Peer-mediated intervention (PMI) may be very helpful for children with autism, and a strong research base supports use of PMI.
This review article was designed to describe all research in which therapy for children with autism was performed by the child’s peers. The review covered 42 studies that used PMI in the treatment of people with autism. Many of the studies did not measure whether or not the studied treatment plan was followed by the peers. Some studies did ask the questions: Did the treatment occur for at least 10 minutes? Are there at least 1 or 2 peers in the treatment? Was an adult there to watch the session? The authors note that future studies should focus on what level of PMI can be performed by children at each age.
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Please comment on this autism topic.
Responding to essential fatty acids (EFA)
Sep 1, 2010 by AnonymousWhy is the omega 3/6/9 or the Cod Liver Oils not mentioned? It was my understanding that this is the best way to get them into the chilren and the easiest.
Thank you,
Diannna
Responding to Self-injurious Behavior Inhibiting System (SIBIS)
Aug 27, 2010 by AnonymousThis device is cumbersome. Outdated. A more appropriate device would be something you could apply like a defibulator type device, to stop extreme, severe self injury likely to cause serious bodily harm. A device like this is NEVER intended as long term therapy, it's an emergency medical intervention to protect autistic person from extreme self injury and should only be used by persons trained to use it and who have had it used on themselves. See cdfoakley channel on youtube. This family used the device for a while on their child but later stopped using it because device was inconsistently applied due to harsh oppositon from persons who had and still have no idea what severe autism and self injurious behaviors can entail.
Responding to Thorazine (chlorpromazine)
Aug 13, 2010 by AnonymousIn 2006 the FDA approved risperidone for the specific treatment of aggression and irritability in people (inc children) with autism, yet you have posted an expert opinion also from 2006 that anti-psychotics are not useful in treating autism. Please review your information. Risperidone is an anti-psychotic and has been found to be effective in treating patients with autism who are easily agitated and frequently aggressive. While I can not speak specifically to Thorazine, the professional opinion used to back up the information is outdated and no longer correct.
Comment added from Healing Thresholds: Note that rarely is scientific consensus achieved in one year. Moreover, scientific consensus rarely occurs as the result of a regulatory decision (FDA approval). At Healing Thresholds we summarize medical research as it occurs and we provide the date of the medical research/medical opinion. We inlude both mainstream and alternative views as long as those studies/opinons have been subjected to the scientific peer review process. We encourage all readers to consider the date of the research/opinion (and the source of the research/opinion) when evaluating how the results relate to their own child's therapy program.
Responding to rebound therapy
Jul 24, 2010 by AnonymousThe phrase "Rebound Therapy" was coined by the founder, Eddy Anderson MCSP, Cert Ed, in 1969 to describe the use of the moving surface (bed) of a trampoline in order to provide therapeutic exercise and recreation for people with a wide range of special needs.
Rebound Therapy is used to facilitate movement, to promote balance, to increase or decrease muscle tone, and to aid relaxation and sensory integration. It is also used to improve fitness and exercise tolerance and to improve communication skills.
It is popular in special needs schools and is becoming increasingly popular in mainstream schools with a special needs unit; partly because the trampoline is a piece of apparatus that virtually all people, regardless of their abilities, can access, benefit from and enjoy.
The UK body for Rebound Therapy is “Rebound Therapy dot org” who state that in addition to the benefits listed above, it is an ideal vehicle for cross curricular teaching activity; with the potential for teaching such things as numeracy, colour recognition, positioning (left, right, backwards, forwards, clockwise and anticlockwise), communication, social awareness and consideration of others.
They further state that the unique properties of the trampoline offer ample opportunities for everybody to enhance movement patterns.
The work is intrinsically motivating and enjoyable and returns high value in therapeutic terms for the time and the effort involved.
The fact that the activity is so enjoyable can enable it to be used as a motivational aid to learn. Many teachers also report increased concentration and willingness to learn in the classroom following a Rebound session.
“Rebound Therapy dot org” are responsible for the development and provision of certificated staff training courses for schools and centres throughout the UK.
The courses have received approved status from the Professional Development Board for Physical Education which is supported by afPE.
More information about Rebound Therapy and staff training courses can be found on their website: www.ReboundTherapy.org
Their email address is: info@ReboundTherapy.org and telephone no is 01342 870543