Healing Thresholds Autism Therapy Topic Feed

Music Therapist Teaches More than Just Music to Kids with Autism

scottie — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Teaser:

Laura Fehr is a music therapist who has opened her own practice in North Dakota to work with children with autism.

Body:

Laura Fehr is a music therapist who has opened her own practice in North Dakota to work with children with autism and other special needs. Fehr, who uses music to work on non-music skills, such as social interaction and communication, says, “Music therapy works because music is processed everywhere in the brain.” She believes that every person has music in them; “everyone knows some sort of music.” Before Fehr begins a music therapy program, she assesses a child’s social skills, motor skills, cognitive skills, and communication abilities. She then sets client-specific goals and reassesses every three months.

Read original article: Music Therapy Graduate Brings Her Services to Bismarck

Cognitive-Behavior Therapy Computer Game Engages Children with Autism

scottie — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 18:11:29 +0000

Teaser:

Paul O’Donoghue has written an article highlighting study on use of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for kids with autism.

Body:

Paul O’Donoghue, an Irish clinical psychologist, has written an article highlighting a study on use of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for kids with autism and other developmental delays. O’Donoghue first explains the difference between evidence-based therapy and alternative therapies. He then goes on to discuss a study using a computer game to teach evidence-based CBT to children who “otherwise find the usual therapeutic process boring or difficult.” Dr Gary O’Reilly of the School of Psychology at UCD led a team to develop a game that would provide feedback to behaviors in an attempt to increase positive behaviors and decrease negative ones. The game allows the children to visit a place called Gnattenborough’s Island where they are introduced to the main character, David Gnattenborough, who acts as a guide. The kids learn to recognize and deal with different emotions, for example, NATS (Negative Automatic Thoughts). The training is generic, but children keep a personalized diary on their progress. A CBT-trained therapist leads the game.

Group Celebrates 20 Years of Cognitive Gains for Kids with Developmental Disabilities

scottie — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 16:15:02 +0000

Teaser:

CIRC and UAB have been working together for 20 years to develop cognitive solutions for a variety of disabilities including autism.

Body:

Civitan International Research Center (CIRC) and University of Alabama Birmingham (UAB) have been working together for 20 years to develop cognitive solutions for a variety of disabilities including autism. CIRC has produced research that has led to programs such as Head Start. Using the research and knowledge of 83 principal investigators, CIRC is able to report on gains in helping at risk kids, its ability to adapt to the disease environment as it changes, and investigate new disorders. At the autism clinic, services include diagnostic evaluations, outpatient therapy, and social skills group. Another product of CIRC research is ACQUIREc, a form of constraint-induced movement therapy, which helps children who have central nervous system damage improve movement skills.

Read original article: Cognitive Disability Breakthroughs Continue at CIRC

Rocky Mountain Autism Center Moves to Larger Facility

scottie — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 13:26:56 +0000

Teaser:

The Rocky Mountain Autism Center (RMAC) has moved to a new larger space in Lone Tree, CO.

Body:

The Rocky Mountain Autism Center (RMAC) has moved to a new larger space in Lone Tree, CO. Dr. Pat Rydell, the director believes that children with autism can grow into socially integrated adults. RMAC focuses on increasing cognitive flexibility; they prompt kids to interact with each other and with the larger world outside the center. In addition to one-on-one therapy, RMAC includes the entire family in therapy and the center contains large rooms to accommodate family interaction. In addition, RMAC encourages families to continue therapy at home to achieve maximum results.

Read original article: Autism Center Opens in Lone Tree

Animal-Assisted Therapy Helps Kids with Autism in Costa Rica

scottie — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 13:44:37 +0000

Teaser:

Therapists, educators, and others in Costa Rica who work with children with autism are receiving training in animal-assisted therapy (AAT).

Body:

Therapists, educators, and others in Costa Rica who work with children with autism are receiving training in animal-assisted therapy (AAT). AAT uses animals as a part of the therapy for people with emotional and developmental challenges. This type of therapy, many times involving dogs, encourages social, emotional, and cognitive functioning. Marjorie Navarro, the coordinator of Fundación Bacalán in Costa Rica, explains that therapists may seem less threatening when they have an animal with them. AAT allows for a non-judgmental bond between the person and the pet.

Read original article: Dogs in Aid of Emotionally Challenged in Costa Rica

Chiropractor Develops Maximum Potential Program to Help Kids on the Autism Spectrum

scottie — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 15:34:21 +0000

Teaser:

Dr. Richard Kelly, a Bridgehampton chiropractor, has developed a therapy program to help children on the autism spectrum.

Body:

Dr. Richard Kelly, a Bridgehampton chiropractor, has developed a therapy program to help children on the autism spectrum. Maximum Potential works to strengthen the brain so that kids might have improved social and focal behavior. The therapy focuses on sensory and cognitive exercises that combine “postural and spinal adjustments, aerobic and hand-eye coordination exercises and reflex activity.” Kelly calls Maximum Potential less a treatment, but rather a regiment, which includes nutrition and exercise in addition to the adjustments. Maximum Potential begins with an assessment and then adds an individual plan of exercises combining aerobics with eye-hand coordination.

Read original article: Bridgehampton Chriopractor's Autism Therapy Yields Success

Cooperatives Provide Assistance to Rural Families with Autism

scottie — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 17:37:30 +0000

Teaser:

We have written about the difficulties that some rural families with autism have in finding nearby therapies and special education resources.

Body:

We have written about the difficulties that some rural families with autism have in finding nearby therapies and special education resources. In an Oklahoma community, two cooperatives have formed to provide services to a number of schools for less than the cost the schools could provide services themselves. Services provided by the Cherokee County Cooperative and the Cherokee County Interlocal Cooperative include: special education teacher salaries, speech and language therapy, visual therapy, cognitive behavior therapy, and a host of other opportunities for kids with special needs.

Read original article: Cooperatives Provide Key Resources to Rural Schools

WeeZee is a Sensory Playground for Children with Autism

scottie — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 17:59:44 +0000

Teaser:

Access Nursing has created WeeZee to be a combination occupational therapy and sensory playground for kids with autism.

Body:

Access Nursing has created WeeZee to be a combination occupational therapy and sensory playground for kids with autism and other delays. Louise Weadock, founder of Access Nursing, figured out that most of the time spent in therapy for her daughter on the spectrum was in desensitizing her. Weadock believes this time should be spent in play, not in a therapy office. She explains, “Like a fitness routine outlined by a trainer, the assessment would lead to a particular ‘sensory diet’ or ‘sensory regime’. The kids would go to WeeZee to work on cognitive development, social relationships, and physical endurance." To get WeeZee off the ground, Weadock has a handful of high school interns who use their memories of play to help mold the space. WeeZee will include areas designed to appeal to each of the senses, as well as a Zen Den for parents.

Read original article: Pleasantville Organization Develops Playful Solution for Autistic Kids

The Brain Trainer is Evidence-Based Training and Speech Therapy Center

scottie — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 19:12:44 +0000

Teaser:

The Millers, parents of a son with autism, could not find any therapy that worked for their son until they discovered The Brain Center.

Body:

The Millers, parents of a son with autism, could not find any therapy that worked for their son until they discovered The Brain Center. Founded by Dr. Vicki Parker, The Brain Center works with children and adults to improve areas of the brain including speech, focus, memory, attention span, auditory, and visual processing. Parker has over 25 years experience as a speech pathologist with a focus on neurological disorders. Each child is assessed and an individual program formed. The Miller’s son works on his cognitive learning skills: “tangrams - shape-based puzzles - playing matching games, learning to track something with his eyes and how to focus on tasks and instructions.” Even though their son continues with special education classes, The Brain Trainer integrates a more individualized treatment plan for him.

Read original article: Center Helps Your Brain Work Better

One Family with Autism Helps Others with Financial Struggles

scottie — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 16:07:09 +0000

Teaser:

When Jodi and Keith Malec’s son Jacob was diagnosed with autism and cognitive impairments, they found themselves in the financial world of therapies and treatment.

Body:

When Jodi and Keith Malec’s son Jacob was diagnosed with autism and cognitive impairments, they found themselves in the financial world of therapies and treatment. As Keith says, “It’s like having a child in college from birth for the rest of their lives.” Friends and relatives helped them out financially with fundraisers, so to pay it forward, they started Friends of Jacob Foundation. The Foundation does the best it can to give grants to families in need. One recipient was Bobby Dugar, a single dad with an 11 year-old son with autism. The Foundation grant money provided a therapeutic swing as well as an iPad that allows Ryan to communicate. The foundation operates on a volunteer basis and have long term goals that include a large rural ranch for adults with autism.

Read original article: Friends of Jacob Foundation Helping Special Needs Kids