About Autism Spectrum Disorder

About one in 100 children is challenged by ASD, and the numbers are growing at a staggering rate which is increasing the need for these service dogs that are specifically trained to mitigate the growing number of challenges these special children and their families face.

For children challenged by Autism and their families, a simple outing to a shopping mall, an excursion to the grocery store, or an afternoon errand is often a sheer impossibility. When attempted, these seemingly normal family activities often result in behavioral meltdowns, tantrums, wandering, and a multitude of dangerous behaviors which could easily endanger the entire family while in busy parking lots, in public places, and in crowds.

Further challenges are experienced in public when the individual challenged with Autism is unfairly ridiculed, and judged, often along with the parents and siblings, by uninformed or ignorant passers-by who mistakenly judge the child as misbehaving, undisciplined, or being raised by “bad parents.”

Things are not much better at home for these same families. Often these young people affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders escape during the night, damage property by head banging, kicking, or throwing objects or even themselves. Sometimes they eat unacceptable items from the home and yard. Many of them engage in repetitious behaviors both at home and in their educational environments.

When things are at their worst, parents and siblings are in a constant state of stress, duress, exhaustion, and sleep deprivation. Marriages fall apart, siblings endure physical and emotional consequences, and the families, as a whole, are taxed physically, emotionally, and financially.

How Pawsitive Service Dog Solutions Helps with ASD

Recently, hundreds of families dealing with ASD have found peace of mind, reprieve, safety, security, and a new sense of freedom and normalcy due to the relatively new existence of Autism Service Dogs. These highly trained service dogs not only help to keep a child from wandering, can find a child in a crowd, can help halt repetitive behaviors, can calm meltdowns and prevent them, but they serve as a reminder and educational tool of awareness to the public that the child has a disability and needs compassion and empathy rather than judgment and ridicule.

Several organizations are beginning to fill this growing niche and serve families struggling with Autism’s unique challenges. Pawsitive Service Dog Solutions is one such non-profit organization whose mission is to train and partner healthy, reliable, exclusively bred, highly-trained service dogs with individuals of all ages challenged by Autism Spectrum Disorders and other developmental disabilities.

An organization’s cost to raise, train, and place an Autism Service Dog isn’t cheap, running between $20,000-30,000 per dog. Pawsitive Service Dog Solutions are overcoming the cost barrier by providing these highly-trained dogs to their families with little or no cost to the recipient families by cooperative fund raising efforts, scholarships, grants, and donations.

In addition to the wonderful support and safety measures they offer, an Autism Service Dog often becomes a friend that the child may speak to when they won’t speak to adults.

About Autism Service Dogs

These dogs are also frequently fitted with two leashes — one for the child to hold or be tethered to and another one for the parent/handler/caregiver to hold. The dog will accept commands from the parent/handler/caregiver, thus providing a new sense of freedom and safety for the child and the parents. Some children have even been known to give verbal commands to the dog even when they won’t speak to anyone else.

Best of all, service dogs help people challenged by Autism to communicate with the world around them. Being with a service dog often helps lengthen attention spans and improves the ability to focus longer on people and tasks. Service dogs help increase the willingness of those with Autism to communicate with others and to make improved eye contact. All of this can happen when a child’s life is enriched with an Autism Service Dog.

How To Help Pawsitive Dog Solutions

Besides making tax deductible donations, you can volunteer to become a Puppy Raiser. It takes four to ten months to open your home and donate your time to raise and teach a puppy to become an Autism Service Dog. You can also spread the word and learn more about Pawsitive Dog Solutions from their website and their Facebook page.

About the author:
Carmel L. Mooney is Executive Director of Pawsitive Service Dog Solutions, dedicated to training and partnering highly skilled service dogs with individuals of all ages challenged by Autism Spectrum Disorder. www.pawsitivesolutions.org

You can still join and take part in of Mom Bloggers For Social Good. Once you do, you’ll get weekly emails about new charity partners and what you can do to help. It can be as simple as sending out a tweet or writing a blog post. There are a number of social causes that you can choose that interest you including:

• Children
• Maternal Health
• Women & Girls
• HIV & AIDS
• Environment & Climate
• Malaria & Tuberculosis
• Fair Trade
• Workers Rights
• Food Security
• Communicable Disease
• Water Issues

Working together as a network of bloggers and using our social media voices, through Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, etc. we can make a huge difference for people in need and the nonprofits that aim to help them. Join us by signing up. Right now there are 500 Founding Members! You can also follow Mom Bloggers for Social Good on Twitter at @socialgoodmoms and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mom-Bloggers-for-Social-Good/124385917679260. The hashtag is #socialgoodmoms.

Being involved in this network is a dream come true for me. I’ve been an advocate for nonprofits and social causes for a while now on my blog, but working along with other amazing bloggers with Mom Bloggers for Social Good will make the difference by gaining a bigger audience. Thanks to the other Founding Members and those to come and of course to Jennifer James for her inspiration and putting her thoughts into action.

My nonprofit of choice was Blessings in a Backpack again this year, located at Spring Hill Elementary. Groups or individuals are asked to adopt a school. Here, in Hernando County, FL, this honor goes to People Helping People along with sponsoring partners and financial supporters.  They actually administer the program in all of the elementary schools in the county. Children in this program receive a backpack every Friday filled with nutritious, non-perishable food for themselves and for their siblings. This provides needed nourishment for the weekend and helps the students return to school ready to learn. Some of these children wouldn’t have food if it weren’t for this amazing nonprofit. So, imagine what their holidays would be like when it comes to gifts. Random Acts of ZHU gave them something they could treasure.

Since I wasn’t feeling well enough to make the trip to deliver the gifts from Cephia, LLC, my in-laws drove my daughter, Sammi to the school. She was thrilled to take part in this because this was her elementary school. But, after giving the gifts to the guidance counselor, Mr. Cruz, Sammi felt those warm fuzzies that often happen when you give without receiving. This was a defining moment for her as well this year.

Delivering the Zhu Puppies and Goodies

Posing with Zhu Puppies

I was able to see a photo of just a small group of the many children who received gifts from Random Acts of ZHU. I’m happy to share it with you. I believe it says so much:

The Children and Their Gifts

I’ve been reviewing and buying ZHU-NIVERSE toys including Zhu-Zhu Pets and am a big fan. Their toys are designed to make children smile. The Random Acts of ZHU program makes me put Cephia right up at the top of my faves list though because of their willingness to give to charity and work with bloggers who take this to heart. Thank you for allowing me to do this again and to smile.

Local Listings

Zaarly already has over $11 million dollars listed in over 200 cities, so they’re doing something right. Big cities have lots of listings, but I was able to find a few in my small podunk town. You can expand your search easily by changing the area, or keep it close to home by using cross streets.

The holiday season is bringing out people asking for Christmas trees, all types of gifts and even an ugly Christmas sweater! You’ll find some interesting and unique ideas on Zaarly, but be sure to follow the Marketplace Rules for safety and saving yourself from getting scammed. If there’s a listing you see that you want for yourself, for example, hiring someone to organize your closet,  it’s easy to add it once you sign up for Zaarly. There’s even an app for Zaarly to make it easier to list and answer your requests.

Donation for Signing up

Sign up on  Zaarly today, and when you do Zaarly will donate $1 to Feeding America. Just click this specific Zaarly link. Each donation represents a gift to Feeding America’s entire mission. $1= 8 meals secured by Feeding America on behalf of local food banks.

Giveaway

Win a $50 Visa Card! Please use Rafflecopter for your entries.

I wasn’t compensated for this post, but wanted to share about a service that is helpful and a way to raise money for Feeding America.

Choices for giving to Samaritan’s Purse are broken down into categories:

• Ministry to Children
• Gifts Under $15
• Operation Christmas Child
• World Evangelism
• Meeting Crisis Needs
• Transforming Communities
• Farms and Livestock

Each gift has a suggested donation amount, but you can donate what you can. Learn about the programs, what areas of the world Samaritan’s Purse serves, where the money donated goes and stay updated about news by visiting their Facebook page and their Twitter Account. The main thing to know that giving to Samaritan’s Purse, means giving hope.

At this time of year, it’s easy to feel charitable and care about others in need. Maybe it’s because some of us have so much and realize that there are too many that have so little. Maybe it’s because we are more aware of the need at this time of year? For me, it’s tradition. We make small donations throughout the year, larger if there’s a catastrophe. Then starting around November, I choose the nonprofits I want to make donations to and divide up our funds. Samaritan’s Purse is always one nonprofit that we give to during the holiday season. I hope that you will too.

Samaritan’s Purse is a non-profit, Christian relief organization that helps meet needs of victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease, and famine with the purpose of sharing God’s love through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Jockey International, known for “Satisfying the Human Need for Comfort”, launched Jockey Being Family in 2005. Their goal is to provide information and access to services to adoptive families and to donate needed funds to nonprofits supporting adoption. Since 2005, Jockey Being Family has donated more than $2.5 million dollars in financial and in-kind support. They continue to raise funds and one way is with their Jockey Being Family Bear. For each bear sold, Jockey will donate $3 to charities supporting adoption.

Jockey also helps its own. In 2005, it increased its employee adoption benefits to offer $10,000 per child, per year, for each newly adopted child. Through the Jockey Being Family program, raising funds, providing resources and spreading the word about how adoption can help the more than 118,000 children in the United States public foster care system awaiting adoption can be even more successful with your help.

The Jockey Being Family Bear is approximately 11″ x 5″, is cuddly, cute and wears a backpack. You can name your bear and get a printed certificate. Purchase price is $8.50.

Giveaway – One Jockey Being Family Bear

Rules

1. Contest starts now and ends November 23, 2011
2. Open to adults 18 and over within the USA
3. One submission per household (not entry)
4. Winner will be chosen by Random.org
5. Winner has 2 days to claim prize via email

How To Enter

For One Entry For Each Below: (please leave a separate comment for each entry)

1. Let me know your thoughts on adoption. Are you adopted? Have you adopted? Know someone who is adopted? Tell me about it.

For extra entries:
2. Follow ConnieFoggles on Twitter. Please leave a comment that you did along with your Twitter ID
3. Share this post on Facebook by using the Facebook Like button. Please leave a comment that you did along with your Facebook ID.
4. Tweet this exactly. You may tweet this daily: (leave a link to your tweet):

#Win a @Jockey Being Family Bear for Adoption Month @ConnieFoggles http://bit.ly/vfeE6m #giveaway

I was provided with a Jockey Being Family Bear and one will be provided for the giveaway. I’m thrilled to share information on Jockey Being Family campaign and Adoption Month because I believe adoption is an important means to creating a family. All opinions are my own.

Giveaway Ended

I’ve always had open communication with my daughters, by talking about serious topics in a non-threatening manner and by listening. They know that they can tell me anything and that I’ll do all I can to help them. Talking to them about the consequences of their decisions, from not completing homework to trying drugs is part of our discussions. When they have questions or have made mistakes, it’s easier for them to come to me and talk about it because of our past discussions.  The Meth Project wants the same thing to happen – open communication. Their website not only provides information, but a place for tweens and teens to Speak Up without judgement.

The Meth Project has created four new, hard-hitting videos directed by Darren Aronofsky, who most recently directed “Black Swan” with Natalie Portman. They are graphic, but there’s no sugar-coating for this nonprofit. Their goal is to share the dangers of Meth.

Note: This is a graphic video that may not be appropriate for children.

Some facts about Meth:

• The majority of US counties report Meth as their most serious drug problem—more often than cocaine and marijuana combined?
• 45 states reported a 90% increase in Meth-related crime from 2004-2007?
• Meth is a highly addictive synthetic stimulant that affects the pleasure centers of the brain.
• Meth is more addictive than heroin.
•  Meth can be swallowed, snorted, smoked, or injected.

We can put our focus on our Thanksgiving dinners, our holiday decorations and our families, or we can do something to help prevent someone from trying Meth by sharing the message of The Meth Project, or help someone who is using Meth.

The Meth Project on Twitter – https://twitter.com/#!/methproject

The Meth Project on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/MethProject

Details of the Cheerios Cheer Campaign:

1. Look for specially marked boxes of Cheerios – on the front of the box, you’ll see a cutout of a postcard around the letters “Cheer” in Cheerios
2. Cut out the card
3. Write a personal note – encourage our military families by letting them know you care about them, thank them for all that they do, support them by ensuring them that you’re in your thoughts and prayers. A picture drawn by your child will cheer them up.
4. Put a stamp on it – all that’s needed is a stamp since the postcards are pre-adressed to the USO
5. Cheerios will donate $1 for each postcard received to the USO. A donation of $150,000 has already been made. Cheerios will donate up to another $100,000 by November 30, 2012. (more than one year from now!)
6. The special Cheerios boxes will be in stores until the end of this month, though. So, stock up while you can.

Our Military Members and their Families

As the daughter and wife of a veteran, I know personally how much those in the military give of themselves. The stress of the unknown, the fear during active duty and the sadness of families being apart can take a toll.  Now, with more than 1.4 million active duty members in the U.S. military and the many deployments, military members and their families need us now more than ever.  They are supported by more than 3.6 million family members and more than 70% of our military members have children. Families left behind are often faced with hardships. Spouses and significant others have to take on the role of a single parent, while worrying about their loved one. Let’s all do this one small act of giving thanks and showing support by sending at least one Cheerios Cheer card.

The USO

The United Services Organization – USO – is a nonprofit that has been around for 70 years. It’s goal is to lift the spirits of the American military and their families. Known for their entertainment, the USO also has centers that provide the tools needed for military families to cope with moving to a new location, dealing with difficult times and provides free dinners to families when their income is low.

Salute our military and their families with Cheerios Cheer Program. Share this with your family and friends. And make the simple, but moving step of sending a postcard to thank our military and help the USO.

I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Cheerios and received product samples to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to post.

The Avon Walk

There are several walks scheduled in the US. Each walk is a 39-mile weekend fundraising event. The walk is completed in 2 days. Registered participants spend the night at the “Wellness Village” and continue walking the next day.  During the night, members have the opportunity to meet and bond with other participants, enjoy entertainment, and learn about breast cancer.

Teams made up of people touched by breast cancer raise money that goes to the Avon Foundation for Women. Each walker must raise $1800, plus a $65 registration fee. The Avon Foundation provides resources to help raise this money.

The Avon Foundation

The Avon Foundation was founded in 1955 and divides its assistance between Domestic Violence and Breast Cancer. The Avon Walk funds go toward the breast cancer side only. “The Avon Foundation awards funding in breast cancer screening, diagnosis, treatment, support services and scientific research, including prevention and therapeutic vaccine studies.” There is a complete description on how the money is spent and where.

Why Maricris is Walking

Maricris who blogs at Zensible Mama (@MaricrisG) is talking part in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer for the fourth year. She walked in honor of her husband’s step-sister, Val, who was diagnosed with breast cancer.  Val was a wife, mother, sister, friend who fought this cancer and was brave to the end. This year, Maricris is walking in memory of Val.

Maricris has a heart for this. Even though she has recently gone through the death of her step- father, she is pushing through to take part. The loss of Val means a daughter without a mother, a husband without a wife…too much loss. Please help Maricris raise the money for donations  for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. Even a dollar helps.

Besides money to travel, Mouse-Aid gives away gift cards, admission tickets to Disney World, scooter rentals, bottles of water, and gifts.  Money is also raised by members who purchase Mouse-Aid products, such as T-Shirts and coolers. There’s a forum on Mouse-Aid, where members can cheer up other “members going through a difficult time or illness, even with a small gesture or card.” There are meet ups at Walt Disney World and other sites as well to help keep members connected, offer support and brain storm for ideas. This helps keep the community strong.

This month, September is Mouse-Aid’s third anniversary. There are currently 15 – 20 members who are regular visitors to the forum and more who visit less frequently. Besides the forum, the site includes articles written by people who have some type of health condition or are parents of children with a medical condition. On the main page, you’ll find a “Library” of articles for specific subjects such as Travel with a Disabled Child and Grief and Loss.

Beth, one of the founders, promotes the Mouse-Aid on Facebook. She met Kyle and his wife who had a son, Hayden, with a terminal condition. Kyle couldn’t find an organization to help them get Hayden to Disney World. He was too young (about a year old), but had a prognosis of 6 – 9 months. Although Kyle was dealing with the very painful news about his son, he went to work with his family and some local businesses to raise money for Hayden to visit Disney World. It was a success and was a trip that created memories for the entire family. Hayden was able to visit Disney World but passed away at almost 3 years old.

Beth recognized the need for detailed information on attractions, hotels, parks, transportation and more and financial help for people of all ages with medical and special needs. Also, families who want to return to Disney World after the loss of a family member need guidance and coping skills, so Mouse-Aid was started.

Become a member of Mouse-Aid, a sponsor, or purchase a shirt to help raise money for this nonprofit. Share the information with people you know that need some type of assistance to attend Disney World because of a medical or mental health condition. The application can be filled out online.