Healing Thresholds Autism Therapy Topic Feed

Orlando Arts Community Provides Creative Outlets for Children with Autism

scottie — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 15:00:00 +0000

Teaser:

Orlando Ballet, Orlando Museum of Art, and Orlando Repertory Theatre are conducting programs for kids with autism.

Body:

Orlando Ballet, Orlando Museum of Art (OMA), and Orlando Repertory Theatre are conducting programs specifically for kids with autism and other special needs. The Ballet is introducing an adaptive dance class, OMA is offering Creative Connections, and the Repertory theatre is offering sensory-friendly live performances. Dr. Emily Forrest explained, “We know that a lot of kids respond well to art, music and movement.” The kids are able to learn new creative outlets such as movement, color, and literature. Parents are able to participate in arts events with their children and socialize with other families.

Original Article:

New Orlando Arts Programs Benefit Children with Special Needs

Louisville Movie Theater Provides Weekly Sensory-Friendly Film for Kids with Autism

scottie — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 15:00:00 +0000

Teaser:

Sensory Sensitive Cinema is an offshoot of the nation-wide RaveCinemas company.

Body:

Sensory Sensitive Cinema is an offshoot of the nation-wide RaveCinemas company. This particular article focused on sensory friendly films in Louisville KY. Every Saturday morning, the RaveCinemas theatre on Hurstbourne Parkway will show a movie especially set up for kids with autism or those with sensory issues. The lights will not be turned off, loud noises in the movie will be softer, and there’s no one to tell the kids to be quiet. Dr. Catherine Lord, Director of the new Institute for Brain Development at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Weill-Cornell Medical College, explained, “I think children and adults (with autism) really enjoy videos, enjoy stories and animation. They enjoy visual input and music, but the general atmosphere of a movie may be overwhelming. This program allows them to become accustomed with movie-going rather than feel lost in it.”

Original Article:

Sensory Sensitive Cinema, For Kids with Autism

Weekly Music Therapy May Have Benefits for Kids on the Autism Spectrum

scottie — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 15:00:00 +0000

Teaser:

C.M. See of the Universiti Sains Malaysia recently published a study on the benefits of music therapy for kids with autism.

Body:

C.M. See of the Universiti Sains Malaysia recently published a study on the benefits of music therapy for kids with autism. She studied 41 children over a 10-month period offering weekly music therapy sessions. See and her team found that inattentive behavior improved for the kids. Music therapy, along with movement therapy, has been used with autism to improve communication, social skills, manage stress, and increase cognitive skills.

Original Article:

Music Therapy Improves Behavior in Children with Autism, Study Suggests

Young Man with Autism Performs as a Professional Musician

scottie — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 15:00:00 +0000

Teaser:

We have covered music therapy as an option for kids with autism, but this young man has taken music a step further.

Body:

We have covered music therapy as an option for kids with autism, but this young man has taken music a step further. Eric Look plays the piano and sings to audiences in Milwaukee. His family noticed his musical talents when he was younger; he could play just about any song he heard on the piano. Look had many sensory issues growing up, but recently explained, “I feel like a good musician. Music is what I love. I love to listen, I like to perform.” This young adult with autism writes and sings his own songs as well as those of his favorite, the late Jim Croce.

Original Article:

Local Musician Doesn't Let Autism Keep Him from His Passion

Sweetwater Spectrum is Housing Community for Adults with Autism

scottie — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 15:00:00 +0000

Teaser:

Sweetwater Spectrum is more than just a group home for young adults and adults with autism, it is a community.

Body:

Sweetwater Spectrum is more than just a group home for young adults and adults with autism, it is a community. The community in Sonoma, CA, will be home to 16 adults in four 3, 250 square foot homes. The founders have taken the best they’ve found in residential living from around the country and incorporated it into Sweetwater. The community is built to enhance, and not disturb sensory integration. There is a community kitchen, exercise studio, organic garden, art and music rooms, and life skills learning areas. The residents will work or attend the nearby community college or work in a sheltered day program.

Original Article:

The First Housing Community for Autistic Adults Has an Organic Garden, a Greenhouse, and Hot Tubs

Documentary to Highlight Music Therapy for People with Autism

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

Teaser:

Michael Ricucci and Michelle Murphy are making a documentary on music therapy and its benefits for kids with autism.

Body:

Michael Ricucci and Michelle Murphy, of Terra Rising Records, have travelled the US for a year making a documentary on music therapy and its benefits for kids with autism and people with other special needs. They filmed an interactive concert at Hochstein School of Music and Dance in Rochester, NY. The musicians were performing with a large group of kids with special needs who were shaking tambourines, hitting drumsticks together, and singing. Music therapy is used as a tool to help people who have physical, emotional, and/or cognitive problems. Maria Battista-Hancock, chair of Hochstein’s music therapy program, explained, “Music can bring up issues in a non-threatening way. It’s about being a whole human being.” Murphy said that she and Ricucci picked the concert at Hochstein because, “This is a perfect way to show therapists, clients and performers working together.”

Original Article:

Documentary to Highlight Rochester's Growing Music Therapy Field

Art Therapy to Help Sensory Processing Disorder

scottie — Tue, 25 Dec 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Teaser:

Children with autism may also suffer from sensory processing disorder (SPD).

Body:

Children with autism may also suffer from sensory processing disorder (SPD). In this article, Karen Wallace, a Canadian art therapist, suggests ways in which art therapy can help overcome SPD. She uses techniques that help kids overcome sensory difficulties, such as low body awareness – not knowing where they are in space. Her therapy employs low lighting, soft music, and aromatherapy to help cut out over-stimulation. She instructs the children using meditation, water gels, and sand. Wallace explained that playing in sand lets kids “learn to tolerate and enjoy different textures and fields.”

Original Article:

Art Therapy and Sensory Processing Disorder

California Kids with Autism Get Music and Arts Training

scottie — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Teaser:

The Community School of Music and Arts provides CA people with autism the chance to learn music and participate in art-making.

Body:

The Community School of Music and Arts (CSMA) provides northern CA people with autism the chance to learn music and participate in art-making. Director, Linda Covello, explained, “A lot of them come here with issues about being out in the world and the kind of input they have to deal with. [CSMA provides] a safe environment where they can react to crazy sounds and different materials.” The Artistic Intelligence Program serves teens and adults from Morgan Autism Center, Abilities United, and AchieveKids. Their participation is free and sponsored by fundraising. The staff at CSMA understands that the social interaction and communication is as important to the students as the music and art training.

Original Article:

CSMA Classes Serve Developmentally Disabled, Autistic Students

Students with Autism Learn the Violin

scottie — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Teaser:

Heather Rittscher, the Orchestra teacher at Birmingham’s Carver High School learned that music could help kids with autism.

Body:

Heather Rittscher, the Orchestra teacher at Birmingham’s Carver High School learned that music could help kids with autism. She contacted special education teacher, Wanda Shorter, who recommended 10 students with autism who might benefit from music lessons. Rittscher taught the kids to play the violin and had them present a concert for their families. She explained, “I think music is extremely powerful. It builds a lot of character. A lot of kids don't think they're capable, but music reaches them.” The music training was the first elective other than physical education and art that many of these special needs kids had had.

Original Article:

Learning Through Music: Autistic Students at Birmingham's Carver High School Play Violin in Orchestra

China Begins to Recognize and Treat Autism

scottie — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Teaser:

Yang Xiao You, a music teacher and dad of a son with autism, started the Bolin Autism School in Shenzhen China.

Body:

Yang Xiao You, a music teacher and dad of a son with autism, started the Bolin Autism School in Shenzhen China. He turned an old factory into a school and residence. He explained that autism is only just being recognized in China and that although kids with autism can go to regular schools, there is no special education available. At Bolin, each child is viewed as an individual with special talents. The kids and teachers begin each day with exercise and hugs; then language and reading skills are taught. Yang explained, “We believe autism is not a disease. We can use therapy to get them better and better so they can go to a normal school one day.” Chinese movie star, Jet Li, has begun a foundation - One Foundation - to help kids with autism and other special needs.

Original Article:

The Autism Project: In China, Private School For Autistic Children Provides Hope