Autism Bumper Sticker

I have seen this bumper sticker before and laughed hysterically. 

I just found a website that sells it for $5.

The Face of Autism

Abby Alger is a graduate from BYU and a photographer. She had a photography exhibit, The Face of Autism, to showcase her work and help raise awareness for autism spectrum disorder in February of 2011. Here are a few of her pictures. She is looking for additional places for her photography to be displayed, especially if it will help raise awareness. You can contact her at abbyalgerphotography@gmail.com

Instructions for the Homemade, Washable, and Adjustable Weighted Blankets

There have been several interested in receiving instructions for the 

Homemade, Washable, and Adjustable Weighted Blankets. 

For more pictures 

and descriptions of the blanket click here

Supplies for twin mattress:

Flannel fabric -   2 ½ yards, 45 inch wide.

Flat Sheet – twin or full size.

Close woven fabric to support snaps – 1 ¼ yards

Scrap fabric for bean bags

Heavy duty snaps, six boxes of 8 nickel snaps. (denverfabrics.com)

Velcro – 12 yards, 5/8 inch width (sales@textol.com)

Thread, ruler, marking pen or pencil.

Dry Pinto beans - 8lbs

Preparation – Wash and dry all fabrics.  Square off the cut edges to make good rectangles as long as possible. On the long side of the flannel fabric fold over edges 1 ½ inches and sew to make a hem for snaps.

Pockets - Measure the width between side hems of flannel to determine finished length of rows of pockets. Lay out flat sheet, mark and cut strips of fabric to make 10 rows of pockets. If you have a Serger sewing machine cut rows 6 ½ inches wide and the finished length for rows of pockets. Serge all edges for finished look on rows of pockets.  If you don’t have a serger cut the rows a little wider and longer to give yourself enough fabric to make a narrow hem on all the edges of the rows of pockets.

A finished row should be 6 inches wide and the correct length to fit inside both hemmed edges of the flannel fabric. Measure the length of the row and mark the fabric for six pockets. The size of the pocket will determine the size of the bean bags.

Bean bags - Make your finished bean bags ½ inch smaller in width and length than the pocket. For example: if your pocket measures 6 X 6 ½ inches, the finished bean bag should measure 5 ½ X 6 inches. This will give enough room to comfortably fit the full bean bag into the finished pocket.

The easiest way to make bean bags is to cut rectangles from the rest of the sheet. Since you need 60 bean bags to complete the weighted blanket add-on, you will need to use scrap fabric to complete your project. If you sew a 3/8 inch seam and want a 5 ½ X 6 inch finished bean bag, your cut rectangle should be 11&6/8 X 6&6/8 inches. Fold rectangle in half, sew sides and turn right side out. Fill with ½ cup of beans and sew top with a serger or fold narrow hem at the top and sew closed.

Velcro – Use the hook side of tape for pockets and the loop side for bean bags. For one row of pockets cut six 7 inch strips of the hook side of Velcro. Measure and cut 1 inch from end of each strip. This is for the center of the pocket. Cut the rest of the strip into quarters, measuring 1 ½ inches, for each corner of the pocket.

On the wrong side of the row of pockets draw the dividing line for each pocket and a large X from corner to corner for each pocket. Sew Velcro with a zigzag stitch close to each corner but not covering the dividing line for each pocket. Sew center Velcro on one line of the X at the center of the pocket. Continue for the remaining rows of pockets.  

For bean bags cut a 7 inch strip of the loop side of Velcro.  Measure and cut 1 inch from the end of each strip for the center of the bean bag. Cut the rest of the strip into quarters, measuring 1 ½ inch for the corners of the bean bag.

Place bean bag on a table and flatten to distribute the beans evenly. Slide a long pencil under the bean bag from corner to corner and lift to make two even triangles. Sew a straight line corner to corner. Flatten bean bag, slide a pencil underneath from the opposite corner to corner and lift. This will make 4 triangles in the bean bag. Sew a straight line corner to corner. Sew Velcro with a zigzag stitch close to each corner and center of the bean bag. Continue for the remaining bean bags.

Velcro on the inside of the pocket

Rows of Pockets – Serge or make a narrow hem along top side of flannel and fold down to make a 1 ½ inch hem. On wrong side of flannel pin the first row of pockets (right side up) inside the side hems and just underneath the top hem of flannel. Sew the sides and bottom of the row. Sew the dividing line for pockets. Place and pin the next row close to but not overlapping the previous row of pockets.

Sew 5 rows of pockets and skip 1 ½ inches of flannel before sewing the next row. This leaves enough room to sew a strip of fabric for snaps. Continue attaching rows of pockets to the flannel until you have completed ten rows of pockets. Trim bottom of flannel, leaving enough material to make a 1 ½ inch hem, serge or make a narrow hem, fold up and sew.

Snaps – The top half of snap is attached to the flannel and the bottom half of snap to the close woven, heavy duty fabric.

On side hems of flannel mark the spot for the first snap ¾ inch from the top edge of the fabric. This should be in the center of the corner made by the side and top hems. Measure 6 inches and mark the spot for the next snap. Continue down the side hem until the bottom corner and place the mark in the center of the corner made by the side and bottom hems. The last space made by the bottom snap will be different than 6 inches. Make a note of this measurement. There should be 13 snaps along sides of flannel.

Cut the close woven, heavy duty fabric into 3 inch strips. Fold over to make a 1 ½ inch hem and serge or stitch and trim with a pinking shear. Lay strips along the side hems of flannel and make corresponding marks for snaps.Measure top and bottom hems between corners, evenly space 5 snaps and mark the spot for snaps. Lay a hemmed strip of fabric along bottom and top of flannel and make corresponding marks for snaps.  

For the center of flannel you need 2 hemmed strips of fabric.  Mark spots for 5 snaps using a different color (red) for top half of snaps.  Follow directions on the boxes of snaps to attach snaps to flannel and strips of fabric. Sew the center strip with top half of snaps to center of flannel between rows 5 and 6 being careful not to cover the open top of row 6. Snap together all strips making sure everything matches.

Finishing – Lay the flannel (pocket side down) on a blanket or quilt, position flannel to cover the mattress and pin the strips of fabric to the blanket or quilt. Carefully unsnap the flannel and remove, leaving the strips of fabric in place. Sew to blanket or quilt.

To insert bean bags into pockets, cut the side of a cereal box slightly smaller than pocket. Slide the cardboard into pocket, printed side down. Flatten bean bag and with the Velcro side up, slide into pocket. Remove cardboard and press on Velcro to attach. Continue for the rest of the pockets and bean bags. Snap weighted flannel to blanket or quilt.

Tips and hints – Use quality fabric for the flannel, cheap flannel will fall apart after a few years. The sheet however can be purchased for $5 to $9 at your local ‘mart’ store.

Buying the snaps and Velcro online is much cheaper than any store. The Velcro comes in 25 yard rolls which is enough for 2 twin-sized weighted blankets. The snaps are attached with a hammer and some man sized help is appreciated. (It took me 3 taps of the hammer where my brother only used one to attach a snap.)

When filling bean bags rice can be used instead of beans, just make sure the weight is the same.

When cutting or sewing do it in stages. For example finish the edges of all the rows of pockets before going on to the next step. 

If the weighted blanket is for a small child you won’t need all the bean bags at once. Complete the rows of pockets and attach to the blanket so that when the child grows you can add more bean bags. Some children will want the most weight on their core and others will want it evenly spread over the whole body. You can adjust the bean bags for their comfort.

Filling the bean bags with ½ cup of beans gives a gentle medium weight. ¼ cup of beans makes a light weight bag that needs more lines of stitching to keep it from clumping.  ¾ cup of beans makes a heavy weight bag that is harder to sew, but still possible.

Take out all the bean bags before washing the blanket and then reinsert when blanket is dry.

Snaps - http://www.denverfabrics.com/p/NMC092935/Heavy-Duty-Snap-Kit-5-8-8-Pkg-Nickel

Velcro - http://www.textol.com/t_sewon.asp
#580 and #581 choose your color and number of 25 yard rolls.

For more pictures 

and descriptions of the blanket click here

Autism + Change = Difficult

Life is never constant, and because of that fact we learn to adapt to change and go with the flow. 

However, autism + change = difficult

"Transitions [or change] can be difficult adjustments for those with autism. They might blow up because you ended something early or switched the order of the day’s activities. The challenges of these anxieties are difficult for caregivers to manage and are major hindrances to their ability to focus on schoolwork, to remember what to say in a conversation, or how to behave appropriately. Others allow their anxiety to build all day and then come home where they feel safe and finally let it go, resulting in a major blow up or melt down." (Autism Understanding The Puzzle) 

You guessed it, we had change today, more so than usual. It is easy to give in and dismiss the structure that helps our boys make a smooth transition. I often want to fall back on easy fixes, even when I know it will be more work later on. However, today I managed to find solutions and work to keep the day flowing as consistent as possible. Yeah, there were several meltdowns this morning and there may be a few more before the day is over, but we will make it through the day. Hopefully all this effort will make the next day easier, and help our boys through their next transition.

Autism Through a Siblings Eyes

Sometimes, it can be complicated to explain what autism is to those who don't know.
Why not hear about it from someone with a unique perspective, a sibling.

I'm Having an Autistic Moment

I walk into the kitchen ready to serve dinner tonight to my family 
and I want to shout out, 

"I am Having an Autistic Moment!"

I have to laugh rather than cry. . .

One of our boys is stemming from the noises his brothers are making.
One is repeatedly rambling off the latest video he has just watched.
Another is pacing the floor, rambling something I can't make out, but apparently is really funny because he is laughing.
The other is jumping up and down with excitement, smiling and making the most unique faces.
Our boys have opened our awareness to sensory input.  Every now and then my husband and I will jokingly admit that we too have those moments when our senses have been overloaded. I took a few minutes to change my perspective from stress to laughter.
At least most of my boys are happy tonight, it could be worse. Others may think our home is absolute chaos and at times it really feels like that.  I just tell them


I have to find the humor in the chaos 
so I can keep myself sane.
Autism + Humor = Sanity 
(Autism: Understanding The Puzzle) 

"Hoofbeats to Healing" - Theraputic Horseback Riding

We Love Hoofbeats to Healing, and excited for the move to their new facility! The horses have been a tremendous help for our boys over the last three years improving their neurological functions; communication skills, interactions with others, speech, sensory processing, and significant reduction in meltdowns or blowups.

You can find more information at Hoofbeats.us or contact Tami Tanner directly at  801-836-4325.

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.