Coulter Video Announces 2008 “Spirit Of Support” Award Recipients

Winston-Salem, N.C. -- Coulter Video today announced the recipients of its 2008 Spirit of Support Awards, designed to recognize outstanding support for people with Asperger Syndrome or autism.

Candidates were nominated for the award in essays written by people who had witnessed them providing support. Each recipient will be presented with a certificate and a set of nine Coulter Video DVDs about Asperger Syndrome or autism.

Here are brief descriptions of the award recipients based on the essays submitted about them.

A mom in Missouri was concerned that the male teacher her son had been assigned for the third grade might be intimidating for a child with Asperger Syndrome who’d previously only had female teachers. The teacher, Chris Brown, turned out to be sensitive and understanding and made her son feel safer than anyone he’d worked with before.

Many moms and dads in Eastern North Carolina are better off because of autism advocate Jill Scercy. Ms. Scercy is assistant director of the Greenville TEACCH Center, facilitates support groups, trains police officers and camp counselors about autism and tours schools to advocate for better services for kids with special needs. She understands these needs all the better because she has a son with autism.

Hundreds of families in Arizona have received information about Asperger Syndrome and encouragement because of Carolyn Warden, the mother of a son with AS who started the Asperger Parent Network support group. Through her intensive volunteer efforts, both families with new diagnoses and “veterans” have a trusted community they can look to for support.

A mom in Sydney, Australia credits Sally Green, the teacher of a high-functioning autism class, with transforming her son from a depressed and isolated child to one who looks forward to school and takes pride in his work. This mother marveled that Ms. Green took such a comprehensive approach, helping her son with timetables, organization, school work and social issues.

In New Jersey, school principal Mary Quigley helped a family learn to “let go” of anxiety about their son with Asperger Syndrome by providing an atmosphere where whatever happens during the school day is treated calmly, fairly and with dignity.

In Wisconsin, autism spectrum disorders consultant Dr. Glenis Benson helped a family see that previous advice focusing on negative consequences increased their son’s sense of failure and isolation. By teaching the family about positive behavior supports and other helpful strategies, Dr. Benson helped the son become more stable and social and focus on his talents and interests.

The complete nominating essays about the award recipients are posted on the Coulter Video website at www.coultervideo.com.

Dan and Julie Coulter, owners of Coulter Video, had originally planned to present two “Spirit of Support” awards. After reviewing the entries submitted, the Coulters decided to expand the program and to present a total of six awards.

The video DVD programs each recipient will receive are:

• Manners for the Real World: Basic Social Skills
• Intricate Minds: Understanding Classmates with Asperger Syndrome
• Intricate Minds II: Understanding Elementary School Classmates with Asperger Syndrome
• Intricate Minds III: Understanding Elementary School Classmates Who Think Differently
• Understanding Brothers and Sisters on the Autism Spectrum
• Understanding Brothers and Sisters With Asperger Syndrome
• Asperger Syndrome: Success in the Mainstream Classroom
• Asperger Syndrome: Transition to College and Work
• Asperger Syndrome for Dad: Becoming and Even Better Father To Your Child With Asperger Syndrome

Coulter Video of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, is run by the parents of a son who has Asperger Syndrome. The company produces educational video programs and conducts seminars for parents and teachers of children who have special needs. You can find more information on the company’s website: www.coultervideo.com.

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