Hi all,
Last week I attended the Asia Pacific Autism Conference and one of the big take-home messages (which I am always going on about) was “how important it is to fit the therapy to the child rather than the child to the therapy”. This is incredibly important and also a great way of distinguishing good quality therapy from more generic approaches that may not be effective, or sustainable.
As you may know, I strongly believe that every child’s intervention plan needs to take into consideration the unique and individual differences of the child with autism. But what is equally important and often overlooked, is that the intervention must also take into consideration the values, circumstances, and lifestyle of the FAMILY for it to be most effective and sustainable.
This is why I love carrying out sessions in my client’s homes, because I get to know the family dynamics very quickly and how I can help incorporate therapy that respects the core values of the family, into their day-to-day activities.
This is important so that the family is strengthened and motivated by the therapy, rather than feeling like it is putting too much strain on the family unit, which can often be the case where families are also caring for other siblings who also have very individual needs. If therapy can be incorporated into your normal daily activities rather than being thought of as something else that you have to try to fit into your day, you will be much more motivated and inclined to do it regularly and consistently.
I chose to write about this today because I went to see a lovely family on the weekend who live in a two bedroom apartment with their four children and two grandparents. One of the children, Oliver, has been diagnosed with ASD. It is often not possible for this family to carry out extensive one-on-one therapy with their son because of the simple day-to-day demands of raising four children. Therefore it is critical that the therapy with their son is organised in such a way that fits in with the whole family.
They love to go to the park as much as possible so that the kids have an opportunity to run around and to get some fresh air and sunshine. The father told me that he tries to work on Oliver’s social and communication skills while they are playing on the swing, which is great. However as Oliver gets better at expressing his desires on the swing, saying things like ‘more’, ‘push’ and ‘higher’, he will eventually reach a limit of things he can talk about that relate to swinging on the swing. So in order to keep building his vocabulary and language skills he needs to be doing a range of different activities.
So I suggested that the father take a bag full of toys with them that he could use to play some simple interactive games (e.g: bubbles, balloons, a sheet/blanket, musical instruments) at he playground so that he can create some more opportunities for Oliver to expand his language. The father thought that this was a great idea and it would also take some pressure off the family by incorporating the new games into their time at the park.
I give you this example because it’s important for therapists and families to be creative and to ‘think outside of the square’ when working out how to incorporate therapy into the child and family’s everyday life. If doing therapy at the same time and in the same place on the same days every week is difficult or simply isn’t happening, then get creative and take your therapy with you! There’s no right or wrong, just endless possibilities!
Best wishes on your journey
Monique
P.S: If you have any thoughts or stories to share about this week’s article please leave your comments in the box provided below.
Tags: Connect Therapy, language development, therapists, therapy goals
My chield never shown interest in any kind of toys. We do not have any play ground near to my home to accomodate my son. please advice me further.
My son only likes certain toys. When he was younger he did not like toys until he saw the movie toy storey and thomas the tank engine – he could then identify where the toys came from and as a result he began to like toys. Now he collects marvel toys and comics and is completely obsessed with them!
Shyam, anywhere can become a playground, can you access a medicine ball? or a trampoline? kids with asd love these as they create a rythum and helps their brain to relax and they can focus better.
Be patient about lack of interest in toys,movies of other kids playing with toys, helped my son,maybe it could help yours, also any kind of boyish movies eg;Toy story,thomas the tank engine, spider man etc.
I sourounded my child with children that could tolerate my sons rejection and behaviours, eg play group, day care, respite care, council run family activities, local family outings,(letting people know about my son first) to the point where he could not ignore what other children his age do for play (only if it didnt stress him to much though)and finally 2 years later he will “play” with and along side others now. He still doesn’t play with toys like a typical child, and likes to be in control in social play, but with supervision he and the other children enjoy “playing”
Leeb my 5 year old is the same no interest then bang he is obsessed too.Every afternoon he dresses up as a character and jumps on his tramp, or plays chasey with me.
Hi Monique,
Your following lines are extremely valuable………..
“Take your therapy with you! There’s no right or wrong, just endless possibilities!”
Thanks
HI
mY SON IS NOT INTRESTED IN ANY ACTIVITY HE ONLY LOVE EATING WHAT IS THE
THEROPY TO STOP HIM EATING HE IS SEVEN YEAR OLD BOY LOOK LIKE TWELEVE
YEAR OLD HE IS 56 K.G IAM VERY WORRIED ABOUT HIM PLEASE TELL ME ANY SUGGESTION.
THANK YOU
hi my child bryce was diagnosed with ASD last june, he is unable to speak then. now he could say the alphabet and some words and already(after he is into ABA program),he now could focus,(sometimes only though). we did not go with the CfGF diet to him because he barely has the appetite to eat…milk only survives him. i’m i on the right track?
We have chosen home education for all of our children for this very reason, in order to make an academic program fit each child. Our home dynamics of education in the home has been so helpful for our autistic son. We have a picture of him painting at age 2 still in diapers. Learning for him was a way of life. He grew up observing it in the home all the time. I just want to echo Monique the importance of looking at each of our unique children and tailoring their education to them. We have every known type of learners in our home. My oldest is an auditory learner while my second child is a very visual learning. Still another who needs to move around in order for anything to sink in. Why should it ever amaze us as to the fact that children with autism ALSO vary in what works for them. Yes, they have learning challenges but yes, they are still very ‘typical’ in their need to have things taught to them in the way that they can grasp it. We go to the type of churches that have various preachers come in and out to teach Bible on Sunday morning. There are some preaching styles that I can grasp better than others. When I’m expected to learn something I want it taught ‘my way’…if it’s not I need to take the material home and reteach it to myself in away that I’m going to remember and use the information. Best to all. Enjoy your child. Enjoy his/her unique qualities. Keep yourself healthy and refreshed and take one day at a time!
Many thanks for the post. I liked it. You have a very good website.
I admire your web page , it has of lot of information. You just got one perennial visitor of this blog!
It sounds like you’re creating problems yourself by trying to solve this issue instead of looking at why their is a problem in the first place
[...] Since November 2006, the program has treated 25 families, with patients ranging from ages …Therapy needs to fit in with your family life | Connect TherapyTherapy for children with autism or ASD should be incorporated into day to day family life for it to [...]
@ Toy Stores. I’m not exactly sure what you mean. In my experience what I have suggested in this post has never been the cause of any problems for families.
At the core of all of my therapy work with families we explore the root causes of the child’s autism. In this article I am addressing just one very small part of the families overall treatment plan.
I’d like to know what you mean if you would care to reply.
Very valid, pithy, sucnicct, and on point. WD.