Autism Therapy: communication

definition of communication: not yet defined.

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Representations of Autism: Implications for Community Healthcare Practice
Community Practitioner, by Brownlow, C., and O’Dell L., published in 2009, summarized Dec 11, 2009

People with autism participate in online discussions, and reveal how they think and feel about autism.

This study was designed to try to understand how people with autism, Asperger’s, or other autism spectrum disorders (ASD) view themselves and their autism. The article also discussed the language and wording that was common in the online discussions. The authors said that people in these discussion groups see themselves as a separate group from neurotypical people who don’t have autism. The authors hope that learning how people with autism communicate with each other may help other people communicate with them.


Teaching Music to Children with Autism: Understandings and Perspectives
Music Educators Journal, by Hourigan, R., and Hourigan A., published in 2009, summarized Dec 7, 2009

Picture exchange communication system (PECS), rehearsal routines, and movements may be useful tools for music teachers who teach children with autism.

This article presents an overview of symptoms of autism disorder to teach music teachers about autism . The main point of the article is to offer suggestions to music teachers who work with people with autism. The authors suggest that repetition and setting routines for the music classroom that may be helpful to the children with autism.


Peer-Mediated Teaching and Augmentative and Alternative Communication for Preschool-Aged Children with Autism
Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disability, by Trembath, D., Balandin S., Togher L., and Stancliffe RJ, published in 2009, summarized Nov 24, 2009

Preschool children with autism may learn social communication skills from typically developing peers in an inclusive classroom.

Children at school may be able to teach their classmates with autism many things Children can use naturalistic teaching for social, communication, or academic skills. In this study, 6 typically developing children were taught how to use naturalistic teaching to help 3 classmates with autism learn to communicate; all the children were 3-5 years old. All 3 children with autism showed improvements in communication behaviors in the classroom and in the lunch room. Over time, only 1 of the 3 children continued to use the skills. The authors think that children as young as 3 years old can help teach their peers in inclusive classrooms.


Using the SCERTS Model Assessment Tool to Identify Music Therapy Goals for Clients with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Journal of Music Therapy, by Walworth, DD, Register D., and Engel JN, published in 2009, summarized Nov 20, 2009

A behavioral and communication test called “SCERTS” may help music therapists set therapy goals for people with autism.

Music therapists can use a behavioral assessment tool (or test) called Social Communication, Emotional Regulation, and Transactional Support (SCERTS). SCERTS helps music therapists learn the strengths and weaknesses of people with autism. Knowing what skills people need help with can guide the design of a therapy program. SCERTS is helpful for testing communication, emotional, and behavioral skills that might be helped with music therapy. SCERTS can also be helpful for measuring progress during therapy.


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Using Visuals to Help Children with Autism Communicate

Feb 2, 2010

Pamela G. Downing, a special education teacher in Brownsville, Texas, believes that children with autism are visual learners. She thinks it is important to use pictures of emotions and body language to help children with autism communicate. For example, she told the story of a child with autism who with help from three pictures – a happy face, a frown face, and an “O” face – was able to modify his behavior.

Read original article: Communication for Autism Spectrum Disorders


Camp Leaps and Bounds Provides Winter Camp Experience for Kids with Autism

Dec 17, 2009

Camp Leaps and Bounds, in conjunction with Baby Power/Forever Kids in New Jersey, is providing a winter camping opportunity for kids with autism. The camp will focus on occupational therapy techniques to increase sensory awareness and communication. Allowing children the chance at autism therapies during the winter school break helps create continuity and structure for them. Children will get help with motor skills, auditory processing, and visual delays. The early part of the day is for children ages 5 to 9, while the afternoon is for children ages 4 to 5.

Read original article: Camp Leaps and Bounds Provides a Fun, Therapeutic Environment for Children with Autism


Texas Children with Autism Find a Special Connection to Horses

Dec 11, 2009

Panther Creek Inspiration Ranch, near Houston, Texas, provides children with autism and other developmental disabilities the chance to use horseback riding as therapy. The director of equine therapy, Carrie Clement, explains that for children who cannot control a lot in their lives, they learn to work with a 1,500 pound horse. The movement of a horse mimics the movement of a human body and while riding, children learn balance and flexibility. They also have a chance to communicate with their horse and learn self-esteem as they work with their equine therapist. The owners, David and Linda Darnall, started Panther Creek as a youth ranch, but turned it over completely to therapeutic horseback riding. The most experienced teachers, of course, are the horses themselves, "The horses are hand-picked for the special job. One of them is 26 years old and incredibly gentle. Another is a rescue horse. He suffered so much abuse in his life, he really seems to enjoy making a positive impact on the children."

Read original article: Horses Used to Help Heal Children


Study Seems to Validate Importance of Early Intervention as Treatment for Autism

Nov 30, 2009

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) funded a recent study, led by Geraldine Dawson, chief science officer of the advocacy group Autism Speaks, that showed early intervention begun at 18 months of age and continuing for two years may help children with autism improve. The study included 48 children from the ages of 18 to 30 months. The children were randomly placed in groups that received either the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) or referred for less comprehensive intervention. The ESDM promotes family involvement in the therapy plan as well as individualized treatment and systematic instruction. ESDM focuses on communication and social interaction and includes "four hours of therapist-led treatment five days a week, plus at least five hours weekly from parents." While none of the children were considered "cured," the children in the ESDM group had increased IQ, increased language skills, and in some cases the original diagnosis was re-assessed to a less severe form of autism.

Read original article.


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Please comment on this autism topic.

Social Thinking

Feb 10, 2010 by megan

icommunicate therapy

icommunicate is dedicated to enhancing Speech, Language and Communication for all individuals by providing information and resources for speech therapy / pathology, and all communication difficulties and disorders. icommunicate has a large section relating to autism and provides many free downloads with information, ideas and strategies to facilitate communication and learning.


Visuals for Communication & Adapting Behavior

Feb 10, 2010 by Jean

As a special education teacher visuals were high on the priority list with me and our educational assistants for communication, adapting behavior and scheduling. What a difference visuals can make in someones life and for everyone supporting them. I too used happy & not so happy faces :) , :I and :(


This also became a great method for one young man with autism to self evaluate his own work. He rated himself on every activity/project he did and he was so honest in his evaluations! This visual notation on his work schedule would then remind him of how well he had done or that he needed more effort the next time. When using a visual schedule created with a series of cards (velcro) we had an assortment of "faces cards" Later when he had a written work schedule there was a self evaluation column where he drew the appropriate face. We also evaluated his work with the same visual notation, noting when our evaluations were the same as his, which was most frequent!


The Effect of Early Intervention in the Progress of Autistic Child with Mental Retardation

Nov 18, 2009 by Anonymous

INTRODUCTION:

Autism is an incapacitating life long developmental disorder that typically occurs in the first three years of life. Children affected with autism have disturbances in three main areas like social skill, communication and eye contact. There are many causes for autisms some are environmental and some are genetic. Since definite cause is yet to be known it cannot be cured completely. An attempt was made in the present study to know the effectiveness of different types of therapies and treatments. Parental opinion was collected from the children affected with autism. Findings indicated that most of the parents have positive views on standardized therapies, innovative therapies and treatments. Modification in behavior is possible through early intervention by therapies and treatment.

Present Study:  the present study finds the effect of early intervention in the progress of autistic child with mental retardation. Investigator considered three major areas, which were generally used in progress of the autistic child, they are as follows:

  1. Treatments
  2. Standardized therapies
  3. Innovative therapies

Comparison between different types of standardized therapies:  When different types of standardized therapies were compared with arithmetic mean, it was found that occupational therapy and speech therapy was found to be more effective compared to other type of therapies.

COMPARISON BETWEEN STANDARDIZED THERAPIES

Comparison between different types of Innovative  therapies: When  different type of innovative therapies are compared with arithmetic mean , it was found that touch therapy  and Art therapy was found to be more effective compared to other type of therapies.

Comparison between different types of treatments:  When different types treatments are compared with arithmetic mean, it was found that Diet and special diet treatment, was found to be more effective.

              Major Findings of the Study

  1. Occupational and speech therapy was found to be more effective among different types of standardized therapies.
  2. Touch therapy and art therapy was found to be more effective among different types of innovative therapies.
  3. Diet and special diet treatments were found to be more effective among different types of treatments.

SUPERVISOR:   D.r.A. RAMAKRISHNA PROFESSOR, IASE, OSMANIA UNIVERSITY

INVESTIGATOR: K.SAILAJA                                                                          


Autism and The Internet Resources Available

Sep 4, 2009 by Anonymous

People turn to the Internet when looking for  information on autism. This is true for parents and caregivers searching for usable information concerning autism.  A search on Google produces 158 hits for "autism eBooks." Amazon.com lists more than 50 books in hard back and paperback. For a disorder that is receiving more attention these days, there is a lack of real information parents can use. Given the lack of reliable resources, what follows is an inadequate amount of the current eBooks available. The selection process was admittedly subjective but done logically and rationally. Those eBooks of a "feel good" nature have been excluded, as well as books profiling the trials and tribulations of being the parent of a child with autism. The autism eBooks providing nuts-and-bolts advice and tips made the list. "Autism: Everything Parents and Caregivers Should Know About the Disorder" provides a in-depth look at current research into the search for the causes of autism, signs of autism, age of onset, for encouraging communication and social skills, and treatment options. The information provided is clear and devoid of the "Sugar Coated" approach to autism. "Living with Autism and Asperger Syndrome" is just one of the titles listed that ranks near the top on most search engines. In an easy-to-read format, our book presents useful everyday tips on what autism symptoms to look for, consulting with the child's teachers on schoolroom behavior, how to mitigate behavior problems, and so much more. Most striking,  is the advice on identifying older children who may have escaped earlier detection and are now exhibiting the hallmarks of autism. "Reaching and Teaching the Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder" presents some of the more recent research on learning theory with regard to autism and related disorders. The author emphasizes the point that not all people with autism are the same; and, different strategies should to be used in teaching the individual.

For more information go to: "Autism: Everything Parents and Caregivers Should Know About the Disorder"


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    • Synonyms for communication include: commicate, commication, communicate, communication adaptation, communication board, communication boards, communication method, communication partner, communication skills, communications
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