Information on Videos

[Guest guest]

Dear Friend of ASO:

Information on videos which may be helpful. FYI - please share.

Sincerely,

Barbara C. YavorcikPresidentAutism Society of Ohio701 S. Main St.Akron, OH 44311(330) 376-0211fax: (330) 376-1226email: askASO@...home: byavorcik@...web: www.autismohio.org Please note: This is provided for information purposes only. The ASO does not endorse or recommend any providers, methodologies or services. Providing this information should not be construed as an endorsement by the ASO, either explicit or impiled.

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VIDEOS HELP ELEMENTARY SCHOOL KIDS ACCEPT "DIFFERENT" STUDENTS Asperger Syndrome, Higher Functioning Autism and Similar Conditions CoveredFor Immediate Release: Tuesday, January 31, 2006Winston-Salem, N.C. - Two new video releases are now available to help classmates in grades three through six accept children who have trouble fitting in with peers due to Asperger Syndrome or similar conditions. The programs are elementary school versions of a popular video for middle and high school students released in 2005 titled, "INTRICATE MINDS: Understanding Classmates with Asperger Syndrome."Asperger Syndrome (AS) is a neurobiological disorder on the higher-functioning end of the autism spectrum. While people with AS typically have IQs in the "normal to very superior" range and are usually educated in mainstream classrooms, they also typically have serious deficiencies in social and communication skills. The new videos, produced by Coulter Video, are titled: "INTRICATE MINDS II: Understanding Elementary School Classmates with Asperger Syndrome" (16 minutes) and "INTRICATE MINDS III: Understanding Elementary School Classmates Who Think Differently" (17 minutes). The videos are two versions of the same basic program. The "Think Differently" version doesn't focus on any particular diagnosis, but covers children with conditions that can generate behaviors similar to those caused by AS. Some examples of these conditions are Higher Functioning Autism, Pervasive Developmental Delay, Semantic-Pragmatic Disorder, and Attention Deficit Disorder. "What an excellent tool for fostering knowledge and understanding of Asperger Syndrome in the classroom," said Myles, Ph.D., Associate Professor, University of Kansas, and a recognized expert and author on Autism and Asperger Syndrome, about the "INTRICATE MINDS II" video. "Including this video in the classroom can only be beneficial to all who see it."Both new videos feature interviews with boys and girls aged 8 through 12 who describe what it's like to have behaviors that may seem odd to others. The children interviewed in both videos describe their strengths as well as their challenges and show viewers the advantages of looking past some "different" behaviors. The two programs also include "point of view" demonstrations to show kids how things might seem to them if they perceived the world as it's experienced by some of their less typical classmates. The videos are designed to be used by teachers, parents or professionals to initiate classroom discussions where children can contribute ideas about reaching out to kids who have a hard time fitting in. Parents and schools who've used the first "INTRICATE MINDS" video have reported it has helped classmates become much more accepting of students who have traditionally been viewed as outsiders. One mother of a son with Asperger Syndrome said that after a school assembly in which the video was played by a psychologist, classmates apologized to her son for the way they'd treated him, began sitting with him at lunch and included him in sports -- in spite of his lack of physical skills.Coulter Video of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, is run by the parents of a college student who has Asperger Syndrome. The company has produced a range of educational video programs and conducts seminars for parents of kids who have special needs."After we released our first Intricate Minds program for teenagers, a lot of parents asked us to make a version for their elementary age kids," said Dan Coulter, who wrote and directed the videos. "At the same time, parents of kids who have conditions with behaviors similar to AS were asking us to do videos that apply to their children. Doing two versions of a video that promotes understanding among grade school kids was an ideal solution."Each of the new videos retails for $30.00 plus shipping and handling. They're available for purchase in either DVD or VHS format at the Coulter Video website: www.coultervideo.com. Additional information about all of the INTRICATE MINDS videos and sample clips from the programs are provided on the website, which also features an online archive of articles on special needs issues. ###PRODUCT DESCRIPTIONS FOR NEW INTRICATE MINDS VIDEOS"INTRICATE MINDS II: Understanding Elementary School Classmates With Asperger Syndrome" (video) This video features interviews with elementary school students who have Asperger Syndrome explaining how it affects them -- and describing their challenges and strengths. The program also includes demonstrations that help viewers understand what it's like to have AS. Designed to promote positive interactions between classmates, INTRICATE MINDS II can helpclassmates accept kids who have trouble fitting in. For grades 3-6. 16 minutes www.coultervideo.com"INTRICATE MINDS III: Understanding Elementary School Classmates Who Think Differently" (video) This video features interviews with elementary school students who describe what it's like to have conditions that make them act differently from their peers. These interviews, along with demonstrations, promote positive interactions between classmates. The program concentrates on behaviors classmates might see that could be associated with conditions such as Asperger Syndrome, Higher Functioning Autism, Pervasive Developmental Delay, Semantic-Pragmatic Disorder and others. Kids who understand the reasons for "different" students' actions are much more likely to accept them socially and include them in activities. For grades 3-6. 17 minutes www.coultervideo.com OTHER PRODUCTS AVAILABLE AT COULTER VIDEO"INTRICATE MINDS: Understanding Classmates With Asperger Syndrome" (video) Candid interviews with teenagers designed to promote positive interactions between classmates and reduce isolation, harassment and bullying. Using the challenges and strengths of students with Asperger Syndrome as examples, this video stresses the benefits of getting to know classmates who appear to be 'different' on the surface. For grades 7 through 12. www.coultervideo.com "MANNERS FOR THE REAL WORLD - Basic Social Skills" (video)This video features clear descriptions and demonstrations that help children and teenagers master appropriate social skills for some of the most common interactions between people. For grades 4 through 12. www.coultervideo.com "ASPERGER SYNDROME DAD: Becoming An Even Better Father To Your Child With AS" (video)This program covers ten secrets parents can use to help a child with AS reach his full potential - and have fun along the way. The program features Drew Coulter -- a young man with AS now in college -- and his dad, Dan. Through interviews, videos and photos, the program uses Drew's experiences from early childhood through the present to offer practical advice on being the dad your son or daughter with AS wants and needs. www.coultervideo.com "ASPERGER SYNDROME: Success In The Mainstream Classroom (video) Interviews with parents, regular and special education teachers, a psychologist, an instructional aide and an social worker/case manager giving practical advice from their experience successfully integrating children with AS into classrooms. Produced by Dan and Coulter, parents of a son with AS. www.coultervideo.com "ASPERGER SYNDROME: Transition to Work" (video)Practical techniques to help students (or anyone with AS) get a job in the real world. It includes advice from a psychology professor with experience helping people with AS find jobs -- and from the director of a successful special needs career development program. Produced by Dan and Coulter, parents of a son with AS. www.coultervideo.com (Note: all theinformation in this video is also contained our video: ASPERGER SYNDROME: Transition to College and Work, so if you buy that video, you don't need this one.)"ASPERGER SYNDROME: Transition To College And Work" (video) This program shows how to search for and apply to the right college, how to access special needs services in college and how to prepare in high school for success in college. It also contains all the information in our "Transition to Work" video to help students find and hold jobs after college. www.coultervideo.com.COLLEGE PREP PORTFOLIO (Transition Planning Tool) Contained in a 3-inch binder, this transition-planning tool helps students identify, collect and organize the documents colleges require during the application process. It also outlines steps students can take in high school to prepare for college. It's available in regular and special needs editions. www.coultervideo.com The www.coultervideo.com website features short clips from all our videos which can be played using the Windows Media Player, the Real Video Player or the Quicktime Video Player.