autism

Audio Integration is a desensitizing therapy that is designed to exercises the inner ear to be able to accept varies frequencies of sound. Modulated music is played through earphones that the subject listens to for 45 minute sessions twice daily for a week. For the newly diagnosed children it can be a task to get them to sit still for the sessions. They can play with toys but are not allowed to read or color.

This form of therapy is off the beaten path and has been some what controversial. It is not offered every where so it is something that might require families to travel to a place where it is performed. I do have to say it seemed to really work for our son. While he does still have sound sensitivities they are much better then they were. I understand that a variation of this therapy is now available called ear aerobics. I don’t know much about it but if your child has sound-sensitivities these type of therapies are definitely worth looking into.

This month on HBO there is a documentary entitled Autism The Musical. I do not watch every report on Autism that is televised because until they come up with something new I have basically seen it all. The movies that they make that portray the mystic autistic get on my last nerve and to sit and watch a tear jerker involving any child in distress is just not my thing. I was intrigued by the title of this one so I decided to check it out and I was impressed by the way it was done. It was informative on many different aspects of the spectrum. I think this would be a great information piece to show to parents that are suspecting that their child might fall along the spectrum or to the newly diagnosed as it gives a true portrayal of many of the different facets that are encompassed in living with autism and it truly showed how wonderful and capable these kids can be.

Occupational therapy can be extremely beneficial for those kids that are lacking in their gross and/or fine motor skills. It has been our experience that the OTs that are provided by the districts tend to deal only in academic related deficiencies and do not address skill needed for self help areas. Private OTs are covered under some insurances or can possibly be obtained through medical assistance depending on your child’s diagnosis and your state laws.

One important factor to remember in your efforts to develop fine motor skills is that sometimes these children are delayed in areas that enable them to perform certain tasks, however they do mature and sometimes you might just have to wait that out. One therapist told me it was like pushing a bird out of the nest before they are ready to fly.

I have yet to be successful in finding a summer placement for my son.  We have tried all different programs including;   mainstream typical camps, “special needs camps”, computer camps and academic classes and just never found a good fit.  He truly disliked the academic programs because he wanted a break from that kind of environment over the summer.  I try to keep us on a schedule during the summer to keep him somewhat active but I am always concerned that he should be doing more and that I want his summers to be fun.

Just as all children diagnosed in the spectrum are unique so are the vacations that your family will need to choose.  The important factor to remember is to learn to enjoy what you can do together and not dwell on what you can’t. 

I have to give credit to Disney World for being kind and the most accommodating to our kids.  With a doctor’s note of your child’s diagnosis they issue a special needs pass so that you don’t have to wait in the long lines, a major issue with many of our kids.  If your kids have sound sensitivities, see if you can get them to wear ear plugs if they are apprehensive of the noises in the exhibits.  They have enabled us to do so much more then we could do prior to getting my son to wear them.  Sunglasses are a must  for those with light sensitivities.  They have so much to offer at Disney there really is literally some thing for everyone.  Do not expect the same type of treatment if you go to Universal Studios.  They do not offer any passes or special accomodations for our kids.

So what happens when you and the IU don’t see eye to eye? Although your iep meeting is set up to discuss the needs and services available, the IU has the final word with their recommendations for your child’s program. They could come up with a plan that you do not agree with or not agree to change an existing plan that you feel isn’t working. Your option if that happens is to file for due process. The county chooses someone to preside and lawyers come into the picture. Each side presents their reasons for their choices in your program. The laws are tricky so it is important to find a good educational lawyer because you can assure yourself that the IU will have an expert.

Your first step after diagnosis should be to contact your local intermediary unit. They will start the wheels rolling for you to get services offered in your county. Each unique diagnosis leaves you eligible for different services. It is your job as your child’s advocate to research what is available. The IU is only responsible to give you “appropriate services” Which is not always the best program for your child. After they run a battery of their own tests they will come up with a plan referred to as the IEP(Individual Education Plan) . You will be invited to a meeting with all the members of your team(therapists and teachers) to go over their recommendation. You may invite anyone you want to give input such as your own private therapists or an educational lawyer. There are also advocates for hire that can advise you of what you are entitled to. The IU people will tell you that this is a working document that can be opened and changed at any time but be mindful that it takes time to implement services so try and get everything in that you want before you sign off.

This therapy has been deemed somewhat controverscial. The school districts are finally opening up to it the last couple years and including it in iep services. Its premise is based on the fact that our kids don’t have balance and can’t really feel their body’s gravitation typically. Autistic individual tend to have unorganized senses.  While some are very strong others can be weak. Temple Grandin, a very well known autistic adult who is an author amongst other things, developed a “squeeze machine”. The squeeze machine provides deep pressure which she had found calmed herself when she was feeling overwhelmed from autistic symptoms.  Other treatments under this school of thought include wearing weighted vests, body brushing and spinning.

Of all the therapies available to kids along the autistic spectrum I think everyone pretty much agrees that Applied Behavior Analysis is the most beneficial.  ABA consists of short drills which are rewarded with items unique to each child.  Because our kids don’t necessarily get motivated by typical rewards it is up to the consultant and parents to come up with motivators that will keep the child interested.  The programs need to constantly be tweaked to work for your particular child.  An innovative consultant is very important.  It is a time consuming commitment and can be very frustrating but if done properly can truly make a difference in most kids along the spectrum.

  I have been called by everybody and their mother today about all the media hype with the court ruling in favor of  the parents citing  childhood vaccines as a contributing factor in their daughters autism.  This is not a new theory.  I had heard this when my son was diagnosed and when my daughter was born I actually took her home from the hospital with out getting her vaccinated.   My pediatrician called me that night and said that the diseases that she could get with out taking it could kill her and basically I was taking a chance with her life by choosing to not vaccinate her.  I took her back the next day and got her shots and she is not autistic.

I do feel that there is a trigger of some type in the vaccine that can bring out autism in kids that are predisposed to get it.  Would they have got it anyway?  Who knows?  We can only hope  that they can figure  this out.