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Email UpdatesJoin Us Saturday December 12th 1:30 (central) for an online interactive training “Decreasing Problematic Behaviors-(Escaped Maintained)”
By AmyShymansky on December 6th, 2009
Parents! Join us this Saturday for our interactive training to learn strategies for decreasing problematic behaviors with your child.
Decreasing Problematic Behavior Webinar (click here to view)
How to Recognize Signs of Autism Early?
By AmyShymansky on December 6th, 2009
Early Autism Identification: Check out and share this great video to assist parents in early identification of autism http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VA6Q3vTC_o
What are signs of Autism?
By AmyShymansky on December 6th, 2009
For parents of young children concerned withdelays in language development can be stressful. With the increase in reported rates of Autism Spectrum Disorders many parents begin to wonder if there child is showing signs of autism. Parents should know that just because their child develops language late or is not developing language according to developmental standards this does not necessarily mean their child has autism. It is however a warning flag that parents should further monitor and investigate with their pediatrician. According to the National Institute of Child Health and Development a doctor should “definately” and “immediately” evaluate a child for Autism Spectrum Disorders if the child does not babble, coo, gesture (point, wave, etc.) by 12-months of age. Additionally, if the child does not say single words on their own by 16-months. Parents should monitor whether or not the child is independently using 2-3 word phrases meaningfully by 24-months of age. This means the child uses the words independently without just repeating from a model. Additionally, if your child has a loss of language at any age you should immediately seek evaluation from a medical professional.
It’s important to know that research demonstrates clearly the early, the more intensive the interventions in young children with autism, the better the outcomes.
In fact, Autism Society of America states ““Research indicates that early identification is associated with dramatically better outcomes for individuals with autism. The earlier a child is diagnosed, the earlier the child can begin
benefiting from one of the many specialized intervention approaches to treatment and education.”
Recent research demonstrates an ability to accurately identify and diagnosis children at 14 months of age. Don’t delay evaluation of your child if you see any of the above-mentioned developmental delays.
Early identification of Autism Spectrum Disorders is key!
Developing a Home Program For Your Child With Autism
By AmyShymansky on December 5th, 2009
For families looking to begin a home-based educational program for their child with Autism getting started is the hardest part! From finding an effective consultant and therapists, to jumping thru insurance hoops or financial burdens. As difficult to start off and financially draining as a home-program can be for families they can be the most effective way to take your child’s skill deficits and learning into your own hands. Once a program is up and running with all the necessary components parents are on the front line of their child’s learning and progress in deficit areas. Parents will begin to see on a daily basis progress toward long-term objectives such as expressive and social language, play, self-help and daily living skills, academi skills, etc.
For parents looking to begin a home program finding an effective consultant is essential. Find a consultant who speaks of and uses data to make decisions on your child’s programming. Data-based decision-making is a must!
Develop an understanding of the insurance laws in your state regarding coverage. Begin the process of getting your provider set up and approved at least 30-60 days before you begin services to your child.
Decide upon who will be delivering the daily therapy to you child. For some families parents or other family members can serve as line therapists, for others hiring outside staff to deliver daily services is more effective. In many cases both consultation and line therapy services can be covered by insurance.
For more information insurance coverage or how to start home program. Visit our Q & A forum http://blog.skillsprout.com/ask-a-question/
Developing Advanced Conversation Skills in Children with Autism
By AmyShymansky on December 5th, 2009
Developing natural social conversation skills in children with Autism can be a complex task. Successful conversation skills build relationships and are critical to successful social skills. Once a learner is able to ask questions and make statements in conversation more advanced skills such as the ability to initiate a conversation based of the interest of others, maintaining the conversation, transitioning to new topics of conversation, as well as repairing a conversation once you have lost the interest of your conversational partner may need to be further developed.
Teach your child the ability to “volley” back in forth in conversations by asking questions and making statements about comments from their conversation partners. Develop their understanding of the value of maintaining conversations related to the increased liklihood of developing relationships, etc.
Teach skills to transition to new topics of conversation by matching statement, and concepts, or asking new questions.
And most importantly teach your child to attend to the attention of his or her conversation partner. To observe and respond to nonverbal cues of non-interest or lack of attending. Once your child is able to accurately track these behaviors in others assist in developing “repair” strategies such as asking a new question, complimenting, changing topics, etc.
It is not enough to just teach rules of conversations and other social skills. Children with autism need plenty of positive practice opportunities to practice and reflect on these new skills. Provide opportunities to role play new skills. Facilitate “safe” opportunities to practice these new skills to succcessfully practice and execute new skills.
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