Stand Together Resource Fair for Autism Services on Staten Island – Saturday, April 28, 2012

What’s new in Autism? Find out at the Stand Together Resource Fair for Autism Services on Staten Island.

Borough President James P. Molinaro & his Autism committee invite you to learn about new advances in Technology & Communications.

Listen as Board Certified Behavior Analyst Laura Kenneally speaks on how to use the iPad to imporve communication & social skills at home.

Meet with organizations and service providers specializing in :

• Social Skills

• After School Programs

• Recreational Therapy

• Dance Programs

• Art Workshops

• Music Programs

• and More!

Update on Autism insurance (Judith Ursitti, Director of State Government Affairs, Autism Speaks)

Tech & communication Speakers (Joanne Gerenser & Laura Kenneally)

Ask the Experts (eligibility for services/1115 Waiver/Insurance/Technology/D.O.E. Services)

iPod Touch Raffles, Family Activities, Free Take-Aways!

For more information & to join Borough President Molinaro’s Autism e-mail list visit: www.statenislandusa.com

RSCN Symposium for Parents and Professionals: Friendship, Dating, Sexuality & Disability – Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Resources for Children with Special Needs (RCSN) presents a panel discussion about friendship, dating, sexuality & disability. The panelists are Dr. Michelle S. Ballan, Assistant Professor, Columbia University School of Social Work (leading mentor, advocate, researcher and professor), Dr. Chris Rose, Dean of Students, CUNY (disability study scholar), Brian Schwanwede, student.

Date: Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Time: 5:00 p.m. Coffee reception with panelists, 5:30 p.m. Panel

Where: Credit Suisse, 11 Madison Avenue, Entrance on Park Avenue South, at 24th Street

Register online: www.resourcesnyc.org/events

Register by phone: Resources for Children with Special Needs (212) 677-4650

Website: www.resroucesnyc.org

 

 

“Got Apps?” List of Pragmatic and Social Skills Apps: Video Modeling, Social Stories, Social Skills and Group Activities

A 1st generation Apple iPad. This is the 32GB WiFi model and shows the home screen. Please check my Wikimedia User Gallery for all of my public domain works. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Last week, the PS 373R Speech department presented a terrific iPad workshop for parents of children with special needs. Following is a list of apps to use with your iPad.

A recommended reading resource is: Apps for Autism: An Essential Guide to Over 200 Effective Apps for Improving Communication, Behavior, Social Skills, and More! by Lois Jean Brady

• Tell a Story with Tommy: Community Sequences – By Listen, Talk, Draw, LLC $2.99 The community sequence set was developed by a Speech/Language Pathologist to provide concrete visual prompts for students who have a language disorder. The sequence set develops vocabulary, grammar, story telling, sequencing, and more using real situations therefore it will stimulate language development for all children.
  The application begins with a story. You have the option to have the story read to you or you can read the text yourself. Then, you place the four sequences in the correct order to win the game. There is also an option to turn off the text so that your child can make up their own story.
  This application has corresponding sequence cards that are available for purchase from http://www.listentalkdraw.com. Also visit our blog on this website for additional language building ideas.
• Tell a Story with Tommy: School Sequences – by Listen. Talk. Draw, LLC $2.99The school sequence set was developed by a Speech/Language Pathologist to provide concrete visual prompts for students who have a language disorder. The sequence set develops vocabulary, grammar, story telling, sequencing, and more using real situations therefore it will stimulate language development for all children.
• Model Me Going Places 2 – by Model Me Kids, LLC FREE Model Me Going Places™ for the iPad is a great visual teaching tool for helping your child learn to navigate challenging locations in the community. Each location contains a photo slideshow of children modeling appropriate behavior. LOCATIONS:- Hairdresser- Mall- Doctor- Playground- Grocery Store- Restaurant.
• Social Skills Sampler HD (FREE) & Everyday Social Skills HD ($1.99) by the Conover Company (for Pre-Teen and Teen students) This sampler includes 62 of the most common topics in the Functional Social Skills System. Included in the program are the topics of meeting/greeting people, taking responsibility, being polite and courteous, joining others in groups, apologizing/excusing self, following directions and handling criticism.
• iTouchiLearn Life Skills: Morning Routines for Preschool Kids by Staytoooned  – FREEImmerse your child into the virtual world of morning routines. Each routine contains a unique activity that must be completed to move on to the next routine. After successfully completing each morning routine, players receive star rewards and play in the rewards play space.
• Social Skills Builder by Social Skill Builder, Inc. – FREE Social Skill Builder’s series of innovative software programs use interactive videos to teach key social thinking, language and behavior that are critical to everyday living. This award-winning software helps kids learn and continue to build the skills of:★ Problem Solving ★ Friendship/Life Skills ★Critical Thinking ★Emotions ★ Consequences
• ConversationBuilder by Mobile EducationTools ConversationBuilder™ ($9.99) is designed to help elementary aged children learn how to have multi-exchange conversations with their peers in a variety of social settings.
  The auditory pattern of conversation is presented in a visual format to help students recognize and master the flow of conversation. Students will learn when it is appropriate to introduce themselves, ask questions, make observations and change the subject of the conversation.
  Being able to converse with peers is the cornerstone of developing relationships, and ConversationBuilder™ promotes development of this skill that so many elementary aged children struggle with in a fun and engaging way.
• Social Skills By MDR ($3.99) Social Skills (S2L) offers parents and educators the ability to interact with six social narratives (broken into 2 levels which give a total possible of 12 social narratives) designed to help individuals improve their social ability. With Social Skills (S2L), the stories contain targeted instruction in the following core areas: Joint Attention; Non-Verbal Communication; Greetings; Structured game play; Turn Taking; Classroom rules; and Imitation.
  In addition to using the specific content, users can modify the stories by adding different photos, text, as well as audio. The end results allows for the individual to look at a social photo, touch the picture for audio, and continue onto the next page!
• Pictello by AssistiveWare ($18.99) Pictello is a simple way to create talking photo albums and talking books. Each page in a Pictello Story can contain a picture, up to five lines of text, and a recorded sound or text-to-speech using high-quality voices. Stories can be shared using iTunes File Sharing or via WiFi with other Pictello users through a free account on the Pictello Sharing Server. Stories can be shared with non-Pictello users as PDF files through email or iTunes File Sharing.
  Pictello is developed for all ages and skill levels, so it is easy to use and requires no reading skills to locate and read stories. Pictello offers an easy visual story creation wizard so everyone can use pictures and sound to share important moments in their lives. An advanced editor gives full control of the editing capabilities.
• StoryKit by ICDL FoundationView (FREE) Create an electronic storybook. Make use of the little gaps in life – on the sofa after dinner, in the back seat of the car, or on a train – to do something creative together.
  To create your story:
  * Write some text.* Illustrate by drawing on the screen, taking a photograph of something you see, or drawing on paper and then photographing the paper, or attaching photos from your album.
  * Sounds can be recorded for telling your story or as sound effects.
  * Layout the elements of your story (text boxes, images, and sound clips) freely by dragging them or pinching to resize.
  * Add, reorder, or delete pages from your book.
• Fun With Directions by Hamaguchi – Apps for Speech Language & Auditory Development ($.99) Fun with Directions Lite is a ground-breaking app, designed to provide a fun and engaging way to practice listening, following directions, working memory and the auditory processing of language. From the simplest of directions (“Touch the cat”) to the more complex (“Give the boy without a hat or glasses, something round that grows on trees and can be red or green.”) your child can grow and learn with this game over time. Colorful, vivid art and animations against a white background combine to create a complete game experience without visual clutter. Sound effects and surprises keep the game engaging! This app is a great choice for a toddler/preschooler, or any young child who would like to practice listening to or reading directions!
• My PlayHome By Shimon Young ($3.99) My PlayHome is the original and best dolls house app. Massively interactive, your kids can explore and use everything in the house. The characters eat, sleep, shower, brush their teeth and more. Want the room to be darker? Close the drapes! Fancy a change in music? Pop a different CD into the stereo!
  No other doll house app comes close in interactivity, detail, ease of use and just plain fun!
• Pizza Maker by Sunstorm Interactive (FREE) – You made sundaes, cakes, and breakfast foods, and now- Pizza Maker is here! Whip up any pizza you want-from a three cheese to a supreme combination! You can even create a yummy dessert pizza topped with fruits or chocolates!
  The free version of Pizza Maker includes a sampling of items. Each time you go the ‘eat pizza’ page, you’ll be presented with an advertisement. If you want more items and no advertisements, simply purchase ‘Master Pizza Maker’ from the Grocery Store to unlock a full pizza parlor.
• Cake Doodle By Shoe the Goose (FREE) Need a cake in a hurry for that special occasion? Love to decorate cakes, but hate the dirty pans, messy counters and hot kitchen? Cake Doodle is the answer!
  Crack the eggs, shake the salt, pour in the liquids, squeeze the lemon, mash the bananas, sift the flour, and toss in the dry ingredients. Blend the batter and bake your cake in our super fast oven. No need to wait for the cake to cool before icing and decorating it.
  Eat the cake yourself when you’re done or save it to your photo album. Surprise your friends with a customized cake e-mailed to them on their special day.

GRACE Programs – for Children on the Autistic Spectrum

GRACEful Glee – Performing Arts Program 

Location: 264 Watchogue Road

Mondays 6:00pm to 7:30pm

Ages: 11 to 17

Please call the GRACE office at 718-983-3800 for additional information on this Program.

CLUB L.I.F.E. (Learning, Independence, Fun, Empower)

Location:  264 Watchogue Road

Friday Nights 6:00pm-9:00pm

This is a socialization program for teens and young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).  Participants will plan a weekly schedule of activities under the supervision of trained staff. Activities include but are not limited to social interaction with peers, on site movies, video games, seasonal activities, community service and daily living skills.

MEDICAID SERVICE COORDINATION – The Grace Foundation provides Medicaid Service Coordination.  Medicaid Service Coordination is a Medicaid State Plan service provided by the Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD) which assists persons with developmental disabilities and mental retardation in gaining access to necessary services and supports appropriate to the needs of the individual.  For assistance and further information please call the GRACE office at 718-983-3800.

PARENT SUPPORT GROUPS –  REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. The next meeting  will be April 10th, 2012.  Meetings are held at 264 Watchogue Road. Please call the Grace Office at 718-983-3800 to register. 

 

SOCIAL SKILLS CLASSES

FOR INFORMATION ON THE SOCIAL SKILLS CLASSES PLEASE CALL

THE GRACE OFFICE AT 718-983-3800.

RECREATION PROGRAMS:  For additional information or to register for any of the recreation programs, please call the GRACE office at 718-983-3800.

 

BOWLING 

AT SHOWPLACE located at 141 East Service Road -off Victory Blvd.

Sundays, 10:00am – 11:30am.

GYM PROGRAM – Saturdays

Saturdays. P.S. 55, 54 Osborn Street, Staten Island.

Please call the GRACE office at 718-983-3800 for further information.

Session 1 –   9:15am-11:15pm

Session 2 – 11:30am-  1:30pm 

LITTLE LEAGUE– Sundays

Great Kills Little League, Greaves Avenue

11:00am-1:00pm

SWIMMING – Saturdays

Elizabeth Connelly Center Therapeutic Pool

930 Willowbrook Road

Medical form is required from the Elizabeth Connelly Center pool.

Please call the GRACE office at 718-983-3800 for further information.

FREE FAMILY SUPPORT GROUPS For Caregivers of People on the Autism Spectrum

Information, support, and resources!
Each session will include a presentation from a knowledgeable professional followed by a support and discussion group.

Featured Topics

• Understanding the New IEP
• Managing Wandering and Elopement in the Community
• Special Education Reform
• Managing Stress through Yoga and Relaxation

Visit yai.org/autismsupport  for the schedule of presenters or download the flyers directly in English/Spanish . Sign up for one or sign up for all! Caregivers from all NYC boroughs welcome!

Eligibility
Must be a parent or a caregiver of a person with an Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Attendees must register by calling YAI LINK: 212-273-6182 or toll free at 1-866-2-YAILINK

Location
460 West 34th St, 11th floor, NY, NY 10001 (corner of 10th Ave) Map

Upcoming Dates
Thurs, April 18, (English)
Thurs, April 26, (English)
Mon, May 9, (Spanish)

Visit yai.org/autismsupport  for more dates

SIDDC Education Committee’s 2012 Spring Seminar: “Conversations Regarding NYC Special Education Reform”

Please see the attached flyer for information on the SIDDC Education
Committee’s Spring Seminar: “Conversations Regarding NYC Special Education
Reform.” The seminar will take place on Thursday, April 26, 2012, from
7:00pm to 9:00pm at the NYS Institute for Basic Research (IBR) 1050 Forest Hill Road, Staten Island, NY. To register, please contact the Early Childhood Direction Center at 718-226-6670

Flyer: 2012+SPRING+SEMINAR+flyer

 

2012 Kick-Off for Autism Walk – Prospect Park Brooklyn

Extended Home Care is pleased to announce a free one-day fun-filled event for the Special Needs school community:

                        KICK-OFF FOR THE AUTISM WALK
                        SATURDAY, APRIL 28, 2012
                        PROSPECT PARK, BROOKLYN
                        10AM – 2PM

 At this KICK-OFF FOR THE AUTISM WALK, Schools, Families, Groups and Individuals can:

PLAY SOCCER & OTHER OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

                        GET AUTISM INFO IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH

                        REGISTER FOR THE JUNE 3 NYC AUTISM WALK
                        AT THE SOUTH STREET SEAPORT

Please link here for the flyers:  04 2012 SOCCER KICK OFF FOR AUTISM FLYER 04 2012 SOCCER KICK OFF REGISTRATION FORM

 

People can sign up singly or groups, and walk as a Team,  as individuals, or with Extended’s Team.

This free KICK-OFF FOR THE AUTISM WALK  will be lots of fun! Please encourage your school community to
send in their registration forms as soon as possible. Pre-registration is required in order for children to participate.

Send completed registration forms to: events@extendedhc.net or fax to 646-349-2794.

PS 373R Speech Department Presents: An iPad App Workshop for Parents of Children with Special Needs

The PS 373R Speech Department Presents: An iPad App Workshop for Parents of Children with Special Needs.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012 at 10:00 a.m.

PS 373R Main Site (Auditorium) 91 Henderson Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10301

Contact Kirsten Rorke T. 718-816-8897 press “1′ then “3” or e-mail krorke@schools.nyc.gov

Music for Autism Series at the Bernikow JCC in Staten Island

On Sunday, April 29 at 1:00 PM the Bernikow JCC (1466 Manor Rd.) will host
the WindSync musical ensemble as part of our Music for Autism series
sponsored by the North Shore Rotary Club.

All families and children are invited to join us for this free one-hour concert. We hope that you and your
children may have the opportunity to engage in this rich interactive
experience.

2012 Staten Island Autism Resource Fair: WIN an IPoD Every Hour!

PLEASE LINK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION: Autism Resource Fair at Petrides

Borough President James P. Molinaro and his Autism Committee invite you to
learn about new advances in Technology and Communications

Saturday, April 28th, 2012

10:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Petrides School

715 Ocean Terrace, Staten Island, N.Y. 10314

Plenty of free parking available on site