A mental health crisis is escalating: the number of children needing specialized help for mental health disorders is increasing as the number of educators that are qualified to handle these situations decreases.
9
MAR
MAR
0
Helping individuals with cognitive disorders or those who want to improve their brain function is the mission at Optimal You Brain Center (OYBC) – that mission is now supported by an additional designation as a Certified Autism Center, a certification from the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES).
OYBC has a history of success working with many children who have varying special needs. Earning the Certified Autism Center designation from IBCCES, which requires additional training and certification, demonstrates the team’s commitment to serving all individuals who visit the center.
6
MAR
MAR
Sebastian Riding Associates has earned the designation of Certified Autism Center (CAC) to help ensure children and adults on the autism spectrum have the best possible experience when receiving equine assisted therapy from the nonprofit. It is the first of its kind in the nation to receive the certification.
The designation, awarded by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), indicates that at least 80% of the staff have been trained and certified in autism, as well as a commitment to ongoing training. For Sebastian Riding Associates (SRA), this also meant training long-time volunteers who work with staff to provide services.
6
MAR
MAR
Do you ever feel like you are struggling to communicate with your child? Are constant tantrums challenging your daily routine or interfering with your child’s ability to learn and function?
In this big, fast-paced world full of distractions and frustrations, it is easy to forget that everything can look and feel so much bigger to a child. What happens when we don’t have the tools we need to cope with big feelings and challenges? When we don’t understand these feelings or the environment and its triggers? When we aren’t able to communicate what we feel or think or need appropriately? Now, conversely, imagine something wonderful happens, but you are unable to share it because you lack the communication skills. This has the potential to turn an exciting moment into a frustrating one.
5
MAR
MAR
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.
4
MAR
MAR
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.
1
MAR
MAR
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.
6
FEB
FEB
One of the most common questions I get as a dentist is how to make the experience more positive for children with autism.
A dentist’s office is full of strange sights and sounds, and I’ve seen firsthand how upsetting this can be to children with autism.
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to both prepare your child as well as give their dentist the tools they need to put the child at ease during any dental procedure. This is important, as a trip to the dentist is a vital part of good oral health for children with autism as much as it is for those without.
5
FEB
FEB
Do not pace back and forth when waiting in line for airport security. Airport personnel will become suspicious. Be aware of your hypersensitive visual sense and avoid looking too intently at the many and varied stimuli in airports. This can make other travelers anxious. When headed to the restroom, do not touch every seatback as you move through the airplane’s aisle. Although you need this for vestibular balance, it invades the private space of passengers. When an international flight is canceled or delayed, employ your autism-based proclivity to systemize; tell yourself airports in every country work the same way and there are set procedures for dealing with change.
These rules are just some of the internal narratives I have developed enabling me to successfully travel around the world sharing my vision about autism and Asperger Syndrome – while being on the spectrum myself.
18
JAN
JAN
Feeling anxious is a fairly normal reaction when experiencing exciting, stressful or new situations. However, students who experience anxiety at school could potentially have a more serious anxiety disorder that requires treatment.
Anxiety becomes an issue when it begins holding the student back from opportunities, such as participating in extracurricular activities or social engagements. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that approximately 25% of teens between 13 and 18 years old have an anxiety disorder and slightly less than 6% have a severe anxiety disorder.
This means one out of every four teenagers is struggling with anxiety that is negatively impacting their daily life.
14
JAN
JAN