Lisa Jo Rudy

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About Lisa Jo Rudy
Lisa Jo Rudy had been a professional education writer for more than twelve years when her son, Tom, was diagnosed with a form of autism. Right away, she began researching and writing about the topic. In 2006, she became the About.com Guide to Autism (www.autism.about.com) - a medically-reviewed New York Times Company website containing thousands of articles, blogs and reader-generated articles. At the same time, Lisa also became involved with building awareness of and opportunities for kids and families living with autism. Working with a local YMCA, she developed an inclusive summer camp program; working with museum professionals she wrote and presented papers for informal education professionals on "Welcoming Kids Who Learn Differently."
Lisa's new book, "Get Out, Explore and Have Fun: How Families of Children With Autism or Asperger Syndrome Can Get the Most Out of Community Activities," offers parents of children on the autism spectrum a rich and varied menu of suggestions for how families can take full part in community life and support the strengths and interests of their child at the same time. Inside are not only resources and insights but also tools to share with community leaders interested in including children with autism in everything from sports to theater to Sunday school.
Lisa Jo Rudy writes for museums, publishers, universities and educational organizations including National Geographic, Space Telescope and the National Science Foundation. Her credits include over a dozen books and hundreds of articles, blogs, curricula and publications for children and adults on topics ranging from autism to zoology.
Lisa's new book, "Get Out, Explore and Have Fun: How Families of Children With Autism or Asperger Syndrome Can Get the Most Out of Community Activities," offers parents of children on the autism spectrum a rich and varied menu of suggestions for how families can take full part in community life and support the strengths and interests of their child at the same time. Inside are not only resources and insights but also tools to share with community leaders interested in including children with autism in everything from sports to theater to Sunday school.
Lisa Jo Rudy writes for museums, publishers, universities and educational organizations including National Geographic, Space Telescope and the National Science Foundation. Her credits include over a dozen books and hundreds of articles, blogs, curricula and publications for children and adults on topics ranging from autism to zoology.
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Blog postI'm excited to let you know that I'm going to be writing a new book, due out next October from Jessica Kingsley. The title is yet to be determined, but the intent is to provide community organizations (everything from ball clubs to museums to conservatories) with the information, models, troubleshooting ideas and fundraising resources to include kids, teens and families with autism in their programs and events.
Much more on this soon - I'll be needing your help!10 years ago Read more -
Blog postLisa Jo Rudy is a professional writer, researcher and consultant, and the mother of a 13-year-old boy with an autism spectrum disorder. Since 2006, she has been the 'About.com Guide to Autism', a part of The New York Times Company. Lisa has more than twenty years of experience in developing hands-on exhibits, interactive games, books and activities for kids with every learning style. She is passionate about creating opportunities for young people to build on their abilities, strengths a11 years ago Read more
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Blog postWhen Tom was seven, we went to the library. The children's library was downstairs, while the adult books were on the second level. Somehow I thought Tom was right behind me when I headed upstairs -- but he wasn't.
Of course, we were reunited within just a couple of minutes, but the sense of anxiety and loss has stuck with him all these years. As a result, it can be very tough for Tom to be on his own in a public place, out of sight of mom or dad, even at the age of11 years ago Read more -
Blog postToday, new reviews of Get Out, Explore and Have Fun by blogger Kim Wombles and parent/advocate Stan Jaskiewicz (who is quoted in the book) highlight the reality that it's not always easy to find one's place in the autism community. All too often, we are swayed by the expectations of others, or by the sometimes-ferocious politics within the autism community itself. How do you rise above the noise to find a direction that works for you and your family?
Here's what Stan - a11 years ago Read more -
Blog postCurious what's inside Get Out, Explore, Have Fun? I'm pleased to say that I've placed samples from the book on my website. But if you want a taste right now, here's just one of the three excerpts I've posted:
Exploring Your Options (Yes, you have options!) Today, the YMCA, Boy and Girl Scouts, museums, and an incredible range of community and private programs are very aware of the huge rise in kids with “special needs.” Fewer and fewer program11 years ago Read more -
Blog postChances are, if you have a child on the autism spectrum, he or she learns in many different ways. She may learn visually or aurally. He may learn through hands-on experience, through music or through nature. But the fact is, most kids with autism do NOT learn well through conversation, lecture, or reading aloud.
There's a simple reason for this: autism, by definition, involves language and communication deficits. Even people with Asperger syndrome can h11 years ago Read more -
Blog postSpurred on by a fascination for a Disney cartoon for young children called Little Einsteins (a program created to introduce kids to fine art and music), our son developed an interest in the impressionist painter Claude Monet. Whenever he saw a library book about the painter he'd borrow it... whenever he saw a print of the Waterlilies, he'd point it out.
Last year, building on Tom's interest, we did a homeschool unit on the impressionists.
We started with a s11 years ago Read more -
Blog postIt may sound a bit odd to call a book about autism “Get Out, Explore and Have Fun.” After all, autism is a disorder – and for most parents, getting out and exploring is hardly the first priority. But the fact is that, while therapies and school are important, getting out and exploring the community with your child on the autism spectrum may be even more important.
Why?
There are a few big reasons, and a thousand smaller ones. The biggest reasons, of course, are your11 years ago Read more -
Blog postThanks, Brett Miller, for your review of an early galley of Get Out, Explore, Have Fun on "Good Reads." A short excerpt:
If you are the parent of a young - or not so young - autistic child, you should get and read this book. And give a copy to your child's teacher, their IEP case worker, the IEP team.
Life is for living, even for an autistic child, and this book reminds us why this is true and how to make it happen.
11 years ago Read more -
Blog postBowling and autism?!
Bowling takes coordination, arm strength and patience, involves a good deal of loud noise, and takes place in a location where strong smells and florescent lights are the norm. Sounds like the last sport a person would autism would take up.
Yet over and over again I've seen kids and teens with autism thrive in bowling allies. I'm not sure what it is about the sport... maybe it's the repetition (get up, bowl, sit down); perhaps its11 years ago Read more -
Blog postDon't get me wrong: I know perfectly well that every child, autistic or not, needs structure, limits, boundaries and direction.
But there's more to life than being appropriate. And there's so much more to being fully human.
Stanley Greenspan, creator of the "Floortime" approach to autism therapy, says it beautifully on one of his weekly podcasts:But how do we help a child become engaged? Now we are talking about pleasure and joy and excitement. We’re ba11 years ago Read more -
Blog postJust discovered a jigsaw-puzzle-making website. A perfect match for autism awareness!11 years ago Read more
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Blog postLibraries aren't always easy for kids on the autism spectrum. Public librarians are unlikely to have training in welcoming kids with special needs - and the written and unwritten rules of conduct are quite strict. Unnecessary noise is a no-no. Pacing, flicking, or other kinds of behaviors may draw nasty looks.
Yet the public library can be a wonderful destination for a child with autism when the situation is right.
It took us years to acclimate Tom to11 years ago Read more -
Blog postI'm starting to set up speaking engagements to support the launch of "Get Out, Explore, Have Fun!"
So far, I have three planned: May 21 Acton MA Childrens Museum June 2 Cape Cod Childrens Museum July 8 Autism Society of America conference in DallasOf course, I'll provide more detailed information on each of these events as they get closer. Meanwhile, though, if you're interested in having me speak - in person or for a podcast, radio or TV - please get in touch!11 years ago Read more -
Blog post"Building on your child's passions" sounds like a wonderful idea. Why not teach a train-loving child using books about trains, train-related math, history of trains, drawing trains, train music, and so forth? Why not visit train museums, take rides on trains, practice social skills in train stations?
All of these ideas are terrific - provided your child's interest in trains (or legos or Pokeman or football stats or anything else) is truly a passion and not simp11 years ago Read more -
Blog postIt will be months before the book comes out, but because Jessica Kingsley Publishing has already sent out galley copies, the first review is in. Autism blogger "Whitterer on Autism" offers a really positive response to the book - highlighting its practicality and positive perspective:
Sometimes you read the title of a book and cringe inside – ‘great concept but how exactly am I supposed to do that?’ Lisa Jo fails to give me a glib reply – no, ‘how to fix it quick’ re11 years ago Read more -
Blog postIf you think getting your child with autism through the grocery store is tough, why would even consider taking your child to the children's museum? In fact, you may discover that your local children's museum is a fabulous place for a child with autism. Not only are there wonderful opportunities for your child to experiment, run, learn and have fun - but there are also rich possibilities for verbal and non-verbal play with other children or with you.Most children's museums include rep11 years ago Read more
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Blog postHow could your child's fascination for Thomas the Tank engine be an entree to community inclusion? Here, in an excerpt from Get Out, Explore, Have Fun! are some thoughts on the subject.
For reasons yet to be fully explained, kids with autism are almost universally crazy about Thomas. This may sound like a problem, but in fact it’s a terrific opportunity. That’s because train museums around the world have embraced Thomas (the photo to the left shows two "real&q11 years ago Read more -
Blog postWhen you have a homeschooled child with autism who plays the clarinet pretty well, it's quite a challenge to find the right place for him to play in an ensemble. But it's always seemed to us that we should build on Tom's strengths, and if you have a kid who is a solid musician who enjoys the instrument and gets a kick out of playing with an ensemble... it's seems like a no brainer that he should be a part of a band.
Ordinarily, kids who play in the band are not homeschoo11 years ago Read more -
Blog postThe word "inclusion" sounds simple. In fact, though, it can mean many things to many people - which is part of the reason it's so tough to implement. For example...There's "partial inclusion," wherein a child with autism is included for brief periods of time or in selected settings. In school, partial inclusion could mean "inclusion only in math," or "inclusion only in music," etc.There's "full inclusion with support," in which11 years ago Read more
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Blog postMusic and autism seem to go together, though the reasons are not completely clear. In fact, some people surmise that Mozart may have been diagnosable on the autism spectrum. Quite a few people on the autism spectrum (including our son) have perfect pitch - the ability to identify a tone without any point of reference. This is a wonderful gift for for any musician! When he was five, Tom got his first music therapy session. Since he was seven, he's been taking instrum11 years ago Read more
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Blog postThe simple pleasures in life are not beyond the means of your child with autism. In fact, as we learned one summer in Sandwich, MA, autism can even enhance those simple pleasures.
Under this boardwalk, in the muddy tidal marsh, live hundreds of green crabs. They're not good eating. But toss in a hot-dog-baited hook on a line, and they're great fun to catch.
Of course, it takes a little practice to hoist a crab up on a drop line. And it takes a litt11 years ago Read more -
Blog postIf you've seen or read anything about Temple Grandin, you know she's an autistic adult with an incredible connection to animals. Grandin isn't alone: many people on the spectrum connect strongly with animals. Even so, though, I was a little nervous when I took Tom and his sister to a local stable to try horseback riding.
That was five years ago.
Since then, while we haven't gotten into competitive horseback riding, we did send both kids to the stables11 years ago Read more -
Blog postNot every kid loves soccer. Yes, it's true, and I'll say it again: not every kid loves soccer. But don't let your child's difficulty with team sports turn you or your child away from sports or physical fitness!
For kids with autism, team sports like soccer, football, hockey and basketball can be excruciatingly difficult, as they combine non-verbal and verbal communication, face and "mind" reading, complex physical coordination, and a clear grasp of what it mean11 years ago Read more -
Blog postOver the years, I've had plenty of disappointing, even embarrassing moments with my son on the autism spectrum.
It all started at Gymboree. No, he wasn't the only two-year-old who wanted to keep playing on the equipment when all the other kids and moms made a big circle and started to sing. But he WAS the only kid who flat out refused to do anything at all with other kids (except pop bubbles).
Sure, the leaders told me this happened all the time...&nbs11 years ago Read more
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Books By Lisa Jo Rudy
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Lisa Jo Rudy
$19.22
Many families with a child with autism or Asperger Syndrome feel that involvement in the community is not for them. This book sets out to change that, with a rich and varied menu of suggestions for how such families can take full part in community life and support the strengths and interests of their child at the same time. Informal learning experiences can be the key to self-discovery, communication, self-confidence, and even independence for many children on the autism spectrum. Only outside the four walls of school will your child truly discover their own passions, abilities, and social peers.
Get Out, Explore, and Have Fun is a guide to what's out there, how to find it, and how to make it work for your family. The book includes hints and tips for involving your family in the right community activities, from sport to science; information on museums, arts organizations and science institutions as venues for an enjoyable and enriching day out for the family; and resources and ideas for helping your child build on their strengths, interests, and preferred learning styles to explore life in the community. Handouts about autism are included, as well as handouts suggesting ways in which organisations and institutions can successfully include young people with autism in their activities.
This book will open the door to community inclusion, creative exploration, and social learning.
Get Out, Explore, and Have Fun is a guide to what's out there, how to find it, and how to make it work for your family. The book includes hints and tips for involving your family in the right community activities, from sport to science; information on museums, arts organizations and science institutions as venues for an enjoyable and enriching day out for the family; and resources and ideas for helping your child build on their strengths, interests, and preferred learning styles to explore life in the community. Handouts about autism are included, as well as handouts suggesting ways in which organisations and institutions can successfully include young people with autism in their activities.
This book will open the door to community inclusion, creative exploration, and social learning.
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