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...

Posts Tagged ‘early intervention’

TOBY Playpad: A Unique iPad App for Parents, Educators and Therapists

By Nadia Shanab | Uncategorized

TOBY playpad: TOBY Playpad is a unique, therapist-and-parent designed Early Intervention application for children with Autism. TOBY’s iPad tasks co-ordinate with off-iPad tasks to help your child learn skills in the real world. TOBY stands for Therapy Outcomes By You, because it aims to empower parents to commence early intervention to maximize your child’s development.

Autism Linked to Fine Motor Skills Deficits

By Nadia Shanab | Uncategorized

A recent research at Oregon State University showed a link between poor fine motor skills and autism. Autistic children with better motor skills also perform better at social skills and vice versa. Nobody really knows why. Studies and researches used to focus on social skills and communication, and giving little attention to motor skills deficiency. However,

Autism Awareness Walk in Iowa

By Nadia Shanab | Uncategorized

North Iowa’s first Autism Awareness Walk will be Saturday, September 7, in City Park, Clear Lake. To register and for more information read here. It is never enough to emphasize the importance of early intervention. Parents, don’t be in denial. Don’t miss it! nadia shanab

Parents & Educators, Are You Ready for A New School Year?

By Nadia Shanab | Uncategorized

A new school year is around the corner and about to emerge! Parents and educators are you ready? Here are some tips to help you get off on the right foot. Bear in mind, there are three main goals in raising and educating children with autism that we are working on: Independence Better Social Skills Stronger Communication

Children with Autism Have Different Brain Chemistry

By Nadia Shanab | Uncategorized

A new study found that the brain chemistry in children with autism was found to be different compared to others with developmental delays (DD). In the early years of childhood, the brain chemistrey takes a different path during its development. Brain chemistry changes over time. It is never enough to emphasize the importance of early

A New More Accurate Way to Diagnose and Treat Autism

By Nadia Shanab | Uncategorized

The way ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorders) has always been diagnosed, is based on the professionals’ (pediatrians, psychologists, psychiatirics, specialized therapists…) social interaction with the child. Then, the professional’s opinion supported by parents observations are usually the traditional way to give a child a diagnosis. This novel technology can provide a more accurate, objective, and early

An Early Intervention Program for 12 Months Old Children with ASD

By Nadia Shanab | Uncategorized

The Early Start Denver Model (DSDM) is a comprehensive behavioral program that reduces cost of special education services throughout the schooling years. When joining this program many services and therapies will be reduced. The program is clinically controlled. Social skills and interaction showed great improvement following this program. Even if the first two years in

Socialization: An Important Life Skill

By Nadia Shanab | Uncategorized

As an educator, I try to keep the following two main goals as a top priority when working with spectrum kids. 1-TEACHING  INDEPENDENCE 2- DEVELOPING/ IMPROVING SOCIAL SKILLS Academics are very important to be taught. But life skills are most important. Children grow up very quickly. Time flies, and soon the elementary grader becomes a

Specific Autism Symptoms Impact The Age at Diagnosis

By Nadia Shanab | Uncategorized

The reason of defining autism by a “spectrum” is based on the fact that the condition can be manifested through diverse signs or behaviors and hundreds of combinations of these signs. We always say that there is no two autistic kids alike. We also say that if you have seen one autistic child you have

“Infants’ Inattentiveness Might Signal Later Autism”

By Nadia Shanab | Uncategorized

A study at Yale School of medicine found that infants who paid less attention to people’s overtures and social activities may be diagnosed with autism later. The eye movements were tracked while watching a video of a woman doing everyday things, such as making a sandwich, looking at toys, or speaking. Children later diagnosed with