The Transporters

In the news recently, it was reported that Simon Baron-Cohen and his team have created a children's show to help kids with ASD learn about emotions. To read the full article, see here:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=99732203

I read the article and watched the video and one thing that I couldn't shake was that while it uses human faces, it does the same thing that Thomas the Tank Engine does. In fact, Thomas videos are one of the ways that I work on emotions with Little Bug. We talk about the faces and what the narrator is saying and in sign and speech label the emotions.

When I went to their website- thetransporters.com- I was shocked at the price- $57.50, which includes 75 minutes of video, 30 interactive quizzes, and a 36 page booklet for parents- think a teacher's guide.

Now I don't want to belittle this because it is great to have more resources to reach our children and what works for one may not work for another. I guess all I am saying is that for the cost and what it does, it may be worth looking at a library or contacting your FRC. Another option, try Thomas- seriously. It meets all the same points as the following article excerpt and is $9.99 a video and be watched for free on cable:

"Children with autism love to watch mechanical objects like vehicles," Baron-Cohen says, "probably because they're so predictable."
Each vehicle is a distinct character, including a cable car named Sally, a tractor named Barney and a tram named Charlie. Throughout each episode, their facial expressions change to match the emotions described by the narrator.
"Even if the child is focusing on the wheels going around on the vehicles, or on the levers and mechanical aspects of the vehicles, even without realizing it, they're going to be looking at the faces," Baron-Cohen says.

I applaud Mr. Baron-Cohen for his dedication and hard work. I am glad to see that ASD is getting so many resources and time. I worry for parents- often times, when we see breakthroughs like this, we think- I *have* to get that. While I would love to have Little Bug be able to watch it, $57.50 for one DVD is steep. Especially when we do the same thing with Thomas.

Video camera= ATTACK MODE

So about that video of Little Bug doing sign language.... I don't know if that is going to happen. Last night, we got out the camera and decided to do some signs. He would sign away for me until I hit the record button. It was as if the record function set off some dormant gene that was coded to get him to charge the camera in a variety of creative ways- scooting on his bottom across the floor between signs or casually standing up while he was signing to oh so slowly get nearer to the camera. Then... ATTACK OF THE 50 foot TODDLER AND HIS SMUDGING FINGER OF DOOM!!!!!!! FLEE IN HORROR!

I am hoping to get it done sometime soon- once I clean the camera and devise a way to keep him in one spot. Although, I suspect tying an anvil to his waist isn't appropriate- DARN! Seriously though, the camera comes out and he acts like a great white shark- speed in to check it out and then attack- only instead of teeth, it is tiny fingers that apparently were dipped in honey before being applied directly to the lens of DN's camera.

Little Bug often reminds me of a raccoon- he persevates on shiny objects and once he gets them in his hand, he ain't lettin go. We have figured out ways to use this to our advantage- letting him listen to music in the grocery store, letting him see the keys to calm him down, etc. The downside is that this obsession can make documenting his growth and childhood much like making a nature film- you lie in wait and then take the picture of your unsuspecting victim and hide. Its interesting and at times, I am pretty sure we should wear a pith helmet.