Healing Thresholds Autism Therapy Topic Feed

Tablet Computers as Method for Kids with Autism to Communicate

scottie — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 15:00:00 +0000

Teaser:

New research from the University of Canterbury has shown that non-verbal kids with autism can use tablet computers to request food and toys.

Body:

New research from the University of Canterbury (UC) has shown that non-verbal kids with autism can use tablet computers successfully to request food and toys. Dr. Dean Sutherland, UC researcher, explained, “This is an exciting finding that provides evidence to support the use of these devices but we have some way to go to fully complete this study.” Sixty percent of the children they studied preferred the tablet as a way to communicate as opposed to PECs or sign language. Sutherland said their next step is to determine if children learn better communication more quickly if they are using a device they are most comfortable with.

Original Article:

Young Autistic Children Like to Communicate Via Computers

Animals May Help Kids with Autism be More Social

scottie — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 15:00:00 +0000

Teaser:

A recent study shows that children with autism were more social when animals were present.

Body:

A recent study shows that children with autism were more social when animals were present. Marguerite E. O’Haire and her team of researchers studied children between the ages of 5 and 13. They watched as the children played with guinea pigs and then with toys. They found that the kids were more social – able to laugh, talk, and make eye contact more – when the live animals were there. O’Haire based her study on others that used animals including dogs, turtles, and rabbits.

Original Article:

Animals Help Autism Spectrum Disorder: New Evidence

Texas Gets New Autism Learning Center

scottie — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 15:00:00 +0000

Teaser:

ACI Learning Centers opened a full-service autism facility in Southlake TX.

Body:

ACI Learning Centers opened a full-service autism facility in Southlake TX. ACI Learning Centers, which has locations around the U.S., including facilities for military families, focuses on evidence-based therapies, ABA, and other developmental delays. Nancy Champlin, executive director, explained, “We specialize in teaching what others find most challenging — and in my experience, the most valuable — which is verbal communication, social interaction and play skills.” ACI Learning Centers offers support to parents and families by using play therapy as the way to best accomplish new skills.

Original Article:

ACI Learning Center Opens in Southlake

Global Autism Project Announces New Distance ABA Supervision

scottie — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 15:00:00 +0000

Teaser:

Many countries in the world have less than 10 (or none at all) certified applied behavior analysis (ABA) professionals.

Body:

Many countries in the world have less than 10 (or none at all) certified applied behavior analysis (ABA) professionals. One of the reasons there are so few, besides lack of awareness, is that to be certified, an ABA-certified therapist must directly supervise ABA student-therapists. The Global Autism Project hopes to raise the number by starting a distance supervision program. The clinical director, Ann Beirne, explained, “Our mission is to support professionals and promote evidence-based practice worldwide. We are now taking a more active role in addressing the global shortage of people trained to work with individuals with autism.”

Original Article:

Global Autism Project Announces Distance Supervision for Autism Professionals

The GAPS Diet as Treatment for Autism

scottie — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Teaser:

Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride, who founded the Gut and Psychology Syndrome Diet (GAPS), believes that diet plays a role in autism.

Body:

Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride, who founded the Gut and Psychology Syndrome Diet (GAPS), believes that diet plays a role in autism, and that GAPS can help. GAPS is based on the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SDC) with a few modifications. GAPS suggests that people with autism avoid processed foods, including dairy and grains. The three nutritional parts of GAPS are: 1) Diet; 2) Supplements; and 3) Detoxification and Lifestyle Changes. While there is no evidence-based research on GAPS, many parents of children with autism believe it has helped their kids.

Original Article:

Eating Away Autism? The GAPS Diet

Precision Training Offered as Therapy for Kids with Autism

scottie — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Teaser:

Precision Training is being offered as therapy for autism at Queen’s University Belfast, Centre for Behaviour Analysis.

Body:

Precision Training is being offered as therapy for autism at Queen’s University Belfast, Centre for Behaviour Analysis. Researchers believe that Precision Training may help kids with autism improve academic skills. Precision Training, developed in the 1960s by Ogden Lindsley, is a type of programmed instruction that focuses on how to behave, how often, how fast, and for how long. It has its roots in BF Skinner’s studies. Dr. Karola Dillenger, Director of the center, explained that in Ireland, “4,000 children with Autism Spectrum Disorders are of school-age and the provision of evidence-based behaviour analytic treatment is vital to ensure that these children are enabled to lead fulfilled lives.”

Original Article:

New Treatment for Children with Autism to be Unveiled at Queen's University Belfast

The Need for Evidence-Based Autism Therapies

scottie — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Teaser:

At Healing Thresholds we have always advocated for evidence-based therapies for autism; here’s a mom who agrees.

Body:

At Healing Thresholds we have always advocated for evidence-based therapies for autism; here’s a mom who agrees. Joslyn Gray, creator of stark.raving.mad.mommy blog went searching for evidence-based therapies when her son was diagnosed with autism. She found that while there were few treatments that were evidence-based, there were no lack of heresay evidence that she said supported “just about any therapy from the completely whackjob to the seemingly sensible.” She came across a recent study, led by researcher Margaret Maglione, that rated levels of therapeutic evidence from moderate to insufficient. The lead therapies reported in the research were applied behavior analysis (ABA), integrated behavioral/developmental programs, picture exchange communication system (PECS), and various social skills interventions for Asperger’s and high-functioning autism.

Original Article:

Study: More Evidence Needed on Which Autism Therapies Really Work

Early Intervention May Improve Brain Activity in Kids with Autism

scottie — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Teaser:

A recently published study on early intervention (EI) for kids with autism showed that EI may improve brain activity.

Body:

A recently published study on early intervention (EI) for kids with autism showed that EI may improve brain activity. The EI in the study focused on improving cognitive and speech skills in children as young as a year old. One researcher, Geraldine Dawson, PhD, explained, “For the first time, parents and practitioners have evidence that early intervention can result in an improved course of both brain and behavioral development in young children. It is crucial that all children with autism have access to early intervention which can promote the most positive long-term outcomes.” The EI in the study was based on a combination of applied behavior analysis (ABA) and relationship-based approaches, such as Relation Development Intervention (RDI) and floortime.

Original Article:

Study Touts Benefits of Early Intervention for Autistic Children

Research Finds Little Evidence for Using Medications in Young Adults with Autism

scottie — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 14:19:47 +0000

Teaser:

Dwayne Dove, M.D., PhD studied the effectiveness of medication on young adults and adults with autism.

Body:

Dwayne Dove, M.D., PhD, and his team of researchers at Vanderbilt University reviewed the effectiveness of medication on young adults and adults with autism. They looked at people with autism aged 13-30 and reviewed 8 studies that had examined the evidence of medication working or not. Researchers found that evidence was insufficient for issues they reviewed. Dove explained, “Given the number of individuals affected by ASD, there is a dramatic lack of evidence on best approaches to therapies for adolescents and young adults with these conditions. Little evidence supports the use of medication treatments in the adolescent and young adult population." The complete review may be downloaded for free.

Original Article:

Limited Evidence on Medication Use for Youth with Autism

Arkansas River Valley Gets Certified ABA Therapist and Clinic

scottie — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 21:28:50 +0000

Teaser:

Camile Lenderman is one of less than 20 board certified behavior analysts (BCBA) in Arkansas.

Body:

Camile Lenderman is one of less than 20 board certified behavior analysts (BCBA) in Arkansas. She recently opened a clinic, Open Doors ABA Services, in Russellville. She has worked in the autism field for over 20 years and has consistently seen applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy work for kids on the spectrum. She explained, “Behavioral analysis is a scientific approach with evidence-based research behind it that addresses behaviors. It can be used with anything you do, such as walking, talking, reading or writing….When applied to children with autism, you’re taking guidance based research and replicating it.”

Original Article:

New Resource Available for Families Affected by Autism