Auditory (sound) processing training may not improve reading, spoken language, or attention in children with autism.
The author of this article compared 6 studies of auditory training program for children with auditory processing problems. Children with autism may also have auditory processing problems. They may have good hearing but have trouble processing sound input. The author said that commercial auditory training programs can be helpful for improving auditory processing. Nonspeech training and simple speech training were helpful. However, reading, spoken language, or attention were not improved. The author also said that there are few well-controlled studies on this subject, and some poorly-designed studies may be misleading.
Autism Therapy: hearing
definition of hearing: not yet defined.
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- Current Opinion in Neurology, by McArthur, GM, published in 2009, summarized Oct 6, 2009
- Deafness and Autistic Spectrum Disorders, by Vernon, M., and Rhodes A., published in 2009, summarized Sep 29, 2009
Some people with autism are also deaf, and have special communication needs.
The authors said that about 1 out of 25-80 people who are deaf also have autism. Deafness and autism together make communication hard. These children need therapies that address both disorders. Also, deaf children are often diagnosed with autism later than hearing children. It would be better to get the autism diagnosis earlier so that autism therapy can be started at a younger age. The National Deaf Academy in Mt. Dora, Florida provides residential services to people who are deaf, autistic, or both.
- British Medical Bulletin, by Tantam, D., and Girgis S., published in 2009, summarized Apr 2, 2009
Social skills training, psychotherapy, and behavioral training such as applied behavior analysis (ABA) may be helpful for people with Asperger syndrome.
This review article describes treatments for people with Asperger syndrome. The authors use the term patient management and state that diagnosis is the most important part of management. Once diagnosis is made, then the patient may also be screened for other problems such as hearing or vision problems, or seizures. IQ tests may help doctors to suggest a path of schooling or work. The authors do not believe in the routine use of drug therapy for people with Asperger syndrome.
- The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, by Shoener, RF, Kinnealey M., and Koenig KP, published in 2008, summarized Nov 19, 2008
Occupational therapists may be able to help people with autism learn to feel their bodies and move their bodies better.
The authors begin the article by stating that while many people used to believe that people with autism are mentally retarded, people now know that this is not the case. This case study describes an intense approach to occupational therapy (OT). The goal of the occupational therapy was for David (age 18) to learn to self-regulate and learn to move freely. The therapy was based on listening to David's voice and hearing what David needed. David described what it felt like to live with sensory integration problems, motor speech problems, and problems moving.
On a regular basis, we highlight speech and language therapy as an important early intervention tool. But what are some of the signs to look for to see if your child needs it? Researchers have compiled a list of the 25 words every toddler should know. They explained that if a child gets to be 2 years old and doesn't know the words, it may indicate a problem, such as autism, hearing issues, or perhaps the child is just a late bloomer. The words include names of toys, food, animals, mommy, daddy, and bye bye. The Language Development Survey consists of 310 words that scientists say toddlers should be familiar with. If a child knows less than 50 of the words, there may be a problem; the average child will know 150 of the words. Professor Leslie Rescorla developed the studies. She explained, "But if the child is still struggling for words by two and a half, they should consider help such as speech therapy, and certainly not put this off past the age of three."
Read original article: The 25 "Must Have" Words Every Child Should Know by the Age of Two
Auditory Integration Training as Therapy for Autism
Feb 15, 2012A speech and language pathologist in Kuwait has begun using auditory integrations training (AIT) for his students with autism at Dasman Model School and Khalifa School. Mamoun Aburas was interviewed for this article and discussed how he saw improvements in speech and attention span. Aburas explained that AIT is an, "intervention programme designed to correct or improve auditory hypersensitivity, distortions and delays in the signals that interfere with an individual’s ability to process auditory information normally." AIT, which is still considered an alternative therapy, presents music through a machine called an Earducator. This machine helps balance the music so that children are hearing sound at the same way in each ear. The music used must cover a wide range of frequencies and have a good tempo and beat. Some of the music Aburas favors includes Bob Marley, Hall & Oates, Bryan Adams and Chris De Burgh. He is pleased that more parents in Kuwait are getting involved in their children's treatment and that autism is not seen as too much of a stigma.
Read original article: Music Used to Help Special Children
A summer program is allowing teens with Asperger’s Syndrome to learn better communication skills while conducting radio interviews. The Perspectives program is a collaboration between the Temple Grandin School and University of Colorado’s Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences Department. Students are paired with a UC graduate student to come up with interview questions, which they then practice before doing the live interviews on KGNU radio station. The program is intended to help kids on the spectrum who have a hard time asking questions as well as communicating thoughts and feelings with others.
Read original article: Radio Program Helps Asperger's Students Master the Art of the Interview
In Arizona, as in a number of states, the children with autism and special needs require more speech and language pathologists than are available. Arizona State University’s (ASU) Speech and Hearing Department is implementing a program that grants certification to its undergraduates – Speech and Language Pathologist Assistants (SLPA). SLPAs will be allowed to work in the classroom while supervised by a fully qualified speech pathologist. The hopes are that the SLPAs will eventually get their masters degree and become fully licensed. ASU students are eager to begin working with children in schools, hositals, and clinics. Cathy Bacon, a clinical associate professor in the program states “Our undergraduate program already provides a rigorous basic scientific background to understand the fundamental processes and disorders and disease of speech, language and hearing. This certificate program will provide clinical training and coursework to allow undergrads to practice in the field prior to pursuing a master’s degree.”
Read original article: Speech Certification Program Addresses State Shortage
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Autism and Deafness Event
Oct 20, 2010 by Deaf AutismCalling all educators, health care personnel, family members and other allies
interested in individuals (children & adults)
with autism spectrum disorders who also are deaf or hard of hearing
Understanding a Dual Diagnosis: Children and Adults with Autism who are also Deaf/Hard of Hearing
< Special Educational Event! >
Why: To learn more about this dual diagnosis and how to better serve people affected
To give your ideas on creating a statewide support and information association for professionals and parents
What: Guest presentation by Joseph Trapani, representative from the National Deaf
Academy, Mt. Dora, Florida. NDA has a specialty program aimed at serving
deaf/hh children & youth with co-occurring autism spectrum disorders.
Small group and large group brainstorming and visioning for new association
When: Wednesday, November 10, 2010,
9:30 – 12:30 presentation and visioning
1:00 – 2:00 PM - Planning for next steps for interested stakeholders/Logic Model
Where: Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind
33 N. Institute Street
Colorado Springs CO 80903
Cost: This event is free but donations would be greatly appreciated to pay for refreshments, interpreters, and materials. Some support may be available for families to attend: apply for a scholarship to Janet@handsandvoices.org.
To register: Contact Lorri Park, Autism Society of Colorado lorri@autismcolorado.org
720-214-0794 x11 by November 4, 2010.
Please advise if interpreting or other access is needed.
Unable to attend in person, but interested in possible webinar attendance?
Unable to attend, but want to give feedback on needs and desires for this population we serve?
Please contact lorri@autismcolorado.org. Lorri will email information about potential webinar attendance and email a prepared survey to you to return by November 4, 2010.
Event Hosts: Autism Society of Colorado (Lorri@autismcolorado.org)
Colorado Families for Hands & Voices (editor@handsandvoices.org)
Rocky Mountain Deaf School
Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind
Colorado Department of Education
Bill Daniels Center for Children’s Hearing and more to come…
An open mind
May 18, 2009 by AnonymousLuckily, county health authorities decided that the swine flu was not nearly as serious as had originally been feared, and Thomas only missed school on Monday and Tuesday as a result of it. Not the whole week as they had originally closed the school, so thank goodness! Still we had the added trouble of explaining to Thomas that he would not have school that one week and then had to un-explain the whole thing, springing on him at 7:30 p.m. the night before he thought he did not have school that yes, contrary-wise, he DID have school. Hilarity ensued, I assure you. Not.
I’m sure that all of my readers are tired of hearing about this Disney Trip we’re planning in August, but I have more to say about it. In preparation for not just the rides but the shows, we’ve taken Thomas to Hayley’s little graduation ceremony and her dance recital as I mentioned in a previous blog. We were very concerned during Hayley’s graduation ceremony because Thomas would NOT sit still, was very squirmy and didn’t understand the concept of being quiet so as not to disturb others. This is somewhat frightening. Of course, I’m banking on the fact that Disney World will be overrun with small children who don’t understand the same thing and Thomas will merely fade into the background. He did a little better at Hayley’s dance recital the following evening (last week was a logistical nightmare...I don't think we ate dinner as a family all week) but I think that was only because he had Jonathan’s PSP with him. He actually used it for about the second half of the show, after Hayley performed. These little park district dance recitals are so adorable…the costumes are so sweet and the little girls look enchanting. Among the under-6 age set, not much actual “dancing” takes place, but the audience is so enraptured by the adorable tutus and hairdos that executing a perfect plie isn’t all that important.
There was actually one boy who performed in a fifties number! We pointed him out to Thomas who was engrossed in Lego Star Wars on the PSP by that point and didn’t take much notice, but I certainly did! So perhaps if we enroll Thomas in dance for next year, he would not be the only boy in the whole thing. My father, upon hearing that Thomas was interested in dance, did all he could to quash the idea. Being a rather traditional man, he piped up with some clap-trap about “boys should play ball” and such. Jonathan and I would be thrilled if Thomas could be in a dance class and actually do well! We totally don’t care about any negative stereotypes, especially if they are coming primarily from my father. He should be thrilled that Thomas has expressed an interest in doing something extracurricular and also social! (Are you listening, Dad? Drop the stereotype and get with the times! Even Mom listens to Flo-Rida!) I don’t know who Flo-Rida is, but she has them singing on her cell phone’s ringtone. She is apparently way-cool.
So all-in-all, Thomas’ performances at the graduation, the recital and a recent trip to Kiddieland all enforce the idea that yes, we should request a Guest Assistance Card at Disney and use it. We were on the fence, thinking that Thomas has improved so much that we might not need to use any special card. Truthfully, Thomas has improved, but not so much that he won’t annoy the hell out of other innocent families waiting in line to see Pirates of the Caribbean or something like that. That’s really the reason we’re going to use the card…people don’t want to wait in line next to this kid, trust me.
No matter what, we’re going to have to bring the PSP with at all times. Hopefully, we won’t have to use it very much, but we’ll have it just in case. One amazing thing happened with the whole Disney restaurant reservation odyssey: we got into Cinderella’s Royal Table for a character breakfast! We’ve heard, read and otherwise been bombarded with admonishments that start out like, “Okay, to get a reservation at Cinderella’s Royal Table, count to exactly 180 days before you want to go and then synchronize your watch to the Atomic Clock the night before you call. At exactly 6:58 a.m. Eastern time, dial the first five digits of the phone number…” Ugh. We figured that since we booked this whole trip closer than 180 days out, there was no way we could get in. So Jonathan called the other night to make some other reservations and just asked the person on the phone to just check for any day during our stay at Cinderella’s and we got in! Hayley was so excited, and so was Jonathan. He felt like Mr. Big-Man…yeah, he got a reservation, no problem…just called at his leisure and it was, "Yes, Mr. Jackson! You're booked, Mr. Jackson! We're so excited to see you, Mr. Jackson! Have a wonderful trip, Mr. Jackson!"
We’ve got a couple of other reservations lined up and we’re planning our touring around them while still keeping the open mind that all of this could go flying out the window when we get there, but that’s okay. I think that keeping an open mind would be good for all of us as we approach the longest, biggest and most expensive vacation we’ve ever been on. I’m just a little worried about Jonathan. He’s expecting a lot out of the kids and I hope that they either deliver, or he loosens up a bit. I really hope I’m not going to be huddled in a corner of the hotel pool with a bottle of cheap booze while Jonathan cries in a lounge chair about how we spent thousands and flew all the way to Disney World and all the kids want to do is play in the pool. I don’t know where my mother-in-law figures into this nightmare, but she’ll be in there somewhere.
Workshop
Jan 20, 2009 by AnonymousMy daughter in law and I went to a autism workshop the other night and it was really great. The lady that hosted the workshop has a son who has autism, is seventeen and now going to college. Just hearing her tell her story about her son and all that he accomplished in his seventeen years was so encouraging. We have so much help in our small little town and learning every day ways to help my grandson who is eight and the other one who is sixteen. :-)
My 100th episode
Nov 19, 2008 by AnonymousGuess what? This is my 100th blog on Healing Thresholds! If this were a sitcom, I would be compelled to do a clip-show.
My birthday was yesterday and fun-filled, or at least peaceful, until the oven broke just as I was heading out to the PTA meeting. My sister called from California and I was on the phone with her, watching Jonathan lay on the floor in front of the oven’s open broiler-drawer with a lit napkin in his hand. I had no idea what he was doing and it didn’t occur to me, even after I was off the phone, that there might have been a problem. He had to cook Thomas’ fish and Hayley’s chicken nuggets in the microwave, but overall, an oven is something you can get along without for a couple of days unless you’re a caterer. We’re not caterers, so it was no big deal and a guy came out today and fixed it. So we’ll be able to bring the green bean casserole to Jonathan’s mom’s house on Thanksgiving after all.
Thomas actually had a pretty difficult time at school yesterday. Since it was Tuesday, I went in to help the teacher in the classroom as usual, but Thomas was very sad at first! The aide came in to help as she usually does when I’m there, but we couldn’t figure out what his trouble was. I assumed it was the medicine he takes in the morning and I said something like, “I’m going to call his doctor and see if we can take him off the Clonidine in the morning,” but both the teacher and the aide said that he’s not like that every day. It might have been because we drove to school yesterday instead of walked and it was my birthday so I brought in cookies for the kids and got to wear the birthday crown. All of this might have thrown Thomas off a little bit. He did recover after playing in centers and going to the library, though. I also had a good talk with him today on our way to get Hayley from preschool. I’m trying to make him understand that when I’m in the classroom, it’s to help his teacher and his teacher is there to help him. He seemed receptive to what I was saying and he said that he definitely wants me to continue coming to school on Tuesdays, so I will for now. If he has trouble again like he had yesterday, I may have to try to help out in some other way.
Thomas’ conference is tomorrow night at 7:15. We’re invited to bring Thomas (and Hayley) with us so that he can show us his portfolio and the work that he’s done, but I’m not sure it will work out like that. Probably, Hayley will settle herself in the dress-up area and Thomas will play on the science table while we talk to his teacher. I’m really interested in hearing what she has to say about his progress and his report card. I get to see him in action at school every Tuesday and I’m kind of thinking of talking to her about whether or not she thinks I should continue coming in to help out.
The kids have no school next week except for Hayley who has preschool on Monday. Usually the preschool follows the district’s schedule, but Thomas’ school has what’s called a School Improvement Day on Monday. Thomas and I will get some quality time then while Hayley’s at school. I wonder what I’m going to do with them next week! I still have to conduct my annual toy purge before the big Christmas influx. It’s usually easier to do that when the kids aren’t home, but I might try to involve them in it this year. Thomas has so many old broken cars that he doesn’t play with anymore and I’m hoping he’ll see the sense in throwing them out or giving them away. I’ll try to introduce the idea of charitable giving – giving away toys that we don’t play with anymore to kids who don’t have as much. I wonder if they’re still too young for this concept. If so, I’ll have to be sneaky.
This holiday season is shaping up to be the best and most exciting for the kids. They’re really getting into the Santa Claus thing and are excited for Christmas to come. In our house, we usually measure the days until a big event by telling the kids that there are “five sleeps until we go to the vacation house,” or whatever it is. That means that they have to go to bed for the night five times – a kid-friendly way of saying five more days. They keep asking, “Is it going to be Christmas tomorrow?” or “How many days until Christmas?” They’re already getting in the spirit, probably because I took advantage of a warm day last week to put up the outdoor lights and put the big wreath on the front of the house. I wonder how many more years we have of the kids being excited to see Santa and believing in the magic of it.
I’ve been looking at the calendar and have realized that unless we want to do our Christmas shopping Thanksgiving weekend (ugh!), we’ll have to do it December 6. That will probably mean an overnight trip to Grandma’s for the kids and that we have that one precious day to start and finish shopping. I can’t believe it’s that time of year again. Around now, I have to restrain myself from decking our halls and stringing lights all over every available square inch of wall space. Thomas has been asking about the Christmas tree and when I’m going to put it up, and also if he can bring his pedal car back in the house since it’s cold outside now. Over the summer, he took it outside to ride it and I said that it’s really an outside toy so we’d leave it in the garage until it was too cold to ride it outside. The problem is that we spend all winter tripping over it, moving it around the living room and out of our way. I’m hoping that he’ll forget about it when he sees the bicycle that Santa’s going to bring him. Of course, then we’ll have that in the house. The trade-off would be that I might finally get a chance to play with the Nintendo Wii.