New Services Available this Spring

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This spring, there are several new and exciting opportunities coming up before summertime! I am so excited to share with you what is developing at Jackson Autism Center right now! We are finishing our first 4 weeks of adult social skills classes and it went so well! I want to thank everyone who has been a part of spreading the word. Working with these young adults has been amazing and (SPOILER ALERT) I am looking forward to the next set of social skills classes that will be coming in fall 2013.

Stay and Play for young children continues to be a success. It is such a wonderful opportunity for preschool and young elementary aged children who are being homeschooled to receive structure and support in a classroom-type environment. There are still spaces available through May, so please do not hesitate to inquire or share this with others who may be interested.

JAC will be offering a four week social skills class for children grades 2-6 that will focus on   Understanding Emotions. This class will start at the end of April and finish before school gets out. Class space is limited, so don’t wait to sign up!

The last, but certainly not least, new service for Spring 2013 is “Booty training: Boot the Pull-Up.” This toilet training camp so-to-speak will be an intensive two or three day camp that focuses on toilet training, booting the pull-up during waking hours, and understanding when you need to go to the bathroom or toilet regulation for children who are not ready to self-monitor their bathroom needs yet. Parents are expected to participate on the last day and complete a minimum of 2 additional days at home, with JAC only a phone call away. Two camp sessions will be available: one in late April for families and one in May. Limited space is available. Don’t miss your opportunity to “Boot the Pull-Up.” Sign up now!

Complete a contact form to receive more information.

School in Madison, MS Helps Share Autism Awareness

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MAE WAAD 2013World 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!

 

LAMP Words for Life 50% Off for World Autism Awareness Day

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April 2, 2013 has arrived. This is the World Autism Awareness Day. I hope you remembered to wear blue today!

In honor of autism awareness, LAMP and PRC are selling their communication app “LAMP Words for Life” at 50% off. The app usually sells for $300, but today only, it will be $149.99. This is an amazing deal! The LAMP app is ideal for any child who does not have a consistent way to communicate- whether he/she is nonverbal, only has word approximations, or has speech but does not use speech to communicate. One of the important facts about LAMP is that children learn to communicate with speech generating devices by using motor planning. This means that just like you and I remember where keys are in a keyboard from using a keyboard day in and day out, kids learn how to communicate because their words are in the same place every time they use the app/device. Language is learned on a word by word basis and kids begin to put their own phrases and sentences together instead of using phrases and sentences someone else thought up for them. Click here if you would like to learn more about LAMP.

Take advantage of this great savings today. I am LAMP certified to teach children and individuals how to communicate using “LAMP Words for Life” so let me know if you need assistance teaching this communication system to your child or student. I have seen this communication system work for many children and get excited about the opportunity for it to help even more!

Light it Up Blue, Mississippi! April 2, 2013

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April 2 is World Autism Awareness Day. Buildings and houses will “light it up blue” to increase autism awareness throughout the world. Mississippi has its own facebook page for families to share how they will support “Light It Up Blue.” I am proud to say that the University of Southern Mississippi will light buildings blue in honor of World Autism Awareness Day.

As we learn more about autism and see increases in rates of autism, it is more important than ever to share with the world about autism and increase autism education. For parents who struggle in the grocery store, toilet training their child, or even communicating with their child, we will Light It Up Blue! Help educate people who think these children are behaving badly.

You can help by buying blue light bulbs at Home Depot or Lowe’s. Many people put a blue light on their porch for April 2. Another way you can help support this special day is visiting Autism Speaks and purchasing a shirt or other promotional products, donating, or helping spread the word.

I am ready for April! I have already ordered and received this year’s stash of Light It Up Blue shirts as well as a few past shirts. I hope to see your posts on facebook about how you shared in autism awareness day April 2, 2013.

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Oh, The Places Dr. Rebecca Mullican Will Go!

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January 2012 272Although 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…

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New Intervention Service Being Offered through Jackson Autism Center

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I am very excited to share a new opportunity that is in the works for 2013! It is geared towards children who are 3-6 years old and are being homeschooled, are not yet in a preschool program, or thrive with small group intervention for learning. Other children may be considered if deemed appropriate. This program, “Stay and Play,” is two days a week for two hours and consists of typical school activities such as circle time, one-on-one work, small group work, social play skills, and snack. It is developed for a small group learning environment, with a maximum of 2-3 children per group. Children participating will be learning new academic, social/personal, and fine motor skills through thematic units. “Stay and Play” meets the sensory needs of children with special needs as well as academic and social/personal needs. This program is offered on a first-come, first-serve basis so please inquire if you are interested. Children participating will be required to complete an academic evaluation through Jackson Autism Center.

More information is available here: Jackson Autism Center Stay and Play March to May 2013.

Find My Friends App Assists Children with Autism

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APWow. I came across this article this morning about my sweet friend Addison. The Find My Friends app was developed after a very scary night for Addy and her family when she was able to escape her bedroom and go for a neighborhood walk alone with her ipod. Her parents wrote Steve Jobs to share their story and believe Addy was part of the reason the app was created. I remember that night like it was yesterday as Addy’s mom called me in horror to share what had happened to her baby. We were very thankful for her safe return home and hope this app will help others return home safely too.

For people unfamiliar with autism, elopement is when a person wanders or runs off without permission. The Interactive Autism Network conducted a study that said elopement occurs with about half of the children with ASD. Elopement is a major issue that parents and professionals deal with. There have been a variety of tools marketed to assist with eloping, such as the big red safety box, Project Lifesaver, and  items like the “Mommy, I’m Here”  child locator. The Find My Friends app  is an application that helps locate friends with a street address so that situations like Addy’s can hopefully be avoided.

Elopement can happen anywhere. I have had students elope from the playground, classroom, and any other place at school. It is a horrible feeling the moment that you realize he/she has escaped yet again. There is nothing that explains the fear that you feel when you don’t know where he/she has gone. Understanding why the behavior is occurring can assist in trying to prevent further elopements, but does not always fix everything. It is important to do everything we can to prevent reoccurrances, but to also be prepared in case it happens again.

It is important for not only parents and professionals working with autism to understand about elopement, but  community members and safety professionals as well. Too many times, parents are receiving blame for elopement when they are doing all they can to stop their child from running away. Educating others about elopement and letting neighbors know about children that pose a risk of elopement are great starts to further protecting our children.

The following item was helpful to me within a school setting when the child is going to be fairly closeby:

Building Partnerships…Working Together Conference Jackson, MS

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After I signed up for this conference, I wanted to make sure everyone knows about it! Dr. Emily Rubin will be here as the keynote speaker which is super exciting along with many other speakers. Dr. Emily Rubin is a coauthor of the SCERTS model, which I am a big fan of- SCERTS combines teaching social communication and behavioral skills with child-centered activities while also focusing on how parents and professionals can better meet the needs of individuals with an autism spectrum disorder.

The conference will be held in Jackson, MS March 4-5, 2013 at the Jackson Convention Center. The fee is only $25 and there are stipends available for parents through the MSPTI. Encourage your teachers to attend also! This is a great opportunity for parents, teachers, school districts, etc. to learn more in order to facilitate the best opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Jackson Autism Center will have a table, so please stop by and visit.

disABILITY Awareness Day Jackson, MS February 13, 2013

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In just a few days, on Wednesday, February 13, professionals and families alike will gather at the MS Capitol Building to raise disability awareness, speak with our representatives and senators regarding current laws, and network together to find services for individuals with disabilities. To register, click here.

Jackson Autism Center will be attending this event that is hosted by the Mississippi Coalition for Citizens with Disabilities. Please stop by the table and introduce yourselves. JAC is interested in serving your needs.