We're Moving!

Well, sort of. The Pollard Memorial Library recently launched its new web site. In addition to a new design, the new web site now houses the Pollard Memorial Library's Autism Resource Guide. As such, this blog will no longer be maintained or updated. Instead, I will be updating it on the library's web site. It's the same information, just in a different format. To access the Autism Resource Guide via the library's web site, click here. Make sure to bookmark it!

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1 in 110

1 in 110: Autism Spectrum Resources for Families

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 110 children in the United States is on the autism spectrum. Youth Services Staff has compiled a list of autism spectrum resources for families. The best place to start, if you suspect your child might be on the spectrum, is to have your child screened. The earlier your child starts therapies, the better. If your child is under age three there are two local agencies, South Bay Early Intervention and Thom Anne Sullivan Center, that provide screening services. If your child is age three or older, contact the Lowell Public Schools for assistance.

Information contained in this blog does not constitute library endorsement of a treatment, agency or advocacy group. The library maintains that it is up to the parent/legal guardian to determine proper treatment for his/her child. This blog is solely a place of information for the huge array of materials related to Autism Spectrum Disorders.

If your family uses a service or has a favorite autism spectrum website that is not listed, please let us know so we can share with others in the community. Contact Molly Hancock, Coordinator of Youth Services at mhancock@mvlc.org.

Friday, July 30, 2010

Another New Link - Assistive Technologies

MassMatch works to coordinate Assistive Technology services throughout Massachusetts. Some of their services are an AT exchange, consumer feedback on AT, as well as advocacy and conducting different AT related events. See their web site: www.massmatch.org.

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Sensory Friendly Movie


The next sensory friendly movie at the AMC in Tyngsboro will be Cats and Dogs: the Revenge of Kitty Galore on August 7th at 10 AM. For more information about this event see http://www.amcentertainment.com/SFF/ or http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer?pagename=sensoryfilms.

Shonda Schilling Talk

Shonda Schilling, wife of former Red Sox pitcher, Curt Schilling, will be speaking at the Wellesley Free Public Library on Wednesday, August 4, 2010 at 7 PM. Shonda's son, Grant, has Asperger's Syndrome and she will be talking about his triumphs and struggles. She will also discuss her book, The Best Kind of Different, which also relates the family's experiences with Asperger's. For more details check out http://www.wellesleyfreelibrary.org/home/.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Friday Family Movie Night

The Paul Center in Chelmsford is offering Family Movie nights on Fridays in the summer.
http://www.thepaulcenter.org/files/PDF_Movie_Night_Poster.pdf.

New Link

I've added a new link to the ASD resources page. It's for the Sibling Support Project. This group is dedicated to the concerns of siblings of people with special issues whether they be physical health, developmental or mental health. The Sibling Support Project also has designed a sibling support program called "Sibshops." The link for the Sibling Support Project is http://www.siblingsupport.org/. To read an article from the Boston Globe about a "Sibshops" in Massachusetts check out http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/articles/2008/06/07/siblings_of_autistic_children_get_chance_to_express_concerns/?page=1.

Monday, July 26, 2010

The End of the IEP and the Beginning of "Reasonable Accommodations"

The End of the IEP and the Beginning of "Reasonable Accommodations"

This is something that families of kids with autism need to think about. It may seem as if college is a long way off but time does fly and the sooner families start thinking about college and the special requirements the ASD student may need, the better. This article, written by a college senior with autism, offers good insight and recommendations.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Friday, July 9, 2010

Sensory Friendly Movie!



The AMC in Tyngsboro, in partnership with the Austism Society of America, will be showing another sensory friendly movie, "Despicable Me" on Saturday, July 17th at 10 AM. For more information check out the AMC site at http://www.amcentertainment.com/SFF/.

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Autism Special Education Legal Support Center

Massachusetts Advocates for Children has a quick online guide to families' legal rights when it comes to educating children on the spectrum. The link for that guide is http://massadvocates.org/uploads/oT/OC/oTOCHmWl3HowBhYDcgDwCg/Autism-Tips-Parents1FINAL_02_01_05_1_.pdf