One of my favorite times of year is coming up quickly…challenger league baseball season! Just as the school year begins to draw to a close, kids with disabilities from around the Jackson Metro area will have an opportunity to participate in a sport that many kids enjoy- baseball! Baseball days in the Challenger League allow all kids to play, from batting to running the bases and catching balls in the field. Let’s get ready to…PLAY BALL!
Register by Friday, February 14 by clicking RCL reg form.
Jackson Autism Center will soon offer social skills classes in the greater Jackson, MS area for Spring 2014. Classes are offered for a variety of ages, beginning at age 4. There is also an adult class offered. The social skills classes are suited for individuals with Asperger’s syndrome, autism spectrum, and other disabilities that may require additional assistance with social skills.Classes last one hour per week and begin the week of March 17-21 and run through May 26-30 (12 weeks total). Limited availability. Class days and times will be determined depending on participation. Participants will be accepted until classes are full with a possible addition of classes as needed. Any individuals who have not attended intervention before at Jackson Autism Center must schedule a 15 minute introductory session to help determine appropriate placement. Sign up now!
Topics may vary depending on children, but may include having conversations, making friends, and learning about how others are feeling. For early learners, topics will focus on skills needed with friends such as greeting, sharing, waiting, playing, and cleaning up.
Jackson Autism Center is proud to be a part of the 2014 Special Needs January edition! You can find our ad in the Family Resource Guide as we are here to serve families and help kids with disabilities on all levels! In the magazine, you will also find an article about autism. The article reminds us how important it is for parents to seek assistance if they feel that their child is not developing typically. Autism is being diagnosed at age 3, but characteristics may be seen earlier. It is important to know the early signs of autism, such as atypical eye contact, lack of communication and social skills. Dr. Buttress states how important it is to have an experienced expert design a plan for your child and fit the plan to the child not the child to the plan. She went on to explain the uniqueness of children on the spectrum and there is no one size fits all plan. Well stated Dr. Buttress! If you find yourself in need of a leader for your child’s team, let Jackson Autism Center be a part of your child’s specialized plan.
Dr. Mullican has been invited to speak again at ATIA’s 2014 national conference this month in Orlando. The Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) assists individuals with disabilities using all types of assistive technology and helps parents and professionals be better prepared too!
Dr. Mullican will be speaking about the use of Speech Generating Devices (SGDs) with child-directed play. Since her years in the classroom, Dr. Mullican has found child-directed play along with the use of speech generating devices assists individuals with autism to communicate. Do SGDs only benefit individuals with autism? No! SGDs help a variety of individuals with disabilities to communicate, from children who are not yet talking to children who only use echolalia to individuals who have difficulty being understood when they speak.
Here is more information about all of the sessions that are being offered at ATIA. Hope to see you there!
Last week, I got to witness a wonderful Christmas surprise with one of my families! One of my parent’s bosses showed up and paid for 2 sessions for Christmas. The boss stated he wanted to do something for the family for Christmas. What a wonderful way to show someone you appreciate them! I was so moved by this thoughtful and generous gift!
I saw this today and had to share it! The NPR story shares current research about making voices better matched for the person they are meant for through taking voice and sound samples. This brings so much hope for those who are not able to use their own voice to talk. Enjoy!
Recently, Dr. Rebecca Mullican was added to a list of “Autism Lights” for Mississippi. Alan Stokes, author and father of a child with autism, started putting together a list of autism lights for every state in the United States. The lists vary from individuals with autism to individuals who help make the lives of people with autism better. Dr. Rebecca Mullican was added to this list June 5, 2013.
This is what Mr. Stokes had to say: “Dr. Rebecca Mullican is an Autism Light because of the impact her diverse autism work is having to improve the lives of those with autism and to inspire and teach those who will one day work with those with autism..” You can read more about Dr. Rebecca Mullican here and search the Autism Lights website for other individuals who have had an impact on autism throughout the United States or internationally.
From September 29-October 12, every time you eat at participating Jackson restaurants, you have the chance to vote for a charity to receive $10,000. Being a part of the community that works with individuals with disabilities, I am really excited to see 2 charities that assist individuals with disabilities! Hope Hollow Ministries and Magnolia Speech School are both in the running for the grand prize money. Deborah Edmonson, the executive director of Hope Hollow said they would spend the money serving more children and adults with special needs. Dr. Tina Atkins, the executive director of Magnolia Speech School, said they would spend the money upgrading their library to have more leveled readers for their students and a computer system to manage the books. Both of these are exciting opportunities to help within our community.
Regardless of which charity you decide to vote for, get out and eat! Cast your votes for one of these organizations and help raise awareness about the needs of individuals with disabilities. You can find a list of restaurants here.
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.
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!
