Healing Thresholds Autism Therapy Topic Feed

Teen with Autism Turns 21

scottie — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 14:15:46 +0000

Teaser:

James Piccarreto, a teen with autism, takes things very literally; he wouldn’t go to a PG movie until he was 13, and he wouldn’t have a beer until he turned 21.

Body:

James Piccarreto, a teen with autism, takes things very literally; he wouldn’t go to a PG movie until he was 13, and he wouldn’t have a beer until he turned 21. His friends and family celebrated his 21st birthday with beer and NASCAR memorabilia (his passion). His mom explains, “One of our things has always been to find teachable moments, but also to celebrate everything. You don’t take a lot for granted.” James has learned through the years to find independence and his voice not only with help from his family but with a music therapist and an aide who works with him daily. They both suggested that as children with autism enter adulthood, there are new challenges and anxieties to face.

Read original article: 21 Means Big Things for James Piccarreto of Greece

Extensive ABA in Childhood Gives a Young Adult a Head Start in Life

scottie — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 16:58:42 +0000

Teaser:

Daniel Thompson didn’t speak until he was four; his autism had been diagnosed when he was three.

Body:

Daniel Thompson didn’t speak until he was four; his autism had been diagnosed when he was three. The now 19-year-old is the subject of a documentary by Act-A-Part titled “Daniel’s Autism – Not Anymore.” Daniel’s father explains that Daniel, who has a driver’s license and bowls a 200, excels because of 80 hours a week of applied behavior analysis (ABA) at the Allegro Autism School in New Jersey. When Daniel was not at school, the family continued with the ABA. The family discovered that Daniel “thinks in pictures and learns in numbers and sequences.” Along with the ABA, Daniel received stimulation to his brain. His parents have found research showing that the stimulation may help form neural connections in his brain. Daniel has held several jobs and prefers those where he can do repetitive work on his own. He may be able to do speaking tours once his documentary is complete; his parents are hopeful that he can learn skills to earn money for independence.

Read original article: Filmmakers Track Teens Life with Autism

Young Adults with Autism Learn Farming Skills

scottie — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 13:36:51 +0000

Teaser:

Farming Independence is an organization designed to help young adults with autism who didn’t have the advantage of early intervention.

Body:

Farming Independence is an organization designed to help young adults with autism who didn’t have the advantage of early intervention. Sheila Zamel Mayfield created the program after she saw how the program Best Buddies helped with social interaction, communication, and self-esteem. Farming Independence teaches vocational and life skills using gardening, animal husbandry, and culinary programs. Steve Hansen, a member of the organization’s advisory board says, “We know the autistic population is underemployed and unemployed, but they don't have to be. They need to be asked, ‘What do you want to do?' And then we'll help them find a way to make that into a money-making job.”

Read original article: New Autism Non-Profit Fills Void for Young Adults

Community-Based Instruction Helps Young Artist Navigate Toward a Future of Independence

scottie — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 16:32:36 +0000

Teaser:

The story of Justin Canha, a New Jersey artist with autism, was detailed in Sunday’s New York Times.

Body:

The story of Justin Canha, a New Jersey artist with autism, was detailed in Sunday’s New York Times. Reporter Amy Harmon shadowed Justin as he navigated a transition program that would allow him to get a job and eventual independence. Kate Stanton-Paule, the coordinator of a “transition to adulthood” program established at Montclair High School, has been instrumental in advocating that, with the appropriate coaching, adults with autism can live a productive and independent life. The article is full of transition activities, any one of which might be useful for increased independence, but it also points out the coordination of family and therapists that enable young adults to thrive in the community.

Read original article: Autistic and Seeking a Place in the Adult World

Summer School for Kids with Autism is not Just About Academics

scottie — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 18:51:40 +0000

Teaser:

Kids and young adults with autism may often need a summer “bridge” between one school year and the next.

Body:

Kids and young adults with autism may often need a summer “bridge” between one school year and the next. The Philadelphia School District is helping several organizations with extended school years as well as camp-like situations. This article highlights several of the opportunities that students with special need have to prepare themselves for the next academic year. The Vanguard School is an extended school year program that provides math, reading, and vocation skills. Summer L.I.F.E. (Learning is for Everyone) helps children with special needs and neuro-typical children learn a level of independence for real world success. Camp Hope is a one-week camp for young adults to practice independence along with cookouts, recess, and swimming. Many of these students receive the extended summer training as part of their individualized education plans (IEPs).

Read original article: Summer School: The Essential Bridge

Visual Schedules Help with Morning Activities

scottie — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 15:00:00 +0000

Teaser:

Visual schedules can help children with autism understand with their morning routine.

Body:

A visual schedule may help children with autism understand their morning routine. April Keaton, a social worker at The Autism Program of the University of Illinois's Family Resiliency Center, says, “Visual schedules are a research-supported pro-active strategy that can add to a child's comfort level and security.” Keaton explains that visual schedules offer children a sense of control and independence in their lives. If the child has a question about what happens next during the day, parents can remind them to look at their visual schedule. Keaton’s visual schedule tips include using lots of color and pictures or images of things a child likes, and then hanging the schedule in a prominent place.

Read original article: Are Morning in Your House Crazy and Hectic? A Visual Schedule May Help!

College Living for Students with Learning Disabilities, Executive functioning Deficits, Autism Spectrum Disorders (including Autism, Aspergers, and PDD-NOS)

Thu, 30 Sep 2010 13:24:27 +0000

College Living for Students with Learning Disabilities, Executive functioning Deficits, Autism Spectrum Disorders (including Autism, Aspergers, and PDD-NOS)

For students with special needs, life after high school is full of possibilities, including college.

Finding the right college program for students with autism spectrum disorders, Asperger’s, nonverbal learning disorder, ADD/ADHD and other learning disabilities is vital for a college student’s transition into independent adulthood. The right program should provide support for each student’s unique needs and goals.

With the help of New Directions, young adults with learning disabilities are experiencing independence for the first time in their lives. Some of our clients pursue collegiate endeavors and some pursue vocational training/tracks. New Directions helps students attend universities, community colleges, and technical and vocational schools.

For more information, go to http://www.newdirectionsfya.com/ or call 954-571-5102 to contact Dr. Drew Rubin, Ph.D.

Enhanced Independence and Quality of Life Through Treatment with Flotation-Restricted Environmental Stimulation Technique of a Patient with Both Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Asperger Syndrome: A Case Report

scottie — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 16:02:46 +0000

Title	Enhanced Independence and Quality of Life Through Treatment with Flotation-Restricted Environmental Stimulation Technique of a Patient with Both Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Asperger Syndrome: A Case Report
Publication Type	Journal Article
Authors	Edebol H, Kjellgren A, Bood S-A, Norlander T
Journal Title	Cases Journal
Year of Publication	2009
Volume	2
Pages	1-4
URL for Abstract	http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19829887
Teaser	Flotation tanks may be a useful tool for calming the nervous system and helping with sensory integration in adults with Asperger syndrome and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Full Text	Flotation tanks may be a useful tool for calming the nervous system and helping with sensory integration in adults with Asperger syndrome and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This case study describes an adult with Asperger syndrome and ADHD who was treated with flotation-Restricted Environmental Stimulation Technique (flotation-REST). The 36-year old woman from Sweden also had depression. She was given 19 sessions over a year and at the end felt that she was better able to live life on her own. With time she learned to control how alert she was (arousal control). She also learned to control how active she was (activity regulation). Her senses relaxed and she became better at sensory integration.

Americans with Disabilities Act Turns 20 Years Old

scottie — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 15:00:00 +0000

Teaser:

Marca Bristo, president and CEO of Access Living (founded 30 years ago), was recently in Washington, D.C. for the 20^th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Body:

Marca Bristo, president and CEO of Access Living (founded 30 years ago), was recently in Washington, D.C. for the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). She spoke at the ceremony, reminding those in attendance and watching on TV, of the “concepts of independence, equal rights and reasonable accommodations for the disabled.” Appointed by President Bill Clinton in 1994, Bristo was the first person with a disability to lead the National Council on Disability. She and her advocates have gone to extraordinary lengths to make Chicago and other cities accessible to all people. At the 6th Annual Building Bridges to Independence Conference, Access Living provided a special track that helped parents of children with autism to navigate the “maze of treatment and educational options.”

Read original article: An Anniversary for Access Living

Coffeehouse Center Helps Young Adults with Autism Practice Social Skills

scottie — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 16:42:50 +0000

Teaser:

The Coffeehouse Center of Bucks County, PA, a place where young adults with autism can socialize, has moved to new space at the Oxford Valley Mall.

Body:

The Coffeehouse Center of Bucks County, PA, a place where young adults with autism can socialize, has moved to new space at the Oxford Valley Mall. While there are no fancy coffee drinks to sip, people ages 17 through 26 can learn skills like balancing a checkbook, or they can walk next door to the Mall food court for some socialization. Buck County was concerned that most of the services targeted early intervention, and there was a lack of services for young adults with mild autism or Asperger’s. One mom explains, that Coffeehouse members have “plenty of opportunities to interact with the public, practice social skills and learn how to deal with the unpredictable.” Services offered at the Coffeehouse include: conflict resolution, dating advice, Internet surfing, and board games.

Read original article: A Place To Discover Their Independence