**b-Calm Summer Give-A-Way**

Everyone loves the joys of summer… Children running through sprinklers when the temperature is hot, ice cream treats melting down kid’s hands, and families splashing in the local outdoor pool. Although it feels like summer just started, the start of school is fast approaching.

b-Calm wants to help prepare your child for the new school year by giving away a FREE b-Calm GP System, valued at $129.

b-Calm has been shown to effectively help children with Autism or ADHD focus on tasks being performed in the classroom. The system blocks out distracting and disturbing sounds allowing for improved focus and concentration..

“The student wore the b-Calm headset while taking district assessments and I was amazed by how well the student was able to focus on the test,” expressed an elementary teacher working with an autistic student and the b-Calm system.

Parents, teachers, and caregivers enjoy using the system since the child now has control over the environment around them, preventing disruptive behaviors.

HOW TO ENTER:

You may enter multiple times. The more you participate, the more points you will earn, bettering your chance to win! Every time you make a point entry, please leave a comment below.

ENTRY INTO CONTEST – 1pt for comment

Your entry into the contest begins when you explore the b-Calm Sound website (www.b-calmsound.com) and listen to the sample AudioSedation files. Leave a comment below telling us which track you think would be good for your student or child.

EXTRA ENTRIES FOR MORE POINTS – 1pt per entry/comment

• LIKE b-Calm & Audio Sedation Technology on Facebook
• WATCH and COMMENT on the b-Calm YouTube videos
• FOLLOW Curtis_at_bCalm on Twitter
• SUBSCRIBE to the b-Calm e-mail list on the website
• SHARE this contest on Facebook
• TWEET about this b-Calm contest TWEET THIS: “I entered to win a b-Calm system for my child or student with autism or ADHD at http://b-calmsound.com/2/b-calm-give-a-way.html“ (Tweet this once a day for more points!)
  

EXTRA ENTRIES FOR MORE POINTS – 5 pt per entry/comment

• Take this chance to write about how your life has been changed by Autism in your blog. Write about your connection to a child or adult with autism. Be sure to share a special story about this person with everyone. Also include any experiences you have had with b-Calm Assistive Technology. Include the contest link to your blog post http://b-calmsound.com/2/b-calm-give-a-way.html

• Add the b-Calm badge to your blog site. Keep the button on your site for the duration of the contest to be awarded all of the points.

Badge code: <a href=”http://b-calmsound.com/”><img src=”http://b-calmsound.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Button-Badge-01.jpg” border=”0″></a>

The contest winner will be selected July 26^th and contacted by email. The winner will be posted on the b-Calm Sound website. Good luck!

b-Calm at Walk Now for Autism

On Saturday, June 18th, 2010 b-Calm participated in the Walk Now for Autism Speaks, an event to raise money and awareness for Autism Spectrum Disorder. Over 1,300 participants gathered together at Valley Stadium in West Des Moines to help those with Autism by raising money to fund treatment and research for a cure.

This year’s event showed a 25% increase in participation over last year with walkers raising over $130,000. There were also many generous sponsors funding the event and raising money for the walkathon.

Children participating had the opportunity to play in the bounce houses and have their faces painted while at the walk.

b-Calm provided free treats for the children as well as support and information about the b-Calm System and how it can help families with autistic children. Many interested participants had the opportunity to stop and ask questions and even try out b-Calm.

The day was a success for all participants and helped raise money and awareness to an issue of importance. b-Calm looks forward to participating in this event next year.

A Parent’s Perspective

It can be beneficial for parents of children with Autism to hear directly from other parents what techniques or strategies they have used that helped.

Dr. Suzanne Bartlett has used b-Calm with her son John.  You may remember an earlier post about how b-Calm helped John at the dentist.  Now you can watch and listen as Dr. Bartlett talks about autism, her son John, and how b-Calm has helped.

Part 1:



Part 2:

Assistive Technology Groups Offer b-Calm

Tech Programs Allow Students to try b-Calm Directly

b-Calm is excited to announce multiple states around the US now offer the b-Calm audio system through their states assistive technology loaning program. These programs will allow students with autism and ADHD the opportunity to try the unit and discover a calm and focused self.

The assistive technology groups participating in this opportunity are equipped with the b-Calm GP – the latest unit introduced from b-Calm. The lending libraries and loaning programs who are participating in the lending program can be found here. Many of these programs offer this lending service free of charge.

The b-Calm lending program is a great opportunity to test the system and determine if the AudioSedation System works for you and your child.

The New b-Calm GP – Now Available!

We’re proud to announce the newest b-Calm AudioSedation system “b-Calm GP” is now available.

Features of b-Calm GP:

• Improved media player with 2 GB of memory
• New customizable headphones specifically designed for young children
• Built in volume limit on headphones for safe listening
• Durable carrying case

With these new features, we’re excited to see how teachers and parents will be able to use AudioSedation in new and exciting ways!

Get More Information

Order Now

b-Calm Version 3 Coming Soon!

b-Calm is happy to announce that the next generation of the b-Calm AudioSedation System will soon be available.  New capabilites have been added with addition features to make b-Calm even more effective for individuals with Autism or ADHD.

New Features to Look For:

• Sleek redesigned media player
• Coordinate b-Calm AudioSedation tracks with custom graphics or pictures
• Revamped video capabilities
• Customizing options to make b-Calm fit the individual user

Stay tuned for details, pricing and availability!  Questions?  Contact Us!

My Friend John

My Friend John

John entered my life and my dental world at the age of 2.  Dr. Suzy (MD), John’s mom, brought John into my scary dental world with its noises, smells and bright lights with the hope that I would show John the same patience I showed to her at an early age also as my patient.

John’s success in my office came very slowly, sometimes at his six month recall simply handing John a toothbrush and telling him that he was my friend.

After approximately three years of slow patient care Grandma Barb brought John in for his routine care appointment.  I had been using the dental version of the b-Calm technology on my highly anxious patients and asked Grandma Barb if I could try the b-Calm unit with John (even though the ear buds were too large and had to be held in place.)  My heart literally jumped for joy as an agitated child was carried to a safe place as I for the first time “counted” John’s teeth.  I think Grandma Barb was pleasantly shocked at John’s successful dental visit.

This was b-Calm’s first step into the world of autism.  This spawned our very positive research findings with local state universities, and our autism conference in Des Moines, Iowa, as well as the exciting birth of Champions of Autism, a non-profit entity.

My life experience with John continued as John, Dr. Suzy and myself went to Dr. Ed’s office, an oral surgeon friend, for John to have some teeth extracted (due to lack of space).  Through no prodding from me John’s b-Calm’s unit was in Dr. Susie’s hand as we entered Dr. Ed’s suite.  Dr. Susie asked John if he wanted his b-Calm at which time John answered “of course”.  John was placed in the dental chair, surrounded by five adults, bright lights with no visual negative response.  He did react as we all would as an IV was placed in his hand.  The work was uneventful and Dr. Susie’s fears with John not being able to handle this experience were pleasantly forgotten.  Dr. Ed’s comments were that “normal” treatment of an autistic child would be IM sedation and then work would proceed.  He was pleased at the effectiveness of the b-Calm unit.

My life story with John continues.  I have been thanked by Dr. Suzy and Grandma Barb numerous times.  I do not think they believe me when I thank them for allowing John to be part of my life.  I look forward to be able to rejoice in his successes and truly thank God for allowing John to be a champion in my life.

-Dr. Ken Budke, Founder of b-Calm

Is b-Calm “Evidence Based”?

This is a question we get asked alot.  With all the voodoo and shams out there, the autism community has rightfully started to insist that treatments, therapies and other strategies be “evidence based”.  “Evidence Based” typically means the treatment in question is based on research that was conducted by qualified professionals (typically at a state university or hospital) and then was published in a peer reviewed journal.  Peer reviewed journals are publications where teams of editors or reviews will read and critique articles, reports.  If the research does not meet certain standards it will not be approved for publications.

Currently, b-Calm and AudioSedation research has not been published in a peer reviewed journal.  However, we have taken certain steps to build b-Calm on a reputable foundation:

• Current University Research Efforts

Research has been conducted and is ongoing in cooperation with education/autism faculty at a leading midwestern state university.  Early results strongly suggests that b-Calm and AudioSedation is an effective intervention for some students.  Final results are currently being compiled and we anticipate seeing the report published in 2010.

• Independent 3rd Party Trials

From its beginning, b-Calm was tested in by special education professionals (teachers, therapists, etc.)  In each instance, the evaluators were encouraged to choose participates at their sole discretion, and use AudioSedation as according to their own expertise.  to keep the study as independent as possible, b-Calm representative provided only minimal instruction and allowed to professional to guide the evaluation parameters.  To date evaluations have been overwhelmingly positive.  We continue to work closely with key evaluators in looking at how b-Calm is used and its effectiveness.

• b-Calm White Paper & Foundational Research

While b-Calm itself is not evidence based, the techniques employed do draw directly from peer reviewed, published research in both the US and Europe.  An internal white paper was written outlining this research and how it relates to b-Calm.  The white paper is available by request through our Contact Us page.

We will continue to build the reputation of b-Calm and we improve AudioSedation and conduct additional research.  If the mean time, feel free to Contact Us with any questions or comments.

b-Calm ASD and ADHD Resources Have Moved

b-Calm is proud to announce their sponsorship of Champions of Autism and ADHD a non-profit group dedicated to providing services and support to Autism and ADHD communities in Iowa and beyond.

b-Calm will be working closely with Champions to bring real positive change to those living and working with ADHD and Autism.  To that end, the new website www.autismchamps.com has been launched to be an even better clearing house for information, support, and services.

To that end, we’ve taken the resource material previously found on b-calmsound.com and moved it to autismchamps.org.  If there’s something you still can’t find, let us know and we’ll be happy to help.

A letter from a b-Calm user

Friends,

b-Calm exists to serve individuals with Autism and ADHD. We set very ambitious goals for what we would like to do. In those efforts it is extremely valuable to us when we hear back from people that are using our system.

Recently I received an email from a woman with ADD who had been using b-Calm while she worked on her graduate school thesis. I thought I would share her message as it is was a real encouragment to us and serves as a great example that with determination and commitment, ADD does not have to hold you back from realizing a dream.

Dear Curtis,

I just want to thank you one more time for the B-Calm you gave me. It has been a great help! I managed to finish my thesis and a large part is due to B-Calm.

So, again, thank you so much and please keep in touch

-Riri

We send our own congrats to Riri for completing her degree, and are humbled that b-Calm would be of value in that effort.

Do you have a story about b-Calm?  Email us and let us hear about it.  We love to hear the sucesses and value honest constructive feedback so we can continue to improve on our products and services.

-Curtis

Curtis Carroll
Engineer
b-Calm

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