Autism Therapy: confidence

definition of confidence: not yet defined.

No Factsheets to Display

Journal of Communication Disorders, by Thomas_Stonell, N., Oddson B., Robertson B., and Rosenbaum P., published in 2009, summarized May 29, 2009

Parents of children with autism reported improvements in their child's behavior after speech and language therapy.

Parents of 210 preschool children were asked about their expectations before speech and language therapy, and then asked about any improvements in their children after therapy. Parents said play, social skills, and confidence, as well as speech, improved after therapy. Their behaviors at home, in school, and in public were also better. These additional behaviors are not generally used by therapists to prove success. But, perhaps speech and language therapies could be expanded to include these additional behaviors.


Autism, by Harrington, JW, Patrick PA, Edwards KS, and Brand DA, published in 2006, summarized Mar 1, 2007

Many parents have lost confidence in the ability of doctors to identify and treat autism.

This paper reports the results of a survey designed to measure parents' beliefs about autism and how those beliefs affect their relationships with their doctors. The survey included mostly middle and upper income families who chose to attend an autism meeting. Most of the parents in the survey had tried many therapies. Many parents were upset that there is no proven treatment for autism other than intensive behavioral therapy (such as ABA). The authors recommend that doctors ask parents about any alternative treatments that are being used in order to build a trusting relationship with the parents.


Development and Psychopathology, by Golan, O., and Baron-Cohen S., published in 2006, summarized Dec 6, 2006

The computer program Mind Reading is able to help adults with autism learn to recognize complex emotions.

Individuals with autism spectrum conditions have trouble recognizing emotions from faces, voices, and eyes. Mind Reading was able to teach this skill even when it was only used for a short period of time (20 hours over 10 weeks). The adults who participated in this study reported that after using the Mind Reading software, they were more willing to look at people and make eye contact. The authors suggest that an improved ability to read emotions may result in improved confidence and willingness to interact with others. In this experiment, individuals using Mind Reading were compared to individuals receiving no therapy.


Paige and Renee, two Massachusetts teens with autism, are set to perform their ice skating skills at a benefit for Nashoba Learning Group, Inc., a school for children with autism. Students on the Hudson High School Ice Skating Team are mentoring Paige and Renee - teaching them skating as well as social interaction skills. The girls have increased confidence, new skills, and new friends. Renee's mom said, "The experience has given Renee a lot of confidence and exercise. It's improved her listening and her follow-through, and it has been very social." One of the mentors has said, "I've become very close to Paige and her family." Skating has allowed Paige and Renee to release energy, and it makes them smile and laugh." She said that in 4 months, the girls have learned to turn, jump, and skate backwards.

Read original article.


ManeGait, in McKinney Texas, provides therapeutic horseback riding and equine therapy for children with autism and other developmental disabilities. Children learn self-confidence and increased language skills as they interact with the horses. Dr. Carolyn Garver, clinical director of the Autism Treatment Center in Dallas, has this to say about ManeGait, "This therapy is incredibly beneficial .... On a horse there are no disabilities but only abilities."

Read original article.


Edwin Nathaniel of the Aseana Percussion Unit (APU) partnered with Parents' Resource for Autism (PR4A) in Malaysia to form Rhythm Support. APU has found that percussion and drumming can be used as music therapy for children with autism. A drum circle provides children with coordination, self confidence, and discipline. Edwin believes that all children have rhythm, "You don't need to be a drummer or musician to be in our drum circle. As long as your heart is beating, you've got the rhythm."

Read original article.


Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) may be a useful intervention therapy for children with Asperger syndrome. An Ohio mom has found that her son with Asperger's enjoys the physical therapy aspect of MMA as well as the social interaction. MMA has built his confidence and self-esteem. His instructor explains that, "martial arts are great for children with all types of disorders. It's a built-in attention system....where you have certain cues or attention anchors, to get kids' attention."

Read original article.



Please comment on this autism topic.

Social Skill Builder

Feb 16, 2010 by megan

Social Skill Builder, Inc. was founded by speech pathologists and sisters Jennifer Jacobs M.S. CCC-SLP andLaurie Jacobs M.A. CCC-SLP in 1999.  Social Skill Builder provides appropriate tools for teaching social skills to children affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other language/learning difficulties. 

Because social interaction between people usually happens so quickly and naturally, it is hard to teach these skills to children with social competence difficulties. Social Skill Builder software programs allow children to dissect social situations in a safe and controlled environment, with the opportunity to replay scenarios for greater understanding. Such practice provides children with greater insight into social interactions and increases their confidence as they try out new skills in their real-world environments.

Social Skill Builder has created a series of learning tools, targeting preschool through young adults, which use real life video in computer assisted programs to teach social skills. The user is able to watch the video scenarios unfold and then make choices about what should be said or done next in a safe and controlled environment. These interactive features allow the child or adolescent to step inside familiar social situations to problem solve or predict outcomes. Motivating reinforcements and games make learning the social skills fun and entertaining. This unique training software provides a reference for language, behaviors and interactions that children can carry into the natural environment.

Social Skill Builder's products are designed for speech and occupational therapists, educators, counselors and psychologists, and parents who interact with children and adolescents ages 3-18 affected by ASDs and other learning/language deficits.


You can find more information regarding our software at www.socialskillbuilder.com



Please comment on confidence or other autism therapy topics.

    Read more about confidence

  • Factsheet
  • Research
  • News
  • Comments.
  • Synonyms for confidence include:
    Share |