Autism Twitter Day was a dynamic online event that facilitated communication among various participants using Twitter, highlighting personal experiences and discussions related to autism. It was marked by a significant volume of engagement, with approximately 5,000 tweets generated in a single day, enabling community support and shared wisdom around autism. The document captures key highlights and interactions, offering insights into community dynamics and various autism-related topics discussed during the event.

1. Autism Twitter Day, A Digital Scrapbook By PF Anderson, Emerging Technologies Librarian, UM Health Sciences Libraries, pfa@umich.edu

2. Disclaimer Autism Twitter Day was an amazing experience, but was almost too much to absorb. I suspect that each person to participate experienced the event quite differently. This collection represents only my personal experience and highlights from the event.

3. Who Made Autism Twitter Day?

4. Bonnie Sayers BellaOnline: Autism Spectrum Disorders Site Bonnie Sayers @autismfamily http://twitter.com/autismfamily/

5. What is Twitter? Many people, overlapping communities, communicating in 140 characters or less

6. How Did Autism Twitter Day Happen?

7. Lots and Lots of Social Media Beforehand Event Blogs For marketing and promotions Buttons For branding & promotion Twitter Groups To gather the community Friend’s Blogs To “retweet” or distribute the message Ning Network To plan and organize Prizes & Speaker Panels To draw a crowd

8. Lots of Twittering & Twitter Tools Hashtags (#ASD) A hashtag is word marked before with the hash mark or number sign to facilitate automatic tracking Search tools to track the stream Summize, a.k.a. http://search.twitter.com/ Friends to capture the stream Around 5,000 tweets in 24 hours We even made the top “trending topic” on Twitter! Twice!!

9. Blogpost #1 December 1: http://autismfamily.tumblr.com

10. Blogpost #2 Autism Family Adventures: http://autismfamily.blogspot.com/

11. Twitter Group Tweet Tweet @pfanderson I just joined the autism Twitter Group http://tgr.me/g/autism and you can too.

12. Twitter Groups Twitter Group: Autism - Parents of Autistic Children

13. List of People to Follow Autism and Aspergers Twitter Connections

14. Causecast Tweet: www.causecast.org does nice article about Autism Twitter Day #ASD http://tinyurl.com/6cncdt

15. Causecast Causecast: RSVP For Autism Twitter Day: http://www.causecast.org/news_items/7665-rsvp-for-autism-twitter-day

16. Ning: Pecs Club: Group Twitter Autism Day

17. Prizes Tweet @autismfamily For the gluten free chips please name what therapy tool Temple Grandin created #ASD first tweet wins food should tast good good gift box USA

18. Twitter Search #1 26 more results since you started searching (10 minutes) Tweets: Follow #ASD to find out about Twiter Autism Day - Do you know the trusths about Autistic spectrum issues? My wife was not surprised by the diagnosis. I was. I find kids with sensory issues do better with my dog tags clicked to belt loop behind them @codeman38 what are you in graduate school for? How is it going, any links to a website or blog to share for others? And more …

19. Twitter Search #2 10 minutes after previous screenshot Tweets: In my work with kids on the autism spectrum I have met great kids: honest, hardworking, responsible, caring loving kids I’m studying computer science, particularly with a focus on natural language processing And more …

20. Twitter Search Trending Topics Trending topics: #ASD, Adam Walksh, Xmas, Shorty Award, Santa, #tcot, AT&T, #SanFrancisco, iPhone, Bush

21. Twitter: Trending Topics Tweet @trendingtopics New Topic: #ASD http://tinyurl.com/5gjwe9 22 hours ago from twitterfeed

22. Why

23. Isolation vs. Community Tweet @RainbowMum Can you imagine how isolated parents of kids on spectrum felt prior to internet! Now we can celebrate/share eachs wisdom/support! #asd

24. Traits

25. Therapist’s Point of View Tweet @susangiurleo Kids with AS are creative, free spirits, funny, silly, artistic, and really just a joy to be with.

26. Tweet: TannersDad @pfanderson Tanner does not “Melt Down” He is the calmest happiest person on the face of the earth, no transition issues. Just wants another book.

27. Tweet @johnnyA Got here late & realize only an Aspie/ADHD could go back and read all the #ASD tweets in one sitting

28. Shared Article Tweet @lonestar818 Top 10 terrific traits of people with autism http://autism.about.com/od/inspirationideas/tp/besttraits.htm

29. 1. Rarely Lie 2. Live in the Moment 3. Rarely Judge 4. Passionate 5. Not Tied to Social Expectations 6. Terrific Memories 7. Less Materialistic 8. Play Fewer Head Games 9. Have Fewer Hidden Agendas 10. Open New Doors for Neurotypicals About.com: Autism: Top 10 Terrific Traits Shared Article Screenshot

30. Life With ASD

31. Tweet @pfanderson My son’s favorite video of what life is like for him is this one:: http://tinyurl.com/2fp9ho

32. Retweeted by @sharon370 Retweets are when someone really liked what someone else said, and so they are sharing it with their friends and community

33. YouTube: In My Mind Video about life with Aspergers as a teen who likes himself pretty well.

34. Tweet @rainbow_goddess Classmates said it was because you can read facial expressions and mood when you make eye contact w/a person. I said “But I can’t!”

35. Tweet @datafaucet @gitchel My difficulty assimilating it is probably due to poor working memory huh?

36. Tweet @gitchel @TannersDad Just saw your msg. I was dx about 2 yrs ago. But I suspected for years because of my son. My dx was just to make it official.

37. Tweet @petsaretalking Any advice about helping an AS kid deal with bullies?

38. Tweet @teenautism For #ASD experiences with bullying: http://teenautism.com/category/bullying/

39. Teen Autism: Bullying http://teenautism.com/category/bullying/

40. Tweet @KimDeanArt @justthatgirl101 My Aspie used to get very emotional watching the Simpsons, he didn’t like the cruelty in the show, it disturbed him

41. Tweet @rainbowmum @MelinaTomson Day 2 after change of aide my son had a massive meltfown in lunchroom. All the convincing needed. HANG IN THERE!!

42. Tweet @gitchel NOT going into perfume store. My head would explode. Wife can go alone.

43. Tweet @gitchel @codeman38 I also stay out of the laundry soap section of the supermarket and Burlington Coat Factory

44. Tweet @asdquefty Why do OSes insist on defaulting to maximum brightness? It’s a computer, not a flashlight, and it hurts my eyes.

45. Tweet @coop179 @jenrik06 be careful of the video games … learn from my mistake, that’s all my son does and talks about now

46. Tweet @jenrik06 @coop179 I try to llimit his TV & game time - amazes me how he remembers all the gaming stuff but can’t put letters 2geter to read

47. Tweet @gitchel @datafaucet I’m trying to read - and THINK about - every tweet. It’s kind interesting how my brain just gets mushy and I fall asleep #ASD

48. Tweet @TannersDad What does everyone feel about restraints? I have gone to school a couple of times & Tanner has been tied to a chair?

49. Tweet @autismfamily Other topics for autism twitter day is bullying, rage issues, locker room problems, lunch at school, depression, sensory diet and fidgets #ASD

50. Tweet @taless The hardest question I have had to answer since my son started “talking” was “What did I do wrong that God made me Autistic?

51. Divorce

52. Tweet @diy_pam Concepts of custody, timeshare, support don’t fit special needs of divorcing autism families http://is.gd/bWvX

53. DIY Divorce December 16, 2008; Florida Divorce & Special Needs Children - It’s Autism Month

54. Tweet @autismfamily @diy_pam we went with custody evaluation since I wanted supervised visits, long process but got it, court told Dad to shave beard

55. Education

56. Tweet @autismvox My son likes the routine of going somewhere else to school and being with other kids -- homeschooling is not for him.

57. Tweet @susangiurleo Make a list of all the things that are right with your child. Put it into the folder along with all of his evaluations, report cards …

58. Tweet @rainbowmum It absolutely amazes me when my son’s school thanks for staying in close contact. They say that’s not the norm. UNREAL. Can’t imagine.

59. Tweet @specialedsolved @taless Don’t forget to tell the school, not only for cheeres, but to assure goals are moving forward too!

60. Tweet @albruns @MelinaTomson I think there is a fine line between consistent staff and dependency. It depends upon how teaching is delivered

61. Tweet @pfanderson @emptyenvelope What finally worked was getting him a Macintosh and letting him get involved w/ online social nets 2 practice engagement #ASD

62. Tweet @specialedsolved @pfanderson Aaahhh, learning with a purpose, just what I was working towards at a parent/client’s IEP meeting today!

63. Tweet @pfanderson @specialedsolved I’ve been saying this 4 decades. Used to teach women keyboarding by having them type fave recipes. Lrng w/ purpose=WIN

64. Tweet @specialedsolved @albruns teachers need more resources to collect data. It’s where the parent comes. Parents can ask for more than the teachers can.

65. Tweet @bwwojci Excel tool for teachers to chart and analyze data http://www.seat.ilstu.org/excel/

66. Special Education Assistive Technology http://www.seat.ilstu.org/excel/

67. Tweet @autismfamily ABCs = antecedent, behavior and consequences, telling parent kid had behavior issues is not enough, what transpired beforehand - need data

68. Individualized Education Plans (IEPs)

69. Tweet @specialedsolved Did you know that data is the key to your IEP?Want changes in your child’s program? Ask (in writing) for the data.

70. Tweet @JillShaw @MelinaTomson Have you asked for a parent advocat to be present at the IEP with you? They can be a great resource.

71. Tweet @specialedsolved Did you know that spending 5 minutes per week asking staff in writing about IEP progress gets amazing results? Rotate the staff

72. Tweet @specialedsolved @sensorynanny Many concepts are difficult to sell at the IEP. I definitely prefer selling concepts to staff 1:1 before meeting

73. Other Tips

74. Tweet @modelmekids @susangiurleo What do you recommend for child who is tired at end of day and refuses to do homework?

75. Tweet @ susangiurleo @modelmekids truthfully, HW may need to be modified, or none at all. When the brain is tired it is tired. We can chat more if you want.

76. Tweet @pfanderson @TannersDad I like to tell them 1-How 2 spot meltdown coming, 2-what are the phases of meltdown, 3-what works at each stage

77. Tweet @liz4cps We love dogs; have a border collie, but son likes the cats better - almost ignores the dog! curious about dog therapy

78. Tweet @mmiller20910 @liz4cps There are therapy dogs, guide dogs, and assistance dogs. Some simple definitions: http://www.canismajor.com/dog/helping.html

79. Tweet @MyPreciousKid @sensorynanny mine is a sensory seeker too - trampoline helps a lot

80. Tweet @behaviorcounts To all parents out there - be very aware of treatments that are not evidence-based. Do not be pulled in by a snake oil salesman

81. Tweet @emptyenvelope I would love to try a squeeze machine. I like to wrap up in heavy blankets, have the kids lay on my back, dog on my legs

82. Tweet @tendrel Squeeze machine directions - http://www.grandin.com/inc/intro-squeeze.html woot!

83. Diet

84. Tweet @autismfamily @jennyhopkins have you searched twitter through www.summize.com and input gluten free, dairy free, many on twitter follow same diets

85. Tweet @hellokittiemama @ericasteller GFCF diet a HUGE hit in my house. Takes work but worth it. Its lunchtime someplace so I’ll space the vivid details!

86. Tweet @ericasteller @hellokittiemama Just now noticed your reply to my GFCF #ASD diet question. THANKS! Visiting www.bonbongazette.com now!

87. The Bon Bon Gazette Welcome to the Bon Bon Gazette - here I’ll share my thoughts, photos, vents and triumphs - of daily life adventures in autism, gfcf diet reviews, one gluten casein free autistic wonderkid and his neurotypical “going dairy-free” sibling.

88. Tweet @pfanderson @denipath4change My son, too. Cut food additives, esp dyes, and suddenly he came ALIVE mentally!

89. Tweet @denipath4change @navi I have to do high protein, low carb - no potatoes, rice, corn … not grains … and I do better. Carbs give me brain fog

90. Success

91. Tweet @KimDeanArt “ For success in science and art, a dash of autism is essential” -- Hans Asperger

92. Tweet @castewar It’s been argued that Glenn Gould has/had Aspergers - if you’ve read about him, you’re probably inclined to agree.

93. Tweet @denipath4change Trying to make the point that asd in adults is not a new thing and didn’t stop many folks from being successful

94. Tweet @castewar Gary Neuman has Aspergers - think about that when listening to his lyrics.

95. Tweet @casteware Peter Tork of the Monkees has Asperger’s - not as overt in his music as Gary Numan.

96. Tweet @TammiR Well known person w/ autism: Temple Grandin, Darryl Hannah, Stephen Shore

97. Tweet @dbrodbeck @autismfamily Temple Grandin studies animal behaviour, and I study animal cognition, coincidence? Well, yeah, I guess so …

98. Tweet @denipath4change @castewar lots of famous folks, einstein, edison, gates, man silicon valley types, lots of those in academia

99. Tweet @casteware Dan Akroyd has made mention that he has Asperger’s, but it’s never been formally confirmed.

100. Tweet @twitterbo Famous People with Autism … http://twurl.nl/fvb6om

101. List of Famous People with Autism Love to Know: Autism: Famous People With Autism: http://autism.lovetoknow.com/Famous_People_with_Autism

102. Books & Reading

103. Tweet @mommysescape @autismfamily the curious incident of the dog in the night time

104. Tweet @mamacate @TannersDad I’m reading Married With Special Needs Children -- worthwhile IMO http://tinyurl.com/61sfxp

105. Tweet @shakingsystem @navi Try reading Bock’s book. The connection between the A’s (autism, adhd, allergies, and asthma). http://shakingthesystem.blogspot.com/

106. Tweet @albruns Anyone read Autism’s False Prophets by Paul Offit?

107. Tweet @hellokittiemama @TammiR Have you read Born on a Blue day - author is AS and has kinesthesia. Excellent book.

108. Tweet @queenuniquemvp Read! “Autism and Race parents, Advocates Seek More Prompt Diagnoses of Minority Children“ http://tinyurl.com/57a9ck

109. Resources

110. Tweet @Dianne_ @MyPreciousKid #ASD diagn tool. http: //tinyurl .com/6cb8ag http://www.facs.gov.au/internet/facsinternet.nsf/disabilities/services-help_child_autism.htm

111. Australian Government Helping Children with Autism: http://www.facs.gov.au/internet/facsinternet.nsf/disabilities/services-help_child_autism.htm

112. Tweet @TannersDad Autismbites.com

113. Autism Bites & Rocks & Bounces & Yells http://www.autismbites.com

114. Tweet @AdonyaWong “ Temple Grandin on Encouraging Kids With Autism” http://bit.ly/175jt

115. Temple Grandin from Education Week EdWeek: Temple Grandin on Encouraging Kids with Autism: http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/speced/2008/12/temple_grandin_on_encouraging_1.html “ Teachers tend to focus on the disability,” Grandin said.

116. Tweet @mmiller20910 Insurance coverage for autism -- state by state http://tinyurl.com/6638qe

117. Autism Votes Autism Votes: State Initiatives (Insurance): http://www.autismvotes.org/site/c.frKNI3PCImE/b.3909861/k.B9DF/State_Initiatives.htm

118. Tweet @lizditz @TannersDad educate your local police/fire about your child -- most FD PD very receptive to education re special populations

119. PA Premise Alert Autism 101 for Police Officers: http://www.papremisealert.com/id70.html

120. Tweet @autismfamily @denipath4change http://aq.server8.org/ measure autistic traits in adults #ASD fun online test

121. Newsweek - The Autism Spectrum Quotient http://aq.server8.org/

122. Tweet @twitterbo Autism and Schizophrenia share common origin, review suggests … http://is.gd/bZJr

123. ScienceDaily Autism and Scizophrenia share common origin, Review suggests: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081216114746.htm

124. Winding Down

125. Tweet @doctorious @autismfamily Just checking in on #ASD status -- looks liike it is still in full force? Any way to get traffic numbers from Twitter?

126. Tweet @navi Where are w coast @asd tweeters? Bed earlier than me, 2am in MI? Lol

127. Tweet @TannersDad Just finished a 45 minute interview. I told the world about how great it was to come together in a positive environment. I am tired.

128. Links Mentioned

129. Background Information Autism Family: http://autismfamiily.blogspot.com/ Autism Family: http://autismfamily.tumblr.com/ BellaOnline: Autism Spectrum Disorders: http://autismspectrumdisorders.bellaonline.com / Causecast: RSVP For Autism Twitter Day: http://www.causecast.org/news_items/7665-rsvp-for-autism-twitter-day

130. Sources Mentioned Australia: Services for Children with Autism: http://www.facs.gov.au/internet/facsinternet.nsf/disabilities/services-help_child_autism.htm Autism Bites: http://autismbites.com/ Autism Quiz: http://aq.server8.org/ Autism Safety Products http://tinyurl.com/64l75f Autism Votes: http://www.autismvotes.org/site/c.frKNI3PCImE/b.3909861/k.B9DF/State_Initiatives.htm Behavioral Analyst Certification Board: http://www.bacb.com Bonbon Gazette: www.bonbongazette.com

131. Sources Mentioned Child Development Partners: http://www.childdevelopmentpartners.com/ Crisis Prevention: http://www.crisisprevention.com/index.html DIY Divorce: Autism: http://diydivorce.typepad.com/diy_divorce_in_florida/2008/12/divorce-takes-on-a-different-perspective-when-dealing-with-a-special-needs-child-as-josh-greenfeld-----wrote-about-his-chidl.html EdWeek: Temple Grandin on Encouraging Kids with Autism: http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/speced/2008/12/temple_grandin_on_encouraging_1.html

132. Sources Mentioned Future of Homeschooling: http://futureofhomeschooling.ning.com/ Grandin: Squeeze machine directions: http://www.grandin.com/inc/intro-squeeze.html http://www.seat.ilstu.org/excel/ Mary's Gone Crackers: http://www.marysgonecrackers.com/ns/intro.php Pennsylvania Premise Alert: Autism: http://www.papremisealert.com/id70.html Science Daily: Autism and Schizophrenia: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081216114746.htm

133. Sources Mentioned Teen Autism: Puberty: http://teenautism.com/category/puberty/ Wired: Autism Test: http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/9.12/aqtest.html Youtube as a Repository for Autism and Asperger Videos: http://welkowitz.typepad.com/aspergers_conversations/2006/10/youtube_as_repo.html Youtube: In My Mind: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbgUjmeC-4o