CNN: Special-needs kids abused in schools
Speaking of school... blog posting will be minimal until June 5th when school gets out. Sorry!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
Autism x6 : May 16, 2009
Autism x6 is a show on Discovery Health about a family that has 6 children, two with classic Autism, 2 with Aspergers, 1 with High-Functioning Autism(HFA)/Asperger's and one with PDD-NOS.
Towards the beginning of the episode the mom says, "They were all a little eccentric from the beginning..." The dad talks about how he lost his job when he his daughter was diagnosed with severe autism because he just could not focus at all.
The family impressed me; they show them at a restaurant with each child doing their own thing in their own world. They have picked up on little details of their children others may not have noticed. Their daughter with classic autism has a certain sounds/word she makes when she is mad; she likes to explore her world through touch and taste.
The show has a nice combination of the home side and clinical side. They show parts of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Scale (ADOS) and explain what they are looking for. As I facilitate the ADOS, it was nice to see some of the critical parts explained such as response to name, social response to objects vs. people, and imitation. At school they show her in inclusion and working on the STAR Program which is a ABA based program.
The parents speak about the difficulty in having the reports showing their daughter is functioning at a barely 1 year old level. Despite knowing it in one sense, having it in black and white causes a different level grief.
The second half of the episode looks at their older son, who has HFA/Asperger's. They show portions of the ADOS for older individuals and explain what they are looking for. The mom points out that with school he is probably happy with the amount of social interaction, but she is worried about later in life when there isn't that structure of school.
The show next looks at their younger son with classic Autism, a climber. While still non-verbal, he is 4 and attends a special school. They show the parent in a meeting getting an update on his progress at schools. While their has been minimal progress some has been seen in tolerating social interaction. It was interesting to watch the teacher find the small successes and celebrate them.
His mom says she has already begun the grieving process and is aware he may end up in a group home one day. It is rare that parents are willing to think about the future that way at such an early age. Although transition planning isn't required until about age 14 or 16, for some kids its important to start it much earlier.
The show shows both the parents' togetherness and optimism, but the stress and strain as well. They talk about how their stress is never a abated. From this episode, the parents relationship is amazing. Many couples fall upon under such stress, but they seem to have decided they are in this together and will make it work.
Towards the beginning of the episode the mom says, "They were all a little eccentric from the beginning..." The dad talks about how he lost his job when he his daughter was diagnosed with severe autism because he just could not focus at all.
The family impressed me; they show them at a restaurant with each child doing their own thing in their own world. They have picked up on little details of their children others may not have noticed. Their daughter with classic autism has a certain sounds/word she makes when she is mad; she likes to explore her world through touch and taste.
The show has a nice combination of the home side and clinical side. They show parts of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Scale (ADOS) and explain what they are looking for. As I facilitate the ADOS, it was nice to see some of the critical parts explained such as response to name, social response to objects vs. people, and imitation. At school they show her in inclusion and working on the STAR Program which is a ABA based program.
The parents speak about the difficulty in having the reports showing their daughter is functioning at a barely 1 year old level. Despite knowing it in one sense, having it in black and white causes a different level grief.
The second half of the episode looks at their older son, who has HFA/Asperger's. They show portions of the ADOS for older individuals and explain what they are looking for. The mom points out that with school he is probably happy with the amount of social interaction, but she is worried about later in life when there isn't that structure of school.
The show next looks at their younger son with classic Autism, a climber. While still non-verbal, he is 4 and attends a special school. They show the parent in a meeting getting an update on his progress at schools. While their has been minimal progress some has been seen in tolerating social interaction. It was interesting to watch the teacher find the small successes and celebrate them.
His mom says she has already begun the grieving process and is aware he may end up in a group home one day. It is rare that parents are willing to think about the future that way at such an early age. Although transition planning isn't required until about age 14 or 16, for some kids its important to start it much earlier.
The show shows both the parents' togetherness and optimism, but the stress and strain as well. They talk about how their stress is never a abated. From this episode, the parents relationship is amazing. Many couples fall upon under such stress, but they seem to have decided they are in this together and will make it work.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
More Brain Research
A study out of University of North Carolina finds toddlers with autism have 13% larger amygdalas than the control group. The amygdala is a part of our emotional control center and is thought to be a key player in joint attention. In addition, the study found those with larger amygdala had more trouble with joint attention.
Similar research comes out rather often, but it's just one more piece to the puzzle to aid in early diagnosis as well as trying to determine causes of autism.
Check out the cnn report here
Similar research comes out rather often, but it's just one more piece to the puzzle to aid in early diagnosis as well as trying to determine causes of autism.
Check out the cnn report here
Friday, May 1, 2009
Autism Articles of the Week: 5/1/09
Kristina Chew has a fair piece on ABA and Neurodiversity; she sums up it best at the end "A teacing method is only as good as the person doing the teaching."
Kristina Chew also has a list of a couple of good website for IEP goal inspiration!
Dora Raymaker looks at different models of peer mentoring
Jeff Stimpson looks at the problem with teeth brushing and provides a nice resource on preparing a child for the dentist
Aspie Bird has a wonderful, detailed piece on Woman and Autism
LeftBrainRightBrain looks at new UK programs for adults with autism... what do we have in the States?
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