Autism From The Outside

Starting the School Year Off Right!

2011-08-10T07:34:00.000-07:00

Back to school time is always exciting and anxiety inducing the same time. The new year represents a new year of growth while also means a transition period of getting adjusted to a new class, teacher, schedule, and more. Here are a few tips to help make that transition easier:

1) Visit your child’s new classroom and teacher the week before school starts. Make sure to go on a different time than the whole rest of the class is going. Take pictures of the new classroom, teacher, and any other changes.

2) Use pictures and drawing to make a social story about what the new school year will be like. Read it frequently with your child.

3) Establish a good morning routine. Begin the routine week before school starts to you can iron out any problems that may arise, and give your child a chance to get used to the new schedule.

4) Establish an after school routine. After a long day at school, especially in the beginning, your child may need some time to relax. However it’s important to have a set time and place to accomplish homework. After the designated homework time, its good to have a reinforcing activity planned.

5) Explain the need for good communication with the teacher. Knowing what your child did during the day is great for both recall practice and skill development.

6) Be excited! Your child will feed off your energy so keep a positive outlook.

Austin Area Miracle League Registration Begins!

2011-08-05T07:33:00.000-07:00

Miracle League is a wonderful opportunities for children of all ages, abilities, and disabilities to get to play baseball. There is a no reject policy Every player is assigned a team and gets a jersey and hat.

Miracle League was designed to accommodate all. Everything is wheelchair accessible and the rubberized fields were designed to help lessen any falls.

However, in my opinion, the best part about Miracle League is that the kids gets to be ball players and the parents just get to be parents. With grandstands and a concession stand, the parents are kept off the field.

On the field, each player has a high school volunteer buddy, an “Angel in the Outfield.” Every player gets to bat each inning either on a tee or pitched to, and each player makes it to home. A PA system announces all the players. There are two innings and between the innings, they play Take Me Out the Ballgame and the Chicken Dance.
Due to the generosity of donations, there will be no registration fee this fall season.

There will also be kickball starting up in the fall as well! If you are interested in your own child playing or know some great potential buddies please see:

http://www.miracle.tandcsports.org

ABA Everyday: Learning Recall

2011-07-27T07:31:00.000-07:00

Here are some tips on working on your child's recall ability:

Create a nighttime routine of reviewing the day. Together, go through the day listing the main events and talking about the child’s impressions of them. This can be adapted in many ways based on your child’s individual needs. Try to keep the number of activities around 5, with no more than 10. Also, encourage your child to illustrate their story.

Non-verbal

Provide your child with a picture schedule showing the day. Review it with them and let them choose between a happy face and a sad face (or thumbs up/thumbs down) for each event.
Emerging Verbal: Gather pictures or words for each major event of the day. Help your child put them in order. Help your child choose an adjective to fit each by giving them two choices.

Minimally Verbal

Create a madlibs style journal entry. If necessary give the child a word bank or word choices for the blanks.
i.e. Today is _________. I rode the __________ this morning. At school my teacher, _____________, taught us _____ and _____. After school _________ came over. We played ______________. Then I ate ______ for dinner. It was _________! Finally it was bed time. I read ____________ with _________. What a ________ day!

Verbal

Have the child list what they did that day. Under each event, ask them to write two details. Help them incorporate the list into sentence form. Keep a daily journal so they can look back on their adventures.

10 Toys That Speak To Autism: from Toys-R-Us

2011-07-20T22:19:00.000-07:00

Little Tikes Basketball: This is a great option for physical play, hand eye coordination, and turn taking for young children.

Little People Noah’s Ark Playset: This set provides good opportunities for sorting and pretend play activities.

Magnetic Double Easel: Not only does this toy work on writing skills from an ideal position, but allows for parallel play on the other side.

MegaBlocks: Learning to build with block is a basic play skills. Megablock are a fun and easy way to start!

Moon Sand: Moon Sand is great for sensory seeking children. It can be modeled into things and it should never dry out, and is only a little messy!

Rock’n’Rollin’ Piano: What child doesn’t love music! This easy to use touch piano is a great auditory exploration toy.

EZ 2 Do Silly Friends PlayDough: PlayDough help promotes hand strength and this set works on building people which can allow for animated social stories.

Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway: There is just something about Thomas the Train. The expressive faces on these trains make them a favorite and a great teaching tool.

Wii Console & Wii Sports: The Wii is a great way for some children to have interactive play with others that is still comfortable for them.

Wooden Sandwich Making Kit: While this is good for sequencing, it can also be used for theory of mind. (Can you make a sandwich Mommy would like?)

For More Information See:

http://www.toysrus.com/shop/index.jsp?categoryId=3088669&camp=MISC:Facebook:Wall:BRU:Autism:041211.

Sensory Terms Explained!

2011-07-01T22:11:00.000-07:00

Sensory integration disorder, tactile defensiveness... “He needs some support for his vestibular system.” More and more, sensory issues are being talked about for individuals with an autism spectrum disorder. Here is a quick cheat sheet for some of these terms.

Sensory Integration/Processing Disorder: “[A] condition that exists when sensory signals don't get organized into appropriate responses.” (http://www.spdfoundation.net)

Tactile System: This is the sense of touch and how information such as texture are gathered from the environment. Some individuals prefer heavy tactile input, whereas others are defensive in this area only preferring known textures.

Vestibular: This is the balance system which provides information on where one’s body is in space. Activities like spinning and the trampoline provide vestibular input.

Proprioceptive: This is our body movement in space. Activities such as pushing a heavy cart and wheelbarrow walking work on this area.

Visual: Visual system provides information about where other objects are in space and their features.

Auditory: This system provides information about sounds in the environment. Some individuals prefer to wear headphone to help better modulate environmental sounds.

Gustatory: This is our sense of taste. Ways to address this system include drinking through a thick straw, trying cold foods, crunchy foods, blowing bubbles.

Olfactory: This is a sense of smell. This sense is involved in things like scented markers, scratch-n-sniff candles. Some individuals may prefer to limit olfactory input.

For more information see: http://www.txautism.net/docs/Guide/Interventions/SensoryProcessing.pdf

Siblings and Social Skills

2011-06-22T07:56:00.000-07:00

Siblings are a natural playmate for any child. Incorporating a sibling into therapy sessions, especially for social interaction and play is ideal.

At ABAI, researchers looked at the effectiveness of having siblings do some intervention. They taught siblings how to reinforce, prompt, and engage their siblings. This was done through a combination of role playing with an ABA therapist, coaching during a session by an ABA therapist, and feedback after a session. They showed that providing simple trainings lead to increases in interactive behavior between the child with autism and the sibling. It also gave the sibling more confidence in how to interact.

Do you incorporation siblings into therapy sessions? Or have a program or siblings of individuals with autism?

New Parent Training Series

2011-06-15T08:45:00.000-07:00

Project ImPACT designed by Ingersoll and Dvortcsak. During the summer, the parent training will be offered to parents on an individual basis; next fall we plan to be able to offer parent training in a combination group and individual setting basis.

Research shows that parent training can be beneficial for a variety of reasons. It can help parents impliment strategies with a higher level of fidelity, result in better generalization and maintenance of skills, increase parents’ leisure time, increase optimism about child’s future, and decrease parent stress. (Pg. 5)

Project ImPACT is based on four guiding principles: (1) Implementation is naturalistic (2) Typical development is used to guide selection of treatment (3) Children learn social communication through affect-laden interactions with responsive caregivers (4) Techniques are based on applied behavior analysis. (Pg. 8)

The individual parent training consists of 24 60-90 minutes sessions ideally delivered twice a week. The group format involves 6 two hour group sessions and 6 45-60 minute home coaching sessions. Either format will also include follow-up, maintenance sessions.

Each parent receives a parent training manuel with activities, fill-ins, and homework to complete with their child. It also serves as a great reference guide in between sessions.
Topics include:
Overview of the Program & Goal Development
Review Goals & Set Up Your Home for Success
Follow Your Child’s Lead
Imitate Your Child
Animation
Modeling and Expanding Language
Playful Obstruction
Balanced Turns
Communicative Temptations
Direct Teaching Techniques

Stressed!!! The Impact of Transitions and Reminder Events, and What You Can Do

2011-06-09T20:44:00.000-07:00

When given a survey on stress levels, parents of children on the autism spectrum show a significantly higher rate of stress than parents of typically developing children. The two biggest factors correlated to this stress are communication difficulties with their child and feeling a lack of emotional connection with their child. Researchers also looked at how transition times and reminder events can lead to elevated stress levels. For fathers, the reminder events were most highly correlated.

Reminder events are an occurrence when something that happens reminds the parent that their child does not develop in the expected fashion. This reminder may be seeing other children the same age engaging in different activities or even seeing another child on the spectrum who reminders a parent of their own children at a younger age, or potentially at an older age.

To help mediate this stress, researchers looked at two methodologies: Child Focused and Parent Focused. For the child focused, parents were taught skills to help them work directly with their children. In parent focused, parents were taught how to find resources, supports, and included psychoeducation in the form of teaching mindfulness.

The parents who received both showed significant decreases in stress levels. Those who received just the parent focused approach showed lower stress levels than those who received just the child focused approach. Ideally then, parent supports would include both skills training and access to resources, supports, and counseling options.

Associations Behavior Analysts International Conference 2011

2011-06-02T08:42:00.000-07:00

Every Memorial Day weekend, the Association of Behavior Analysts International conference takes place. This year it was held in the mile-high city of Denver. Keep reading for information gathered at ABAI.

Each week, I will post some topic discussed at the conference.

Cool Summer Fun in Austin, TX

2011-05-30T06:07:00.001-07:00

Cool Down Fun!

As the temperatures continue to increase here in central Texas, finding fun and safe places for kids to cool down and play is imperative. Here are just a few in the Austin area:

Shore Club Volente Beach: Like a small Schilterbahn, SCVB is located on the north edge of Lake Travis. It has a couple different rides/structures for each age and a lovely lagoon. Lines are crowds are rarely too large, and there are lots of picnic areas. (You can bring your own food!) One of the best features is the small beach and lake area activities. There is now an adult only pool as well. To check is out: http://www.shoreclubtx.com/water-park.php
Ground Fountains behind Palmer Event Center: Right off W. Riverside Dr. and South 1st street (towards Zilker) there is a small lagoon and lots of fun fountains shooting up from the ground. A great place to cool off during the day, and listen to the free Sunday symphony concerts at the Long Center at night!
Brushy Creek Lake Park: Located in Cedar Park, Brushy Creek not only has one of the best fenced fountain play area, but also lots of playgrounds, walking trails, and picnic areas. The fountains shoot up and down in all directions it was rated the “Best Place to Play in a Fountain” by the Austin Chronical in 2007. For more information see: http://www.ci.cedar-park.tx.us/cp/pr_bclp.aspx
Bull Creek: Bull Creek is located of 360 just north of 2222. A fun place where pet lovers also go, it has some natural pools, and naturally formed slides. There is great hiking all around, and plenty of area to play.
Austin Children’s Museum: The Children’s Museum located downtown is always full of wonderful activities and projects for kids. The current special exhibit is all about using golf balls to explore gravity and other concepts in physics. For more information see: http://www.austinkids.org/
Inner Space Caverns: When it’s just too hot to stay above ground, go exploring in the cool underground caves. There are many amazing natural formations to see. For More information see: http://www.myinnerspacecavern.com

Prenatal Vitamins Help Reduce Autism?

2011-05-29T15:41:00.000-07:00

A new study has shown a correlation (not causation) between women taking prenatal vitamins before they got pregnant or in the first month had a lower rate of children with an autism spectrum disorder compared to women who didn't start taking the vitamins the 2nd month or not at all. There are also been correlations found between not taking the prenatal vitamins and two different gene mutations. The mutations are MTHFR and COMT.

Whether taking not taking prenatal vitamins actually can cause autism is unknown. There are other factors that were not investigated that could lead to such a correlation. Can you think of any such factors?

Traveling with Children

2011-05-23T05:30:00.000-07:00

Children on the autism spectrum can find travel stressful and anxiety inducing. The following tips should help make traveling a happier experiences for all.

Review & Rehearse: Review with your child what the vacation plan is. You can use social stories with visuals to provide them a calm description of the vacation. Some airport will even allow you to come to the airport at a separate time and allow your child to walk through the process of air travel.

Keep Some Routines: If your child likes the same breakfast, or the routine of an afternoon show, or has a calming bedtime routine, try to keep some of those routines the same. This will provide some feeling of conform throughout the day.

Provide Familiar & Reinforcing Items: Make sure to bring your child’s favorite toy or book. If they have a group of pictures they like, perhaps of things from home that may have a calming effect. Also, be a little more liberal on the use of reinforcement. Reinforce your child for adjusting to the new setting.

Look Into Accommodations: Many amusement parks, such as Disney, will provide wristbands for individuals with disabilities that often eliminates (or at least reduces) waiting. At the airport, you can have another family member or therapist accompany your and your child through security to help them navigate the new setting and wait appropriately.

For more ideas see: http://www.autismspeaks.org/community/family_services/travel.php
http://www.travelmuse.com/articles/special-needs/travel-tips-for-autistic-children
http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1893554_1893556_1893538,00.html
http://boston.parenthood.com/BO_Travel_Tips_Autism.php

Correlation does NOT equal Causation

2011-05-20T15:09:00.000-07:00

In the area of research, there is a distinct difference between a correlation between two factors/events and a causation between them. Even when just googling "correlation definition" the word "causal" shows up in many definitions. In research, however, the two terms are not interchangeable.

A correlation is merely two things that within the study both changed either in the same direction (positive correlation) or in the opposite direction (negative relationship.) However, this does not imply that one causes the other. In many cases, there is an unknown third variable that both factors/events are actually causally related to instead. This type of relationship is seen most when a variety of information is gathered and analyzed.

A causal relationship is one in which one variable is shown to cause a change in the other. This can be demonstrated by an ABAB design, for example, where a variable B is measured, then variable A is changed (B is measured again), A is dropped back to original level (B is measured again), and A is changed again. If B changes along with A, there is strong evidence that changes in A cause changes in B. This type of relationship is seen more in experiments.

Extinction of Extinction

2011-04-25T09:00:00.000-07:00

Extinction is the practice of not providing reinforcement to a previously reinforced behavior. This strategy, when combined with reinforcement for an appropriate alternative behavior, is a strong behavior change mechanism. However, it can be difficult to ignore some behaviors. New research from the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis has demonstrated another method that does not require extinction. They tested increasing the duration of access to a reinforcer, providing a higher quality reinforcer for the desired behavior and a lower quality reinforcer for the undesired behavior, delaying reinforcement by 30-60s for an undesired behavior compared to the desired behavior, and a combination of all of the above. The data showed that a combination of the above: providing a high quality, immediate reinforcer for a longer time for a desired behavior also lead to behavior change.

Thinking Ahead: Future Planning in the News

2011-04-20T08:56:00.000-07:00

It’s never too early to start planning for the future. There has been more and more in the news lately about this topic.

New York Times: Two leading autism experts, Dr. Fred Volkmar and Dr. Lisa Weisner, were interviewed on the topic of college and other post-secondary options for individuals on the autism spectrum. While short, this is a interesting summary of the wide variety of possibilities out there. Dr. Volkmar and Dr. Weisner speak truthfully saying that not all individuals are to “get better,” and that there is some connections to the original severity of the disability. They acknowledge that current it is not possible to predict the outcome for any one individual. The article also sites a number of good resources.

For more information see: http://consults.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/20/college-bound-and-living-with-autism/?hp

Parade Magazine: Parade has an edition largely decided to what happens to children with autism when they become adults. They profile a number of families as they begin to figure out what to do after school services stop. Not only do the articles provide a look into different situations, but the reader comments are just as valuable.

For more information see: http://www.parade.com/health/autism/index.html

Autism Speaks: Autism Speaks has a good Transition Tool kit that helps families through the transition to more independent living.

For more information see: http://www.autismspeaks.org/community/family_services/transition.php

Light It Up Blue! Autism Awareness Month begins

2011-04-01T13:19:00.000-07:00

Light It Up Blue: April is Autism Awareness Month and Autism Speaks is showing their support through Light It Up Blue!

On April 1st and 2nd, many buildings across the country (and even Canada) will be lighting up blue to help raise awareness for autism. Some of these buildings include the Empire State Building in NYC and the CN Tower in Toronto.

What Can You Do?

On April 1st and 2nd, they are asking everyone to wear blue clothing for awareness. You can also get pins and other jewelry with the puzzle piece that symbolizes autism. They are also asking people to get blue light bulbs for their house. There is a free iphone app as well where people can share what they did to “Light It Up Blue”

For more information, go to www.lightitupblue.org

World Autism Awareness Day is April 2! The Autism Society of Greater Austin is hosting a bike ride on Sunday, April 3.

For more information: http://austinautismbikeride.org

The Dallas Museum of Art is opening its door to families with children with autism from 9-11am on April 2nd.

For more information: dallasmuseumofart.org

So What Is Research Based?!

2011-02-14T04:27:00.000-08:00

Some of the key terms you will hear in field of autism is "research-based", "peer-reviewed", and "evidence-based." What exactly does that mean? Simply put, in order for a treatment to be considered valid, there must be multiple studies done in a rigorous method which show positive outcomes. When trying to find out more about autism, the amount of information can be overwhelming. Luckily, there are places that have sorted it out for you. This sites provide summarized information on treatments, what the research says (or doesn't say), and more.

Association for Science in Autism Treatment (ASAT)

ASAT provides summaries of scientific research on a number of treatment used with individuals on the autism spectrum (and other developmental disabilities.) They include both psychological/educational/therapeutic interventions and biomedical interventions.

Texas Autism Research Guide for Effective Teacher (TARGET)

The TARGET document provides summarized information for a number of common interventions for autism spectrum disorders. However, it does not include biomedial interventions. What makes the TARGET document unique is it covers information on various evaluation tools, who is qualified, how long it typically takes, and what type of information the evaluation provides.

National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorders (NPDC)

The NPDC has identified 24 practiced which they consider to be evidence-based practices. They are working to provide free online training modules for each of those practices. These modules can also be found at www.autisminternetmodules.org

Why the Great Autism Increase

2011-02-07T04:23:00.000-08:00

More and more studies are being published regarding the dramatic increase in Autism Spectrum Disorder. While there are likely a number of factors contributing to this increase, how much is each factor responsible. Here's a collection of recent articles around the web on this topic:

Clinic Notes from ABA4Autism discusses a study which showed increased diagnosis (i.e. wider spectrum), increase parent awareness, and older parents accounted for half of the increase in autism. What about the other half?

Kidsdata.org looks at a study which tries to understand why special education rates in California have risen from 17,500 with an eligibility of Autism in 2002 to 60,000 in 2010. They acknowledge that Autism and Other Health Impairments (i.e. ADHD, Anxiety) have risen while Specific Learning Disability have decreased, but note that purely a switch in diagnosis does not fully explain the numbers.

Science-Based Medicine looks at study that looked at individuals diagnosed with a developmental language disorder in 1980. The study showed that 25% of those individuals would now meet the criteria for an Autism Spectrum Disorder. But it that enough to explain the increase?

What do you think?

Art of Autism Project

2011-01-25T19:56:00.000-08:00

For those of you in the Central Texas area...

The National Autism Association of Central Texas is partnering with the VSA Arts of Texas for the Art of Autism Project. During January and February, individuals on the autism spectrum can contact and receive a 8X10 canvas to create their work of art. The art will then be displayed at local businesses around town, including Kerby Lane and Bee’s Knee Bakeshop. Families will have a chance to buy their children’s art work, or it will be sold in the community. Money raised will go to fund ABA therapy, biomedical treatments, and more.

This is a great chance for your child to show off their wonderful art skills! Each participant will receive a ribbon. Entries are due by February 25, 2011.

To participate, please contact 512-656-6099 or email at artofautism@naacentraltexas.org

Autism Speaks Announces Top 10 Achievements in Research for 2010

2011-01-19T04:59:00.000-08:00

1. Technological Advances in Measuring Language Development More research is showing recording devices and computer programs may pick up language abnormalities more quickly than our own ears.

2. Do you See What I See? Studies show an emphasis on teaching joint attention can greatly benefit a child.

3. Prematurity as a Risk Factor Children born prior to 33 weeks or with very low birth rate have an increased risk of ADHD, autism, conduct disorders, phobias, cognitive delays, and emotional problems.

4. New Evidence for Neural Network Imbalance in ASD Studies have found a lack of the inhibitor GABA may lead to the neural over-excitation seen.

5. New Imaging Techniques Shed Light on Autism Researchers are beginning to identify brain markers that could lead to a more definitive diagnosis of autism.

6. Mitochondrial Disorder More Common Than Expected in ASD One study found that 8 in 10 children with autism has differences in mitochondrial function which effects metabolism.

7. New Pathways for Autism Genetics The Autism Genome Projects has begun to identify risk genes for autism.

8. Researcher Create Neurons from Skin Cells of Individuals with ASD Stem cell researched has begun in autism, which allows researchers to more closely examine the effects of treatments at the cellular level.

9. A Closer Look at Autism Symptoms That Emerge in Infancy Earlier intervention then leads to better outcome.

10. Gastrointestinal Concerns Addressed with New Clinical Guidelines A consensus statement and recommendations were published in Pediatrics.

For more information go to: http://www.autismspeaks.org/science/science_news/top_ten_autism_research_events_2010_main.php

Built In Lie Detector

2011-01-16T06:54:00.000-08:00

Back in college, I did research in psychneuroimaging and have always found brain studies fascinating. A recent study at Oxford University, looked at areas of activation in the brain when participants thought they were being lied to. Interestingly, there was a consistent area which lit up only during potential lies. This ability to read others, and to predict when someone is not telling the true is one part of theory of mind.

Individuals with autism often have a certain innocence about them. Parents are often worried about peer pressure, following the crowd, not understanding when someone is trying to trick them. Theory of mind, or lack there of, is a popular theory behind autism, and the built in lie detector study may help unlock one more clue of autism.

If the study was done with individuals with autism, would the results still be the same? Or would they not be able to predict when someone is lying. What if blatant lies were used? i.e. The square is red, when a blue square is shown. At what point would the ability to distinguish a lie disappear? Could this skill be taught? If so, how would that change how the brain responds?

Thoughts?

First Asperger's College

2010-12-06T06:35:00.000-08:00

There are many school for young students with an autism spectrum disorder, and they are many vocational college for students with various disabilities. But for the first time, a specialized college for individual with Asperger's Syndrom age 16-25: Priory Coleg Wales.

Not only will staff be appropriately trained and classes designed to best fit the student's learning style, but there will be an emphasis on job skills training, and independent living. Each student will also receive counseling and therapy to help better prepare them for the working world.

From my experience, a specialized school like this could be a perfect bridge for some of these students. When talking with colleagues who have worked with older Asperger's students, here are some of the main difficulties they face:

*Learning how to interview for a job

*Understanding personal space within a work setting

*Learning how to alter their behavior based on their setting

*Appropriate coping mechanisms for sensory difficulties

*How to navigate the social world of working

What areas have you found there to be a need?

Autism Friendly Hotel

2010-11-16T06:18:00.000-08:00

As awareness of autism grows, more and more places are becoming "autism friendly". There are the sensory friendly movies, amusement parks, restaurants, and and now hotels.

The Wyndham Tampa Westshore has become "autism friendly." So what exactly does "autism friendly" mean. According to the article in the local Tampa news, is means the following:

* The Center for Autism and Related Disorders consulted with the hotel

* Sensitivity and awareness training for the staff

* A bag of goodies for affected families which includes relevant information about the hotel

This makes me wonder where the laws of ADA falls when it comes to individuals on the autism spectrum. While, they may be able to physically access an environment if the lights, size, sounds, etc are too overwhelming, perhaps even painful, does that building have an obligation? Perhaps an "autism friendly" label is the middle ground.

Quick Clinic Notes from another blogger

2010-11-01T15:18:00.000-07:00

Here are some links to some great short Clinic Notes from ABA4Autism:

The first clinic note looks at a possible physiological explanation for why individuals with autism have difficulty filtering out the environment around them.

The second clinic note discusses a study that showed increased diagnosis, increase parent awareness, and older parents accounted for half of the increase in autism. What about the other half?

Something New from The Zac Browser's Inventors

2010-10-09T05:06:00.000-07:00

The team who come up the Zac Brower is now expanding: Autism Advisory Board

From looking through their website, it looks like they are developing more software specifically for individuals on the autism spectrum.

Their board members are many and extremely variety. On their community boards, they have forums to cover a large range of topics including behavior supports, parenthood & siblings, occupational therapy, and many more.

This group has tremendous potential, and it will be interesting to see what they come up with!