Doctors and patients may benefit if doctors review the science behind complimentary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatments for autism.
The best therapies for autism are special education, speech therapy, social skills therapy, and applied behavior analysis (ABA therapy). This review article describes the common use of CAM treatments for autism and grades each one based upon the scientific research that has been done. Secretin has been well studied as a treatment for autism and it has been shown not to help. Music therapy, vitamin B6/magnesium, dimethylglycine, and others have been studied a little bit. There are no studies about whether yoga, folate, or probiotics are able to help with the symptoms of autism.
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School
Aug 31, 2009 by AnonymousWe are a special school for children on the autism spectrum and typical developing siblings. Our arts based educational and sensory curriculum and mixed age classrooms provide a way for all children to actively participate within a supportive atmosphere. In this tranquil setting each child feels a sense of belonging, friendship, and the opportunity to experience the magic of childhood.
*Philosophy & Curriculum:
We offer a holistic approach in which the connection between school, home, service providers, and community becomes collaboration where each member is connected with a natural ease. Jordan Lake School of the Arts offers an individual curriculum for all students in a retreat like setting. Having a five students to one teacher ratio, and small class size we can provide attention to each child. Multi-age classrooms offer a stress free environment to learn in both roles as guide and apprentice. While children on the spectrum benefit from observing peers and having a structured means of learning social skills, typical developing siblings grow from experiential education and the support of friends who truly understand and share similar experiences. Different is normal here. At JLSA, we all understand and are respectful and supportive of one another. We have local artists participating in workshops as well as rotating their artwork in our space. Our art shows offer an opportunity for families to socialize without anxiety, and students to experience large group functions in the company of compassionate people while meeting inspiring members of the community. Our amenities include an enormous tropical greenhouse, courtyard, and outdoor class space, as well as a home like educational setting.
Parents and grandparents are welcome and encouraged to participate in the day. Workshops and afternoons with community speakers are great opportunities for families to share in experiences together at school and we all benefit from the communication and shared experiences that flow from school to home. Parents are also invited to join us for nature hikes and gardening, and to bring their talents and teach us about their specialty. We hope adults will take painting or yoga classes offered in the building, or enjoy hiking trails and the lake, assured that your children are being compassionately cared for and well educated.
www.jordanlakesa.com
919-672-4281
How To Manage Temper Tantrums Of Children With Autism
Nov 22, 2008 by AnonymousChildren with autism have temper tantrum problems - also called a meltdown, when it happens, they throw themselves on the floor, crying, screaming and kicking as a means of getting across that things are "not right". Normal kids have temper tantrums too, but it's not so difficult to deal with as autistic children. Here's some tips for parents on how to tame "temper tantrum"-like behaviors of children with autism, which also work for normal kids.
1. Transfer the child's attention. When the child shows signs of a tantrum, try to attract his attention to something else that he would be interested in.
2. Ignore the tantrum. For a preschooler, ignore his tantrum but stay where he can see you; for a older child, tell him to return to his own room after he calms down.
3. Control yourself. Set a good example for your child, even in a tantrum, the child is learning from you.
4. Avoiding injury is the top priority during a meltdown. If the child starts to hurt himself or others, you must intervene and move the child to an safer place.
5. Describe the tantrum behavior to your child with "you lost control", not "you are too bad".
6. Find chances to give lavish praise for the appropriate behaviors. Once the child stops the tantrum, praise him for the next appropriate behavior.
7. You can comfort the child, but don't satisfy any unreasonable demands of them.
8. Avoid meltdowns in public places, people who don't know that your child is on autism spetrum will make presumptions about your parenting skills.
Hope these tips are helpful for controlling temper tantrums of autistic children.
Take care,
Sneh
My Favorite Links:
For discounted blood and labwork, MRI, etc: http://tinyurl.com/6fxdjm
What not to eat: http://www.feingold.org/
Different alternative treatments [most comprehensive- pl. read carefully]: www.quickdoctors.com
CST: http://www.iahp.com/pages/search/index.php
Neurofeedback Therapy : http://www.neuropathways.com/index.html
Yoga-Meditation: http://www.divyayoga.com/freePranayamTraning.htm
Yoga
Apr 12, 2007 by AnonymousYoga is being used as alternative therapy for children with autism.
For information about one such program in Bangalore, India, visit the Web site of the SGS Vagdevi Center (http://www.vagdevi.org/).
"Using Yoga Therapy (YT) to increase communication, social and cognitive skills in children with autistic spectrum disorders". Presented at the National Seminar on Indian Psychology, Bangalore, 27th December
Abstract: The growing number of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders (ADHD), along with treatment studies suggesting substantial gains when treatment is provided at a very early stage, has led to the development of Datta Methodology for Enhancing Learning (DMEL). (DMEL abstract annexure.) DMEL was introduced in 1996 at Vagdevi Integrated School at pre-primary level with 75 children diagnosed as having one or other form of communication disorders. 6 children with ASD were treated exclusively using DMEL for a period of one year. The result indicates that children under this program have demonstrated spontaneous communication, reciprocal social interaction and reduced to restricted, repetitive and stereo typed behaviors and were ready to be mainstreamed. Throughout the study, the family was involved especially during yoga therapy (YT) sessions. Involving family in the study enabled children to transfer the skills learnt from school to home. In this article an attempt has been made to introduce DMEL as an alternate treatment procedure for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Learning Disabilities (LD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).