Healing Thresholds Autism Therapy Topic Feed

New Autism Research Shows Promise Using Music and Motor Activities

scottie — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 15:52:16 +0000

Teaser:

Auditory-Motor Mapping Training (AAMT) is a recently researched therapy that shows music may help communication skills in children with autism.

Body:

Auditory-Motor Mapping Training (AAMT) is a recently researched therapy that shows music may help communication skills in children with autism. Catherine Wan, PhD, a researcher in the Music and Neuroimaging Laboratory of Beth Deaconess Medical Center’s Department of Neurology, explains that AAMT uses “singing (intonation) and motor activities to strengthen a network of brain regions that is thought to be abnormal in children with autism.” The researchers based their study on another similar therapy, Melodic Intonation Therapy that was successful in helping stroke victims recover their speech. The children involved in the AAMT study showed increased communication during the treatment as well as at home.

Read original article: Research Shows New Therapy Helps Nonverbal Children with Autism to Say First Words

Early Diagnosis and Intervention Still Key in Therapeutic Interventions for Autism

scottie — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 15:53:31 +0000

Teaser:

We do our best to keep up with therapeutic interventions for kids with autism, however, as this article discusses, early diagnosis and intervention are still important tools.

Body:

We do our best to keep up with therapeutic interventions for kids with autism, however, as this article discusses, early diagnosis and intervention are still important tools. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that doctors administer a standardized test at the 18-month and 24-month well baby checkups. Research done by The Commonwealth Medical College (TCMC) students demonstrated that in Pennsylvania, only 1 in 10 children were diagnosed with autism by the pediatrician in 2009 and 2010. For this reason, TCMC is recommending outreach programs for family doctors and other health care professionals. Mary Christine Remick, at Northeast Regional Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders at Friendship House explains that if doctors screened for autism, up to 70% of cases could be discovered early and therapy could begin.

Read original article: Early Diagnosis Key to Treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorders

AUTISM = California ABA Behavior Analysis + Special Education is the "3 in 1" Autism Therapies Treatment in California & Singapore

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 16:19:14 +0000

St. Andrew Autism Center is the Help and service provider in Singapore for autism therapies in ABA behavior intervention and special education.

Autism is an EPIDEMIC affecting Singapore children. The "3 in 1" Autism Therapies Treatment of " Autism + ABA + Special Education" is to help children with Autism, ADHD, Attention Deficit Disorder, Asperger Syndrome, Giftedness etc and related disabilities with learning, emotional and developmental needs to develop the communication, academic and social skills necessary so that they can successfully participate in their Singapore MOE schools or pre-schools, and communities.

SeokLay Lau MA in Special Education, California State University Los Angeles, CalABA member.

Seoklay Lau's Public Profile <http://sg.linkedin.com/pub/seoklay-lau/34/621/5b>

Documentary About Autism May Help Families Navigate Treatment

scottie — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 21:27:15 +0000

Teaser:

Erik and Jennie Linthorst first learned their son might have autism when he was 18 months old.

Body:

Erik and Jennie Linthorst first learned their son might have autism when he was 18 months old. They did what many parents do – they searched for any and all information on therapies and treatments. The Linthorsts were fortunate; they tried therapies that worked and those that didn’t. They had the time and the resources to find good doctors and get answers to their questions. They were able to take advantage of early intervention techniques. They also understand that many parents don’t have a lot of time and/or money, so Erik, a screenwriter, made a documentary about their experience. Autistic-Like: Graham’s Story is a “map” of their experience. Their hope is that their story may shorten another family’s search for answers.

Read original article: Son's Autism Leads to Family Documentary

Drug Therapy May Improve Language and Social Skills in Children with Autism

scottie — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 12:32:22 +0000

Teaser:

This article focuses on a new study using the drug propranolol to help increase social skills and language in children with autism.

Body:

This article focuses on a new study using the drug propranolol to help increase social skills and language in people with autism. Propranolol is typically used to treat high blood pressure, control heart rate, and reduce test anxiety. Dr. David Beversdorf, MU Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, and his group are the first to study the potential benefits of this drug on autism in a controlled manner. They believe the drug acts on the brains of people with autism to assist in language and communication. In earlier studies, researchers discovered that propranolol helped with word unscrambling and word fluency. In follow-up studies, Beversdorf hopes to be able to discover who with autism will respond favorably to the drug.

Read original article: Promising Drug Treatment for Improving Language, Social Function in People with Autism

Entire Family Participates in RDI Therapy

scottie — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 15:16:28 +0000

Teaser:

The Andrews decided to involve the entire family in their son’s autism therapy.

Body:

The Andrews decided to involve the entire family in their son’s autism therapy. The therapy they chose was Relationship Development Intervention (RDI). Chresta Ambers, a certified RDI therapist, says this therapy can be used at any age and any range of a person with autism. RDI was created by Dr. Steven Gutstein and is a parent-based treatment that incorporates six objectives: emotional referencing, social coordination, declarative language, flexible thinking, rational information processing, and foresight and hindsight. The Andrews say that RDI is a therapy they can practice 24/7 with their son.

Read original article: KidSafe - R.D.I. for Autism

University Offers Students Hands-On Training Working with Children with Autism

scottie — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 14:49:31 +0000

Teaser:

Binghampton University in New York provides hands-on training for their students, specifically through the Institute of Child Development (ICD).

Body:

Binghampton University in New York provides hands-on training for their students, specifically through the Institute of Child Development (ICD). Over the years, more than 3,000 psychology students have been trained to work with kids with autism. Raymond G. Romanczyk, executive director of ICD, explains that ICD is the largest organization on campus, “On a broad level, the ICD provides services to families, undergraduates, graduates, medical students, researchers and public policy.” Students receive rigorous training and are tested on their performance as well as on written knowledge. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) students are required to take 4 courses working with children ages 5 months to 12 years – this program is called the Children’s Unit for Treatment and Evaluation (CUTE).

Read original article: ICD Enables Students to Assist Autistic Children

Chiropractor Develops Maximum Potential Program to Help Kids on the Autism Spectrum

scottie — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 15:34:21 +0000

Teaser:

Dr. Richard Kelly, a Bridgehampton chiropractor, has developed a therapy program to help children on the autism spectrum.

Body:

Dr. Richard Kelly, a Bridgehampton chiropractor, has developed a therapy program to help children on the autism spectrum. Maximum Potential works to strengthen the brain so that kids might have improved social and focal behavior. The therapy focuses on sensory and cognitive exercises that combine “postural and spinal adjustments, aerobic and hand-eye coordination exercises and reflex activity.” Kelly calls Maximum Potential less a treatment, but rather a regiment, which includes nutrition and exercise in addition to the adjustments. Maximum Potential begins with an assessment and then adds an individual plan of exercises combining aerobics with eye-hand coordination.

Read original article: Bridgehampton Chriopractor's Autism Therapy Yields Success

Responding to insurance

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 02:00:07 +0000

I live in North Carolina. My daughter was diagnosed with autism and in the hopes of getting the best treatment and intervention available, she is being left behind. Her insurance, medicaid, pays for very little of her early intervention services. And to add to our disappointment, medicaid does not pay for ABA services.

Speech and Language Pathologist Combines Love of Horses and Children

scottie — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 14:36:19 +0000

Teaser:

Rachel Gerhart, a speech and language pathologist, established PonyTalk Speech Therapy Services combining hippotherapy with speech therapy.

Body:

Rachel Gerhart, a speech and language pathologist, established PonyTalk Speech Therapy Services combining hippotherapy with speech therapy. She explains that she uses typical speech therapy approaches while a child with autism or other special needs is on horseback. She has found that the 12-week program allows children to address their therapy goals while experiencing the movement, and sometimes freedom, of being horseback. Hippotherapy provides increased muscle strength, self-esteem, mobility, and coordination. It seems to help the children to be more responsive to speech therapy. Gerhart states, “Children experience the benefits of therapy without feeling like they are doing any work. As a result, they may be more responsive to treatment in this setting versus a typical clinic or educational setting.”

Read original article: Birdsboro Woman Uses Horses to Help Children with Speech