Author: Dr. Rebecca Mullican

About Dr. Rebecca Mullican

Received her Ph.D. in Special Education, Emphasis: Severe/Low Incidence Disability at the University of Southern Mississippi. She has seventeen years of experience working with students with autism. Learn more…

Mendenhall Public Library Raises Awareness Regarding Autism

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Autism Tree MendenhallMendenhall Library branch manager, Rhoda Benton, and her staff are helping to raise awareness about autism during April. Rhoda and her staff created an autism tree with pieces of advice of how to help with autism such as “be understanding” and “be a piece of the puzzle.” They also set up books about autism that could be checked out. Dr. Irene Schulz donated five of her books written about autism called The Snowflake Children of Autism. The local newspaper wrote an article about how the library was raising awareness. Thank you for being a piece of our puzzle in Mendenhall and helping parents and families in the area know that they are accepted and supported.

 

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Five Toilet Training Tips for Parents of Children With Autism

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Toilet training for a child with autism can be challenging! Here are a few tips to help this be a smooth transition.

#5 Allow your child to stay naked while focusing on toilet training at home. This makes it easier to get to the toilet and eliminate in it. As your child becomes more proficient, begin adding clothes back. Staying near the toilet is also a good idea in case an accident starts to happen, you can quickly move to the toilet.

#4 Have the child help change clothes. Part of learning to use the toilet is undressing and dressing oneself. When a child has an accident, it is a natural consequence to have to take off wet clothes, use a washcloth or baby wipe to clean up, and put fresh, dry clothes on. While some children may be in different places of learning how to dress or undress themselves, you as the parent or teacher can always choose one clothes item at a time to focus on the child putting on and taking off. Once they are more comfortable with that item, add another item.

#3 Have the child help clean up accidents. This is important because it helps the child become more independent and also take responsibility for making a mess. This doesn’t mean that you have to fuss at the child about the accident- it just means letting the child know they are wet/dirty and need to help clean up.

#2 Ditch the pull-up! Pull-ups do not teach anything about the sensation of being wet or wetting yourself. I think it sends a very confusing message to kids- why would you want to stop what you are doing to go to the bathroom if you don’t have to. Having an accident and feeling all wet and yucky may help a child make that connection and not want to feel that way again.

#1 You don’t have to wait until your child can acknowledge the need to use the bathroom…in that case, some of us may be waiting a very long time. Acknowledging the need to use the bathroom is important, but it shouldn’t stop a parent and/or teacher from beginning the toilet training process. For some, it may take a very long time to request going to the bathroom and for others, they might not ever request. Is it always necessary to request to use the bathroom? I don’t think so- when we are at work, we don’t have to ask permission to use the bathroom. At home, we don’t ask permission to go; we just go to the bathroom. For some individuals, they may just GO to the bathroom when they need to go. If a child learns to go into a bathroom to use it, we can always work on requesting permission as they become more fluent in going when they need to or we can accommodate the child in the fact that they may not ask when they go to the bathroom.

If you are getting frustrated or not having much luck on your own, it may be time to receive some help. Jackson Autism Center works with children on toilet training in small groups and privately. Complete a contact form to find out about the next toilet training classes.

Yoga Benefits Kids with Autism Spectrum Disorders

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A 2012 article talks about the possible benefits of yoga for kids on the spectrum. I found this article as I prepare for our free yoga class Thursday afternoon. Through yoga and yogic breath, the body calms and anxiety is reduced. As a professional working with individuals on the spectrum, I see that when anxiety levels are reduced, it allows for more opportunities for socialization and communication- all things we want to see with children on the spectrum! Anxiety reduction would work for all individuals including those on the spectrum. Another fun article I found talked about ways to use yoga games with children. I am looking forward to having our guest yoga instructor meet some of our children and helping us find new ways to calm and center them! Sign up today to reserve your spot Thursday, April 24 at 3:30 pm. Namaste!

Signs to look for with Autism Spectrum Disorders

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During April, we have had an overwhelming request to help educate the community about what signs and characteristics to look for in a child or individual who may have autism. This fact sheet was made for those purposes.

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Tattoos for Autism

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An interesting way you can help families and individuals with autism this month is by getting a tattoo…Yes you read this correctly! Ink 4 autism allows you to find a tattoo shop near you that will donate a portion of the cost of your tattoo towards Autism Speaks during the month of April. You can also check out their Facebook page to see the ink people got. Happy inking!

“Signing Time” Is a Gem of Communication

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I learned about this resource while working on my dissertation and have been thrilled with the videos and apps provided by Two Little Hands Productions. Sign language is one of the frequently used augmentative and alternative communications (AAC) that allows children on the autism spectrum to begin communicating. The videos use repetition, explanation, singing, and video modeling of signs to help kids learn words they can use to communicate. There are two levels also- Baby Signing Time and Signing Time to help best meet the needs of children wherever their language may be currently.

I have used Signing Time’s Potty Time materials multiple times and have been very impressed with them. The song is catchy- you will be singing and signing it in no time! Thank you Rachel, Leah, Alex, and Hopkins, for helping improve communication!

Jackson Association for Children Under Six Presentation Part Two

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On January 25 of this year, I had the honor of presenting at the annual JACUS conference regarding children with autism spectrum disorders and related disabilities and how to accommodate and modify for these children in a typical preschool setting. The title of the presentation was “Making a Difference for Every Child: Teaching a Child with Characteristics of Autism.” At young ages, children may or may not have a diagnosis. It is important to remember regardless of differences, all children can benefit from an inclusive setting. *Here are 5 ways to accommodate and modify for these preschoolers who may have characteristics of autism:

#5 If the child is having trouble sitting for circle time or for center type activities, consider incorporating a movement song or two in between activities. Another strategy that may work is to give the child a “job” or responsibilities that allow movement, such as getting the calendar pieces or passing out instruments. Some children do well using a move-n-sit cushion because it keeps them in their chair or space, but allows them to wiggle.

#4 If a child is having trouble completing the same work that other children are completing, consider modifying the assignment to allow the child to finish the assignment and be successful. For example, if the child has trouble cutting out difficult shapes, cut out some of them beforehand and allow the child to cut some out. If there is a tracing worksheet, consider snipping off the bottom half to reduce the amount of work the child needs to complete.

#3 If there seems to be a difficult time of the day for the child or the child seems to get stressed out about a particular event, such as going to the bathroom or coming inside from recess, consider writing a social story to help increase understanding of what is going to happen, when, and why. Through understanding, anxiety and challenging behaviors may decrease.

#2 Use pictures to help increase understanding. Some examples are a picture schedule on the wall that gives the order of what will happen when during the day so the child knows what to expect. This can benefit all children. Some children may benefit from the use of pictures and/or written words during activities too.

#1 Use straight forward language that gets to the point. For example, “Sit down.” or “Line up.” Simplifying language helps ensure that the teacher’s message gets across to the child and is understood.

*Please keep in mind that all children are individuals and strategies that work for one child may not work for another child.

 

Fondren’s Plush Groove Has Fashion Show and Benefits Jackson Autism Center

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The local Plush Groove is having a Fashion Mixer on Sunday, April 27 at 5 pm which will benefit Jackson Autism Center and TEAAM Autism. The event will boast the best from local boutiques and hairdressers while giving back to the community. A percentage of proceeds will go towards assisting Jackson Autism Center in purchasing a sensory swing for our gym. As many of you are aware, children on the autism spectrum have a multitude of sensory needs. With a sensory swing in our gym, JAC will be able to help kids calm down, increase attention, alert, and increase communication. One thing I hear over and over from families is how much their child loves being outside…having an indoor swing will help bring the outdoors in for these children. Tickets can be purchased here.

The address of Plush Groove is: 3417 N. West St. Jackson, MS

Free Events for Kids at Jackson Autism Center

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There are 2 great opportunities coming up soon for kids at Jackson Autism Center! Next Thursday, April 24, there will be yoga/stretch classes in the afternoon. *Times are as follows 3:30 for ages 4-7 and 4:00 for ages 8-16. There is limited availability so you must register your child. Kids should wear comfortable clothes and bring a favorite stuffed animal to class. The class is appropriate for all skill levels and will focus on an introduction to yoga with an emphasis on stretching and relaxing. Register now to save your child’s spot!

Also, next Friday night, April 25, from 5:00-8:00, Jackson Autism Center will host a Disney movie night. Children ages four to eighteen are invited to come enjoy a showing of Frozen. Snacks will be provided. Sign up to reserve your spot!

*Times are subject to change based on class size and availability.

Top 15 Special Education Blogs

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This list of the top 15 special education blogs was brought to my attention yesterday on Facebook and I thought it was worth sharing. I found one of my favorite blogs on the list- PrAACtical AAC and can’t wait to look at the others. Wrisghtslaw is also a great site for understanding special education laws and parent’s rights!