Importance of Art Therapy, Biomedical Treatments, First 100 Days Kit, Non-English Resources for Autism, Autism Resource for Military Families

"I see people with Asperger's Syndrome as a bright thread in the rich tapestry of life."

Short Note From The Editor:

I've had the honor of serving and supporting individuals with autism and developmental disabilities for almost 40 years now. I came into the profession at the tail end of deinstitutionalization and the beginning of community support services. As I've been doing research for this blog, I've been impressed by all of the services, supports, resources and information available on autism. Just as important, I've been impressed by the great strides that have been made in human dignity. We still have more work to do. But one thing is certain: this is a profession that should hold its head high---it's done a remarkable job in a very short period of time.

Art and Autism:

For those of us familiar with supporting and serving individuals with autism, it's apparent people with autism exhibit a high degree of creative ability as well as excellence in many areas.  It's one of the many reasons why art therapy helps people with autism be more creative. It also helps individuals address some of the other difficulties such as the emotional expressions of frustration and anger. Art therapy, like academics, requires individualized attention. It's imperative to find the right kind of art therapy for each individual. In short, this means developing a plan of treatment  specific to an individual. Art therapists usually set goals to target the following areas:Tony Attwood.

• Imagination/Abstract Thinking Deficits
• Sensory Regulation and Integration
• Emotions/Self-Expression
• Developmental Growth
• Recreation/Leisure Skills
• Visual-Spacial Deficits

For more information on art therapy, visit http://arttherapyandaustim.com/

4 Your Bookshelf: 

• The Art of Autism: Shattering Myths about People Living on the Autism Spectrum by Debbi Hosseini.
• Reaching the Child with Autism through Art: Creative Activities that Improve Sensory, Social and Language Skills by Toni Flowers.
• The Girl Who Spoke with Pictures by Eileen Miller.

Sidebar:  What exactly are some of the major biomedical treatments available for individuals with autism/Asperger's? According to Dr. James B. Adams, Ph.D., they include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Improving Diet
• Food Sensitivities/Avoiding allergic foods
• Vitamin/Mineral Supplements
• High Dose Vitamin B6 and Magnesium
• Amino Acids
• Melatonin
• Thyroid Supplements
• Immune System Regulation

The entire summary can be found at Autism Society of America (http://www.autism-society.org/)

Focus On Resources:

• Autism Speaks offers a, "First 100 Day Kit." This tool kit is designed specifically to assist families in getting the critical information they need in the first 100 days after an autism diagnosis. This tool kit is free.
• Philly Health Information of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia offers non-English resources for autism in many foreign languages. Access them at: http://www.phillyhealthinfo.org/

Resource For Military Families: Operation Autism is a resource guide for military families. They have a useful military families blog. They also include a link to autism and military health care and tips on moving and other transitions. If you know a military family touched by autism please alert them to this outstanding resource(www.operationautismonline.org/)

Up-Coming Events:

• Run for Autism: Rite Aid and Cleveland Marathon, Half-Marathon and 10K. Sunday, May 15, 2011. Cleveland, OH. Event Information: www.clevelandmarathon.com/
• Walk Now For Autism Speaks. Saturday, May 21, 2011. Kelly Park. San Jose, CA. Contact #: 707.778.3840.
• 5th Annual Autism Charity Golf Tournament. Friday, May 20, 2011. Chase Oaks Golf Club in Plano, Texas. Contact #: 972.527.7777.

Jerry J. Komar, M.Ed.