New Autism School, The Aspen Academy, Opens In Eatontown, NJ

New Autism School Opens In Eatontown - Long Branch-Eatontown Patch, NJ Patch

The Center for Vocational Rehabilitation has opened a new facility for their autism school in Eatontown. 

A ribbon cutting for the Aspen Academy, located at 15 Meridan Way, was held on Monday March 4, and was attended by Eatontown Mayor Gerald Tarantolo. 

The Aspen Academy is a day program structured to provide every individual with Autism Spectrum Disorder and developmentally disabled individuals with cognitive impairments, an appropriate foundation to learn in the areas of vocational skills, daily living skills, work skills, pre-employment development, supported employment and social independence, according to the school's web site.

West Tennessee: The K.I.T.E. Center: Buy from SnagMob and Support K.I.T.E.!!!!

The K.I.T.E. Center: Buy from SnagMob and Support K.I.T.E.!!!! 2012

SnagMob.com March 20 to March 27, 2012

Hey all -- We're joining forces with @SnagMob to help raise money for The K.I.T.E Center. SnagMob is like Groupon or Living Social, but exclusively for Jackson & West Tennessee. More importantly, they give back a percentage of their profits to non profits like us! Please click on the link and buy ANY deals on SnagMob to give to The K.I.T.E. Center.   The K.I.T.E. Center will be the featured non profiton SnagMob.com on Tuesday, March 20th, 2012, to Tuesday, March 27th!!!!!

During this time, you will be able to purchase great deals on the following:

- Half off Italian Fare at a Jackson-area restaurant

- Half off Body Wrap Applications and One Month Unlimited Use of Toning Tables

- Half off Mani/Pedi

- Half off a Four-Hour World Cuisine Class

- Half off Hair Removal 

VIEW CURRENT DEALS HERE!!!!

You can also help by sharing this link from our Facebook page.  By sharing it, it always helps raise money and awareness.  Thank you so much for your support.

 

K.I.T.E. is located in Jackson, TN.

The K.I.T.E. Center
636 Wallace Rd.
Jackson, TN
Contact: 731-267-5007
www.thekitecenter.com
email: thekitecenter@eplus.net

The KITE Center is a 50(c)3 Non Profit Organization

The Lighthouse School - Leeds, Yorkshire, UK

Region’s first special needs free school for the autistic approved - Education - Yorkshire Post

THE FIRST special education free school in Yorkshire for pupils with autism will open next year.

The Lighthouse School in Leeds was one eight special or alternative provision free schools across the country to be given the go-ahead this week by Ministers.

The decision marks the fulfilment of a seven-year dream for a group of parents of children with autism who have developed the plans.

The new school will be for 50 pupils between the ages of 11 and 19 with statements of special educational needs and will be based in part of a former school building in Pudsey which is now empty.

More @ http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/at-a-glance/education/region_s_first_special_needs_free_school_for_the_autistic_approved_1_3971193

School uses dogs to help autistic students

School uses dogs to help autistic students in the classroom : News : miNBCnews.com

FLUSHING -- Two years ago, special education teachers at Central Elementary School in Flushing never dreamed they would see their autistic students walking a dog.

"The first time the dogs came in, it was utter chaos," said special education aide, Pam Weisenburger.

But now students are petting, feeding and even hugging their new friends Lelia and Brewtus. Children enter this classroom when they are six and leave when they are 12.

http://www.minbcnews.com/news/story.aspx?id=686757#.TsQj2j1Co8k

Family First Preparatory Academy Closes after just 3 Weeks. Special Needs Parents Scramble

West Side private school closes after a month - News - The Charleston Gazette

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Christopher Vance was surprised when his wife asked him to pick up his son from school on Tuesday.

Family First Preparatory Academy, on Charleston's West Side, closed its doors Tuesday after a month of classes, with no warning to parents. Thirty families were left scrambling to find their children another place to go to school.

Vance, whose 6-year-old autistic son also is named Christopher, said the boy was doing well at the "character-based" school, where a staff of five teachers could provide more personalized attention.

"I don't know what to do," said Vance, standing with his son outside the school, located in the Rehoboth Cathedral on Main Street. "I'm back at square one.

"I feel more for the kids than the teachers," Vance said. "The kids were just beginning to bond with their teachers. I can't put him back in public school like I did last year and have to fight with them day after day."

More http://wvgazette.com/News/201109134327

60 Essential Twitter Feeds for Following Autism Education | Online Colleges

60 Essential Twitter Feeds for Following Autism Education | Online Colleges

Autism has received a lot of national media attention in recent years, largely because the number of children diagnosed has risen sharply. Whether this is due to better diagnostic testing or some yet undiscovered genetic or environmental factor is still to be determined. Either way, its increased prevalence has made it necessary for educators and parents alike to work hard and learn more about autism, from spotting the early signs to the best ways autistic children can learn and thrive. Keeping up with the latest news and information can be a full time job, but social media may prove one fairly effortless way to do so.

We’ve collected 60 Twitter feeds here that will help you to keep up with all the latest news on autism, from charities working to help diagnosed individuals to new discoveries by scientists and researchers — even some support and inspiration from parents raising afflicted children. No matter what drives your interest in autism, you’re bound to find some tweets among these feeds that will help you better understand and work with those who have the condition.

These feeds will ensure you always know the latest in autism research and news.

1. @theautismnews: This feed is a great follow if you want easy access to a wide range of news articles on autism and autism spectrum disorders.
2. @autism_research: Check out this Twitter feed to find a great collection of articles that may be of interest to parents and professionals in the autism field.
3. @autismbulletin: Make sure you stay in the loop when it comes to autism news by reading this regularly updated feed.
4. @TheCoffeeKlatch: Geared towards parents, this feed is an excellent resource for practical articles on living with autism and the latest research being done.
5. @asteens: Find some great posts about autism news and more, specifically dealing with the disorder’s impact on teens, through this organization’s feed.
6. @autismtalk: Host of Autism Talk Radio, Steven Prussack, keeps this feed loaded with links to his show’s latest recordings.
7. @anne_barbano: Anne Barbano hosts a radio show that focuses on autism and other disabilities. Check out her latest topics of discussion here.
8. @thinkingautism: Here you’ll find links to some amazingly informative essays written by parents, professionals and those with autism.

MORE HERE. Click to see #9 - #60 @ OnlineColleges.Net

Pathfinder Academy in Jacksonville - Summer Program

Autism school holds summer program to prep students | todaysthv.com

JACKSONVILLE, Ark. (KTHV) -- Pathfinder Inc. in Jacksonville has opened a middle school for children with autism. The school year begins on Aug. 15 and the organization is holding a summer program to prepare the students for the school year.

"It's exciting. Exciting for me because when he was in public school I would never go have lunch with him because he would cry when I left."

Lisa Bamburg's son, Joel, is one of eight students enrolled in the new Pathfinder Academy in Jacksonville. Joel and his classmates have autism. He's working on a basic skill, brushing his teeth, when we visit his classroom.

Director Tim Thomas says they are ready for the academy's first official year to begin.