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Have you ever thought to yourself as you struggled to understand your child on the Autism spectrum, If only I could get inside his or her head for 5 minutes…I would know so much!” Well here is a video clip of a simulation of what it is like to walk down the sidewalk with Autism Spectrum. It is not exact, but it gives a very good idea as it compares a “typical” walk down the sidewalk with this same walk down the sidewalk when dealing with ASD. The key objective here is to understand and empathize, in other words, “Autism Awareness”. I believe that everyone would benefit greatly from this video experience as a parent, sibling, friend, etc, as it broadens the scope of understanding the World that is Autism.
Here is the Video Clip:
http://www.theautismsite.com/clickToGive/aut/article/A-Walk-Down-the-Street-with-Autism267/AUT_BLOG_MOMBLOG_CTG
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Sensory Integration Dysfunction (SID) is a neurological disorder pioneered 40 years ago by A. Jean Ayres, Ph.D., OTR. Dr. Ayres developed the sensory integration theory to explain the relationship between behavior and brain functioning.
Most children and adults on the Autism Spectrum have some degree of Sensory Integration Dysfunction. Life can be very difficult for these children and their families because of these sensitivities. Many times parents have to be very proactive in determining the sensory atmosphere of a certain restaurant, theme park, etc.
I found this list that describes many situations and behaviors that Sensory Integration Dysfunction would manifest problems therein. Since it can be hard to understand sometimes, I thought this list may be helpful as a guide to help parents and caregivers to assist their children that may have some of these sensitivities, as this awareness can help lead to understanding and much needed patience.
- Fascination with lights, fans, water
- Hand flapping/repetitive movements
- Spinning items, taking things apart
- Walking on tip-toe
- Little awareness of pain or temperature
- Coordination problems
- Unusually high or low activity level
- Difficulty with transitions (doesn’t “go with the flow”)
- Self-Injury or aggression
- Extremes of activity level (either hyperactive or under active).
- Fearful in space (on the swings, seesaw or heights).
- Striking out at someone who accidentally brushes by them.
- Avoidance of physical contact with people and with certain “textures,” such as sand, paste and finger paints.
- The child may react strongly to stimuli on face, hands and feet.
- A child may have a very short attention span and become easily distracted.
- A strong dislike of certain grooming activities, such as brushing the teeth, washing the face, having the hair brushed or cut.
- An unusual sensitivity to sounds and smells.
- A child may refuse to wear certain clothes or insist on wearing long sleeves/pants so that the skin is not exposed.
- Frequently adjusts clothing, pushing up sleeves and/or pant legs.
- An acute awareness of background noises.
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I am very proud to be part of the Advisory Board of the Sensory Star Program. Kathleen Tehrani is working very hard to fulfill a very important need and considerate kindness in the Autism Community and to all of the traveling population with important sensory considerations.
This website is a great reference that a traveling family can go to and find sensory friendly accommodations. You can find a hotel or resort on this site that is identified with a Sensory Star™ logo and know that it’s designation means it complies with a high standard of providing an environment of overall sensory comfort for it’s guests. This is a great service to the familes that struggle with these sensory issues especially sometimes this can this be the case while on vacation. Maybe this service can make vacationing a little more enjoyable and stressfree.
Here is the website:
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I just got home from our summer conference here in Tampa. Everyone I talked to said they got a lot of information. I spoke regarding Hemispheric Integration Therapy as well as Functional Medicine with regard to Biomedical Interventions for the Autism Spectrum. Dr Knaus gave us some backround on himself as well as gave us some information regarding HBOT. Nancy Bentley informed us with regards to fermented foods and a diet which promotes digestive and general health. Suzanne Azizi ( I am a mother first) provided a passionate and inspiring story about her daughter and dealing with the educational system, IEPs and the law. The faciliies at the Children’s Board were excellent. Everyone seemed to have a good time a well as came away with some good information and it was free to all. So, I am happy with our first conference. Look for our next one!!
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Last week we had our support group meeting here in Tampa. I am so amazed and impressed with the store house of knowledge that some of our parents have regarding this broad and life encompassing subject that is the autism spectrum community. This subject is immense. I spend my time where I feel it is best allocated reading diligently about neurology or functional medicine. I have a family. I have a practice. Yet I still try to read at least an hour a night and more on the weekends. Yes, some people say I am a bit nerdy or boring because of this. For this reason I am so thankful to these parents that are really expert in subjects like I.E.P.s, home schooling, the law and legislative process and advocating for their children. Just listening to them share and help other parents is like having a private tutor on this subject. Thanks to all those who help, share and educate me and others.
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We recently had a mom who took her child in for allergy testing. The child is a low functioning autistic boy. She wanted to see if there was anything relating to food etc. that she should be avoiding in order to help her child progress. The child had standard allergy testing with all the little needle sticks in his back. After the testing, this child who had been making substantial progress with his hemispheric integration treatment (H.I.T), regressed back to almost the way he was on his first visit. He had more vocalizations and just overall regressed in many ways. The testing was negative and should then theoretically have had no affect on the child. The allergist was aware of the regression as he had noticed the child’s overall improvement since beginning the hemispheric integration treatment several weeks prior to the testing. He stated that he had notced the same type of regression reaction in some other children. He was going to talk to some colleagues about doing a study regarding this reaction. Most importantly for all of you is that he said there is a way to get allergy testing through a blood draw. By using a blood draw test as opposed to a needle stick test no foreign substances would be introduced into the patient’s body and therefore this regression could be avoided. I hope that this is the type of information that will be helpful to my bloggers and I hope to share with the community in addition to my knowledge of Hemispheric Interation Therapy, functional medicine and biomedical interventions. There are hundreds of stories like this out there that we can share and possibly help someone else somwhere else in the world. Please post. Please share. Please help.
