by Robert Jason Grant Ed.D, LPC, RPT-S, ACAS

Several years ago, I received a referral to provide therapy to a young boy diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This was my first referral to work with a child with ASD. I quickly realized that my mental health license and my training in play therapy were missing something to fully and effectively work with this child and his family. I began searching for established ASD treatments I could learn and incorporate into my work with this young person and other clients struggling with similar issues. Along this journey I eventually integrated models and evidence-based practices to create a protocol for mental health therapists and especially play therapists called AutPlay® Therapy. This was satisfying in my individual clinical work, but I still felt somewhat isolated in terms of a profession identity and accountability regarding my work with ASD.

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By Dr. Thomas Romero DC, Neuroplasticity Professional, Optimal You Brain Centers

Do you find yourself telling your adolescent child “You Need An Attitude Adjustment”? For decades we have been told that cranky teens are just part of life. Know that this condition is treatable. Most bad dispositions and chronic fatigue can be treated with neuroplasticity techniques. “Brain Games!” Not the kind that your child has been playing on his or her tablet or phone. These are scientifically developed brain exercises that stimulate the frontal lobe to achieve maximum brain function.

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By Dr. Thomas Romero DC, Neuroplasticity Professional, Optimal You Brain Centers

Pertaining to children with autism, we’re going to take a look at the task-negative mode and task-positive mode areas of the brain. These are located in the Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and are important to focus on patients with autism. Why? Because studies have shown that the corpus callosum in patients with autism has decreased in size (meaning a decrease in commissural fibers, axons that go from the left hemisphere to the right hemisphere of the brain) and they have more projection fibers (this being axons within the brain that go from the back of the brain to the front of the brain). This is important to identify as it shows how the projection fibers are in abundance within certain areas which results in over-stimulation of areas within the brain and also under-stimulation of crucial pathways that exist that the commissural fibers run through.

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