Autism Therapy: fine motor skills

definition of fine motor skills: not yet defined.

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Special Education versus Inclusive Education: The Role of the TEACCH Program
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, by Panerai, S., Zingale M., Trubia G., Finocchiaro M., Zuccarello R., Ferri R., and Elia M., published in 2009, summarized Aug 4, 2009

The TEACCH program may be a useful approach in different settings (home, school, and residential) to help children with autism learn skills.

This study compared the treatment and education of children with autism using the TEACCH program versus an inclusive nonspecific program. Boys with autism and severe mental retardation were enrolled in one of 3 different programs over a 3 year period. Thirteen boys were enrolled in the natural-setting (NS-TEACCH; home and mainstream school) program, 11 boys in the residential (R-TEACCH) program, and 10 boys in the inclusive education-nonspecific (INSP) approach. Boys in either one of the TEACCH programs (NS or R) improved from baseline in 11 or more skills (for example, perception, fine motor, gross motor). Boys in the INSP showed improvement in perception only. Therefore, the TEACCH programs may be more helpful for children with autism than the nonspecific inclusive education program.


Sensori-Motor and Daily Living Skills in Preschool Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
J Autism Dev Disord, by Jasmin, E., Couture M., McKinley P., Reid G., Fombonne E., and Gisel E., published in 2009, summarized Apr 23, 2009

Therapy that teaches motor skills may help children with autism to perform daily tasks.

The purpose of this study was to see if sensori-motor skills affect whether or not preschool-aged children with autism can perform daily living skills. The authors assumed that children with autism would have weaker sensori-motor skills than other children. While this was true, they found that the sensori-motor skills varied quite a bit amongst their group of 35 children with autism. The children with autism had large delays in gross motor and fine motor skills compared to other children. The poor daily living skills in children with autism are caused, in part, by these delays in sensorimotor skills.


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Robot Made from Wood May Help Kids with Autism Learn Emotions

Feb 16, 2012

Build-A-Robot from Plan Toys is a wooden toy that may help children with autism learn different emotions. We have written about children with autism and the help they may receive from robots before, but those robots often appeared to look like "special needs" toys. This wooden robot looks much more like block sets that children would relate to. Laura Chun Urquiaga, a former photojournalist, worked with ASD specialists to design the toy. The robot figure, which appeals to boys and girls, has different heads expressing anger, surprise, happiness, and sadness. The heads are changeable and promote sensory awareness and fine motor skills along with teaching emotions. The best part? Build-A-Robot is only $35.

Read original article: A Wooden Robot that Teaches Autistic Kids to Recognize Emotions


Young Man with Autism Makes Walking Sticks to Help Others

Dec 16, 2011

A young adult with autism has found that making walking sticks not only helps those who need the support, but they help him earn a living. Leonard Williams of Wyoming is able to focus and use fine motor skills as he peels the sticks, shapes them, and paints them. Leonard was diagnosed 20 years ago when there were not a lot of early intervention or therapy options. His mom took on the duties of presenting life skills to him. Throughout the years, he’s had various passions, but the walking sticks came about as a 4-H project and his school’s suggestion that he learn a skill to help him in the job place. He currently accepts sticks and branches from neighbors and has started a small business; he sold his walking sticks at craft fairs. His mom thought at first that the business would be mostly online; however, it turns out that there is a community interest in what he does. “It seems everywhere they go, Leonard is waving and greeting people who know him by name.”

Read original article: Walking Sticks Provide Support for Autistic Man


Kidz Korner Provides Pediatric Occupational Therapy

Aug 23, 2011

Kidz Korner, founded by Michelle Horin, offers pediatric occupational therapy (OT) for kids with autism and other developmental delays. The OT offered at Kidz Korner in Ft. Walton Beach, FL, begins with an assessment of the child’s abilities. Gross and fine motor skills, perceptual processing, and sensory integration are some of the areas addressed in a child’s OT plan. Therapists work with the kids at Kidz Korner as well as make referrals to other professionals in the community.

Read original article: Part of Our Family


Occupational Therapy Not Just for Workplace Accidents, but also for Developmental Delays

May 30, 2011

Occupational Therapy (OT) is often thought of as rehabilitation from workplace injuries, but it can be key to helping kids with autism and other developmental delays. This article from the director of Trinity Medical Center’s rehab area (Alabama), explains how OT spans the range from preventative care to mental health. The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) says that what makes OT unique is “its holistic focus on the individual’s capabilities, the activity or activities he or she is having trouble performing, and the environment where the activity is usually performed, such as work, home or other settings.” OT is used to help children learn skills needed to function at home and at school. Skills addressed include fine motor, social interaction, and academic performance. Examples of OT include learning to write, ride a bike, or catching a ball.

Read original article: More Than Workplace Wellness


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Please comment on this autism topic.

Responding to movement therapy

Feb 15, 2012 by Whole Medicine

Have readers of this forum heard of Interactive Metronome?

I have worked with numerous LD's.  Because ASD has as a major component deficits in Executive Functioning, focus, attention and inhibition, I have had tremendous sucess with students on the Spectrum.

TJ, a 12 y/o male with ASD was still bed wetting and presented aggressive/assaultive behavior towards younger siblings and classmates/instructors.

  • After 6 IM sessions bed wetting ceased
  • After 15 sessions TJ displayed the ability to self-monitor escalation of aggressive emotions/behaviors, ending physical attacks upon sibling

  • TJ now attends mainstreamed H.S., classes and no longer requires a F/T class aide


JR was a 17 y/o male dx'd with Aspergers comorbid with ADD and ODD behavior.  Due to gross/fine motor deficits and very low muscle tone he was anxious about any physical activities and exhibited poor self-concept

  • After 4 sessions he began to show generalized timing improvements and his self-confidence grew
  • After 12 sessions Mom reported he was self-initiating chores at home!
  • JR gained confidence in his athletic abilities and learned a left handed [non-dominant side] lay-up 

Please feel free to contact me if you want to learn more. 

 

In Good Health!



Edward Jonathans BSc-IMC
Sensory-Motor Therapist


Education

Sep 24, 2006 by Anonymous

Special Education Rights and Responsibilities

In the meantime, here is Special Education Rights and Responsibilities, better known as the Special Ed bible. This is the ninth edition, revised April 2003. It is written by the Community Alliamce for Special Education (CASE) and Protection and Advocacy, Inc. (PAI). And here is the January 2005 insert (http://www.pai-ca.org/Pubs/504001Ins.pdf ).

The guide is available in other languages at their website (http://www.pai-ca.org/pubs/401601.htm ). They also appreciate donations to help them produce the work.

Mel Levine

Mel Levine has great books that can help in understanding the different ways that a school age brain works. Two good books are "A Mind at a Time" and "The Myth of Laziness."

Montessori

A Montessori education can be good for fine motor skills and just wonderful overall.

Retrieved from "http://www.pwsnotes.org/Education"


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    • Synonyms for fine motor skills include: fine motor, fine-motor
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