Healing Thresholds Autism Therapy Topic Feed

St. Kitts/Nevis Federation Hopeful About Autism Early Intervention Center

scottie — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:19:19 +0000

Teaser:

The Ministry of Education on St. Kitts, with funding UNESCO, held an autism training workshop.

Body:

The Ministry of Education on St. Kitts, with UNESCO funding, held an autism training workshop. For two days, preschool teachers, special education professionals, day care supervisors, and nurses learned about recognizing early signs of autism in children. The Principal at the Special Education Unit on Nevis, Mrs. Violet Clarke, hopes this education results in an early intervention center. “The centre will be set up as a demonstration environment to provide training for parents, nurses, preschool providers and teachers. Children will have the opportunity to be screened and receive intervention programmes designed by a multi professional team,” she explained. The focus therapies for the children will be speech and occupational therapies in order to best increase social and communication skills. Clarke hopes this goal will prompt different governmental and educational agencies to work together, sharing knowledge and funding.

Read original article: UNESCO Workshop on Nevis Draws Attention to Federation's Children with Autism

Alabama High School Provides Typical School Experience for Students with Autism

scottie — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Teaser:

Spanish Fort HS, through its Project Reach program, allows students with autism to participate in everyday classroom and sports activities.

Body:

Spanish Fort High School, through its Project Reach program, allows students with autism to participate in everyday classroom and sports activities. Along with academics, the students learn life skills, go on field trips, and have after-school jobs. The teens receive individualized training throughout the day and interact with neurotypical students through a high school club – Project Outreach. Teens with autism can earn a certificate of attendance and participate in graduation activities. Special education teachers report students of all abilities learn from one another.

Read original article: Autistic Students Excelling at Spanish Fort High

Children with autism and horses

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 20:18:59 +0000

PREFACE:

My experience working with children diagnosed with Autism has been a little like knocking on the door to their place of business.

Option #1

Sometimes, no one answers the door and even if the hours of operation are posted, they are not always observed.

Option #2

If the door is answered, you rare sometimes invited in, but once inside you realize it is a waiting room where messages are exchanged. There is no direct contact. This can cause delays, miscommunication and confusion. Patience and timing are critical.

Option #3

With enough effort and understanding you are sometimes (and hopefully) invited into the main office and speak to the boss directly. In this setting, skills understanding and effort are still required but are less demanding and more productive.

This is the most rewarding and productive of the three options.

The equine program developed at the Westwind Rodeo Academy has facilitated the opportunity to enter the office and speak to the boss directly. (Remember - they are not YOUR boss, but the boss of the company you need to do business with.)

I personally believe it has been a key ingredient in several instances, in moving forward and grasping the potential for the Education system to assist and direct students diagnosed with Autism in their academic efforts and opportunities.

FOLLOWING : Is a cursory description of a multi-faceted program that will hopefully provide a glimpse into these concepts.

CAUTION: The thoughts information and data provided here are solely my responsibility and have not been endorsed, accredited, approved or even spell-checked by the Westwind School Division, the Westwind Rodeo Academy or any other authority.

Harlan (Lanny) Smith B.S.W., Family School Liaison Counselor

e-mail lannysmith56@gmail.com

The Program

More than just a riding program, the Westwind Rodeo Academy in Cardston Alberta provides a unique program centered on relationships that is based on a triad as part of a larger group of nine. Each child that attends the program is matched with a specific horse and equine specialist EQ (horse handler) that is chosen for their skills and experience working with children with special needs as well as their command of horse knowledge and competence.

The group of 9 is formed with 3 groups of 3 to allow for broader experience, interactive activities and comparative experiences and an ambience in the session. The selection of which 3 students will attend together is carefully considered and may include children with a variety of challenges not limited to Autism. The sessions are repeated for 6 consecutive weeks and may be repeated up to 4 times a year, space allows and need requires, although each section is provided as a stand alone intervention.

One of the most inspiring experiences is when children fully embrace the horse and the relationship when they take the opportunity to lay down on the horses back without saddle (sometimes with a bareback pad or blanket, but not always), and spend quiet time, just embracing the horse while the child is at rest. This can include conversation with the EQ as originated by the child and is largely a listening activity for the EQ, or just a silent time. This activity is sometimes suggested by the child and sometimes by the EQ and may occur at anytime during the session. It is can be used to de-escalate the child or address stress or emotional discomfort. It is also used as a modest celebration or reinforcement in the relationship.

Actual riding occurs during these sessions but is not the object or the goal. Many sessions pass without the child being on horseback as the situation dictates. Each session is focused on the child's orientation to the world around them as far as they can express through words, body language, choices or actions, their needs and concerns as well as interests and inclinations. Although safety is an over riding principal, convenience to the horse or EQ is secondary to the child's expressed or perceived preference.

We have witnessed EQ's trotting beside the horse as ridden by the child who has expressed a desire to have the horse move at faster than a walk.

(Again, safety is paramount which necessitates one or more EQs running beside the horse. In this case, the child's skills and aptitude to remain safely on the horse is previously determined. We also consider the horses history and attitude and performance on that particular day as part of the decision making process.)

This can be physically demanding and inconvenient for the EQ but a major contributor to the child's experience and benefit. The results the child experiences, the more effort required by the EQ to facilitate without imposing or tainting the child's experience.

The other component of this system is the support of a Mental Health Practitioner and supervision by the Facility Director. This completes the formal team. Decisions about activities, concepts and specific goals are managed by the Facility Director and Bahavior Specialist and the EQ's in consultation.

We have also encouraged with some success, the attendance to at least one of the sessions in each section by a significant family member as well as the students classroom teacher and possible other support personnel. These individuals are given direction about the concepts of non-interference and non-projecting on the child's experience while acknowledging the elements the child is embracing. They meet the horse, the EQ and observe the activities. We often take pictures or video and encourage this experience to be talked about at home and in the classroom.

Of course this is a snapshot of the experience in condensed form and there are many details and intricacies that cannot be explained or properly presented in this format. Overall, the development of this process has been most rewarding and inspiring and worth the investment of time, money and effort. It requires many elements working in concert to achieve this model. We are fortunate that these things have come together thus far.

Questions or comments leading to discussion and education are appreciated.

College Adds Seminar that Focuses on Educating Kids with Autism

scottie — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 14:54:30 +0000

Teaser:

The Miller College Institute is offering a seminar to teachers on evidence-based teaching methods for children with autism.

Body:

The Miller College Institute is offering a seminar to teachers on evidence-based teaching methods for children with autism. This Michigan college seminar doesn’t focus on a single method of teaching, but on an understanding of autism. Educators are then asked to use their own teaching skills to work with the kids. The participants are also encouraged to exchange ideas with one another. Another focus is on helping children communicate and learn using more visual methods. The course is geared towards general education teachers who work with developmentally delayed children, but is open to anyone involved with autism.

Read original article: New Miller College Seminar Aids in Autism Battle

Some Holiday Gift Ideas for Kids with Autism

scottie — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 14:59:02 +0000

Teaser:

A favorite special education teacher of ours, Pam Downing, has written part 1 of a series on purchasing holiday gifts for kids with autism.

Body:

A favorite special education teacher of ours, Pam Downing, has written part 1 of a series on purchasing holiday gifts for kids with autism. The types of games she suggests are those that are interactive and can be played with the child and his family. She suggests parents find out what their child likes to do in the classroom and purchase some of those games. In addition, she recommends book/stuffed animal combinations including: Wherever You Are with a dolphin, The Spirit of Christmas with a lion, It’s Time to Sleep, My Love with a panda and On the Night You Were Born with a polar bear. Another tip is to look for sensory toys, these can include inexpensive items that light up or spin. Squishy toys are good and can be found at a low price and a lot of kids love balls. We’ll keep you posted as more suggestions arrive.

Read original article: Christmas Ideas for Children Who Have Autism

Center Opens for Autism Teacher Training and Observation

scottie — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 14:56:41 +0000

Teaser:

The Northwest Regional Education Service District Hillsboro Education Center recently opened in Oregon to help kids with autism.

Body:

The Northwest Regional Education Service District Hillsboro Education Center recently opened in Oregon to help kids with autism. The center is the first in Oregon to provide both teacher training and teacher/parent observation. There are 500 three-to-five year olds served by the center, which also offers one-on-one and online training. Part of the focus is for special ed and other teachers to learn techniques and interventions for working with autism so that they can go back to their school districts and train still more teachers. In addition to the chance to observe their children, parents can spend time in the toy room to see what items and colors and textures their child prefers so that they don’t waste money on items that may not help their child.

Read original article: Hillsboro Education Center Provides Autism Teacher Training and Services for Disabled Youngsters

Toronto Gets Autism Center that Integrates Education, Life Skills, and Research

scottie — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 14:54:20 +0000

Teaser:

The Kae Martin Campus in Ontario is the first of its kind in Canada to combine education, life skills, and research for children with autism.

Body:

The Kae Martin Campus in Ontario is the first of its kind in Canada to combine education, life skills, and research for children with autism. The Campus hopes to begin taking its first students in 2013 and will begin with 520 students. They hope to work closely with the autism research that is currently being done at York University. Currently kids on the spectrum are receiving applied behavior analysis (ABA) and other therapies at the New Haven Learning Center, started by parents talking about how best to educate their kids.

Read original article: Centre Announced to Integrate Research, Education for Kids with Autism

ELIJA School Provides Tips for Holiday Travelling with Children with Autism

scottie — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 23:21:00 +0000

Teaser:

The Empowering Long Island’s Journey Through Autism (ELIJA) School has provided some great travel suggestions for the holidays.

Body:

The Empowering Long Island’s Journey Through Autism (ELIJA) School has provided some great travel suggestions for the holidays. First, they suggest preparing your child for the destination, with photographs, a count-down calendar, and itinerary. Second, if you are travelling by plane, check with the airport to see if they would allow you to bring your child for a trial run. Third, if you are driving, try leaving in the evening so that your child may sleep, also bring favorite items from home. Fourth, if staying in a hotel, again try a trial run and look for hotels with a pool or hot tub. Finally, if you are staying with friends, show your child photos of the house, and prepare your child’s favorite snacks, and let your friends know of any helpful things they can do. ELIJA School, in existence since 2006 provides education for children with autism as well as outreach service for parents and professionals.

Read original article: The ELIJA School's Holiday Travel Tips for Parents of Children with Autism

Park for Kids with Autism Stimulates and Calms

scottie — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 16:48:36 +0000

Teaser:

Kids with autism who attend Prince Phillip School in Saskatoon got a new multi-sensory park and playground.

Body:

Kids with autism who attend Prince Phillip School in Saskatoon got a new multi-sensory park and playground. Potash Inc. donated funds and Play Works, Inc. designed the park. The old playground was in disrepair and not many kids used it. The school worked with parents and special education teachers to create a new playground that would be safe, stimulating, and allow kids to express themselves. The playground has a rubberized floor surface and sensory panels as well as the first “Harmony Park Outdoor Musical Playground” in Saskatoon. Laura Orenchuk, co-chair of the playground committee said, “Many of the children with autism who attend our school are on the lower functioning end of the scale, so their ability to verbalize what they want and need can be limited. For some, the best way to express themselves is physically, and the playground can help them do that.”

Read original article: A Special Park for Special Needs Students

Responding to applied behavior analysis (ABA)

RichardSaffran — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 12:24:06 +0000

ABA Resources for Recovery from Autism (http://rsaffran.tripod.com/aba.html) is a collection of resources for parents who want to learn about or implement ABA programs for their child with autism. I started this site in 1997 after learning first-hand how difficult it is to get accurate information about ABA and autism.

The site includes directories of ABA service providers, private schools, and special education attorneys and advocates, both in the US and world-wide. It also includes years of 15 years of letters from parents describing their own difficulties securing effective services and their experiences with ABA.