Lindt, the swiss chocolatier, is holding a benefit auction: 75 of their signature gold bunnies, each with a celebrity's signature, are up for grabs -- and 100 percent of the proceeds benefit Autism Speaks.
In honor of National Autism Awareness Month, these porcelain versions of the Lindt bunny will be auctioned on eBay March 8-18. Which means that you still have time to snag a bunny signed by Kristin Chenoweth, Harrison Ford, Peyton Manning, Brad Paisley, Katherine Heigl, Regis Philbin, Sara Jessica Parker....
Click here to read more about Lindt's Celebrity Gold Bunny Auction, view all of the celebs, and place your bid.
PLUS, Autism Speaks encourages you to celebrate World Autism Awareness Day (April 2) and "Light It Up Blue." Now in its third year, the "Light It Up Blue" campaign helps raise awareness about autism. Iconic landmarks around the world show their support by sporitng a blue facade -- and you can too, whther it's your front porch or your Facebook icon.
Click here to learn how you can help shine a light on autism and to view pictures of blue-facaded landmarks, from Niagra Falls in Canada and the Canton Tower in China to the Palacio de Belles Artes in Mexico and the Terminal Tower in Ohio.
Normally he's lost for words but put him in front of a microphone and Kyle Coleman can belt out a hit.
For most of his life Kyle, who has autism that rendered him mute, never spoke a word. Now at age 25, Kyle is breaking his silence and recording an album. The album, "Kyle, Therefore I Am," will be available on Amazon and iTunes on April 2. Money raised will go to the National Autistic Society.
I know what you're thinking -- how is this even possible...?!
Rewind to 2009, when his mother took Kyle to a music therapy session. There, Kyle not only picked up on music immediately (recreating his favorite songs through instinct), Kyle found music to be a natural way to express his emotions. Emotions that he could never previously express.
Kyle has recorded nine covers in addition to one special tune that was written about autism specfically for him to sing. The album's release is set to coincide with World Autism Day.
Dandelion recently featured a story about music therapy: click here to read on.
And, check out our very own Rhythms & Melodies blogger, who shares her passion and insights on the amazing power of music.
Easter is this week so many of us will have extra Easter eggs around the house. Put them to good use by making this fun listening game.
This "Match the Sound" game helps children listen carefully and pick out differences in the sounds. The children in my classes have always enjoyed playing it. It can get messy if they open the eggs quickly. So be prepared!
Research suggests that children as young as 1 may show signs of autism. Because early intervention can make a huge difference in a child's life, please share this list of the "Red Flags of Autism" with your friends and family.
If your baby shows any of these signs, don't wait! Speak to your pediatrician or family practitioner about autism screening and ask for an immediate evaluation:
* No big smiles or other warm, joyful expressions by six months or thereafter
* No back-and-forth sharing of sounds, smiles, or other facial expressions by nine months or thereafter
* No babbling by 12 months
* No back-and-forth gestures, such as pointing, showing, reaching, or waving by 12 months
* No words by 16 months
* No two-word meaningful phrases (without imitating or repeating) by 24 months
* Any loss of speech or babbling or social skills at any age
Don’t let the bubble pop!
A couple weekends ago, we were visiting some relatives including my cousin who has a son that is around one year old. Everyone was excited because he was pulling himself up and learning how to take his first couple of steps. I found myself comparing his development to Carly and wondering if/when she would learn to walk.
I did my best to remind myself of Carly rule number one “Slow Down” and that her development would come along at its own pace. Of course some different types of therapy will probably help as well.
Keeping rule number one in my mind was tough and I found myself getting a little jealous and envious because here was a baby, roughly two years younger than Carly, up on his own two feet and walking. I could not tell if Carly was feeling the same way or not, however; I did notice that she would bounce around in her jumper and make Carly noises whenever the boy took steps or came near her. After a while it seems that she got frustrated and started crying when he would get up and start walking.
Holding Carly later on I got to thinking about how those of who are blessed to have a child with special needs, somewhat live in our own bubbles. We know that our children develop on their own time table and they remind us to slow down and enjoy life. When the other boy was up and walking around where Carly and I were sitting, it felt like our own little bubble was going to pop and the developmental plan of the rest of the world would come crashing down upon us.
Giving Carly a hug, I got a little bit teary eyed and whispered in her ear that no matter what the world brought upon us, she was simple amazing and would always be that way. I watched the little boy walk some more and this time I knew that Carly would have that same joy when she was darn good and ready.
I knew then that there will always be outside pins poking at the bubble, the most important thing is to not let the bubble pop.
Recently, I started a new job and I am lucky enough to work with a great group of people, including the guy I share an office with. At first everything was not as smooth as it is now and the reason why was the blatant use of the “R” word.
I heard it used around 10-15 times during my first night there. Thankfully, when it used it was not directed at any individuals but at certain situations and work procedures. As the end of the shift came up, I pulled a couple of guys aside and told them that my daughter is lucky enough to be blessed with Down Syndrome and the use of the “R” word was offending me. I was not all high and mighty about, just stated it as a matter of fact. Both gentlemen apologized and stated that they would work on not saying it anymore.
The next day, I posted a picture of Carly as my computer wallpaper at work. At the start of the shift, I brought the guys into the office and showed them who Carly is and that each time they said the R-word, I wanted them to look at her and imagine how she felt. My office mate stated that he had never thought of it that way and it really home to him. The use of the R-word dropped down to about 5 times that day and was usually followed with an “Oh, sh*t, I should not have said that”
The next day I decided to up the challenge and told them that I would fine them each a dollar whenever they said the R-word. Both of them laughed nervously and knew I was serious. That night I only heard it once and a dollar was quickly handed over to me.
The next night, I am happy to say that I did not make any money and my office mate stated that he had stopped using the word at home as well. Along with charging his kids a $1 each time they said it as well.
Yes, they both still use an r-word act work and that word is ridiculous
In my last post I told you about the accident I was in - a car hit me while I was crossing in a crosswalk.
I have had a lot of anxiety from the experience. The anxiety is from all the adrenaline leaving my body as well as mentally remembering the car coming at me and like in a nightmare, not being able to get out of the way.
As a result I have had a hard time getting to sleep at night and staying asleep. It took several weeks to be able to sleep 6 hours at one time.
Usually I need complete silence in order to fall asleep. I am such a light sleeper that any noise will wake me up.
But things changed. I have found the only way to calm me down and stop thinking about the car is to put on music to get me through the night.
My favorite calming music is Midori Bali: Reflection of a Tranquil Paradise. It has nature sounds mixed in with pretty instrumental music. There isn't anyone singing, otherwise I would sing all night long!
I imagine I am sleeping in one of those huts built in the ocean. You have to row a boat to get to your hut. It‘s my dream vacation!
So I listen and imagine and stop thinking about my nightmare and go to sleep.
I breath deeply.
My muscles relax.
My mind clears.
I finally fall asleep.
I have also found some great nature sounds and instrumentals on YouTube. They are so calming and relaxing.
Do you have days when you can't calm down?
You are on the go, go, go, until it is time to fall into bed at night?
Or maybe you are in the middle of your own stressful situation- IEP time, doctor and specialist visits, never ending therapy appointments.
Have you found music helps you calm down?
What is your favorite calming music?
A couple of days ago I realized that Miss Carly is turning four this July. Wow, four years already, it seems like just yesterday we were blessed with her arrival. Normally I have been pretty relaxed and at ease with Carly’s development but the thought of her turning four brought up an amazing amount of anxiety.
I began to worry about her development. How long until she learns to walk, to talk, to run around and play with the other kids? Soon she will be the age when kids get ready to head off to kindergarten, will she be ready to go? Have I played a key role in her development? Am I holding her development back in any way? Do I spend enough time playing with her each and every day? What should I have done different? What can I do different? My mind continues to spin with more questions and more concerns….
One night/morning, when I know that I am thinking way too much about it, I tip toe into her room and watch her sleep. She squiggles a little bit, puts her hands underneath her, and lets out a big sigh as she continues her journey in dreamland. I imagine she dreams about walking, talking, and running with her friends. Dreams about playing in the sand, chasing the waves, all while laughing and giggling with her brother and sister.
Watching her sleep, my mind stops racing and I think of the amazing developmental steps she has already made. I think of her recent ability to grab ahold of anything and pretty much everything to try to pull herself up, along with the joy she gets when we help her practice bending her legs and working with her on taking her first step.
I wander off to bed, squiggle a little bit, put my hands underneath me, let out a deep sigh, and head on off to dream land, to dream about playing in the sand, chasing the waves, all while laughing and giggling with lovely wife and my beautiful kids.
We had a rough morning getting ready for school today. Like most families, when one of us is upset, or hurting, or sad, it affects every other person in our little clan.
It's harder when it's Jack that is upset. While I think we can anticipate his basic needs, and I work very hard to understand the more complicated ones, there are doubtless many, if not most days when something Jack wants doesn't happen simply because I cannot understand him. We are getting better at listening, and he is more patient when trying to communicate, but there are situations where our "yes" and "no" choice-making system just isn't going to cut it. Life has more nuance than that; it's more rich, and layered.
"Jack, are you hurt or mad?" I said, as I held out my hands as the two choices.
He got quiet immediately, but did not turn around to answer me. I offered again, and though he turned slightly towards me, he did not touch either of my hands to answer. Instead he leapt up and yelled. I know this yell. It is angry, and irritated. It's the sound of someone who is not being heard, someone who is surrounded by people who do not have the same sense of urgency. I'm sure my two choices did not cover his topic.
He went to the middle of the kitchen and stomped his feet, throwing down his arms, his hands splayed wide and his fingers swinging out like fans. I tried again to ask him what was wrong, trying to narrow it down, and oddly hoped it was a physical pain because it is almost always easier to fix a physical ailment than an emotional one.
He still didn't answer me. I can fix a migraine. I can fix a rumpled-up shirt sleeve inside a jacket, but whatever was wrong this morning, I could not tease it out. Tears slipped down his cheeks, and he went to the back door to wait for the school bus.
My heart clenched up inside my chest, and I found it hard to swallow the lump of not being able to help my child be more comfortable, ease his mind, or fix his pain. I just stood there ineffective, and unable to figure out what was wrong.
This part of parenting is hard and it makes me cry, and it makes me lose sleep. I feel like a failure and it makes my stomach hurt, and yet I know that all of my feelings are just a small part of this equation. Whatever angst I am having at not being able to help Jack, it pales in comparison to the frustration he must feel.
When I recognize how hard he is working to try to communicate, that awareness straightens my slumped-over self and puts my head back on straight very quickly.. and now I am ready for what the afternoon brings.
****
Whatever was going on for Jack, it may have resolved by the time he got to school, where by all accounts he had a happy and productive day.
Music has the ability to change our feelings and behaviors. Slow, soft music can make us feel calm and relaxed. While fast music with a lot of rhythm can make us feel energized and get us dancing. Parents have asked me to suggest music for their child to listen to while falling asleep or to get them moving.
We all know each person is made up of body, mind and spirit. Did you know that music is made of three components that match those parts? The three parts of music are rhythm, melody, and harmony.
Rhythm affects our body and stimulates our arms and legs. Percussion is the group in the orchestra that provides rhythm. Percussion instruments include the drums, cymbals and shakers.
Melody affects our mind and stimulates our head. The woodwind instruments, such as the flute, clarinet, and oboe provide melody.
Harmony affects our spirit and touches our hearts. The string instruments provide the harmony in the orchestra. Violin, viola and cello are string instruments.
The goal is to select music to stimulate or calm the body, mind and spirit in order to create balance.
Not everyone will react the same way to a piece of music. So I can suggest pieces to play for your child but you will have to see her reaction to it to determine if it is right for her.
Most of these suggestions are classical music and that is because classical music usually contains all three parts: rhythm, melody and harmony that is necessary for balance.
Children who are lethargic or have weak limbs need to be stimulated with rhythm. They need rhythmic percussion to invigorate them.
For children with weak muscles and limbs and to energize sleepy bodies play stimulating music with the volume slightly louder than usual.
"Bolero" by Ravel-orchestra
"Mephisto Waltz" by Liszt – piano
"Stars and Stripes Forever" by Sousa-marching band
"German Dance" by Mozart- orchestra
"The Toy Symphony" by Leopold Mozart-orchestra with horn and glockenspiel calling out "cuckoo"
Calming Music
Hyperactive children can be calmed by playing music with more melody and harmony and less rhythm and percussion. Instead of being physically and mentally active she will be relaxed and soothed.
"Romeo and Juliet" by Tchaikovsky-symphony orchestra
"Carmen Suite" Nos. 1-2 by Bizet – orchestra with a lot of wind instruments
"Andantino from the Flute Quartet in C Major" by Mozart-orchestra with a lot of flutes
Music for Anxiety
Anxious children respond well to music that has pronounced rhythm and melody
Waltzes by Strauss- orchestra
Anything by Mozart but you can start with the "Adagio from the Divertimento in B Flat (K. 287)" The Italian word adagio means "to put at ease".
Music for Chronically Ill
Soft music is wonderful for chronically ill children
"La Mer" by Debussy-orchestra
"Andantino from the Flute Quartet in C Major (K.171)" by Mozart-orchestra
Music for Emotionally Sensitive Children
Children who are emotionally sensitive need a lot of harmony in music.
"Jupiter Symphony" by Mozart-orchestra
My Favorite Sleeping Music
Classical music has a calming effect that helps children fall asleep.
Some studies also show playing classical music as children are falling asleep and waking up can reduce the incidences of seizures since episodes frequently occur just before or after falling asleep and soon after awakening.
My girls' favorite nighttime music is "Classical Naptime for Tots". It has a variety of classics from Bach, Debussy, Beethoven and Puccini
They also love Jewel's Lullaby CD from Fisher Price
My Favorite Stimulating Music
"Jazz for Kids" is a favorite to play while using all kinds of rhythm instruments like sticks, bells and maracas. It features Jazz greats such as Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong singing child friendly jazz songs.
"First Steps in Classical Music: Keeping the Beat!" is a favorite full of classical pieces to play with rhythm instruments.
Everyone has different musical preferences. Try these suggestions and see how your family responds. If the song doesn't work for you and your child then skip it and move on to another piece. In order to save costs, you can find most of these songs on You Tube and these CD's at the local library.
Recently, I attended a training seminar that focused on managing inclusion, in the workplace, along with understanding how much diversity there is in the workplace. At one point, the seminar focused on how quickly we judge others when we first see them, “you never get a second chance to make a first impression”
Now, that in itself is nothing new or revolutionary, but it did get me thinking about how Carly is and will be viewed and judged as she grows up. I think that every parent with a child or children with special needs is well aware that their child or children will be treated differently just because they have a “disability” rather than on their true talents and abilities. However, how does their disability affect us as parents?
Are we viewed differently by other parents? Coworkers? People on the street? Are we included or excluded from certain activities or conversations?
I have experienced numerous reactions, from others, including “Wow, you are so blessed to have her” to “It must be so difficult and challenging to raise a child with Down Syndrome” I either reply with “Thank you” or “About as difficult as raising our two other kids”
As a parent of a special needs child, have you ever been treated differently? If so, how does it make you feel and how to do you respond to either positive or negative comments?
Are you included or excluded?
Every child is special and unique. Celebrate the qualities and characteristics that make up your little one!
Our names represent us! Children love to hear their names in a song. For more information on hello songs read The Importance of a Hello Song. Writing a song with and about your child will help instill a positive self-worth as well as show your child how much you love her!
Write your own song to sing with your child using her name as the basis. It is easier than you think!
Here is a song I wrote with my daughter Angel. Sing it to the tune of Jingle Bells.
Angel Joy, Angel Joy
She likes dolls and toys
She's so good at drawing and art
She reads with all her heart!
Angel Joy, Angel Joy
She loves to play outside
She has lots of sisters
And she's always by their side!
Angel was delighted to do this project with me. She was smiling the whole time and felt really important singing our finished product to Daddy.
Here is another song, written for my daughter, Shelli. Sing it to the tune of Mary Had a Little Lamb.
Shelli has a great big smile,
Great big smile,
Great big smile.
Shelli has a great big smile.
She makes me laugh all day.
Shelli rides a scooter,
Scooter,
Scooter.
Shellie rides a scooter.
She rides with Daddy all day.
Shelli is a reader,
Reader,
Reader.
Shelli is a reader.
She reads books all day.
Shelli has 3 sisters,
3 sisters,
3 sisters.
Shelli has 3 sisters.
She loves them all day.
It is important to allow your child to help you as much as possible!
Write the song together.
Sing it all the time.
You could incorporate musical instruments to make it more complete!
But most importantly: Have Fun!
What a great reminder for us all: Think before you speak!
As we head into a new school year, filled with parent-teacher meetings, playground and playgroup socialization, IEP and PTA meetings, after-school activities that run that gamut, and more, I can't help but think that we'd all (students, their friends and siblings, parents, teachers, educators, administrators....) have more honest, more efficient and better communication if we followed these simple rules...
Is what you're saying... True? Helpful? Inspiring? Necessary? Kind?
Save and print this image: click the image above, when a larger image pops up on your screen, right click it and click save. Open your favorite photo editor and hit print.
Post it on your fridge, tape it up in the classroom, hang it in your chid's room, use it as a bookmark... Where ever this gentle reminder is needed!
Today, the Centers for Disease Control updated its estimate of autism incidence in this country to an eye-popping 1 in 88 (from 1 in 110).
While the exact causes of autism remain unknown there is substantial evidence implicating environmental contaminants including chemicals. This evidence was best summarized by Dr. Phil Landrigan, Chair of the Department of Preventive Medicine at the Mt Sinai School of Medicine in his peer-reviewed 2010 paper, "What causes Autism? Exploring the environmental contribution."
Since then a 2011 Stanford University study of twins -- the largest ever -- implicated environmental factors for 57% of autism cases. Current policy at the federal level does not require chemicals to be evaluated for neurotoxicity (or any other health effect), and many known neurotoxins are used in commerce today. The CDC's chemical "biomonitoring" program has identified neurotoxins among the industrial chemicals it has detected as widespread in average Americans.
Responding to the announcement, Andy Igrejas, Director of Safer Chemicals Healthy Families, said, "Autism already takes an enormous toll on American families so it is bad news, indeed, that it is getting worse. As evidence accumulates that unregulated chemicals contribute substantially to autism, chemical policy reform becomes even more of a moral imperative. This spring the US Senate can help alleviate the problem by passing the Safe Chemicals Act, which would, for the first time, create an orderly process for identifying the chemicals that contribute to conditions like autism and apply appropriate restrictions."
...About Prenatal Testing and Eliminating Imperfection
Not everything can be detected in an AFP, a CVS, an ultrasound or an amniocentesis. As far as I know, those tests will not determine if your child will have mental illness, heart disease, obesity, cancer, diabetes, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, autism and the list goes on. Or do we have tests for these things in the works? Shudder...Those tests can't tell you if your child will be happy or a contributing member to society. They can't tell you if your child will grow up to be a criminal, a serial killer, a child molester or a rapist. They can't tell you if your child will grow up to be bully or a thief. They can't tell you if your child will have motivation or drive or end up being homeless. These tests won't tell you if your child will stand out, or be homosexual, or have a learning disability or be an outcast because he or she is too tall, too short, too skinny, too fat, too pretty, too ugly, too blond, too dark or too anything. I certainly know that the prenatal tests will never tell you if your child will be in a car accident or a near drowning or take a bad fall or have a birth trauma. There is NO SUCH THING as a perfect child and having those tests to rule out the forbidden DOWN SYNDROME or any other detectable birth "defect" doesn't guarantee that you will have that unattainable picture perfect human being. I'm sensitive now, more than ever, to this obsession over early detection for the purposes of eliminating "imperfect" unborn children. There is a push to eliminate children like Joaquin and Sofia. I wish people would understand that "disability" is actually very natural and it's everywhere. People come in all shapes and forms and abilities. I find it impossible to find anyone in the world that doesn't suffer from some sort of challenge or "disability". Wear glasses? Ever had braces? On a diet? Have a bad back? Ever need surgery? Need coffee in the morning? Ever had a headache? Ever need help with anything? Would you say you are perfect? Would you say you are totally healthy? My bet is each and everyone of us has some challenge or special need that they deal with regularly.
I guess this is my way of saying (and this is ONLY MY OPINION) that I don't think anyone should enter parenthood unless they understand that you take on ALL SORTS of risks, trials and tribulations, heartaches, and disappointments when it comes to having a child and you are signing up for the JOURNEY. Wherever it may take you. It's a huge responsibility. And it's a privilege. So if you aren't up for the challenge, don't have a child. To the medical industry: Let's get off this slippery slope of prenatal testing. Let's be mindful of the direction we are headed. Let's not pretend the testing is to have more "information" or to "prepare". If that were the case, I wouldn't be ranting right now. The abortion rate after a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome is staggering. 92% of babies who are prenatally diagnosed with Down syndrome are eliminated. That sentence alone says it all.
OK...rant is over.
On to something inspiring, amazing and beautiful. Thank goodness for that.
A link to a beautiful video:
A link to the beautiful new ministry launched this month:
