It's Autism Awareness Month
Autism prevalence is estimated at 1 in 88 births. Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the U.S. 1 percent of the population of children in the U.S. ages 3-17 have an autism spectrum disorder.
There is no known single cause for autism, but it is generally accepted that it is caused by abnormalities in brain structure or function. Brain scans show differences in the shape and structure of the brain in children with autism versus neuro-typical children. Researchers are investigating a number of theories, including the link between heredity, genetics and medical problems. In many families, there appears to be a pattern of autism or related disabilities, further supporting a genetic basis to the disorder. While no one gene has been identified as causing autism, researchers are searching for irregular segments of genetic code that children with autism may have inherited. It also appears that some children are born with a susceptibility to autism, but researchers have not yet identified a single "trigger" that causes autism to develop. (Facts from www.autism-society.com) |
"When I met Sam, we established a remarkable bond through Yoga. His favorite poses are cat, cow, snake, and triangle. We practice Yoga together twice a week and share this common enjoyment with each other.
Sam is an amazing 9 year-old who has autism. Yoga offers the means to create a positive and enjoyable connection, which is incredibly important to a child like Sam. It is so rewarding to know that I can make a difference in the lives of children. "
-Kristin Epley Gardner
When I set out on my path of Active Care, my goal was to be able to reach every child. My goals sit stand. Every year, I take a class or training that will give me the ability to peel back one more layer of a child's world, becoming closer to understanding the core of connection.
It is important to me to support our community. Autism hits our community silently. Many families with children on the spectrum have trouble reaching out for help or don't know how to find quality resources.
Last year, I hosted my first fundraiser in attempts to help my local community create meaningful connections. Thank you to everyone who helped me achieve this.
This year, I am sending out a newsletter to showcase four companies that offer quality services for children with special needs.
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Occupational Therapy & Autism
Occupational therapy is a health related profession that focuses on helping people to perform meaningful and purposeful activities and achieve independence in different areas of their lives.People generally think that occupational therapy is only for adults; kids, after all, do not have jobs. But children do have "jobs"! Their occupation is playing and learning, and occupational therapists can evaluate a child's skills for playing, school performance, and daily activities and compare them with what is developmentally appropriate for that age group.
Children with autism spectrum disorders often need help with skills needed in school and daily living. Occupational therapy services for individuals with an autism start with an evaluation then an intervention program is created and implemented. It is essential during this process to collaborate with the child's family, caregivers, teachers, and other professional team members to understand and support the daily life experiences of the individual occupational therapy is one tool in the toolbox of autism treatments that can add to a child's independence and success.
In occupational therapy sessions children often look like they are simply "playing", which is exactly what the children who are participating think they are doing. As therapists, we have a variety of tricks to our trade that allow us to tap into a child's interests to provide challenging therapeutic activities aimed at improving areas of weakness. This may be through organized sensory play, creating obstacle courses, or incorporating yoga. OT's specialize in creating fun and novel opportunities for children to master their goals and achieve greater independence in home, school and within their communities.
Occupational therapy can be beneficial in helping children with autistic spectrum disorders with some of these challenges:
- Sensory problems such as hypersensitivity to noise, textures, being too close to others, visual input, or movement
- Difficulty attending to tasks and social interactions because the child is seeking sensory input (i.e. always on-the-go, excessively touching others)
- Handwriting difficulties
- Using scissors and other classroom manipulatives
- Getting dressed
- Feeding themselves
- Generalized motor coordination
- Playing and socializing with peers
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Children with Special Needs Love Our Swim Lessons & Aquatic Therapy
We are the best swim school in Los Angeles because we can teach ANYONE to swim. Typical swim teams & instructors use a one-size-fits-all approach that doesn't always work for children with unique physical, cognitive, or visual challenges.
Our skilled staff of professional collegiate & Olympic swimmers - certified in teaching for Special Needs - adapt their lessons for individuals & small groups of children with a wide variety of Special Needs.
We are equipped to teach children with:
 ADD, ADHD, Anxiety Autism Spectrum Down and CHARGE syndrome Sensory integration issues Auditory processing disorders Amputation Cerebral Palsy Spina Bifida Spinal cord injury Obesity Other disabilities
It's Easy to Get Started
Register: Call +1.323.364.Swim (7946) or online at OneWithTheWater.org Lesson Locations: various local community centers or in your own private pool
Scholarships: available for students in need of financial assistance
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