So today I am talking about Autism Apps!!
I LOVE the fact that these amazing tools are available to assist our children to learn. Many children (typical or not) find these devices extremely motivating.They can become a very necessary tool across many domains and allow non-verbal people to be able to communicate more effectively through the help of these apps.
I have put together a number of great apps from itunes. We know that there are a ton of fantastic apps out there for you to choose from. Here is just a list of some that are available through itunes.
igetitapps.com
AutismXpress
Fist Then Visual Schedule
MyTalk Mobile icomm
Metatouch
Word SLapPs
Model me going places
First words
SLP Field Kit
Pictello
ABA Therapy Images
Choice Board Maker
Communicating Basic Needs App
Dance Party Zoo
Grace Picture Xchange for non-verbal people
Speech with Milo:verbs
Splingo's Language Universe
Talking Cards for iPad
TapSpeak choice for iPad
Touch and say
Touch talking
Visual Prompts board
Augie AAC
Some other amazing Autism Apps:
www.proloquo2go.com
www.behaviortrackerpro.com
Monday, October 24, 2011
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Understanding unspoken language
I am writing today about understanding, reading and observing unspoken language. This means pre-verbal communication skills: Gestures, facial expressions, posture, behaviour, verbal utterances or approximations.
Throughout my career as an Instructor Therapist I have seen my fair share of behaviours with children diagnosed with ASD. Melt-downs, screaming, kicking, biting, spitting, hitting, punching, scratching, flopping, head banging, crying, pushing and self injurious behaviours. I have been taken down by behavioural 3 year old and suffered black eyes, bruises, cuts and scrapes and a sore body to go along with it!
Now there are two ways of looking at this. The first one is the behavioural approach. This is when we just deal with the behaviour that is presented. So for example the child starts hitting another child, then we would correct that behaviour. Behaviour intervention is a huge part of what we do from day to day. Teaching these children to handle these situations in a better way. For some children, this might mean removing them from the situation, as it becomes a safety issue for the people around. For others, we use special techniques to help the child to stop acting out. Sometimes, we have to simply ignore that behaviour because it is attention seeking.
The second and almost more important approach is the antecedent. What happened to cause this? What does it mean? What is the child trying to tell us? How do I help them?
This part for me...is much more important. Most often a child will demonstrate some sort of "sign" through pre-verbal skills that something is wrong. Their body language changes, they start to get agitated, eyes change, their focus becomes clouded. The hardest part for most people is "seeing" this and being aware that something is not right...before the behaviour occurs.
We all need to remember that for many of these more behavioural children, verbal communication is limited. They don't have the verbal skills to communicate their frustrations, feelings, thoughts or desires. For these children, they are communicating the best way that they know how to. It has worked for them up to now, and so they continue.
For a therapist, we have to "read" and try to figure out what is going on with the child...and hopefully prevent violent behaviours before they occur. This can be a huge challenge if you have not connected with the child. Even if you have connected and paired with the child and built a solid relationship...this can still be difficult. Paying attention, reading the non-verbal cues and observing is critical for some success to occur.
Even with all of this, behaviours will likely still occur. The hope is that they decrease, or become less intense as the child better learns to cope and communicate.
Throughout my career as an Instructor Therapist I have seen my fair share of behaviours with children diagnosed with ASD. Melt-downs, screaming, kicking, biting, spitting, hitting, punching, scratching, flopping, head banging, crying, pushing and self injurious behaviours. I have been taken down by behavioural 3 year old and suffered black eyes, bruises, cuts and scrapes and a sore body to go along with it!
Now there are two ways of looking at this. The first one is the behavioural approach. This is when we just deal with the behaviour that is presented. So for example the child starts hitting another child, then we would correct that behaviour. Behaviour intervention is a huge part of what we do from day to day. Teaching these children to handle these situations in a better way. For some children, this might mean removing them from the situation, as it becomes a safety issue for the people around. For others, we use special techniques to help the child to stop acting out. Sometimes, we have to simply ignore that behaviour because it is attention seeking.
The second and almost more important approach is the antecedent. What happened to cause this? What does it mean? What is the child trying to tell us? How do I help them?
This part for me...is much more important. Most often a child will demonstrate some sort of "sign" through pre-verbal skills that something is wrong. Their body language changes, they start to get agitated, eyes change, their focus becomes clouded. The hardest part for most people is "seeing" this and being aware that something is not right...before the behaviour occurs.
We all need to remember that for many of these more behavioural children, verbal communication is limited. They don't have the verbal skills to communicate their frustrations, feelings, thoughts or desires. For these children, they are communicating the best way that they know how to. It has worked for them up to now, and so they continue.
For a therapist, we have to "read" and try to figure out what is going on with the child...and hopefully prevent violent behaviours before they occur. This can be a huge challenge if you have not connected with the child. Even if you have connected and paired with the child and built a solid relationship...this can still be difficult. Paying attention, reading the non-verbal cues and observing is critical for some success to occur.
Even with all of this, behaviours will likely still occur. The hope is that they decrease, or become less intense as the child better learns to cope and communicate.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Affect
Affect is such an important part of teaching children diagnosed with Autism. Affect is tapping into the child's interests and desires and using them to teach and build engagement. Affect builds excitement and interest for the child, keeping them motivated and interested.
Children with Autism most often have challenges with human connections and social situations and communication. We first need to be interested in what the child is interested in...if we want to somehow get them involved in our world.
We need to observe.
We need to join. Join the child in the activity that the child is interested in.
Find out what items or activities bring happiness and joy. Make note of it.
Knowing the child and what makes them happy, is what will help them to learn. If the child loves dinosaurs...then use dinosaurs to teach. If the child loves balls...then use balls to teach skills.
Embedding skills and tasks with these materials helps to keep the child motivated and having fun.
An increase of engagement, social interactions, vocal communication, requests, imitation, eye contact and play based activities and appropriate behaviours can be achieved using affect.
Building affect into your child's day will increase your child's enjoyment and yours!
Children with Autism most often have challenges with human connections and social situations and communication. We first need to be interested in what the child is interested in...if we want to somehow get them involved in our world.
We need to observe.
We need to join. Join the child in the activity that the child is interested in.
Find out what items or activities bring happiness and joy. Make note of it.
Knowing the child and what makes them happy, is what will help them to learn. If the child loves dinosaurs...then use dinosaurs to teach. If the child loves balls...then use balls to teach skills.
Embedding skills and tasks with these materials helps to keep the child motivated and having fun.
An increase of engagement, social interactions, vocal communication, requests, imitation, eye contact and play based activities and appropriate behaviours can be achieved using affect.
Building affect into your child's day will increase your child's enjoyment and yours!
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Thanksgiving
I hope that you all took the opportunity to be thankful for all of the special people in your lives.
Despite the sometimes crazy and overwhelming days, we need to stop and take a well deserved breath and be thankful!
The people that are in our lives are here for a reason. We will learn magical lessons and receive gifts from each one...if you allow your heart to be open.
I am Thankful!
Despite the sometimes crazy and overwhelming days, we need to stop and take a well deserved breath and be thankful!
The people that are in our lives are here for a reason. We will learn magical lessons and receive gifts from each one...if you allow your heart to be open.
I am Thankful!
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Autism is a family matter
Autism is a family matter. It impacts the parents, siblings, grandparents, cousins and pets(yes pets!). Over the years of providing therapy in people's homes, I have been given the opportunity to observe the family dynamics, impacts and stress that Autism has on the entire family.
Parents of newly diagnosed children, that contact me for treatment are usually at their witts end. They can't cope with their child anymore. They can't handle the maladaptive behaviours. They can't handle the lack of control, lack of a happy family, lack of sleep. Often times these families are in distress and stress mode, and are just doing the bare minimum just to survive. Anxiety, depression, OCD behaviours, sleep disorders can all develop or increase for parents/siblings when families are left to handle this situation.
During family meetings and parent coaching sessions, I am frequently asked "what impact will this have on his sister"? "what impact will this have on my marriage?" How much will this cost?" "How long will he/she need therapy for?" " When will they be better?" Oh how I wish I could answer all of these questions. I wish I had a magic wand or some sort of magic spell to make it go away. I am honest. I tell the families:
* this will impact his sister. You will need to make sure that she gets adequate time, love and attention too.
*It will have a huge impact on your marriage. You will feel guilt, and argue and be tired and frustrated...and you will likely take it out on each other. Make sure you find special time to spend alone and don't talk about problems. Just enjoy each other.
*This will cost you a lot. Full time therapy usually costs around $50 000/year
*Your son or daughter will likely need intensive therapy for years. We won't really know until we get started. We take small baby steps...so it takes hours of work.
*I can't tell you when he will be better...but starting therapy now is your best option!
Now you are reading this and it sounds horrible and scary. The truth is that sometimes it can be. Sometimes and most often though...these first steps are the hardest. Once the family starts down this road...things start to change. People learn and grow. Children adapt. Parents get help and reach out and rely on others. Children with ASD start to learn...and change...and become more engaged with and in their family.
Autism is a family matter. It should be! Everyone needs to be involved.
Parents of newly diagnosed children, that contact me for treatment are usually at their witts end. They can't cope with their child anymore. They can't handle the maladaptive behaviours. They can't handle the lack of control, lack of a happy family, lack of sleep. Often times these families are in distress and stress mode, and are just doing the bare minimum just to survive. Anxiety, depression, OCD behaviours, sleep disorders can all develop or increase for parents/siblings when families are left to handle this situation.
During family meetings and parent coaching sessions, I am frequently asked "what impact will this have on his sister"? "what impact will this have on my marriage?" How much will this cost?" "How long will he/she need therapy for?" " When will they be better?" Oh how I wish I could answer all of these questions. I wish I had a magic wand or some sort of magic spell to make it go away. I am honest. I tell the families:
* this will impact his sister. You will need to make sure that she gets adequate time, love and attention too.
*It will have a huge impact on your marriage. You will feel guilt, and argue and be tired and frustrated...and you will likely take it out on each other. Make sure you find special time to spend alone and don't talk about problems. Just enjoy each other.
*This will cost you a lot. Full time therapy usually costs around $50 000/year
*Your son or daughter will likely need intensive therapy for years. We won't really know until we get started. We take small baby steps...so it takes hours of work.
*I can't tell you when he will be better...but starting therapy now is your best option!
Now you are reading this and it sounds horrible and scary. The truth is that sometimes it can be. Sometimes and most often though...these first steps are the hardest. Once the family starts down this road...things start to change. People learn and grow. Children adapt. Parents get help and reach out and rely on others. Children with ASD start to learn...and change...and become more engaged with and in their family.
Autism is a family matter. It should be! Everyone needs to be involved.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Let go
Being a parent is hard. Being a therapist is hard. Letting go is part of the process for both roles.
As a parent our main goal is to teach our children to be independent. Our main goal as a therapist...is to do the same. For both roles...we are trying to encourage positive self esteem and confidence. We are teaching our children to make good choices and to be able to give back to society. We are teaching our children to love and to be happy.
Parents of children diagnosed with Autism can have a very challenging time "letting go". Letting go: takes trust and faith that the child is going to be OK without them. This is difficult, given all of the emotional challenges and difficulties that many of these families face. The mom is often, filled with guilt and sadness. Knowing in her head that she needs to let go...but in her heart not wanting to. Sometimes that can be for selfish reasons....but mostly it is because, letting go feels like you are letting a part of you go. It hurts.
I don't think it matters if your child is typical developing or developmentally delayed. This is hard! No one said that bringing a brand new helpless baby into this world was easy. They definitely didn't inform us that...letting go, little by little is painful, scary, sad and joyful, all at the same time.
Eventually, we all have to let go. The best thing that we can do as parents and therapists is to provide our children with the necessary skills to be as independent and strong as possible.
We need to love our children unconditionally everyday...for everything! We also need to have faith... and trust that our children are going to be OK!!
As a parent our main goal is to teach our children to be independent. Our main goal as a therapist...is to do the same. For both roles...we are trying to encourage positive self esteem and confidence. We are teaching our children to make good choices and to be able to give back to society. We are teaching our children to love and to be happy.
Parents of children diagnosed with Autism can have a very challenging time "letting go". Letting go: takes trust and faith that the child is going to be OK without them. This is difficult, given all of the emotional challenges and difficulties that many of these families face. The mom is often, filled with guilt and sadness. Knowing in her head that she needs to let go...but in her heart not wanting to. Sometimes that can be for selfish reasons....but mostly it is because, letting go feels like you are letting a part of you go. It hurts.
I don't think it matters if your child is typical developing or developmentally delayed. This is hard! No one said that bringing a brand new helpless baby into this world was easy. They definitely didn't inform us that...letting go, little by little is painful, scary, sad and joyful, all at the same time.
Eventually, we all have to let go. The best thing that we can do as parents and therapists is to provide our children with the necessary skills to be as independent and strong as possible.
We need to love our children unconditionally everyday...for everything! We also need to have faith... and trust that our children are going to be OK!!
Friday, September 23, 2011
Sensory Assessment
Sensory integration with children diagnosed with Autism is a critical component for their treatment. I am often surprised at how often this is over looked when people work with these special children. Here is a list of the areas that these children can have difficulties with:
Proprioceptive
Vestibular
Tactile
Oral Motor
Visual
Auditory
Multi sensory
Modulation to endurance /tone
Modulation related to body position and movement
Modulation of movement affecting activity level
Modulation of Sensory Input affecting emotional responses
Modulation of visual input affecting emotional responses and activity levels
Behaviour and Emotional Responses
Behaviour outcomes of sensory processing
Threshold response
Now you can see just how difficult it can be for most of these children. Sometimes all of these systems can play havoc all at once. No wonder...they have stimulation problems! If all of these systems are not "working" properly, then these children can have a complete disconnect from brain to body.
This is a critical component when working with these children. Completing a sensory profile for your child, can be a critical tool for your treatment plan and team. These issues will often require the assistance of an experienced Occupational Therapist, physical therapist, and experienced therapists to work with your child. Sensory diets and exercises should be included into a well balanced therapy program.
We also need to be careful to not overload this delicate balance of sensory systems. There are some negative responses that can occur if this system is challenged too much or not handled with care.
Proprioceptive
Vestibular
Tactile
Oral Motor
Visual
Auditory
Multi sensory
Modulation to endurance /tone
Modulation related to body position and movement
Modulation of movement affecting activity level
Modulation of Sensory Input affecting emotional responses
Modulation of visual input affecting emotional responses and activity levels
Behaviour and Emotional Responses
Behaviour outcomes of sensory processing
Threshold response
Now you can see just how difficult it can be for most of these children. Sometimes all of these systems can play havoc all at once. No wonder...they have stimulation problems! If all of these systems are not "working" properly, then these children can have a complete disconnect from brain to body.
This is a critical component when working with these children. Completing a sensory profile for your child, can be a critical tool for your treatment plan and team. These issues will often require the assistance of an experienced Occupational Therapist, physical therapist, and experienced therapists to work with your child. Sensory diets and exercises should be included into a well balanced therapy program.
We also need to be careful to not overload this delicate balance of sensory systems. There are some negative responses that can occur if this system is challenged too much or not handled with care.
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