April 26 is International Noise Awareness Day. Whatever constitutes everyday “background noise” in your neighborhood or community, your conscious brain has probably learned to tune it out—but never giving it a thought may be costing you. Noise and Health The…
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3 Key Challenges for the Autistic Volunteer
Today’s post is in honor of National Volunteer Week—and of all people, with or without special challenges, who make time to help build a better world. “Volunteering defines America,” states President Biden in this year’s Volunteer Week proclamation. “We seek…
Autism Assistive Technology: Items of Interest
Many people find apps, smart devices, and other assistive technology a big help in managing autism—but there’s so much assistive tech out there, sometimes you have no idea where to start looking for the right item. Even where the tech…
Achieving True Inclusiveness in Schools
Students with autism have the legal right to attend public schools and to receive accommodations appropriate to their specific learning needs. However, there’s much more to “fitting in” than being able to function in a “typical” classroom. If students are…
High School Students with Unaddressed Autism
The hardest part of living with autism may be convincing others to live (in harmony) with it. Ask any parent whose child uses an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for autism: you’ll likely hear at least one story about school representatives…
Highlight: How to Translate a Website on Your Browser
In today’s interconnected world, you never know when you might find a digital resource in a language you can’t read. Or need to share a resource with someone who barely knows your language. Fortunately, you don’t have to hunt far…
4 Perspectives on Getting the Most from IEP Annual Reviews
As the 2022–23 school year winds down, many parents’ thoughts are turning to family vacations, or to heading off the dreaded “summer slide” (the problem of kids forgetting what they’ve learned before school resumes). If your child has a disability…
Autism Awareness: How Do People with Autism Want to Be Seen?
Understanding of autism has come a long way since doctors began researching it in the 1940s. However, it’s still easier to get a job without autism; there are still schools that refuse needed accommodations; and there are still too few…
Assistive Technology Update Podcast
For keeping up with the latest in assistive technology, BridgingApps recommends the Assistive Technology Update podcast from our partner organization, Easterseals Crossroads in Indianapolis. In addition to interviews with tech developers and experts, each weekly installment features an app review segment…
Autism Awareness: How It Started, How It’s Grown
April is Autism Awareness Month—also known as Autism Acceptance Month, Autism Advancement Month, or World Autism Month. Official name and focus are still evolving half a century after the observation was founded, but few would disagree with the goal of…