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Steps to Empower Families to Access Early Intervention
In my six years as Autism Resource Specialist in the Center for Children with Special Needs at Floating Hospital for Children in Tufts Medical Center in Boston, I have met with hundreds of families in the moments after their young child receives an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis. Although...
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Early Intervention Services for Toddlers with ASD
Receiving an Autism Spectrum Diagnosis (ASD) can be an extremely stressful family event. Once the reports are read it may help to put them away for future reference and begin to focus on intervention. The shift from feelings of helplessness during the diagnostic process, to feelings of hopefulness...
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Everyone Can Play – Using Theatre to Promote Developmental Gains
When curtain call begins for my students, the look of pride on their faces is magical. The beaming faces of their parents, though, tell a fuller story. I teach theatre to children and young adults on the autism spectrum, and many times the concept of a full theatrical production seems like an...
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Comprehensive Approach to Working with Individuals with Autism
Families and individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders receive an endless bombardment of information pertaining to various therapies and approaches to address their complex needs. Navigating these therapies can be extremely confusing and for many it has become something comparable to a full time...
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Positive Psychology Offers Guideposts for Optimism to Young Adults on the Autism Spectrum
As young people on the autism spectrum look ahead towards adult life, they and their families often feel anxious as they think about entering unknown territory. It can be reassuring to know that having an autism spectrum diagnosis does mean that a person cannot enjoy a mentally healthy life in...
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How Science and Evidence Won Out Against Auditory Integration Therapies
There are many ways of learning about our world. One way is through science and the scientific process. There is a growing belief that the methods of science and scientific inquiry are the standards that should be employed when designing and evaluating autism treatments. Ideally, by adhering to...
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An Overview of Strategies to Address Food Selectivity and Refusal in Individuals with Autism
Feeding difficulties are common in typically developing children (2-35%), and are even more common in children with developmental problems (33-80%; Babbitt, Hoch, & Coe, 1994; Burklow, Phelps, et al, 1998). Feeding difficulties in individuals with autism is one of the most challenging...
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Social Coping and Autism Spectrum Disorders: The Power Combination of Psychology and Speech Language Interventions
Throughout our years working with the ASD population, parents often inquire about whether their child should be receiving speech-language or psychological services. The answer is frequently “both.” Research demonstrates that individuals with ASDs are at great risk for developing significant...
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Using Video Modeling as an Evidence-Based Intervention for ASDs
New research indicates that video modeling is effective in enhancing social communication and functional skills in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Video modeling entails watching a video of a desired behavior and then imitating that behavior. Video models can be...
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Demystifying Aggression: Developing Effective Interventions
Aggression is likely the most problematic of all issues that may accompany autism spectrum conditions in terms of separating individuals from the mainstream and significantly affecting many aspects of quality of life. For children and adults alike, problems with aggression can sabotage life...
