Hyperbaric treatment (40 hourly sessions) may improve function, language, social skills, eye contact, and sensory awareness in children with autism.
Many children with autism have poor blood flow and low levels of oxygen in their brains. While this has been measured, no one knows why the brains of children with autism are different from the brains of other children. This study was done to see if hyperbaric treatment could help relieve the symptoms of autism. This trial is the first controlled study of hyperbaric treatment in children with autism. The use of hyperbaric treatment at 1.3 atm and 24% oxygen was safe with no side effects.
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Responding to Mneme Therapy
May 26, 2011 by AnonymousDocumented testimonials show that MnemeTherapy® can create dramatic improvements in all persons with issues of the brain including children and adults on the autistic spectrum, individuals with Alzheimer's disease, strokes, brain trauma and other related disorders. These changes in the brain include improved verbal skills (or new verbal skills) mobility, decrease or ceasing to be combative, spatial awareness (restored body map), understanding and following instructions, and connecting socially with others.
http://artwithoutboundaries.net/Testimonies.html
MnemeTherapist operate their own private practice and are listed by location on the Art Without Boundaries Association website: http://artwithoutboundaries.net/MemberIndex.html
CBT
Mar 31, 2011 by AnonymousThis is very interesting and inspiring! Are the CBT techniques adapted in any way? Self awareness is an important skill set for everyone. I believe we have much to learn from our Autistic community.
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
Responding to art therapy
May 18, 2010 by AnonymousArt Therapy is a mental health profession that requires a master degree, specializing in art therapy, from an accredited university or college. Art therapy uses the creative process of art making to improve and enhance the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of individuals of all ages. It is based on the belief that the creative process involved in artistic self-expression, guided by a professional art therapist, helps people to resolve conflicts and problems, develop interpersonal skills, manage behavior, reduce stress, increase self-esteem and self-awareness and achieve insight. (Please see the official website of the American Art Therapy Association at arttherapy.org.)
Art therapy may be especially beneficial for persons with autism because of its inherent ability to surpass language barriers. Children and adults can easily use "hands-on" expression to make therapeutic gains when traditional "talk therapy" is not feasible. In addition to be effective, art therapy is often enjoyable for clients and they look forward to it. Skill as an artist is NOT important. The therapeutic process is the focus in treatment, rather than the artistic product.
Art therapists in your area can be located by going to www.arttherapy.org. One may also search local Yellow Pages under Counselors, Licensed Professional Counselor, Therapists, Psychologists, and other mental health professions.