Homemade, Adjustable, and Washable Weighted Blankets

These are the homemade, adjustable, and washable weighted blankets that many in the family worked on for Christmas. The design and most of the work was done by Grandma. If you don't want to make it all from scratch, you can attach the weighted pockets to any blanket made from material strong enough to hold the weight. For Instructions Click Here

6 blankets, 4 with weighted attached pockets

This is the backside of the second blanket from the left.

  Strips with snaps to attach the weighted pockets to the blanket for easy assemble.

The weighted bags may be removed from the pockets 

so the blanket and pockets may be washed.

Six pockets across and ten down for a twin size bed.
The best part is deciding where to have the weight.
Not every pocket has to be filled.

Each pocket has velcro inside to attach each bag in five spots.

Then they don't fall out and have even weight distribution.

  The top of the blanket has a flap sewn over 

to keep the snaps from coming undone.

DSPD Services

If you are interested in having your child placed on the Division of Services for People with Disabilities waiting list for future services you can contact the Intake Department - let them know you want your child with a disability placed on the waiting list for the Home and Community Based Waiver Program.

Intake - 1-877-568-0084

Toll Free 1-800-837-6811

State Office  801-538-4200

www.dspd.utah.gov

You must first be on the waiting list to be eligible for services.  It can be a long wait - don't be discouraged - but this is how the state legislature will know how many kids need services.

The Crappy Life of the Autism Mom

Here is a quote from  "The Crappy Life of the Autism Mom" by Kim Stagliano

"Autism is like a box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans (from the Harry Potter books.) Some autistics got the raspberry cream or root beer flavor. They can speak eloquently, write blogs, move out on their own, marry, have children and manage their autistic traits. Others with autism, like my three girls, got the ear wax/vomit/dog poop flavor. They need help 24/7 to navigate the world."

Order From Amazon

If you are having trouble with the button on the left for Pay Pal, The book, Autism Understanding The Puzzle is also listed for purchase on Amazon, be sure to purchase it from Sharla Jordan if you want an autographed copy.

Book Review from a Grandmother

I have my own copy of the book by Sharla Jordan, Autism, Understanding The Puzzle, and am amazed at all the information that is contained in such a small book!  This book is so easy for anyone to understand and comprehend more fully the different aspects of Autism.  It helps me to see better the challenges of parents, teachers and care givers who assist persons with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
    
Throughout the book Sharla has listed questions asked by people who really want to know about Autism.  She then goes on to address and answer those questions in very simple language.  This has been very helpful to me, a grandmother, with eight grandchildren who have been diagnosed with Autism.  The Table of Contents lists every question, with the page it is on, making it so helpful and quick to find what I want to read about!
      
I highly recommend this book to anyone with their own questions about Autism!!!   
By Junith Roberts

Best Autism Book Out There!

Short, Sweet, and to the Point.

I highly recommend the book, 
Autism Understanding the Puzzle, to parents and extended family.

I Love It!

Even my husband has read it.

By Laura Benedict
Mother of a child with Severe Autism
Parent Advocate for Dr. Lisa Palmeri
pediatric specialist for children with autism

I just read the book "Autism: Understanding the Puzzle" and highly recommend it! The book is written in a way that even I could understand. I have 10+ nieces/nephews who have autism so I was very interested in reading it. One part of the book helps explain some "do's & don'ts" and if I'd had these suggestions years ago it could have prevents some hurt feelings.

If you work with children or have relatives with autism, this book is a must read.

By Donna Millett

Autism, Understanding the Puzzle is excellent. It accomlishing its purpose of helping its readers, people like me, to understand "the Puzzle" of autism.  It explains the terminology.  It provides a broad basic understanding of the many types and categories and degrees of autism.  It does so without requiring a lot of time in study or research.  It provides hope.  It assists a person who may have difficulty with aceptance of autism in someone who is dear.  It is useful and practical.

David L. Roberts

Introduction to Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

Autism Night Before Christmas

Autism Night Before Christmas

by Cindy Waeltermann

Twas the Night Before Christmas
And all through the house
The creatures were stirring
Yes, even the mouse

We tried melatonin
And gave a hot bath
But the holiday jitters
They always distract

The children were finally
All nestled in bed
When nightmares of terror
Ran through my OWN head

Did I get the right gift
The right color and style
Would there be a tantrum
Or even, maybe, a smile?

Our relatives come
But they don’t understand
The pleasure he gets
Just from flapping his hands.

“He needs discipline,” they say
“Just a well-needed smack,
You must learn to parent…”
And on goes the attack

We smile and nod
Because we know deep inside
The argument is moot
Let them all take a side

We know what it’s like
To live with the spectrum
The struggles and triumphs
Achievements, regressions…

But what they don’t know
And what they don’t see
Is the joy that we feel
Over simplicity

He said “hello”
He ate something green!
He told his first lie!
He did not cause a scene!

He peed on the potty
Who cares if he’s ten,
He stopped saying the same thing
Again and again!

Others don’t realize
Just how we can cope
How we bravely hang on
At the end of our rope

But what they don’t see
Is the joy we can’t hide
When our children with autism
Make the tiniest stride

We may look at others
Without the problems we face
With jealousy, hatred
Or even distaste,

But what they don’t know
Nor sometimes do we
Is that children with autism
Bring simplicity.

We don’t get excited
Over expensive things
We jump for joy
With the progress work brings

Children with autism
Try hard every day
That they make us proud
More than words can say.

They work even harder
Than you or I
To achieve something small
To reach a star in the sky

So to those who don’t get it
Or can’t get a clue
Take a walk in my shoes
And I’ll assure you

That even 10 minutes
Into the walk
You’ll look at me
With respect, even shock.

You will realize
What it is I go through
And the next time you judge
I can assure you

That you won’t say a thing

You’ll be quiet and learn,
Like the years that I did
When the tables were turned…….

Therapeutic Horseback Riding

Our boys have benefited from therapeutic horseback riding for over 2 years. 

Read more from the Salt Lake Tribune about Hoofbeats to Healing.

The article talks about this little girl, Kate, David Benedict's daughter. 

She is one of our cherished friends we recommended horse therapy to.

It has improved her behaviors and interactions with others.

 

Book Reviews for Autism: Understanding The Puzzle

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Nov. 5, 2011By Janice LeFevre

I recommend this book to anyone who loves and serves a child with autism. Sharla Jordan's warm and informative book will help you understand the special needs of those with autism while giving concrete tips on how to serve. I wish I'd had this book six years ago when I first began helping a little boy with autism in my church class. This book is filled with excellent information that helped me understand my little friend and enabled me to serve him better. I'm getting a copy for myself and several to give away!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Nov. 28, 2011By James Vaughan

I've known about this book coming out for a while and I eagerly anticipated receiving my copy and I was certainly not let down at all, it's fantastic! Having a child with autism, explaining to other parents is sometimes hard to do because it certainly comes across as personal opinion, however letting someone read this book, then talk about the challenges parents like us face on a daily basis becomes much easier for someone to understand. Sharla's book really makes the topic of autism easy to understand, explains such challenges as sensory overload, various therapies and most important, the way to show support for those on the spectrum. If you have someone in your life who is simply struggling to understand, look no further than Autism: Understanding the Puzzle for help!


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Dec. 5, 2011By Jenn Alvey

Wonderful book! Can relate to EVERYTHING written in it, since I have a son with Aspergers. It's nice to have a book that explains what it is like living with a child who has Autism, because it can be really hard to explain it to others. I definately recommend this book to everyone who has a family member with an ASD, or a parent who has a child with an ASD, or those who wish to understand what it is like for parents.

Thanks for the great reviews Janice, James. and Jenn! 

You can write a review here click on "Ratings and Reviews."

Autism is not the end of the World. ... It's the beginning of a different one.

Walk with me.....
Sally Meyer

Walk in my shoes
for one single day.
Then you'll see why
I need to pray.
Come live in my home
for a week or two
and then remember
I am just like you.
I didnt ask for the things I was given
I didnt choose this road I have taken
Walk a mile with me hand in hand
Then perhaps you will understand.

I'm not really complaining
about the stress in my life,
I know that we all have
some toil and some strife.
But walk with me, when you think
I am wrong, walk with me
and you'll start to belong.
Embrace my sorrows,
like they are your own,
And then you will know me
And see I have grown.

The journey I take
is different from yours
My life took one of those
unexpected detours,
But this road that I travel
is not really so long,
If the people who watch me
will join in my song.
Listen to my footsteps
and watch how I dance
And then you will know me
and give me a chance.

Take heart and remember
It can happen to you,
who knows where my pathway
will cross over to you?
So speak to me softly
if you can't understand
Remember I once stood
right there where you stand.
And walk with me gently
when the day is at end.
And then I will know
I can call you my friend.

What it's like to walk down a street when you have autism or an ASD

Making Our Way: Autism

Hope you can set aside about an hour to watch this GREAT video!
Early detection and intervention is so important to help children overcome their challenges and have a greater chance for improvement.
I love how Temple Grandin explains that autism thinking is bottom up not top down. Give the child repetitive examples and teaching situations to understand a concept or theory.
Sensory integration and therapy exercises are wonderful. After getting feedback from multiple specialist, we use sensory tools daily and they help to lower our sons' anxieties and help them function better.
Fabulous parents too, who don't allow their son's challenges to become limitations or excuses.

Watch Making Our Way: Autism on PBS. See more from MAKING OUR WAY: AUTISM.

Autism or Asperger's? It Might Depend on Your Doctor

Here is an interesting article, "Autism or Asperger's? It Might Depend on Your Doctor," about different diagnosis being given according to the doctors interpretation of which Autism Spectrum Disorder best fits the patient.

The Book is Available to Order!

To order your copy click here



If you want an autographed copy you can order here

Book Signing Event in Davis County Coming Soon, Stay Tuned.

From the Author...About the Book

Jason McElwain Autistic Basketball Player

I saw this years ago and saw it again recently.
It is such a great story and worth posting.
The best part was how his teammate and school
loved him even before this exciting game.

Temple is Amazing!

One of our boys had the unique and wonderful opportunity to have Dr. Temple Grandin come by to see his school and talk to the students at Spectrum Academy. She gave encouraging and empowering words. She answered some of their questions and as always did a wonderful job advocating the strengths of autism. She left them with the words, "Grow up, reach your goals and be someone special!"

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=17905546

We are excited to see her again this week when she is receives the Peek Award for Disabilities in Media and speaks to the audience about why the world need all kinds of brains.

11 Questions Students on the Spectrum Can Ask their College

http://blog.autismspeaks.org/2011/10/31/11-questions-for-students-on-the-spectrum-to-ask-their-college/

Check out this blog post by Autism Speaks. It has 11 Questions for students on the spectrum to ask their College/University.

60 Minutes with Temple Grandin

What can we say other than, "We love you Temple!" She knows how to address the difficult questions and does it with ease. My favorite part was when she talks about the two kinds of autism and would she want a "cure tomorrow". We are so excited to see her next week, in person!

More about her brain - http://www.cbs.com/primetime/60_minutes/video/?pid=RrJ_vYBCVQ8MVm8EXqyyBn_9SBAdasJW&vs=homepage&play=true

A Mothers Courage: Talking Back to Autism trailer

I watched this last year on cable and really enjoyed it. For more information about the film go to http://amotherscourage.org/

Job Interview Skills for People with Aspergers

From My Asperger Child.com


It is a well documented fact that "having poor social skills" is one of the challenges people with Aspergers deal with on a day-to-day basis. But this deficit is never as apparent and potentially awkward as during a job interview. Finding a job when dealing with Aspergers is one of the most difficult tasks an Aspie will ever attempt, and even though some are very successful, others struggle with their problems and fail to land jobs even though they are amply qualified.

One Aspie comments, “One of the most nervous things I have EVER done was my first job interview.” This would be true for most people – but especially those with Aspergers. Individuals with Aspergers may have even more problems with such conversations because they (a) have difficulty reading the body language of the interviewer and (b) find it hard to ‘read between the lines’ (i.e., to infer what qualities the interviewer is really looking for in a potential candidate for the job).

In this post, we will be looking at some important "job interview tips" for individuals with Aspergers: 


To Read the rest of this article click here.

It's Our Normal

I often hear the term "normal", that could mean so many things. Being the mother of six boys, four of them on the autism spectrum, makes our home life unique. Yes, our whole family works hard at improving our quality of life, and we have made huge leaps over the years.  But it is obvious Nero-typical or "normal" isn't always what happens here.
Earlier this week I was trying to relax after a rough night with our youngest - who has a difficult time staying asleep all night and often panicky when he wakes me up - the structure could wait a little while I recharged.

While relaxing I was listening to the sounds and watching the activity in our home. It was full of movie quotes, singing, and lots of activity - pacing, tip toe walking, and jumping. I was reminded of a realization I had a couple years ago. This is our "normal" other homes must be pretty boring.

Autistic Boy Scout earns 132 merit badges

From the Desert News Monday, Oct. 17, 2011

Nate Christensen is 17 years old. He plays the trumpet in his high school marching band and loves playing "Just Dance" on the family's Nintendo Wii. He took a good friend to the homecoming dance. He looks forward to graduating from high school. He completed 132 merit badges in the Boy Scouts of America scouting program. He also happens to be autistic.


http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705392563/Autistic-Boy-Scout-earns-132-merit-badges.html

Autism and Self injury: A World of Its Own

"The beautiful, blessed, but bizarre life of living with autism and acute, episodic self injurious behaviors Everyday is different. You don't always know when or if the behavior will emerge. You could be having a great day and then, suddenly, you're walking down the street and a car alarm goes off, and now, we're on the ground, trying to prevent fists from flying into his head...sometimes all you can do is grab his hands, comfort him and survive the moment...then press on." kgaccounts

A big hug for the both of them. What an awesome mom to dedicate so much for her son.

 

Vibration Tube Stops Mild Episode of Self Abuse in Autistic Person

Using a vibrating tube, one of the many therapy tools for those with autism. This young man is able to stop self injurious behavior, "70-75% the time" says his mother.

How to Notice Symptoms of Autism

This is really helpful for law enforcement too.

Autism Statistics in South Korea

Reported on May 9, 2011, 2.64 % of children (one in 38) have some form of autism in Seoul, South Korean. 

The six year study searched for 7 to 12 year-old children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) among 55,000 children in a community outside Seoul, South Korea. 

Largely funded by Autism Speaks, the study was led by Young Shin Kim, MD, PhD, MPH, of Yale University.

The estimate is far higher than CDC's estimate of one in 110 children, as the study found many school kids have mild, undiagnosed autism.

Here is more information in three other articles

http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/05/09/autism.study/index.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/09/health/research/09autism.html

http://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/news/20110509/study-autism-may-be-more-common-than-thought

Device to Locate People Who Wander

This device locates mentally impaired people who wander away. The Layton City Police have 10 to use, but you can buy your own.

By Ruth Malan

Standard-Examiner correspondent

Thu, 09/29/2011 - 11:42pm

read more at . . .
http://m.standard.net/stories/2011/09/29/device-locates-mentally-impaired-people-who-wander-away

On The Edge

Do you want to know more about Mental Health in Utah? Especially after age 18.

If you have an hour to watch this very informative video, "On The Edge: Mental Health in Utah" it will give you a better understanding to what is really happening and what you can do to help.

http://www.kued.org/ontheedge/?area=watch-online

Hoofbeats to Healing - Theraputic Riding Center

Horse therapy (equine therapy) works to re-pattern the individuals’ brain and rebuild the right and left hemisphere connections that are out of balance or not functioning.

Hoofbeats to Healing is a therapeutic riding center that specializes in helping those with neurological dysfunctions. Individuals with TBI's, RAD, ASD, ADHD, Bipolar, Down Syndrome and so many more. All of our boys have shown improvements with horse therapy over the last two years. They make better eye contact, have more interaction with others, experience fewer emotional episodes, communicate better, and are calmer and happier. 

Our good friend Laura has also seen changes in her daughter over the last year and shares her experience..

"Horse therapy has changed our lives. It has broken the shell of imprisonment for our daughter, unlocking her world and making her a part of our world. The first time she hugged me, and REALLY HUGGED ME (that is she initiated the hug), I knew horse therapy was working, and we would do it for her lifetime. It is a regularly scheduled therapy that will be a constant in her life. The horses at Hoofbeats to Healing are healing her. She loves the horses and we will be forever grateful."

Contact Information -

Hoofbeats To Healing
Tamera Tanner
1006 West 5000 South
Palmyra (Spanish Fork), UT  84660
Phone: 801-836-4325tamtrot@gmail.com http://www.hoofbeats.us/

ABC 20/20 Interview - Carly Finds a Voice

Listen and become aware of the how the autistic mind works and you will realize that those with autism are smarter than they appear. Unlocking Carly's world has been life changing.

How Strong Are You?

I read this on the Big "MAKS" blog and love how true the statement is.