Autism Oz Magazine

Autism Oz is a monthly iPad based magazine with a focus on autism health and lifestyle issues.  This magazine provides up to date and current information relating to autism as well as resources that will inspire and support you and your family.  Even if you don’t have an iPad it can be downloaded in PDF.

The magazine utilises a great team of writers who have experience across a whole range of autism issues so they can bring you relevant information and advice.  A great feature of Autism Oz magazine is that it is interactive through the sharing of videos, letters, stories and links to other resources.  It features real life stories from people who share their experiences including their struggles, challenges and successes.  By sharing these experiences it is intended to provide readers with a valuable insight that may assist them on a practical level.

Follow the link to download the free application from iTunes and then subscribe within the application to view the magazine.

In addition, Autism Oz has a great Facebook page that provides a range of additional resources and information as well as the comments, feedback and support from other people.

Advice From Dr Temple Grandin

Dr Temple Grandin recently published an article in Take Part which gave her views on the education of children on the autism spectrum.  I love what she has to say and I encourage you to read it.  I have included an extract here, but you really need to read the whole article.

Her stance - stay positive.

“Special educators need to look at what a child can do instead of what he/she cannot do.

There needs to be more emphasis on building up and expanding the skills a child is good at.  Too often people get locked into a label such as dyslexia, ADHD, or autism, and they cannot see beyond the label.  Kids that get a label often have uneven skills.  They may be talented in one area and have a real deficiency in another.”

She goes on to say “Kids with autism often get fixated on one thing, and it is important to expand their fixations.  If the child loves race cars, then race cars can be used as subject matter for reading and math. If the child only draws pictures of NASCAR race cars, a teacher could start expanding the fixation by having him draw an Indianapolis-type car or draw sports cars that regular people can buy at car dealerships.  The next step of expansion is to draw pictures of places where race tracks are located.”

Her advice is so very logical that it makes me wonder why the education system doesn’t follow it.

Read the rest of the article.  It is practical, sound and full of clear advice.

Great Articles To Read

 

On a regular basis on the Toy Bug Facebook page we include links to great articles that we have found and which are well worth reading.  These are some very useful resources and provide clear insights and ideas so we decided to list some of them here so you can easily find them again.

Here are a few of the recent ones:

·       This link by Dr. Tony Attwood explains the difference between Aspergers and High Functioning Autism.  

·       This details a great recipe for Gluten-free Cloud Dough. 

·       This article relates to research that showed that focusing on the strengths of adolescents with autism spectrum disorders improves their social skills. 

·       This article is great idea for when your child is bored and looking for something to do.  

·       This link includes a set of slides that provides some great information and well explained examples to assist people to accept their diagnosis.    

·       This article titled Eight Fun Oral Sensory Activities to Improve Your Child’s Regulation provides activities for your child and as detailed in the article when you need a “quick fix”.

·       This article discusses a simple, inexpensive yet very effective way to make some sensory and discovery bottles for your child. 

·       This is an article on pillow caves and squish boxes that make ideal sensory retreats. 

These are just some of the resources on the Toy Bug Facebook page so when you get the chance, grab a coffee and spend a bit of time having a look. I know you will find some useful information.