Healing Thresholds Autism Therapy Topic Feed

Rodeo School Also Benefits Kids with Autism

scottie — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 18:26:45 +0000

Teaser:

The Westwind Rodeo Academy in Alberta Canada offers equine therapy for people with autism.

Body:

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

Inclusion Film Camp Brings Young Filmmakers with Autism Together with Film Professionals

scottie — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 16:19:03 +0000

Teaser:

The 2011 Summer Inclusion Film Camp brought together young filmmakers with autism and film professionals.

Body:

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

Video-Based Program Helps Families with Autism

scottie — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 14:06:50 +0000

Teaser:

Marte Meo therapy is designed to help families with autism.

Body:

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

Responding to weighted vest

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 18:32:36 +0000

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.

Jujitsu Champ Developed Martial Arts Class to Help Kids with Autism

scottie — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 16:34:44 +0000

Teaser:

Allan Goes, a jujitsu champion, and his wife Carolina, a psychologist, began teaching a martial arts class specifically for kids with autism.

Body:

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

Some Kids with Autism Really Love Horses

scottie — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 17:56:08 +0000

Teaser:

Dana Mase loves horses and the magic they can perform as therapy for children with autism.

Body:

Dana Mase loves horses and the magic they can perform as therapy for children with autism. Ride Kind Therapeutic Riding is her answer to people with developmental disabilities. She lists various ways that therapeutic horseback riding can help: range of motion, muscle building, confidence, self-esteem. Mase explains, “All of a sudden, with the horse, the playing field is even. We see it again and again. There is a self-confidence that comes with weaving and stopping a 1,000-pound animal.” By the way, Dana is also loves music, and proceeds from her new single benefit Ride Kind.

Read original article: The Disabled and Horses Merge in a Business Model

Teenager with Asperger’s Teaches Others About the Autism Spectrum

scottie — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 06:38:01 +0000

Teaser:

Mason Russell is a 14-year-old who just happens to have Asperger’s Syndrome.

Body:

Mason Russell is a 14-year-old who just happens to have Asperger’s Syndrome. And because he was having difficulties coping with and understanding the diagnosis, he started researching the syndrome. Since then, he has begun teaching his classmates about Asperger’s and his struggles. It has made his classmates more knowledgeable and understanding and has given Mason the confidence to speak in front of other groups about what it’s like living with Asperger’s. His school, New Bridge Middle, is smaller and it has been easier for him to integrate. He is also volunteering at his church and at the local chapter of Young Marines. Mason says, “Right now I’m focused on getting through the challenges that I have right now and we’ll see what happens. I just think of it as another class that I’m helping with 30 kids, but once I say those first words the rest follows.”

Read original article: Teen Dedicated to Teaching Others About the Challenges of Autism

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.

Hooves to Heal Provides Therapeutic Horseback Riding for Illinois Children with Autism

scottie — Mon, 24 May 2010 15:39:55 +0000

Teaser:

Hooves for Healing is a non-profit therapeutic horseback riding center in Illinois that provides therapy for people with autism and other special needs.

Body:

Hooves for Healing is a non-profit therapeutic horseback riding center in Illinois that provides therapy for people with autism and other special needs. Fidel Espinoza owns the farm where the center is located, while Debi Olsen handles the business side. Hooves for Healing has 3 NARHA-certified riding instructors who teach in 8-session blocks. Therapeutic horseback riding provides an opportunity for the rider to gain self-confidence and increased balance and motion skills; the movement of the horse mimics that of walking. Olsen says of her son, who has autism, “Being with the horses helped his verbal skills and sensory issues, where he didn't want to touch anything ... but now he's out there cleaning stalls. What he's overcome has carried over to daily life. But the confidence and self-esteem he's gained was the first and foremost benefit."

Read original article: Horse Therapy Center to Help Local People

Happy Trails Puts Horse Therapy Front and Center for People with Autism

scottie — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 17:15:37 +0000

Teaser:

Happy Trails Riding Stables in Ottawa has provided horse therapy to people with autism and other disabilities for about three years.

Body:

Happy Trails Riding Stables in Ottawa has provided horse therapy to people with autism and other disabilities for about three years. Nathalie Gour, the owner, talks about the natural bond between people with autism and the horses. She says, “The horses will stand and allow themselves to be petted. They become more patient. There’s total acceptance.” There is a lot of anecdotal evidence that equine therapy, also called therapuetic horseback riding, helps people with autism. Parents notice that their children gain self-confidence when bonding with the horse. In addition, the movement of the horse mimics that of walking, which provides excellent practice at balance. Many times, a child’s speech will increase as he speaks to the horse he is riding.

Read original article: Horse Therapy