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.
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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.
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Technorati Tags: Autism Education, Autism Information, Autism Therapy
Tags: Autism Education, Autism Information, Autism Therapy
Back to school today? Or if you’re like our family, that happened about a month ago. Have you already had your I.E.P. meeting to discuss your child’s autism therapy for the school year? Do you even know what an I.E.P. is?
An I.E.P. is an (I)ndividualized (E)ducational (P)rogram (or plan). A roadmap, if you will, to your child’s education for that school year. It will help your teacher and you measure your child’s progress throughout the school year. What you might not know is that it is a LEGAL AND BINDING CONTRACT BETWEEN YOU AND THE SCHOOL.
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Technorati Tags: Autism Education, Autism Information, Autism Therapy, I.E.P.
Tags: Autism Education, Autism Information, Autism Therapy, I.E.P.
Posted by Deb on Jun 4, 2009 in
Autism Therapy As the Executive Director of a non-profit, I have to walk a tight rope between what I “feel” is right and what is right for my foundation. I have members of my board who feel as I do, and members who don’t. The whole vaccine drama is one place where tempers flare, people get upset and no one accomplishes anything for autism.
Each side is just as passionate. And feels that they are right. In my opinion, they are. They have a right to make that decision for their children. Just as I feel I have the right to make a decision whether I want my child vaccinated or not. Read more…
Technorati Tags: autism, Autism Education, Autism Information, Vaccine
Tags: autism, Autism Education, Autism Information, Vaccine
