Monday, August 31, 2015

Can boys play with dolls?

Parents these days are becoming aware of gender stereotyping and try to expose their children to toys and activities associated with the opposite sex. Although they may be becoming more mindful, it is still easy to get caught out with little gendered remarks that slip out unnoticed. In hundreds of little ways, parents can sometimes […]

See Full Article Here: Can boys play with dolls?

Gym opens to help kids with autism, sensory processing disorders

We Rock the Spectrum kids’ gym is opening in Derby to help in the growth and learning process for kids with sensory disorders like autism. The new gym provides a place for fun but also serves for a bigger purpose said CEO, Dina Kimmel. Dina Kimmel, whose own son has autism, started the gym 5 […]

Post Source Here: Gym opens to help kids with autism, sensory processing disorders

Sunday, August 30, 2015

Why it Matters

UK organization Let Toys Be Toys is calling on all retailers and manufacturers to drop the gender-stereotyped toy marketing strategies that organise toys by aisles and packaging for ‘boys’ and ‘girls’ and instead arrange them by theme and function rather than gender. For them, it is crucial for children to have access to a range […]

Originally Published Here: Why it Matters

Gender & Toys: Does It Really Matter?

Toddlers are just toddlers and spending many hours in imaginative play with other children or by themselves is an essential part of their development. They have no concept of gender specific programming; it is something that is learned from parents, older siblings and society in general. But toys today are becoming as gender specific as […]

Post Source Here: Gender & Toys: Does It Really Matter?

NOVA’s ‘Calling The Shots’ On Autism And Vaccines

Autism Science Foundation founder Alison Singer thinks we may have been right to look at whether vaccines might be a cause of autism, but both have become so highly entangled over the past years– and an overwhelming amount of evidence has shown no link between the two– that she thinks it’s time for people to […]

Original Post Here: NOVA’s ‘Calling The Shots’ On Autism And Vaccines

Thursday, August 27, 2015

Boys Who Play With Dolls

If you find your boy playing with dolls and stuffed toys, there’s no reason to be worrying he would grow up gay. Melissa Atkins Wardy (a mother of two) believes that boys playing with dolls are learning about care and affection, things that would essentially help them as good fathers. She recalls how these values […]

Learn More Here: Boys Who Play With Dolls

Laura Perrins: The equality spreadsheet must be obeyed. Boys get to play with dolls, girls with spanners

Laura Perrins, a mother, is reacting to how some politicians and The Times are advocating that women are needed in engineering whether they have the inclination for it or not. She calls this the great Equality Spreadsheet which promotes that the hopes, dreams and desires for girls and female students do not matter but that […]

Read Full Article Here: Laura Perrins: The equality spreadsheet must be obeyed. Boys get to play with dolls, girls with spanners

Dad cheers when son picks an Ariel doll: ‘I let my boys choose their life’

Film production company CEO Mikki Willis believes in letting his boys choose their life. And that is exactly what he did when he accompanied his son Azai to the toy store to exchange one of the two identical gifts his son got for his 4th birthday with an Ariel doll that the little boy ended […]

Source Here: Dad cheers when son picks an Ariel doll: ‘I let my boys choose their life’

Boxing Up Toys According To Gender − Who Is To Blame For Stereotyping Children’s Toys?

In the 1970s, gender stereotypes for children were less widespread when the advertisements showed gender-neutral roles for toys. But this changed in the 1980’s and 1990s when television promoted gendered toys and a study by sociologists showed that it is because of how toys were being marketed. Some people have raised issues on this. But […]

Source Here: Boxing Up Toys According To Gender − Who Is To Blame For Stereotyping Children’s Toys?

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Psychologists Dig Into Link Between Autism And Creativity

Psychologists from the University of East Anglia (UEA) and University of Stirling in England found that people with high autistic traits produced fewer but more original and creative responses when generating alternative solutions to a problem-solving test known as divergent thinking. This study suggests there may be advantages to having traits associated with autism. Dr. […]

Read Full Article Here: Psychologists Dig Into Link Between Autism And Creativity

Boys Playing with Dolls and Girls Playing with Cars

Children seem to know intrinsically which toys to play– boys usually pick cars and girls would pick dolls. Although there is nothing wrong with boys playing with dolls and girls playing with cars, some people would find it uncomfortable. Teresa McEntire, however, is one of those people who believe that it helps children become more […]

Original Post Here: Boys Playing with Dolls and Girls Playing with Cars

Why do marketers get to decide what toys are right for our children?

The interests and careers that are heavily dominated by women are among the most devalued in modern society. Little girls are often discouraged from the toys that actually encourage an interest in science, technology, engineering and math. They are instead being pushed to play with things that encourage an early interest in beauty or fashion. […]

Post Source Here: Why do marketers get to decide what toys are right for our children?

A doll named Mike: the Target toy controversy reflects culture we live in

The toy industry reflects the culture we live in. There was a time in the past when there were no black dolls, just blonde ones with blue eyes. Doctor kits were always “for boys only” and nurse kits were for girls. There were also neutral toys back then but they weren’t very popular. Beth Thames […]

Read More Here: A doll named Mike: the Target toy controversy reflects culture we live in

Northampton toy line that aims to break down gender stereotypes, ‘Wonder Crew,” vies for Super Bowl 2016 commercial

Wonder Crew is a Northampton toy line that produces dolls for boys. The company wants to enhance creativity of boys and develop their emotional intelligence, social skills and empathy which are normally cultivated when playing “girl’s toys” like dolls. They want boys to grow strong like superheroes, and also caring like their moms. Their toys […]

Read Full Article Here: Northampton toy line that aims to break down gender stereotypes, ‘Wonder Crew,” vies for Super Bowl 2016 commercial

Toys Should Not be Gender-Specific

One of the most sensitive issues in this modern age is gender equality. There has been a huge clamour for equal rights for all male, female, lesbian and gay individuals. The gender awareness movement has now captured the marketing arena as well, and department stores and toy sellers (including the marketing giant Amazon) are now […]

Source Here: Toys Should Not be Gender-Specific

Sunday, August 23, 2015

Michigan nonprofit helps kids with autism overcome obstacles through water sports

For someone who’s been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Asperger’s syndrome, Hunter Petrimoulx has a difficult time calming down and focusing for very long if too many things stimulate his mind at one time. And because of this, making friends and performing in a traditional classroom setting is a real struggle for […]

Learn More Here: Michigan nonprofit helps kids with autism overcome obstacles through water sports

WATCH: Blind 13-year-old with autism sings stirring anthem at Fenway

Fans at the Red Sox-Indians game at Fenway park on Monday night (August 17) were treated to a stirring rendition of the national anthem by Christopher Duffley, a 13-year-old blind and autistic singer who serves as an inspiration to young adults. His heartfelt rendition of the “Star Spangled Banner” gave the crowd and the players […]

See More Here: WATCH: Blind 13-year-old with autism sings stirring anthem at Fenway

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

What It’s Really Like To Have a Child with Autism

The experience of parenting is an intense mixture of emotions ranging from exhaustion to gratitude to sadness to pride. But these emotions are even more amplified when you have a child who has autism. These parents face challenges that only other special needs parents can understand. With the use of a secret-sharing app called Whisper, […]

Post Source Here: What It’s Really Like To Have a Child with Autism

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Inspirational Islander Nick D’Amora doesn’t let autism hold him back

The Advance has just named Nick D’ Amora the most inspirational Staten Islander in this month’s poll which asked readers to nominate Islanders whose life is an inspiration to many. Nick has autism and is non-verbal, but he is able to host seminars and communicate and share his opinions and make his own choices. Nick […]

Source Here: Inspirational Islander Nick D’Amora doesn’t let autism hold him back

One Perfect Day Indeed

There are no time-outs from autism for some children and their families who constantly struggle with major communication delays, sensory issues, seizures and gastrointestinal problems every day. But for one perfect summer day, these families can have a relaxing and enjoyable day at the beach just like any other family. Cathy Jameson and her son […]

Read Full Article Here: One Perfect Day Indeed

Monday, August 17, 2015

Iowa barber gives haircuts to children in exchange for them reading stories to him

For the second year in a row, the community members, partners and non-profits in Dubuque are holding a very innovative Back to School Bash in Comiskey Park to help families prepare for the opening of the school year. One of the remarkable ideas they’ve come up with for this year’s event is to give out […]

See More Here: Iowa barber gives haircuts to children in exchange for them reading stories to him

Sunday, August 16, 2015

Are Gender Specific Toys Beneficial or Sexist?

The debate regarding gender-specific toys continues to rage on, and supporters and opponents from both sides are still weighing in on this hot topic among many parents and researchers alike. Some parents argue that gender doesn’t need to dictate play and that it’s perfectly natural for children to try out many of the roles that […]

Read More Here: Are Gender Specific Toys Beneficial or Sexist?

Saturday, August 15, 2015

MINNEAPOLIS STUDENT WITH AUTISM FEARS SCHOOLS WILL SHORTCHANGE KIDS LIKE HIM

As a child with autism, Arie Copley-Radder had a very difficult time adjusting to the overwhelming sights and sounds he encountered when he first started school. He would get confused and agitated and would show signs of aggression towards his teachers, which made other children afraid of him. But thanks to the Citywide Autism Program […]

Originally Published Here: MINNEAPOLIS STUDENT WITH AUTISM FEARS SCHOOLS WILL SHORTCHANGE KIDS LIKE HIM

Friday, August 14, 2015

New Opportunity for Children with Autism at Gymnastic Club

For children with Autism in the town of Duluth, Minn., their weekly visits to The Gymnastics Academy on Arrowhead allows them to have a space where they can be comfortable and safe enough to run around and burn-off some of their pent-up energy. For Amanda Keppers’ son, Christopher Stark, it provides him with a sense […]

Learn More Here: New Opportunity for Children with Autism at Gymnastic Club

Thursday, August 13, 2015

Kids are learning to swear younger

Psychology professor Timothy Jay suggests that a newfound rise in the use of profanity among children can be attributed to the general rise of swearing among adults since the 1980’s. But children don’t appear to be using worse swear words than before– just common swear words more often, the new research observed. Children who swear […]

Original Post Here: Kids are learning to swear younger

Children with autism shouldn’t be forced to socialise

Children with autism socially engage in a very different way compared to those who are neurotypical (or “neurologically typical”, a term referring to people who are not on the autism spectrum). The assumption has been that children with autism have a hard time reading people and their emotions. The Expertise Hypothesis suggests, however, that those […]

Article Source Here: Children with autism shouldn’t be forced to socialise

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Would you let your son play with dolls?

For Chaz Harris, hearing about a 17-month-old boy who got beaten to death by his mother’s live-in boyfriend after “acting like a girl” was really upsetting news. He believes parents (mostly fathers) should stop being so afraid of the idea of their son playing with dolls or entertaining the notion that the child will become […]

Source Here: Would you let your son play with dolls?

After daughter’s autism diagnosis, mom starts group to find more girls like her

According to statistics, there are about four times as many boys as there are girls who are diagnosed with autism every year. And research indicates that the reason for this could possibly be because many girls go undiagnosed since the disorder can present differently in girls than it does in boys. So when Dawn Dudley’s […]

Original Post Here: After daughter’s autism diagnosis, mom starts group to find more girls like her

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Parents of children with autism find school, thanks to school choice

Michelle Puopolo and Andrea Weck Robertson both have children that have autism– and both are part of a group of parents in Arizona that have founded and opened their own school for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder last year, thanks to the state’s private school-choice programs. All of the students in the program are on […]

Read Full Article Here: Parents of children with autism find school, thanks to school choice

Boys Don’t Play With Dolls. Or Do They?

When Kate’s almost four-year-old son overheard a stranger talk about an overly generalized and greatly perpetuated myth that boys don’t play with dolls, he was perplexed because of the fact that he and his brother play with dolls. So in his mind (since he and his brother were boys and they most certainly do play […]

Post Source Here: Boys Don’t Play With Dolls. Or Do They?

School days are around the corner

For children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, transitioning back to school from summertime takes some degree of preparation on the part of parents to ease the child back into the routine and structure of school life. Pamela Gross Downing, a special education teacher, offers some practical advice on successfully getting your child adjusted well before school […]

See Full Article Here: School days are around the corner

Monday, August 10, 2015

Is it normal that my 14-year-old daughter still plays with dolls?

When one Quora user posted a question on the website asking if it’s normal for their 14-year-old daughter to still play with dolls, many of the other users in the community (with the exception of a few) were quick to reassure her that it’s perfectly fine and in some ways healthy. One user, Charlotte Lang, […]

Original Post Here: Is it normal that my 14-year-old daughter still plays with dolls?

Jon Stewart used last show to raise $2.2 million for autism

On Thursday (August 6), Jon Stewart bid goodbye to The Daily Show with his friends and family at Comedy Central 16 years after he took over. The host left the show on a high note by holding a raffle that he announced back in April to benefit the charitable cause New York Collaborates for Autism. […]

Post Source Here: Jon Stewart used last show to raise $2.2 million for autism

Dancing in the Rain Launches a Website Offering Children’s Toys to Help Children Learn and Use Their Imaginations

Mary Corriher (founder of Dancing in the Rain) used to teach troubled children and those with learning disorders. It was from that experience that she observed that every child has the ability to learn, they just have different ways of learning– and it is up to the teacher to find the most effective way. That […]

Read More Here: Dancing in the Rain Launches a Website Offering Children’s Toys to Help Children Learn and Use Their Imaginations

Autism Cost Estimated to Reach Nearly $500 Billion, Potentially $1 Trillion, by 2025

A research funded by Autism Speaks and the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health called “Brief Report: Forecasting the Economic Burden of Autism in 2015 and 2025 in the United States” is calling to action some policy changes for early intervention, employment and other programs that support the independence of adults with autism. The […]

Post Source Here: Autism Cost Estimated to Reach Nearly $500 Billion, Potentially $1 Trillion, by 2025

Thursday, August 6, 2015

Fighting For Autism

For Brian Higginbotham and Christian Mitchell, who are both experienced professionals involved in the fighting industry and both fathers to sons who are on the autism spectrum, the term “fighting for autism” has taken on a literal meaning. The two met a couple of years back, when Higginbotham came across the Australian-based Facebook page of […]

Original Post Here: Fighting For Autism

Autism Acceptance – Accept Me, Not A Label

Amy Goodman, Director of Autism Now at The Arc of the United States, wrote a piece about accepting people with autism for who they are and not for whatever label is given to them. She emphasizes that autism is more than a medical condition, but a way that a person thinks, feels and expresses themselves. […]

Read More Here: Autism Acceptance – Accept Me, Not A Label

BABY DOLLS FOR BOYS? OF COURSE IT’S OK!

When Summer Len Davis was considering buying her son (whom she affectionately calls The Stinky) a baby boy doll, she wasn’t expecting her husband (aka The Workaholic) to be so adamantly against it just because he’s a BOY. In Summer’s mind, all she wanted was to give her son an opportunity to nurture his caring […]

Article Source Here: BABY DOLLS FOR BOYS? OF COURSE IT’S OK!

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Kids With Autism Can Read Emotions Through Body Language

Candida Peterson and her team of researchers are conducting a study to disprove the widely-held belief and commonly accepted label that individuals with autism “do not know how to empathize” — meaning, they don’t have the capacity to understand the  feelings and thoughts of others. By showing children between the ages of 5 and 12 […]

Originally Published Here: Kids With Autism Can Read Emotions Through Body Language

Tuesday, August 4, 2015

Autism costs could skyrocket, experts warn

Economists from the University of California, Davis, Health System are now estimating that the current and future costs of caring for people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the United States will continue to escalate in 10 years (from around $268 billion for 2015 to $461 billion for 2025) unless effective interventions and preventive treatments […]

Post Source Here: Autism costs could skyrocket, experts warn

Families ‘able to breathe’ with new autism program

Taking care of a child with autism day in and day out can sometimes take a toll on parents and the family dynamics, and a few hours of respite can do wonders in reviving the spirit and replenishing their energy to become better caregivers. That’s why Ben Lanius, CEO of HighPoint Global (an Indianapolis-based government […]

Read More Here: Families ‘able to breathe’ with new autism program

Research finds baby boys love dolls more than trucks

A new study from MARCS Institute Babylab at the University of Western Sydney suggests that the preference for gender-specific toys (i.e. dolls for girls and trucks for boys) are not present in babies that are four or five months of age. This challenges the commonly held belief that these preferences are inborn and proposes that […]

Post Source Here: Research finds baby boys love dolls more than trucks

Young adults with autism show improved social function following UCLA skills program

People sometimes have this general misconception that autism is a childhood disorder and tend to forget that those children who were diagnosed with autism eventually grow up and become adults/young adults in our society. Even though individuals of all ages on the autism spectrum struggle as a result of social deficits, majority of treatments and […]

Originally Published Here: Young adults with autism show improved social function following UCLA skills program

Monday, August 3, 2015

Autism breakthrough: Animation program helps children

Parents and professionals alike within the autism community are excited about a potentially powerful breakthrough program in the treatment of children with autism. The program, called Invirtua 3D Digital Puppeteer, involves modeling avatars using simple controls to interact with the live, animated 3D characters and operates like a digital puppet show. It was created by […]

Learn More Here: Autism breakthrough: Animation program helps children

Utah company builds playground at autism school

Children at the Autism and Behavioral Intervention Center in Draper, Utah can now enjoy playing in their newly built playground thanks to the generosity of Vivint– a leading smart home technology provider whose services include home security, energy management, home automation, local cloud storage, and high-speed Internet solutions to more than 850,000 customers throughout the […]

Learn More Here: Utah company builds playground at autism school