Healing Thresholds Autism Therapy Topic Feed

Pennsylvania Identifies Most Common Unmet Need for Children with Autism

scottie — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Teaser:

A study of 3,500 adults with autism and caregivers found that social skills training is the most common unmet need for people with autism.

Body:

A study of 3,500 adults with autism and caregivers found that social skills training is the most common unmet need for people with autism. The study also found a high unemployment/underemployment rate for adults with autism. The researchers were able to discover what was lacking and what was working in terms of autism intervention in Pennslyvania. David Mandell, associate director, Center for Mental Health Policy and Services Research, explained that the research results show where state resources should be directed. For example, children with autism in rural areas are less likely to receive the same professional therapies as children who live in cities. The study did show that families are waiting less time for their child's diagnosis. However, it appears that difficulties still remain in diagnosing adults with autism. Lindsay Lawer, project director and study co-author stated, "The insight provided by these individuals and families offers valuable awareness of the system successes and failures upon which Pennsylvania and the nation can build."

Read original article: New Report Examines Autism Needs for Patients and Families in Pennsylvania

Imitation as a Form of Autism Therapy

scottie — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 19:19:32 +0000

Teaser:

The Michigan State University Autism Lab has been doing research on imitation as a form of autism therapy.

Body:

The Michigan State University Autism Lab has been doing research on imitation as a form of autism therapy. In results recently published, Professor Brooke Ingersoll reported that children with autism who engaged in imitation may show increased communication and social skills. Ingersoll explained that imitation may be done at home with parents getting on their child's level and imitating them. One mom said her son "has responded very well to the imitation. He really enjoys seeing others act like he does. It kind of engages him more and with other people he is more interactive." The Autism Lab is always looking for participants with autism for their studies. They are hoping to perform research on adolescents with autism and imitation.

Read original article: Special Report: Autism Interrupted

Nigerian Woman Determined to Bring Early Intervention to Her Country’s Kids

scottie — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Teaser:

Dotun Akande, founder of Patrick Speech and Languages Center in Lagos, believes that early intervention is the best chance for children with autism.

Body:

Dotun Akande, the founder of Patrick Speech and Languages Center in Lagos, believes that early intervention is the best chance for children with autism in her country. Akande, mom of a child with autism, works to reach out and educate as many families as possible. She explains, “Parents too should know that having a child that has this challenge is not the end of the world. Early intervention is the key; so, all you need do is to help that child come out of that problem.” Patrick Speech offers interventions that include speech and language therapy, behavioral modification therapy, OT, social skills training, vocational training, academics, music therapy, hydrotherapy, and sensory integration.

Read original article: Early Intervention is the Key to Managing Autism Well

All Arts are at the Focus of the Creative Therapies Program

scottie — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:11:22 +0000

Teaser:

Creative Therapies is a program for kids with autism and other special needs that provides dance and art therapies.

Body:

Creative Therapies is a program for kids with autism and other special needs that provides dance and art therapies. Creative Therapies is a joint venture between Pinckneyville Park Community Center and Spectrum in the Norcross Georgia area. Recreation Leader Kim Gerlach believes that the combination of dance and art will lead to better self-esteem and improve social skills. Dance can help with posture and can calm as well as stimulate youngsters. The art therapy will include clay, drawing and painting, and pottery.

Read original article: New Program Uses Art, Dance as Therapy

Music Therapist Teaches More than Just Music to Kids with Autism

scottie — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Teaser:

Laura Fehr is a music therapist who has opened her own practice in North Dakota to work with children with autism.

Body:

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

Minnesota Community Provides Information on Autism to Parents and Caregivers

scottie — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 16:22:57 +0000

Teaser:

Osseo Area Source of Information and Support (OASIS) has begun a series of lectures on dealing with kids on the autism spectrum.

Body:

Osseo Area Source of Information and Support (OASIS) in Minnesota has begun a series of lectures on dealing with kids on the autism spectrum. OASIS will meet once a month and will focus on ADHD, ADD, LD, EBD, ODD, OCD, anxiety, depression and bipolar issues as well as autism. While the meetings last from 6:30-8:30, participants may stay longer to continue with questions and answers. PrairieCare and Weaver Lake Elementary School sponsor OASIS. Future topics will include: behavior therapy, social skills, and use of technology.

Read original article: OASIS Meetings Planned for Parents, Caregivers

Swimming Center in Texas Provides Water Therapy for People with Autism of All Ages

scottie — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 13:39:22 +0000

Teaser:

The Margaret Clark Aquatic Center in Brownsville Texas has supplied adaptive swimming classes for people with autism for about ten years.

Body:

The Margaret Clark Aquatic Center in Brownsville Texas has supplied adaptive swimming classes for children with autism for about ten years. Participants range in age from first grade through 21 or 22 years of age, so the instructors are able to watch the kids grow and change. The classes not only teach basic swimming strokes, but include some racing competition, social skills, life skills as children must dress themselves after swimming, and motor skills. One great consequence of the classes has been to see high schoolers join their school swim team.

Read original article: Water Therapy for Children with Autism

Parents Hope Thrift Store Becomes Place to Support Workers with Autism

scottie — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 13:25:03 +0000

Teaser:

Fred and Alicia Harmon originally opened Lil’ Treasures Shoppe in order to increase the family's income.

Body:

Fred and Alicia Harmon originally opened Lil’ Treasures Shoppe in order to increase the family's income. But with two older children, and twins with autism, they decided that the Amarillo Texas thrift store might one day become a place for the twins and others with autism to find employment. In the meantime, Lil’ Treasures serves as a place for the twins to learn social skills and for other families with autism to stop in and find support. The boys also receive applied behavior analysis (ABA) at the autism program at Texas Panhandle Centers.

Read original article: Parents Hope Learning Changes, Thrift Store Will Help Sons Grow

Recent Study Shows that Training Peers May Help Children with Autism

scottie — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 20:28:12 +0000

Teaser:

The NIH recently funded a study that shows that children with autism may have improved social behavior if their peers receive training in how to interact with them.

Body:

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recently funded a study that shows that children with autism may have improved social behavior if their peers receive training in how to interact with them. Connie Kasari, Ph.D., of the University of California, led a team that compared different interventions among children with autism who were already partially mainstreamed. One of the interventions consisted of teaching neurotypical kids how to interact with their classmates who were on the spectrum. The children whose peers received training spent less time playing alone, were thought of as friends by the neurotypical kids, and had increased social skills.

Read original article: Training Peers Improves Social Outcomes for Some Kids with ASD

Speech Clinic Teaches Life Skills to Kids with Autism from Childhood Through Young Adulthood

scottie — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 21:17:59 +0000

Teaser:

Speech Therapy Associates is a California location where kids with autism are served from preschool through high school.

Body:

Speech Therapy Associates is a California location where kids with autism are served from preschool through high school. They believe that communication is a crucial life skill for kids to adapt. They also understand that skills a child with autism gains at the middle school age may need to be updated when the youngster transitions to the workforce. The clinic offers several levels of therapy: Building Blocks is for 18 months to 5 years and focuses on language and social skills; Circle of Friends is a social group where children learn turn-taking and social skills; and Building Connections is for teens and young adults to learn transition skills into a college or work situation.

Read original article: Students with Autism Learn Life Skills in Lodi