Behavior Wheels

I just downloaded a Behavior Wheel to help me in my Autistic Support Classroom. It looks like an excellent visual tool to help with the children's behaviors. I can create a separate wheel for each child that lists their typical misbehaviors, such as: hitting, screaming, throwing things, running away and arguing with the teacher. I can then program different consequences such as write a sorry note, do three nice things, give three compliments... that they can do after their time out (if necessary). It's actually pretty cool the way it works, you click the mouse to spin, lights flash and a sad noise plays, then the consequence comes up. I think the children will accept their consequences more readily from this wheel.
I am also programming it as a reward wheel. I'm putting in good behaviors such as: sharing, cleaning up, listening the first time, great eye-contact, good manners, good working and being a great friend. So when I catch the students doing one of these behaviors, they get rewarded by spinning the wheel. Consequences such as: extra computer time, extra library time, extra recess time and prize box choice, will come up. Hopefully I will be using it more as a reward system to encourage positive behaviors. Here is the link to the behavior wheel http://www.better-behaviour.com/?hop=schwarox.

New Money for ABA in PA

I live in Pennsylvania and I just read that Governor Ed Rendell signed a new bill into law that gives $36,000 a year for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and other Autism therapies. It requires insurance to cover the treatment for up to 21 years and also requires the state to pick up the bill, if the person doesn't have insurance. There are so many therapies, speech, physical, occupational and behavioral, that a person with autism needs, its about time the government helps out a bit. Autism advocates and Speaker of the PA House, Dennis O'Brien are to thank for getting this bill started, noticed and passed. Not all of the states have autism legislation, you can click on this link to see if your state has any. http://fmatlas.com/view/msgold123/20070527_StatesThatHaveAutismRelatedLawsAndAreConsideringThem
If your state does not, consider writing a letter to your local congressman, everything starts with one person's actions.

Blind with Autism

I was watching an episode of Penn and Teller's Bullshit about Disabilities. It was about how the ADA causes people with disabilities to be more dependent on others than learning to adjust to life better. The one woman disagreeing with Penn and Teller patrolled parking lots to make sure no one parked in handicap parking spaces without the proper tags. She was really passionate about this because her daughter has severe Autism and is also visually impaired. I really wish the show was more about that but they kind of just breezed over that.
I saw the show maybe two nights ago and I still can't stop thinking about this girl. People with Autism tend to have really strong visual needs because they have aditory procesing disorders. I can't imagine how confused this girl must be. I'm confused, with many questions:

• Do they make socail stories in Braille?
• Is there a textured board or something that she uses for a tactile schedule?
• Is there a special school for her?
• Does anyone understand how to communicate with her?
• Is she completely lost in her world of Autism?
• What is her life like?

Going blind has always been my biggest fear. I never even imagined it in conjunction with Autism. My mind is blown.