Join JAC director Dr. Rebecca Mullican online on Wednesday, September 18th from 2:30 to 4 pm CT as she discusses family experiences with Speech Generating Devices (SGDs) for children with autism. Dr. Mullican will be presenting qualitative research from her dissertation. She interviewed six families regarding their child with autism who communicates with an SGD. These families shared the day to day victories as well as the challenges of using SGDs. This is a special opportunity that parents and autism education practitioners will want to take part in. This webinar is brought to you through Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA). For more information, and to register online, go to ATIA.
Category Archives: News and Updates
Fall 2013 Social Skills Classes
Starting back up the week of September 16th…
Jackson Autism Center is very excited to offer social skills classes for children and adults with disabilities. Classes will be offered in a wide variety of age groups: ages 4-7, ages 8-13, ages 14-18, and ages 19+. All classes will run for a 13 week session from the week of September 16th through December 2013. Groups will be limited to five members with two adult facilitators. Fill out a registration form for complete details. Limited room available so sign up soon!
In the 8-13, 14-18, and 19+ age groups, the 13 week sessions will focus on communication skills, making friends and interacting with peers. Topics covered will include nonverbal communication, starting and ending a conversation, making and keeping friends and participating in activities with friends.
For 4 to 7 year olds, classes will center on social skills with friends and social skills at school. Topics covered will include what to do when someone greets you, sharing, cleaning up, waiting and appropriate behavior at school.
Class times are: Monday 4:15-5:15 Ages 8-13
Wednesday 5:00-6:00 Ages 14-18
Day and time will be announced for: Ages 4-7 and Adults (19+)
Spaces fill up quickly! Can’t wait to see you there!
Local Dance Classes for Kids with Disabilities
Dance anyone? There is a new local dance opportunity available for kids with disabilities ages 3-14! Lindsey Claire Muse is offering dance classes for kids with disabilities in the fall. Classes are open for boys and girls and will focus on simple patterns and repetition as well as the basics of rhythm and fundamentals of ballet. Students will have the chance to improve flexibility, coordination, muscular strength, and social skills. Parents have the option of attending the classes with their child. Students will also be a part of the spring dance recital. The owner, Ms. Muse, expressed her excitement in being able to offer the class. She also said she would love to have classes for preschool and adults if there is an interest. This is a wonderful opportunity to get your child moving!
Family Donates Speech Generating Device to Jackson Autism Center
Recently, a local Madison family donated their child’s speech generating device to Jackson Autism Center. Lauren and Greg Watkins explained that the communication device had been helpful to their daughter, but her speech had improved so much that they no longer felt it was necessary for her to use it to be understood. Lauren said Dr. Mullican had assisted them in getting the device and they wanted the opportunity to help other kids find their voice.
It was so exciting to sit down and have a conversation with their daughter, my former student, about her friends and angry birds (of course). I became her teacher when she was 4. When I first met her, she had three words in her vocabulary and lots of babbling. Now, she is 10, boy crazy, writing in a diary, and sharing her own personal thoughts!
What a great present to give someone- the opportunity to communicate! These devices solely dedicated to communication can cost upwards of $2500. To have one accessible at JAC is a dream come true for families. What better way to find out if this will work for your child than to have access to it during intervention sessions. Finding out how your child will respond before making such a large investment or having Medicaid purchase it will be so helpful!
Thank you Watkins family for sharing your communication device as well as the hope for one day not needing it and helping other families!
Autism Awareness Book Drive at Maurices
Maurices in Northpark Mall held a book drive in April to collect books for Jackson Autism Center. JAC is very excited about using these books to create learning and social opportunities for the individuals attending our center. Our hope is that through this book drive more people became educated about autism.
DREAM NIGHT at the Jackson Zoo for Kids with Disabilities and who are Chronically Ill
St. Dominic’s presents DREAM NIGHT at the Jackson Zoo Friday, June 7 from 5:00-7:00 pm. This is a free event, but families do need to RSVP by May 25 to participate via email to cwoodson@jacksonzoo.org or call 601.352.2500.
This is a great opportunity to visit the Jackson Zoo during a time where families will feel more comfortable. The pace will be set by the children and their families. There will also be special activities to participate in throughout the zoo. Sign up and enjoy a relaxing night at the zoo!
Dr. Rebecca Mullican shares about Autism Awareness Month on WJTV
Dr. Rebecca Mullican was honored to talk about Autism Awareness month during the early morning news on WJTV Channel 12 Monday, April 22. Beth Alexander interviewed Dr. Mullican on first signs of autism, how to help during autism awareness month, and what services Jackson Autism Center is providing to the greater Jackson, MS area.
Autism is diagnosed behaviorally. Some of the first signs to look for are atypical eye contact. This does not mean the child does not make eye contact; it just means the eye contact may be unique from typical eye contact. The child may have fleeting eye contact, look through the sides of eyes at people, or avoid gazing into another person’s eyes. Another sign is speech and language development. Children typically are babbling by 12 months, speaking their first words by 16 months (“mama, dada, dog”), and putting 2 unique words together by 2 years of age (“me eat, no touch, mama go”). Another thing that is looked for when diagnosing children with an autism spectrum disorder is the way they interact with others and their surroundings. They may line toys up, carry items of no significance around with them, or seem to not respond to their name being called. Children with autism do not typically point to communicate with their parents or caregivers to share something they see or want.
There are many ways you can help out during autism awareness month and throughout the year. The Autism Society of America not only accepts monetary gifts; you can also donate your car. It is a great way to donate if you have an old car that runs or doesn’t run. Several national chains are raising money for autism awareness, including Toys R Us, Babies R Us, Dollar General, and TJ Maxx.
There are several local opportunities to volunteer and donate during autism awareness month. Maurices in Northpark Mall is collecting books for Jackson Autism Center. We are so excited about this book drive and how much it can help our clients learn to read, learn language, and enjoy literacy. Besides donating books, you can also donate your time! There are some great programs in the area that serve children with autism such as Hope Hollow Camp and Ridgeland Parks and Recreation programs like Challenger League and TOPSoccer.
Jackson Autism Center continues to grow and provide more services to the Jackson area. Currently, one on one intervention is available for kids with disabilities, focusing on academics, communication, and/or social/behavioral goals. Another service available is small group sessions that prepare preschool aged or homeschool children for structured school programs. Social skills groups began this spring for adults and children grades 2-6 along with toilet training classes. JAC also provides individualized program planning, academic evaluations, and consultation to families who homeschool a child with disabilities. School districts and organizations can also hire Jackson Autism Center to assist with teacher training, program planning, and specific needs of children with disabilities.
It was a great experience to share about autism awareness month on WJTV. Please wear blue and give back to the community to honor individuals with autism and their families during April. Jackson Autism Center looks forward to collecting the books from the book drive Maurices had in honor of individuals in the Jackson area with autism.
In case you missed WJTV’s Autism Awareness segments, you can watch them here:
Segment 1
Segment 2
Segment 3
Segment 4
Dr. Rebecca Mullican speaks on Morning Show for WJTV Monday, April 22
Dr. Rebecca Mullican will be on the morning show on WJTV Monday, April 22, to speak about Autism Awareness month and Jackson Autism Center with digital journalist, Beth Alexander. Make sure you get up early and tune in to learn more about autism awareness month and how Jackson Autism Center is serving the greater Jackson, MS area for kids with autism and other disabilities. Morning news shows will be at 5 am and 6 am.
School in Madison, MS Helps Share Autism Awareness
World Autism Awareness Day was April 2, 2013. Lots of places around Mississippi, the United States, and the World showed their concern and assisted with educating others about autism. Some businesses and famous landmarks were lit in blue for Autism Awareness and people chose to wear blue or their favorite autism shirt to show their support to families and professionals alike that work with students on the autism spectrum. One school not only wore blue for autism, but also raised money to go towards a local autism group. That school was Madison Avenue Lower Elementary. Thank you for your support MAE! Let’s spread the word throughout the month of April and educate more people about autism.
Throughout the month of April, I will be posting more frequently in honor of Autism Awareness month. I will be sharing about exciting opportunities at Jackson Autism Center, tips for working with your child/student with autism, and other helpful information. Check back often!
Oh, The Places Dr. Rebecca Mullican Will Go!
Although this is not my favorite Dr. Seuss book, it is the most fitting for me on this first anniversary of the defense of my dissertation. Dr. Seuss’ birthday will never be celebrated in quite the same way for me. However, I saw it so fitting that I receive my PhD on Dr. Seuss’ birthday 2012 in honor of all of my students, past, present, and future, who love the books and ideas Dr. Seuss brought to us. He has come to mean so much to me over this past decade as his books have motivated and reached so many of the kids I teach. Last year was a Dr. Seuss year for me! While traveling to speak at conferences, I was able to attend a special Dr. Seuss exhibit in Chicago, visit the Dr. Seuss Land in Orlando, and defend my dissertation on his birthday.
Dr. Seuss (actually pronounced to rhyme with voice) was not so different from some of the kiddos I work with. His books were inspired by his genuine desire for everyone to be treated equally and by the fact that he was not treated equally by peers. I learned this at the special exhibit at the Field Museum in Chicago. He was reading complex books at a very early age and was inspired by his mom who worked in a library. His dad’s influence came from his job at the zoo and the taxidermy projects he brought home.Ted was allowed to paint and rearrange the animals which led to him making new animals which we know and love from his books.
I am so excited on this anniversary to be the founder of Jackson Autism Center. I am looking forward to what this year will bring for the individuals and families I have the joy of serving. I know that working as a team, expecting great things, we will continue to be amazed with the progress we see. High expectations are part of what I believe to be the success I see within my clients. Enjoy Dr. Seuss’ birthday and all of the successes your child has had so far…and remember…
