environments' web resources to inform people with disabilities about careers in design. The project, Building Careers in Design, was funded by a contract with the RSA National Vocational Rehabilitation Technical Assistance Center.

Youth to Work: The web site for the new coalition of corporations, nonprofits, academic institutions and federal agencies established to promote internships and mentoring programs for young people with disabilities.

The site for FinAid has a disability resources page including financial aid strategies and scholarship opportunities.

New Mobility's information on disability friendly colleges including a grid regarding specialty services offered.

EMPLOYMENT RELATED

Diversity World

Information, resources and research about work and disability issues

IBM's Accessibility Center Web Site with information on News, Guido Corona's Blog, Accessibility, Products, and much more.

Careers and the Disabled

The web page for the Business Leadership Network

Employer Assistance & Recruiting Network: A free service to connect employers with disability staffing agencies

The Job Accommodation Network: A free technical assistance service on cost-effective accommodations in the workplace.

On-line discussion group of the Silicon Valley based The Alliance of Professionals with Disabilities.

The Office of Disability Employment Policy's new e-newsletter, Workforce Catalyst.

Deaf Professional Network, that was recently formed to promote career development and networking opportunities for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community.

Florida Resources for Autism:
Your Local Center for Autism & Related Disabilities

University of Florida at Jacksonville - Excellent start

Yellow Pages for Kids in Florida

Wright's Law - have to know your legal rights to protect your child.

The Family Café, Inc., a non-profit statewide organization, was created to fulfill an unmet need in Florida: the need for information. The Family Cafe is proud to offer educational opportunities and information on meaningful topics for individuals with disabilities and their families in a family-centered environment. Some of these supporting agencies include the Florida Department of Education, Agency for Persons with Disabilities, Florida Department of Children and Families, Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, Florida Department of Education Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, Florida Department of Health, Florida Children's Forum, Miami Children's Hospital, Florida Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Program and ARC/Florida

FUNDING 

Quality Mall's, an online resource for products and services that support folks with developmental disabilities, new section on Funding Information.

GENERAL INFORMATION & RESOURCES 

American Association of People with Disabilities

National Organization on Disability

Disability Resources on the Internet

National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC)

A site featuring "fashionable" orthopedic equipment such as "Walkin Beauties", folding walkers in bright colors.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and offers visitors approximately 3,400 documents in 10 subject categories on the ADA. The web portal was launched by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) at the Department of Education.

The website for the National Coalition for Disability Rights.

This website provides a source for speakers on disability and entertainers with disabilities. They also publish an on-line e-newsletter, APPLAUSE.

The website for United Cerebral Palsy that has state by state resource guides on-line. To access them click through to the "Parenting and Families" channel and then to "Resources."

The website for the National Council on Independent Living.

GOVERNMENT (federal and state) 

Federal website of disability-related government resources.

Federal website providing information on federal government grants.

Federal website providing information on returning to work for individuals receiving Social Security based on disability.

US Department of Justice's monthly newsletter on disability rights published online.

US Department of Justice's website for its Project Civic Access.

The USD Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy website.

The website for the National Association of Governors' Committees on People with Disabilities.

The website for the National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research.


INTERNATIONAL 

An international electronic magazine of world-wide disability news and views

Mobility International USA's site with information on international opportunities.

INTERNET DISABILITY JOB BOARDS 

Job Access

Hire Disabilities

Disability Job Seekers

Disabled Person Recruit ability

Occupational Therapy Providers
The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) is the nationally recognized professional association of approximately 35,000 occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, and students of occupational therapy.

Practitioners work with people experiencing health problems such as stroke, spinal cord injuries, cancer, congenital conditions, developmental problems, and mental illness. Occupational therapy helps people regain, develop, and build skills that are essential for independent functioning, health, and well-being.

POLICY RELATED 

The Center for the Study and Advancement of Disability Policy.

The web site for the Law, Health Policy & Disability Center located at the University of Iowa.

RESOLVING ISSUES  

AIRLINE TRAVEL: To resolve issues on the spot as they occur or in advance of travel, call the DOT's hotline at (800) 778-4838 (voice) or (800) 455-9880 (TTY) from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Eastern time. To have a complaint investigated by DOT, submit complaints by e-mail to or by mail to: Aviation Consumer Protection Division, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 7th Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20590.

*Symbol Website - Symbol World is a website created by Widget Software, dedicated to people who use symbols. It has material for all ages and includes personal contributions, stories and learning materials. eLive is an on-line magazine within Symbol World especially for older readers. Symbol World is designed to have clear easy navigation with large buttons for any links.

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Sensory Websites
Sensory Processing Disorder - A GREAT SITE FOR SPD INFORMATION AND HOW TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS TO MAKE LIFE FLOW, Site grows daily!

The Out-Of-Sync Child: Recognizing and Coping With Sensory Integration Dysfunction. Most preschoolers love the classes I teach involving music, movement, and dramatic play. Every day, small groups of 3-, 4-, and 5-year-olds come to my room to play, move, and learn. They happily pound on drums and xylophones, sing and clap, dance and spin. They shake beanbags, manipulate puppets, and enact fairy tales. They wave the parachute, play musical follow-the-leader games, and flow through obstacle courses. They swoop like kites, stomp like elephants, and melt like snowmen. THIS SITE IS A MUST!

BELLA Online - Bonnie Sayers, Autism Spectrum Disorders - A great site for resource sites, book reviews, shared stories and forum. 

Sensory Tools net  A fun, informative and interactive seminar for parents, teachers, therapists and other professionals who are interested in understanding the basics of sensory processing and in learning “ready-to-use” strategies to support learning, attention, social and emotional relationships and behavior in the children they care for.

Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) is a complex disorder of the brain. People with SPD misinterpret everyday sensory information, such as touch, sound, and movement. This can lead to behavioral problems, difficulties with coordination, and many other issues.

Sensory Integration Focus Magazine -is the first of its kind serving as an international resource to parents and professionals who want to stay informed regarding how to improve sensory integration and how to address sensory processing deficits and disorders.

Childhood Anxiety Network  A professional and practical guide into the world of Childhood Anxiety and related Childhood disorders. Our Goal is to keep you up to date with the newest research and information about:  OCD, Panic, Selective Mutism, Separation Anxiety,  Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Social Anxiety, PTSD, Trichotillomania, Specific Phobia, and conditions that can occur with childhood anxiety -  SPD, ASD, Depression, ADHD, DSI. We want CAN to be an informative and interactive site, so please feel free to get involved.

Explora Learning  Explora Learning Company is dedicated to making available information, strategies & resources to empower those who can make that difference: parents, educators, caregivers, therapists and medical professionals. In line with its mission, Explora offers quality resources from manufacturers and publishers in the fields of special needs & learning differences: autism, sensory integration dysfunction, adhd/add, developmental delay, behavior management, independent living and others. Learning events and projects undertaken by Explora are primarily on a non-profit basis.

SPEAKERS 

SOURCE FOR PROFESSIONAL SPEAKERS/TRAINERS WITH DISABILITIES: For businesses and organizations seeking well-known, professional presenters and trainers on disability who are individuals with disabilities, visit the website for the Damon Brooks Agency.

SPORTS & RECREATION 

Disabled Sports USA is a national nonprofit organization offering nationwide sports rehabilitation programs to anyone with a permanent physical disability.

National Center on Physical Activity and Disability is an information center concerned with physical activity and disability located at the University of Chicago.

Wilderness Inquiry is a non-profit organization that organizes trips to "wild" places. These trips are designed to include individuals with and without disabilities

Mobility Golf is a non-profit organization designed to provide information and advocacy for access to golf courses.

STATISTICS 

Disability Statistics: An Online Resource for U.S. Disability Statistics developed by Cornell University, with funding from the National Institute on Disability Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR). This site feature disability statistics and related demographic information.

The U. S. Census and U. S. Census-Disability site.

Twenty-Fourth Annual Report to Congress on the Implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act features other reports and articles with data.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics' site. The Bureau of Labor Statistics is the principal fact-finding agency for the Federal Government in the broad field of labor economics and statistics.

The National Longitudinal Transition Study 2 (NLTS2). This study, funded by the U.S. Department of Education, is documenting the experiences of a national sample of students with disabilities who were 13 to 16 years of age in 2000 as they move from secondary school into adult roles.

The Urban Institute's Center on Labor, Human Services and Population features resources and statistics on youth development and school completion.

The National Center for Education Statistics' site that is the primary federal entity for collecting and analyzing data related to education.

The site for Child Trends and Child Trends Data Bank.

The site for the Annie E. Casey Foundation-Kids Count featuring data reflecting ten key indicators for child well-being.

Social Security Administration-Office of Policy's site. The Office of Policy serves as the Social Security Administration's focal point for policy analysis and research, evaluation, and statistics.

This website generates customized charts of state, national, and individual disability data.

Tourette Syndrome

*Conditions, Behaviors, Education and Miscel Information from Tourette Syndrome Plus Site

*Exceptional Parent Magazine

*Extreme Makeover Home Edition for an Autistic child

*Indiana Autism Resource Center

*Topix

*Welcome to WebMD

TRANSPORTATION 

The United We Ride (UWR) new website for the Federal Interagency Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility (CCAM).

The website for Project Action, a U.S. DOT & FTA funded program to address accessible transportation in the community.

The United We Ride website's page with "useful practices" undertaken by local transportation providers.

TRAVEL RELATED 

Access-Able Travel Source

Travelin' Talk Network

A free membership web site for wheelchair accessible travel information

A site full of hints, reports and information provided by travelers with disabilities.

The site for disability-related information on the Washington DC area. The website features information on hotels, restaurants, attractions, entertainment, resources for personal assistants, wheelchair repair and rental sources, tours, employment, a discussion forum, reviews, etc.

WOMEN RELATED 

The website for the online magazine, mobileWOMEN.org, for women who are wheelchair users.

YOUTH RELATED 

*Come Unity - Children's Disabilities and Special Needs

The web site of the National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability providing information on employment and youth with disabilities.

The web site for the new coalition of corporations, nonprofits, academic institutions and federal agencies, the Youth To Work Coalition. The Coalition's web site is designed to help employers and students and will feature best practices, profiles of students and businesses and a comprehensive guide of national and local mentoring and internship programs.

EEOC's website that contains information explaining the different types of job discrimination that young workers may encounter and suggested strategies they can use to prevent, and if necessary, respond to such discrimination.

The site for the training program developed by Wells Fargo Bank with modules for youth and adults. A free copy of the CD can be requested by calling Wells Fargo at (866) 650-6228. It is also on the web if your computer will allow you to download the Macromedia Flash Player program.

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Books:

 

Carol Gray is the Director of The Gray Center for Social Learning and Understanding in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She recently completed over 22 years of employment with Jenison Public Schools in Jenison, Michigan, initially as a teacher with students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and in recent years as a consultant to students with ASD in inclusive educational programs. In 1991, Carol developed Social Stories™ and Comic Strip Conversations strategies that are used worldwide with children, adolescents, and adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). She has published several resources on topics related to children and adults with ASD, including articles on bullying, death and dying, and how to teach social understanding. (Carol’s complete three-part series of articles, Gray’s Guide to Bullying Parts I-III, 2000-2001, which had been unavailable for the last 1.5 - 2 years, was reprinted under one cover in a special edition of the Jenison Autism Journal, Vol 16 #1, 2004). She is the recipient of the Barbara Lipinski Award for her international contribution to the education and welfare of people with ASD.

Evidence of Harm by David Kirby - ORDER IT from any book store - just do it and read it and keep it for reference!

Toilet training for individuals with autism & related disorders: a comprehensive guide for parents & teachers by: Wheeler, Maria Awesome book. Has a section on interventions for kids who are afraid of the toilet. Autism not required to benefit from this book.

Answers to Questions Teachers Ask About Sensory Integration by Kranowitz, Szklut, Balzer-Martin, Haber & Salva

Sensory Integration and the Child - by Jean Ayres (1998)

How Does your Engine Run? by Williams & Shellenberger

The Explosive Child - by Ross W Greene (2001)

Unlocking the Mysteries of Sensory Dysfunction - by Anderson & Emmons

Behavioral Intervention for Young Children With Autism: A Manual for Parents and Professionals

Power Sleep : The Revolutionary Program That Prepares Your Mind for Peak Performance

The Out-of-Sync Child: Recognizing and Coping with Sensory Integration Dysfunction

The Child With Special Needs: Encouraging Intellectual and Emotional Growth

The Out of Sync Child has Fun by Carol Stock Kranowitz

101 Activities for Kids in Tight Spaces : At the Doctor's Office, on Car, Train, and Plane Trips, Home Sick in Bed . . .

Teachers Ask About Sensory Integration (Informational) [ABRIDGED]

A Purple Cow : How to Learn Colors

The Complete IEP Guide : How to Advocate for Your Special Ed. Child

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Traveling With Special Needs -

So you're going on a trip? Have you flown before? Have you flown with your special needs child or children? Here are a few tips to think about before you book your flight. Or are you going to drive? Take a train ride or a cruise?
When planning your trip from the beginning make sure to write it all down. Where are you going? When are you leaving and returning? How are you going to arrive? What is your itinerary for this trip? Who will you make the arrangements with? Why well that's obvious - We all need to Vacate our Lives once in a while!!!

• Where are you going? This is the first decision to make when choosing to travel. Will it be to the in-laws for a holiday or will it be a vacation get-a-way with the entire family?

• Write the dates that you are leaving and the date you are returning down. Verify you have rescheduled your therapies, other appointments and such.

• What do you need to know about the destination? Will it be hot and humid or mild or snowing? Prepare your family with stories about the trip to alleviate any unnecessary anxiety.

• Does anyone in your family have allergies that might be a problem with your choice? If so, make sure you take the allergy medicine with you.

• Medicines - does everyone in the family have enough medicine to cover the days of your trip and the day after your return? What happens if you are stranded and are gone longer than expected ~ how will you get the medicines needed? Contact your physician before you leave and let them know of your plans.

• What are your means of transportation? Car, plane, train, cruise ~ whatever it is make sure that your family as a whole can handle this means of transportation.

• If it is a car - is your car able to get you through the miles it will take and bring you home safely? Is there enough room in your vehicle to bring all of the luggage, accessories needed, oh and the family?? Will you need to rent a van? Which car rental agency will you choose? Check with organizations you belong to such as AAA, Sam's Club, and so many others offer discounts when you book through them.

• Flying? Which airlines will take you where you want to go? Are they offering specials? Remember if you are planning your vacation in January and will be leaving in March - chances are you will receive the cheaper flight and Better seats to accommodate your family and their needs. If you are planning this trip today and are leaving next week - Prepare - you will be paying the Premium ticket price.  Again check with your organizations for flight discounts.

• Airlines do allow families with small children to board first - this provides you the additional time needed in order to get everyone settled. ARRIVE EARLY - Security Check points will keep you busy for a while depending on how busy the airport is when you arrive. Also if you are wearing anything medical that could set off the x-ray machine - you will want to notify them in advance. If you have a tens unit on you'll want to remove the wires to it, unplug the machine and prepare to remove every one's shoes for inspection. Every item you are carrying onto the plane, you must have it on the conveyor belts so they can run it through their inspection. ARRIVE EARLY _ BETTER TO SIT THAN TO MISS YOUR FLIGHT!

• Airlines - Where is your seat located? The bigger the number of your seat the farther back you are on the plane.

• Who booked your trip? Did you make the arrangements or did Make-A-Wish book your trip? IF Make-A-Wish scheduled your trip, they explain the situation and have any "special trip planning" set up for you.... i.e. seating close to the front, special boarding.

• If you set it up, you can (actually either way) go to your airlines website. Enter your trip Itinerary number into their search and it should (may take additional flight info for security) provide you with your trip information and a plane description of your flight with your seat assignments. This will show you where you are sitting. It should also show you which seats are open. If there are seats open enough for your family - and they are closer to the front of the plane - attempt to move your seating arrangements to those new seats. A lot of times you can do this and there is no additional charge. IF you are one that doesn't like to attempt this on-line - the next step would be to call the 1-800 # listed on the website and explain for example: "We have this beautiful trip planned my husband has never flown, we are traveling with two special needs children who also have never flown before - and your concerns. They will take care of you!

• Wheelchair Assistance? Are you saying to yourself - we can walk. If you have never traveled with your children and all of their supplies - you will be given special priority from start to finish (from your home airline to the plane and any connecting flights to and then same on return flight!) Don't let pride tell you - Oh we don't need that. This way you are not already frustrated and exhausted Just from the trip there.

• Personal Carry On - take your personal bag any foods/drinks including sippy cups or spill proof - for the flight and in between flights. The airports will bankrupt you and the Planes Will Not feed you with any more than a package of peanuts IF you are Lucky!

• What can I bring with me to occupy my children? Great Question! Call the airlines - ask them what you can bring - i.e. headphones, players, including favorite books - anything to keep them occupied!!! Everyone will thank you!!

• Air compression / decompression especially on take off and landing - Altitude may cause problems with decent, so beware of that and practice yawning, swallowing, etc before hand. Bring gum if they are able to chew it without swallowing or drinking bottled water or bottled juice that they have to suck to drink. Chew food at these times - anything to assist so their ears won't have excessive pressure that they can't understand and then start screaming.

• Packing - Always a good idea when going on a long trip especially if traveling by plane, to pack a little bit of everyone's clothing in each bag instead of each person having all of their own clothes and toys, medicines, important paperwork in one suite case. Most Important to pack all medicines, and important documents into a carry on bag to ensure that you have them and if needed - are readily available.

• Access-Able Travel Source

• Travelin' Talk Network

• A free membership web site for wheelchair accessible travel information

• A site full of hints, reports and information provided by travelers with disabilities.

• The site for disability-related information on the Washington DC area. The website features information on hotels, restaurants, attractions, entertainment, resources for personal assistants, wheelchair repair and rental sources, tours, employment, a discussion forum, reviews, etc.
   

Books for Parents and School Personnel about Bully Free:

Beane, Allan L. (1999). The Bully-Free Classroom. Free Spirit.

Garritty, Carla, Porter, William, Sager, Nancy , and Short-Camilli,
Cam . (2000). Bully-Proofing Your school: A Comprehensive Approach for Elementary Schools (Second Edition). Sopris West.

Greenbaum, S., Turner, B., & Stephens, R. (1989). Set straight on
bullies. Malibu , CA : Pepperdine University , National school Safety
Foundation.

Hoover, John H., and Ronald Oliver. (1996). The Bullying Prevention Handbook: A Guide for Principals, teachers, and Counselors.Bloomington , Ind. : National Educational. Contact: National educational service, 1252 Loesch Rd. , Bloomington , IN 47402 ; (812) 336-7700 or (800) 733-6786.

McCoy, Elin. (1997). What to do when kids are mean to your child.
Readers Digest Parenting Guide Services.

Olweus, Dan (1993). Bullying at school: What We know and What We Can Do. Oxford , England : Blackwell Publishers. Contact: Blackwell Publishers, P.O. Box 20 , Williston , VT 05495 ; (800) 216-2522.

Ross, Dorothea M. (1996). Childhood Bullying and Teasing: What School
Personnel, Other Professionals, and Parents Can Do. Alexandria , VA :  American Counseling Association.

Sheras, Peter (2002). Your Child: Bully or Victim? Understanding and Ending School Yard Tyranny. New York : Skylight Press.

Books for Children and Adolescents

Berenstain, Stan, and Jan Berenstain. (1993). The Berenstain Bears
and the Bully. New York : Random House.

Bosch, Carl. (1988). Bully on the Bus. Parenting Press.

Brown, Marc (1983). Arthurs's April Fool. Boston : Little, Brown &
Company.

Cohen-Posey, Kate. (1995). How to Handle Bullies, Teasers and Other Meanies. Rainbow Books.

Romain, Trevor. (1997). Bullies are a Pain in the Brain. Free Spirit.

Romain, Trevor. (1998). Cliques, Phonies and other Baloney. Free
Spirit.

Shriver, Maria (2001).What's Wrong with Timmy? New York : Warner Books.

Walker, Alice (1991). Finding the Green Stone. San Diego : Harcourt
Brace Jovanovich.

Webster-Doyle, Terrence (1991). Why is Everybody Always Picking on me? A Guide to Understanding Bullies for Young People. Middlebury,  Vt. : Atrium Society Publications.

Zeier, Joan. (1993). Stick Boy. New York : Atheneum.

Online Support:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/archive/bully/ 

http://bullies2buddies.com

A supportive and informative Web site for young victims of bullying
http://www.bullybeware.com

Bully B'ware: Take Action Against Bullying. An excellent meeting
place for parents, children and educators concerned about bullying
and its effects. Provides current research on bullying, information
on school programs and other resources and opportunities for victims
and bullies to discuss their own experience with peer violence.
http://www.bullying.org

A clearinghouse of information of bullying and services for victims
and aggressors http://www.cde.ca.gov/spbranch/ssp/bullymanual.htm

U.S. Department of Education report Preventing Bullying: A Manual for Schools and Communities
http://www.cfchildren.org/resources_parent.shtml

Information for parents on protecting children from bullying
http://www.ed.gov Information on stopping bullying at school. Offers the government publication Creating Safe and Drug-Free Schools : An
Action Guide.

http://www.familyfun.com 

Helpful information on all aspects of parenting, including managing
aggression in children. http://www.helahtyplace.com

The nation's largest mental health Web site. Comprehensive
information on mental health services and therapeutic approaches to violence and victimization in children and adolescents.
http://www.kidshelp.org

Provides referrals to anti-bullying groups and resources in your
area. Includes a monitored kids' chat room as well as an on-line
counselor http://www.ojjdp.ncjrs.org/jjbulletin/9804/bullying.html

List of strategies and services to use for preventing bullying:

http://www.pesten.net/index_English.html

An on-line source of support for victims of aggression
http://www.pta.org/programs/sycsch.htm

Parenting tips for helping children deal with bullies at school
http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library.youthviolence/youvioreport.htm

Web site for the report Youth Violence: A report of the Surgeon
General. Created in response to the shooting at Colorado's Columbine High School, this comprehensive report on the state of bullying in American today includes evaluations of current anti-bullying programs, therapeutic approaches for violent and victimized youths, and many other resources for parents and children interested in learning more about bullying in the United States. http://youthviolence.ed.school.virginia.edu

Research and support for professionals and parents regarding youth
violence.

Covenant House Youth Crisis Hotline http://www.covenanthouse.org(800) 999-9999

National Center for Victims of Crime http://www.ncvc.org
(703) 276-2880

National Referral Network for Kids in Crisis http://www.kidspeace.org  (800) 543-7283

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Do you have a favorite tip or website that might help others? Contact us with your information!

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