10 tips for eating out with children on the autism spectrum:

The Mighty featured 10 tips for eating out with children on the autism spectrum:

http://themighty.com/2016/06/tips-for-going-out-to-eat-with-an-autistic-child/ 

Legos helping kids with autism to build social skills

Legos® is helping children with autism to learn social skills! read the article at the Huffington Post link below.

My (Danny Pettry) focus as a practitioner is providing services for children with abuse-reactive/ trauma needs. However, from time to time I’ve provided services for children with (usually higher functioning) Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Of course, social skills trianing can benefit many children.

REad the article here: 

http://snip.ly/ro9ew#http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/lego-based-therapy-children-with-autism-social-skills_uk_5721efb9e4b06bf544e15ddf

Asperger Experts - support service

Hello RT friend:

There is a site titled, Asperger Experts. It provides information.
The service costs money. Please note that I [Danny Pettry] am not affiliated with them. I do not gain any income or rewards if you sign-up. I'm not a member.

I do have an odd fascination with Aspergers, which is part of the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in the DSM-5.

I've briefly disclosed from time to time that I think I have a mild form of Aspergers.
As a child, I was fascinated with state license plates. I collected a toy license plate from all 50 states and DC! and I remembered the numbers for my parents and grandparents cars. I called our Subaru nhd-4-93 for years or by her nickname "roo." I also had sensory issues with certain types of clothing that would drive me crazy. It wouldn't bother the average person, but it did me. Imagine wearing an uncomfortable, itchy sweater. There are certain types of clothing that I feel more sensitive about compared to others.

Here is the link-a-doo:

https://www.aspergerexperts.com/go/plus/

Early signs of Asperger Syndrome:

From Cure Health: Early signs of Asperger Syndrome:

http://www.curehealth.info/early-signs-asperger-syndrome/

Danny P. comments: Although Asperger Syndrome is not in the DSM-5, it is part of the Autism Spectrum.

Despite not being a diagnosis, there are some people who still associate with the “Aspie culture.” 

Martial arts for children with autism spectrum disorders.

I am a big fan of the RT Wise Owls.

There was a great research article by Rhonda Nelson, Ph.D, CTRS, MT-BC, associate professor at Temple and three students who are in the M.S. recreation therapy degree program at Temple: Alexis Bell, Kelly Palace, and Morgan Allen.

The article outlines the benefits of a martial arts program for children with autism spectrum disorders.

I have provided services for children who had previous dx of aspergers, which was taken out of the DSM-5. I do find children with ASD to be very interesting and fascinating.

I was hesitate to share this information about myself. I've often wondered if I am not on the spectrum.  Here are some reasons:

• I have always had off fascinations with things like states and capitals, U.S. presidents, license plates, interstate numbers.
•  I had strong sensory problems with certain types of clothing that would drive me crazy as a child. Imagine having an itchy sweater X10. That is what it was like for me to wear certain types of clothing. As a teen, I was able to pick out more of my own clothing. As an adult, I do the same, but I have also learned tolerance. 
• I had poor social interactions. I was shy, backwards. I lived a lot more in my head. 

Regardless, I don't have a dx. I do think having some of those odd character traits listed above help me to be more empathetic when providing services for children who have autism spectrum disorders. 

Here is a link to the RT Rise Owls article I was telling you about:

https://rtwiseowls.files.wordpress.com/2016/01/using-martial-arts-to-address-social-and-behavioral-functioning-in-children-adolescents-with-autism-spectrum-disorders_final_accepted.pdf

Autism Documentary

I [Danny Pettry] am real excited about this! 

This was shred today by a RT via the listserv by Dr. Candy Ahston-Forrester:

PBS To Air Autism Documentary

A documentary focusing on how people with autism experience love and manage romantic  relationships is set to appear  on PBS. " Autism In Love" will air on the networks "Independent Lens" series in January.

This film allows us to get to know four remarkable people, who have opened up their  lives in such an intimate and deeply personal way in front of the camera. Their courage  to reveal the struggles and challenges they face allows us to understand and empathize with them.

      "Autism In Love" will air on PBS on January 11th at 10pm ET.

For more information on the film visit www.pbs.org/independentlens/films/autism-in-love

St. Peter's Catholic School has a new autism and special needs unit

St. Peter’s Catholic School (Mansfield, Ohio) has a new autism and special needs unit.

I’m very pleased to see they will be offering recreational therapy and have a rec. therapist on staff.

It appears they’ll be offering an interdisciplinary approach, including:

Speech and language therapy

Occupational therapy

Physical therapy

Play therapy

And some applied behavior analysis components.

Check it out here:

http://www.richlandsource.com/education/st-peter-s-helping-students-with-autism-special-needs-blossom/article_36bf4486-9ac7-11e5-9c5b-0b84ac3e0b6c.html

And as always – if you need Rec Therapy CEUs, visit my site here:

http://www.dannypettry.com

He is not Rude. He has Aspergers

Aspergers is not in the DSM-5.

However, I had met some people who have Aspergers at a conference once. They called their group, "Aspies," if I recall correctly. They said you can take it out of the DSM, but they claim they still exist.

The diagnosis is now under Autism Spectrum Disorder in the DSM-5.

Here is an interesting article, titled: he's not being rude. He has aspergers.


http://www.mythreeaspies.com/blog/-hes-not-being-rude-he-has-aspergers

Drama Club could help kids with Autism

There is a really neat article that RTs might want to read about.

Theater/ drama can help kids with Autism to develop skills.

Read about it here:


http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2015/10/05/theater-training-skills-autism/20848/

Elephants used in therapy to help kids with autism Check

Check out this article:

Elephants are being used in therapy to help children with autism:

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/trunk-therapy-how-elephants-are-helping-thailands-autistic-kids-n433636

RTs in the News: Shelly Beaver!

 Beta Sigma donated $1,000 to assist with a sensory garden.

Twenty nursing studneted helped too!

The camp is also part of the college’s summer Kid’s College, which is a two-week sensory-based educational enhancement program created to assist children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Shelly Beaver, a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) is mentioned in the article. You’ll have to read the article to see what she has to say.

Go here:

http://www.altoona.psu.edu/now/news.php?value=5143

Surfing to help children with autism to improve social skills

Here is another report posted at RT Wise Owl on how surfing can help improve social skills for children with autism:

https://rtwiseowls.files.wordpress.com/2015/08/riding-the-waves_final.pdf

Autism and Creative Thinking

I really enjoy articles at the Huffington Post.

here is one on Autism and Creative Thinking:


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/autism-creative-thinking_55d1ef49e4b07addcb4362d9?ir=Science%253Fncid%253Dnewsltushpmg00000003&kvcommref=mostpopular

Shelter dog helps boy with autism

Here is a story about a shelter dog helping a boy with autism hug his mother for the first time:

http://www.today.com/pets/shelter-dog-helps-boy-autism-hug-his-mom-first-time-t17686

FREE kindle book on autism:

This book is free on the kindle today (Feb. 17, 2015).

Understanding Autism

I am a big fan of Carly!



Here is her book: