Free Online Autism Conference 2013

April 9, 2013 By 1 Comment
autism conference

As a parent with a child on the spectrum I want to learn as much about Autism and parenting a child with ASD as I can. There are some conferences that I learn about but leaving to attend them is usually not easy to do.

When I learned that this online Autism conference was happening again this year I quickly signed up. I only got to hear a couple speakers last year but I took a ton of notes and learned some valuable information.

If you have a child with Autism I suggest that you sign up for this FREE conference even if you can only make one or two of the webinars. Hurry though! The conference is this weekend!

Register here: http://www.momsfightingautism.com/#register

Filed Under: Autism, Special Needs Tagged With: , ,

Products To Help Keep Kids With Autism Safe

April 3, 2013 By 2 Comments
tattoos with a purpose

Now that Lucas is getting a little older and more independent I am looking into safety products for children with Autism because he has no fear, often acts without thinking, and will run off if given the chance. Since we will be out and about this summer I want to do everything possible to make sure he is safe.

For today’s Autism related post I wanted to share some products that I’m looking at getting for Lucas who is preschool age. Obviously these products are not substitutes for the watchful eye of a caregiver but instead should be used in addition to correct adult supervision. I am not recommending or endorsing any of these products and am not affiliated with any of them. Check with your child’s doctor first before using any of these.

Tattoos With A Purpose {sold here}

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Angel Guard for Seatbelts {sold here}

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Kid Safety Bands {sold here}

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Window/Door Alarms {sold here}

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Lucas is a little young but I’d get this shirt if he was older…

Alert: I Have Autism Shirt {sold here}

What safety products do you use? I’d love to hear your recommendations in the post comments!

Filed Under: Autism, Safety Tagged With: , , , ,

Light It Up Blue For Autism {April 2nd}

April 1, 2013 By 1 Comment
light it up blue

As many of you know my youngest son, Lucas, is on the Autism Spectrum. I’d be honored if you’d join me and Autism Speaks in the “Light It Up Blue” campaign to raise awareness for Autism.

Each April 2, Autism Speaks celebrates Light It Up Blue along with the international autism community, in commemoration of the United Nations-sanctioned World Autism Awareness Day. Light It Up Blue is a unique global initiative that kicks-off Autism Awareness Month and helps raise awareness about autism. In honor of this historic day, many iconic landmarks, hotels, sporting venues, concert halls, museums, bridges and retail stores are among the hundreds of thousands of homes and communities that take part to Light It Up Blue.

Here are some ideas of how you can participate as an individual or family:

  • Where blue clothing tomorrow
  • Purchase a blue light bulb (Walmart and Home Depot stores have them) and change your porch light to a blue bulb
  • Spread the word via social media by updating your Facebook status or tweeting out an Autism fact.
  • Sign the petition to ask President Obama and Congress to develop and implement a comprehensive national plan to address autism.
  • Participate virtually by taking photos on your smartphone and lighting them up blue with a festive picture frame. Email them, or share on your social networks to become part of the Light It Up Blue movement. (Get the app here)
  • Make a donation to Autism Speaks

Here are some facts from Autism Speaks that you can share:

  • Every 11 minutes, a child is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder.
  • Autism now affects 1 in 88 children and 1 in 54 boys
  • Autism prevalence figures are growing
  • Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the U.S.
  • Autism costs a family $60,000 a year on average
  • Autism receives less than 5% of the research funding of many less prevalent childhood diseases

If you participate I’d love to see pictures! Feel free to share them on the Making Time For Mommy Facebook page :)

Filed Under: Autism, Causes/ Charities Tagged With: , ,

Blue Flowers For Autism Awareness

March 29, 2013 By 3 Comments
blue flowers

In the month of April you will see a lot of reference to the color blue here on my blog and elsewhere. This is because on April 2nd it is Autism Speaks’ “Light It Up Blue” day to raise awareness for Autism. Some buildings even turn blue! I’ll be sharing more about it on my blog in a few days but wanted to share about FTD’s deals, donation towards Autism Speaks, and especially their BLUE flowers! What a great gift to give a parent raising a child with Autism.

Here’s more information:

FTD is going blue for Autism Speaks! FTD has created a website for all supporters of Autism Speaks! All customers get a 15% discount with orders bought through here: http://www.ftd.com/34384/

PLUS they’re offering an additional 10% of each purchase to be donated back to Autism Speaks. Their network of more than 12,000 florists offer a huge selection of fresh flowers, plants, premium gourmet foods, gifts and gift baskets. Let’s Light It Up Blue and buy something special for your special someone!

(Disclosure: I’m not affiliated with FTD, just had to share what they are doing to help families like mine who have a loved one with Autism.)

Filed Under: Autism, Causes/ Charities Tagged With: , , ,

AutisMate: iPad App For Children With Autism {$149.99 Value Giveaway}

February 14, 2013 By
autismate

AutisMate, a new iPad app from SpecialNeedsWare for those with autism, stands among the most respected and innovative options to help children develop communication and behavioral skills despite the challenges of autism. Individuals are given a comprehensive set of tools to navigate life with ease, providing for the lifelong learning, development and changing experiences of those across the spectrum.

While most autism apps on the market focus singularly on promoting one expressive form of communication, AutisMate recognizes the unique nature of every case of autism and works to first build comprehension on a personalized level to unlock a more varied set of expressions and needs. It allows children with autism along with their caretakers and teachers to easily import personal images, video, audio and other information into a visual scene-based platform.

To save time and effort, users also have the option of uploading videos, stories, and schedules geared specifically for autism from a vast content library. A GPS feature allows scenes to change according to the user’s location, making the software even more intuitive and applicable in real-time. This platform grows with the user and caters to his or her unique needs.

The research-supported app has already helped hundreds of users to fully express themselves and improve connections with their families. Many users have expressed their support for AutisMate and shared stories of success and progress. One testimonial that SpecialNeedsWare has received is from a mother of a 7-year-old boy with autism: “I recently used [Autismate to help my son] understand what would be happening at a hospital visit to have tubes put in his ears (a procedure he had done before and had gotten very upset). This last visit he was calmer and cooperated really well! Thank you so much for providing a tool that gives me a way to help my sweet, loving son find understanding by allowing him to ‘think in pictures’.”

You can learn more about AutisMate at www.autismate.com. To purchase the app on iTunes, click here. Please follow AutisMate on Facebook and Twitter.

GIVEAWAY

One reader will win a download code for this app (a $149.99 value)

HOW TO ENTER

{Do any or all of the following, leave a separate comment for each you do}

1) Tell me why you need this app

2) Share this giveaway on a social network

3) Share this giveaway directly with another parent of a child who has Autism

4) Follow @aliciamarie112 on Twitter

5) Follow @autisMate on Twitter

6) Like Making Time For Mommy on Facebook

7) Like AutisMate on Facebook

8) Comment on another one of my posts

Giveaway ends March 3, 2013 at 11:59pm Central time. Must be 18 or older to enter. Note: This giveaway is for the app only and does not include the iPad.

(Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post and do not have an iPad so I have not used the app. I am posting in hopes that it will help one of my readers. This giveaway is not associated with Facebook in any way.)

 

 

Filed Under: Autism, Causes/ Charities, Giveaways, Special Needs, Teaching & Learning, Technology Tagged With: , , , , ,

Ability Path’s Holiday Gift Guide For Children With Special Needs

December 13, 2012 By 1 Comment
ability path logo

I’m excited to share the 2012 Holiday Gift Guide For Children With Special Needs put together by Ability Path. The guide features gift ideas from many bloggers, including a suggestion from me. If you have a child with Special Needs on your “to buy for” list you have to check this guide out.

You can find the Holiday Gift Guide here. Enjoy! :)

 

Filed Under: Autism, Causes/ Charities, Christmas, Gift Ideas, Sensory Processing Disorder, Special Needs, Special Needs & Charities Tagged With: , , , , ,

Something To Think About This Halloween….

October 30, 2012 By Leave a Comment
halloween patience

Last year on Halloween this was passed around on Facebook and I thought it was really great so I wanted to share it with you all this Halloween:

Tonight a lot of creatures will visit your door.

Be open minded.

The child who is grabbing more than one piece of candy might have poor fine motor skills.

The child who takes forever to pick out one piece of candy might have motor planning issues.

The child who does not say trick or treat or thank you might be shy or non-verbal.

The child who looks disappointed when he sees your bowl might have an allergy.

The child who isn’t wearing a costume at all might have SPD or autism.

Be nice.

Be patient.

Its everyone’s Halloween.



Filed Under: Halloween, Sensory Processing Disorder, Special Needs Tagged With: , , ,

This Is What Autism Looks Like In My Child {A Response To 50 Cent}

July 6, 2012 By 14 Comments
this is what autism looks like

{UPDATE: On July 8th, 50 tweeted this: “I realize my autism comments were insensitive, however it was not my intention to offend anyone and for this I apologize.”}

Some of you may have heard of rapper 50 Cent’s recent comments on Twitter about Autism. I only heard about this today and as a parent of children with special needs, including a child with Autism, I am furious.

Here are the statements he made in response to someone who tweeted him:

‘yeah just saw your picture fool you look autistic’

‘I don’t want no special ed kids on my time line follow some body else’

{You can read the details over at the Huffington Post}

So in response to 50 Cent…

THIS is what Autism looks like in my son, Lucas

Want to support our family and all the other ones who love someone with Autism?

You can tweet: “Hey, @50cent this is what #Autism looks like! http://wp.me/pibQB-3cA via @aliciamarie112″

OR you can share your thoughts on his Facebook page

Filed Under: Autism, Special Needs Tagged With: , ,

Autism Doesn’t End In April…

April 27, 2012 By Leave a Comment
autism_doesnt_end_in_april_mug

image from cafepress.com

Throughout the month of April I have posted every weekday for Autism Awareness Month. This will be my last daily post but definitely not my last Autism related post. The support that I have gotten from those that are also affected by Autism has been overwhelming and I have enjoyed sharing personal stories, resources, and quotes I have found along the way.

What kind of Autism related posts would you like to see here at Making Time For Mommy?

Filed Under: Autism Tagged With: ,

What are you doing? – A Film About Autism {Trailer}

April 26, 2012 By 1 Comment

Here is more information on this film from Autism Awareness {Australia}:

“What are you doing?” is a short film, created by Autism Awareness, which aims to teach school aged children about acceptance and understanding of their peers with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

The film addresses some of the fears children may have about ASD, answers their questions and helps show them how they can be a great friend to a classmate on the autism spectrum. The film includes enlightening interviews with the brothers, sisters, cousins and friends of children on the spectrum. These friends and family members share their thoughts and experiences on what it is like to share their life with someone on the spectrum.

Through beautiful imagery, engaging narrative and quirky animation, the film sends a message that children with autism should be accepted, supported and encouraged by their peers to be a part of their community.

“What are you doing?” will be screened at schools across Australia later this year and we hope, in the future, throughout the world!

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Here’s my question:

How do we get this film shown in schools here in the States?

This is a film that desperately needs to be seen by children in our schools.

Filed Under: Autism, education Tagged With: , ,

Sensory Friendly Films At AMC Theatres

April 25, 2012 By 2 Comments
sensory friendly films

AMC Theatres offers sensory friendly movies once or twice a month at many of their theaters across the nation. I’ve written about this program before but wanted to share the newest movies being offered. Here are the movies they plan on showing from now through the end of the summer:

May 5 – Pirates! Band of Misfits

June 16 – Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted

June 30 – Brave

July 21 – Ice Age: Continental Drift

August 11 – Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days

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*More details can be found here*

Filed Under: Autism, Sensory Processing Disorder Tagged With: , , ,

The Stories Of Autism Gallery Is Live

April 24, 2012 By Leave a Comment
stories of autism

Last month I told you about Stories Of Autism and the great photography experience we had with Megan of Firefly Nights Photography. {If you missed it you can find that post here}. I have been checking to see if the gallery was live pretty much every day and I’m happy to say that it went live this past weekend! Along with the beautiful photography are some stories and words full of love from the parents that raise these amazing children. {You will notice mine is a little short but that’s because I thought we were only supposed to write a couple sentences.}

**CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE COMPLETE 2012 STORIES OF AUTISM PHOTO GALLERY!!**

Filed Under: Autism, Photography Tagged With: ,

Donate To Autism Speaks With Swagbucks

April 23, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Swagbucks is an online portal dedicated to helping you earn digital dollars called “Swag Bucks”, which can be redeemed for exclusive Swagbucks.com merchandise. You can earn points for doing various things like using their “search” function when looking for something online, taking quizzes, watching videos, and a variety of other things. I earn most of my points by searching for information on the web and then redeem my points for gift cards.

Along with great products, Swagbucks normally features a charity of the month that you can donate your Swagbucks to. This month they have teamed up with Autism Speaks so people can donate their Swagbucks to Autism Speaks. Here are more details from the Swagbucks website: “The Swag Bucks you donate all this month will be turned into a cash donation, given directly to Autism Speaks. Every Swag Buck you donate will help make life easier and more manageable for those with autism and those supporting them. Every Swag Bucks donated equal $0.01, so donating 1,000 Swag Bucks is equivalent to donating ten dollars. The deadline for donations is Tuesday May 1st at 12:00pm PT.”

Want to donate your Swagbucks to Autism Speaks? Click HERE to find out how! Not a member yet? It’s easy to join and start earning. Click HERE to join!
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(Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post. I have used my Swagbucks referral link though so when you win, I win!)
Filed Under: Autism Tagged With: , ,

New Android Phone Apps For Children With Autism

April 20, 2012 By Leave a Comment
autism apps

You can download the apps in the Google Play store here. Some are free and some cost 99 cents.

(Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post. I received this email today and wanted to share this resource.)

Filed Under: Autism, Smartphone applications Tagged With: , ,

Autism Graphics

April 18, 2012 By Leave a Comment

I came across a site today called My Autie Space that’s full of amazing Autism related graphics that can be shared online {they even have code boxes for easy sharing!}. Here are some of my favorites:

For Kids:

For Parents:

For Teachers:

For Autism Awareness Month:

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Find many more graphics at My Autie Space!

Filed Under: Autism, Websites I love Tagged With: ,

A Mother’s Autism Prayer

April 17, 2012 By Leave a Comment
A Mother's Autism Prayer

by Elizabeth Scott, author of Raindrops on Roman
Overcoming Autism:  A Message of Hope
www.rdrpublishers.com
© 2009 Robert D. Reed Publishers
THIS BOOK IS NOW AVAILABLE ON KINDLE (click here)

Filed Under: Autism Tagged With: ,

Missing Pieces {A Song For Autism Awareness Month}

April 13, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Came across this song today. I am normally not a fan of country music but this song, sang by a father of a child with Autism, is very touching.

Filed Under: Autism, music Tagged With: ,

Autism & Learning {Infographic}

April 11, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Autism & Learning
Via: Online College Advice

{Please note: The statistic on how many are affected by Autism is an old statistic. It was recently changed to 1 in 88.}

Filed Under: Autism Tagged With: , ,

Autism Awareness Wreaths

April 9, 2012 By Leave a Comment
ribbon wreath

How cute is this wreath from A Modern Day Fairy Tale? I will be searching for old puzzles at garage sales this Spring so that I can make one for our door. View her post here

This cute ribbon shaped wreath can be found on Etsy in the Charlee Rose Designs shop. You can purchase it here.

This wreath was uploaded to Pinterest by the person who made it. She also has photos of two other ones that she made. See her Pinterest board here.

Filed Under: Autism, crafts, Special Needs Tagged With: , ,

Free Online Autism Conference {Autism Awareness Month}

April 6, 2012 By Leave a Comment
autism conference

A mom in one of my Facebook groups shared about this free online Autism conference. It’s a week long and has over 40 sessions for parents of children on the spectrum.

Sessions Include:

- How To Be An Effective Advocate For Your Child

- How to turn deficits into strengths

- How to use specific sensory activities to positively impact behavior

- 6 Tools For Managing The Emotional Aspects Of ASD Parenting

- Practical Solutions For Real Life Challenges

…and MORE!

To get more details and to register you can visit the site here.

(Disclosure: This is not a compensated post. I am sharing information from their website because I think my readers would be interested. I have registered to attend this online event but have not attended one of their previous conferences.)

Filed Under: Autism, Special Needs Tagged With: , ,