A study published in the journal Nature, Nov 6, reveals the earliest sign of developing auism ever observed: a steady decline in attention to others’ eyes within the first two to six months of life. Autism is usually diagnosed around the age of 2, when a significant delay in speech and poor social skills are … Read more
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 … Read more
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. … Read more
Watch an interview with Temple Grandin that inspires “hope”. She briefly touches on most aspects of autism. templegrandin.com/ nadia shanab
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 … Read more
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 … Read more
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 … Read more
In a child development class I learned that a newborn’s brain has a huge number of connections between the cells (neurons). Imagine these connections forming a network. If some connections are more used than others (due to a heavy traffic on these communication lines), these pathways become well-established. The connections that are less used, get … Read more
You have probably been reading in books, magazines and the Internet to learn about autism. Here is shortcut for you. I chose this video from the CDC for you. Watch the video. You need more details? Watch this video about Autism Spectrum Disorders. nadia shanab
Q: What does practicing art do to anybody? A: It expresses a person’s feelings, thinking, talents and wants. Children with autism are most of the time stuck inside their own mind. They have poor communication abilities, it is hard for them to initiate any conversation, therefore, they avoid talking to others. Their social skills are … Read more
