Please find the following, with < My Thoughts > by Sara Luker >:
How Will I Know?
#1 RED FLAGS & DEVELOPMENTAL CHECKLIST
Where To Go Next?
#2 SAFETY & SUPPORT
#3 PRIORITIZE WANTS & NEEDS
What To Do While You Wait?
#4 LOOK INTO PROGRAMS
#5 GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CHILD
&
Extended Book Reviews with
< My Thoughts > by Sara Luker
Enjoy!
================
Webpage Navigation on MENU
( 3 little horizontal stripes in upper left-hand corner of the webpage screen ) for...
Home Page, Blog Page, Gallery of Books, & List of Extended Book Reviews
with References & LINKS to websites about Autism & Amazon.com to view all books, if you wish..
(My Website Offers both PC & Mobil Versions)
Disclaimer: Just to let you know that I, Sara Luker, have put forth my best efforts to create the extended book reviews presented here on this website. I have permission from the authors to publish these Extended Book Reviews. This is just a sharing of stories of those who have gone on before you. Please, understand also that all health matters ALWAYS require professional medical decisions, diagnosis, and treatment by highly qualified and licensed individuals.
Recently, I have added “What to Do While You Wait” to the website. This collection of information is for educational purposes only. My hope is that you will not feel alone when dealing with the mysteries of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Know that I, Sara Luker, receive neither financial rewards nor other interests derived from this website. This has been created purely for the readers sharing information and for your enjoyment.
Regards,
Sara Luker
How Will I Know?
#1 RED FLAGS & DEVELOPMENTAL CHECKLIST
Where To Go Next?
#2 SAFETY & SUPPORT
#3 PRIORITIZE WANTS & NEEDS
What To Do While You Wait?
#4 LOOK INTO PROGRAMS
#5 GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CHILD
&
Extended Book Reviews with
< My Thoughts > by Sara Luker
Enjoy!
================
Webpage Navigation on MENU
( 3 little horizontal stripes in upper left-hand corner of the webpage screen ) for...
Home Page, Blog Page, Gallery of Books, & List of Extended Book Reviews
with References & LINKS to websites about Autism & Amazon.com to view all books, if you wish..
(My Website Offers both PC & Mobil Versions)
Disclaimer: Just to let you know that I, Sara Luker, have put forth my best efforts to create the extended book reviews presented here on this website. I have permission from the authors to publish these Extended Book Reviews. This is just a sharing of stories of those who have gone on before you. Please, understand also that all health matters ALWAYS require professional medical decisions, diagnosis, and treatment by highly qualified and licensed individuals.
Recently, I have added “What to Do While You Wait” to the website. This collection of information is for educational purposes only. My hope is that you will not feel alone when dealing with the mysteries of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Know that I, Sara Luker, receive neither financial rewards nor other interests derived from this website. This has been created purely for the readers sharing information and for your enjoyment.
Regards,
Sara Luker
UNDER... “What to Do While You Wait” you may want to understand about CAMs...
< My Thoughts >
**NOTE: Approach all of these Complementary & Alternative Medicine treatments with CAUTION. None have been approved for use for children and/or adults with Autism or Autism Spectrum Disorder and could be life threatening. I offer this only as an attempt to give you some information as to what you may hear or see when investigating Programs, Therapies & Interventions. A tip of the iceberg, so to speak. Now it’s up to you to investigate them thoroughly, before you move forward with a plan.
Protect your child and your wallet. And remember… that as well as creating a Therapy Program, the principal of the program has created a business which is bound by city, county, state, and/or federal business restrictions. This means that they must meet all professional standards, certification, and licensing requirements. It’s up to you to find out if they do. And… you are bound by any contractual agreements that you sign. Just saying… S.
#4C CAMs, COMPLEMENTARY & ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE Treatments (1 - 12 listed below) –
Remember: The following programs, therapies & interventions are described in alphabetical order, without intent or suggestion of status or effectiveness –
Such as –
NOTE: PROCEED WITH CAUTION. Complementary and Alternative Medicine are still very controversial and may even be very dangerous. Before starting any treatment program, investigate thoroughly, and ALWAYS, ALWAYS talk to your child’s doctor first.
< My Thoughts >
According to Senel (2009) Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) term is being used for defining health-related products and practices which are NOT part of conventional medicine. For example, herbal supplements, acupuncture, chiropractic manipulation; and more recently biofeedback and chelation.
Senel thinks that possibly disappointments with conventional medicine motivates people to try CAMs. Among the believers, she feels are those who ignore contradictive beliefs and lack of scientific inquiry. She thought the study reflected that the parents’ personal experience may have simply been about a change in diet, and/or increased exercise and/or relaxation. In other words, a more positive lifestyle change.
In the study mentioned here, parents reported that they were overall, very optimistic about this intervention. In study surveys, parents rated CAMs as either ‘improving their child dramatically’ or, ‘improving their child somewhat’. It was also stated that many of the requested parent surveys were not returned to the study, for whatever reason.
To learn more about CAM therapies, go to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine; https://nccih.nih.gov.
< My Thoughts > **Remember… As well as creating a practice or program, the principal must meet all professional standards, certification, and licensing. It’s up to you to find out if they do. Smiles.
Reference used:
Senel, H. (2009). Parents’ Views & Experiences About Complementary & Alternative Medicine Treatments for Their Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder. Springer Science & Business Media; Novemer 2009.
=================
< My Thoughts >
**NOTE: Approach all of these Complementary & Alternative Medicine treatments with CAUTION. None have been approved for use for children and/or adults with Autism or Autism Spectrum Disorder and could be life threatening. I offer this only as an attempt to give you some information as to what you may hear or see when investigating Programs, Therapies & Interventions. A tip of the iceberg, so to speak. Now it’s up to you to investigate them thoroughly, before you move forward with a plan.
Protect your child and your wallet. And remember… that as well as creating a Therapy Program, the principal of the program has created a business which is bound by city, county, state, and/or federal business restrictions. This means that they must meet all professional standards, certification, and licensing requirements. It’s up to you to find out if they do. And… you are bound by any contractual agreements that you sign. Just saying… S.
#4C CAMs, COMPLEMENTARY & ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE Treatments (1 - 12 listed below) –
Remember: The following programs, therapies & interventions are described in alphabetical order, without intent or suggestion of status or effectiveness –
Such as –
- acupuncture
- animal therapy
- auditory integration therapy
- chelation therapy
- creative therapy (art & music & dance)
- facilitated communication
- hyperbaric oxygen therapy
- immunoglobulin infusions
- massage therapy
- physical activity program
- stem cell therapy
- vitamin supplements
NOTE: PROCEED WITH CAUTION. Complementary and Alternative Medicine are still very controversial and may even be very dangerous. Before starting any treatment program, investigate thoroughly, and ALWAYS, ALWAYS talk to your child’s doctor first.
< My Thoughts >
According to Senel (2009) Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) term is being used for defining health-related products and practices which are NOT part of conventional medicine. For example, herbal supplements, acupuncture, chiropractic manipulation; and more recently biofeedback and chelation.
Senel thinks that possibly disappointments with conventional medicine motivates people to try CAMs. Among the believers, she feels are those who ignore contradictive beliefs and lack of scientific inquiry. She thought the study reflected that the parents’ personal experience may have simply been about a change in diet, and/or increased exercise and/or relaxation. In other words, a more positive lifestyle change.
In the study mentioned here, parents reported that they were overall, very optimistic about this intervention. In study surveys, parents rated CAMs as either ‘improving their child dramatically’ or, ‘improving their child somewhat’. It was also stated that many of the requested parent surveys were not returned to the study, for whatever reason.
To learn more about CAM therapies, go to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine; https://nccih.nih.gov.
< My Thoughts > **Remember… As well as creating a practice or program, the principal must meet all professional standards, certification, and licensing. It’s up to you to find out if they do. Smiles.
Reference used:
Senel, H. (2009). Parents’ Views & Experiences About Complementary & Alternative Medicine Treatments for Their Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder. Springer Science & Business Media; Novemer 2009.
=================
1. Acupuncture
Retrieved from: https://www.pacificcollege.edu/news/blog/2014/09/17/autism
Autism Treatment through Traditional Chinese Medicine –
The acupuncturist must meet national and state standards through examination and certification process, according to the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM).
Tongue diagnosis is a central piece of the Chinese medical diagnostic system because the tongue is the only organ that can be seen externally. Its condition - color, thickness, dryness, smell and superficial growth reflects the condition of the heart and helps doctors determine treatment. Autism has been treated with acupuncture and massage. These two methods can be a difficult undertaking. It can take time for a child to adjust to touch treatments.
Wong (2009) tells us that Chinese Herbal Medicine has been used throughout the ages as a complement to acupuncture in order to balance the body’s opposite forces of Ying & Yang to interconnect them. Many parents, Wong says, have taken herbal medicines themselves and don’t believe them to be dangerous. However, studies show there are many contaminants in botanicals and without professional knowledge of the plants, severe complications, even death can occur. He states that while many Western doctors are well-trained in acupuncture and herbal medicine, this therapy is still considered ‘unconventional’.
< My Thoughts > **Remember… As well as creating a practice or program, the principal must meet all qualifying professional standards, certification, and licensing. It’s up to you to find out if they do. Smiles.
Reference used:
Wong, V. (2009). Use of Complementary & Alternative Medicine (CAM) in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Comparison of Chinese & Western Culture; Journal of Autism Developmental Disorders; V43, p.2720 – 2725.
Retrieved from: https://www.pacificcollege.edu/news/blog/2014/09/17/autism
Autism Treatment through Traditional Chinese Medicine –
The acupuncturist must meet national and state standards through examination and certification process, according to the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM).
Tongue diagnosis is a central piece of the Chinese medical diagnostic system because the tongue is the only organ that can be seen externally. Its condition - color, thickness, dryness, smell and superficial growth reflects the condition of the heart and helps doctors determine treatment. Autism has been treated with acupuncture and massage. These two methods can be a difficult undertaking. It can take time for a child to adjust to touch treatments.
Wong (2009) tells us that Chinese Herbal Medicine has been used throughout the ages as a complement to acupuncture in order to balance the body’s opposite forces of Ying & Yang to interconnect them. Many parents, Wong says, have taken herbal medicines themselves and don’t believe them to be dangerous. However, studies show there are many contaminants in botanicals and without professional knowledge of the plants, severe complications, even death can occur. He states that while many Western doctors are well-trained in acupuncture and herbal medicine, this therapy is still considered ‘unconventional’.
< My Thoughts > **Remember… As well as creating a practice or program, the principal must meet all qualifying professional standards, certification, and licensing. It’s up to you to find out if they do. Smiles.
Reference used:
Wong, V. (2009). Use of Complementary & Alternative Medicine (CAM) in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Comparison of Chinese & Western Culture; Journal of Autism Developmental Disorders; V43, p.2720 – 2725.
2. Animal Assisted Therapy
In studies where children with autism are shown pictures of humans and pictures of animals in order to see which group they reacted to most; overall the children respond more to the pictures of animals.
The animals used widely in therapy with the child were the following –
< My Thoughts > It’s hard to know whether or not the animal is the determining factor in the child’s behavioral change. Reviews showed increased social interaction and reported attempted communication, during the presence of an animal. But, this was not supported with any empirical study that I could find.
In studies where children with autism are shown pictures of humans and pictures of animals in order to see which group they reacted to most; overall the children respond more to the pictures of animals.
The animals used widely in therapy with the child were the following –
- dogs
- dolphins
- horses
< My Thoughts > It’s hard to know whether or not the animal is the determining factor in the child’s behavioral change. Reviews showed increased social interaction and reported attempted communication, during the presence of an animal. But, this was not supported with any empirical study that I could find.
About Dog Assisted Therapy, Butterly, et al. (2013) interviewed “five providers who prepared dogs to work with a wide range of conditions and behaviors, mainly Asperger’s syndrome, autism and communication disorders. The majority felt that after placement of the service dog the recipient had improved attention span, communication skills, and increased familial cohesion.” They established that “the parent was to be the primary handler of the dog, to maintain the training of the dog and to ensure the safety and wellbeing of both the dog and the child.” They also found in their inquiry that recipients “tended to overestimate the gains” expected from the dog placement. But they also said that there were unexpected gains in the reduced anxiety, increased empathy, and increased activities as a family.
Grandgeorge and her colleagues (2012), did a study that “evaluated the association between the presence or the arrival of pets in families with an individual with autism and the changes in his or her prosocial behaviors.” This was a rather large study of 260 individuals with autism who had the ability to engage in pro-social behavior. Two groups were assessed (through a parent questionnaire) about the presence or absence of pets in the household and whether or not new pro-social behavior occurred in the child with autism.
In one group the children had been born into a household with a pet. In the other group, called the ‘pet arrival’ group, 5-year-old children were given a new pet. The results showed that the pet-child relationship was more qualitative (quality of pro-social behavior… ‘offering to share’ and ‘offering comfort’) than quantitative (number of times this behavior occurred). The conclusion was that more related studies were needed to better understand how the ‘pet-child’ relationship might improve pro-social behavior in the ASD child.
< My Thoughts > Just so you know… The field of Animal Therapy is relatively new, therefore licensing and credentials may not be standard throughout the nation. Look under Animal Assisted Therapy, as an Animal Therapist works on animals, not humans. Smiles. It seems that there are several degrees available, those who are Human Service Specialists already, who want to incorporate the use of an animal as part of their therapy program. And, those who can help a family obtain a service animal for their child for support and comfort.
And, just a little background in this area – My husband and I trained assistance dogs for handicapped children, for several years. For our program candidates to receive the dog we interviewed the families several times and we made home visits to assess the appropriateness of the setting the dog would be living in. We also had a strict ‘follow-up’ procedure where we made ‘surprise’ visits to the home to evaluate how the placement was succeeding. There have been cases where we found the dog chained-up in the backyard, or sharing space with other family dogs; instead of staying by the side of the child it was intended to serve and protect. At that point, contractually we had the right to remove the dog. Just saying.
< My Thoughts > **Remember… As well as creating a practice or program, the principal must meet all qualifying professional standards, certification, and licensing. It’s up to you to find out if they do. Smiles.
Note: To be followed by Dolphin Assisted Therapy & Horse Assisted Therapy, next post.