Friday, July 15, 2011

July holiday sessions


We have just concluded our holiday sessions, which included Thursday afternoons with the normal group, and two Wednesday afternoons with two new groups of kids.
One surprise was how similar the groups were, despite being filled with such unique individuals.

Playing wii

Firstly the normal sessions - we are now up to eleven, and things are going well. A few kids are not able to attend all the time do to other issues, which is perhaps to be expected. Considering that some kids are happy just using laptops, we perhaps have room to cater for 9 kids so we are always full and using our time and space well.
We took a relaxed approach to things during the holidays and didn't push anything. We pulled out the Wii and old megadrive so the kids could play games together.
For these kids there is value in playing competitive social games - it teaches them to socialise, and to accept losing.
We had a minecraft competition and thanks to some generous contributions from Logitech were able to award all of the kids with a set of headphones as a prize. We hope that this will also help with the noise issue, it's very very loud during these sessions. I often wondered what was going to happen with a group of kids who are all happy to talk 'at' each other, and now we know, it gets louder and louder, until everybody is shouting to be heard. That said, it's not an annoying noise, it's more like a fun party with computer music in the background.


Wow hoodie

The extra sessions also went well. All up we had around 15 new young people in and I think all with the possible exception of one(who was not Asperger's) enjoyed themselves. Quite a few asked if they could come back.
In the first session all of the participants played minecraft, nearly all of the time. Many had already played, those who hadn't picked it up straight away.
In the second session they all played minecraft at some stage, but they also played some wii, world of warcraft, and terraria amongst other games.
The parents seemed happy but Trish and Stefan would know more about how that went.

Parent's room

July holiday sessions


We have just concluded our holiday sessions, which included Thursday afternoons with the normal group, and two Wednesday afternoons with two new groups of kids.
One surprise was how similar the groups were, despite being filled with such unique individuals.

Playing wii

Firstly the normal sessions - we are now up to eleven, and things are going well. A few kids are not able to attend all the time do to other issues, which is perhaps to be expected. Considering that some kids are happy just using laptops, we perhaps have room to cater for 9 kids so we are always full and using our time and space well.
We took a relaxed approach to things during the holidays and didn't push anything. We pulled out the Wii and old megadrive so the kids could play games together.
For these kids there is value in playing competitive social games - it teaches them to socialise, and to accept losing.
We had a minecraft competition and thanks to some generous contributions from Logitech were able to award all of the kids with a set of headphones as a prize. We hope that this will also help with the noise issue, it's very very loud during these sessions. I often wondered what was going to happen with a group of kids who are all happy to talk 'at' each other, and now we know, it gets louder and louder, until everybody is shouting to be heard. That said, it's not an annoying noise, it's more like a fun party with computer music in the background.


Wow hoodie

The extra sessions also went well. All up we had around 15 new young people in and I think all with the possible exception of one(who was not Asperger's) enjoyed themselves. Quite a few asked if they could come back.
In the first session all of the participants played minecraft, nearly all of the time. Many had already played, those who hadn't picked it up straight away.
In the second session they all played minecraft at some stage, but they also played some wii, world of warcraft, and terraria amongst other games.
The parents seemed happy but Trish and Stefan would know more about how that went.

Parent's room

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Some very useful information on Irlen Syndrome, Occupational Therapy (inc. stimming) and auditory processing from a new parent

At yesterday's Lab holiday session, one parent had a lot of very useful information to pass on about strategies for working with syndromes connected with Aspergers, based on extensive research and experience with her son.

Here are the details from her:


Irlen syndrome

http://www.dyslexiaservices.com.au/melb.htm

Individuals with Irlen Syndrome perceive the printed page and sometimes their environment differently. They must constantly make adaptation or compensate. Individuals are often unaware of the extra energy and effort they are putting into reading and perception.

Reading may be slow and inefficient, or there may be poor comprehension, strain, or fatigue. It can also affect attention span, listening, energy level, motivation, work production, and mental health.

People with Irlen Syndrome are often seen as underachievers or having behavioral, attitude or motivational problems. These problems can also coexist with other learning problems, such as attention deficit disorder, dyslexia, or autism. Treatment for Irlen Syndrome can alleviate many of the symptoms of these disorders in many cases."

We help children and adults suffering from

  • Reading and learning problems
  • Dyslexia
  • ADD/HD, Autism and Asperger Syndrome
  • Behavioral and emotional problems
  • Headaches, migraines, fatigue and other physical symptoms
  • Light Sensitivity/Photophobia
  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI), whip lash, and concussions
  • Certain medical and visual conditions
  • spatial and sensory issues.


Irelns is different to behavourial optometry, as Irlens is based on what colours in the light/colour spectrum the eye and brain register and how that can affect how the brain interprets the visual information given, where as behavioural optometry is based on how the Visual system works ( the mechanics of it) and believe that milestones in visual development have not been met and it is possible to restore these by exercises. They do NOT address all the visual and cross sensory issues in ASD.

The Irlen Lenses have been life changing for myself and my son. The Lenses help control the visual stimulation that we receive. It is truly amazing the world that has now opened up to us. The biggest improvement was recognising and addressing the body spatial issues we had, but also the reduced uncontrolled anxiety that we had when we were visually over stimulated. Wow to go shopping in a super maket with out melt downs, and for myself the head aches.

One thing i do recommend if you are considering this, is when you get screened for the actual Lenses and the tint. To Ask Gloria to test for photo sensitivity and for Flurescent lighting.

Occupational Therapy

Highly recommend, through the use of sensory integration, you can teach your child to eventually self regulate.

if your child is stimming, like for example spinning, that is an indication that the vestibular system is not providing enough feed back to the brain.

you can use an office chair but in my case i purchased a dizzy disc from the states.

http://www.autismcoach.com/Dizzy%20Disc.htm

the following link is a shop in Australia that sells the Dizzy disc Jr

http://www.therapytoyshop.com/

Vestibular motion/movement also impacts on auditory processing issues.

Auditory Processing

the following is a link for an extensive over view of CAPD

http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/ears/central_auditory.h

Educational Audiology, Eddie Keir. 23 Waterdale Rd, Ivanhoe, 3079. Tel: 03 9499 1683.