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Autism Speaks Awards iPads to 800 Individuals with Autism – Pilot Study Showed Their Effectiveness on the Communication Skills of Individuals with ASD
On December 9, 2013, Autism Speaks donated iPad 2’s to 800 financially disadvantaged individuals with autism, as well as teachers and social workers who work in the autism community with individuals in need. After the iPad grant application was announced in November, Autism Speaks received...
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Robots as Co-Therapists in Behavior Therapy for Individuals with ASD
Recent technological advances have opened the possibility of using robots in therapy for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This approach has received a lot of press, but to date most research has focused on developing the robots rather than clinical issues related to the use of...
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Maintaining Social Skills Over the Summer
Summer is a time for relaxation and fun, however certain skills acquired during the school year can be lost if they are not practiced consistently over the course of the entire year. One of the first things parents should identify, are IEP goals targeted by school staff to be maintained over...
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Focus on Video Modeling Techniques for Inexpensive, Fast and Customized Solutions for Improving Social Skills
When my sister and I began Social Skill Builder in 1999, we were looking for a way to bridge the social language gap to help kids with ASD, Asperger’s and other learning disabilities achieve success in social situations. Social Skill Builder has created a series of learning tools that use videos...
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Assessing Young Children with ASD: A Multidisciplinary Approach
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, 1 in 54 children are diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) every year. But how can parents be sure that they have received the proper assessment? And what are the key steps in ensuring that these children receive the necessary level of...
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Building Communication Skills in Non-Verbal Children with Autism Using Augmentative or Alternative Systems
According to the National Research Council (2001), approximately one-third to one-half of children and adults with autism do not use speech functionally. When verbal speech or gestures are insufficient for an individual with autism to communicate their needs and wants, augmentative or alternative...
