Autism on the Seas!

 
This type of event allows families with autistic children, who often become isolated from the outside world, the opportunity to bring some normalcy to a family outing.  The Autism on the Seas staff provides these families with a unique itinerary, on-board respite care for the autistic children while their parents spend time alone, private dining rooms, reserved seating for on-board entertainment events, networking with parents from across the country and autism education meetings aboard the ship.  Autism on the Seas has highly trained staff that plan events to maximize the opportunity for these kids and their families to enjoy themselves and relieve stress.
http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=QMnUbhdDI1Q
 
http://www.alumnicr uises.org/ Autism/Autism_ Home.htm

Information on learning to dress-snap,button, zip 

http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/learn-to-dress-dolls.html

QualityMall.org, a showcase of promising practices and innovations that promote quality of life for persons with developmental disabilities, was developed by the Research and Training Center on Community Living at the University of Minnesota’s Institute on Community Integration (RTC/ICI), the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services (NASDDDS), and Human Services Research Institute (HSRI). It receives its primary funding is through a grant from the federal Administration on Developmental Disabilities.

Purpose of QualityMall.org

The primary purpose of QualityMall.org is to collect and disseminate information related to or useful in promoting quality of life for persons with developmental disabilities. It is not a retailer or vendor of products or services, but uses the theme of a shopping mall to help connect visitors to the best products and services available. People involved with, experienced with, or simply aware of such services are invited to visit QualityMall.org, shop the many “stores,” and make recommendations for new products and services.

How QualityMall.org Works

Stores at QualityMall.org represent broad topic areas while departments provide more specific descriptions of available products and services. The Family Place store, for example, is divided into the departments on Family Support and Respite, Family Advocacy, Whole Families, Financial and Estate Planning, New Parents, and Parents with Disabilities.

Products represent efforts to enhance the quality of life for persons with disabilities, and may be exemplary programs, publications, video and sound recordings, training curriculum, CD ROMs, or Websites. Product pages contain detailed descriptions, contact information, and web links. Managers at both the store and department levels – national experts in their areas – ensure the best and most comprehensive array of products is listed and maintained.

Other components of the mall include the Quality Cinema, where users can view video clips, slide shows, and interactive presentations; the News Stand, where breaking information regarding quality in services to people with disabilities will be posted; and The Coffee Shop, which features bulletin boards and live chats on issues in person-centered services.

The “mall” is a metaphor with two meanings. The first is the idea of a single place where you can find just about anything you are looking for, like the conventional suburban shopping center. The older meaning of a mall is a public gathering place. QualityMall.org satisfies both meanings, using the latest technological innovations to make new ideas and information more visible, accessible, and understandable, while encouraging full participation from its users.

Young Audiences of Houston

“Discover” Programs for Special Needs

 YAH Discover Programs were implemented in 2007 in response to community needs for specialized art programming for children with special needs and learning differences, such as Autism, ADHD, DownSyndrome and Cerebral Palsy amongst others. YAH’s customized special needs programs, focusing on increasing attention, and developing motor and verbal skills through interventional art curriculums made great strides in 2008-2009. Initial work at the Briarwood School supported by the McNair Foundation has led to the establishment of new multi year programs at Yates High School, where 23% of the student body are categorized as Special Needs, Dodson Elementary, and specialty schools such as the Rise School, Briarwood School, and Monarch School.   

Interventional Music Curriculum

Of special note was the planning and implementation of the customized “Music 4 Everyone” project at both Dodson Elementary and Helms Community Learning Center in 2009 -2010. This interventional music project designed to provide music activities to the special education students at low income schools also provides professional development training for the classroom teachers. After completing over 100 residency sessions and through a process evaluation, data shows participating teachers observed slight to significant increases in their student’s attention span, their ability to make and sustain eye contact longer, improved communication along with fine and gross motor development. This information helps YAH teaching artists and classroom teachers better understand and document best practices for implementing music and fine arts into existing curriculums designed for children with learning differences.

Art Residencies and Exhibition for Local Students with Special Needs

The artist’s residencies and exhibit titled “Master Inspirations” presents the art of Houston area students from schools that serve children with learning differences and difficulties. Through the guidance of a YAH teaching artist(s) during the residencies, the students create works of art in various mediums from the study of a master’s work while also learning of the life and time of that master artist(s). Teachers are given the opportunity to learn strategies for integrating the arts in the classroom that as long term benefits. The exhibition presents the art of Houston area students from schools that serve children with learning differences and difficulties. It features works of art in various mediums from the study of a master’s work and serves as an outlet for creative self-expression and communication for these unique individuals.  The exhibit also works to disseminate the latest information on Autism and raise the awareness of Autistic Spectrum Disorders. Local art fans can enjoy the creations of students from artists’ residencies at HISD and private schools in the Houston and surrounding area throughout the month of April (Autism Awareness Month), thanks to a partnership between HISD, Texas Southern University’s (TSU) Department of Human Services & Consumer Sciences, and the Young Audiences of Houston’s “Discover” program. The works remain on display from April 1st through April 30th and coincide with Autism Awareness Month (April).

Social Networking

The YAH Discover program also shares information provided by both the DePelchin Children’s Center and the Univeristy of Houston-Clearlake Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities to provide artists, educators and families information concerning free and low cost training workshops in order to effectively help that  work to his or her full potential.

For more information concerning YAH Community Service Discover, Arts Promise and the Healing Arts activities contact Young Audiences of Houston at (713)520-9264 or visit the website at www.yahouston.org.

To advertise on the Noah Knows! blog contact: kim4child@sbcglobal.net