09 school year. I hope you all had good breaks and were able to get rejuvenated for the upcoming school year.
I think it's great that there are so many options to educating our children today. There is not a right or wrong way to educate your child, it depends on what is the right fit for your child and your family. Traditional schools, charter schools, and virtual schools (schooling via the web from home but with teacher guidance) are all listed on the AZ State Department of Education website www.ade.state.az (find schools).
Alexicom
Tech is an AAC system that is available via internet. This system can be accessed
any place where internet is available. It is the internet “software” that allows
you to use premade communication boards or create your own customized boards.
Communication boards are paired with voice output so users can communicate with
others. You can use this “software” on your existing computer, laptop, or other
internet accessible devices so you won't need to make costly investments in
new hardware.
Staci Neustadt and Marti Baio, (both speech pathologists) worked with Karen Suhm and Fredi Lajvardi (both specializing in programming computers) to develop this system. We are meeting some basic needs with Alexicom: 1) Lower cost, less equipment, no software; 2) Uses photos or pictures from Google and the child can pick the picture that he/she most identifies with; 3)Uses voice output and you can access the device on any computer via the internet. Check it out at: www.alexicomtech.com
• This is an important time to use schedule boards or agenda books (depending on the skill level of your child). With all of the schedule changes of school starting; a schedule using pictures or words will help your child feel more secure in making their transitions.
• Try to start you school schedules out more slowly than quickly, give the kids and you a chance to get used to different activities as you add them in.
• Pay attention to the sensory needs of your children, especially now that school has started. The kids will be getting much more auditory stimulation, visual stimulation, and social stress, so they will need some extra special sensory time!
Weddings
and Babies 
Mary
Fiorella married Shawn Hurst on
8/2/08 (she is now Mary Hurst :)
Andrea Strong is expecting another bundle of joy this Fall. Jennifer Casey is expecting her next newborn at the first of the year, and Staci Neustadt will welcome her first born in January!
We want to welcome Amy Schultz to our office! She will see kids after school and on Saturdays, WELCOME!
Upcoming
Dates 
Family Support Group: 8/18
Teen Casual Saturday: 8/16, 9/20
Autism Conference: 9/26,27/08