Sunday, February 10, 2013

Sensory Friendly Film this Friday at Peter White Public Library

I  will be presenting the classic Japanese anime movie, My Neighbor Totoro, sensory-friendly-style on Friday, February 15 at 1:00.  There's no school in Marquette that day due to the February break. 

Sensory friendly means the sound is set to a moderate volume, the lights are on at a low level, restlessness and movement is tolerated, and closed caption is on for readers.

My Neighbor Totoro is a magical story of two sisters who move to pastoral Japan as their mother recuperates from a long illness.

All Sensory Friendly Films are free to the public.

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Tips for Supporting Individuals with Social Learning Challenges in a Group

I came across the following article on Michelle Garcia Winner's Social Thinking blog.  I could see it as a useful tool for those times when I am trying to get my daughter involved in a group that is run by someone with little training in working with kids on the spectrum.  Often people ask me for ideas of how to work with her and this is something I could hand them.  (Though it's a bit long, but it is something that can be easily skimmed.)

20+ Tips and Strategies for Volunteer & Group Leaders: Supporting Individuals with Social Learning Challenges in Your Group

Sunday, February 3, 2013

U.P. Special Education Conference

The Upper Peninsula Special Education Conference will be held on Thursday and Friday, February 21-22 at the Bottum Center at Northern Michigan University.  The conference is free for parents, though registration is required.  I've gone to at least part of it the last few years and have learned something useful each time.  More information, including online registration, can be found at http://www.maresa.org/.