ReConnect Autism

04/07/2013

This is why we need more than ABA in the treatment of Autism.


http://transcendautism.com/how-does-aba-contribute-to-unemployment-guest-post/

How does ABA Contribute to Unemployment? Guest PostBy April On July 4, 2013 · Add CommentThis week’s post is a guest post by Christopher Mulligan, LCSW, who shared his paper describing the impact of a common autism therapy on long-term outcomes of adults with Autism. An excerpt of Chris’s paper is p...

04/07/2013

Simple but powerful advice. Just as relevant or even more relevant for kids with ASD.

Daniel Siegel, MD

02/07/2013

The latest video from Ken Robinson. So much can be learned about education from this man

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HRXhRjfS7Q

Watch live on Monday, 1 July 2013 as World-renowned educationalist Sir Ken Robinson delivers the long-awaited follow-up to his now legendary 'Changing Educat...

27/06/2013

A must watch for all parents. So inspiring


http://www.ted.com/talks/andrew_solomon_love_no_matter_what.html?utm_source=newsletter_weekly_2013-06-08&utm_campaign=newsletter_weekly&utm_medium=email&utm_content=talk_of_the_week_button

What is it like to raise a child who's different from you in some fundamental way (like a prodigy, or a differently abled kid, or a criminal)? In this quietly moving talk, writer Andrew Solomon shares what he learned from talking to dozens of parents -- asking them: What's the line between unconditi...

18/06/2013

A little reminder of what happens when we stop instructing kids and let them think for themselves


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TskeE43Q1M&sns=tw&noredirect=1

A correct answer kills the creativity. See what happens when third grade students think there is a correct answer.I would be thankful if other teachers from ...

05/06/2013

An excellent article on the development of pro-social behaviour in young children. We need to stop telling our kids what to do and provide them where they can think in a pro-social way and be independent problem solvers. This process is just as applicable to children with ASD,

Previous theories in Autism have told us that children with ASD lack empathy, however their difficulties relate predominantly to Cognitive Empathy ( reading the non-verbal signs of other peoples needs and emotions) and not affective or Emotional Empathy ( a pro-social desire to help others). In other words kids with ASD are in the main as Pro-social as any other child but may struggle with recognition and appraisal of the needs of others. It is there that our efforts must focus.


http://www.slate.com/blogs/how_babies_work/2013/05/08/toddlers_learn_sharing_and_cooperation_from_the_environment_not_from_parents.html?wpisrc=obnetwork

Toddlers are impossible. Everyone knows this. They are selfish and solipsistic. They are awful until they turn 2, at which point they become terrible. They have big heads. Literally. A roomful of toddlers is like The Lord of Flies, but with a shorter running time. Everyone knows this. But everyone.....

30/05/2013

The benefits of RDI in a school setting. Congratulations Zoe on this publication


http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/bild/gap/2013/00000014/00000001/art00002 /collapse

Website © Publishing Technology. Article copyright remains with the publisher, society or author(s) as specified within the article.

28/05/2013

A must read for all parents of children with Autism



http://adiaryofamom.wordpress.com/2013/05/28/the-power-of-no/

* Respect your elders, young man. Always comply with the authorities. Listen to adults. Do what you're told. * Good listening. Good girl! Great job following instructions! You did exa...

17/05/2013

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151581574102208&set=a.10151536478127208.1073741829.193276792207&type=1&theater

15/05/2013

This is an amazing video highlighting the need to look more mindfully at the subjective experience of those who we interact with, before determining our responses to them and our judgements of them.

This is so relevant to parenting and education also:
Before we intervene, respond or judge a child based upon their behaviour, take the time to consider what might be going on for them, what might be scaring or confusing them? Consider their subjective experience before considering how best to support them.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Wl2_knlv_xw&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DWl2_knlv_xw

WOW! A profound look at life, in 4 minutes. You have to watch this -- and share it. We literally welled up with tears -- very rarely does that happen. The ca...

26/04/2013

For the growing number of you who homeschool or who are considering homeschooling, here is some great practical advice


http://www.freehomeschooldeals.com/homeschooling-for-free-and-frugal-affording-to-homeschool-a-special-needs-child/

Tips on how you can afford to homeschool your special needs child.

25/04/2013

There has already been research in Ireland into Early Screening for Autism back in 2007 in Counties Cork & Kerry. The findings were that "The CHAT instrument is a useful tool to help identify childhood autism among infants. Routine use of this instrument at 18-month developmental assessment merits consideration".

Why are families left months and even years for full clinical assessments, when warning signs could so easily be identified at 18 months. Think of all the work that could be done in that time?




http://lib.bioinfo.pl/paper:17955715

BioInfoBank Library :: Screening for autistic spectrum disorder at the 18-month developmental assessment: a population-based study. A review of recent reports on autism: 1000 studies published in 2007. Minimal injury of the descending aorta secondary to blunt trauma. Audit of outcomes from pre-schoo...

25/04/2013

The early signs of Autism in toddlers.

This is taken from an early screening tool for Autism (M-chat). I can not understand why this is not used by Community Health workers in Ireland, as it is in other countries, to detect early signs of Autism. Surely early detection will lead to early intervention and a much better prognosis for the child?

http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/health/mdmama/2013/04/finding_autism_early_6_important_questions_about_your_toddler.html

The signs of autism can be present in toddlers--and when we find it then, we can get help to those children and their families right away. The trick is in asking the right questions--and acting on the answers.

25/04/2013

The early warning signs of Autism in toddlers


http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/health/mdmama/2013/04/finding_autism_early_6_important_questions_about_your_toddler.

22/04/2013

Excellent clip to start the day.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvhJnTPtJNQ&feature=youtu.be

Taken from the famous Ken Robinson Ted Talk which is Extremely inspiring and it's about how Schools Kill Creativity. Produced by Igloo Animations, Dublin. Ig...

19/04/2013

Now for something the complete opposite of our previous post. There are certainly beneftis to the use of technology for children with Autism, but there is a growing problem of addiction to screentime for kids with Autism. In younger children, this may be less of a problem, but for older children and teenagers this can become a massive obstacle to quality of life.

This report also makes another really good point that, that there is not enough evidence to suggest that skills developed via a device are transferred to real life situations. I have always doubted whether social understanding could ever be developed via a computer program. There is no substitute for social engagement. "We" is way more powerful than "me"



http://www.irishhealth.com/article.html?id=21974

Kids with autism play more video games

19/04/2013

Very inspiring story. The benefits of an active lifestyle for children & adults with Autism. Body & brain and interconnected. We often spend too much of our time ignoring the body

http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/mums-mission-to-put-autism-on-the-run-228454.html

WHEN Susan Crawford’s son Tomás was three years old, his autism, diagnosed a year earlier, began to show itself in more ways than one.