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.
Assistive Technology Groups Offer b-Calm
Tech 
Programs Let Students to try b-Calm
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!
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!
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
Peace Within the Noise Conference a Big Success
Thanks to all who presented and attended the Peace Within the Noise conference in Des Moines, IA. We had a passionate and informed group this past Saturday. On behalf of b-Calm and Champions of Autism and ADHD thank you for your participation.
We heard from a variety of presents on subjects ranging from civil rights, to sensory integration, to methods for helping siblings of ASD individual. We are currently review all the evaluation received about the conference and are looking ahead to another event possibly as soon as April, 2010.
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
