Book uses Positive Psychology to Improve the Lives of those with Autism

Encouraging people on the autism spectrum to foster positive emotions and character traits can dramatically improve their lives in every way. This helps to strengthen their ability to cope with everyday challenges and setbacks. Drawing on the key concepts of positive psychology, the new book How Everyone on the Autism Spectrum, Young and Old, looks at the positive character traits—resilience, optimism, humor, kindness and self-efficacy—and offers tried-and-tested strategies for bolstering each of these strengths in individuals with autism spectrum disorder.

The authors provide a number of lesson plans with activities designed to build on the five areas identified. Easily implemented at home, at school or in the community. This complete toolkit provides parents, educators and other professionals with everything they need to use positive psychology strategies to support people of all ages and abilities on the autism spectrum. To order,

http://www.autism-society.org/news/new-book-uses-positive.html

Learn to Have Fun with Your Senses

The Sensory Avoider’s Survival Guide to Have Fun with Your Senses

Dr. John Taylor helps kids of all ages learn about and overcome their sensory defensiveness.

In 10 concise chapters, kids will learn how to stop overreacting and cope with sensory problems that may have seemed overwhelming to them before. Dr. Taylor shows them how to relax and have fun with:

• Touch
• Movement
• Hearing
• Vision
• Taste and smell
  

Also included are special sections for parents, teachers and occupational therapists, so they can better help readers help themselves.
John F. Taylor, Ph.D., has also written The Survival Guide for Kids with ADD or ADHD and The Early Childhood Fun Express (which he coauthored).

For more information, visit.

http://www.autism-society.org/news/autism-society-resource.html

Informational Website Supports Educators and Parents of Children with Autism

TeachTown, Inc., an innovative developer of educational software and video modeling technology, has launched a new, information-packed website in support of children with autism and special needs

http://www.autism-society.org/news/new-informational-website.html

Henderson: Video contest shows kids with disabilities and their takes on life - thestar.com

Henderson: Video contest shows kids with disabilities and their takes on life - thestar.com

Check out FilmPossible Video Contest - Bringing Visibility to Disability

FilmPossible Video Contest - Bringing Visibility to
Disability_ (http://www.filmpossible.ca/)

Online video contest highlights perspectives of children with
disabilities_
(http://r.smartbrief.com/resp/xeuYrxzLsXbejakIaibuvMalTGja?format=standard)

An online video contest is featuring original short films that showcase
the perspectives of children with disabilities. The filmpossible project is
aimed at "bringing visibility to disability." Online votes will determine
the winners of the contest, and entries can be submitted and viewed at
_www.filmpossible.ca_
(http://r.smartbrief.com/resp/xeuYrxzLsXbejahUaibuvMalQhcn)
. _The Toronto Star_
(http://r.smartbrief.com/resp/xeuYrxzLsXbejakIaibuvMalTGja?format=standard) (7/2

Toys for Special Needs

Just wanted to put a resource out there that I recently came across. There are many websites that sell "Special Needs" toys and products, but there are very few that are able to categorize them for what your child needs most. I recently came across a post about Able Play, and they look fantastic: http://www.ableplay.org/

If you click on "search" you can narrow your search by age, type of disability, and much much more.

Enjoy!