Articles that focus on a wide range of tools, services, programs and teaching methods that can potentially help someone on the spectrum reach their potential. Sometimes the words ‘treatment’ and ‘intervention’ are used as well.
Recently, parents of a 3.6-year-old child diagnosed with autism with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) in a US public school district approached me for some general tips on parenting a child with autism. I am a physical therapist with a special interest in the educational impact of a diagnosis like the autism spectrum, attention deficit […]
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What is autism? Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a broad term used to describe a grouping of neurodevelopmental disorders. It can often affect a person’s way of interacting with others. People with autism often experience the world differently than their neurotypical peers. While the term autism covers a broad spectrum of symptoms, it is typically […]
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It is Thursday. I am about to meet a new child on the autism spectrum. My goal is to teach basic music skills and use these skills to build confidence, improve fine motor movement and prompt timely responses. To achieve this, I must capture the child’s attention. Brain function researchers have applied various definitions to […]
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Mastering social skills is generally an ongoing endeavor for kids on the autism spectrum. Just when you master one skill, peers get older, change, and it’s time for an upgrade. How do you know if your child is ready to benefit from learning social skills in a group setting? In my office, groups promote safe […]
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What is stimming? Stimming or stim is a shortened term for self-stimulation and is one of the many indicators of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A person who stims shows repetitive body movements that can involve all five senses or moving objects in a repetitive motion. It is also called “stereotypy.” Causes of stimming Although the […]
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“The word theatre comes from the Greeks. It means the seeing place. It is the place people come to see the truth about life and the social situation. The theatre is a spiritual and social X-ray of its time.” — Stella Adler The truth is theater is just a mirror. We hold mirrors up to ourselves every day. We […]
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What are visual supports? Visual supports are non-verbal ways for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) to communicate their needs and make sense of the world around them. Children with autism benefit from using visual supports for a variety of reasons. A nonverbal child can use a Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) to communicate his/her […]
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Do you avoid saying ‘no’? Do you only use the vacuum cleaner when your child is out of the house? Are you dreading dinnertime because the supermarket ran out of the particular brand of chicken nuggets that you usually buy? These are all questions often answered as ‘yes’ by parents of children with autism spectrum […]
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There are many different methods of therapy that can be useful for helping children cope with the symptoms of autism. Since there are different types of autism and a wide variety of environments that autistic children may be raised in, it’s a good idea to figure out which type of therapy will best suit the […]
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“Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so_________.” Regardless of your age, gender or religion, I bet you said “delightful” to finish the familiar holiday tune Let It Snow. Not everyone feels this way, but I am happy those holiday songs are heard over and over again. As a specialty music instructor […]
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