Autism Therapy: read

definition of read: Reading is typically a word-based activity that may be difficult for children with autism who tend to view the world in a more visual way. There are various methods of teaching children to read. For example, the teacher might show the child the letter “T” and at the same time, make a “tuh” sound. This way the child learns to identify groups of letters with sounds. A child using may also learn to read by matching letters and pictures on a computer screen.

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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.


Case Report: Color as a Therapeutic Intervention
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, by Ludlow, AK, and Wilkins AJ, published in 2009, summarized Dec 28, 2009

Colored lenses that filter out certain colors may help visual processing and reading skills for people with autism.

This case report describes a 10-year-old boy with autism who was sensitive to artificial lights, strobe lights, and reflected light. He also suffered headaches and nausea in response to certain colors of walls, food, and clothing. The authors allowed the child to choose a colored film that was placed over a page for him to read. He chose the color purple, and he was able to read faster right away with the purple overlay. He also said that he could see the words more clearly. When the boy wore glasses with purple tint all the time, he had fewer problems with headaches and nausea.


Islands of Loneliness: Exploring Social Interaction through the Autobiographies of Individuals with Autism
Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, by Causton-Theoharis, J., Ashby C., and Cosier M., published in 2009, summarized Nov 6, 2009

People with autism expressed loneliness and a desire for better social interactions when they wrote about themselves.

The authors of this article read seven books written by people with autism about themselves (autobiographies). The book authors had a range of social communication skills; three of them used facilitated communication. The people with autism said that they were aware of their own social difficulties. They wrote moving passages about feeling lonely. They described how they tried to reach out to people, and sometimes failed. The authors of this article think that people with autism may very much want to make social connections, even if it seems like they are not interested during therapy. The article authors feel that therapists and parents should be aware that people with autism may have a strong desire to connect with others.


Facial Sinthesys [sic] of 3D Avatars for Therapeutic Applications
Annual CyberTherapy and CyberPsychology 2009 Conference: Frontiers in Neuroengineering, by Orvalho, V., Miranda J., and Sousa AA, published in 2009, summarized Nov 4, 2009

Computer-generated human images that respond to input may help children with autism learn to read facial expressions.

A new method may help teach people with autism to learn to read emotions in a fun way. Computer images of people called avatars may be tailored to use during therapy to teach facial expressions. The author describes a new system that allows the patient to interact with the computer. The patient can also imitate the avatar. The user learns skills while they are playing a game.


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The Sage Colleges Offer a Degree for Students with Autism

May 23, 2012

The Sage Colleges in New York are offering a BS in Computer Science and Networking for students with autism. The program, “Achieve Degree", is a non-traditional 4-year degree. Each student has a mentor who helps him through the online courses – whether the student opts to watch, read the transcript, or listen to the lessons. Kevin Stoner, who works with the students, explained, “Depending on their learning modality, they can adapt this to what works best for them.” A student at the first-of-its-kind program in the country said, “Finally someone is teaching the way my brain works”.

Read original article: New Degree for Students with Autism Offered at The Sage Colleges


See Beneath Helps Kids with Autism Reach Milestones in Social Skills and Communication

May 22, 2012

See Beneath is a San Diego organization focused on helping parents help their kids with autism improve social and communication skills. Gerin Gaskin and Jim Turner, both employed at UCSD Autism Intervention Research Program, and Casey Hoffman, a project manager for a number of start-up non-profits collaborated on a sea-themed animation project for kids with autism. Aiko and Egor is a short film based on imitation skills; Aiko is a whale, while Egor is a blowfish. There is also Wade the seahorse, who likes to play with friends. And, Lydia is a motherly clam who encourages all the characters to explore their environment. The goal is to have six more episodes that focus on various social and communication skills, such as sharing, turn-taking, and academic skills.

Read original article: See Beneath Inc. Helps Children with Autism Reach Communication Milestones


Is Bal-A-Vis-X a Potential Therapy for Autism?

May 21, 2012

Bill Hubert, an English teacher in Kansas, has created a series of 300 balance, auditory, and visual exercises – Bal-A-Vis-X. In the article from the NewStraitsTimes in Malaysia, the reporter explains how Bal-A-Vis-X works with kids with autism and other learning difficulties. She interviews parents and teachers who have tried the process. Bal-A-Vis-X exercises use sandbags or racquet balls to improve upon a child’s natural rhythm and balance, by focusing on touch, sound, and sight. The rhythm of exercises is steady and increases in complexity. Hasanah Hassan, a Malaysian kinesiologist, explained, “Two children partner each other. Here they learn to coordinate the hands and feet movements while watching the sandbags being passed from one to another. We start with a pattern that ensures success because that will result in good self-esteem and the desire to do more.” Any teacher or parent can be trained in the Bal-A-Vis-X program.

Read original article: Bounce Balls and Toss Sandbags for Better Grades


Some Kids with Autism May Suffer from Cyber Addiction

May 18, 2012

iPads and video interaction has provided a means for children with autism to communicate; it may also have provided addictive behavior. Christopher Mulligan founded Groupworks West, which provides assistance when people with autism show a susceptibility to addiction to the Internet and video stimulation. He has found parents who used the technology because it helped their kids communicate, but found it also lessens their social interaction with other people. Mulligan explained one reason for increased dependence on technology, “One of the first things cut were all recreational services including summer camp. They had horseback riding, swimming – wonderful services – and cutting summer camp funding really added a lot of stress to parents. Almost all of the families I help are families where both parents are working.” The kids’ only means of stimulation and interaction are through the Internet.

Read original article: Autistic Teens and Children Struggle with Cyber Addiction


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Please comment on this autism topic.

Better Start Funding

Aug 9, 2011 by Anonymous

I just read through the criteria and this doesn't cover autism.  It covers CP, DS, blindness deafness etc.  I think the Helping Children with Autism Package is the equivalent funding program for autism. 


Responding to applied behavior analysis (ABA)

Jun 29, 2011 by Anonymous

ABA is good for teaching discrete skills to kids with autism. Actually, there are conflicting analyses of the ABA effectiveness literature....and generalization is still a major challenge. ANd, with ABA, a teacher can focus entirely on nonfunctional skills in isolation with ABA.

 

THere is now growing evidence of the usefulness of developmental interventions for kids on the spectrum, such as DIR. I think a combination of therapies, as DIR and ABA can help a child learn to read, for example, and also to relate and connect with other people.


Responding to homeopathy

Apr 3, 2011 by Anonymous

witch craft? Perhaps reading some accurate books on the subject may help educate about what homeopathy really is and how it's been around longer than allopathic medicine, which not only creates disease by suppressing symptoms with toxic drugs, but never cures anyone either. Homeopathy focuses on healing the body, the whole body, not targeting one symptom and suppressing it so another illness turns up later. It's been around for 200 years and it does work for many things. Considering allopathic mainstream medicine has nothing to offer children with autism besides drugging them.....perhaps homeopathy could improve their lives and even lead to healing.

If you are a parent considering homeopathy, don't let one nay sayer discourage you from doing some research about it and reading some books to see if this might be a viable therapy for your child.


Responding to applied behavior analysis (ABA)

Mar 30, 2011 by Anonymous

New autism blog: www.ABAdiary.wordpress.com

Visit our site to share tips, learn from others, read stories, and spread the word on effective teaching technqiues related to ABA and autism. 


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Please comment on read or other autism therapy topics.

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