Sunday, July 31, 2011

Scholarship Program Provides Financial Assistance to Children with Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities

The Canyon Rice Hope Scholarship provides grants ranging from $100 to $250 to developmentally disabled youth up to age 22. The funds can be used to pay for respite care or therapeutic supports. To apply for assistance, contact Jenny_L_Rice@yahoo.com.  

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Free Autism Training

The Illinois Autism Training and Technical Assistance Project (IATTAP), an initiative of the Illinois State Board of Education, offers free online autism training videos that cover the following topics:

· Ten Guiding Principles
· Assuming Competence
· Person-Centered Planning
· Characteristics of Autism
· Concrete Literal Learners
· Visual Learners
· Generalization of Knowledge
· Sensory Processing
· Rote Memory and Imitation
· Concern with Sameness
· Imaginative Play
· Social Skills and Perspective
· Inclusion
· Educational Challenges
· Establishing a Clear Communication System
· Visual Strategies
· Establishing a Daily Schedule
· Using Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
· Structure
· Self-Stimulatory Behavior
· Using Discrete Trial Training
· Identifying Reinforces
· Providing Opportunities to Make Choices
· Avoiding Talking Too Much
· Evaluating Programming
· Building Friendships for Children with ASD
· Teaming
· Collaboration
· Transition
· Planning for the Future

The training is appropriate for parents, family members, advocates, professionals and anyone else who cares about a person with autism and wants to learn more about research-based approaches to autism intervention.

IATTAP also offers a free course for CPDU credit that includes lectures, videos, research and other activities, as well as courses for undergraduate and graduate credit through Illinois State University.

Friday, July 8, 2011

Financial Assistance for Homeschooling Families of Children with Autism and Other Special Needs

The Home School Foundation offers financial assistance for homeschooling families of children with autism and other special needs through its Special Needs Children's Fund. Grant funds can be used to pay for specialized materials, special therapies, equipment and testing. To qualify for grant assistance, families must be struggling with the burden of meeting their children's special needs and must have held membership in the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA), an advocacy organization for homeschoolers, for at least six months.