Healing Thresholds Autism Therapy Topic Feed

Corrections from the author of Following Ezra

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:09:49 +0000

Thanks for featuring my book Following Ezra on your site. However, I need to correct some inaccuracies in the post.

1. Ezra was never nonverbal. LIke a lot of children on the autism spectrum, he was remote and difficult to connect with when he was 3 or 4 years old.But he always had language and never lost it.

2. It wasn't a therapist who suggested that we celebrate our son. At a difficult moment when he was 3 and my wife and I were having difficulty connecting with him, a therapist suggested we might need to "grieve for the child he didn't turn out to be." I realized I did not have the instinct to mourn -- nor did I think that would be the most helpful response to having such a child. Instead, I was committed to celebrating and loving the child I had. While of course we have made great efforts to help Ezra live the most complete and fulfilling life possible, the approach I describe in my book was never to try to fix or change my son, but rather to support and celebrate him

3. Ezra did not "recently" complete his first film, as you write. He created "Alphabet House" at age 12 after he had already made a few other films. He's now 16 and has made many more animated shorts since then. "Alphabet House" house was recently adapted as a children's book, published in October 2011. It's called "E-mergency!" and is coauthored by Tom Lichtenheld and Ezra. The Boston Globe named it one of the 10 best children's books of 2011.

4.Ezra's comments about autism and Judaism were not a response to a question. They were observations he made in the speech at his bar mitzvah, when he turned 13.

I would appreciate it if you'd fix these errors in the post. Many thanks,

Tom Fields-Meyer,

author,

"Following Ezra"

New Charter School in Harlem Seeks Students with Autism

scottie — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 18:51:32 +0000

Teaser:

The Neighborhood Charter School of Harlem will begin accepting students, most specifically those with autism in September 2012.

Body:

The Neighborhood Charter School of Harlem will begin accepting students, most specifically those with autism in September 2012. Anna M. Phillips, a reporter for SchoolBook, explains they are looking for low-income children in kindergarten or first grade who may not yet have a final diagnosis of autism, but are exhibiting symptoms. The school models itself after the ASD Nest program, which takes children on the higher end of the ASD spectrum and gives them a chance to integrate socially and academically with the community around them. Patricia Soussloff and Ruth Meyer, the school’s founders, are offering diagnostic assistance for families through the Young Adult Institute (YAI Network). The hope is that children who might not have the advantages of early diagnosis and intervention will be served by the new school.

Read original article: In Harlem, a Charter School Recruits Autistic Children

Does Your Child with Autism Suffer from Anxiety?

scottie — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Teaser:

Kathie Harrington, a speech and language pathologist and mom of a son with autism, has written an article on dealing with anxiety.

Body:

Kathie Harrington, a speech and language pathologist and mom of a son with autism, has written an article on dealing with anxiety. She points out that anxiety in a person with autism may affect sensory, physical, imagined, and communication areas in the person’s life. She explains, “They are anxious when they know and they are anxious when they don't know. They are anxious when they see something is close and they are anxious when something is not close enough…. They are anxious when, and when, and when... .” Some techniques she recommends include routine, relaxation, weighted clothing, music, flashlight, View Master, bean bag chair, and reading.

Read original article: How to Ease Anxiety in a Person with Autism/ASD

Minnesota Community Provides Information on Autism to Parents and Caregivers

scottie — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 16:22:57 +0000

Teaser:

Osseo Area Source of Information and Support (OASIS) has begun a series of lectures on dealing with kids on the autism spectrum.

Body:

Osseo Area Source of Information and Support (OASIS) in Minnesota has begun a series of lectures on dealing with kids on the autism spectrum. OASIS will meet once a month and will focus on ADHD, ADD, LD, EBD, ODD, OCD, anxiety, depression and bipolar issues as well as autism. While the meetings last from 6:30-8:30, participants may stay longer to continue with questions and answers. PrairieCare and Weaver Lake Elementary School sponsor OASIS. Future topics will include: behavior therapy, social skills, and use of technology.

Read original article: OASIS Meetings Planned for Parents, Caregivers

Responding to relationship development intervention (RDI)

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 16:54:13 +0000

I am a parent of an 18 yr. old young man with ASD who we have been doing RDI with for the past 3 years. Once we began the program his life and ours changed. He now initiates conversation with us - true conversation, with give and take, perspective sharing, observations are related and my interests considered. He is much more other-focused and considerate. Outbursts and anti-social behaviors have been significantly decreased. Our household is so much more calm and life normalized. His ability to make study us during communication (total body language - faces, posture, tone - not just the words said) and approrpriately respond and interpret this non-verbal aspect of language is really imporved and remarked upon by family/friends and teachers. He is able to do this on his own, no prompting, no scripting - it is becoming "normal" and happening as expected. We are completely satisfied with this program and while costly, it has delivered the results where others haven't. It really changed his life. I work in Special Olympics and have a control group to compare him and this intervention against as a result. His progress compared against his peers (same age/ school experiences/ but different interventions) is significantly better. We very much look forward to how far he can go.

Recent Study Shows that Training Peers May Help Children with Autism

scottie — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 20:28:12 +0000

Teaser:

The NIH recently funded a study that shows that children with autism may have improved social behavior if their peers receive training in how to interact with them.

Body:

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recently funded a study that shows that children with autism may have improved social behavior if their peers receive training in how to interact with them. Connie Kasari, Ph.D., of the University of California, led a team that compared different interventions among children with autism who were already partially mainstreamed. One of the interventions consisted of teaching neurotypical kids how to interact with their classmates who were on the spectrum. The children whose peers received training spent less time playing alone, were thought of as friends by the neurotypical kids, and had increased social skills.

Read original article: Training Peers Improves Social Outcomes for Some Kids with ASD

Fly-Fishing as Recreational Therapy for Children with Autism

scottie — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 13:51:28 +0000

Teaser:

Western Carolina University’s (WCU) Recreational Therapy Program is providing fly-fishing instruction to kids with autism.

Body:

Western Carolina University’s (WCU) Recreational Therapy Program is providing fly-fishing instruction to kids with autism. Along with assistance from the Adaptive Fly Fishing Institute, the skill was adapted to youngsters on the autism spectrum. Although there is limited research on fly-fishing, the WCU recreational therapists believe that it may increase social skills. The therapists had the children first learn to cast towards hula-hoops rather than the usual reference of a number on a clock face. The visual cue seemed to help the kids understand the concept of aiming towards a certain spot. The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission stocked the creek with trout so that each of the boys was able to catch a fish. WCU provides a number of activities for kids on the spectrum including Dragonfly Forest, which involves small groups of children in play, scavenger hunts, and kickball.

Read original article: Students Teach Adaptive Fly Fishing

School Hosts Autism Awareness for All Students

scottie — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 19:24:31 +0000

Teaser:

St. Andrew School hosted an all-school assembly so that students could learn about autism.

Body:

St. Andrew School hosted an all-school assembly so that students could learn about autism. The main speaker, David Berry of Spinmaster Toys, talked about how his organization works with Kerry’s Place, which is a provider for people on the autism spectrum. Berry told students about some of the misconceptions of autism, for example, some kids with autism are non-verbal, but others may speak as well as neurotypical children. In addition, it’s not that students with autism always want to be left alone, it’s just that they don’t always know how to communicate socially. The mom of one student with autism was pleased to see the message of “diversity and tolerance.”

Read original article: Autism Subject of St. Andrew's Assembly

It’s Not Too Early to Begin Holiday Preparations for Your Child on the Autism Spectrum

scottie — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 16:46:03 +0000

Teaser:

This is a great proactive article from Community Connections Inc. about preparing your child with autism for the wackiness that may surround the holidays.

Body:

This is a great proactive article from Community Connections Inc. about preparing your child with autism for the wackiness that may surround the holidays. These suggestions include: giving your child a “bear-hug” to help with over-stimulation; participating in sensory building activities like baking or making music; making sure your child gets enough sleep, and feeding your kid a healthy diet. Community Connections Inc. sponsors a group called San Juan Kids, which is available to give autism screenings and evaluations.

Read original article: Holiday Season can be Overstimulating, Especially for Kids

Ten Tips for Parenting Kids on the Autism Spectrum

scottie — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 16:07:22 +0000

Teaser:

This article on parenting tips was written by Dr. Sarita Freedman, a clinical psychologist.

Body:

This article on parenting tips was written by Dr. Sarita Freedman, a clinical psychologist. Freeman suggests ten ideas that might seem obvious, but may get lost in the emotions of parenting a child with autism. Among her suggestions, which she details in the article, are: 1) Take care of your emotional health first; 2) Participate in your child’s activities even if they may feel strange to you; 3) Praise your child’s appropriate behavior; 4) Capitalize on what is unique about your child; and 5) Know when to ask for help.

Read original article: Top 10 Strategies for Success: Emotional Parenting of the Child with Autism/Asperger's or PDD