Autism Society of America Conference Recap!

Thank you to everyone who came to our Achievement Products booth at the recent Autism Society of America conference! We loved meeting all of you and continue to reflect on your stories, input and interaction with our products, especially the sensory sensations of Bubber™ (APDBUBGR), Sensory Snow (AP7251), IncredibleFoam® Dough (APDFOAMSAM), Moon Sand® (APDMOON), and Slippery Spheres (AP23334) we had on display!

We were delighted to hear that many of the items we feature in Achievement Products are already helpful to the children in your programs and care, and we want to remind you all to take a look at the over 40 new items in our newest catalog and to take advantage of the special 15% off Sensory Stimulation products offer.

We were particularly excited to learn that, while the age focus for most of the items we offer is in the 1-5 years range, many programs find the items in Achievement Products are helpful for older children with autism as well, beginning with the five sensory sensations items we list above. Other products appropriate for older children on the autism spectrum include:

Items for social emotional and communication issues:
Talk About How We Feel (AP3577) - A photo card activity featuring images of youngsters in the early teens age range.

Trading Faces (AP72200) - An illustrated game focusing on emotional intelligence that features the likenesses of 10-12 year olds.

Talk Blocks (AP4412) - A set of five, 3”x3” blocks that record messages up to 30 seconds in length each.

Sensory calming and stimulation items:
Classroom Light Filters (AP92301)
Vibro Tactile Mit (AP91044)
Natural Sound Machine (AP6953)
Room Effects Projectors and Wheels, Range from AP5610 - AP5620

Fidgets:
Fuzzy Tangle – Set of 2 (AP2900)
Therapy Tangle (AP3300)
Hairy Tangle (AP1290)
Mini Massage Fidget – Set of 12 (AP3311)
Squeeze Rings – Progressive Resistances Set of 3 (AP302)

Arts & Crafts items:
Colossal Barrel of Crafts (AP723)
Scented Markers (APDSNIFF)

It was clear that parents and educators of teens on the autism spectrum are creative in their approach to reaching, and succeeding with, the teenagers in their care. We invite you to share your success stories with teens you know and provide for who are on the spectrum.

Child-Size Art Gallery

This post is authored by Anna Reyner, a registered art therapist and licensed marriage and family therapist. Anna is a nationally recognized arts advocate that has conducted over 500 hands-on art workshops for learners of all abilities. Follow Anna’s blog at Art and Creativity in Early Childhood Education.

Special Needs Application:

Encourages non-verbal expression and enhances self-esteem.

Don't forget to display children's art at their own eye level. This "gallery space" is a great example that uses black butcher paper and black construction paper to create a dramatic background for preschool artwork. The gallery is further enhanced by combining 3-D art (coffee filter art) with 2-D art (paintings and yarn collage). Change out your art displays as often as possible - and make sure everyone's art is represented.

This second photo shows what hangs overhead in this same room, a 3-D hanging display of CD covers painted with BioColor®.

These simple but effective gallery display ideas are from the Hill n Dale Preschool in Santa Monica, CA.

Make Your Own BioColor® Flowers

This post is authored by Anna Reyner, a registered art therapist and licensed marriage and family therapist. Anna is a nationally recognized arts advocate that has conducted over 500 hands-on art workshops for learners of all abilities. Follow Anna’s blog at Art and Creativity in Early Childhood Education.

Special Needs Application:

Enhances visual motor skills

Summer flowers are in full bloom so it's time to be inspired by the brilliant colors of nature. Children love making these simple fold-over flowers using brilliant BioColor®.

Simply take white construction paper, fold it in half, and place dots of BioColor® along the middle of the fold. Re-fold the paper and press around the BioColor®. Open the fold and let the BioColor® dry thoroughly. Once dry, cut out your flower shape and attach a craft stick stem. Create leaves from additional construction paper or painted paper plates.

Glue them together and enjoy as individual flowers. Or better yet, create an elaborate class mural and have everyone paint the background and then add their own flowers. You'll find lesson plans for both these ideas in Smart Art 2.