Autism is one of my passions.  This is an article about early intervention, which is crucial.  If anyone on this site deals with someone on the Spectrum, I will chat with you.  -Joni

START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

Thanks so much! I teach art in elementary schools and have many students with aspbergers to autism. I have tried to get my hands on any and all information. Look at this site too START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE I saw Raun Kaufman speak and got to talk with him after the seminar. The story is incredible and hopeful.

Charlotte

Thanks, I have a close dear friend who has a 3 year old daughter who may be autistic.  She cant talk, isn't potty trained, and takes her clothes off alot of the time.  They think it may be sensory something or other.  She is very smart little girl.  She knows where everything is at but cant communicate with words.  She will take her mom to the refrigerator and get out what she wants to eat or drink.  She is in early childhood now and the school district is working with the family and drs to get a diagnosis on this.  I will pass this info on to her.  Thanks again.

Three great books that are very easy reads are: 
#1 (my favorite)  Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wish you Knew
#2 (great insight on the full Spectrum)  Understanding Autism-The Easy Way
#3 (a fun children's book and also for understanding)  All Cats Have Asperger's

Charlotte-What a great place to have children on the Spectrum!  My husband is an artist and I am a teacher of emotionally disturbed and behavior disordered (recently retired and substitute now).  We have often thought about having art classes in our home (parents need a break!!!)  They love art, but it can take awhile for them to use the media if it feels funny to them.  I have seen some beautiful graphic art by Autistic kids.  Google Autism Art.  Has anyone given you any tips to use with these kids?

Karla-If your friend's child is on the Spectrum (which can be anything from sensory problems and many others...all the way to severe Autism), then she is in for a long haul for several years and will need help and support.  Currently, it also costs a small fortune for all the therapy they need asap!  It is so sad that most people cannot afford it.  I see it all the time. 

I can send both of you some links if you are interested.

Thank you for caring!!!!
Joni

Charlotte-I just saw this on my facebook page and thought I would share with you.  Hope the link works.

START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

I also have a degree in special ed as well as art ed. I know just what you mean about taking time for the kids to get used to the media. Somedays the smell or feel can totally set a child off. I worked in special ed camps for 3 summers during college and learned trial by fire what worked. We have had many workshops in school lately. I have just found the spectrum gets wider every year. The best tip I got from the seminar from Raun Kaufman was go onto their world, don't make them come into ours. They need to trust you if you want to get anywhere. It has made the biggest difference in my success with my students.  Art is such a wonderful experience for these kids too!

Charlotte

Check your pm!

Hi Joni,

I also work with Autistic children.  I am currently working in a respite setting. Respite is such a valuable asset as it allows the parents  time to relax and spend time with their other children and family.

I don't know what teaching methods are used in USA but here in Ireland a lot of parents are taking the Government to court to secure the Applied Behavioural Analysis method for their kids.

Unfortunately the Government are refusing this method as It's on a one to one basis and therefore they claim to expensive, yet they are willing to pay millions to lawyers fighting their case within the courts.

I guess that's just politics I suppose... Arse holes..! Really makes me so angry as the outcomes of ABA are so positive..



Lefty...!

Lefty-
That is great!  Yes, the parents and siblings do need a break!  It is a tough life for them.  As much as I love them, I know that I am only with them until the end of the work day.  I always had such compassion for the families.  Of course, it can get better and many are not severe.  Don't you suppose it might be similar to caring for an Alzheimer patient?  I have some friends that do that themselves and it is difficult as well.

The same problem exists here in the USA with fighting the government, educational institutions, and insurance companies to pay for the extensive, specific therapy they require, though there has been some progress lately.  The parents, here, come armed with all they can to the meetings and I don't blame them.  I do think it will get better.

There are some great success stories here with therapy dogs and Autism.  I know someone that trains dogs specifically for that and it is really cool.  Now that I am retired, I hope to get involved with that in some way since I am also crazy about dogs.  I am getting a puppy in April.

Thanks for all you do!!!  Let me know if I can help you in any way.
Joni

I'm a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and was a founding teacher for 2 schools for children with Autism.

I also have a brother with autism and have been in the "field" for 15 yrs.

Of all the things I have done I had the greatest passion for early Intervention.

I used to run home schools for peanuts.
In fact i just came from a client's house, a child who is now 7 and I started with him at 18months old.
He was a baby that had the skills of a table and now is almost indiscriminatible and in complete mainstream.
These days I go every couple of weeks and conduct some loose cognitive behavior therapy teaching him some simple coping techniques for his anxiety.

It's amazing seeing children grow and knowing that you have changed lives of the kids and their families.

Much love !

E

E-
I am so excited about your post.  Though I had the privilege of being educated at George Peabody College of Vanderbilt (1976), it was too long ago for ABA, at least by name, so I do not have that certification.  Just have the BS in Emotionally Disturbed/Behavior Disorders in Special Education.  Oddly enough, I apparently got my Masters too soon as well (1980) in the same area from University of Louisville, which now has a department devoted to Autism alone.  I sure wish I had that certification, though.  Good for you!

I recently worked for a Psychologist in town for a few years (after school each day before I retired) taking a young client out into the community for social skills.  I enjoyed that a lot.

The last 10 years I taught, my husband was very ill, so since I also have a regular education degree, I taught science where I only saw the mainstreamed Asperger students...and don't you love them!!??  It gave me the opportunity to still see them and include them, successfully, into the regular class...without all the hours and hours and hours of paperwork and meetings after school.  My experiences have all been with middle school age children for 31 years...but I am only 55...not too ancient!

I am so thankful for people like you!  I attend workshops in my area that are probably like what you do and they are very helpful to many people.  Oftentimes, the only training they get!  But it is a start.

I would love to hear more from you!         

Joni

I have never had any relatives or had an opportunity to work with any kids with Autism but I go to a concert that benefits them each year put on by Neil Young who has a child with Autism.
The concert this year was great and the back of the stage was packed with kids that they work with. Check out their website, it really is a very cool thing they are doing.
START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

BigMatt-

Thank you so much for sharing this!  I love the site!  Also, thanks for going to the concert!

Joni