Healing Thresholds Autism Therapy Topic Feed

West Texas Autism Center Offers ABA Services

scottie — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 15:00:00 +0000

Teaser:

Melissa Richardson, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, founded the West Texas Autism Center in Abilene.

Body:

Melissa Richardson, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), founded the West Texas Autism Center in Abilene. Having worked in the autism and special education field for over 35 years, she’s a strong believer in early intervention. The center focuses on applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy for the clients, who range in age from 2 to 27. Richardson explained, “The earlier we get in there and teach them those skills, the more they're going to progress and be able to apply what they know.”

Original Article:

New Clinic Offers Specialized Therapy for Autism in Abilene

New Low Cost Autism ABA Options for San Antonio Families

scottie — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 15:00:00 +0000

Teaser:

The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) College of Education and Human Development opened a new center focused on autism.

Body:

The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) College of Education and Human Development opened a new center focused on autism. The Teacher Education Autism Model (TEAM) is a support center for teachers and other educators. In addition, TEAM offers low-cost applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapies to area families in need. Lee Mason, a UTSA professor of special education, explained, “It is our hope that the TEAM Center will ease the burden for local families who are seeking early intensive behavioral intervention for their children." The center will work as a teaching laboratory with graduate ABA students working hands-on with children with autism.

Original Article:

UTSA Autism Center will Provide Low-Cost Services for San Antonio Children

Teaching Financial Skills to People with Autism

scottie — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 21:52:15 +0000

Teaser:

The University of North Texas (UNT) has been awarded a grant to produce video training to teach financial skills to students with autism.

Body:

The University of North Texas (UNT) has been awarded a grant to produce a video training program that will teach financial skills to students with autism. UNT’s Kristin Farmer Autism Center and Student Money Management Center are creating the video, which will be available for free at money management and autism centers. Kevin Callahan of UNT explained, “Current research indicates that many young men and women on the autism spectrum experience significant challenges with self-management, including navigating their finances successfully.” By using a video format, students who might not make eye contact with teachers or who have difficulty in traditional classrooms, will be able to learn skills that will allow them increased independence.

Original Article:

UNT Has Money Lessons for Autistic Students

California Kids with Autism Get Music and Arts Training

scottie — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Teaser:

The Community School of Music and Arts provides CA people with autism the chance to learn music and participate in art-making.

Body:

The Community School of Music and Arts (CSMA) provides northern CA people with autism the chance to learn music and participate in art-making. Director, Linda Covello, explained, “A lot of them come here with issues about being out in the world and the kind of input they have to deal with. [CSMA provides] a safe environment where they can react to crazy sounds and different materials.” The Artistic Intelligence Program serves teens and adults from Morgan Autism Center, Abilities United, and AchieveKids. Their participation is free and sponsored by fundraising. The staff at CSMA understands that the social interaction and communication is as important to the students as the music and art training.

Original Article:

CSMA Classes Serve Developmentally Disabled, Autistic Students

Indiana to Get New Autism Center

scottie — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Teaser:

The Foundation arm of Parkview Huntington Hospital in Northeast Indiana will open the area’s first autism center in 2013.

Body:

The Foundation arm of Parkview Huntington Hospital in Northeast Indiana will open the area’s first autism center in 2013. The center will eventually provide applied behavior analysis (ABA), physical and occupational therapies, and cognitive and behavioral therapies to up to 40 children ages 2 through 18. Each child will have an individualized program to maximize social and communication skills. Darlene Garrett, chief operating officer of the hospital, explained, “This is a very exciting step in the treatment of autism in this area. Our center will be of tremendous help to local families.”

Original Article:

NE Indiana Hospital to Open Autism Center in 2013

Kids with Autism Learn Social Skills at Texas Center

scottie — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Teaser:

Once again we get to report on a university-sponsored autism center.

Body:

Once again we get to report on a university-sponsored autism center. The Baylor Autism Resource Center, in Waco TX, offers Social Circles groups to improve social skills in children and young adults on the autism spectrum. Along with professionals, psychology students are trained to assist the kids. Recently, the center surveyed parents to determine their major concerns. As a result, they are having workshops on bullying – identifying it and helping their children deal with it. Dr. Julie Ivey-Hatz, director of the center explained, “Children with autism can be bullied by other kids who might consider them unsociable. The workshops will help parents to protect their child and teach kids how to stand up for themselves.”

Original Article:

Autism Center Helps Students, Children with Social Skills

Green Tree School Expands Autism Program

scottie — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Teaser:

The Green Tree School, which already serves children with autism and other special needs is expanding.

Body:

The Green Tree School, which already serves children with autism and other special needs is expanding. The Philadelphia based facility’s new space will include a vocational skills center, sensory rooms, movement areas, safe time-out spaces, and therapy rooms. The school has involved the community in the building process, hiring local workers for construction jobs and other employment opportunities.

Original Article:

Groundbreaking for New Autism Center

Autism Center of Excellence to be Established at Boston University

scottie — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 19:50:08 +0000

Teaser:

Boston University received a grant from the NIH to specifically study the difficulty with speaking that many children with autism have.

Body:

Boston University received a grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to specifically study the difficulty with speaking that many children with autism have. Helen Tager-Flusberg, director of the Autism Center of Excellence explained, "There has been almost no research on this group of children and adults, and we have designed several key projects to address this gap in our knowledge.” Much of the research will focus on developing methods that will help people with autism learn to speak, including technology, brain and behavioral studies, and aspects of Auditory-Motor Mapping Training (AMMT). AMMT uses music – singing and motor activities – as the basis for teaching language skills.

Original Article:

BU to Establish Autism Center of Excellence

University of North Texas Opens Multi-Disciplinary Autism Center

scottie — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 16:04:36 +0000

Teaser:

The Kristin Farmer Autism Center recently opened at the University of North Texas (UNT).

Body:

The Kristin Farmer Autism Center recently opened at the University of North Texas (UNT). Along with individualized education, the center will offer physical therapy, music therapy, and speech therapy to people with autism. Kristin Farmer, benefactor of the center, said that she contacted Kevin Callahan (a former professor) at UNT to see if he would be interested in a center that served families and people with autism. The center will be affiliated with the College of Education, the speech and language department, and the psychology department in order to offer students as well as the families they serve the best overall therapies possible.

Original Article:

UNT Cuts Ribbon at New Autism Center

Minnesota Autism Center Begins Use of Skills Online Program

scottie — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 20:34:08 +0000

Teaser:

A few years ago we highlighted the Minnesota Autism Center (MAC) for their early intervention efforts in southeast Minnesota.

Body:

A few years ago we highlighted the Minnesota Autism Center (MAC) for their early intervention efforts in southeast Minnesota. We’re happy to say, they are serving kids all over MN and have recently adopted the Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) Skills online program. Skills is a unique tool that provides 24/7 treatment progress for a child with autism. Skills features include: ABA-based treatment, 24/7 computer access, 4,000 lesson activities (social, motor, language, adaptive, and cognitive), and the ability for teachers, parents, and professionals to have access to the same information about a child. Skills co-creator, Dr. Adel Najdowski, explained, “Skills has an assessment with a corresponding curriculum that addresses every skill a child learns in typical development from infancy to adolescence across every area of human development.”

Original Article:

Minnesota Autism Center to Use New Online Program