Give Your Old Tablet to Arts4Autism and Help an Autistic Child by Vickie Ewell!!!

Arts4Autism

 

Technology News Zone aka Arts4autism wants to give the gift of technology to autistic children. If replacing your iPad or other tech equipment, why not donate your old one?

A new Nevada nonprofit corporation, Autism Advocacy and Technology News Zone, Inc., appeared on the scene last January. Their mission? To give the gift of technology, educational assistance, music, and the arts to autistic individuals and families in need. Run by David J. Berkowitz, a tech-savvy brainiac with Asperger’s Syndrome and father to three children on the spectrum, Berkowitz wants to “pay it forward” by making a difference in the lives of those affected by autism.

Do you have a microphone or DVD player gathering dust in the closet? Are you thinking about replacing your current tablet or laptop? Do you want to update your digital camera to a newer, better model? Why not take a moment and consider how many autistic families can’t afford what you’re not using, or are about to throw away.

Cost of Raising a Child with Autism Hinders Their Future Employment Possibilities

With autism affecting at least 1 in 110 individuals, the direct and indirect costs of raising autistic children in an atmosphere of continued recession here in the United States is hitting Medicaid programs hard. According to The Autism Society, because of declining tax revenues and drained budget reserves, “the vast majority of states are proposing deep and sweeping budget cuts that will hurt families by reducing necessary and proven services.”

Reductions and cuts in health insurance, support services, sensory integration therapy, specialized school programs, family training, and employment support programs means families will either be put on a long waiting list or have to pay for their child’s needs themselves. The less funding families receive in meeting these needs, the less likely they will have money to expose their child to the world’s technological advances that could help prepare them to hold down a job – and therefore benefit society – in the future.

Autism Advocacy and Technology News Zone, Inc. Wants to Take Up the Slack

David Berkowitz, President of Autism Advocacy and Technology News Zone, Inc. and regional sales manager for a technical software company, has a passion for technology, education, music, and the arts. When researching how he could personally help his fellow autistics, he found articles and studies that showed tablets were an excellent tool to replace Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices. “There is a kindergarten class here in Nevada that is using them for education,” Berkowitz says. “I live, die, and breathe technology. Love it, as do my kids.”

Many children on the spectrum are attracted to technological devices. By capitalizing on that strong interest and obsession, it’s possible to give these kids a strong enough tech foundation to make a real difference in their lives, and the lives of their families. For example, last March, Fox News reported that an Apple iPad could help autistic kids deal with sensory overload.

Many children with autism have trouble communicating their basic needs, making a tablet extremely useful. With the help of apps, tablets provide these kids a way to unlock their “closed state” and communicate their desires and feelings, as well as educate.

Berkowitz shared that “One of my sons, 15-years old, has Asperger’s and is in tech theatre at his high school.” However, educational funding in Nevada is quite low. Berkowitz hopes to be able to receive enough donations that he can gain a 501c status, which will then enable him to help buy things like iPads that schools, families, and other organizations need.

What Can You Do to Help?

While Tech News Zone hopes to receive monetary donations that they plan to put towards buying tablets and other new tech devices for autistic individuals, schools, and other organizations – depending on their need – they also accept used equipment. “It doesn’t have to be the newest technology,” Berkowitz says. “If you don’t know what to do with your old stuff, you can donate it to Tech News Zone.” Examples might include:

Tablet PCs and iPads
musical instruments
microphones for band, choir, and drama clubs
all types of computer equipment
computer software like older Photoshop versions
PC and video games equipment
portable gaming systems
VCRs and DVD players
radios, stereos, and disc players
E-book readers
digital cameras

Basically, anything that deals with electronics, music, or the arts – including corporate sponsorships, name exposure, and anything that will help build autism awareness for their cause. Berkowitz would also like to help give autistic families tickets to plays, concerts, sporting events, or movies; and would appreciate gift cards for various electronic and tech devices.

Giving the Gift of Technology Can Change Lives

Over the past four years, each of the four houses Berkowitz rented went into foreclosure. “I have been downsized, right-sized, and left-sized,” he says. “These foreclosures have harmed our credit. My kids’ lives at times were not as fun as their peers, since we could not afford things like plays, and Disneyland.” While Berkowitz wants to reach out to everyone, his dream is to “help autistic people, their families, and Special Ed classrooms and programs.”

Before you toss away that older laptop, digital camera, tablet, or other technological device, take a minute to think about the difference you can make in someone’s life. “I have always wanted to make a difference,” Berkowitz says, “and decided to finally do it.” Like Berkowitz, you too can decide to give the gift of technology to an autistic child.

Sources

Autism Society, “The Budget Crisis,” (accessed June 14, 2011).

Fox News, John Brandon, “Is the iPad a ‘Miracle Device’ for Autism?” March 9, 2011 (accessed June 15, 2011).

Interview with the President of Autism Advocacy Technology News Zone, Inc., David Joseph Berkowitz

My early picts for Xfactor USA 2012

 

I love music, our nonprofit’s intent is to help autism via technology music and the arts!!

This young lady is quite an excellent singer–>

Freddy Combs is also very good–>

and Jillian Jensen, can totally relate have been treated different all my life, not fun.

another amazing singer is Jason Brock

I am amazingly impressed by them all, and wish them good luck.

I wish they would help us with exposure for our nonprofit as well.

Help for an Arts Foundation for Autism as seen on www.specialneeds.com

Help for an Arts Foundation for Autism

We were recently written about on specialneeds.com–>http://www.specialneeds.com/products-and-services/autism/help-arts-foundation-autism Please check them out, they are a simply great website with tons of special needs resources and articles.

Help for an Arts Foundation for Autism
Help for an Arts Foundation for Autism

This guest piece is written by a man passionate about his vision. David Berkowitz lives in Las Vegas, is an honorably discharged veteran and spent the last 20 years in sales and marketing. David lives with Asperger Syndrome and is raising three kids also on the spectrum. Looking to improve the lives of individuals with autism through technology and the arts, David wants to share a bit about his vision with our readers. He is trying to make a difference for autism, please help him in his efforts.

AUTISM ADVOCACY AND TECHNOLOGY NEWS ZONE
By David Joseph Berkowitz

As an individual with high functioning Asperger syndrome, a kind of autism, and the father of three kids who are also on the spectrum for this disorder, I have always felt a need to make a difference for the people with autism. I dream of establishing a national organization like the American Heart Association or American Cancer Society to make living on the spectrum better for those with autism related disorders. Utilizing my knowledge and passion for technology with my personal experience and interest in autism, I launched https://technewszone.com, on January 11, 2011. We are a state nonprofit seeking our 501c3. Our intent is to become a national Arts and Technology Foundation within the autism community.

We are a tech-focused state nonprofit. As we get funded we intend to help those on the autism spectrum by giving the gift of the arts and technology to make the lives of people with autism better, and to support their families and the educational facilities that serve them.

We are determined to make a difference in the lives of people with autism and their families.

Our Plan:

Our intent is to give the gift of the arts and technology through donated musical instruments, arts supplies, and tablets and along with proper training to children and young adults with autism, their families, and the educational programs and schools that could make use of them. We also plan to fund applications to use with the technology. We plan to help the arts in schools as well as promote inclusion of people on the spectrum.

Tablets and musical instruments are a very kinesthetic devices and they make learning easier for many people with autism. Tablets like Apple iPads aid in education and improve the level of involvement in many aspects of their lives. However, a decent tablet runs $400-$800 which is very expensive for most families of people with autism. In addition, musical instruments, the arts such as dance classes are very costly to the individual.

We also give the gift of music and the arts, and to save the music especially for people with autism and special needs. Schools are very short on funding especially for the arts and music. Most parents of kids with autism cannot afford instruments, band trips, choir events and other arts materials. We want to help.

We will donate musical instruments to people with autism and education to improve quality of life. In addition, we will give the resources to provide help to theatre programs in both private and in public schools, as well as other arts that accept people with autism in their programs. We strive to promote inclusion and acceptance.

In order to further the quality of life for people with autism we want to expose them to cultural events. We will donate tickets, to musical events, theater, and other arts to enrich their lives.

I feel that many people with autism are talented in the arts and music. Even if not talented in the arts, I feel they can definitely benefit from the exposure to arts, music and technology.

The first help we need is funding for our 501c3, as well as a lawyer or cpa to do the paperwork properly. We also need exposure such as on TV, in the newspaper, magazines, and web based as well. We can not do it alone and need support to make a real difference.

Please help us help others for the next school year.

We need your help to donate of tech, music and the arts for the school year starting in September. We want to give tablets to people with autism, as well as gift cards and tickets to concerts to make their holidays happier. Please go to our website now and make a donation today to help us make a difference for people with autism and their families. Even a $ 5.00 gift card or a donation on our website will make a huge difference in the quality of life for people on the autism spectrum.

We are also seeking corporate sponsors who can help us in the future as well.

In addition we need media exposure so please put a link to this article on your website as well.

Our tech and autism blog is https://technewszone.com, and we will soon have our autism nonprofit site up as well at http://www.autismhelpusa.com as well soon.

To make a donation–> https://technewszone.com/tech-news-zone-and-paying-it-forward-for-autism-zone/donate-today-autism-technology-music-arts/

I am smart, different, and am going about it on my own; I am not rich and need support so that I can help other people with autism. If you are interested in helping our organization, Autism Advocacy and Technology News Zone, Please do not hesitate to contact me.

About the Author:
Autism Advocacy andTechnology News Zone, Inc. A Nevada Nonprofit Corporation

www.technewszone.com
Twitter: itechnewszone

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Autism-Advocacy-and-Technology-News-Zone-Inc

Email: davidb@technewszone.com

I was on Special Needs Talk Radio, Autism As They Grow with Bobbi Sheahan!!

Autism Help USA/Technewszone
Autism Help USA/Technewszone
Autism Help USA/Technewszone

I had the opportunity to speak on Bobbi Sheahan and Amalia Starr’s Special Needs Talk Radio, Autism As They Grow’s Second to last show. I really appreciate it.

We are trying to make a difference for people with autism for quality of life, education, vocation and to help them find enjoyment in their lives, and promote inclusion as possible in schools. We are trying to do this by giving the gift of music, the arts and technology and by partnering with tech like Android, Blackberry and Apple Ipad Tablets to schools and individuals, music, and arts related organizations and people to help us get funding and reach people.

We would love to be on more shows, to gain support and make a difference.

Here is a link to the show–>http://www.blogtalkradio.com/specialneedstalkradio/2012/05/24/autism-as-they-grow-1

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/specialneedstalkradio/2012/05/24/autism-as-they-grow-1

A bio on Bobbi Sheahan–>

Catch my new show, Autism As They Grow, on Special Needs Talk Radio, Wednesdays at 9:30 p.m. EST!

Do people suggest that your child is different – really different? Are you wondering how to make sense of your child’s behavior (or your spouse’s – or your own)? Don’t despair; help is on the way! Bobbi Sheahan and psychologist Kathy DeOrnellas, Ph.D., offer themselves as your scouts in the field. They have valuable information to share – from the moment you realize your kid is different (“My, what a quiet baby I have!”), to the self-righteous moms on the playground, to holding your marriage together in the realm of routines, they candidly tackle autism spectrum issues such as picky eating, bedtime battles, potty training, speech delays, discipline, early intervention, sibling rivalry, and much more!

Bobbi Sheahan is the mother of four children; Grace, her second-born, has been diagnosed with autism. Her new book, What I Wish I’d Known About Raising a Child With Autism: A Mom and a Psychologist Offer Heartfelt Guidance for the First Five Years, has been published by Future Horizons, the world’s largest and most authoritative autism publisher. Bobbi says, “Dr. Kathy DeOrnellas, my co-author, knows more about autism than anyone you will ever meet. Since I can’t bring you to her office – and I would if I could – this book is my way of bringing her to you.” In Chapter 2 (entitled Autism 101), Dr. DeOrnellas brings you more than 20 years of experience, teaching, and research in the field of autism in a readable, conversational manner.

Autism is not only a challenge to a family’s emotions; it can also be a financial drain. Bobbi says, “With families routinely spending thousands of dollars out of pocket each year, we are here to help to point families in the direction of meaningful, affordable help.”

For her part, Bobbi pulls no punches in telling the story of her family’s road to discovering Grace’s autism. “The entire family comes along on this journey, believe me,” she says. “There is a reason that my favorite chapter heading is: Fun and Folly With Self-Diagnosis: Is Asperger’s German for Engineer?”

The book is also enriched by quotes from more than two dozen families who have been breathtakingly honest about everything, from speech delays to potty training, from doing battle with professionals who are supposed to be on your family’s side; this book is an indispensable resource for families. From reading lists to guidance about building a personal and professional support system, the authors offer a crash course to families who don’t have time to waste. The wit and humor with which the information is conveyed is a much-needed breath of fresh air for families who desperately need a break – and a friend.

Available now at Future Horizons, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, and wherever books are sold!

Please listen to the show, I am on at the halfway point. Please share with people in the media.

Please help us to help others, we can not do it alone!!!

How to reach us:

Http://technewszone.com

Or FACEBOOK–>http://www.facebook.com/technewszone

or YOUTUBE–>Http://www.youtube.com/technewszone

Or Itechnewszone on Twitter!!

Thank you I appreciate it.

American Idol 2012 Who is going to win, Jessica or Phillip Phillips?

The final 2 American Idol 2012

I really like music and American Idol. This year the talent was better than in previous years. The final 2 are both really excellent. I am leaning towards Jessica, but Phillip is great as well. I was surprised that Joshua was not in the top 2.
I wish them good luck.

The final 2 American Idol 2012
The final 2 American Idol 2012

Please help us to help autism, we are a music, the arts and tech focused autism nonprofit trying to help people with their quality of life, education and vocations.

Here are their most recent videos–>

The amazing Jessica–>

Phillip–>

‘American Idol’: Hollie goes home from the Washington Post, a video from American Idol as well.

Hollie from American Idol
Hollie from American Idol
Hollie from American Idol goes home

Hollie finally went home last night. My wife believes she should have gone gone before Elise, and Clayton. I like Hollie, she has the whole “girl next door” thing going for. She was good, but not as good as Jessica, Elise or Joshua. I wish her luck and expect big things from her as well. She kind of reminds me of Jewel.

Our organization is a nonprofit for Autism, our mission is to help people with autism via music, the arts, and technology to help improve autism education and quality of life.

According to By Lisa de Moraes from the Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/tv-column/post/american-idol-hollie-goes-home/2012/05/10/gIQA73A0GU_blog.html

The “legendary home-town hero visit” is on the line tonight, says host Ryan Seacrest at the top of “American Idol” Thursday night.

The three Idolettes who make the cut tonight get the private jet ride, the open car parade, the packed high school gym, the concert, the product placement and all the other perks of Idolette royalty.

But why wait for a public display of adoration?

“Idol” producers have the Sea Anenome Girls, usually stationed at the foot of the stage, up on stage tonight, creating an American Idol Red Carpet, trophy-show style, so judges Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler can press the flesh as they walk by. Seacrest himself stops to make small talk with the Sea Anenomes, politician style. “Welcome to the Red Carpet,” he says to the hand-picked gaggle as he reaches out to squeeze a few hands.

Let’s bring out the Fourdolettes: Hollie Cavanagh, Jessica Sanchez, Joshua Ledet, and Phillip Phillips to sing the old Mamas and Papas song “California Dreamin.” We notice that not one of the Sea Anenomes seems to know the words to this tune.

David Cook, winner of Idol VII, will be here to entertain tonight and to dispel the rumors that he and Phil Phillips are the same person — in fact, that all of the safe scruffy white guys with guitars who have dominated “Idol” in recent years are the same person coming back, year after year. Less suspensefully, JLo will entertain, too.

But first, a Ford commercial starring Josh, Hollie, and Jessica, with Phil again missing. They say it’s his health but we suspect he’s a conscientious objector. You go, Phil! Occupy Idol!

Let’s have “Double P”, as Seacrest calls Phillip Phillips, to center stage for the performance recap and taped Iovinization, in which Chief Mentor and Oracle Jimmy Iovine gives his critique.

Phil’s first song during Wednesday’s performance show, Creedence Clearwater’s “Have You Ever Seen The Rain,” was “the beginning of him coming into his own and saying this is what I sound like,” says Iovine because Phil didn’t play guitar and had a sax accompanist. We’re pretty sure we’ve seen Phil minus the guitar before. But as Steven Tyler might say, a second beginning is like a first step with the other foot.

On Phil’s second song, Damien Rice’s “Volcano,” he “finally delivered on the promise we’ve been waiting for all year…It was all magnificent.” But he did play the guitar on that song, Jimmy. We’re confused.

“After nearly 70 million votes — 10 million more than last week,” Seacrest starts. “The nation has decided that you will be heading — back to the couch.”

In other words, we’ve got an hour to kill here.

Hollie’s turn.

Her first song was Journey’s “Faithfully”, and Iovine says that “all the things that concerned me” about Hollie, such as her over-singing and over-acting, “actually aided her” because the song is “a very dramatic song and over the top.”

Before getting to her second song, Iovine wants to excuse himself from any liability. He says that last song each Idolette sang on Wednesday night was supposed to be the tunes that inspired each of them, and “I decided I wasn’t going to push anyone” toward a particular song choice.

Hollie chose Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me”.

“I assumed she understood the core of the song. Evidently she did not. She did not have the personal experience, or the professional experience to take on this song. When the chorus came in, she hit the ‘opera’ button and at that moment I felt she crashed and burned and lost out to those other three singers.”

Back to the couch with Hollie.

David Cook debuts his new single “The Last Song I’ll Write for You.” Yup, he is Phil Phillips. That upswept, updated Coroner Munchkin hairdo doesn’t fool us. Now we think we know why Phil never shows up for the Ford Music Video shoots. It’s David’s days with the kids.

Call Josh Ledet for some Iovination.

Iovine’s down on Josh’s first song, Josh Groban’s “You Lift Me Up.” “That song works great at high school graduations” says Iovine, but Josh should have given it a fresh spin by giving it a simple treatment. Instead he went for the full gospel choir, as he did earlier in the season. “He can’t use that trick” over and over, Iovine says.

On the other hand, Josh’s performance of James Brown’s “It’s a Man’s World” “created a piece of magic,” Iovine says. “At the end, it sounded like he was speaking in tongues… It was captivating. I want to see it again and again and again…And that’s the first time this year I felt that way.”

The only question, Iovine adds, is how to find an original song as good as that, for Josh’s debut album. “What the hell, let’s just do that one!” he concludes.

Two weeks ago, Iovine slammed 16-year-old Jessica Sanchez for trying to sing too grownup on Tina Turner’s “Proud Mary” so we’re pretty sure he’s not going to like Jessica’s adults-only performance last night of Etta James’ “Steal Away.”

“Was impersonating a great, older jazz singer a good idea? No!” Iovine tsk-tsks. “That trick of hers of growling …Everyone knows the rabbit is going to come out of the hat.” He’s going to discourage the growling when he does her album, he says.

So apparently, she and Josh get album contracts even though Phil is going to win this thing. Er…we meant, no matter what.

Iovine’s all praise for Jessica’s second performance on Wednesday, “And I’m Telling You” from “Dreamgirls.”

“All her artillery was in the right proportion,” including the growl, he said, adding, “It was shock and awe.” He mentions that famed record producer Tommy Mottola called him to say he’d go to a Jessica concert—though, once again we were prompted to quote departed Idolette Elise Testone: “Tommy, is that all you got?”

So now the Fourdolettes have all been taken to center stage and been sat back down. Let’s have some JLo.

She’s dressed in a sparkly bathing suit and black tights, surrounded by a lot of shirtless guys dancing and pounding on drums for this performance of “Dance Again.” Did you notice that both Hollie and Jessica have stronger voices than JLo? Of course, neither of them could get out there and shake like that without Iovine running out and throwing a blanket over them. It’s kind of fun, tough it seems a bit restrained. On the other hand, it’s been a long year for JLo judging “Idol.”

Time for judges’ final remarks before the trap door opens on one of the Idolettes.

Tyler says Phil has grown over the course of the season, “from I don’t care, to finding who he is and still not caring.”

JLo recalls Hollie’s first audition, for season 10, when Hollie cried and JLo gave her a second chance. “It was a moment for both of us,” JLo says, adding how happy she is to see Hollie “so composed and collected” on stage.

Seacrest asks what JLo thinks about Iovine calling out Jessica for her growling “trick.” “The really good singing trick? I’d like to use that trick, too,” she snarks.

Well, we could go on like this all night, but how about some results?

First, Jessica will get honored with a parade. She’s through.

Josh gets a parade.

That leaves Phil and Hollie hanging on to each other in parade anticipation mode.

The parade will pass Hollie by, Seacrest reveals.

She sings her way out on “The Climb” the cringe-inducing treacle tune that won her first standing ovation from the judges.

Is it a foregone conclusion that Phillip Phillips is going to win this thing?

The Amazing Skylar Laine American Idol 2012 went home 5-3-2012

It was sad to see Skylar Laine go home on American Idol. She was quite talented. I think that she and Jessica are the 2 best female singers this season, along with Elise.

Here is a video of her and Colton as well, another star who should have gone further on the show.

I do not know what people are thinking this year, and can not agree with their choices.

If you want to help us give the gift of the arts and music we would appreciate your support, need sponsors, exposure to help people with autism.

Colton Dixon on American Idol Goes Home, we wish you great success!!!

Our nonprofit’s intent is to help autism via technology, music and the arts.

We are seeking a concert for us to raise funds to help people with autism. If you are a musician or have a tv talk show or radio show and can help us get exposure please let us know.

We really liked Colton Dixon on Idol one of the better guys, we wish him luck and much success in the future!!!

and his second performance–>

Gotta Love American Idol’s Commercials these ones for Ford, are nice American Idol 2012

Ford Commercial
Ford Commercial
American Idol 2012

We love music and want to help autism via technology, music and the arts. We also like American Idol.

This is one of the better videos that the idol folks have done recently:

and another that is unique interesting.

We wish that one of these organizations would help our nonprofit and news site get exposure, maybe do a video for us or talk about us on the air or sponsor our efforts.

American idol 2012 Best male performer Joshua Ledet

Ford Commercial
Jessica Sanchez
American Idol 2012 Jessica Sanchez

We are an autism nonprofit that wants to help via technology, music and the arts. We are fans of Jessica Sanchez, who is in our opinion the best female performer, we are also impressed by Joshua Ledet who is the best male performer!!

Here is a video from You Tube of Joshua Ledet Singing, he is very good!!

If you can help us with exposure or to find sponsors as well, we would appreciate it greatly!!!