Make a Treat

Kids love sweet treats.  Have a cookie making snack.  Let your child use a knife to spread icing on a cookie and then decorate it as he/she likes with candy or sprinkles.  What a tasty treat, and a great coordination activity!

Mother's Day Craft

Ok dads, here is an easy, but cute, Mother's day craft for you to do with your kids (teachers, too).  All you need is a small flower pot, straws, construction paper, fake grass and pictures of your kids.  Have the older kids cut out the "petals".  They can do them all one color, or make them colorful, using lots of different color paper.  Glue everything together and mom has a cute flower pot for at home or on her desk at work.  If you are feeling especially industrious, have your kids paint the flower pot different colors.  Have fun- and don't wait- Mother's day is coming up soon!

PA Verbal Behavior Project for Autistic Support classroom model

I had the opportunity a few years ago to be the OT in a model classroom for the PA Verbal Behavior Project.  We continue to offer autistic support early intervention classrooms using this form of intervention and I've seen lots of kids make excellent progress in their short preschool years!  Here's a good video that demonstrates the way this program works...

Verbal Behavior Project - YouTube

Are you a teacher/therapist in a Verbal Behavior classroom?  Do you have a child enrolled in one?  We would love to hear your comments!

Vaccines and Autism

Well, this one may open a can of worms I presume, but it is a hotly debated issue and one that I have heard arguments on both sides many times.  I belong to Medscape, which reviews current literature across medical categories.  Here I can also access archives of research articles that keep me up to date on current discoveries and issues.  In the Week in Review Email, this was highlighted:

Vaccines and Autism: CDC Study Says No Connection

Key points that hit home for me today:

• The number of vaccine antigens has decreased in recent years although the number of recommended vaccines has increased.  This is the result of changes in vaccines that allow them to more precisely stimulate the immune system.
• We now have more than a decade since the removal of thimerosal from childhood vaccinations and the rate of autism continues to climb.

I celebrate tiny achievements each week with families that include a child with autism, and we may be a long way away from a full explanation on cause, but there are many early warning signs that may help lead us to identifying issues earlier.  Intervention at the earliest sign of trouble usually yields a better outcome for the child and family.  See the following link for a comprehensive list of developmental milestones.  Please contact your pediatrician or local early intervention office if something is amiss!

CDC - Learn the Signs. Act Early. Milestones.

Sensory Play

Here are some quick, easy, and inexpensive, sensory play ideas. 

Bubbles

• 1 cup water
• 1/3 cup liquid dish detergent
• 2 tbs light corn syrup

Mix and let set for at least one hour.  Cover and store in the refrigerator.

Rice & Pasta Dye

• 1 cup pasta or rice
• 1 1/2 tsp rubbing alcohol or grain alcohol
• 1/4 tsp. food coloring

Mix the alcohol and dye in a plastic zip bag.  Add dry rice or pasta and shake gently until it is evenly coated.  Spread on wax paper to dry.

Paper Mache

• 1 part flour
• 2 parts water
• 2-3 tbs salt

Mix the flour with the water in a saucepan. Mix well to remove lumps.  Cook the mixture over low heat until you get a creamy consistency of thin paste.  Add more water or flour as needed.  Add a few tbs of salt to help prevent mold.  Let cool before using.

Clean Mud

• 3 rolls toilet tissue
• 1 bar Ivory soap, grated
• 3/4 cup borax
• water

Children can help unroll tissue.  Put in a large container or sensory table.  Saturate with water.  Add Ivory soap and Borax.  Mix well.

Chance of having more than 1 child with Autism

1 in 5: the chance that if you have a child with autism , there is a 1 in 5 chance that you will have another child on the spectrum.  If you already have a child with autism, it is recommended that you have your younger child assessed at an earlier age so that he/she can begin with early intervention.  It is shown that the earlier a child begins to receive therapies and behavior support, the more improvement noted.  Children with autism typically receive Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy and some will need Physical Therapy.  The sooner a child begins with these essential therapies, the more improvement will be noted.  Children with Autism may need a specialized teacher, or even a specialized classroom to promote learning.  Behavioral therapy is offered to children with Autism that need it.  While a child with Autism will benefit from these therapies, to see the most benefit, it is essential that the family be involved.  If you feel that your child demonstrates certain characteristics of Autism, speak to your physician and convey to him/her your concerns.  Remember, the earlier the necessary treatments begin, the more improvement you will notice.

Autism Characteristics