Autism Twitter Day

I am putting together an event at Twitter to promote positive autism awareness. This is still in the planning stage and not yet finalized on the date, number of hours and time frame for this to take place.

I placed an inquiry on HARO - Help A Reporter Out last week. Here is that posting which appeared in the afternoon edition Thursday, November 20, 2008:

"Will be promoting positive autism awareness on twitter one day in mid December. Seeking products geared to the autism and asperger community to give away as prizes for questions answered and pop quizzes on the subject. Looking for products to cover all age groups and including sensory type items. Here is a listing showing all those in the autism/asperger community on Twitter.

I can also do reviews on my autism site. I am listed at www.twitter.com/autismfamily Help brighten the lives of autism families by contributing to this positive event."

If you are also a member of twitter or joining twitter, please post your ID here so I can add it to the page listing all autism connections. If you have a product you would like to offer for one of the giveaways please contact me through email listed at this blog or through twitter direct message system (DM).

I would like to find out when the majority of families who are on twitter can participate in this event. I have a poll here for a few days, please comment here in regard to your vote.

I need to know if it is best on a weekend day or weekday. I see many events taking place on twitter and they all seem to be at night on a weekday. I am on the west coast and would prefer Friday or Tuesday so I can prepare and be ready while my other son is at school. I am running for Secretary of the CAC with LAUSD and will be at elections on Monday.

I have been thinking that 4-6 hours is too long and would like to try it at two to three hours. If you have an opinion on this please give me some feedback so I can finalize this before the end of this month, get a logo or something for a button to promote the event and share with others. Plus I still need to get all the pics of the giveaways and have a sign up with Mr. Linky for those who want to attend.

Again, please take part in the poll and offer any thoughts in the comments. I am using my Pecs Club Ning Site and created an autism twitter group to post ideas and examples, a brainstorming group for this event.

Introducing Pecs Club Ning Group

I created MakingPECSCards yahoo group in January of 2004. Initially I wanted to start a Pecs Club where people meet at a location to share and create picture cards. Today I established a Ninggroup that is called Pecs Club. This is an extension of the Yahoo group and a way to meet other parents and professionals that utilize picture cards, schedule boards and pecs with those on the autism spectrum and other related disabilities.

There are now over 515 members in the group. I have kept out spam with approval of all new members. There is a mix of members that covers professionals in the field, therapists, teachers, parents and assistants. There are issues with email bounces at Yahoo and it is hard to utilize a search for older groups.

I have joined and taken part in almost a dozen Ning groups and like that members can create groups, join groups, share photos, videos and blog posts while meeting new people who share similar interests and family issues.

This will be an easy way to share picture cards, get feedback on picture cards and schedule boards, gain insights into IEP goals and learn about other communication devices, who funds these and what is appropriate for a nonverbal child, teen and adult.

If you are new to picture cards, not sure what a communication device is, need help in acquiring cards, just got a diagnosis or have a child with a speech delay you are more than welcome to join the Pecs Club Ning Group. This invite is also open to professionals who work at various companies or organiztions. Teachers, therapists and those who supoort and assist those in the school setting are more than welcome.

I look forward to this being a successful group. I am not looking for it to be the most popular or getting a large membership. I am hoping for active participation, especially since the school year is now in full swing and we all need support, feedback, guidance and asistance.

Feel free to tell others who have kids with special needs that are nonverbal, have a speech delay, use devices, picture cards or wanting to learn to teach their student or child.

Share pictures of your kids with their picture cards and showcase the schedule boards and activity cards. Tell others how you laminate the cards, which size cards so you prefer, have you ever used black and white line drawings, which side of the velcro do you attach to the card?