Albino Squirrel Heaven - a set on Flickr
I don't even know what to say.
Friday, June 06, 2008
Albino Squirrel Heaven
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
No charges to be filed in drowning of 5-year-old girl | autistic girl
No charges to be filed in drowning of 5-year-old girl | MyDesert.com | The Desert Sun
There is a petition at http://gfcfrecipes.blogspot.com/2008/06/autism-petition-5-year-old-girl-drowned.html
The family is going to be meeting with the head District Attorney, who can overrule the previous decision not to press charges. It sounds like there is ample room for discussion with him about the needs of autistic children. Who thinks that it's a good idea to leave a non-verbal child with the cognitive development of an 18-24 month old
alone in a pool?
ZAC Browser - Zone for Autistic Children
Very cool! A grandfather developed a special web browser for his autistic grandson, and it's now available for free.
From an article about it:
The Zac Browser greatly simplifies the experience of using a computer. It seals off most Web sites from view, to block violent, sexual or otherwise adult-themed material. Instead it presents a hand-picked slate of choices from free, public Web sites, with an emphasis on educational games, music, videos and visually entertaining images, like a virtual aquarium.
Other programs for children already offer that "walled garden" approach to the Web. But LeSieur's browser aims to go further: It essentially takes over the computer and reduces the controls available for children like Zackary, who finds too many choices overwhelming.
For example, the Zac Browser disables extraneous keyboard buttons like "Print Screen" and turns off the right button on the mouse. That eliminates commands most children don't need anyway, and it reduces the chance an autistic child will lose confidence after making a counterproductive click.
Children using the Zac Browser select activities by clicking on bigger-than-normal icons, like a soccer ball for games and a stack of books for "stories." The Zac Browser also configures the view so no advertisements or other flashing distractions appear.
"We're trying to avoid aggressive or very dark or complicated Web sites, because it's all about self-esteem," LeSieur said from Las Vegas, where he lives. "If they're not under control, they will get easily frustrated."
It sounds like a great idea for some kids!
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Classrooms in Florida aren't sets for 'Survivor'
Classrooms in Florida aren't sets for 'Survivor'
The latest update on the Alex Barton case.
Autism linked to low birth weight, preterm birth_English_Xinhua
Autism linked to low birth weight, preterm birth_English_Xinhua
Interesting if it's true. My kids were born at 30 weeks, 2.13, 2.14, and 3.4 pounds. (2 girls, 1 boy)
Monday, June 02, 2008
Down Syndrome dolls
Wonderfully Unique Dolls
I honestly have no idea how to feel about these dolls. At first I thought "Great...more inclusion, dolls like real kids, etc." Until someone brought up the point that they might be used for other purposes. I hate second guessing myself, but I do it constantly.
So daughter #2 came home from school today
They watched Planet Earth Seasonal Forests in school today. The conversation went something like this:
"It was an okay day. We watched Planet Earth- Seasonal Forests."
Me: "Did you see the part about the Taiga?"
Her: (with some scorn in her voice) "NO. Seasonal forests, not the Taiga."
Me: "Was it good?"
Her: "There was one part where one dog got a part caught inside another dog.
Me: "Okay. Was it interesting?"
Her: "Well, they got stuck together." (Big pause).
"That must be kind of awkward."
Me: "Hmmm." (Sometimes I'm just caught off guard).
I love puberty.
70 Famous Dyslexics
70 Famous Dyslexics
It's an extremely pink site, but this is a great list. Dyslexia is no fun at all- it's nice to see some role models.
What Happened to Ricky
What Happened to Ricky - WSJ.com
Family finds son 40 years after he is institutionalized. Thank God things aren't still like this. (Much more information in the article).
YouTube - Surfwise: The Amazing True Odyssey of the Paskowitz Family
The children certainly do not seem enthralled with their experience. 9 children in a 24 ft. trailer?
And a fascinating interview with them, which is more positive than the documentary makes it seem. It's definitely an interesting family!
Sunday, June 01, 2008
Saturday, May 31, 2008
A kindergarten teacher invites students to tell an autistic classmate why they dislike him. - police documents
A kindergarten teacher invites students to tell an autistic classmate why they dislike him. - By Bonnie Goldstein - Slate Magazine
A bit more of the story on Alex Barton. There's also a Facebook group now, with lots of contact information to send cards and letters to the family and school board.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Rachael Ray as an Islamic terrorist? Right.
Dunkin' Donuts yanks Rachael Ray ad - The Boston Globe
I might not particularly like her, but this is one of the most ridiculous things I've ever read. It's scary when someone like Michelle Malkin has any influence at all.
LI researcher pinpoints autistic behavior -- -- Newsday.com
LI researcher pinpoints autistic behavior -- -- Newsday.com
Fascinating. I sometimes get so caught up in the "politics" of the autism world that I forget how much very good research is going on right now.
Monday, May 26, 2008
The New Wave of Autism Rights Activists -- New York Magazine
The New Wave of Autism Rights Activists -- New York Magazine
A very good look at not only the Neurodiversity movement, but all of the other "factions" in the autistic world.
After 12 years of being the mother of autistic children, I'd say that most of my frustration at this stage is just trying to navigate through all of the bitterness and factionalism to find actual information to help my kids live the happiest lives possible.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
I didn't think that anything could make me laugh today
We are the World, done by Japanese impersonators
YouTube - we are the world in japan
via boingboing
5 Year Old Autistic boy voted out of class
Teacher lets Morningside students vote out classmate, 5 : St. Lucie County : TCPalm
After each classmate was allowed to say what they didn't like about Barton's 5-year-old son, Alex, his Morningside Elementary teacher Wendy Portillo said they were going to take a vote, Barton said.
By a 14 to 2 margin, the students voted Alex — who is in the process of being diagnosed with autism — out of the class.
I am not sure why this teacher hasn't been fired yet. I can't imagine doing this at any age, but FIVE???? Isn't kindergarten when children are supposed to be learning how to get along with others?
The Autistic Self-Advocacy Network is encouraging people to contact the appropriate school authorities to express their outrage politely.
Morningside Elementary School Principal:
Mrs. Marcia Cully
cullym@stlucie.k12.fl.us
(772) 337-6730
St. Lucie County Schools Superintendent:
Michael J. Lannon
4204 Okeechobee Road
Ft. Pierce 34947-5414
Phone: 772/429-3925
FAX: 772/429-3916
e-mail: lannonm@stlucie.k12.fl.us
St. Lucie County School Board Chair:
Carol Hilson
772-519-0397
HilsonC@stlucie.k12.fl.us
Vice Chair:
Judith Miller
772-528-4545
MillerJ@stlucie.k12.fl.us
This is appalling- children deserve a better world than what they are being given. Not only Alex, but the children who were taught to "vote him off"...they deserve to be taught about acceptance and differences and tolerance and the wonderful gifts that people who are "different" bring to all of our lives.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
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