Selecting the perfect gifts for loved ones is difficult, but selecting the perfect present for an autistic child poses a particular set of challenges. One father has taken the time to compile a set of great gift ideas that may help you when choosing the perfect gift for the young boy or girl on your list. You may also want to check out this Special Needs Holiday Gift Guide for more ideas. Do …
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Why I’m Donating to The Orange Effect Foundation on #GivingTuesday By Cathy McPhillips
Black Friday. Small Business Saturday. Cyber Monday. Three days focused on the sole purpose of spending money on STUFF. (Even though I’m totally crazy about Small Business Saturday!) But really, how much stuff do we need? I remember the days growing up with my big family and running downstairs to see all of the gifts and getting so excited when I saw some for myself. I remember the tables …
In Thanksgiving
Thank you for helping us to help others. Your donations deliver speech services and technology to those in need. To apply for a grant or to make a donation, please visit www.theorangeeffect.org …
Thanksgiving and Autism: Coping with the Chaos of the Annual Feast
Thanksgiving Day can be a true ordeal for a child with autism and their parents. Visiting relatives' homes, or hosting a multitude of guests may be a challenge for most of us, but for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and their parents, the added stress can be unbearable. Eileen Bailey, writing for Healthcentral.com, offers several tips for making Thanksgiving a day that both …
From Stutterer to Star: James Earl Jones
The Orange Effect Foundation recently funded a device to assist a young man who struggles with stuttering. Although there is no cure for stuttering, techniques, training and devices can help an individual overcome this. Actor James Earl Jones, whom some may know as the voice of Darth Vader, still grapples with his stutter to this day, but a stutter has not held him back. In this powerful video, …
Using Shakespeare for Intervention
Study: Shakespeare Play Helps Children With Autism Communicate Researchers say social interaction, language and facial expression skills improve COLUMBUS, Ohio – A new study showed improvement in the social and communication skills of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) using a signature approach pairing the recitation of Shakespeare’s rhythmic language with physical …
Making Halloween a Treat for Children With Autism
Halloween is an exciting holiday for kids, but it may offer certain challenges for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Members of the Autism Parent Advisory Board of the Boone Fetter Clinic at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Autism Treatment Network site partnered with Kathryn Smith, RN, DrPH, nurse care manager in the Boone Fetter Clinic, to provide tips every parent and …
Using Technology to Speak Her Mind
Did you know that the Orange Effect Foundation funds augmentative and alternative communication devices? These are designed for individuals who are unable to communicate verbally. Augmentative and alternative communication devices are essential to helping people express their wants and needs and most importantly, speak their minds. Watch to see how one child uses her device to share her point of …
A Look Back at Autism: Denial, Part 2
At the end of part one of this series, I said no more denial for this family. That is mostly true and we began home based therapy for our son pretty quickly after his diagnosis, but it was still hard to talk about. I noticed it in interviews, and in training sessions with tutors that we never once said that he was the “A” word (autistic). I had reached the point where I could say …
Orange Effect Foundation Empowers Children and Young Adults
CLEVELAND - Oct. 3, 2016 -- Strengthened by the tremendously successful annual Golf for Autism event held in August, the Orange Effect Foundation announced today that it has awarded five grants for speech therapy and assistive technology. These grants will empower five more children and young adults, helping them to transform their lives. One eighteen-year-old recipient received funds to …
A Look Back at Autism: Denial
Summer of 2003. I remember it very well. I was a stay-at-home mom and the happiest one that there ever was. I had two boys, 22 months and 4 months old. We attended library story time and play groups. We went to the park where Joshua, the oldest, could swing for hours. We were an active and happy family with great support systems and lots of love. I believed everything anyone would tell me that …
Extending Grace
Dear Mamas At Chick-fil-A, To the one I judged. I’m sorry. I’m sorry for not biting my tongue and taking a moment to see past your son’s behavior. I’m sorry I raised my voice when he pushed my son around. As soon as we left that day I knew I was wrong. I asked for forgiveness and prayed for you. Mamas face a lot of messes. If I were to see you face-to-face, I’d admit I was …
