Healing Thresholds Autism Therapy Topic Feed

Aquatic Therapy is one of the Oldest Types of Physical Therapy

scottie — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 16:50:47 +0000

Teaser:

Since the times of ancient Egyptians and Hippocrates (over 2,400 years ago), there has been much to recommend aquatic therapy (or swim therapy).

Body:

Since the times of ancient Egyptians and Hippocrates (over 2,400 years ago), there has been much to recommend aquatic therapy (or swim therapy). This form of physical therapy takes place in water and is a low impact activity. Recent research with children with autism has shown “substantial increases in attention, muscle strength and balance, as well as the ability to tolerate touch and to initiate and maintain eye contact.” Another study followed kids with autism who used swim therapy for over 10 years and found they had increased movement, family interaction, and were better able to handle sensory issues. Lisa Koo, OTR/L at Bergen Pediatric Therapy Center explains water therapy is unique because of buoyancy, water pressure, reduced force on joints, and increased body awareness.

Read original article: Aquatic Therapy

Gym Specifically Designed for Kids with Autism

scottie — Tue, 17 May 2011 16:23:40 +0000

Teaser:

Diana Connor, an occupational therapist, started Sensational Movement for kids with autism in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area.

Body:

Diana Connor, an occupational therapist, started Sensational Movement for kids with autism in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. She found that even though children might not be verbal and may have other developmental delays, they may very well have lots of energy to expend. While Connor explains that her gym is not a substitute for therapy, one dad says about his son, “He can get good exercise and he comes out actually feeling calmer, less stress.” Equipment at Sensational Movement includes balance beams, trampolines, and sensory-based equipment.

Read original article: Plano Gym Development Aims to Help Children with Autism

Suit Therapy May Help with Autism and Traumatic Brain Injury

scottie — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 16:56:10 +0000

Teaser:

Suit Therapy is a treatment designed to help people with autism, traumatic brain injury, stroke, and cerebral palsy.

Body:

Suit Therapy is a treatment designed to help people with autism, traumatic brain injury, stroke, and cerebral palsy. Innovative Suit Therapy and Fitness in Louisiana is one of the few certified centers. The treatment consists of putting on a “suit” constructed of resistance bands that help align the body. Then the patient practices exercises using cords and pulleys that concentrate on core muscles. Strengthening these muscles can help with walking and balance.

Read original article: Unique 'Suit Therapy' Helps Neurological Patients

Prancing Hearts and Therapies to Grow On Use Horses to Teach Trust to Children with Special Needs

scottie — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 17:16:06 +0000

Teaser:

Prancing Hearts, which began as equine therapy to help children who had been abused, has joined with Therapies to Grow On to help kids with autism and other developmental delays.

Body:

Prancing Hearts, which began as equine therapy to help children who had been abused, has joined with Therapies to Grow On to help kids with autism and other developmental delays. Denise Hansen has seen the trust that develops between her horses and children. “I want them to be able to learn to confide in someone. Hopefully, the horse can break down those barriers and help them heal,” Hansen explains. Dana Ehring, a speech therapist who owns Therapies to Grow On, has partnered with Hansen to help kids with autism learn balance, trust, responsibility, and sensory integration while on horseback. They have plans for an equine therapy summer camp that would be free, with donations going to feed the horses.

Read original article: Helping Children Trust

Responding to interactive metronome

Wed, 09 Feb 2011 11:54:40 +0000

As a certified Interactive Metronome Provider, I have experienced many positive results working with clients with Autism, ADD, ADHD, TBI, Asperger's Syndrome, Chronic Fatigue and seniors with balance/gait difficulty. There IS significant research on Interactive Metronome if one looks at the proper resources. Increased focus/attention, better coordination, improved motor planning, improved self-confidence, better eye contact, less impulsiveness, less anxiety, better grades in school are only a few of the gains that clients I have worked with have gained as a result of IM.

I have worked with close to 80 clients and have only had one client ( a 50 year old male ) with ADD who felt that IM did not help them in some way.

Responding to neurofeedback

Tue, 01 Feb 2011 23:22:09 +0000

I used neurofeedback for my daughter for about a year, when she was 14. She was gong though a lot of changes at the time, very anxious. She also has other disabilities a deletion of the short arm of chromosome 4, celebral palsy and has had a stroke she walks with a limp after intensive therapy for many years. We used Conductive Education, a Hungarian technique for children with motor disorders.

The results of NFB were-she was more verbal after NFB and surprisingly her balance, gait and ability to move around improved noticeably. She also had noticeable changes in cognitive behaviour and ability to communicate.

Unfortunately she decided she no longer wanted to stay hooked up to the electrodes and TV and we had to abandon the treatment. We are using acupuncture at present, along with Neurolink, massage and homeopathy. She is now aged 20 years.

Man Who Suffered Head Trauma Turns His Struggles to Helping Children with Autism

scottie — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 13:50:03 +0000

Teaser:

Greg Marischen, who suffered a severe head injury, returned from his therapy determined to use the same therapy methods for children with autism.

Body:

Greg Marischen, who suffered a severe head injury, returned from his therapy determined to use the same therapy methods for children with autism. Robert Melillo, a NY doctor improved on those cognitive and physical therapies to create Hemispheric Integration Therapy (HIT), which lead to the growth of Brain Balance Achievement Centers. Marishen now directs a center in Ohio that helps not only his two sons, but other kids with developmental delays. “The program is all about the plasticity of the brain. After aggressive therapy focused on the weak areas of the brain, it has the ability to rewire itself and make those connections,” said Marischen.

Read original article: Kettering Native Helping Kids wIth Cognitive Health

Customized Outdoor Playset Helps Child with Autism Learn and Play

scottie — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 16:43:23 +0000

Teaser:

Caldwell Hunt, a youngster with autism, gets therapy and good times on his custom built outdoor playset.

Body:

Caldwell Hunt, a youngster with autism, gets therapy and good times on his custom built outdoor playset. Play Outside Playsets in Alabama designs and builds playsets to suit any child’s developmental needs. Caldwell’s playset includes a rock wall, rope ladders, zip line, and slides. The Hunt’s say that while the unit is large, it takes into account all Caldwell’s needs in the areas of balance, tactile skills, and coordination. The Hunts would eventually like to start a sensory playgroup for other kids with autism.

Read original article: Playset Helps Development in Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Health, Happiness, and Healing Through Horses

scottie — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 15:00:00 +0000

Teaser:

The Adaptive Riding Institute (ARI) has a simple mission when it comes to helping children with autism and other special needs: health, happiness, and healing through horses.

Body:

The Adaptive Riding Institute (ARI) has a simple mission when it comes to helping children with autism and other special needs: health, happiness, and healing through horses. ARI has provided therapeutic horseback riding in Oregon since the late 1980s. Riders find that their balance and muscle tone is improved when they are on horseback; the horse’s gait mimics the human walking motion. Parents report that their children also have increased communication and social skills. Volunteers are what keep ARI running, they “take turns helping with everything from hoisting the riders up to cleaning up the by-products.

Read original article: Riding Provides Therapy for Children with Disabilities

Combination of Technologies May Help Children with Autism Better Use Both Sides of Their Brain

scottie — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 18:46:11 +0000

Teaser:

Leslie Toldo, a reporter, discusses two variations on using technology to help children with autism.

Body:

Leslie Toldo, a reporter, discusses two variations on using technology to help children with autism. Toldo first examines a program used in Spain – software named SC@OUT – developed by researchers at the University of Granada. The software allows non-verbal children to communicate via laptops, PDAs, or video game systems. Next, Toldo interviews Mark Goldenberg, who is executive director at the Norwalk CT Brain Balance Achievement Center. Goldenberg believes that the brain in a child with autism is not connecting the left and right hemispheres. The Brain Balance program works to strengthen the brain with treatments that include diet, physical, sensory, and academics.

Read original article: Technology to Help Autistic Children