Influence of Art in ASD Children

Art is a part of humanity, and it's unthinkable to deny a child to the opportunity of creating something beautiful.

Dear readers, parents, teachers, tutors, Autistic Soccer can empathize that educating autistic children can seem like a challenge at some point. Indeed, it’s often hard enough to educate children without ASD, but to commit into getting and maintaining the attention of a child with autism when trying to teach them about something in which they have no interest whatsoever can seem, at times, nigh on impossible.

Kids with ASD may often require very specialized teaching methods in order to combat sensory issues, difficulties in focusing on certain things, communication issues, and possibly attention deficiency. These problems may lead many to wrongly believe that the child is stupid or unskilled, and a lack of socially interactive skills on the part of the ASD child does nothing to help this prejudice. The common perception is that children who can’t get along with school, can’t get along in the real world.

This can prove to be frustrating for parents who want to ensure that their child gets the best possible education and best possible start in life and thus his future. However, a little patience, understanding, and creativity when it comes to education, can go a long way if it’s done with the heart. The use of art as a teaching tool can have unparalleled effects in opening up an avenue of communication between student and teacher, and in engaging the interest of the pupil.

How Art Can Be Beneficial for Children Living with Autism

Art lessons for children have benefits of both practical and emotional nature. Some young autistic children may more than often struggle with their fine motor skills, for which the simple act of guiding crayons over paper can render a huge and noticeable improvement. However, as well as honing their motor skills, making drawings allows autistic children to communicate thoughts and feelings they may otherwise have a hard time to express. Viewing a child’s drawing opens a window into their interests, preoccupations, and emotions which may go unregarded in a child with ASD, who doesn’t communicate these things in a conventional way, but that doesn’t mean they must go unnoticed at all.

On similar instances, people with ASD can respond in surprisingly positive ways to creative teaching methods. Music, in particular, has been found to engage amazing responses from children with ASD. Many autistic children respond with far more enthusiasm to a music-oriented lesson or with a noticeable rhythm than they would to a more conventional lesson.

Some ASD children like the patterns and rhythms of music or chants (because they have order and harmony, notions that attract them), and these can benefit from, for example, math lessons phrased in rhyme, or chanted. Some other children like the opportunity that music gives to them to engage with others through clearly defined parameters, thus allowing them to socialize. Making music or singing a song with the rest of the class gives the autistic child a part to play, which is predictable and easy to complete yet simultaneously creative, expressive, and most important, inclusive. Making them feel included and important is one of the greatest ways a teacher can ensure that the mind of an autistic pupil is in tune with the class, that their attention is on the lesson and, this is vital, that they are enjoying the lesson.

A Special Note for Our Teachers and Parents

Visual aids can prove to be useful for those teaching autistic children. Those who provide resources for the teaching of autistic children recommend the use of visual aids to help clarify certain concepts which may be confusing for someone with ASD. Autistic children are less likely than other children to just accept the word that their teacher presents when the reasoning behind an action or concept seems incomprehensible.

Visual aids help to illustrate these concepts in an easier fashion, making them seem much more reasonable. This principle can be carried through into the classroom in general as well. Dear reader, here at Autism Soccer we recommend the use of a highly visually defined teaching area to help children get into a “learning” state of mind, and to make clear that you can’t act in this space as you would act at home (setting boundaries and disciple). Many autistic children appreciate clear boundaries and definitions because they bring order to a world they often find chaotic, and there is no more effective way of defining a boundary than through clear visual markers.

As you have read, here at Autism Soccer we care about art, education, and most important, our readers. Follow us on our social networks and don’t hesitate to leave your comments in the section below.

Not all autistic children despise the texture of paint on their fingers.

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These are the most popular therapies for autism recommended by parents

Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy have been very effective, reported by parents.

Being a parent carries great responsibility because they are always looking for the best ways to protect and take care of their children. Every parent of a child with autism has always been concerned about whether they're doing a good job, and even with their child's therapies, parents still want the best. Thanks to Autism Speaks, we can share these popular therapies for autism recommended by parents.

Since there are a lot of treatments, to get to these recommendations, parents look to doctors and specialists for approval, and even other parents with kids like theirs to get different opinions.

After asking a lot of parents, the final thoughts are that Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy have been the most effective.

What therapies for autism are recommended by parents?

1. Occupational Therapy (OT)

Occupational Therapy is a treatment designed to help people reach total control of all areas of their lives. OT takes care of developing and recovering certain aspects that may be missing. The treatment in children is usually very loose and with minimum assignments because their main duty is to learn and play. 

2.Speech Therapy (SP)

In speech-language therapy, a specialist will work with a child one-on-one. Therapists use a variety of strategies in this treatment, including:

• Oral-motor/feeding and swallowing therapy: This is centered on helping the child with the feeding and swallowing process. The therapist uses different oral exercises such as facial massages and different tongue, lip, and jaw exercises to stimulate the muscles of the mouth, using different food textures and temperatures to improve and reinforce eating, drinking, and swallowing.
• Articulation therapy: In this treatment, the therapist focuses on articulation exercises to enhance the correct way of pronouncing words and syllables working with fun activities for kids.
• Language intervention activities: The therapist will use objects such as books, pictures, games and sometimes talking to interact and stimulate language development in the child.

3. Applied Behavior Analysis Therapy (ABA)

Applied Behavior Analysis, or ABA, analyzes the behavior of the child and according to the results, proceeds to improve communication, self-care, and other skills that need reinforcement.

4. Social Skills Classes

Social skills classes are meant to promote the child's ability to engage and “tune in” with others by paying attention to verbal and non-verbal cues such as body language, facial expressions, eye gaze, and tone of voice. Different social skills are developed depending on the age of the child.

Early learners understand simple requests, questions, and comments, and develop a nurturing bond with caregivers, also improve their ability to engage with others. Older children answer more complex questions, talk and learn within a group and engage in positive interactions.

5. Hippotherapy (OT through horseback riding)

Hippotherapy is an occupational, physical, speech and language therapy treatment that uses equine movement. Riding is taught in a careful and supportive environment. There are certified instructors who lead all classes, and trained volunteers to ensure everyone’s safety.

-Hippotherapy, or equine-assisted occupational therapy, can be therapeutic for many children with sensory processing disorders.-

6. Gluten/Casein-Free Diet (GFCF Diet)

Gluten is found in products that contain wheat such as bread and other bakery goods, but also in a wide variety of other food products and Casein is a protein mostly associated with dairy products such as milk.

GFCF Diet is related to autism because if a person is having a reaction to these products, it may cause an inflammation that can damage the lining of the intestine and absorb molecules that normally are not absorbed by healthy intestines. These molecules or the inflammation can cause problems such as anxiety, mental difficulties and perhaps worsen the behavioral symptoms of autism due to interaction with the brain.

7. Psychiatrist/Psychologist sessions

Psychiatrist/Psychologist sessions are suggested for children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder because they have a higher rate of psychiatric disorders than the general population. Due that Autism shares a genetic basis with several major psychiatric disorders such as anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and ADHD, these sessions are highly recommended.

8. (5-way tie): Floor Time, Relationship Development Intervention (RDI), Picture Exchange Communication System (PECs), Swimming, and Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT)

Floortime allows an adult to help a child expand his circles of communication by meeting him at his level of development and building on his strengths. This treatment is often incorporated into play activities – on the floor; the goal is to help the child reach six developmental goals that contribute to emotional and intellectual growth.

Relationship Development Intervention is a program that has an approach dedicated to teaching new skills and improving motivation, all based on the child's level of development and interaction.

In PECS the child with autism will be able to initiate communication by handing out picture cards related to what he or she is thinking about. It could be a picture of food which means the child is hungry or an object which could mean that the child wants to engage an action regarding the object in the matter. Colorful images, pictures cut out from magazines, actual photos or even drawings can be used when using this system.

Swimming or Aquatic Therapy helps with autisms motor functions and sensory issues. A few ways aquatic therapy can help Autism Spectrum Disorder are:

• Better Oral Motor Skills. Some kids with ASD struggle with certain things like blowing out candles on a cake or sipping through a straw. But Aquatic therapy includes activities like blowing bubbles in water or blowing a ball across the water so that children can develop stronger oral motor skills.
• Help with Sensory Issues. Water has a calming effect, and some therapies include activities designed to help sensory issues.
• Better Swimmers. This therapy helps children become comfortable when the time to learn to swim arrives. Since water is a very delicate environment for children with ASD, the positive aspect is that the child will develop crucial skills for their adult life.

Pivotal Response Treatment, or PRT, is a behavioral intervention based on the principles of ABA. PRT is used to teach language, increase social, communication, and academic skills, and to decrease disruptive or self-stimulatory behaviors. The goal of PRT is to produce positive changes in the standard actions, leading to improvement in communication and play skills, social practices and the child’s ability to monitor his or her behavior. The child plays an essential part in determining the activities and objects that will be used.

The majority of parents choose occupational therapy since it is in charge of improving all the important aspects for the development of the child, such as motor skill development and social interaction, in a very generalized way but at the same time adapting to the needs of the child.

If a therapy isn’t mentioned on this list, it doesn’t mean that it doesn’t work. In order to start any of these treatments, the best option is to call a professional. This article only shares the opinion of therapies recommended by a significant amount of parents, because they brought the best results to their children. Every child is different, that’s why every treatment should be adapted to them; there’s no “perfect treatment”. In addition to the ones we have mentioned, remember that sports are an excellent alternative for your child to develop in a safe environment. If you’re in Miami, Autism Soccer is the best alternative for your child!

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What are some of the most effective autism treatments for your child? Find out!

From adopting a pet to Verbal Behavior Therapy, you'll find whatever treatment is best for your kid.

Autism is a very well-known disorder that affects a lot of people around the world; in the United States, it affects 1 in every 68 children, which includes 1 in 42 boys and 1 in 189 girls.

Every child or adult with autism is unique, that’s why every treatment plan should be exclusive to the person to whom it’s addressed. Treatments usually involve the person’s entire family and professionals, some programs may be based in at home with professional specialists, and trained therapists or sometimes parents get trained to serve as therapists for the child under the supervision of a specialist. Other programs may be delivered in a special center or even at schools. Usually, families choose to combine more than one treatment method.

The terms “therapy” and “treatment” may be used to refer to the program. The word “intervention” may also be used to describe the words treatment or therapy.

These descriptions are meant to give general information about each program. For more information, please contact a specialist.

The recommended number of hours of structured intervention ranges from 25 to 40 hours per week, during the preschool period. Many therapy methods described here will require more research before getting started because they are very complex. It’s a good idea to talk to experienced parents and make sure to have understood very well what is involved before beginning any therapy. And whenever is possible, observe the therapists in action.

There's an impressive amount of treatments for autistic children; it's time to choose the right one for your child.

What is Applied Behavior Analysis?

Applied Behavior Analysis, or ABA, has been used by hundreds of therapists to teach communication, self-care, play, academic, social, work and community living skills. There is a lot of research that has demonstrated that ABA is effective for improving their cognitive and language abilities.

Different models using ABA have come to view, all of which use behavioral teaching. ABA methods use the following three-step process to teach:

• A verbal or physical stimulus such as a request or command. This may come from a person or the environment.
• A resulting behavior, which is the subject’s (the child’s) response or lack of response to the stimulus.
• A consequence, which depends on the behavior. ABA’s main target is learning about skills and the reduction of challenging behaviors. Most ABA programs are highly-structured. The child is given repeated opportunities to learn and practice each step in a variety of settings. Each time the child achieves the goal, he receives positive reinforcement. Success is measured by direct observation, data collection, and analysis – all critical components of ABA. If the child isn’t making satisfactory progress, adjustments are made, based on the previous findings.

What is Pivotal Response Treatment?

Pivotal Response Treatment, or PRT, is a behavioral intervention based on the principles of ABA. PRT is used to teach language, increase social, communication, and academic skills, and to decrease disruptive or self-stimulatory behaviors. The goal of PRT is to produce positive changes in the standard actions, leading to improvement in communication and play skills, social practices and the child’s ability to monitor his or her own behavior. The child plays an essential part in determining the activities and objects that will be used.

What is Verbal Behavior?

Verbal Behavior (VB) is another behavioral therapy method based on the concept of ABA, with a different procedure to acquiring language. Verbal Behavior and classic ABA use similar structures to work with children. Verbal Behavior motivates a child to learn a language by developing a connection between a word and its value. Verbal Behavior may be used as an extension of an ABA program.

VB treatment is provided by trained psychologists, special education teachers, and speech therapists.

What is the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM)?

The Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) is a developmental, relationship-based intervention approach that uses teaching techniques consistent with applied behavior analysis (ABA). The goals are to foster social gains (communicative, cognitive, and language) in young children with autism. ESDM is proper for children with autism or autism symptoms who are as young as 12 months of age, through preschool age.

Adults providing ESDM, focus on behaviors involved in capturing and holding children’s attention; fostering their motivation for social interaction through highly enjoyable routines, using joint play activities as the medium for treatment, developing nonverbal and verbal communication, imitation, and joint attention. Also, using reciprocal, turn-taking exchanges inside joint activity routines to foster social learning. Early Start Denver Model has been shown to be useful for increasing IQ, language, social skills, and adaptive behavior if used as therapy for at least one year.

What is Floortime (DIR)?

Floortime is a unique therapeutic technique based on the Developmental Individual Difference Relationship Model (DIR). Floortime allows an adult to help a child expand his circles of communication by meeting him at his level of development and building on his strengths. Treatment is often incorporated into play activities – on the floor; the goal is to help the child reach six developmental goals that contribute to emotional and intellectual growth.

The therapist, or sometimes the parents, help the child reach a level of enjoyment, as well as participate in the child’s activities. The parent is instructed on how to move the child towards more elaborated interactions, this process is known as “opening and closing circles of communication.”

The intervention is called Floortime because the parent gets down on the floor with the child to engage him at his level, it’s considered an alternative to ABA and sometimes practiced with it.

What is Relationship Development Intervention (RDI)?

Relationship Development Intervention is a treatment of behavior modification through positive reinforcement. The goal of RDI is to improve the long-term quality life of autistic people by helping improve their adaptability, self-awareness, and social skills. RDI was developed as a parent-based treatment using dynamic intelligence; it's based on 6 objectives:

1. The ability to adapt quickly, change strategies and alter plans when circumstances change.
2. The ability to continually observe and regulate the individual’s behavior, so the person participates in spontaneous relationships.
3. The ability to reflect on past experiences and anticipate future scenarios the right way.
4. The ability to use a system of emotional feedback to learn from the subjective experiences of others.
5. The ability to solve problems that have no “right-and-wrong” solutions.
6. The ability to use verbal and non-verbal communication to express curiosity, interact, share perceptions and feelings, and coordinate your actions with others.

Remember that there are many treatments to improve the development of children and adults with autistic disorders, and these procedures are usually more effective when several are combined in a single therapy. Practicing sports is also a very effective therapy for autistic children, that’s why Autism Soccer was founded!

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