• Search for:
    18Apr, 2018
    Free Special Needs Safety Kits Available

    As part of April’s Autism Awareness Month observance, Carey Services and AWS Foundation are making free safety kits available for families of children who have special needs.

    The kits are designed to safeguard against wandering and other dangerous situations involving children with intellectual or developmental disabilities. The kits will be available, while supplies last, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday at Carey Services’ Building C entrance, which is on the Marion Bypass south of 26th Street.

    “These kits are timely and important because kids with special needs can be prone to wandering or being bullied or they can inadvertently place themselves in dangerous situations,” said Jim Allbaugh, Carey Services’ president and chief executive officer.

    The goal of creating the kits is to provide families with tools designed to help prevent a potentially harmful situation from occurring and to provide resources if an emergency occurs. The kit is designed to address safety concerns from wandering, bullying and seclusion to safety precaution methods at home and school. Distributing the kits in April is a planned strategy to highlight the annual international Autism Awareness Month observance.

    3Apr, 2018
    April is World Autism Awareness Month

    April is World Autism Awareness Month, and April 2 is World Autism Awareness Day.

    The United Nations created the worldwide observance in 2007, and this year is the 11th observance of the proclamation for both specific day and the month of other related observances.

    As of 2016, autism affects about one in 68 children, and the numbers continue to grow. it is estimated that one out in 42 boys will end up being diagnosed with autism, and boys are five times more likely to have autism than girls. It is one of the fastest growing developmental disorders in the United States; it is estimated that a family with a member diagnosed with autism will spend about $60,000 a year on treatment.

    24Oct, 2017
    Tips For a Fun Halloween

    Halloween can be a fun time of year for many people, but the scary images and noises are not always fun for children who are on the autism spectrum.

    The Autism Society of Indiana has created a list of tips for parents or caregivers of children with autism that might help their loved one enjoy the holiday without some of the scary parts.

    How to Make Halloween Fun (But Not Scary) for Children on the Autism Spectrum

    1. Social Story: Write, and read with your child, a step-by-step social story of what to expect. For more information about social stories and some samples, visit CarolGraySocialStories.com
    2. Costume Choice: If your child has not yet chosen a costume, you might suggest one that is related to an existing area of interest. If your child likes a particular book, game or sport, they will probably enjoy dressing up like their favorite character or athlete. This will provide built-in excitement to the experience.
    3. Dress Rehearsal: Practice putting on your child’s costume, so he or she is familiar with it. Start letting your child wear the costume around the house a couple of weeks before Halloween, so when the holiday arrives it is an accepted routine. If the costume has tags that scratch or other aspects that cause a problem, you will have sufficient time to solve the problem and alleviate any sensory discomfort or distraction.
    4. Role Play: Practice in advance the Trick or Treat process of requesting and accepting the treat. This will help your child understand and remember what to say and do while Treat or Treating.
    5. Logistics: Create a written schedule so your child knows in advance what activities will take place on the holiday. Include a map of the places you might visit. Consider staying in your neighborhood or only visiting family and friends your child already knows. Discuss the schedule in advance with your child and point out your intended “Trick or Treat” route on the map. Your child will then have time-frame and visual references for how the day will unfold, which will minimize the surprises. (And don’t visit any haunted houses!)
    6. Time Limit: Your child does not need to visit lots of houses to make the holiday fun. Consider a Trick or Treat journey of 45 minutes to an hour. (This will also prevent acquiring too many sweets.)
    7. Siblings: If you have other children who are not on the spectrum, consider having them do their Trick or Treating with their friends, if they want to go for a longer time or visit different places. This will help reduce any pressure a different agenda might present.
    8. Decorations: Considering gradually decorating your house and yard in the days and weeks leading up to Halloween, so your child is not overwhelmed by too many potentially scary images in and around your property.
    9. More Treats: You and your child can bake and decorate Halloween cookies or cupcakes before the holiday arrives, to gradually build up the fun factor as the special day approaches.

    The society also has created a special card that can be printed and used during Trick or Treating. Print the above image to use the card and share with others.

    Skip to content