Join the Soft Social Network

Are any of you totally overwhelmed by MySpace and Facebook? It can be a great way of connecting and sharing ideas, but also totally overwhelming and inundated with distraction and spam. The Soft Social Network is for anyone who would like to connect more directly with people who experience sensory sensitivity, and parents of children with Sensory Processing Disorder, Autism, ADHD, and more, who are looking for advice, information, support, and a place to share. We are in the VERY beginning stages, so it may seem a little slow, but filling out your profile only takes a moment, and you can encourage your friends, your email list, your local support group to join, and hopefully soon we can be a vibrant community of support and information. The site works like MySpace or Facebook, but will certainly be a more intimate and manageable version. So sign up! Add some photos, tell us about yourself and keep contributing and checking back daily!

New York Magazine: The Autism Rights Movement

"A new wave of activists wants to celebrate atypical brain function as a positive identity, not a disability. Opponents call them dangerously deluded."

For the full text of the article, click here.

Sensory Processing Disorder and Behavior: One Mom Shares her Thoughts

In my research into Sensory Processing Disorder, clothing sensitivity, and behavior, I came across one thoughtful mom's blog, and I thought I would share:

"For students with sensory difficulties, being required to wear clothing that is uncomfortable or to keep the clothing tucked in can be a nightmare. The sensory difficulties can induce a fright or flight response. I wonder if that is at the root of this kid’s outbursts - maybe just having an accommodation for the sensory issues induced by the uniform would help.

To someone who has never had to deal with a child with sensory issues, the meltdowns do look like behavioral issues. Think of this teacher for a sec, if the sensory issues are at the root of the problem here. She probably has no idea of sensory issues, she just knows she has to make the little boy act a certain way. How will she ever learn if the entire autism community comes down on her? What she did was awful, but we have a responsibility to turn it into a teaching moment. She can’t hate kids and be a kindergarten teacher - I just don’t think it’s possible.

But she could have misinterpreted what was happening with this little boy. This little boy’s parents are also new to what his issues are. Those of us who have been down that road with our kids, or those of you with the same issues, please try and show some patience. Let’s try to make something good come from this very horrible situation."

For the rest of G's post, click here.

KETV: Therapy Helps Children With Sensory Disorders Find Joy In Play

OMAHA, Neb. -- A clothing tag on the back of a shirt is a scratchy annoyance to most people. But for up to 20 percent of the population, that tag causes a stabbing pain, so much that a person can't focus on anything else.Melissa Irving-Gass noticed her 1-year-old, Keelan, was deeply troubled by clothing tags and many other stimuli."He wouldn't go anywhere near grass. He didn't like carpet. He didn't like different textures of baby food," Irving-Gass said.

For entire article, click here

The Sensory Processing Disorder Label Debate

As a professional in the field of Special Education, it is amazing to me how many people I encounter in my work who either have not heard of, or don't take the diagnosis "Sensory Processing Disorder" seriously. It's like, because it doesn't have an official check box next to it on any of the paperwork we all have to push, it doesn't exist, or doesn't have a very real effect on the children who have it, the teachers who teach them, the classrooms that support them, the parents that try and find treatment and answers for them. It may be entirely true that children are over-diagnosed and over-labeled these days. But, when there is a real problem, the end goal is not to find that perfect label or diagnosis, it is to find it, SO THAT something measured, tailored, planned, and entirely effectual can be done to help. Here is a good post about "Factors To Determine If Your Child Needs a Diagnosis or Label"

An Inspiring Awareness Raising Walk

On this past Tuesday, two men from Massachusetts began The Elias Tembenis Walk for Autism, a year-long journey across America to raise autism awareness and funds to assist children with the diagnosis.

Leaving their families, home, and work behind, Robert Williams and Bobby Genese of Worcester will walk approximately 3000 miles in honor of Elias Tembenis, a seven-year-old boy with autism who passed away last November following a seizure. Harry and Gina Tembenis, also of Worcester, hope the walk will honor their son's memory while helping children and families affected by autism.

Proceeds will benefit the National Autism Association's Helping Hand Program, a national fund assisting families unable to afford autism therapy and medical services, and will also support autism initiatives in Elias's hometown. "We can't thank the guys enough for what they're doing," commented Rita Shreffler of the National Autism Association. "With the rise in autism, our community is starving for aid. Robert and Bobby are two very amazing people."

(learn more here, source)

Autism Products Clearance Sale

Autism Products: Big Clearance Sale - Items are $10 or less!

We must clear our shelves to make room for new stock. Therefore, we have LOTS of items on CLEARANCE! This offer is on a first come, first served basis. NO rain checks are allowed and the sale ends when the supplies are gone! If you need new materials, this is the time to buy! View the selection at http://www.nlconcepts.com

Soft Media Kit

media kit - Upload a doc

Read this doc on Scribd: media kit

How Animals Can Help Children with Special Needs

Animal-Assisted Therapy Provides a Unique Support and Inspiration to Kids with Disabilities

Healing power of horses helping special needs children "Casey has a sensory processing disorder which leads to coordination problems, behavior issues and sensitivity to some touch.

“At home, we are trying to wrangle him, to wrestle him. He’s bouncing off the walls,” Tracy explains. But as Captain lopes in circles around the barn, Casey is content.

The similarity in the way a horse and a person walks is key to horse therapy’s success. By riding Captain, Casey’s brain gets the natural stimulation of walking. As Captain takes each step, Casey has to make physical adjustments beyond what his coordination would allow on his own two feet. In essence, this is sensory training."

Special Horses for those with Special Needs