Autism therapies & treatments – Page 2 – Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre

Imitation Difficulties Among Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A…

December 11, 2015June 5, 2018

Childsplay — *Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net*

By OTARC Honours student, Ms Lacey Chetcuti

Copying others is important for development. It provides a way to learn about the physical world, and a context for children to practice and develop their skills for interacting with others. There is evidence to suggest that children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) imitate less often and less accurately than typically developing children. While several explanatory theories have been put forward for these findings, the specific reasons for imitation difficulties remain unclear.

Sensory processing interventions

December 11, 2015June 5, 2018

What is the evidence basis for sensory processing interventions?

Boy in ball pit — *Image courtesy of Suri Nualpradid at FreeDigitalPhotos.net*

Could early infant screening and intervention help prevent autism?

July 14, 2015June 5, 2018

Kristelle Hudry, La Trobe University and Andrew Whitehouse, University of Western Australia

Among the many available therapies and early interventions for children with autism, only a few are backed up with solid scientific evidence. But here’s some good news: recently, the quality of autism early intervention research has improved significantly.

Autism assistance dogs

June 25, 2015June 5, 2018

Are Autism Assistance Dogs suitable for children of all ages?

When should an Autism Assistance Dog be introduced to a child with autism?

Read more “Autism assistance dogs” →

How to spot an Autism Spectrum Disorder in school-age…

March 4, 2015June 5, 2018

A diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder is based solely on behaviour and is usually diagnosed by age four. Shutterstock — A diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder is based solely on behaviour and is usually diagnosed by age four. Image: Shutterstock

By Kristelle Hudry, La Trobe University

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD; which now includes former diagnostic labels such as Autistic Disorder and Asperger syndrome) is a life-long neuro-developmental disorder. It first shows itself early in life, emerging across toddlerhood and into the preschool years.

Infographic: Autism & Vaccines

February 10, 2015June 12, 2018

The movement against vaccinations continues to make news with numerous articles across all media, and public health experts are required to continuously defend vaccinations.

This topic is not a theoretical one…it affects the lives and health of many.

Diet changes for children

December 18, 2014June 5, 2018

Have any studies have been done on diet change for children with ASD?
Are gluten and casein-free diets helpful as a treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Read more “Diet changes for children” →

Children with early signs of autism receive treatment in…

September 23, 2014June 5, 2018

Dr Giacomo Vivanti & Professor Cheryl Dissanayake

Research underway for many years at La Trobe University has been supporting the very early identification of Autism Spectrum Disorders in infancy and toddlerhood with the view of promoting optimal development by access to early intervention. Recent research by Sally Rogers and her colleagues of the MIND Institute, published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders this week describes the first controlled study documenting outcomes of infants with signs of autism who received treatment in their first year of life, well before the age at which autism is usually diagnosed.

Translating evidence-based treatments into effective childcare programs for young…

June 30, 2014June 5, 2018

Dr Giacomo Vivanti

There is increasing evidence that intensive implementation of educational programs can be efficacious in improving outcomes in young children with autism. One of the most promising early intervention programs is the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), a play-based intervention specifically targeting the educational needs of preschoolers with autism. Research conducted in the US indicates that the program is efficacious in the context of intensive individual home treatment. Read more “Translating evidence-based treatments into effective childcare programs for young children with ASD – yes we can!” →

Understanding Outcomes, One Child at a Time

March 19, 2014June 5, 2018

By Dr David Trembath

N1 program: Understanding Outcomes, One Child at a Time

As a parent, speech pathologist, and researcher in the field of ASD, I am yet to meet a child who does not learn, laugh, and grow in his or her own unique and important way. Indeed, it is the idiosyncrasies in our children that as parents we love and celebrate, which make classrooms interesting and fun to be in, and which inspire us to tailor the way we teach to each child’s interests, strengths, and personality. But how can we best chart each child’s individual course of learning in early life, and make discoveries from the different ways they learn? How can we measure intervention outcomes in a consistent manner when working with children with a spectrum of individual strengths and needs, while implementing a variety of different interventions? In a new clinically-focused research project we are attempting to address these issues, one child at a time.

Category: Autism therapies & treatments