Excerpt from: My Special Needs Network (click for full article)
Nutrition : Autism has brought great insight into really examining what we put into our bodies. It has brought to the forefront the toxins of preservatives in medications and vaccines, but also how allergens can really effect function and behavior with casein and gluten intolerances as well as looking at vitamin supplements that could benefit us all.
Language and Communication : Autism has given us a plethora of the understanding of social communication as well as strategies and techniques to use when presenting language enriched material that can help many. Technology advances such as the IPAD and other software has shown to not only be an advantage for everyone,but essential for those with language needs in communication and expressive and receptive domains. Social stories work well with all members of my family. First and Then charts too. I am the queen of lists, visual schedules and plans.
Social/Emotional : As a teacher of children with Autism I believe with all my heart that the primary area with young children is to engage them social/emotionally. Get them beyond Fight Fright Flight and into a balance between their limbic and cognitive systems, that enable them to express empathy, helpfulness and genuine strategies and tools to be able to take chances and engage in higher levels of cognitive thought. There was great research about Emotional Intelligence being a better predictor of life’s success than a cognitive intelligence.
Instead of looking at the deficits, it is important to look at the glass half full and see all the gifts Autism has given, not just during the month of April, but every day.
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