i'm back!

Hello All,

I apologize for my absence last week - I had a family emergency that took precedence. 

I have several things on this list this week, and I look forward to sharing those with you! Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Jessica

Do You Have an Augmentative Communication Device? (Big Mack, Cheap Talk, etc)

Do you happen to have a Big Mack, Talk Pad, Voice in the Box, or Cheap Talk Devise (aug. communication devises), either new or used that you are looking to donate or sell? OR do you know of anyone who does?

I am searching for these devises to use with my clients, and since I am self employed, I would certainly love to get them at a discount.  I am certainly ok with gently used items.  These are items I could thoroughly sanitize. 

I am also looking for PECS or BOARDMAKER software or cards/pictures.
I have other items listed on "My Wish List" in the left hand column of this blog.  If you see any items there that you have and want to get rid of, please let me know :)

Although I do feel like I have a nice collection of items for session use, there are so many things I would love to have for my clients! Instruments are pricey and so is being in private practice! So, I'm always looking for options :)

Thanks!
Jessica

"Sometimes I Feel ... (sad, mad, sleepy, excited, happy)"

Here is a song I came up with for a client for the purpose of:
1)  Identifying emotion of either anger or sadness that the client seems to be feeling
2)  Allowing for expression of the emotion (release)
3)  Allowing for discussion to identify the specific circumstance/incident that lead to this emotion

NOTE: This song starts out with "SAD" emotion and then moves through emotions, ending on "HAPPY". This was purposeful and appropriate for the client for which this was intended/recommended. This allows you to meet the client where they are (sad, i.e.), gives opportunity for the client to identify/express the emotion as well as to identify the scenario that lead to this emotion, and then moves them past this (onto contentment). Again, this is appropriate for certain situations, but not for others. Feel free to contact me for info on appropriateness/implementation.

ALSO, I sometimes will start out with "MAD", and follow with "SAD". I will rewrite the verse for "MAD" to say:
"Sometimes I feel Mad,
Mad, mad, mad!
(but) sometimes when I'm mad,
I'm really feeling sad.
Do you ever feel Mad like this?"
I will implement this when appropriate to a given scenario if I think the client is masking sadness with anger (often times anger is a 'safe' emotion). Following this then with "SAD" often helps the client to recognize if they are really feeling sadness or anger. This helps with identification and expression.

Visit the "SOUND CLIPS" page of my website to listen to this song. 
 
Jessica

Proposed Draft Revisions to DSM Disorders and Criteria

Publication of the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) is scheduled for May 2013.
Please visit the DSM-5 Development Web for information on proposed draft revisions to DSM Disorders and Criteria.  This site provides information culminated from over 10 years of revision activities, made possible thanks to the generous dedication of more than 600 global experts in the field of mental health.

"The DSM-5 Task Force and Work Group members are working to develop criteria for diagnoses that not only reflect new advances in the science and conceptualization of mental disorders, but also reflect the needs of our patients. We encourage you to delve into the wealth of information contained within this site to become familiar with some of the advancements in scientific and clinical knowledge that will assist in making diagnoses more accurate, valid, and clinically useful. We also hope that this knowledge will pave the way for further research in these important areas.
Your input, whether you are a clinician, a researcher, an administrator, or a person/family member affected by a mental disorder, is important to us. We thank you for taking part in this historic process and look forward to receiving your feedback. "
- David J. Kupfer, M.D., DSM-5 Task Force Chair
- Darrel A. Regier, M.D., M.P.H., DSM-5 Task Force Vice-Chair


NOTE that the DSM-5 Task Force is inviting applicable professionals as well as the general public (those who are or have family affected by a mental disorder) to give feedback.  Also, viewers will be able to submit comments until April 20, 2010. After that time, the site will be available for viewing only.



Jessica

St. Patrick's Day Activities and Songs

Here are some fun St. Patty's Day activities and songs I found while web surfing! I'm adding these to my collection :)

1. Fill a black pot (use a Halloween witch's cauldron) with either gold foil covered chocolates that look like coins, or gold foil wrapped Hershey's HUGS. To make the pot look really full, stuff the bottom of the pot with crumpled newspaper and cover that with a piece of black construction paper. Show the pot of gold to the children in the beginning of their session, then, when the class is out of the room, ask a co-worker to hide all the "gold" and turn the pot upside down in the center of the room. Have a note written on the chalkboard (in green chalk of course!) that reads: "Have some fun and find my gold". Explain to the class that leprechauns are full of fun and mischief and that they want to play a game! Find the hidden "gold" pieces and count them. You can use both types of candy for this activity and then do a sorting activity. Let each child take home one or two pieces of "gold".
2. Lucky Charms Chart : Take a box of Lucky Charms, and sort the marshmallows in rows. Ex. all rainbows in one row and stars in one row.  Count how many of each you found and eat the cereal.
3. We go searching for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow! I run a very long length of ribbon throughout our playground. It weaves around trees, under large toys, around corners, etc. Actually, it is several long pieces of ribbon tied end to end...first red, then orange, yellow, green, blue, violet. The kids follow the rainbow path to find treasure -- a leprechaun's pot of gold coins, small toys, stickers, gold rocks, or whatever you want to hide! This activity works especially well if you have enough teachers to take the children out to the path in small groups.
4. "Leprechaun, Leprechaun Where's your shamrock?"
   (This game is a take off on "Doggy, Doggy, Where's Your Bone".)The "leprechaun' sits with his eyes closed and a paper shamrock behind him. A child is chosen to tiptoe up and take the shamrock and return to his seat. Then all the children hide their hands in their pockets or behind their backs and recite "Leprechaun, Leprechaun, where's your shamrock? Someone has it in their pocket!" The leprechaun gets 3 guesses as to who has his shamrock. The person with the shamrock is the next leprechaun.
5. Spray paint small rocks gold and hide them on the playground on St Patrick's Day. Some are almost in plain sight but some are hidden so well, they continue to find them for weeks. They can take them home in snack size ziplock bags.

Here are some St. Patty's Day themed songs to use with or without some of the activities listed above:

Leprechaun Song (to the tune of "I'm a Little Teapot")
"I'm a little Leprechaun
  Dressed in green,
  The tiniest man
  you ever did see.
  If you ever catch me, so it's told
  I will give you my pot of gold!"

You'll Never Catch Me or My Gold (to the tune of "Mary Had a Little Lamb")
"I'm a little leprechaun, leprechaun, leprechaun
I'm a little leprechaun
Who likes to hide my gold.
I dress in green from head to toe
head to toe
head to toe
I dress in green from head to toe
I wear green all day long!
You'll never catch me or my gold
not my gold
not my gold
You'll never catch me or my gold
I hide it all to well!"


The Leprechaun (Fingerplay)

A leprechaun is small and green,
(Use hand to indicate a small person.)
He hides where he cannot be seen.
(Cover eyes with hands.)
But if you catch one on this day,
(Shake finger.)
He must give all his gold away.
(Pretend to put gold in pocket.)


Happy St. Patrick's Day! Another St. Patty's Day has come and I still don't know ... do green eyes count for "wearing something green"? I think I'll wear some green to be safe ;)

Jessica

Autism Shop

Oh wow - how fun! I found this great link to an online book and toy
store geared toward ASD. 

"Autismshop.com is the online home of the Autism Resource Network, a one-of-a-kind Book & Toy Store that is packed with merchandise and information for individuals with ASD and those who love, care for, and educate them. We are a Minnesota nonprofit corporation."


*  Free shipping on orders of $100
*  Online purchases welcome
*  Proceeds benefit autism research and support
*  Lots of great resources, tools, and info!
Copyright © Autism Resource Network
Some featured items include:
- books
- jewelry, cards
- time timers
- PECS, visuals
- music, speech, language
- sensory items, chewables
- fidgets
- games
- software

I really had fun poking around the site! Enjoy :)

Jessica

Exciting New Social Stories Music Project!

You've heard me (read) mention of my new friend, Craig Evans, in the web autism community.  Craig hosts a wonderful site dedicated to the world of autism :  http://www.autismhangout.com/.  Craig is also a fellow musician (see past blog posting for more info on his wonderful CD that I use often in therapy!)

Craig, along with his fellow musician friends, are working on a project that I am especially excited about.  They are gathering various social stories, and putting them to music! I will be sharing with him some of my own, and I cannot wait to hear the finished product.  I am certain to get a lot of use out of these within session, and I also look forward to being able to send these with my clients for use outside of therapy.  See below excerpt from the AutismHangout webpage (or visit the page ... see link above) for more info.
_____________________________________________________________

A Call For Social Stories!! Let's Put Them To Music!
Teachers, aids, caregivers and parents, if you've a great Social Story, here's a chance to put it to music and share it with others.
It's been proven time and again that music helps open up our kids. So why not put together "the best of" our community-prepared Social Stories with music so that all our special kids can benefit? Read more here.




____________________________________________________________


I will keep you posted!

Jessica

Computer Games!

Although I always recommend moderation when it comes to time spent on the computer (and/or on video games), I do think that computer games can really be beneficial to our kids.  There are many skills learned through participation in computer/video games that kids naturally learn (while having fun in the process!)

Below are some great education based computer game sites on the web.  I have these websites saved in my 'favorites' folder, and will sometimes implement these within session when appropriate. 

http://www.do2learn.com/happy_holidays/st_patricks/activities.htm


This site has disability oriented info and activities which can also apply to typically developing children (be sure to take into consideration your child's age/developmental levels).  Some of the things included on this site are:

• Activities ideas and printables under these headings:  art projects, card games, fine motor skills, math helpers, reading/writing, shape recognition, sorting/matching
• Songs:  bus safety, fire safety, mall safety, parts of me, street safety
• Online and other Games:  Color/number, emotion (facial expressions, feeling game), sequencing games, word games
• Picture Cards

http://funschool.kaboose.com/globe-rider/explorer-adventures/games/game_tiki_treasure.html

http://www.abcya.com/fourth_grade_computers.htm

http://www.storyplace.org/eel/other.asp



I hope your children and clients enjoy these as much as mine have! If you have any great activity website suggestions, please share them :)

Jessica

Putumayo new song collection/CD Jazz Playground

About Jazz Playground


Included is a colorful new kid-friendly booklet!
"On March 9th, Putumayo Kids will add to its acclaimed Playground series with the release of Jazz Playground, a new collection of international jazz songs for children. From bebop and swing to Latin and African jazz, this multicultural CD celebrates the vibrant diversity and global influence of jazz and will get the whole family grooving!"        - Putumayo Playground website
      
For more info and TO LISTEN TO SOUND CLIPS OF THE SONGS, visit http://www.putumayo.com/en/putumayo_kids_catalog_item.php?album_id=1004

I am not the bigges Jazz fan, but love several of the songs in this collection.  Several of them provide a really great solid beat ... makes you want to move! I also adore #10 The Mighty Buzzniks • Agree & Disagree - (Australia).  This really is a great song for showing that we can still get along regardless of what we may or may not have in common, and that's it's ok to have differences.  This is a great concept for any of us, but I immediately thought of some of my little clients who have autism (tolerance for change/different ways of doing things) as well as some of my adolescent clients (self image, individuality).

Jessica

Adolescents

Today's blog is inspired both by my professional and personal aspects on the subject. 

This past Saturday, we had our spring state MTASC meeting here in Charleston, and after the meeting a CMTE course was offered, entitled,  I Write the Songs = Songwriting in/as Music Therapy.  I write a good bit of songs, both professionally and personally, and don't always see eye to eye with some of the concepts taught in some other similar workshops I have attended.  However, I have to say that this CMTE course was great.  Thank you, thank you, Tracy Richardson, for your insights! 

Anyhow, at one point, Tracy divided us into groups for group songwriting for a (hypothetical) group of 6 adolescent boys, ages 12-14 years old within a psychiatric setting.  We were only to write 1 verse and the chorus (we didn't have time to write a whole song).  One thing that seems to be consistent with any adolescent (whether "typical" or in a facility/with disorder) seems to be a need for understanding and a need for self expression.  How many times have you heard a teenager say, "No one understands me!"  (???) So our group goal for this song was: To facilitate opportunity for self expression.  Here is the song portion we wrote:

"No one understands,
 No one understands
 I feel so alone,
 I need a voice of my own.

 I have so many "friends"
 are they really friends?
 Many people surround me,
 do they really see ME?"

In a session, this could really go a long way to giving someone a way to voice this ... well, to give him/her a voice.  It would be great way lead in to an activity to allow opportunity to highlight individuality (increase self image/esteem).  First (1) express this feeling of not being understood, and then (2) allowing an opporunity to be understood by expressing self, strengths/opinions, thoughts/ideas.

So, that's the professional aspect.

The personal aspect I have on this is that I have a teenager which results in teenage friends and neighbors who congregate in my house.  My sweet niece (who is my child's bf) made an amazingly insightful post on Facebook yesterday that really caught my attention.  It's related to what is mentioned above, I think.  She is a naturally confident girl who likes herself, and is not afraid to be herself.  I greatly admire that about her, especially considering her age.  She gave voice to what, most likely, every one her age feels.

This was her FB posting:
"Why is it so hard to be yourself in today's society? You dress how people want, talk like people want, and be what people what you to be. Why can't I just be me?"

Wow. 

Anyone who knows me won't be at all surprised at the way that I answered this ... with a Dr. Suess quote, of course! :)

 no matter how people try, no1 can ever be good at being anyone else but themselves. a famous philosopher once said (ok, so it was Dr. Seuss) :

"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." ... He also said,
"Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You."

... good stuff. Anybody who you truely admire is someone who is being themselves.

Jessica