The CDC’s “Learn the Signs. Act Early” program helps parents and caregivers track their young child’s development and feel confident in knowing when it’s time to talk to a doctor about missed milestones. Parents can download the new “Milestone Tracker” app on their phones to track social and emotional, communication, cognitive, and physical development milestones for their children between 2 months and 5 years of age. At every age, the app provides illustrated checklists for developmental progress, tips and activities to promote development, and signs that it may be time to talk to a doctor about delays. If you’re concerned about delays, this page  has tips for talking to your child’s doctor about developmental screening, asking for a referral to a psychologist, and taking steps towards getting an evaluation. Printable flyers are available in Spanish and English here! Navigating the world of developmental delays can be overwhelming, and we’re so thankful for the CDC for creating such a clear, comprehensive guide! Follow this link to learn more!

The Seattle Theater Group is hosting a sensory-friendly performance of Disney’s Frozen at The Paramount Theatre this Saturday, February 22^nd! The theatre will make adjustments to their usual protocol in order to be as welcoming as possible to families with children with sensory challenges. These special accommodations include leaving the house lights on during the show, keeping the sound at a lower level, and providing free sensory toys to all guests. Guests are free to get out of their seats and make noise during the show as needed, and electronics are welcome. If the show ever becomes too overwhelming, the theatre will have areas available for quiet breaks! To help prepare for the visit, families may read the Frozen Social Story, which includes pictures and descriptions of the areas and events inside the theatre. To prepare for the show itself, families may read the Scene Breakdown, which describes intense themes, noises, and lighting effects in each scene. To read more about this event, to see the Social Story or Scene Breakdown, or to buy tickets, follow this link!

The Zoomazium is a spectacular nature-themed indoor play space at the Woodland Park Zoo, and every Friday, it becomes even more special! Every week, the Zoomazium hosts “Sensory Friendly Fridays.” In order to make the space as welcoming as possible, the loud climbing area within the play-zone is closed off to create a quieter, more comfortable environment. Exciting sensory activities are also provided so that there’s something fun for everyone, at any ability level. To help families plan ahead for their visit, the zoo has a “Zoomazium Sensory Social Story.” This social story includes photos and descriptions of all the features in the Zoomazium, so families and children can feel ready for every step of their visit. Visit their website to learn more and to see upcoming events!

Spectrum News, a website dedicated to autism-related news and science, has compiled a series of reader-friendly articles addressing some of the biggest questions in the field. The ‘Autism 101’ series includes articles on numerous topics, such as genetics, diagnosis, and early intervention. The most recent article, published last month, explains repetitive behaviors and ‘stimming’ with clear definitions, examples, and quotes from researchers.  These helpful resources are easy to read and understand, yet grounded in current scientific research. Updated regularly, this series is a perfect starting point for those curious about the science behind some of the most important topics in the autism community! To learn something new, click here!

Pixar released its newest short film, “Loop,” on January 10^th. As described by Pixar, the animation tells the story of “a non-verbal, autistic girl and a chatty boy [who] are partnered on a canoeing trip. To complete their journey across an urban lake, they must both learn how the other experiences the world.” Available to stream on Disney+, the 6-minute film is a sweet testament to the power of friendship and empathy across ability levels. We are so excited that non-verbal children with autism will be able to identify with a Pixar character! Click here to check out the “Making of Loop” backstory.

We are excited that Sabine Scott, a Research Study Assistant in our lab, will be presenting the results of her undergraduate thesis at the Association for Behavior Analysis International in Washington D.C. this spring. She will participate in a symposium entitled, “Competition Time! Current research in the role of competing stimuli and matched stimulation in the treatment of automatically maintained problem behavior.” Sabine’s project is on the use of sensory toys to reduce children’s motor stereotypies (i.e., “stimming”) during work tasks. Way to go, Sabine!

 

 

 

 

Happy holidays from all of us at the UW READi Lab! We wish you a wonderful holiday season, and a very happy new year.