Healing Thresholds Autism Therapy Topic Feed

Occupational Therapy Students to Learn Neuro-Feedback Techniques for Treating Autism

scottie — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Teaser:

Occupational therapy students will soon add neuro-feedback training to their field practice with children with autism.

Body:

Occupational therapy students will soon add neuro-feedback training to their field practice with children with autism. The University of Texas, El Paso OT students will participate in hands-on neuro-feedback at the Omega Rehab Center. In addition to the "brain exercise that monitors brain waves and displays them back to the child in the form of a video game or movie," students will receive training in physical, speech, and occupational therapies. Students have found that field practice adds valuable experience when it comes to actually working with their own clients. "Field work is crucial to our education because it allows us to put theory into practice," said Jesse Aguirre, graduate occupational therapy student. Neuro-feedback is finding advocates in El Paso among parents of kids with autism.

Read original article: Occupational Therapy Students May Get Chance Pediatric Field Experience

Gym Specifically Designed for Kids with Autism

scottie — Tue, 17 May 2011 16:23:40 +0000

Teaser:

Diana Connor, an occupational therapist, started Sensational Movement for kids with autism in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area.

Body:

Diana Connor, an occupational therapist, started Sensational Movement for kids with autism in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. She found that even though children might not be verbal and may have other developmental delays, they may very well have lots of energy to expend. While Connor explains that her gym is not a substitute for therapy, one dad says about his son, “He can get good exercise and he comes out actually feeling calmer, less stress.” Equipment at Sensational Movement includes balance beams, trampolines, and sensory-based equipment.

Read original article: Plano Gym Development Aims to Help Children with Autism

Neurotypical Kids Get an Idea of Sensory Issues that Affect Their Peers with Autism

scottie — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 13:51:50 +0000

Teaser:

Some neurotypical 6th graders in Iowa had the opportunity to see, feel, and touch how their peers with autism deal with sensory issues.

Body:

Some neurotypical 6th graders in Iowa had the opportunity to see, feel, and touch how their peers with autism deal with sensory issues. The school library was the scene of five sensory areas for the students to visit: sight, touch, taste, sound, and smell. For example, there was a jar filled with crushed garlic to simulate overpowering smell. In another area, kids listened to loud music with headphones while trying to carry on a conversation. “I didn’t realize how bad it is,” Leslie Pettie, 12, said,” when it was explained to her that many kids with autism feel the overload all day every day. These students have peers with autism and this exercise has helped them to be more understanding and more communicative with their fellow students.

Read original article: Sensory Simulation Helps Sixth Graders Understand, Experience Autism

Exercise: Routine and Reward for People with Autism

scottie — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 17:26:51 +0000

Teaser:

“If you're having a hard time determining an autistic person's specific fitness motivators, try swimming," said Carol Kranowitz.

Body:

“If you're having a hard time determining an autistic person's specific fitness motivators, try swimming, said Carol Kranowitz, author of ‘The Out-Of-Sync Child: Recognizing and Coping With Sensory Processing Disorder’” Swimming has physical and sensory benefits. Several recent studies have shown that children with autism are more likely to be sedentary and overweight. Before they turn 21, they receive physical and occupational therapy benefits. After 21, it’s up to their parents or their own motivation to exercise. People with autism often don’t understand the need for exercise and don’t want to do it. This article explores ways of getting adults with autism to get some form of exercise, even if it’s walking around the mall for 60 minutes every day.

Read original article: Exercise Strategies for People with Autism

Responding to movement therapy

Tue, 15 Mar 2011 13:03:39 +0000

Please consider an outstanding movement exercise that works

the whole body which is riding a horse. My hope is that some

day Autism Movement Therapy(Music & Dance) well do a demonstration

at a therapeutic riding center where several movement rhythm therapies

can come "Together" for the benefit of the student.

Thanks, Phil Waigand "THE BEAT"(Heart Hoof Drum) Arlington, TX

Ballet and Other Dance Forms as Therapy for Children with Autism

scottie — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 13:29:13 +0000

Teaser:

The holidays and The Nutcracker ballet seem to go hand in hand, but ballet can also serve as therapy for people with autism.

Body:

The holidays and The Nutcracker ballet seem to go hand in hand, but ballet can also serve as therapy for people with autism. Suzi Tortora, Ed.D is certified movement analyst and dance therapist who uses dance therapy for children with autism. Joanne Lara, MA has developed Autism Movement Therapy which combines music and movement as therapy. Jennifer Sollars Miller, co-founder and resource director, The Autism Center of Tulsa, says, “The music would engage the children and I feel the movement and rhythm of ballet would have a calming effect.” Melinda Gable of the Tulsa Ballet believes that the benefits of ballet for children with special needs includes exercise, coordination, social interaction, and fun.

Read original article: Ballet Serves as Therapy for Those with Autism

A+ Art Club Offers Teens on the Autism Spectrum the Chance to Get Creative

scottie — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 23:49:47 +0000

Teaser:

The A+ Art Club in conjunction with the Northfield Art Guild in Minnesota, holds workshops for teens and young adults with autism.

Body:

The A+ Art Club in conjunction with the Northfield Art Guild in Minnesota, holds workshops for teens and young adults with autism. It is a great way for the teens to learn social interaction and be creatively challenged. Volunteers from from the high school and nearby St. Olaf’s College help participants with a greeting and team building exercise. Activities range from holiday crafts to personalized artistic projects. Students are expected to show originality, complete project objectives, and participate in critiques with the entire group. Laura Goodwin, the coordinator, hopes to increase artistic offerings to include music, dance, and theatre.

Read original article: A Shared Dream Realized

Fitness Trainer Moves Expertise from Adult Athletes to Children with Special Needs

scottie — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 14:39:55 +0000

Teaser:

David Geslak switched his fitness training expertise from pro and adult athletes to children with autism and other special needs.

Body:

David Geslak switched his fitness training expertise from pro and adult athletes to children with autism and other special needs. Geslak says, "I see their capabilities, not their disabilities. I wanted to teach them to exercise and see the benefits of it." Rather than going back to school, he got his special needs training by working directly with the kids at Giant Steps, an Illinois school and facility for children and adults with autism. Recently, Geslak founded Exercise Connection, and created an exercise DVD for special needs kids.

Read original article: La Grange Fitness Trainer Switches Gears to Help Children with Autism

Innovative Autism Network (IAN) is One-Stop-Resource Shop for Kids with Autism

scottie — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 15:00:00 +0000

Teaser:

Marcela Nunez created Innovative Autism Network (IAN) as a single place where children with autism could receive all their therapy needs.

Body:

Marcela Nunez created Innovative Autism Network (IAN) as a single place where children with autism could receive all their therapy needs. IAN, in Connecticut, currently offers support to families as well as music and exercise therapy. IAN’s goal is to provide insurance-covered physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, and social and emotional therapy. “When IAN opened, we were already approved providers for ABA therapy for Aetna, Tricare and Cigna,” said Nunez. Having therapies under one roof allows therapists to communicate about the children they help and keeps parents from having to travel from therapist to therapist to get treatment for their children.

Read original article: One-Stop Resource Site for Autistic Children Sees Path to Profits in Year

Exercise Program Designed for Children and Adults with Autism

scottie — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 14:48:04 +0000

Teaser:

David S. Geslak, an autism fitness specialist, founded The Exercise Connection Program designed specifically for children and adults with autism.

Body:

David S. Geslak, an autism fitness specialist, founded The Exercise Connection Program designed specifically for children and adults with autism. The program, which involves activities to support special needs, will be offered by the Fox Valley Special Recreation Association (FVSRA) in Illinois. FVSRA plans on offering this program throughout 2011. People with autism can participate in group or individual instruction and will learn “sports, lifetime fitness activities such as yoga, strength training, flexibility and cardiovascular fitness.”

Read original article: Exercise Programs Geared for Autism