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Flamingos raise money for autism and Alzheimer’s wandering program in Massachusetts
Wicked Local Plymouth
Flamingos will soon be flocking at locations around town as the Plymouth Networking Group and Sunrise Rotary Club of Plymouth team up to raise money to assist families who cannot afford to participate in a new search and rescue program for those at risk of wandering.
Nothing’s more frightening than the thought of a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease, autism or other condition wandering away, according to local nurse Connie Hinds, a member of both the networking and Rotary clubs.
The groups plan to flock a few select locations to help increase public awareness of the new LoJack SafetyNet tracking program soon to be offered locally. Hinds said both groups share an interest in protecting local seniors. They suspect that bright pink flamingos on laws will help bring attention to the search and rescue program.
“We want to increase public awareness of the program and have fun, too,” she said. “Flamingos can’t help but get a lot of attention.”
Through its SafetyNet program, LoJack outfits seniors with a personal locator unit worn on the wrist or ankle. If a loved one goes missing, Hinds said, local law enforcement and public safety agencies trained and certified on search and rescue procedures will use LoJack search and rescue receivers to track the radio frequency from the locator.
via Flamingos for fun and funds – Plymouth, MA – Wicked Local Plymouth.
Posted on August 31, 2010 | No Comments | Category: Alzheimer's, Autism, Caregiving, Dementia, Down Syndrome | Tags: Alzheimer's, Autism, Dementia, Down Syndrome, LoJack SafetyNet, Massachusetts, Wandering
Art offers confidence to young people with autism
CTV
Creating art began as a hobby for Ari and his mother Cheryl Colton, but it’s become not only a means of self-expression for the autistic boy, but now also has the makings of a non-profit organization.
By offering workshops for teenagers and young adults diagnosed with autism, Ari-Art has become a place where artists with autism work on directed and independent projects in a variety of disciplines from jewellery making, to photography, to creating decorative bowls and spoons.
via CTV Montreal – Power of One: Art offers confidence to young people with autism – CTV News.
Posted on August 30, 2010 | No Comments | Category: Autism, Caregiving | Tags: art, Autism
Kids With Autism Get Big-Screen Break
NPR
Today’s mainstream movie experience can be big, bold and loud — driven by 3-D, IMAX and surround-sound technologies and designed to immerse audiences in a fictional world.
But that can sometimes be too much for children with autism, who can have difficulty communicating, reading social cues and tolerating sensory stimulation others take for granted — everything from attending a birthday party to going to the movies.
Renee Hill says the huge screen, darkened room and loud soundtrack often overwhelm her 4-year-old son, Weston, who otherwise loves watching videos.
“You’ll constantly notice him look uncomfortable and cover his ears, but if he really gets overwhelmed, then he’ll just shut down and have a meltdown and start to cry,” Hill explains.
As the national rate of autism diagnoses climbs, parents and advocates have persuaded some theaters to tone it down.
A number of theaters across the country now hold sensory-friendly movie showings to accommodate those with autism: The house lights stay on, the sound remains low, and there are no ads or previews before films. The screenings are beginning to catch on.
The sensory-friendly trend started two years ago, after a Maryland mother got kicked out of a movie theater when her autistic daughter became overwhelmed and disruptive during a showing of Hairspray. The mom got in touch with the Autism Society, a national advocacy group, which in turn contacted the AMC theaters chain about offering a low-key movie option once a month.
via IMAX’d Out: Kids With Autism Get Big-Screen Break : NPR.
Posted on August 30, 2010 | No Comments | Category: Autism | Tags: activities, Autism, children with Autism, families, movies, sensory
A lighthouse fundraiser for autism awareness
KHQA
HANNIBAL, MO. — Many have marveled at the beauty of the overlook when standing next to the lighthouse in America’s Hometown. Now a local mother wants to use that resource for a cause and for good health.
Marlene Rodenbaugh has an autistic child.She, along with the help of her friends and supporters started a group called, “Shining the Light on Autism.”And they’ve come up with a plan that’s fitting to their namesake.
These 244 steps soon will be climbed in honor of children with special needs. A group called “Shining the Light on Autism” is planning a lighthouse challenge to raise money for an all-inclusive playground at Huckleberry Park. You’ll have a chance to climb the steps up to the lighthouse on Cardiff Hill, not to mention other activities for the whole family.
via Shining the light on autism lighthouse challenge : News : ConnectTriStates.com.
Posted on August 27, 2010 | 1 Comment | Category: Autism | Tags: Autism, fundraising, Missouri
Toys “R” Us launches 2010 edition of Toy Guide for autistic, developmentally disabled and disabled children
Toys
Toys “R”Us, Inc. has released the 2010 edition of the Toys”R”Us Toy Guide for Differently-Abled Kids, an easy-to-use toy selection resource that can help parents of children with special needs select toys that develop skills through the power of play.
This year, actress, author, philanthropist and mother of a son with autism, Holly Robinson Peete appears on the cover, along with Tommy Austing, a 6-year-old boy from Los Angeles. Released annually, the guide is available in Toys”R”Us and Babies”R”Us stores nationwide and online, in English and Spanish, at Toysrus.com/DifferentlyAbled. The largest edition ever, this year’s guide has increased to 60 pages and features an expanded assortment of online offerings that are available through the company’s website.
For nearly 20 years the guide has assisted parents, family, friends and caregivers by providing qualified toy recommendations to help aid in the skill development of children who have physical, cognitive or developmental disabilities. To help parents select the perfect playthings for their children, all toys featured in the guide are associated with icons that show parents which skills can be developed during playtime.
via TRU launches 2010 edition of Toy Guide for Differently-Abled Kids – 2010-08-25 13:40:57 | Playthings.
Posted on August 25, 2010 | No Comments | Category: Autism, Caregiving, Down Syndrome | Tags: activities, Autism, children with Autism, play, toys
‘Clay Marzo: Just Add Water’ and ClayMarzo.com
AspieWeb
“Clay Marzo: Just Add Water,” the award-winning documentary about a champion surfer with Asperger’s syndrome is available as a DVD or download. It gets a good review here from AspieWeb.
If you’re a fan of Clay Marzo or surfing, check out ClayMarzo.com for some fabulous photos and videos.
From AspieWeb:
So I finally was able to watch a video about world famous surfer with Autism Clay Marzo. The movie titled ‘Just Add Water’ is a great video and I highly recommend it! The video does a good job showing how successful and great people with Autism can be. This is a great video for the person with Autism who is feeling down and like they will not be successful. There are also interview with Dr. Tony Attwod the world expert on Aspergers.
Posted on August 25, 2010 | No Comments | Category: Autism | Tags: aspergers sydrome, athletes, movies, review, surfing, teenagers with autism
Shriver Report examines impact of Alzheimer’s on women as caregivers and patients
ABC News
California first lady Maria Shriver is harnessing the power of her prominent California Women’s Conference to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and its impact on American women.
California’s first lady uses the awards ceremony to honor humanitarian efforts.
In the lead-up to her annual conference on women’s issues, on Oct. 15, Shriver will join with the Alzheimer’s Association to release a comprehensive study detailing how the devastating disease affects women as caregivers, advocates and patients.
Featuring essays written by personalities from the worlds of politics, entertainment and media, “The Shriver Report: A Woman’s Nation Takes on Alzheimer’s” gives an honest and diverse look at the personal, professional and policy dimensions of the disease.
via Shriver Report Examines Impact of Alzheimer’s on Women as Caregivers and Patients – ABC News.
Posted on August 24, 2010 | No Comments | Category: Alzheimer's, Caregiving | Tags: Alzheimer's, Caregiving, celebrities, family caregiving
Colorado Springs center to teach life skills to autistic, developmentally disabled people
The Gazette
The tidy apartment near Constitution Avenue and Union Boulevard has it all: washer and dryer, stove, microwave and refrigerator, a TV and sitting area, a furnished bedroom and a handicapped-accessible bathroom.
All that’s missing are the 24 teens and young adults expected to occupy it — not as tenants, but as students.The apartment is one of several real-life teaching rooms at the Foundation for Successful Living, a new center that aims to give autistic and developmentally disabled people ages 14 to 21 the social and vocational tools they’ll need to transition from classrooms into their communities.
At the apartment, the students will learn to do laundry, make a bed, clean, plan meals, cook and keep a budget. In the room with the ersatz bank and post office, they’ll get lessons in handling money, keeping a checkbook and sending mail. The grocery store is where they’ll shop for canned goods and other ingredients for the meals they’ll prepare in the apartment, and the bakery is the place where they’ll practice ordering from a menu, paying for their food, counting change and beefing up their social skills.
Posted on August 24, 2010 | No Comments | Category: Autism, Down Syndrome | Tags: adults with autism, Autism, Colorado, Down sydrome, teenagers, teenagers with autism, teenagers with Down syndrome
A young man with Down syndrome never misses his chance to be a modern-day Music Man
Portage Daily Register
Craig Spychalla/Capital Newspapers photos
Ben De Young has been going to watch, and help direct, the Friesland Community Band since he could walk. The 26-year-old with Down syndrome “directs” each show behind director Rose Kramer. Ben also has a Band-Aid on his baton, because he also wants to be an EMT some day.
Posted on August 23, 2010 | No Comments | Category: Down Syndrome | Tags: adults with Down syndrome, Down Syndrome, Wisconsin
Alzheimer’s Caregiving: Benefits CheckUp
Alzheimer's Reading Room
Bob DeMarco of Alzheimer’s Reading Room points to a great resource, Benefits Check Up, in this post:
Benefits Check Up is one of my favorite sites if you are looking for programs to assist you as an Alzheimer’s caregiver.
This service from the National Council on Aging will give you real help in identifying all the services that are available to the elderly or to someone that has Alzheimer’s disease. They ask specifically if the person has Alzheimer’s disease in their questionnaire.
The thing I like best about this website is that it streamlines the process of finding programs that could be of benefit to you. This is accomplished through one simple questionnaire that searches all national/Federal, regional and local assistance programs.
You can answer the questions for someone that is older or suffering from dementia. You answer as if they were answering the questionnaire. You do it for them.
Don’t overlook this opportunity, if you are currently caring for someone and not working or on a low income, you can also answer for yourself to determine if there are programs available for you. I find that Alzheimer’s caregivers often over look this option.
Posted on August 23, 2010 | No Comments | Category: Alzheimer's, Caregiving, Dementia | Tags: Alzheimer's, Caregiving, finances
