A Message to Parents

Dear Parents, I am finally back after a long silence for almost two years. It is very hard to disengage myself from thinking and writing about...

Archive for October, 2013

Acting Improves Social Skills

By Nadia Shanab | Uncategorized

A recent research by the Vanderbilt University, October 2013, has released a new intervention program to help improve the social deficits in adolesents with autism. Researchers used the theater to teach reciprocal communication skills. The program is called Social Emotional Neuroscience & Endocrinology (SENSE). Techniques used in this program are: role-play, improvisation, and it culminates in

A Brain Scan That May Diagnose Autism with 95.9% Accuracy

By Nadia Shanab | Uncategorized

A new research used fMRI (functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging) to identify and locate the weak parts of the brain that may be used to diagnose autism. We know that one of the most important traits of the autistic behavior is the poor social skills which leads to poor communication skills too. The research below explains

Positive Education

By Nadia Shanab | general advice, Uncategorized

Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions. Dalai Lama Research shows that people are becoming less happy, less fulfilled and less satisfied over the last two generations. Fifty years ago depression was known to affect people over thirty; now even children in elementary schools and adolescents are suffering from depression.

A Message of Hope from Temple Grandin

By Nadia Shanab | Uncategorized

Watch an interview with Temple Grandin that inspires “hope”. She briefly touches on most aspects of autism. templegrandin.com/ nadia shanab

Positive Psychology

By Nadia Shanab | Uncategorized

You may have noticed that most of my articles are about trying to help parents and educators raise and educate kids with autism. So, most of  the tips I suggest are usually targeting the kids. But, how about parents and educators themselves? Can they always be in their greatest shape, best mood, and ready to provide

How “Serotonin and Oxytocin” Affect The Social Behavior

By Nadia Shanab | Uncategorized

Individuals on the Autism Spectrum are known to be loners, anti-social, and have poor communication skills. Researchers found a corelation between a hormone that is tied to “bonding” called oxytocin, and the brain system that produce pleasure and motivation. This hormone is known as the “love” or “cuddle” chemical. Genetic changes in autistic children may

Tips for Behavioral Troubleshooting

By Nadia Shanab | Uncategorized

The following tips can be applied in classrooms as well as at home. Be positive in scanning the environment for possible behavioral precipitants. Reduce or eleminate stressors, to the extent possible. Read the student’s cue and signals and react before inapporopriate behavior occurs. “Plug in” activities designed to reduce stress and anxiety before behavioral disruptions

Tips for Instructional Assistants

By Nadia Shanab | Uncategorized

The Instructional Assistant’s Mission Statement Know well both your students and the disabilities that they manifest. Learn to take your students’ perspectives, and realize that they have significant difficulty taking yours. Always look beyond your students’ behaviors to determine the functions that those behaviors serve. Be neither blinded by your students’ strengths, nor hold them