Autism Therapy: motor

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Treatment Outcomes for Severe Feeding Problems in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Behavior Modification, by Laud, RB, Girolami PA, Boscoe JH, and Gulotta CS, published in 2009, summarized Jun 1, 2010

Children with autism who have feeding problems may be helped by an interdisciplinary feeding program.

Feeding problems are a pattern of eating that is not normal and causes social or health problems for the patient. The purpose of this study was to see if a feeding program was able to help 46 children with autism who had feeding problems. The children (aged 3 to 12 years) in the study received intense behavior therapy and oral motor therapy. The authors found the program to be a success based upon one follow-up data point for each child. While the program was able to help the children, the authors note that these children had severe feeding issues and were part of a feeding disorders program.

A Study of the Relationships and Acknowledgment of Non-disabled Children with Disabled Siblings

Educational Sciences: Theory & Practice, by Aksoy, AB, and Yildririm Bercin G., published in 2008, summarized Feb 17, 2010

Family therapy may help siblings of children with autism to have a better attitude toward their sibling.

Healthy children (228 children 10 to 17 years old) were asked about their attitudes toward children with disabilities, including their own brother or sister. This study was performed in Turkey. Disabilities included autism, learning disability, mental retardation, cerebral palsy, motor retardation, and Down syndrome. The authors said that healthy children had a more positive attitude toward their own brother or sister than toward other children with disabilities. Healthy children have more negative attitudes toward their siblings when they have lower abilities. The authors think that educating siblings of disabled children may help the family develop more positive relationships.

Environmental Fit: A Model for Assessing and Treating Problem Behavior Associated with Curricular Difficulties in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, by Blakeley-Smith, A., Carr EG, Cale SI, and Owen-DeSchryver JS, published in 2009, summarized Jan 13, 2010

Children with autism may have fewer behavior problems when they are in an environment where they can successfully complete tasks.

A child with autism who has a good environmental fit is in an environment that is geared toward their abilities. With a good fit, they may have more success with motor (movement) and academic (e.g. reading) tasks. This study asked whether environmental fit was related to problem behaviors for 6 children with autism (4 to 13 years old). The authors said that children with autism who had good environmental fit had fewer problem behaviors. They also completed more tasks correctly, and they felt better overall. The authors said that matching activities with current skill levels may help lower problem behaviors for children with autism.

Corticosteroid Treatment of Behaviour, Language and Motor Regression in Childhood Disintegrative Disorder

Official Journal of the European Paediatric Neurology Society, by Mordekar, SR, Prendergast M., Chattopadhyay AK, and Baxter PS, published in 2009, summarized Dec 14, 2009

An immune system suppressant (corticosteroid) may help some children on the autism spectrum.

Two 4-year-old children had a rapid onset of childhood disintegrative disorder (CDD). They had a change in personality, loss of speech, and withdrew from people. They also had seizures. The authors treated them with the corticosteroid prednisolone, and their symptoms gradually disappeared over the next 4 years. Prednisolone acts to reduce inflammation and calm down the immune system, and may have other effects. The doctors found no sign of inflammation in their nervous system. The doctors do not know why the medication worked for these children.

Kids Toolbox Store Supplies Items for Kids with Autism

Apr 17, 2012

Kids Toolbox in Clearwater Florida supplies “tools” or toys or whatever a child with autism might want. Owners Mike and Pam LeGath have created a store that helps children be comfortable: low lights and a sensory play area. One item they stock is a game called Tricky Fish. A child might think it’s a toy, but it actually helps him develop eye/hand coordination, motor skills, and attention span. Kids Toolbox carries other special items as well as seamless clothing for children who have sensory issues. The store wants to be a community resource and is also hosting lectures on special needs once a week.

Read oringal article: Clearwater Store Stocks Tools for Helping Children with Autism, ADD, Special Needs

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

Sacramento State ABA Program Collaborates with Researchers in Brazil

Jan 24, 2012

Sacramento State applied behavior analysis (ABA) students collaborated with Utah State and the Federal University of Sao Carlos to present the largest autism conference ever held in Brazil. Faculty member Caio Miguel facilitated State's psychology ABA graduate students as they planned the research program. Miguel, trained in Brazil, believes in the importance of ABA research and training, and was tasked with updating State’s program. ABA students at State work one-on-one with kids with autism in areas including speech, motor skills, and feeding skills.

Read original article: Psychology Program at Center Stage in Brazil

Music Therapist Teaches More than Just Music to Kids with Autism

Jan 13, 2012

Laura Fehr is a music therapist who has opened her own practice in North Dakota to work with children with autism and other special needs. Fehr, who uses music to work on non-music skills, such as social interaction and communication, says, “Music therapy works because music is processed everywhere in the brain.” She believes that every person has music in them; “everyone knows some sort of music.” Before Fehr begins a music therapy program, she assesses a child’s social skills, motor skills, cognitive skills, and communication abilities. She then sets client-specific goals and reassesses every three months.

Read original article: Music Therapy Graduate Brings Her Services to Bismarck

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

re: Guanfacine

Feb 15, 2012 by Anonymous

My son is 8 years old, diagnosed with autism, seizure disorder and vocal and motor tics. We have decided to put him on medication. His attention span is zero. We tried Ritalin, but it backfired. We are now trying guanfacine. It has been a few days at 1/2 mg twice a day. I have seen moderate improvement in his hyperactivity and tics. Last night, about 45 minutes after his dose, he became very sedated. More than I care for. Do these side effects become more pronounced or less after he gets used to the drug? It has been a very difficult decision to put him on medication. But at this point, it's either him or I. :(

Re: NEWS - Improv Workshop Helps Kids with Autism with Their Social Skills

Aug 24, 2011 by Anonymous

Thank you so much for mentioning the Shenanigans class that Jstar conducted recently in the Detroit area. To give a little more insight, Jstar owns his own theater and co-produces the Spontaneous Combustion - Motor City improv festival. He was excited to discover an opportunity to also bring Shenanigans to some new faces in Detroit. It sounds like the kiddos had a wonderful time!

My grandson, diagnosed with Asperger's, is the inspiration for Shenanigans, when, several years ago, I struggled to find a way to help his social growth. After much research, I came across improvisational theatre, saw a good fit for the skills I wanted to target, and couldn't find a similar program here in Atlanta or anywhere. So I decided to develop a program and find someone involved in improv theatre who could get excited about my vision and help me move it forward. I found Jstar and brought him on as my charter instructor in 2009, and he has been an enthusiastic champion for Shenanigans ever since.

Shenanigans is an applied improv theatre program targeting those with special needs, especially Asperger's, high-functioning autism, and related conditions. We use the process of learning improvisational theatre games and exercises to work on social skills by unveiling the mysteries of human interaction. The main tenet of improv, "Say Yes, and..." teaches our students better adapting skills when the unexpected pops up, and flexibility to deal with those changes and move forward.

With our growing team of instructors, the Shenanigans program has spread throughout the metro Atlanta area. We are now reaching beyond our home city to bring the Shenanigans-style approach to others who are interested.

I am always eager to talk more about our wonderful program and the benefits our actors receive from their participation.

Sandy Bruce, Founder & Exec Dir, Shenanigans (www.ShenanigansImprov.com - on Facebook: /ShenanigansImprov)

Responding to interactive metronome

Feb 9, 2011 by Anonymous

As a certified Interactive Metronome Provider, I have experienced many positive results working with clients with Autism, ADD, ADHD, TBI, Asperger's Syndrome, Chronic Fatigue and seniors with balance/gait difficulty. There IS significant research on Interactive Metronome if one looks at the proper resources. Increased focus/attention, better coordination, improved motor planning, improved self-confidence, better eye contact, less impulsiveness, less anxiety, better grades in school are only a few of the gains that clients I have worked with have gained as a result of IM.

I have worked with close to 80 clients and have only had one client ( a 50 year old male ) with ADD who felt that IM did not help them in some way.

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