Click to Donate & Join The Golden Wall - I did! 
Click PHOTO to BUY the BOOK!]]>Click to Donate & Join The Golden Wall - I did! Click PHOTO to BUY the BOOK!]]>
CLICK ON PHOTO TO HEAR WHAT DANI HAS TO SAY]]>"The very first books series FOR children with special needs!
Approximately 17% of all children have some type of developmental disability, and the number is growing every day.
We know that not all kids are the same, so each book addresses a different symptom, not a disorder. This way, our stories can benefit "typical" children who might have difficulties in one area while also helping kids diagnosed with learning disabilities." www.extraspecialkids.com
ZANY BORN TO RUN - now available!
CLICK IMAGE TO BUY APP NOW!
LITTLE LILLY'S TOUCH BOOK - coming soon!
TIMMY TASTES TEXTURES - coming Soon!
And yet another employment option affording the opportunity for individuals with autism spectrum disorders to live a fulfilling life! I don't think I will order flowers or other items they sell anywhere else from here forward. Even better, 100% of any and all purchases directly support the employment of individuals with autism. This farm is the ONLY full-time rose garden located in the Northeast, namely Guilford, Connecticut. You can send your loved one beautiful flowers, make a donation, sponsor a rose bush in your own name, in the honor of a loved one or a friend, take a visit to the farm, etc. Check out all of the benefits that are blooming at Roses for Autism by clicking on the image above and get involved in any way you can. Kudos to Roses for Autism!!! Can't wait to come and visit one day! Keep up the great work!! Thank you!!
It is inevitable that you have learned more about the growing number of children and families affected by the challenges of autism. Here in our New Jersey communities the number of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) has risen to 1 in 94, which creates the likelihood that most of you have knowledge firsthand of the needs of these children and their families.
MarbleJam Kids, a 501c3 non-profit organization, was created to provide children with ASDs and other special needs an opportunity to flourish in social and recreational settings. MarbleJam Kids has been providing creative arts therapy and enrichment in the arts for the past 4 ½ years. These customized programs include, dance, art, acting and improvisation, yoga, music, and film making. For the 2nd year, we are the sole producers of the Joey Travolta Short Film Camp held at Saint Peter’s College in Englewood Cliffs, NJ. This inclusive program brings 50 kids and teens together to learn the art of film making under the direction of Joey Travolta, a special educator and film maker. The project, including a final produced short film with a red carpet premiere starring the campers themselves, has been inspirational for all involved.
Inclusive programs of this caliber are very rare. Providing affordable camp options for special needs kids is our goal. This campaign will allow us to continue to provide supplemental funding for the tuition of this camp. Learning a trade, making new friends through creative collaboration, and feeling good about yourself goes a long way. For kids on the spectrum, this is extremely challenging. Under the direction of Joey and his talented crew, magic happens. Last year we had 54 campers both with and without special needs attend camp. They created a fantastic short film which was premiered in November 2011 at the Red Carpet event. Without support from you, we cannot produce this camp. Your contribution truly matters.
"On October 2, 2011, Theatre Development Fund (TDF) launched a new program, Autism Theatre Initiative, to make theatre accessible to children and adults on the autism spectrum as well as their families.
The program, which is a part of TDF's Accessibility Programs (TAP), presented the first autism-friendly performance of a Broadway show with Disney's landmark musical THE LION KING at the Minskoff Theatre (200 West 45th Street, NYC) on Sunday, October 2 at 1pm.
The show was performed in a friendly, supportive environment for an audience of families and friends with children or adults who are diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or other sensitivity issues. Slight adjustments to the production included reduction of any jarring sounds or strobe lights focused into the audience. In the theatre lobby there were staffed quiet areas and an activity area for those who needed to leave their seats during the performance.
A downloadable social story (in Word format) with pictures of the theatre and production was available several months in advance of the performance that was designed to personalize the experience for each attendee with ASD. Tickets were offered through TDF at affordable prices, the top price being $79.00.
This initial performance was extremely successful, and we are looking to schedule additional autism-friendly performances in the future.
TDF wishes to acknowledge the following donors
for their generous support of the Autism Theatre Initiative:
The Joseph LeRoy and Ann C. Warner Fund, Inc.
Ronald McDonald House Charities of the New York Tri-State Area
Build-A-Bear Workshop Foundation
Autism Friendly Spaces, LLC
autismshop.com" tdf.org
Click image to contribute to Indiegogo campaign
"Hello all!
It’s high time for an update on the progress of the “Don’t Be Interested” extended trailer! Thanks to our 27 generous funders, we’ve had great success in the initial stages of production and our target completion date will be July 2012. Between now and then we will be going out to LA to film an amazing new development – Justin has been working as a storyboard artist for Danielle Bowman, an incredibly talented animator and founder of Powerlight Studios. Dani is a teenager and also happens to be autistic. Justin and Dani have regular meetings over Skype where they share creative ideas, go over scripts and Justin receives direction from Dani regarding his storyboarding. You can learn more about what Dani does here:http://www.powerlight-studios.com
There are still several key interviews that will be taking place in the coming months with important people in Justin’s life that have helped identify and celebrate his extraordinary artistic talent, as well as capturing Justin giving a presentation at the YAI Conference in May.
Between Justin’s studies at SVA, decorating cookies at a local bakery and working with Dani Bowman, Justin continues to punctuate his quest for independence in an abstract universe of cartoon characters that are housed between the frayed edges of his composition books.
Finally, we are pleased to announce that we will begin sending your well-earned perks out soon, and of course, the DVDs of the trailer come this July.
Cheers,
Ben Stamper, Director of Don’t Be Interested"
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LOVE this picture of Joey Travolta - it SO encapsulates who he is. ♥ Send your kid to one of his camps across the country, namely NJ (I am biased), and your kid will have an experience of a lifetime - ALL ARE WELCOME and encouraged to apply! Former camper scored lead role in major motion picture to be released - I'm sure participating in this camp didn't "hurt" his resume. ;0) Send your kid, make a donation, come volunteer at Joey Travolta's Short Film Camp July 30-August 10th! Produced by MarbleJam Kids www.marblejamkids.org. Hurry and register - space is limited!! Spots filling up fast and LOOK at how much fun we have with a few extra minutes after we finish our lunch! Don't Stop Believin"!
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I just can't say enough about the bookstore that is nestled in my hometown of Maplewood's village. Due to the mission of the bookstore and all that it's owners and employees do for the community at large makes it the ONLY bookstore that I will purchase books from since the whole eReader era began. For the second year in a row, Emily Bauer of Acting With Emily and I were asked to come to [words] and do demo acting classes for children with special needs. We enjoyed it SO very much last year, of course we said "YES!" [words] provides FREE extracurricular activities for individuals with special needs to try through their Second Sundays Program and we couldn't be prouder to participate. Emily and I always have a special Sunday when we co-teach Acting for the Camera - Inclusion on Sundays from 12-1 p.m. For more information or to sign up for the spring semester starting in April go to www.ActingWithEmily.com. Please go visit [words] bookstore in Maplewood, NJ for one of their wonderful events or to just go chillax and read with your family without judgment. Click on image to be directed to [words] Maplewood's Bookstore's fabulous new website! Click here for SECOND SUNDAYS schedule: http://wordsbookstore.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Words_flyer_SSfall_2.pdf
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Title #141: A Young Man with Autism's Transition to Adult Life: How Talent, Perseverance, Advocacy and Training Carve the Path to Independence
Scheduled Time 05/03/12 | 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Abstract
JUSTIN CANHA "I Am An Artist And Would Like To Be Independent"
MARIA TERESA CANHA, Parent and Autism Advocate
"Please Don’t Foil my Plans - A Mom’s Journey Alongside Her Son’s Road to Independence"
NICOLE TURON-DIAZ, MA, Ed./SpEd., Learning By Design, LLC
"Striking the Match & Lighting the Fire: Embracing the Talents of Autism"
CHARLES CARTWRIGHT, M.D.Medical Director, YAI Autism Center; Chief, Premier HeathCare Autism Institute
"The Neurobiology of Ability and Talent in Autism"
SPECIAL SESSION
Justin Canha showed a passion for drawing early in his life. His parents were instrumental in picking up on this and giving him as many opportunities as possible to develop his talent and ability. Justin is now a renowned artist and has a gift for illustration,story boarding and animation. Many have worked with Justin, guiding, mentoring, coaching him over the years. With the help of his family and professionals, he is now tackling the challenge of being independent and his story is an inspiration and valuable lesson.
Topics Autism Spectrum Disorders
Primary Speaker Justin Canha
Other Speakers Maria Teresa Canha
Charles Cartwright
Nicole Turon-Diaz
CLICK PHOTO ABOVE TO REGISTER!!
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