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
New CDC Study Finds Rise in Autism Rates
A new CDC study was reported recently in the Chicago Tribune. Read the Story The alarming data found that around 1 in 100 children, 8 years old, in the US have been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder.
More surprising were the results of a CDC and the Health Resources and Services Administration survey. Parents of 78,000 children ages 3 to 17 were asked whether a health care worker or doctor had ever told them their child had autism spectrum disorder. Parents of 1 in 91 children said yes and also said their child currently has the disorder. For boys, the figure was 1 in 58. All these number work out to mean that approximately 1% of American children will be affected by ASD.
Before we go into “panic mode” it’s important to take a step back. First, this data does not necessarily mean that more kids are autistic than ever before, but that perhaps identification and diagnosis have improved such that we “seeing” more cases. It’s also important to look carefully at phone surveys, the data can be valuable but it is open to inaccuracies as opposed to other research that looks at medical records, health worker interviews etc.
So what does this mean?
This is a good wake-up call for those outside the ASD community. It’s interesting that most parents would not concieve of driving with their 1 year old child not in a saftey seat, yet the odds of dying in a car wreck are 1 in 18,585. If we can take the time and effort to buy a $100 car seat and strap it in the back of the minivan, we can take the time to get educated about ASD.
One thing we do know, the early an autism disorder can be identified in a child, the better and more effective the treatment will be. To that end, it’s imperitive that all parents, especially those with young kids, know the signs of autism. The CDC website is a great place to start:
CDC Resource – Signs of Autism
Second, with the more and more parents raising autistic kids its important for us, their friends, neighbors etc to do whatever we can to be supportive. Chances are we all have someone we can think of that has an autistic child. How nice it would be if we went out of our way to cook them a meal, mow the grass. If you know the family well enough, maybe offer to help watch the kids so mom and dad can get out of the house for an hour or two and have a break. We’re all busy, but it doesn’t take much to help out, and it certainly makes a difference.
Many hands make light work. If we all get informed and involved we’ll find a better life for ourselves and our kids.
b-Calm Team to be on AWA Radio
Friends,
We’re excited to let you know that on Monday at 2pm CDT, Brent Carmichael and Curtis Carroll from b-Calm will be guests on AWA Radio.
Hosted by Sharon DaVanport, AWA Radio is a project of the Aspergers Womens Association. This weekly show includes interviews, current events and live calls from you the audience. b-Calm is proud to be a sponsor and contributor to this great project.
New b-Calm Team Member
We’re happy to announce the addition of Brent Carmichael to the b-Calm team. Brent will be serving as project coordinator for b-Calm. His responsiblities will including interfacing with teachers, parents and other organization working within the Autism and ADHD communities. 
It addition to sales and marketing work on the b-Calm system, Brent will be in charge of working with non-profit agencies to further education and awareness in regards to Autism Spectrum Disorders and ADHD.
Brent as a unique background that makes him an excellent addition to the team. A graduate of the University of Northern Iowa, Brent played professional basketball and later went on to serve as a basketball coach and founder of 4 U Academy the non-profit project dedicated to educating and mentoring at-risk children.
Brent also brings real life experience with autism to the table. His son, Artez was diagnosed autistic at age 8 in 1993. Through these years, Brent learned the real life challenges and blessings of parenting a child on the spectrum.
We’re excited to welcome Brent and introduce him to you!
The New b-Calm is Here!
We’re excited to announce that the news version of b-Calm is now available! The same simple and effective AudioSedation tracks delivered in a sleek new player with additional features for the home or classroom.
With expanded memory and video capabilities the b-Calm system is sure to be a welcome addition to your home or classroom.
Learn More about b-Calm and AudioSedation
Order a b-Calm System or AudioSedation tracks
Contact Us about a demo for your school or classroom
Author Reviews b-Calm & AudioSedation
We’re excited to announce b-Calm has received a very positive review from author and Autism advocate Adonya Wong.
Adonya is the author of In My Mind 
an excellent children’s book that explores the world through the eyes of an autistic child.
We’d like to say “Thanks” to Adonya for taking the time to write about b-Calm and would encourage you check out her book!
b-Calm -Not Just for Kids Anymore-
Was very excited to receive a review of b-Calm by Bryan Hutchinson. For those of you who don’t know Brian, he is the author of adderworld.com and moderator of the ADHD community social network adderworld.ning.com
If that isn’t enough, Bryan has also written an excellent book of memoirs about growing up with undiagnosed ADHD. One Boy’s Struggle is an compelling account of the struggles associated with ADHD from the eyes of one who as lived it and thrived as an adult.
Bryan gives alot of insight into how our b-Calm system can be a tool for ADHD adults. You can read his blog post here.
Typically, our technology has found application in the classroom with younger students. We’re encouraged by Bryan’s comments as it shows the effectiveness for b-Calm as a tool for adults as well!
New b-Calm Review and Giveaway
As a company, we’re constantly looking for parents and teachers to give us feedback on our products. Recently, Tara Robertson author of the website www.tarasviewoftheworld. com tested our system with her 6 year old son Aiden. We were very encouraged by her comments:
We have found that Aiden responds extremely well to the B-Calm system! It definitely helps to calm him down. When we need Aiden to be calm we simply hand him the headphones and he puts them on willingly… which may not seem like a big deal to some of you but TRUST ME, it is. He has told me several times that he likes to have the system on and will even ask for it on occasion.
Read the Review and enter to win a FREE b-Calm!
If you’re not familiar with Tara’s blog, we encourage you to read and subscribe. It is a great resource not only for Moms of kids with ASD, but mothers in general.
Autism Awareness Month Specials
In special recognition of Autism Awareness Month b-Calm is offering special pricing on all our products.
For limited time get b-Calm systems, CDs or downloads at special reduced costs!
For ordering details and prices, check out our online store
Autism Awareness Month
As many of you know, April is Autism Awareness Month.
To that end we encourage everyone especially those outside the Autism Spectrum community to learn about and support our friends and neighbors who live with the realities of Autism and other spectrum disorders every day.
A good way to start is by checking out two of the premier organizations in this area, Autism Speaks and the Autism Society of America.
