iPads and video interaction has provided a means for children with autism to communicate; it may also have provided addictive behavior.

iPads and video interaction has provided a means for children with autism to communicate; it may also have provided addictive behavior. Christopher Mulligan founded Groupworks West, which provides assistance when people with autism show a susceptibility to addiction to the Internet and video stimulation. He has found parents who used the technology because it helped their kids communicate, but found it also lessens their social interaction with other people. Mulligan explained one reason for increased dependence on technology, “One of the first things cut were all recreational services including summer camp. They had horseback riding, swimming – wonderful services – and cutting summer camp funding really added a lot of stress to parents. Almost all of the families I help are families where both parents are working.” The kids’ only means of stimulation and interaction are through the Internet.

Read original article: Autistic Teens and Children Struggle with Cyber Addiction

FL State Senator, Jeremy Ring, understands the problems of parents of kids with autism and other behavioral difficulties managing their child’s healthcare.

Florida State Senator, Jeremy Ring, understands the problems of parents of kids with autism and other behavioral difficulties managing their child’s healthcare. He developed a Facebook-like, but private, free Web-based healthcare management platform. Mercurian helps families organize family care teams – this can be anyone from a home care attendant to a relative to teachers and therapists. Team members can share as much information as they like to help track the child’s progress. The hope is that the data collected will help families notice changes in behavior, improvements in communications between families and professionals, and provide updates to schools and physicians.

Read original article: Senator Creates Website for Children with Autism

The ACDS knew that their work with kids with Down syndrome enabled them to help kids with other special needs.

The Association for Children with Down Syndrome/Lifetime Service for Individuals with Special Needs (ACDS) knew that their work with kids with Down enabled them to help kids with other special needs. Many kids with Down syndrome also are diagnosed with autism. They have increased their programming to help kids prepare not only for kindergarten, but for the grades and life to follow. Michael Smith, executive director of ACDS, said, “The very nature of Down syndrome made it feasible for the school to serve other populations. The different kinds of challenges presented by the disorder are so vast, working with a Down syndrome population has trained the ACDS staff to deal with all sorts of issues.” ACDS focuses on early intervention and Preschool preparation. Classrooms are filled with special needs kids and neurotypical kids; the kids have learned well together. The school looks typical, but is very visual and contains a sensory gym, and iPads have been recently added to improve communication and social skills.

Read original article: ACDS Prepares Students for Kindergarten and Life Beyond

This radio interview with Brett Lee, cricketer and part-time music therapist, told the story of a music therapy foundation for kids in India with autism.

This radio interview with Brett Lee, cricketer and part-time music therapist, told the story of a music therapy foundation for kids in India with autism. Mewsic, Lee’s foundation, works with The Music Therapy Trust to bring music as a healing tool to underprivileged children with special needs. In his own words, Lee explained, “We are teaming up to give autistic children a better chance in life. The empowerment of healing…. [A] lot of people are going to benefit from it.” Other members of the music therapy community contributed in the interview; Dr. Lucanne Magill, recently moved to India to help train music therapists who will eventually use individualized therapies for the children. India's National Centre for Autism is also playing a role.

Read original article: Aussie Cricketer Launches Music Therapy Academy in India

Chelsey King, a KSU graduate student in landscape architecture, is researching a school playground that targets kids with autism.

Chelsey King, a Kansas State University graduate student in landscape architecture, is researching a school playground that targets kids with autism. King, working with professor, Katie Kingery-Page, explained, “My main goal was to provide different opportunities for children with autism to be able to interact in their environment without being segregated from the rest of the school.” One of the features of the schoolyard is a place where children with autism can go when feeling stressed or over-stimulated. There are sensory areas that include a music garden where students can play outdoor instruments, an edible garden for horticulture therapy, a sensory playground, and a butterfly garden. While this is still in the research stage, King researched the project using Amanda Arnold Elementary School, a Manhattan KS magnet school for kids with autism, as a foundation.

Read original article: KSU Researcher Designs a Schoolyard for Children with Autism