UNDER... “What to Do While You Wait, Investigate!”
#4C1 COMPLEMENTARY & ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE (CAMs), continued...
< 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.
The following programs, therapies & interventions are described in alphabetical order, without intent or suggestion of status or effectiveness –
2. Animal Assisted Therapy (Continued)
3. Auditory Integration Therapy
4. Chelation Therapy
NOTE: PROCEED WITH CAUTION. Complementary & Alternative Medicine (CAMs) are still very controversial treatments and may even be very dangerous. Before starting any treatment program, investigate thoroughly, and ALWAYS, ALWAYS talk to your child’s doctor first.
2. Animal Assisted Therapy ~ Dolphin, Horse (Continued)
#4C1 COMPLEMENTARY & ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE (CAMs), continued...
< 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.
The following programs, therapies & interventions are described in alphabetical order, without intent or suggestion of status or effectiveness –
2. Animal Assisted Therapy (Continued)
3. Auditory Integration Therapy
4. Chelation Therapy
NOTE: PROCEED WITH CAUTION. Complementary & Alternative Medicine (CAMs) are still very controversial treatments and may even be very dangerous. Before starting any treatment program, investigate thoroughly, and ALWAYS, ALWAYS talk to your child’s doctor first.
2. Animal Assisted Therapy ~ Dolphin, Horse (Continued)
About Dolphin Assisted Therapy, Rollins (2010) reveals that according to legends from around the world, the fascination and enchantment with dolphins goes back to time immemorial. Part of this euphoric and joyful experience could be based on the dolphins’ gentle behavior toward humans, she says.
She continues that although some research is available, most claims of the healing power of dolphins are anecdotal. And that the environment in which these interactions take place may also hold a key to the impact of freedom from gravity. Or, the buoyant force of flotation and immersion in water is known to have in releasing certain brain chemicals.
The programs she talks about involve both dolphins in captivity and in the wild. Therapy includes interactions at poolside – such as a swim offered as a reward for the completion of a task or a dorsal fin ride. More structured interactions are the activities where the participant is made to feel s/he is ‘looking after’ the dolphin by feeding or grooming it.
< My Thoughts > Finding and visiting dolphins near you, let alone Dolphin Assisted Therapy near you… could be a tough! One U.S. program that I found was named for, and continued in the name of a deceased person. No one else in the organization had his necessary credentials. The principal was there in ‘name’ only. Remember, you can only put your child in the most qualified hands when perusing any program. Just saying.
A European therapy program offered these qualifications for the professional staff, in their Dolphin Assisted Therapy program. This is just to use for comparison, unless of course you find yourself in this exotic place.
This program offers all of these professionals on staff during therapy times –
< 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.
She continues that although some research is available, most claims of the healing power of dolphins are anecdotal. And that the environment in which these interactions take place may also hold a key to the impact of freedom from gravity. Or, the buoyant force of flotation and immersion in water is known to have in releasing certain brain chemicals.
The programs she talks about involve both dolphins in captivity and in the wild. Therapy includes interactions at poolside – such as a swim offered as a reward for the completion of a task or a dorsal fin ride. More structured interactions are the activities where the participant is made to feel s/he is ‘looking after’ the dolphin by feeding or grooming it.
< My Thoughts > Finding and visiting dolphins near you, let alone Dolphin Assisted Therapy near you… could be a tough! One U.S. program that I found was named for, and continued in the name of a deceased person. No one else in the organization had his necessary credentials. The principal was there in ‘name’ only. Remember, you can only put your child in the most qualified hands when perusing any program. Just saying.
A European therapy program offered these qualifications for the professional staff, in their Dolphin Assisted Therapy program. This is just to use for comparison, unless of course you find yourself in this exotic place.
This program offers all of these professionals on staff during therapy times –
- zoologist/trainer with a specialty in dolphin behavior
- physical therapist who works with special needs children on both land and water
- speech development specialist/therapist qualified to use ‘earphone’ equipment.
- massage therapist trained in ‘aqua healing’ massage
- psychological consulting for both parents & children, by a trained professional
- registered nurse trained in water rescue and fist aid
< 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.
About Horse Assisted Therapy, O’Haire (2013) says that animals have helped many kids with autism improve their speech and social skills, but these case studies have been largely isolated. Now, the first scientific study of horse therapy finds its many benefits may have had to do with the rhythm of the ride. A study of 42 children with autism, 6 to 16 years old, found that riding and grooming horses significantly bettered behavioral symptoms. The author says she always speculated that the many behavior benefits of horse therapy were due to the child experiencing the simple rhythmic motion of riding on a horse.
Compared with kids who had participated in non-animal therapy those exposed to horses showed more improvement in social skills and motor skills. O’Haire continues, "I think the horse might serve as a surrogate motor system for individuals with autism." As well, rhythmic coordination issues underlie many of the symptoms of autism, including repetitive behaviors and difficulty in communicating. These impairments affect the unconscious social behaviors that most of us take for granted. Such as the rhythmic coordination of pausing after questions, or walking in step with others while talking.
< My Thoughts > The Equine Assisted Therapist requires and understanding of both horses and humans. The horse itself must complete and rigorous training program and be battle tested. Some of the therapist competency requirements are listed here –
- human psychology/human development
- facilitation skills with focus on client’s safety
- group dynamics managing & conflict safety
- equine psychology, behavior & welfare
- horsemanship skills
- management, technique & application of horse equipment
- supervision, mentoring, and assessment of client
**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.
References used:
Butterly, F., Percy, C., Ward, G. (2013). Brief Report: Do Service Dog Providers Placing Dogs with Children with Developmental Disabilities Use Outcome Measures and, if so, What Are They?; Journal of Autism Developmental Disorders; V43, p.2720 – 2725.
Grandgeorge, M. (2012). Does Pet Arrival Trigger Prosocial Behaviors in Individuals with Autism?; Public Library of Science: San Francisco, CA.
Raj, A. (2012). Horses Soothe Kids with Autism; Scientific American Mind; Vol. 23, Issue 3
Rollins, J. (2010). Swimming with the Dolphins; Letter to the Editor; Pediatric Nursing; Vol. 36 Issue 5, p234-234.
Additional Resource: From the author of The Horse Boy: A Father’s Quest to Heal His Son, by Rupert Isaacson; eBook Edition 2009 (Extended Review on my website www.sarasautismsite.com)... find Rupert’s Horse Therapy Resources for parents on: horseboyworld.com and kidsmustmove.com
3. Auditory Integration Therapy
The most well-known auditory integration therapy seems to be the Berard Method of Auditory Integration Therapy (AIT). According to the Berard website, http://berardaitwebsite.com/, the Berard Method of AIT is to be differentiated from any other sound-based programs. They say that the key program elements here require that each practitioner follow the Berard AIT protocol. The key points of this protocol include – 10 days of listening sessions, directly through the Berard AIT designed headphones. This audio stimulation is provided 2 times a day for 30 minutes each session. It is acceptable, they say, to have a 1 or 2 day break but only after the first 5 days of listening. The minimum age for beginning this program is 3 years old, and there is no upper age limit.
Sokhadzel, et al. (2016) tell us that an auditory integration therapy developed by Dr. Guy Berard was studied and it was found that AIT provides important promise, but that a more standardized procedure and collection of ASD-specific data needed to be gathered. These authors did conclude that auditory discrimination of infrequent changes in streams of auditory stimuli appeared to influence sensory processing in children with ASD.
They also found that low functioning children were not able to cooperate with the ‘audiometry’ test procedures which help determine the kind of music, auditory level, sound frequency and other necessary data needed to proceed. Some children were given fidget toys to keep their hands away from the required headphones. While others were able to quietly watch nature videos with the sound off, allowing practitioners gathered that individual’s data.
< 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:
Sokhadzel, E., Casanova, M., Tasman, A., Brackett, S. (2016). Electroysiological & Behavioral Outcomes of Berard Auditory Integration Training (AIT) in Children with ASD; Applied Psychophysiology & Biofeedback Journal; V41: p. 405-420.
The most well-known auditory integration therapy seems to be the Berard Method of Auditory Integration Therapy (AIT). According to the Berard website, http://berardaitwebsite.com/, the Berard Method of AIT is to be differentiated from any other sound-based programs. They say that the key program elements here require that each practitioner follow the Berard AIT protocol. The key points of this protocol include – 10 days of listening sessions, directly through the Berard AIT designed headphones. This audio stimulation is provided 2 times a day for 30 minutes each session. It is acceptable, they say, to have a 1 or 2 day break but only after the first 5 days of listening. The minimum age for beginning this program is 3 years old, and there is no upper age limit.
Sokhadzel, et al. (2016) tell us that an auditory integration therapy developed by Dr. Guy Berard was studied and it was found that AIT provides important promise, but that a more standardized procedure and collection of ASD-specific data needed to be gathered. These authors did conclude that auditory discrimination of infrequent changes in streams of auditory stimuli appeared to influence sensory processing in children with ASD.
They also found that low functioning children were not able to cooperate with the ‘audiometry’ test procedures which help determine the kind of music, auditory level, sound frequency and other necessary data needed to proceed. Some children were given fidget toys to keep their hands away from the required headphones. While others were able to quietly watch nature videos with the sound off, allowing practitioners gathered that individual’s data.
< 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:
Sokhadzel, E., Casanova, M., Tasman, A., Brackett, S. (2016). Electroysiological & Behavioral Outcomes of Berard Auditory Integration Training (AIT) in Children with ASD; Applied Psychophysiology & Biofeedback Journal; V41: p. 405-420.
4. Chelation Therapy
In an article called Metals in Medicine & the Environment, by the faculty at Virginia University faculty.virginia.edu/metals/cases/rasnake2.html, they talk about chelaton therapy in terms of its claims for usefulness in the treatment of atherosclerosis and of autism. They claim that children with autism are suspected to have put things with lead based paint in their mouth. Or, to have lead based paint in their environment. There are other man-made exposures to heavy metals in our homes in the form of treated lumber, paint, pesticides, herbicides, rodent poisons, contaminated seafood, old amalgam dental fillings and in prior mercury-based vaccines
The proponents of chelaton therapy believe they can remove high levels of heavy metals through their treatments. The danger here, the investigators conclude, is that the high risk of the administering intravenous chelaton therapy (in at least one case death has occurred) can be worse that the effects of having heavy metals in one’s body.
Brown University, in their Child & Adolescent Behavior Letter, November 2008, advises that using chelaton therapy may put children at risk for an uncertain medical gain.” And, they caution that the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has cancelled all plans of even studying this treatment, as it is too high-risk.
< 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.
References used:
Metals in Medicine & the Environment, by the faculty at Virginia University faculty.virginia.edu/metals/cases/rasnake2.html
Editors: Chelaton Therapy; Brown University Child & Adolescent Behavior Letter, November 2008.
NOTE about: “Programs, Therapies, & Interventions”
Information about INTERVENTIONS, THERAPIES, PROGRAMS, and/or TREATMENTS is presented without intent or suggestion of status or effectiveness; or even with the title of an autism ‘intervention’. Most places in the literature and even in some laws, the word ‘intervention’ is often used interchangeably with ‘instructional/educational program’, ‘therapy’, and ‘treatment’. The very word ‘INTERVENTION’ when used in the same sentence as ‘autism’ implies ‘cure’ or ‘long-term’ effect. That is NOT the intention here.
Autism ‘intervention’ as with the phrase, “Early Detection / Early Intervention” may simply mean an ‘action’, or an attempt to ‘change a course’ or trajectory of autism. Also, the expectation for success is that all ‘interventions/therapies/programs will have the cooperation of the participant, the parent, and/or the assigned therapist.
There are many different types of treatment programs, interventions, and services being tried by parents and schools. Also, your child’s challenges may require having several non-competing therapies at once. Therefore, carefully consider the cost and time involved for your child and your family. Be very careful to fully understand your obligations. Remember that gym/spa membership you paid for every month for three years, even though you only went there a few times? You could find yourself in the same type of situation.
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 us. 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.
Regards,
Sara Luker