www.newsforautism.com - Blogs

New School Year

no@spam.com (Theresa McFarland, M.A.) — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 00:00:00 MST

The new school year has already begun for many districts. What can families do to prepare students with autism for the new school year? If the child is going to a new school it is important to visit the new school. A picture of the school and the name will be helpful for the child's visual/written schedule. If possible, try to meet the new teacher. For many children, a social story will help transition the child into the new school year. Often, a new school year is easier for the child than for parents! Children with autism have a way of adapting to situations especially when families prepare schedules and social stories for upcoming events.

Music and Movement Activities for Sensory Integration

no@spam.com (Theresa McFarland, M.A.) — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:00:00 MST

Music really is the universal language!

Children with autism who are drawn to music can benefit greatly from music therapy including music and sensory activities. At home and in the classroom, sensory activities paired with music can promote language and assist with sensory integration.

What is Sensory Integration?

Sensory integration is the process of the brain interpreting and organizing information to orient us to who we are physically, where we are and what is in our environment

Music and Movement activities can address sensory dysfunctions:

Vestibular: Difficulty coordination normal movement.
Tactile: Requiring either light or deep touch.
Auditory: Response to environmental sound
Propioceptive: Body awareness including fine and gross motor planning.

Sensory integration with music and movement supports:

Brain reorganization, oxygenation, centering body/brain warm-up, body awareness, gross motor planning, responding to environmental stimuli.

Educating a Child with Autism

no@spam.com (Jenn O'Donnell) — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 00:00:00 MST

Parents must decide what education services and treatments would benefit their child. The public school district offers services including early identification, evaluation and assessments but most importantly a "free appropriate public education"(FAPE). FAPE is one of the key requirements of IDEA. FAPE requires that an appropriate education program be provided for all school aged children with no cost to families. The question that is asked by families and educators is what is the definition of "appropriate"? Each child is different and families have many different beliefs about what is best or "appropriate" for their child.