Autism Awareness month starts in a few days. We will be attending events, interviewing everyday Autism heroes, sharing resources and research and much more. Join us! Email info@softclothing.net for more info.

Feeding the hungry brain with music

Check out this article about the relationships between music and the autistic/SPD mind. Music therapy, listening therapy, and integrated listening systems (linking auditory techniques with movement) are a few therapies that haven't been explored by most families, yet they are found to be most effective. I've seen it myself work in the classroom. When I was working in a classroom full of emotionally disturbed, and autistic 5-8 year olds, pandaemonium broke loose! Chairs, desks, pencils, Spongebob backpacks all went flying! Screaming! Tantrums! And as soon as the teacher put on some music... the kids were INSTANTLY soothed and able to calm themselves down to a normal level. The best part was when the teacher leaned over and whispered to me, "Music does soothe the savage beast." I'll never forget this important tool when teaching this population!

Gabriel Making Sense of School

Check out this new, very well-received book about a young boy with SPD! Recommend the book to your children's teachers, and your families. Let's increase awareness about SPD!

“I am positive that Hartley’s book will help teachers around the world understand not only SPD, but also how it feels to our sensational kids in their classrooms. And that understanding will help our children thrive in school right alongside their peers. Thank you, Hartley.” – Chynna T. Laird, author of I’m Not Weird, I Have SPD and Not Just Spirited: A Mom’s Sensational Journey With Sensory Processing Disorder.

Soft Clothing Cover featuring Doc Martens

Awesome story about Doc Martens in Teen Vogue this month (April 2010)--same month our cover story came out featuring our adorable model in some electric blue docs for kids on the cover! CHIC!!

DSM-5 Add SPD!

Hello all! There's been lots of hubbub regarding the new DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual 5th edition) that's in the works. They are actually eliminating Asperger's Syndrome, Rett's Syndrome, and Childhood Disintegrated Disorder for the upcoming edition. Many advocates are fighting for SPD to be officially added. Anyone may submit information or suggestions for added criteria at dsm5.org. Submissions are open up until April 20th, and the final version is due out May 2013. We encourage you to speak up for your children or loved ones! If it does make it into the new version, this means more related services may be made available for your child's comfort and over all well being!

Introducing our New Intern!

Hello Soft Blog Readers!

I’m Brie, a new intern at Soft. I look forward to blogging with you all, and keeping you updated on new events or issues regarding anything sensory related! I’m currently in the middle of my M.A. in Intellectual Disabilities/Autism at Teachers College, Columbia University. I student teach at P.S. 226m in a class with students with autism. Last summer I produced an art show featuring two of my favorite artists who are autistic. If you want to check out the art show, friend “Les Autists” on Facebook and check out the AMAZING artwork these guys did! We donated all the proceeds to UCSD’s Autism Center for Excellence. Hopefully we can get another show up soon! I’m very excited to be apart of your community, and Soft Clothing! E-mail me any updates, questions, or comments at Brie.softclothing@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you all!

-Brie

Non Profit Updates

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Dis/Ability Organizations

Our non-profit partnership program will begin in March 2011. Soft will be donating percentage of profits to large national organizations that make a huge difference in the lives of children with sensory disorders, including Autism, Aspergers, Sensory Processing disorder and a range of developmental disabilities. In addition, once a year, we will award a one-time grant to a smaller community group or organization. Grant applications will be available in March 2011, and the first grant will be awarded in August 2011. To be the first to find out when our non-profit partnership program is in place and applications are available, please sign up for the Soft email list.

Give India

Soft is proud and excited about our manufacturing partnerships with India. We have a close, personal relationship with our factory representatives there, and they are so supportive and understanding of our mission. We wanted to give back in a way that compliments our beliefs about inclusive education. Through the organization Give India, Soft has started to support children with disabilities through a variety of local organizations. Our first donation funded art therapy for a non-verbal child for three months! Check our blog for regular updates on the specific programs, children and organizations we are helping to fund.

Monthly Giving

Soft launched their Monthly Giving Program in December 2009, benefiting the Autism Society of America, and the SPD Foundation. We are incredibly proud to support organizations dedicated to funding research and support, and that are so effective in their ability to reach the millions of families in need of their resources through local chapter outreach.

Supporting Teachers, Schools and Students

Bi-annually, Soft helps to fund a grant written by teachers, for teachers through the online charity organization DonorsChoose.org. Recently, we helped to fund a grant written by an Occupational Therapist in an inner city school in Massachusetts who needed sensory equipment for her students with Autism. You can read more about that project here. Check our blog for our most current projects, thank you notes from the teachers and students, and any photos they share with us.

In December 2009, we donated our Soft Sensory Tees to the entire pre-K class at a local elementary school in Bushwick Brooklyn. Later this year, at the request of a concerned parent, we donated our sensory tees to children with SPD in the Developmental Preschool Class at Silver First Elementary School in Everett, WA. If you have a special project in mind, please contact us at info@softclothing.net.

Sponsorships

We regularly sponsor non-profit events, walks, conferences, individuals, fundraising events. Some of our latest sponsorship projects are listed below.

The Cove School

Bounce for Autism

SPD Foundation Conference--March 2010

Keshet School

Soft in Junior Magazine

Soft in Special Parent Magazine

Soft In Family Time Magazine!

We are in Family Time Magazine this month! (Chicago/Midwest) Check out our mention in their "shortcuts" section where they let people know about innovative new products available to enhance the lives of their reader families. Look out for our feature in their April issue dedicated to Autism Awareness Month.

Soft in Earnshaws February 2010

Soft Market Dates!!!

Soft will be showing at two upcoming Market Dates on the West Coast! In San Francisco from March 13-15, then in LA from March 19-23. contact wholesale@softclothing.net for more info!