Well, I’m finally going to do it.
I’ve been talking about doing this for a long time. Most parents of children with autism can either write a book on autism therapy, autism information, or autism education OR are looking for all of the above. As a mom who spent most of 2002-03 Googling the words “autism”, “autism spectrum disorder” and “Asperger’s Syn
drome”, I’ve been there. Still am. And I would like to help new parents in any way I can. Most of us “seasoned veterans” feel the same way.
So, here’s the deal. I can only post so much in a blog. One topic. In a book, I can cover a myriad of material. And broaden the focus. So, I’m going to write a book. Many of the topics that I have chosen for the book are topics I have already discussed in the Ask Deb About Autism Blog. Some are not. This is where I need you.
If your child is newly diagnosed, what would you most like to know? What therapies would you like to know about? What questions would you like answered? Is it a legal question? School? Doctor? Let me know. Think of me as your personal autism encyclopedia.
And you “vets”. Those of us who have been around a while. What would you like the new parents to know? What would you tell a new parent, if one was sitting beside you right now? What would YOU include, if you had the opportunity to write a book? Would it be biomed? IEP? IDEA? Relationship? What is the one thing (or two…) you would tell a new parent?
I have an opportunity to help so many people with this book. And look forward to delivering the best information on autism therapy, autism information, and autism education at my disposal. But, as always, you are such an invaluable source of information. Autism is a spectrum “disorder” and isn’t one-size fits all. I’m hoping that, by writing this book, we can help each other and help others understand the NOW 1 in 91 people in this country affected by this developmental challenge. Thanks!
Technorati Tags: Autism Education, Autism Information, Autism Therapy
Tags: Autism Education, Autism Information, Autism Therapy
Posted by Deb on Oct 6, 2009 in
Autism Therapy I am surrounded by many friends who love their children. DESPERATELY! Who would do anything they can to help their child or children with autism. And they do. They sacrifice their health, finances, relationships, and marriages to save their child or children with autism. These parents scour the internet, looking for the latest in autism therapy, autism education, and autism information. Anything to help their babies. What they need is respite therapy.
A few organizations are seeing the need for mom & dad (sibs too) to get help. Caring for a child with autism is a 24/7 job. And often, vacations can be more stressful for the family. Taking a child with autism out of their routine and off to Disney World with all of its fun…it can be a set-up for a HUGE melt-down.
So, where do you go? How do you find respite therapy? If you’re looking for a camp for your child:
http://wmoore.net/therapy.html
Another great resource:
http://chtop.org/ARCH.html
Churches can also be a great source for respite therapy and care for your entire family. More than likely there are several churches in your area that offer special needs ministries. Great place to start. They can offer family counseling and help with support for your family, even if you aren’t of that particular religion.
Don’t be afraid to ask family and friends for help! If you are fortunate enough to have family close by, take advantage of it. If you have friends who have offered to help, accept their help. Co-op babysitting with other couples who have children with autism.
There are also local agencies and “sitters” you can hire to assist you. Be wary and always do your homework, just as you would with anyone you would allow into your home. Great checklist to use:
http://www.efmoody.com/longterm/respitechecklist.html
We caregivers often neglect ourselves, thinking that it’s the right thing to do. We put everything we have into our kids. Digging into every piece of autism therapy, autism information, and autism education that we have at our disposal. Until one day we realize that our marriage is in trouble. Our friendships are no longer there. Our health (mental and physical) has suffered greatly. We can’t do it alone. Our kids will be the ones who suffer the most in the end.
Technorati Tags: Autism Education, Autism Information, Autism Therapy, respite therapy
Tags: Autism Education, Autism Information, Autism Therapy, respite therapy
Meeting new people is difficult enough for most people. You make a mental check list: shake hands, smile, remember their name, make small talk. But for teens with autism, it is downright disarming. That’s why many sc
hool districts and psychologists are now offering social skills as a type of autism therapy in their arsenal of autism therapy, autism education, and autism information.
Some social skills therapists are working with kids in break-out sessions. Offering neuro-typical children the option of being “social skills coaches” while helping their autistic peers. They meet once or twice a week and role play. This autism therapy is helpful not only for the child/teen with autism (as they see how their peers behave) but is also helpful for neuro-typical children as it teaches them compassion. Something I have seen first hand.
Read more…
Technorati Tags: Autism Education, Autism Information, Autism Therapy
Tags: Autism Education, Autism Information, Autism Therapy
Posted by Deb on Sep 24, 2009 in
Autism Therapy I’ve notice lately that Vitamin D seems to be the “latest” thing people are buzzing about in the autism community. Vitamin D as an autism therapy. Seems reasonable. Children with autism present with muscular weakness, which is a symptom of Vitamin D deficiency. Children with autism also have intestinal absorption issues, which makes it difficult for them to properly digest their food. Making it nearly impossible to get the proper nutrients and vitamins from their food. Vitamin D as autism therapy? Plausible. Let’s explore what the experts are saying.
As I read Dr. Kurt Woeller’s blog from earlier this year, he made these points:
“Some indications are that many children on the autism-spectrum have very low levels (Vitamin D) , and that this deficiency can adversely affect brain development with respects to higher cognitive function such as complex thought, awareness, language development and more. The majority of children that I have tested show low levels of vitamin D (sometimes very low)- as evidenced by a 25(OH)D test – indicating that autistic children definitely appear to show a lack of this nutrient. However, this is not unique to autism as many individuals test low indicating that vitamin D deficiency in general may be a bigger issue than once realized. In traditional medicine the role of vitamin D has been mostly used to assist in calcium metabolism for bone health support. However, vitamin D has other function such as immune function support and protection against cancer.”
http://drkurtwoeller.blogspot.com/2009/03/autism-and-controversy-over-vitamin-d.html
There’s another theory that natural Vitamin D (derived by sunlight) would make a great form of autism therapy. Because the rates of autism have increased so dramatically in two areas of the world that have been “sunshine deprived”, the theory is that autism is related to the lack of sunlight (naturally derived Vitamin D).
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=vitamin-d-and-autism
Now, here’s where it gets tricky. What is the proper dosage for your child? I’m not a doctor. Nor do I play one on TV. So, PLEASE consult one before you decide to try Vitamin D for autism therapy. I did find this on Wiki that gives a general guideline. However, it is for TYPICAL ADULTS! Proceed with caution!
“Vitamin D is naturally produced by the human body when exposed to direct sunlight. Season, geographic latitude, time of day, cloud cover, smog, and sunscreen affect UV ray exposure and vitamin D synthesis in the skin, and it is important for individuals with limited sun exposure to include good sources of vitamin D in their diet. Extra vitamin D is also recommended for older adults and people with dark skin. Individuals having a high risk of deficiency should consume 25 μg (1000 IU) of vitamin D daily to maintain adequate blood concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D.[1]“
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitamin_D
Since this is the first week of fall, natural sources of Vitamin D (sunlight) are not as plentiful. So, if you are inclined toward the holistic approach in autism, you might consult with your doc and ask him or her about adding Vitamin D into your autism therapy.
As always, if you have any comments or suggestions, I am all ears and eyes! I love hearing from you! If there’s a topic you’d like me to research for you, let me know. Be glad to do it.
Blessings,
Deb
Technorati Tags: Autism Education, Autism Information, Autism Therapy
Tags: Autism Education, Autism Information, Autism Therapy
The train is on the tracks. We see the light. And it is heading our way. Adulthood. Now for most parents, that’s a wonderful thing. Thoughts of college, marriage and grandchildren come to mind, right? Well, that’s on the horizon for our youngest (fingers crossed). For our oldest son, no matter how much effort we have put into his autism education and autism therapy (and trust me, we have), he and his peers face a bleak future.
Going back to an article written earlier this decade, CNN cited that 70% of developmentally disabled adults were unemployed.
http://money.cnn.com/2000/03/23/career/q_disability/
Think about that for a moment. Seventy percent of a minority population. Where, if properly trained, could become productive members of society. Could become tax payers. Some….could live independently or with assistance. Right now, a great many of them are getting no autism education to assist them in the effort to become independent. No autism therapy to learn a job skill. No help at all.
Read more…
Technorati Tags: Autism Education, Autism Information, Autism Therapy
Tags: Autism Education, Autism Information, Autism Therapy
