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Researched based treatment and education is crucial when dealing with autism. It means the methods have been tested and shown to create positive outcomes; however, it can be difficult to decipher what has been accurately researched. We hope this blog can be a reliable source for parents and professionals when seeking autism information.

A wonderful resource we like is the Science in Autism Treatment Newsletter, created by the Association for Science in Autism Treatment. As its name suggest, the newsletter highlights science and research based treatments and information. A few of the topics highlighted in the Summer 2010 edition include: “Relationship Development Intervention”, “How do I explain my decision to use science-based treatments for autism when friends & relatives insist I try something new?”, “What is Verbal Behavior? Is it different from ABA, and does my child need it to learn language?” as well as an inspiring story about one family’s journey with autism.

We hope you enjoy the information as much as we did! Click here to read the entire newsletter.

Association for Science in Autism Treatment web site.

Charles* came to Daniel House I at the age of eleven. Prior to admission to Glenwood, Charles was living in a foster home and was separated from his brothers because they could not seem to get along while living together. Charles had a mother and grandmother who he was not allowed to see while he was in foster care. Initially, Charles had significant difficulties staying focused in school, was very behind in all of his subjects in school, and basically did not like school at all.

At the residence, Charles did not like following directions, argued with staff, argued with peers and would not take any responsibility for his behaviors. Charles however had a great love: a love of the outdoors, and would rather spend all of his time fishing at the lake than doing anything else, even eating! Staff quickly realized that this was their “in” to understanding Charles. Soon, staff were seen to be sitting outside working with him on his fishing great, teaching him to cast in the driveway, and eventually taking him on fishing trips to the lake and to the bass pond here on Glenwood’s campus. Charles could spend hours taking apart a fishing reel and putting it back together again. Around this time, Charles’ mom was able to start coming on campus to visit with him. Eventually, she and Charles would spend their visits at the pond eating bologna sandwiches and fishing all afternoon.

Over time, with the increase in visitation and the increased trust in Glenwood’s staff, Charles’ behaviors got better. He started taking responsibility for his behaviors and responded to redirects from staff in a positive way. School work became more of a priority. After 17 months at Glenwood, Charles was able to move home with his mother. Due to the hard work of the Glenwood staff, Charles’ mom and Charles, he was able to return home and attend public school with supports.

*Name has been changed to protect this child

Help children like Charles by donating to Glenwood. Click here.

We think this is pretty cool... 

People frequently use gestures to communicate.  Gesture technology allows humans to perform simple tasks by gesturing.  Recent advances in this technology have made gesture recognition devices smaller, easier to use, and more affordable to the public.  Body Language, an article in May’s issue of Fast Company, examines several different types of gesture recognition devices, including tools which can translate sign language into spoken words and a small computer chip which if embedded in a gadget can control the gadget by simply exhaling. 

How can this new technology assist people with disabilities?  Gesture recognition devices have the opportunity to make people with disabilities more self-dependent.  Devices which follow movements made by the hands help individuals with limited speech capabilities interact with people who do not know sign language.  These devices can also aid with basic daily tasks, such as controlling the television or changing the thermostat simply by gesturing.  Likewise, Sensawaft, the small chip controlled by exhaling, gives people with poor hand or arm mobility the ability to control wheelchairs, cell phones, computers, and so much more.

For more information on gesture recognition technology, please read http://iat.ubalt.edu/courses/old/cosc324.101_Sp06/gesture-recog.pdf.

March 30, was Legislative Day in Montgomery. Adam, an adult with autism served by Glenwood, along with several other Autism advocates visited Montgomery, Ala. to ask our Congressmen to fund Autism programs and research. Adam met Governor Jim Folsom and gave the blessing for the State Senate in the Legislative Chamber. Adam did an amazing job representing adults with autism.

Below is a copy of Adam’s prayer. Adam can’t read words like most individuals but that didn’t stop him from learning this prayer. Adam’s teachers taught him picture symbols. On March 30, Adam delivered the prayer to Alabama’s Senate and we couldn’t have been more proud!

Click here to view Adam’s prayer in picture symbols.

Joe Carter, V.P. of Glenwood's Adult Services, Adam, and Jim Folsom at Autism Legislative Day.

The New Face of Therapy

Can robots help children with autism learn social skills? The New Face of Therapy, an article from Popular Science June 2010, explores the future of autism therapy. A research team from the University of Southern California is working to build robots that are sensitive enough to serve as playmates and therapist to children with autism. They are also working to make it affordable, under $1,000.

Why robots? The research group has found that individuals with autism respond better to machines than people, possibly because computers are more predictable than humans. Also, as anyone in the autism world knows, there seems to be a shortage of autism therapist, a problem that will only get worse as the rates of autism climb to 1 in 110 children born.  Most importantly, autism is treatable. With therapy, research continues to show that individuals improve, especially if treatment begins at an early age. These robots can also go into a child’s home for around the clock therapy.

While research still has a ways to go, the results seem promising.  Click here to see the results of the research and read the entire article.

How do you see technology changing the future of autism therapy?

The Sixth Annual Glenwood Endowed Lecture Series is a collaboration between Glenwood, Autism & Behavioral Health Center and UAB School of Public Health. This year Dr. Craig Newschaffer, Ph.D. spoke on "Will Epidemiology Help Us Find the Causes of Autism?"

Dr. Newschaffer discussed the history of epidemiologic research on autism including tracking trends in autism prevalence and which approaches make the most sense for autism research. He discussed how to be a smart "consumer" of epidemiologic research findings on autism. You can view his presentation here.

Dr. Newschaffer is Professor and Chairman of the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Drexel University School of Public Health.

View the Lecture.

General Recommendations for Education of Individuals on the Autism Spectrum:

Current Research-Based Best Practices

This is a great resource for teachers as well as parents looking to create a similar learning environment at home to reinforce what their child is learning in school or therapy. Developed by Dr. Felicia Houston, these Research-Based Best Practices provide information on everything from educational games, social skills instruction, visual schedules, work systems, repetitive behaviors, behavior modification, emotional dysregulation, toilet training and MANY other resources.

There is an overload of information about autism on the internet. It can be daunting for parents and teachers to figure out what type of program and therapy will best work for their child. Some autism treatment methods are not researched based. However, all information provided in this document is considered to be best practices and researched-based, meaning the practices have been proven to be effective.

Click here for Research-Based Best Practices.

Hearing that your child has Autism can be devastating, not to mention confusing. And when clinicians start throwing around words like “Pervasive Development Disorders” it can be even more overwhelming, especially when you barely understand “Autism Spectrum Disorders.”

If you can’t speak the lingo, how do you know what to do next or where to go for the right treatment for your child? Dr. Felicia Houston, Psychologist and Glenwood’s Associate Director of Community Education Programs, created this “Autism Spectrum Resources & General Recommendations”. It explains things like Pervasive Development Disorders, IEP’s, What to do after diagnosis, How to schedule a Classroom Observation and much more!

Click here for Glenwood's "Autism Spectrum Resources & General Recommendations" report.

The “10 Myths of Autism” below are from parentdish.com (www.bit.ly/c6XBeN). I love that this blog post shows that each person with Autism is an individual. Not every person with autism likes their space, some like the comforting feel of pressure on their bodies. Some people like to make loud noises while the noise pierces other’s ears.  And not every child exhibits all the symptoms of autism which makes it harder for a psychologist to diagnosis, and not to mention treat. Autism isn’t like Strep Throat when a doctor can look at your child’s throat order a swab and have a diagnosis and prescription within 30 minutes.  What might work for one child may be completely wrong for another. There isn’t just one prescription for autism. Parents, doctors, clinicians and educators must educate themselves on the “best practices” of autism and figure out (usually through trial and error) which treatment is best for each child or adult with autism.   The “10 Myths of Autism” may be especially encouraging for parents with a newly diagnosed child who are unsure what to expect. Share with us in the comments section something you or your child with autism does that makes you/him/her special and not part of the autism stereotype!

From Parentdish.com:  Today's guest blogger is Katie Olson (aurorabunny), mom to 3-year old Brody, who has autism. (Click here for the entire post www.bit.ly/c6XBeN)

Myth #1: Eye contact is impossible for someone with autism.
Some people with autism find making eye contact with others difficult, but others have no problem whatsoever.

Myth #2: People with autism can't show affection. My son is the biggest snuggle bug ever! Being able to snuggle up has never been a problem for him. For some, it is, but not all.

Myth #3: If a child is progressing, he never had autism.
This is not true. It takes work and patience, but progress is possible!

Myth #4: People with autism cannot communicate.
If someone with autism is nonverbal, they have other ways of communicating. Sign language, pictures, computers, etc. are all forms of communication. Just because a person can't talk, it doesn't mean they can't communicate.

Myth #5: Autism is the result of bad or neglectful parenting.
The "refrigerator mother" myth has been around for some time, and I'm actually surprised it still exists. Almost every parent of a child with autism I've met is very kind, loving, and incredibly patient. They also spend much of their time feeling needlessly guilty about their child's autism, so this myth is less than helpful.

Myth #6: If you have autism, you can repeat the whole phone book or know what day of the week April 23 will fall on in four years.
While most children with autism are very smart, an autistic savant is rare. We can all thank the movie Rainman for this little myth. So in the future, please do not ask a mom to get her kid to perform parlor tricks for you.

Myth #7: Children with autism do not want friends.
All children want friends. Some can show this in a better way than others, but I think all children want a friend. A lot of kids with autism just can't figure out how to go about it.

Myth #8: Kids with autism don't get their feelings hurt.
If you've ever seen my son's face after a kid has refused to play with him, you'd know this is not true. They might not get mad and yell at someone, or sit down and cry over it, but it's just as easy to hurt a child-with-autism's feelings as any other. Please remind your children to be kind.

Myth #9: Better discipline would get their acts together.
Boy, do I love that one! I've been told on many occasions that all I need to do is spank him. Another good one, "Let me keep him for a few days, I'll fix him." You can't spank or yell autism away any easier than you can spank cancer away.

Myth #10: If a person with autism can't communicate, he can't understand you either.
If someone tapes your mouth closed, do your ears plug up as well? Comprehension skills and expressive skills can develop at different speeds and often do with autism. Just because a child can not say "I love you" does not mean he doesn't hear you when you tell him you love him.

With the warm weather this past week I officially have spring fever! My flip flops are out and winter coats packed away. Glenwood’s campus is especially beautiful, tucked away from the road and surrounded by trees and serene lakes. The warm weather reminds us of the coming summer vacation, a child’s dream but maybe not so dreamy for parents. No worries parents, Glenwood has found several summer camps to keep your special child busy and learning this summer break. These fun and exciting camp opportunities are all around the Southeast for children, teens, adults and families with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Asperger's Syndrome, intellectual disabilities and other learning and behavioral disorders.  The below summer programs cover all interests, ranging from camping, horseback riding, boating, music, dancing, swimming, theater and arts and crafts.

Here is a list of summer camps in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. Glenwood hopes that you find that perfect fit for your family member and if you know of other camps in the mentioned areas, please feel free to leave a comment and share!

Alabama
1.     Mitchell’s Place Summer Camp

http://www.mitchells-place.com/summer.html

Cost: $500 per session.

The Summer Program at Mitchell's Place builds upon the principles of the After-School Social and Academic Enrichment Program (ASAP) in an expanded day format. Three 2-week sessions are offered during the summer months.  Each session runs Monday through Thursday, from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

Activities are designed to address basic skills of teamwork, self-esteem, and self-regulation and include indoor and outdoor games, educational activities, field trips, sports lessons, creative art and music classes, and role-playing. For more information, contact Sandy Naramore at snaramore@mitchells-place.com or call (205) 957-0294.

2.     Camp Merrimack Summer Camp for Children with Special Needs
http://www.merrimackhall.com/artscamp09.html 
Cost: $40 per child

            Camp Merrimack located in Huntsville, Ala. is an arts half-day camp for children ages 3-12. It is open to children with special needs, including Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, autism and others. Classes will include music, theatre, dance, and visual art. Includes a positive approach, engaging philosophy and 1:1 staff-to-camper ratio. Camp Merrimack provides students with opportunities to build social skills and creates an environment where they are sure to succeed! Classes are limited to 15 children per age group and spaces are available on a first-come, first served basis.  Ages 3-7: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Ages 8-12: 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. For more information, contact Hayley Smith at hsmith@merrimackhall.com 
  

3.     Arts N Autism
http://www.covenanttuscaloosa.com/mission/arts-n-autism/ 
          Arts N Autism is an after school and summer camp program, available to all children with high-functioning autism, regardless of the families' ability to pay.  It is housed at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Tuscaloosa, AL.  Arts N Autism serves children between the ages of 5-18.  Activities include: visual arts, music, social skills, integrated movement therapy (yoga) and martial arts. Contact Jan Sikes at (205)-246-6192 for more information.

4.     Special Equestrians
http://specialequest.org/riders.html
 Cost: $100
           The mission of Special Equestrians, Inc. is to provide high quality therapeutic horseback riding and equine assisted activities to persons with physical, mental, developmental and emotional disabilities. Our riders are the sole focus of our program.  Their success is our goal. Summer sessions are 6 weeks at a cost of $100.  We do not, however, turn down riders due to financial difficulty.  Riders are able to apply for scholarships if needed.

            Lessons typically run approximately 40 minutes in length and include a variety of activities, including warm-up, horse handling (steering, trotting, starting and stopping), and end with a trail ride or game to relax.  Most riders begin with a team of 3-4 volunteers, and some riders may progress to total independence.

5.     Puzzle Piece “Creative Solutions for Creative Children”

www.puzzlepiecealabama.com

Cost: My Camp- Dolphins and Sharks $165 per week; “Toddler Time” $30

            The goal of Puzzle Piece is to develop creative solutions for each individual child. Each child is unique and Puzzle Piece’s philosophy is to embrace each child’s individual strengths and to utilize the child’s motivation to help them achieve their goals.

Join Puzzle Piece in Mountain Brook, Alabama for just Plain ‘Ole Fun at a camp for special children run by highly trained staff focused on developing social, cognitive, problem solving and sensory processing skills. There are five available sessions held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. My Camp-Dolphins is held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and My Camp- Sharks is held from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. They also provide “Toddler Time” for children 2-3 years of age on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at $30 per class. For more information, call (205) 969-8080 or email PUZZPIECE@aol.com.

6.     McWane Science Center

www.mcwane.org

Cost: $150-$300

             Join McWane Science Center for a world of exciting science adventures! McWane Science Center offers a wide variety of camps throughout the summer break. Hands on learning is great for individuals with an autism spectrum disorder. While McWane’s camps aren’t specific to children with autism, they are seeing an increase in the number of campers who have an autism spectrum disorder. Camps can be either half day or full day. Click here for more information, http://www.mcwane.org/camps_and_more/camps/summercamp

Arkansas:

1.     Camp Aldersgate- Kota Camps

http://www.campaldersgate.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2&Itemid=17

Cost: Based on Family’s Annual Income
            Camp Aldersgate’s summer camps serve children with medical, physical, and developmental challenges. The camps offer most traditional summer camp activities such as campfires and singing, canoeing, fishing, arts and crafts, swimming, and nature hikes. Like all kids, the campers want to try new and exciting things. With this in mind, activities have been developed that focus on creating more of a personal challenge.

           Kota Camp is a camp program for campers ages 6-18 with various disabilities (primarily those not covered by a Med Camp) and his or her non-disabled sibling or friend. These camps are named for the Quapaw Native American word for "friend." Campers with disabilities participate with a brother, sister or friend. Two six-day sessions are offered during the summer. Session I takes place from June 27-July2 and Session II take place from July 25-30.

 Georgia:
1.     Camp Caglewood
Cost: $200
http://www.caglewood.org/#4
             Caglewood is a Special Needs Camping Program that serves individuals with developmental disabilities through active programming that provides enhanced life experiences, personal development, and respite opportunities. Caglewood fosters the core development by engaging in activities designed to promote independence and confidence. Caglewood’s programming inspires spiritual and social development through communion with nature. A camping trip with Camp Caglewood consists of counselor planned and led activities, crafts, devotionals, hiking, camping, swimming, and various forms of physical therapy and adaptive skills training.

Caglewood is designed for both children and adults diagnosed with developmental disabilities including the autism spectrum, PDD, down syndrome, and cerebral palsy. To ensure that our program offers superior service and personalized programs we maintain a camper to counselor ratio of 2:1. Camping and hiking trips this summer will explore Okefenokee Swamp, Stone Mountain, Unicoi and Helen and the Appalachian Trail. For more information, call (678) 405-9000 or email info@caglewood.org.

2.     Wellspring Camp

http://www.wellspringcamponline.com/site/index.php

Cost: $150-$350

Wellspring Camp is a Christian camp designed for children and adults with disabilities and special needs. Located in Jackson County, Georgia, Wellspring Camp is becoming a permanent part of a vibrant, growing community. Wellspring camp encourages participants to have a safe, enjoyable experience making friends and lasting memories. At Wellspring Camp, we offer three day camps and four overnight camps throughout the summer months. For more information, call (770) 206-0893 or email wellspringcamp@gmail.com.

Kentucky:

1.     Camp KYSOC

http://www.cardinalhill.org/files/Camp_Brochure_08.pdf

Camp KYSOC, located in Carrollton, Kentucky, provides a unique camping experience for children and adults with physical or developmental disabilities including learning and behavioral disorders or eating disorders. KYSOC has accessible facilities and black-topped paths so everyone can enjoy its rustic setting and traditional camping activities including hiking, swimming, crafts, and campfires.  Camp KYSOC has day camp and resident summer camp programs, as well as respite weekends and retreat opportunities throughout the year. For more information, call (866) 357-4712 or email fun@chhs-kysoc.org.

Louisiana:

1.     MedCamps of Louisiana

http://www.medcamps.com/

MedCamps of Louisiana holds a series of one-week, fun-filled camps each summer free of charge for children in Louisiana facing the challenges of a variety of physical and mental disabilities. These include spinal bifida, cerebral palsy, asthma, sickle cell anemia, autism, epilepsy, juvenile arthritis, visual impairment, hearing impairment, speech impairment and those developmentally disabled.

It features comfortable accommodations, scenic trails, a beautiful lake with canoes and paddleboats, and wonderful facilities including a wheelchair-accessible swimming pool. Activities include fishing, arts and crafts, softball, archery, nature hikes, music, drama, canoeing, paddleboating and swimming. All activities, which may be modified, are supervised by trained counselors. “Camp Busy Bees Retreat” is held on July 7th – July 9th (For Children and Families Living with Autism). For more information, call (318) 329-8405 or email info@medcamps.com.

 Mississippi:

1.     Kamp Kaleidoscope

 http://www.kampkaleidoscope.org/programs/kamp-kaleidoscope/

Kamp Kaleidoscope, located in Mize, Mississippi, is an inclusive summer camp program providing summer camp fun for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The camp is attended by children diagnosed with ASD and their neuro-typical peers providing a fun and educational summer experience. Campers will enjoy activities such as music, arts and crafts, horse riding, swimming, fishing, climbing and rappelling, kamp fire, kaleidoworks, danceoscope, and kamp theater. For more information, contact  Jenny Strickland at (601) 733-0090 or email takeaction@TEAAM.org.

North Carolina:

1.     Camp Royall

Cost: Day Camp (9am-5pm) $400 per week; Camp Royall $750-$1,600

http://www.autismsociety-nc.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=156&Itemid=388

Camp Royall, located in Moncure, North Carolina, is designed to provide campers with a week of typical camp activities, such as swimming, hiking, music, group games, boating and arts and crafts in a structured environment. Campers are supervised closely at all times. In fact, many counselors have only one camper per week to ensure maximum attention. The primary focus of camp is to provide a structured recreational experience in a camp setting for children and adults on the autism spectrum. For more information, call (919) 542-1033.

South Carolina:

1.     Camp Spearhead

http://greenvillerec.com/activities-and-programs/camp-spearhead-temp

Camp Spearhead serves youth and adults with special needs and disabilities. Its new state of the art facility, located in Greenville, South Carolina, is specifically designed to meet the needs of individuals with special needs, disabilities, chronic illness, and other health related challenges.  Campers will enjoy activities such as hayrides, challenge course, boating and horseback riding. For more information, call (864)288-6470 or email Mike Teachey at miket@gcrd.org.

Tennessee:

1.     Friends’ Discovery Camp

http://www.cdmfun.org/page/programs-and-events/camps#Summer

Cost: $130

Friends Discovery Camp is specifically designed to address the social and recreational needs of children with autism by providing helpful supports for children with autism, while offering kids without autism a unique opportunity to be buddies with a child that may be different from their other friends. The unique camp partnership between Creative Discovery Museum, Siskin Children’s Institute and UTC allows kids aged 7–10 (must have completed 1st grade) to have wild and wacky camp fun, develop socially and expand their horizons while enjoying all of the exhibits at Creative Discovery Museum and taking part in fun off-site activities. For more information, call Nancy at (423) 648-6045 or Beth at (423) 648-6040.

March 30 is the 3^rd Annual Autism Matters Legislative Day

10:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

State House, Montgomery, AL

Our last blog post (Autism & Schools, a report from the Southern Legislative Conference) sited the tremendous cost of autism as well as the success of early intervention and other treatment programs.  I was shocked that autism is the most costly of all disabilities. Many families need help providing services for their child, and insurance does not cover all treatments. (Please reference “Autism & Schools” blog post to read the full report.) Through awareness and the Legislative Day, you can make a difference by telling your legislature that Autism needs funding for services and research.

If you plan on attending:

Make an appointment with your legislator, deliver a hand written note along with a picture of your loved one affected by autism.  Fellow self-advocates, family members and professionals will be there expressing overwhelming need for support and services for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders in Alabama. Individuals served by Glenwood, Autism & Behavioral Health Center will be there too, telling their story. 

If you are not able to attend:

Please call, write or e-mail your legislator and ask for support for individuals with autism.

Contact information for your legislator can be found at www.legislature.state.al.us . Register online at www.autism-alabama.org or call 877-4AUTISM (Ext 5)

 A Regional Resource from the Southern Legislative Conference

A recent report from the Southern Legislative Conference looks at the sudden rise of autism and what it means to the South.

As you may know autism is on the rise. The report stated that the South was behind the national average in terms of autism diagnosis. While this sounded positive at first, the report went on to say that this may indicate a need for improved screening, diagnosis and awareness.  Will telemedicine concepts (what we have coined as Tele-Autism) accelerate this process of identification and diagnosis, especially in rural areas?

Autism is the most costly of all disabilities. Yet, according to the study, research has shown that for children (typically younger than the age of 4) enrolled in EIBI (Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention) therapies, nearly half are able to graduate from the program to regular classrooms without further interventions. Nearly two-fifths of participants make improvements but continue to require support, with only one-tenth making minimal gains.  Bottom line – nine out of ten children respond favorably to early intervention and therapy! 

The report compared the cost of intensive therapy versus the cost of autism across an individual’s life span. The state of Florida estimated a $2.1 billion in savings due to early intervention.  

Read the report and recommendations in its entirety here.

The CDC recently announced that the rate of autism continues to increase-1 in 110 children born today will be affected by autism…but there is Hope. 

Glenwood, Autism & Behavioral Health Center located in Birmingham, Ala. was started 35 years ago, when the rate of autism was closer to 1 in 10,000. Through the years we have seen great strides in awareness, diagnosis and treatment. Glenwood began serving children, then as children became adults we began serving adults. Today we see that many families are asking, “What will happen to my child when we are gone?”

This blog will cover topics affecting individuals with autism across the Autism spectrum and full span of life. Our goal is to provide you with information, resources and most importantly, hope that your child can live life to the fullest.