Category: Special Education

Summertime Learning for ADULTS!

Published on by LouiseSattlerLeave a comment

Today as I am writing this post it is a hot (95 degrees) and humid (90%) day in the greater Washington D.C. area.  Don’t make any mistake in thinking that this is a “dry heat”.  So, I am especially grateful to Willis Haviland Carrier, who purportedly invented the air conditioner.  This little piece of trivia is new to me and I will add it to the list of “things” I learned during 2011.

I was raised in a home where education ruled supreme.  And after watching and reading commentary about   OPRAH‘s tribute to her by the Moorehouse University graduates who she supported, I gather that we were not the only ones.  But, if there is one thing I know for sure- it is that one should never stop learning or you just mentally wilt.    (You can watch Oprah’s surprise here)

So, here is my list of things that I want to learn the Summer of 2011.  (And add yours to the comments below!)

1- Zumba.  Yes, I want to learn more about this form of dance. Would love to hear from others who have tried this dance and exercise form.

2-  Learn about HTML. That is a computer term and program “thing” – for those who may need to brush up on it, like me.

3– Read more.  I want to read about a random topic.  I haven’t picked it out – yet.  That will take a trip to the library. And thank the goodness we still have libraries!

4. Learn how to play Mahjong.

and lastly… 5.  Learn more about how to operate my “fancy” camera.

TAG – YOU’RE IT!  What will you learn this Summer?

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NEWS:

Follow me on TWITTER: [twitter-follow  Louise_ Sattler =’wordpressdotcom’]

♦Missed my debut radio segment which airs during the 411 Voices- Arts, Entertainment and the Business of it ALL! show?  I was privileged to interview Talent Manager, Susan Ferris from the Bohemia Group.  Here is the audio-  Listen Here

♦Want to learn American Sign Language later this Summer?  SIGNING FAMILIES will be offering ONLINE COURSES starting August 2011.  Here is what we will be rolling out…

Just for Kids– a basic sign class geared for kids and taught by kids!

Just the Basics- A Sign Class for anyone who wishes to learn, with emphasis on those who are in the hospitality, restaurant, vacation attractions, hotel and business industries.

Adaptive/ Functional Sign Language– A course designed to teach children, their families and educators within the special education communities.

Sign language for medical and dental personnel. 

READ SIGNING FAMILIES JUNE NEWSLETTER HERE (ASL Signs and a GIVEAWAY included)

Educators Contest- Win Free ASL Products for Students!

Published on by LouiseSattler26 Comments

 SIGNING FAMILIES™ has a new sign language series of materials ready to roll from our place to you home, school, hospital or organization.  Throughout the next few months we will be announcing contests to give away FREE products to few lucky winners.  Today we announce the EDUCATOR CONTEST- A CLASSROOM SET OF American Sign Language (ASL) Materials…. details are here:

To be eligible simply comment below or on the SIGNING FAMILIES FACEBOOK page by May 1, 2011 (6 pm EST) on why your classroom, your child’s teacher or some educator you know would love to get the ASL classroom set (enough for twenty students). This will include sets of the SIGNING FAMILIES™ new ASL- English and Spanish folder , bookmarks, ASL charts and a free DVD (either Baby, Toddler and Preschool Sign Language or Sign Language for Emergency Situations).  The value of this prize is well over $150.

I also will randomly pick two other educators to win a free set of bookmarks for their class and SIGNING FAMILIES DVD.  

→ A few rules:

  • You may submit only one comment per person.  But, if you are really clever, you can have friends, family and co-workers comment on your behalf!
  • You also may comment on the SIGNING FAMILIES Facebook website found here: SIGNING FAMILIES ON FACEBOOK
  • We ship only in the United States and Canada for this contest. Please make sure the educator who is to receive the gift is in the US or Canada.
  • Homeschool educators are eligible and encouraged.
  • Parents may enter on behalf of their children’s teachers (or for themselves if they are educators)
  • Grandparents also may enter
  • Your dog may not enter unless they are donating the prize to their obedience teacher
  • The WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON THIS BLOG and THE FACEBOOK PAGE ON MAY 1st and for a few days after. PLEASE CHECK BACK to see if you are a winner!!
If you do not win and wish to learn how you can take advantage of the deep discounts offered for the new product line please go to our website – SIGNING FAMILIES or email me for details.
info@SigningFamilies.com
Check out the photos of some of our SIGNING FAMILIES products (the folder is so new- no image available yet!)  Also, below the photos are some COOL ANNOUNCEMENTS….

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NEWSWORTHY-

WOW- thanks to all who read my last blog about why I think James Durbin should win American Idol!   I know some new readers visited so welcome and thanks!

Thank you to all who voted for SIGNING FAMILIES™ as part of the Start Up Nation 2011 Leading Women in Business Contest.  There are just a few more days of voting, so please if you have a moment- VOTE–

I will know next week if I was one of their Winners…. http://www.startupnation.com/leading-moms-in-business/contestant/10186/index.php

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I am so excited to have joined 411Voices. The 16 women (and growing) are incredible talents.  All with unique skills.  All experts in their fields.  This week alone we had the following 411Voices get national recognition and I would love to give them a shout out here with hopes that you will follow them and the 411Voices group collectively. (We would love to have you join us on Twitter @411Voices and FACEBOOK)
Meet Jenna Riggs (Mommyonashoestring.com).. She is a finalist in the NBC/Universal Green Creativity contest and we hope she will appear on the TODAY SHOW very soon with her adorable Jump Rope Markers!
Meet Shara Lawrence- Weiss.. here is her great television appearance for her company Personal Child Stories.   I love how she discusses the practical uses of “everyday objects and photographs” as a way to enhance learning with young children.  Watch by clicking the link:
And you will LOVE this video by Liysa Callsen, aka codadiva.  If you do not know what a CODA is I won’t give up the surprise.. just watch and be prepared to LAUGH!


HELP SIGNING FAMILIES™ TO HELP OTHERS LEARN ASL- THROUGH START UP NATION 2011!

Published on by LouiseSattler2 Comments

SIGNING FAMILIES

START UP NATION 2011 MOM ENTREPRENEUR COMPETITION!

PLEASE VOTE DAILY HERE: http://bit.ly/eDy1Jg (simply pick daily reminder)

I has been a really long time since I “campaigned” for any competition. I think my last run for an office was in the seventh grade. I lost- badly. This time I am hoping to compete in something a little bit more hefty than my Jr. HS student council race. I am hoping to have my company, SIGNING FAMILIES™ recognized as one of the Start Up Nation 2011 best mom owned businesses. While it would be terrific to win- it would be even more wonderful to receive exposure for American Sign Language as a beneficial mode of communication for not only the deaf community but those who are within perhaps the Autism, Down Syndrome and Speech Impaired communities ( to name a few).

To date SIGNING FAMILIES™ has donated thousands of dollars of product and instructional workshops to people within the special needs community who could not afford to attend ASL classes or purchase materialsfor their classrooms or homes. We also have taught up close and personal- scores of educators, families, medical personnel and First Responders nationwide. Our DVD- Sign Language for Emergency Situations in ASL, English and Spanish has been heralded as a one of a kind DVD to meet the ASL and Spanish communities needs for fast communication during a natural or manmade disaster.

Our BABY, TODDLER and PRESCHOOL Sign Language DVD was designed to meet the needs of people who want to learn how to promote or augment communication with children by using sign language. It recently won the KIDLUTIONS Preferred Product Award and was represented at Mac World for KIDS 2011.

Here is what we are working on now-

Create a large pocket folder with signs for basic communication on the front and emergency/medical signs onthe back. This folder was requested by people within both the medical and educational communities. We heard the requests and are now in production. Available May 2011.

– In order to help promote literacy among deaf children and foster friendships between children who are hearingand those who are deaf we are creating multiple bookmarks. Our first two focus on school words and social-emotional development words with ASL, English and Spanish. The third will substitute Hebrew for Spanish.  (Have an idea- submit to us anytime!)

Also, SIGNING FAMILIES™ proudly teamed with abcteach.com to create downloadable flashcards and movies for their terrific educators website. To date, we have created for videos which help students and teachers learn COLORS, the ALPHABET and NUMBERS and COMMON SCHOOL WORDS in ASL. Next we will be developing a video for WH? question words.

…And if we can find people who know sign language for Japan we will gladly put together for First Responders and the Red Cross a quick chart to use on site to help communicate with the deaf population in Japan. (Please send any info about JSL – Japanese Sign Language to info@SigningFamilies.com)

THANK YOU FOR READING… now please vote.. today and every day until the competition ends in mid- May. It would be so groovy to get more people taking a sign language journey with us!

~Louise

ABC News Now, INC, MSN.com, Entrepreneur.com, BizJournals

p.s. A very special Thank You to Karen Geary, my biz mentor, – without her, I would never have had the courage to pursue SIGNING FAMILIES on an international level!

 

My Child is Deaf- HELP!

Published on by LouiseSattler3 Comments

As a School Psychologist and the founder and owner of SIGNING FAMILIES™, I often receive queries from parents who are searching for any kind of assistance to help their deaf child.  For most parents, having a deaf child is an unexpected bit of news and quite a shock which leads to many questions such as- “Will my child live a ‘normal’ life- go to college, learn to drive, talk to me” and so forth.  While I don’t have a zillion answers, I do have a lot of information that others have shared with me and now I happily will share with you.

First, know that  9 of every 10 deaf children born in the United States are born to hearing parents. The reasons for deafness vary with some being genetic.  Most parents don’t know anything about deafness, the amazing deaf culture or American Sign Language (ASL). However, some of the misconceptions one may have had in the past are changing (thankfully) due to great public figures such as Marlee Matlin, Deanne Bray and TV shows such as GLEE.

Deafness comes in degrees.  Some children can have a hearing loss and benefit from hearing aids and perhaps speech therapy.  Others will receive zero benefit from amplification.  Just like no two people wearing glasses are the same, neither are those with hearing loss.  I. King Jordan, the past president of Gallaudet University, has been quoted as saying, “Deaf people can do anything- except hear”.  I ditto that sentiment.  You need only to walk the campus of Gallaudet University or see the Who’s Who within the deaf community to know that success is not based on whether you can hear or not.

Now for the What Should We Do?

To start if you have discovered your child is deaf or hard of hearing you may wish to do the following:

1- Contact your public school district Early Intervention Office. The United States has programs that are FREE and available to any child from birth through the age of 21 who qualifies as needing special education, this may include speech therapy for a child with a significant hearing loss and early intervention specialists helping parents with their children’s learning.  Here is a link to help you find your more about the laws which help children with exceptional needs: http://idea.ed.gov/ and here http://www.nectac.org/partc/partc.asp

2- Talk with your pediatrician about referrals to medical teams which specialize with deaf children.  Your pediatrician most likely has not received specific training in audiology and other matters to help your deaf child. This is just the way it is with medical training.

3. Talk with other parents who have deaf children.  There are options from different educational programs, to hearing aids to the cochlear implant.  This is your child, be a well informed “consumer”.

4- Learn American Sign Language (ASL).  Now I know most of you are saying that you were expecting this suggestion given the nature of my business. However, the reality is that ASL is the fourth most common language in the U.S. And a deaf child with or without a cochlear implant, in my opinion, can still benefit from learning ASL.  Plus, sign language for young children , hearing or deaf, has been proven to promote overall language skills, reduce frustration and negative behaviors.  Learning ASL is a win-win, for deaf and hearing populations.  Your child has nothing to lose by being bilingual and bicultural. To learn more about ASL or see many practice sites visit here: ASL

5- Check out these wonderful groups I have listed below who only want to help your deaf or hard of hearing (HOH) child and your family as a whole.

6- There has been a plethora of material written and filmed about the deaf community, mainstreaming of deaf children into hearing schools and the cochlear implant.  Two seminole films are THROUGH DEAF EYES and SOUND and FURY (make sure you watch the first and second films for SOUND and FURY to get the whole story).  Both are available on PBS.org, NETFLIX and online for purchase. Both were required viewing for my ASL college level courses.  Students with preconceived notions about deafness were “blown away” by both films, especially THROUGH DEAF EYES.

If you have any more questions please feel free to post here or go to SIGNING FAMILIES on FACEBOOK. Let us ALL learn from each other.

There is no way possible that I could list ALL the wonderful websites dedicated to helping Deaf/ HOH children and families.  Please feel free to add your favorites in the comment section.  PLEASE visit SIGNING FAMILIES LINKS for a more thorough list, too.

To help with literacy of deaf children and support for families:

ASL INSIDE

PROJECT NADINE
CODA 365
 CLERC’s CHILDREN

Gallaudet Clerc Center: http://clerccenter.gallaudet.edu/

DEAF LITERACY ACADEMY

These organizations or businesses help children’s literacy in general, many with a bilingual- bicultural element

EARLY CHILDHOOD NEWS

LANGUAGE CASTLES

abcteach.com

CEDAR VALLEY PUBLISHING

Education.com

MomtoMadre.com

Social -Emotional Development help can be found here:

KIDLUTIONS

MICHELE BORBA

EARLY CHILDHOOD BLOGS were listed in bulk here too by the Guide to Online Schools: http://www.guidetoonlineschools.com/tips-and-tools/early-childhood-blogs

Thanks for reading

~Louise



So You Think You Can Sign?

Published on by LouiseSattler3 Comments
ASL sign for COMPLAIN. Make this sign with a CLAW handshape and don't forget to scrunch your face!
The I LOVE YOU hand! I don't know how long it took for me to learn that this sign was comprised of three letters of the ASL alphabet.. I, L and Y...
ASL sign for PARTY. Of course, as a college student this was a must learn beginner's sign!

I have been asked on numerous occasions to recite the reasons why I learned American Sign Language (ASL) thirty-something years ago when I was a student at the land of Blue Hens- The University of Delaware.  And I laugh each time.  You see, way back when I met some really groovy gals in my dorm complex who were taking up this “sign language” for fun and to suffice their college language credits. The first word they showed me in sign was COMPLAIN!  Yep, I learned to kvetch in sign before anything else.   I was fascinated of the prospect of using this silent language in addition to the few other spoken languages I knew.  So, I started to take sign classes/ workshops/seminars… and haven’t stopped since.

Now not all of my sign language training was pretty.  I started by learning something called SIGNING EXACT ENGLISH  (SEE).  Nowadays, I admonish any student that uses SEE in my ASL classroom, although I maintain a healthy respect for it’s applications as a teaching tool when it comes to the instruction of  language arts and reading in the elementary years. It should come to no surprise that I have learned to shop ASL, too.  Which explains the countless bookshelves of  my huge collection of sign language dictionaries, signed movies and even a stamping set to make cute little ASL notes.

Which brings me to present day. As fate would have it, I was able to meld together my love of sign language and developmental psychology in to one company- SIGNING FAMILIES.  I would like to think that my little company is one that helps to build communication bridges one SIGN at a time.  It gives me great joy to see people of all ages and abilities learning to use their hands for communication.  Maybe one day it will be you?!

 

Enjoy learning my “first” signs (above) and visit SIGNING FAMILIES on FACEBOOK or the website to learn many, many more!  For more information on sign language, SIGNING FAMILIES  and a whole ton more.. visit SIGNING FAMILIES.. http://www.signingfamilies.com

 

PAY ATTENTION... there is a somewhat important message here....

 

 

AND NOTE:  If you are a mom or dad blogger and wish to preview our new materials for educators, healthcare staff,  rescuers, disaster relief shelter workers and more- please contact me via our website or Facebook page.  THANKS!

GREAT BLOGGERS- SPECIAL EDUCATION / PARENT RESOURCE EDITION

Published on by LouiseSattler2 Comments

I have written now a few blogs about women who I admire because of their fascinating, inspiring and amusing blogs. Today, I want to feature blogs that are dedicated to our friends within the special education community. As an educator, I admire the people who are in the trenches of special education beyond measure.  These are three of my favorite blogs….maybe they will become yours, too!


Tiffani Lawton is the mom, educator and drive behind one of the best websites for families living with a child with Autism (or on the spectrum).  Tiffani recently described OJTA as follows, “Where professionals and parents meet up…. We bring in the private practice community like OT, PT, ST, Sound Therapy, etc.  We bring in personal perspectives from individuals on the spectrum.  We have mama’s sharing their journey.  We have holistic moms sharing their resources.”

Tiffani is tireless.  She makes my ADHD self seem in slow motion.  Tiffani has added a short-radio program and  teleclasses to her platform.  This is a must visit site!

Bravo to this dynamo and please support her efforts by connecting the following way: http://www.ourjourneythruautism.com

The Spirit of Autism is another site generated by the love of a parent and dedicated to helping others.  What makes this site extraordinary is that the author is also a paramedic!  I have used the amazing materials for First Responders on this website to help others in the medical field understand how to approach a child with autism who during a critical incident or a disaster.  I adore this website and think that Debi’s spirit is contagious.  Although a niche, this site should be considered a “must bookmark”.  Educators take note- there is tons of info here for you , too!

Follow Debi on Twitter as @spiritofautism


The Coffee Klatch is what is RIGHT about social media.  Had it not been for TWITTER (@TheCoffeeKlatch or #TCK) I would never have discovered this amazing group.

This group is a wealth of information for so many!  A group of parents and experts joining together to be a support and resource for each other! Their social media presence is second to none. On Twitter they conduct frequent forums open to anyone with the hashtag #TCK.  Topics range from information about different disorders,  to educational assessment, to behavioral strategies recommended by parents and professionals-  and much more!  Also, they have a presence of FACEBOOK and BLOG TALK RADIO. Note- If you want to know the pulse of what parents are asking or need – look no further than this organization!


Please feel free to add your favorite special education blogs in the comment section!

ALSO… I am proud to announce the launch of  LouiseSattler.com.  See my video describing this site in voice and ASL here: http://louisesattler.com/about

ALSO…. read a ton of my favorite women bloggers on the *NEW* HerInsight website: http://www.herinsight-voices.com


Thaddeus Setla- Helping Train and Entertain EMS

Published on by LouiseSattlerLeave a comment

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is a topic I have written about several times in within this blog.  Many of you are familiar with my interest for educating paramedics, trauma specialists and nurses how to use sign language effectively  with people who use sign as their primary or secondary mode for communication. The response has been overwhelmingingly positive thanks to the help of a few friends, Thaddeus Setla included!

Thaddeus is known throughout the EMS community as the filmmaker and catalyst behind the Chronicles of EMS  (CoEMS) and a fun little forum known as a Seat at the Round Table.   Chronicles of EMS is a series which has garnered the attention of people within the film and EMS communities as an outstanding independent attempt to have everyday people and EMS personnel sneak a peek in to the life and times of daily medical services within the field.  Whether the Chronicles of EMS spotlights a serious critical incident or how EMS personnel are called in to action simply to find out that a homeless person is seeking free medical care and attention in a hospital, the stories are always interesting.

I had the opportunity to interview Thaddeus and will hope to do so again, soon!  I also am privileged to have been invited to San Fransciso in order to film a segment, two or three regarding special needs children and how EMS can best assist them during a medical or disaster event.

Here is our interview and also please visit and SUPPORT the Chronicles of EMS. This quality filmmaker and the people involved with CoEMS deserve a shot in the spotlight through PBS, Discovery Health Channel or any other network which cares about showing a quality story to many.

Here is our interview on the VIMEO CHANNEL (and when I can figure out how to get it to upload correctly- it will appear here too):     http://vimeo.com/17246709


A SUPER SURPRISE from CANSON/ Papershow and ABCTeach.com !!

Published on by LouiseSattler17 Comments

Anyone who follows my show, Learning and Laughter with Louise! will know that I am passionate and a bit of a zealot when it comes to supporting educators and families.  I even try to make my enthusiasm contagious which is why when people within the educational realm listen and respond to the show, I get really excited.   So, imagine my excitement when two super companies called today saying that they wanted to give unbelievable giveaways during the next couple of weeks! Read below to see who and what is being offered!

First, next Wednesday, August 18th I will be talking to Giulia Giovanelli, Product Manager for the super company- CANSON. They have developed the PAPERSHOW. What is the PAPERSHOW and why did it get my attention?  In essence, the Papershow is a digital writing solution that enables the teacher to instantly display handwritten notes from the paper to the screen.  For a classroom, this is breathrough technology compared to what has been available in the last ten years. A teacher can write from anywhere in the classroom and keep their eyes on the students!  Also, CANSON offers on their website many constructive examples of the application for the Papershow within the classroom.

Papershow is so new it is only  available starting September 2010 for MAC and PC computers!  Connect with PAPERSHOW on FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/papershowus?ref=ts

Here is the GREAT NEWS!  One lucky educator can win the TEACHER’S EDITION STARTER KIT for their classroom (VALUE $249).  Included in this kit is the following:

  • 1 PAPERSHOW Bluetooth® digital pen.
  • 1 Bluetooth® 512 MB USB key containing the PAPERSHOW application.
  • 1 large 128-page interactive book with small squares.
  • 30 sheets of letter interactive printer paper.
  • 1 detachable and interactive EXTRA ruler with colours and calculator.
  • Accessories: 1 binder, 1 carry case, 1 AAA battery, 3 ballpoint pen refills, and rings to personalise the USB key and pen.

How can you be eligible to win this great prize?

There are three ways you can be eligible to win.  You may leave a comment on all three website to increase your chances to win.  You MUST write why you want to be the winner for this wonderful prize!  (We will use a random service to pick the winner and contact the winner by 9 p.m. August 19th)

First, Leave your comment on my WORDPRESS BLOG as to why you wish to have the PAPERSHOW: http://louisesattler.com/

Second- Leave a comment about why you would love the CANSON PAPERSHOW for your classroom on my Learning and Laughter with Louise! FACEBOOK PAGE- http://www.facebook.com/pages/LEARNING-and-LAUGHTER-with-LOUISE-SATTLER/111990452155127

Third- Leave a comment about why you would love the CANSON  PAPERSHOW for your classroom on my SIGNING FAMILIES™ page- http://www.facebook.com/pages/United-States/SIGNING-FAMILIES/108062343239?ref=ts

Want to see Papershow in action!  Here is the video!

Secondly, meet our generous friends from

I first “met” Sandy Kemsley via a mutual friend, Shara Lawrence-Weiss of MommyPerks.com.   I was happy to be introduced to a “hands on” site for teachers.  I even bought my niece a year subscription for her birthday last year and she was thrilled!  Sandy and I recently were talking about her Wednesday, August 25th segment for Learning and Laughter with Louise! She generously offered not one, not two, but TEN one-year subscriptions to her website- abcteach.com !   Ten lucky winners will be able to use a pleth

ora of online resources to use within their classroom or homeschool environments.  (My favorite section is ABCTools! Here you can create what you need for the classroom setting! WOW! )

How can you win?  Easy shmeezy… go to the links above and tell us why you want the  abcteach subscription.  We will pick FIVE WINNERS on AUGUST 18th and FIVE MORE on AUGUST 26th (9p.m.EST).

Connect with abcteach.com on FACEBOOK here: http://www.facebook.com/abcteach?ref=ts

Questions?  Please feel free to contact me at info@signingfamilies.com

Have a great day and thanks for reading!

Disclaimer- I received no free products for this blog. NADA!

Louise Masin Sattler is a busy psychologist and owner of Signing Families™.  She also is honored to be part of the HerInsight Network Catch her show, Learning and Laughter with Louise! every Wednesday at 9 a.m. EST.  Coffee optional.  Laughing is mandatory.

Laugh with Louise on Twitter as @LouiseASL