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.


Along with its rodeo-themed curriculum, the Westwind Rodeo Academy in Alberta Canada offers equine therapy for people with autism. Shellee Shaw, the academy’s director began focusing on kids with disabilities in 2009. She believes that horses and kids with autism are a natural match; there is unconditional love from the animal, full body movement for the child, and reduction of stress. Teachers and therapists who help with the horseback riding talk about the improvements they have seen in children’s confidence and communication. “It probably is the most effective thing that I’ve done with kids,” said Lanny Smith, a counselor at Cardston Elementary School.

Read original article: More than Horseplay: Rodeo School Helps Children with Special Needs


The 2011 Summer Inclusion Film Camp brought together aspiring young filmmakers with autism and film professionals. The participants spend two weeks making a short film – from creating the idea, to acting, to editing, and finally a red carpet screening. The focus of this camp is on self-confidence, creativity, and team building; no one is the star, everyone works together to make the film happen. Joey Travolta began the camp in 2007 and receives support from Futures Explored and Full Circle of Choices.

Read original article: Inclusive Red Carpet Event - Youths with Autism Screen Movie They Made at Camp


Marte Meo therapy is designed to help families with autism. This video-based therapy helps parents and caregivers communicate and support emotional development in children with autism. Marte Meo provides practical information and offers support and advice to increase family self-confidence and parenting skills. This article highlights program offerings at Ireland’s Dublin City University's University of Enterprise. The Marte Meo program was developed by Maria Aarts in 1987 as a way to make therapy information accessible to families, particularly in the area of early intervention. Marte Meo is now an international organization with tailor made therapy programs for different countries.

Read original article: Launch of HSE-Funded Report on Marte Meo


Allan Goes, a jujitsu champion, and his wife Carolina, a psychologist, began teaching a martial arts class specifically for kids with autism. When their second son was diagnosed with autism, they worked with his ABA and occupational therapists to develop a martial arts program for him. Now the Goes Martial Arts Center holds one class a week for kids with special needs, and has found that the children also benefit from participation in classes with neurotypical kids. The benefits from martial arts are not just self-defense, but self-confidence and interpersonal skills and communication.

Read original article: Mixing Martial Arts and Autism



Please comment on this autism topic.

Responding to weighted vest

Aug 25, 2011 by Anonymous

 My young adult son hiked the entire Appalachian trail a few years ago--form Ga to Maine--over 7 months --carrying a 40 plus pound back pack.  He was calm, relaxed and maintained a positive mood as the hike continued.  He was able to stop his Ablilfy meds while hiking and lost 40 pounds of excess weight.  He self reports that he gained spiritual insight, confidence, and trust in his fellow humans.  His comment was that he only met two people he didn't like--out of the hundreds he encountered.  Based on Joe's experience, I believe hiking is a wonderful non-competitive activity for some high functining young adults on the spectrum. The weight bearing and steady movement in generally quiet and natural settings agreed with Joe.  He  had never hiked and never pitched a tent--but  with the support of an experienced hiking partner, he made his way over 2,000 miles of hard mountainous terrain--an amazing accomplishment for anyone--and a phenomenal one for Joe.


Responding to interactive metronome

Feb 9, 2011 by Anonymous

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.


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.

  • Factsheet
  • Research
  • News
  • Comments.
  • Share |