ICCD Partners In Autism

WOW! 🥇 We are so proud to congratulate Elana Meyers Taylor for winning GOLD for Team USA in bobsledding ❄️

Elana is not only an Olympic gold medalist but also a disability advocate. Her son, Nico, has Down syndrome. Thank you, Elana, for representing families of individuals with Down syndrome everywhere and Team USA.

Congratulations, Elana! 🏆

Photo credit: Team USA

This Low Vision Awareness Month, we highlight the importance of accessibility, early identification, and inclusive learning environments for individuals with low vision. With the right supports, tools, and understanding, people with low vision can thrive at school, at work, and in their communities.

FREE museum admissions & activities for Feb. school vacation week (Feb 16-21) * Amelia Park Children's Musuem * Maritime Gloucester
* Museum of African American History * Wenham Musuem
* Norman Rockwell Museum *Capron Park Zoo
* City of Boston Winter Festival * Skating * And LOTS MORE https://www.highlandstreet.org/winter-camp/

As some push to make profound autism its own diagnosis, this family is raising twins with it Autism rates have been rising for decades, and two of the main reasons for the increase have, in a strange twist, taken some of the focus off helping people with round-the-clock needs.

Neat pincer skills are a fine motor skill used in daily tasks like picking up small objects, turning the page of a book, threading a needle, picking up lint from your shirt, etc.

When we work on these skills in OT sessions, we should emphasize precision, control, and finger isolation, not speed. Quality of movement is more important than quantity.

MORE information and activity ideas: https://www.theottoolbox.com/neat-pincer-grasp-activities

What Is the Autistic Neurotype? Rethinking Autism Beyond the DSM Autism is a neurotype, not a disorder. Learn how neurodiversity and Autistic culture challenge deficit-based views.

Special ed students benefit from being integrated at school. It doesn't always happen Research shows including students with and without disabilities in the same classroom can benefit everyone. Two students with Down syndrome show what can be gained when that happens.

The development of the brain is influenced by many factors, including a child’s relationships, experiences and environment. In the first few years of life, more than 1 million new neural connections are formed every second. Early experiences affect the quality of that architecture by establishing either a sturdy or a fragile foundation for all of the learning, health and behaviours that follow. 🧠

The emotional and physical health, social skills, and cognitive-linguistic capacities that emerge in the early years are all important prerequisites for success in school and later in the workplace and community.

References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3722610/

https://www.firstthingsfirst.org/early-childhood-matters/brain-development/

NextGen Careers Initiative – Federation for Children with Special Needs The Federation for Children with Special Needs (FCSN) has partnered up with the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) to bring a special program provided by MRC for young adults with disabilities who are 18-30 years old to help them explore the world of work and discover a career pathway. Ne...

Bad texter? Even worse at making phone calls? Notoriously awful at keeping in touch? Follow these 6 tips to re-establish relationships that matter to you: additu.de/bad-texter