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Meet Lisa H.… When the eldest of her two children, John Patrick, was diagnosed with autism in the mid-1990s, Lisa Higgins Hussman’s motherly instincts immediately kicked in. She knew she wanted to provide the … services would prove to be the difficult part. At the time, JP, as he’s more commonly known, was just 18 months old, and autism services were lacking in many areas of the country. Lisa knew JP would need applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy …
In-home therapy techniques help 8-year-old Grace K. learn and grow… Since being diagnosed with autism at age 2, Grace K. has grown into a joyful, loving 8-year-old girl who loves to express herself through dancing, … the truest meaning of the phrase, 'love needs no words.'” However, Grace also experiences unique challenges related to her autism. For example, she has difficulties expressing her emotions and often acts out when frustrated or misunderstood. … disabilities in Kentucky that pays for therapies, behavioral supports, day programs and other services to help people with autism live in the community as independently as possible. Grace will continue to get occupational therapy and speech …
Helpful Strategies to Promote Positive Behavior… and a sense of what is expected. This will reduce the anxiety and reactivity that results in aggression or other behaviors. Autism behavior support and strategies Celebrate and build strengths and successes : Tell him what he does well and what you … positive feedback and intersperse opportunities for success and enjoyment for you, your family, and your loved one with autism. Be resilient. Celebrate the fun and the good things! Use positive/proactive language : Use language that describes …
Seven things to know about Extended School Year (ESY) services… Summer is upon us! For some families of students with autism, the summer vacation is a welcome opportunity to participate in new activities, take a break from academic learning … offered during the COVID-19 pandemic if their child is unable to benefit from virtual learning. As it relates to COVID-19, Autism Speaks is currently advocating for expanded access to summer learning opportunities for students with autism. To see …
WHO Caregiver Skills Training shows promising results in Italy… A new study published this October in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders offers evidence that the World Health Organization (WHO) Caregiver Skills Training (CST) … three home visits and nine group training sessions, the CST program aims to help parents and caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) develop the day-to-day skills they need to better engage with their children. Through …
New study improves criteria to identify sleep problems in autistic children and adolescents… in Sleep Medicine has developed and validated a new cut-off value for the Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire for autism (CSHQ-autism), a common tool used to screen for sleep difficulties in autistic children and adolescents up to 17 years of age. The …
Meet Annie K.… unbridled resiliency, she has never relied on words to express herself - not because she doesn’t want to - but because her autism makes it extremely difficult for her. Diagnosed when she was two years old, Annie is considered minimally verbal and … her happiest and most fulfilling life. Learn more about Annie in this Q&A: How old was Annie when she was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder? Annie was 15 months old when we realized she wasn't developing according to the typical … so we began with a developmental evaluation. On the day before her second birthday, she was officially diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. In your experience with Annie, how important is early intervention? Early intervention is vital to …
Meet Tammy A.… I’m often asked why I’m so passionate about raising money for Autism Speaks and people with autism. I guess because I don’t have autism and I don’t have a child or family member on the spectrum, I’m an “outlier” of …
New CPT Codes for ABA Billing… been announced by the American Medical Association CPT Editorial Panel. These codes will take effect on January 1, 2019. Autism Speaks has worked for multiple years on the CPT Steering Committee seeking AMA approval of these new codes. We are … III (temporary). A workgroup was formed shortly after in order to revise the code set. The CPT Steering Committee included Autism Speaks, the Association for Behavior Analysis International, the Association of Professional Behavior Analysts, and …
Meet Kristen and Hudson T.… a time such as this, it is SO important to utilize any and all support you can get.” With the online resources provided by Autism Speaks, Kristen and Hudson have been able to better adapt to their new normal. “ Autism Speaks provides an abundance of links and resources that had helped us through the thick of adjusting to our new …