Resources
Extension Ideas
GREAT STUFF FOR KIDS
Children’s Books Forever! – Download Hans Wilhelm’s children’s books for free from this site (to print out or present in others ways you find useful). Many books are available is several different languages. Permission granted for non-commercial use only.
The Scanimation Matching Game – Rufus Butler Seder has created some FUN books for kids of any age. The illustration MOVE!!!! Slight movements of the pages make horses gallop, penguins waddle, girls do cartwheels, and monkeys swing from trees…all kinds of action! Here’s a free little matching game kids can play on the computer to get a taste of the fun.
Starfall – Parents, teachers, and children ALL love www.Starfall.com. This site has a ton of free, educational, easy-to-play games for kids that support letter recognition and reading skills. It is fun for a variety of ages, and even entertaining for adults too. The predictable, highly motivating activities are awesome for providing kids lots of repetition if needed, and they can move to the more challenges activities as they are ready.
GREAT STUFF FOR GROWNUPS
Regarding Nannies is “a blog created by professional nannies that provides resources for a strong professional nanny foundation. We showcase industry professionals and businesses and we provide resources to nannies at all levels of their career.” If you are interested in finding a professional nanny and/or interested in becoming one, this national organization is an excellent resource. They also have local support such as the CincyNanny group for the greater Cincinnati area. The story behind the books was featured in Providing for Autism – A Look into One Mom and Author’s Life to help spread the word about this resource for those who work with children as well as increase autism awareness.
Mr. Fire – Joe Vitale used to be homeless. He now offers an enormous amount of books, ebooks, products, and FREE (yes, its true) information about how to use the “law of attraction” in business and life. He’s a web marketing genius, and if someone as “green” as I am can understand his materials, anyone can! His materials are fun to read, full of valuable ideas, and often ooze honesty and love. If you’re looking to improve your writing, marketing, and/or ability to attract your life desires; check out this guy’s abundant harvest!
Perfection Printing is located in Fairfield, Ohio. The people here are awesome! Their work is top notch. They transform my construction paper, glue stick/double-taped, home-made creations into sleek, polished books that I can offer to others. If you are in need of printing services, check out these folks.
Arrow of Moonlight – While BooksByTara features interesting scenes often accessible everyday, the photography of Mike Teeters features some gorgeous scenes from around the world! Check out some of the beautiful sights from his travels here.
Jennifer Rothschild lost her sight as a teen. This began her journey towards becoming one of the most inspirational humans walking the planet! She’s funny, normal, and an awesome story teller. She’s also brilliant at explaining the profound “gifts” from God within challenging experiences.
The Option Institute was created to help people become happier, clearer, and “live an extraordinary life” They specialize with helping people find peace within adversity. Books, tapes, DVDs, and adult programs are available to help people learn how to explore their beliefs and discover true inner power.
SPECIAL NEEDS INFORMATION
Generation Rescue is an awesome organization that “is dedicated to recovery for children with autism spectrum disorders by providing guidance and support for medical treatment to directly improve the child’s quality of life for all families in need.” Check out their website for resources and recovery strategies to help individuals diagnosed with autism live easier, happier lives and reach their fullest potential. Great website for direction/guidance for both newly diagnosed and those who have had a diagnosis of autism for some time. Be sure to check out Iain McDonald’s success story as a young adult recovering from some of more severe symptoms of autism.
Autism Parenting Magazine – If you’re the parent of a child on the autism spectrum, you are far from alone although it may seem like it. In fact it is so common these days there is even a magazine specifically for parents who are seeking answers, tips, and ideas.
Jeff Gold Music is absolutely beautiful! You can read some of his many testimonies by clicking here as well as listen to samples of his calming, peaceful music. Jeff Gold is a talented composer and musician who is reaching out to the special needs community after his 14-year old nephew expressed how soothing he found the music to his often over-stimulated system. Jeff has since had much more feedback confirming the amazing effect of his music on people. I have the “Escapes” CD and both Jake and I enjoy listening to it as we drive around in the car. Each song is uplifting and spiritual as well as comforting to the soul.
Amalia Starr is a family consultant, motivational speaker, and author of the amazing story Raising Brandon – an autobiography of her struggles in raising a son challenged with epilepsy and autism. With Brandon now thirty-six years old and living successfully and independently, she is “is on a mission to tell the story of people who live in the shadows.” Her goal is to bring hope, solutions, answers, and emotional relief to families raising a child with significant special needs. Amalia shares Brandon’s and her own experiences, successes, and challenges in a totally honest, detailed, and beautiful way. Visit her site to schedule a phone consultation or attend one of her presentations, workshops, or training sessions for creating a path to independence for adults with autism and other special needs.
AutismAperger.net – Stephen Shore was diagnosed with “Atypical Development with strong autistic tendencies” and non-verbal until four years of age. It was recommended he be institutionalized. Fortunately his parents didn’t listen, and Stephen received the care and support he needed to thrive and shine. After completing his doctoral dissertation at Boston University, Dr. Shore is now a professor at Adelphi University teaching courses in special education and autism. He is also “President emeritus of the Asperger’s Association of New England”, and “serves on the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee, for the Board of Directors for Autism Society of America, Unlocking Autism, MAAP, the College Internship Program, and USAAA.” He presents and consults internationally on the various issues and challenges individuals with autism face, particularly adults. Dr. Shore says, “Adults with Autism : We spend 70 to 80 percent of our lives as adults, folks.” He is the author of Beyond the Wall: Personal Experiences with Autism and Asperger Syndrome, Ask and Tell: Self-advocacy and Disclosure for People on the Autism Spectrum, and the critically acclaimed Understanding Autism for Dummies. Please visit Dr. Shore’s website for more information on specific programs for individuals with autism, Dr. Shore’s speaking schedule, and more information on this amazing individual and advocate for those living with autism and related conditions.
Model Me Kids – I just discovered this site for social modeling videos – I plan on trying some with Jake in 2010. Videos are available for children age 2-17. Knowing how making concepts visual as well as providing repetition can help kids learn, these could be a valuable resource for families and/or education programs.
Team Hoyt – The doctors warned this father that his son would live his life as a vegetable, and recommended they institutionalize and forget about him. This father didn’t listen. The story of the father/son Hoyt team is one of the most touching, inspirational testimonies to what can happen when you believe in individuals with apparent significant physical/functioning challenges. Too often we limit each other and ourselves because of fear of the unknown vs. supporting each other by learning how to create new ways to make each others dreams come true. Please watch the 5 min. 46 sec. video of Dick and Rick Hoyt’s amazing journey in the Links that Tara Likes section. This is the official link to their site where you can learn more and offer your support to Team Hoyt.
Kyle Westphal has recovered from autism. There is a free DVD that documents his remarkable story. This site is designed to gather information to help other families find their unique answers for their child. Find new information and share your story to help others.
Autism Treatment Center – Son-Rise is a book, a 70’s TV movie, and an amazing attitude regarding the gift of a special child. Miracles do happen, and love is always the answer. This is the most accepting, respectful, and joyous program for working with children. Everyone learns, and it changes lives!
Ohio Head Start Association – This site provides advocacy and high quality early childhood programming for low-income children and their families throughout the state of Ohio. BooksByTara.com is proud to be a cooperate partner with the Ohio Head Start Association, Inc.
Communicating Partners – An awesome resource for explanations and ideas to support children with severe relating and other challenges. Learn how to help children climb the development ladder step by step in compassionate and empowering ways.
Autism Professional – Jonathan Levy teaches parents ten specific strategies to connect deeply with a child who has trouble relating to others. Jonathan is gifted at explaining things in an easy to understand way and gives plenty of examples. He is LOADED with experience working directly with children as well as parents.
Autistically Inclined – Julie Sando is an independant Son-Rise child facilitator and teacher. Here you can learn more about her, watch inspiring videos of her working with children, and review her services and prices. Her site also includes some awesome resources as well as link for families looking for volunteers.
HALO – If you care for and/or work with children who are non-verbal or limited verbally, Soma® Mukhopadhyay’s Rapid Prompting Method (also known as HALO – Helping Autism Through Learning and Outreach) is an answer to your prayers! It is a “low-tech” alternative to developing language and communication skills, and most importantly IT WORKS J It is so inspiring to witness a brilliant human being able to express her/his unique thoughts via a letter board. This technique was carefully designed to help those living with significant sensory and nervous system challenges master the communication and learning skills the majority of us take for granted. It is effective for older individuals and opens new doors of possibilities for everyone who takes the time to learn the process. This website offers several step-by-step manuals as well as plenty of how-to videos to show the process in action.
HEALTH AND NUTRITION
Mercola – Dr. Mercola’s website www.Mercola.com is amazing – sign up for the free eNewsletter to the get the full truth on the latest health news. Dr. Mercola has dedicated his life and this site for giving people unbiased health info. that is not paid for or supported by big pharma or the food industry. You can search health topics easily for a wealth of information. You can buy quality nutritional products as well as safe bug repellants, sun screens, and other products to support a healthy lifestyle.
Natural Health Strategies – Ed and Pat are grandparents who have created this very informative site www.naturalhealthstrategies.com. Here you can find research on vaccines safety, the dangers of soy, healthy cooking oils and more. “Yes, we all need to know how to have healthy children. My passion for kids has developed into a passion for health for all of us and now extends to our dear world.” ~ Ed editor@naturalhealthstrategies.com.
Eat Food for Life – Nancy and Dan Kremer run a 140 acre, certified organic family farm located near North Star, Ohio. If you live locally and are searching for cow shares (fresh milk, crème and butter) and/or other whole food sources, including meats, here’s lots of info.
The Weston A. Price Foundation – I firmly believe that if we want to reduce the rate of the “incurable” illnesses (cancer, diabetes, autism, and the list goes for days) we need to educate ourselves and change the way we eat. This site is a wealth of information.
Barry Farm Foods – An 80 acre, no chemical farm in Cridersville, OH. Order all kinds of foods and baking supplies online, and they can be shipped directly to you. Lots of hard to find flours and other interesting items can be found here.
TEACHER AND THERAPIST RESOURCES
PediaStaff is a “nationwide, niche-oriented staffing company focusing on the placement and staffing of pediatric therapists.” If you are a pediatric speech-language pathologist, occupational therapist, physical therapist, related assistant, or school psychologist and/or an organization seeking someone with those qualifications –check PediaStaff out! Full time, part time, contract, direct hire, temp to direct, hourly PRN, and per visit are all covered as well as a variety of a settings. Their site also provides valuable, on-going information and articles from a variety of specialists in the field. Read Tara’s blog on PediaStaff – Books – Connecting Beyond the Pages.
Itty-Bitty Bookworm – If you work with children ages 18 months -5 years, check out the Itty-Bitty Bookworm Curriculum! Tara Rison, an Early Childhood professional with extra-ordinary credentials has teamed with several passionate teachers to develop an easy to use, fun, high-quality program to support others who work with young children. Both home and center based child services can benefit from using this comprehensive curriculum committed to excellence for young children. BooksByTara.com is honored to included in the Itty-Bitty Bookworm Curriculum.
ASL Teaching Resources – American Sign Language information galore – free lesson plans, coloring pages, and teaching resources such as free podcast and video dictionary.