School Related Linguistic Abilities in Siblings of Children with Autism

A recent study proposes that Siblings of probands with autism spectrum disorders are at higher risk for developing the broad autism phenotype (BAP).

They compared the linguistic abilities (i.e., pragmatic language, school achievements, and underling reading processes) of 35 school-age siblings of children with autism (SIBS-A) to those of 42 siblings of children with typical development.

Results indicated lower pragmatic abilities in a subgroup of SIBS-A identified with BAP related difficulties (SIBS-A-BAP) whereas school achievements and reading processes were intact.

Furthermore, among SIBS-A-BAP, significant negative correlations emerged between the severity scores on the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule and full and verbal IQ scores.

These results are discussed in the context of the developmental trajectories of SIBS-A and in relation to the BAP.

Read the full paper and it's findings here: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dyslexia friendly Typeface: Video

Read more about this Typeface and it's development by the University of Twente in the Netherlands, one of the most advanced countries in Europe, addressing learning difficulties in children and adults: (English version) www.studiostudio.nl

Centra and IDL Software for Dyslexia support

CENTRA IDL (which stands for Indirect Dyslexia Learning) is a simple, enjoyable and highly successful method of alleviating the symptoms associated with dyslexia.

Both adult and child students:

• learn how to use the talking computers, and then work their way through a series of gently graded touch-typing lessons that involve reading and spelling
• strengthen relevant connections within their brain, helping them to overcome their reading and ordering difficulties
• work with the computer - but there is also a tutor to support and encourage them
• learn from and control the computer, making them feel in control of the situation and therefore able to progress at a comfortable rate

Read more about Centra IDL here: Dyslexia support

You will also find a link to their Facebook page here: Centra IDL

Dyslexia PreScreening and Intervention

Early identification and intervention yields the best result

Most dyslexia is not identified until the third grade or later. By then, a child with reading problems has only a one-in-seven chance of ever catching up with his or her peers in reading.

Although it is never too late to begin intensive reading instruction, results are much better when instruction begins in the early grades. Results are likely to be best of all when preventive action is taken in pre-kindergarten.

Nemours BrightStart! developed processes for screening early literacy skills in pre-kindergarteners to identify those who may be at risk for dyslexia and other reading difficulties.

We do not diagnose dyslexia through Nemours BrightStart!; however, preschool-age children with results in the lower 20 to 25 percent of the screening scores typically need our educational intervention.

We have developed a unique and powerful curriculum designed to teach at-risk pre-kindergarteners, identified through the screening process, with excellent results.

We have transformed our program into a format that others can use themselves, with appropriate training. In this way, the power of the Nemours BrightStart! approach is now available and cost-effective for virtually any interested community.

Since 2005, we have:

• Screened over 9,000 pre-kindergarteners in Jacksonville, Florida
• Provided the Nemours BrightStart! Early Literacy Curriculum to over 1,500 at-risk children in their child care centers or preschools
• Averaged a 128% gain in reading readiness test scores for at-risk children, from before to after our unique educational program, compared with an average 25% gain on the same test for children not receiving that program
• Moved two-thirds of those at-risk children to the “average” range in their early literacy skills, following the Nemours BrightStart! specialized instruction
• Prepared the Nemours BrightStart! Early Literacy Curriculum for broader distribution to help others implement this successful program

Read more of this article here: Pre-K Screening and Intervention « Dyslexia (BrightStart!)

Autism: Face Cards

Now imagine your autistic you can’t show your emotions as you have no real concept of what these emotions/feelings mean how do you let people know how you are feeling. Here is where Face-cards from dunedin multimedia can help . Dunedin Multimedia was founded in 1995. Over the years they have produced software and print resources under their own imprint, and for companies, government and not-for-profit organisations, for schools, and for families.

About Face Cards

These are great they are set of face cards similar to a credit card size, with pictures of faces on each side one has a positive feeling and one a negative feeling. What I like about these cards they are very easy to use, they come in their own handy plastic container so could be easily carried around. Also you have the choice of male or female faces and the eyes are very neutral looking,
I used the Face cards for my son and daughter who are both autistic. They have been great as when I ask them how they feel they show me the relevant card. This is great in social situations when they get overwhelmed they can just show me how they feel and I can try and adjust the situation as needed. Also these would be good for people with little or no communication it takes all the guess work out of trying to find out how they are feeling.
The cards are available in male/female faces with a choice of 6 faces. All cards are easily cleaned as they can just be wiped with a damp cloth if they get dirty.
For more information and see what other resources are available see http://www.dunedinmultimedia.com