Are you nervous about traveling during spring and summer breaks? The Alabama Tourism Initiative to Enhance Sensory Awareness in Travel may be able to help. If you or someone in your life has been diagnosed with sensory sensitivities or is on the autism spectrum, you may be eligible to receive a FREE night stay at a certified Tourism ALL-a-Bama hotel. Visit www.tourismallabama.org for more information.

Looking to celebrate the magic of Santa with lower volume, shorter lines, and less stress. Create Holiday Magic is hosting three opportunities in Alabama for pictures with Santa. For additional information on locations outside of Alabama, click the link: https://sensoryfriendly.createholidaymagic.com/

Earlier this month, we celebrated Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Awareness Month. AAC usage has proven to be great for many individuals diagnosed with ASD due to its visual and tactile nature. According to our SLP, Cathy Burke, "many times a combination of AAC approaches may be used to teach students to understand and use language more effectively." Take a look at how two of our SLPs use AAC to increase communication, even while pairing with ASL.

October is AAC Awareness Month. AAC (Augmentative & Alternative Communication) provides supports to children and adults with complex communication needs. In celebration of this month, SLP Lauren S. Enders, MA, CCC - SLP has created a listing of some great resources from app developers who are providing discounts this month. Click the link to view the listing: https://bit.ly/AACAppSalesOct21

In the RISE Autism Program, we encourage play as our students learn and grow. "Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning." - Mr. Rogers

RISE Autism has been collaborating with Jasmine Christion, Speech-Language Pathologist, and Jamie Saunders, ASD Preschool Teacher to work with a rising new student, D'Andrei Ash. We are so excited to see him play, learn, and grow!

A Reason to Cheer: You shared with a friend today!

A Reason to Cheer: You waited your turn! Way to Go!

A Reason to Cheer: You showed up to class on time!

Here are some ways to reward positive behavior:

• Reward often and immediately
• Reward with something they like
• Reward with social interaction (verbal praise, lunch with the principal, weekend dinner with friends, etc.)

Have you caught your child or student doing "good" this week? Let's take some time to find the good and share the cheer!

Accept. Understand. Love! We would like to thank everyone who supported our first t-shirt fundraiser. We truly appreciate each and everyone of you and hope you enjoy the shirts. A special thanks to all AIDB employees who wore their shirts yesterday to show their support for RISE Autism.

"Every child deserves a champion, an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists that they become the best they can possibly be". - Rita Pierson