Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a lifelong disability that affects the way a person communicates and relates to other people and the world around them.
Those affected typically display major impairments in three areas: social interaction, communication and behavior (restricted interests and repetitive behaviors).
According to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control, 1 in 50 children in the United States have autism in some form, making it twice as common as cystic fibrosis, cerebral palsy, childhood deafness or blind-ness and ten times more common than childhood leukemia.
Teachers are using iPads as a tool to reach out to children with ASD and the results are remarkable. Children with Autism are showing tremendous improvement when interacting with programs that support academic concepts, comprehension, and direction following. Visually supported iPad apps help motivate these students’ ability to follow a schedule, complete multi-step directions, and transition between activities and places. Apps on the iPad are mutually beneficial for parents, siblings and other caregivers.
New Year, New Goals: Raise $1,000,000 and Donate 1,500 iPads
As of February 2019, we’ve exceeded our original goal of $500,000 raised and 1,000 iPads.
The success and sustainability of this Wisconsin Upper Michigan Kiwanis program continues to move our goals with each dollar we raise and each iPad that Kiwanis Clubs donate to families in need.
As of 2020, our new goal is to raise $1,000,000 and donate 1,500 iPads and the supporting communications apps to help those children on the autism spectrum.
Goal: Place “ASD and Me” Book in Every Library in the WI-UM District
Teresa DeMars is the author of ASD and Me: Learning About High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder. Inspired by her son Donnie, Teresa wrote the book to explain autism to him and others on the spectrum. Parents will appreciate the way this heart-warming children’s picture book will help them explain high functioning ASD to their child.
ASD and Me is written from the point of view of Eli, who explains how he was diagnosed, and how ASD affects the way he thinks and interprets his world. He also talks about some of the social and life skills he has learned that help him fit in with others. ASD and Me is a great book to share with siblings and classmates. A letter to parents section offers information about the symptoms of high functioning ASD, which is helpful in explaining the disorder to extended family and friends.
Teresa is offering ASD and Me at $12 each which includes tax and shipping. Teresa will donate $2 from the sale of each book to the Governor’s Project. To order, make check payable to Teresa DeMars and send to Charity Press Books, 1316 Robinwood Lane, Faribault, MN 55021. Please include your name and address. Click here to visit online or email Teresa at [email protected].