Have you ever had a conversation with someone who was spouting something as fact that you knew to be untrue but you had no way of disproving what they were saying? Welcome to the life of a Cape Wearer! We see things at home that some members of the IEP team never see and they are NOT going to take our word for it. Whose word will they HAVE to consider? A Cape Wearer who has done the legwork of documenting consistent data. In this episode, Dr. T (that's me!) and Eugene Terry talk about how data collection can change the game for families. Using all of the tools suggested in parts 1-4 will make this advice so much more easy and you will wonder how you ever did life as a cape wearer without it! After an Autism diagnosis, most of us scrambled to figure out what to do next. Well, through trial and error, I have discovered 5 action items that makes the transition and communication process so much easier! This is step 5. Data collection is a must during your special education journey. Dr. T asserts the importance of such in this episode. (1:52) Dr. T reminds you of her free online email course that reveals action items for you to complete. You can find it at http://drteresavasquez.com/courses. Choose the first one under “Email Courses” (“IDEA Law Outline & Tech Integration LEVEL 1 – 5-day Email Course”). (2:42) Dr. T shares a naming contest for her five steps to getting organized. Contact Dr. T at www.drteresavasquez.com with your entry. (3:10) Dr. T assures you that it’s never too late to collect data. Data is anything and everything related to your Superhero - electronic, scanned, or otherwise. (6:54) Dr. T emphasizes the importance of “transition”. Visit http://drteresavasquez.com/courses and choose “Cape Wearing 101” to learn more about setting goals for your child. (10:34) Dr. T discusses using the “gold-standard and free for anyone” ATEC (Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist) to show that certain technology can help Superheroes, which in her son’s case was an iPad. (13:53) Dr. T reiterates that you have to have proof, in the form of data, of what helps and does not help your Superhero. Embrace your mission! Join the Facebook Group: http://facebook.com/groups/embraceyourmission Find more information at: http://www.drteresavasquez.com/tech-integration-level-1-week-5-god-trust-everyone-else-bring-data/ iTunes Podcast: http://bit.ly/autismpossible Online Course: http://www.drteresavasquez.com/courses/

Autism Possible: Be your own special education advocate, use tech to simplify and empower your life.

Autism Possible EP5: In God We Trust...Everyone Else Bring Data!

I don’t know about you, but I want everyone to know all there is to know about my superhero! I want them to know what he likes, what he doesn’t like, etc. Why? Because it makes our lives a whole lot easier if the people who are on the team know what makes my fellow tick! Not knowing can be the difference between a good day and a day full of meltdowns and hysteria! The solution? Create an “All About Me” file! In this episode, Dr. T (that's me!) and Eugene Terry talk about how creating an all about me file can be a game changer for making sure everyone knows the needs of your superhero. Using it with Google Drive can make it even more exciting! After an Autism diagnosis, most of us scrambled to figure out what to do next. Well, through trial and error, I have discovered 5 action items that makes the transition and communication process so much easier! This is step 4. Creating an “All About Me” file about your Superhero can make all the difference between him/her being happy, or not! Dr. T explains how to craft this document. (1:32) Dr. T reminds you of her free online email course that reveals action items for you to complete. You can find it at http://drteresavasquez.com/courses. Choose the first one under “Email Courses” (“IDEA Law Outline & Tech Integration LEVEL 1 – 5-day Email Course”). (5:27) Dr. T discusses the “All About Me” file and inquires whether teachers routinely receive said documents at the beginning of the school year. (9:00) Dr. T reveals that those at Vanderbilt University who initially diagnosed her Superhero with autism gave her a packet asking all about her child and this inspired Dr. T to encourage “All About Me” files to be crafted for any and all Superheroes. (10:42) Dr. T states how she drew up her Superhero’s “All About Me” file to share or hand out (specifically to teachers) to better explain his behaviors, triggers, incentives, collateral, etc. She emphasizes using Google Drive to update this file regularly. (15:51) Dr. T reiterates the importance of using the previously-created dedicated email address to send the “All About Me” file with others as a way to share and collect data. (17:12) Dr. T mentions that she gives copies of the Temple Grandin movie to her Superhero’s teachers as a way to educate them further about autism. She also mentions Autism in Love as being an excellent documentary. (19:09) Dr. T notes that a template for the “All About Me” file is available in the aforementioned five-day email course. Embrace your mission! Join the Facebook Group: http://facebook.com/groups/embraceyourmission  Find more information at: http://www.drteresavasquez.com/tech-integration-level-1-week-4-dont-call-superheroes-nothing/ iTunes Podcast: http://bit.ly/autismpossible  Online Course: http://www.drteresavasquez.com/courses/   

Autism Possible EP4: I Don’t Call Them Superheroes for Nothing!

Last week we talked about the wonderful scanning technology. Well, while you’re scanning away (Yes when I first got it, I scanned EVERYTHING. I went a little overboard.), you’ll need somewhere to put all of those files. Cloud-based storage is the way to go! In this episode, Dr. T (that's me!) and Eugene Terry talk about how using Google Drive for simple file management can make you a Cape Wearer that all others will envy. After an Autism diagnosis, most of us scrambled to figure out what to do next. Well, through trial and error, I have discovered 5 action items that makes the transition and communication process so much easier! This is step 3. Cloud-based storage is sure to become your new best friend! Find out why Dr. T highly recommends going this route. (2:25) Dr. T reminds you of her free online email course that reveals action items for you to complete. You can find it at http://drteresavasquez.com/courses. Choose the first one under “Email Courses” (“IDEA Law Outline & Tech Integration LEVEL 1 – 5-day Email Course”). (3:00) Dr. T discusses Google Drive’s cloud-based storage capabilities used to store your scanned documents, as well as its convenient search and share functions. (5:52) Dr. T strongly suggests that you visit drive.google.com and set up your account if you haven’t already. Embrace your mission! Join the Facebook Group: http://facebook.com/groups/embraceyourmission Find more information at: http://www.drteresavasquez.com/tech-integration-level-1-week-3-google-can-drive-yes-can/ iTunes Podcast: http://bit.ly/autismpossible Online Course: http://www.drteresavasquez.com/courses/

Autism Possible EP3: Google can drive? Why, yes it can!

There is A LOT of paper headed your way! There is the IEP draft, the signed IEP, the notifications, the daily charts, the progress reports, etc. YEARS AND YEARS of all that paper! In this episode, Dr. T (that's me!) and Eugene Terry talk about how a simple scanner can make your life and journey much easier.  After an Autism diagnosis, most of us scrambled to figure out what to do next. Well, through trial and error, I have discovered 5 action items that makes the transition and communication process so much easier! This is step 2. Having a simple scanner at your disposal can make all the paperwork associated with special education manageable. Find out why Dr. T would advise you to purchase this device. (2:11) Dr. T reminds you of her free online email course that reveals action items for you to complete. You can find it at http://drteresavasquez.com/courses. Choose the first one under “Email Courses” (“IDEA Law Outline & Tech Integration LEVEL 1 – 5-day Email Course”). (2:28) Dr. T explains how scanning important documents can simplify your life. (4:54) Dr. T states that a list of recommended technology is available on her blog at http://www.drteresavasquez.com/tech-recommendations/ (5:29) Dr. T also suggests that you utilize scanner apps, in particular the Genius Scan and/or Genius Scan+ apps. (9:46) Dr. T emphasizes the importance of documenting everything in your special education journey, even retroactively. Embrace your mission! Join the Facebook Group: http://facebook.com/groups/embraceyourmission Find more information at: http://www.drteresavasquez.com/tech-integration-level-1-week-2-scan-real-good/ iTunes Podcast: http://bit.ly/autismpossible Online Course: http://www.drteresavasquez.com/courses/

Autism Possible EP2: Scan it real good!

Today we are talking email addresses. If you are like me, you have a bunch of them all meant for specific purposes. If you are how I used to be, you have one email account that may be with your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and you get EVERYTHING through that bad boy.... In this episode, Dr. T (that's me!) and Eugene Terry talk about how creating an email address can help get you started on your journey...even if you already have one. After an Autism diagnosis, most of us scrambled to figure out what to do next. Well, through trial and error, I have discovered 5 action items that makes the transition and communication process so much easier! This is step 1. Setting up a dedicated email address for your Superhero is the first step in helping you organize communications related to his or her special education journey. Find out why Dr. T recommends this very important task! (2:55) Dr. T explains why her mission, family, website, etc. is “pro-autism”. (5:22) Dr. T introduces her free online email course that reveals action items for you to complete. (5:54) Navigation to the online course if given. You can find it at http://drteresavasquez.com/courses. Choose the first one under “Email Courses” (“IDEA Law Outline & Tech Integration LEVEL 1 – 5-day Email Course”). This course thoroughly explains the IDEA law and how you can use technology to get organized for your special education journey. (6:32) Dr. T talks about setting up an email address specifically for communication regarding your Superhero, and explains the many ways it can simplify your life. In particular, you should set up a professionally-named Gmail account. Embrace your mission! Join the Facebook Group: http://facebook.com/groups/embraceyourmission Find more information at: http://www.drteresavasquez.com/tech-integration-level-1-week-1-email-address-one-please/ iTunes Podcast: http://bit.ly/autismpossible Online Course: http://www.drteresavasquez.com/courses/

Autism Possible EP1: Email Address for One, Please!

AUTISM POSSIBLE will help you Embrace Your Mission to support your autistic superhero and get passionate about life! Join us with a cup of your favorite beverage to get a little honesty, a pinch of humor, and a whole lot of spice. Each week, your host Dr. Teresa Vasquez tackles topics related to Autism Spectrum Disorders, special education advocacy, tech integration and home domotics, and the empowerment of families. She also offers tech tips you can put to use today. A good life with Autism? Possible! Some popular show topics include iPad/iOS devices; IDEA, 2004; and simplified life with tech. Visit drteresavasquez.com to learn more.

Autism Possible: Be your own special education advocate, use...