Colouring books

Click icon for a review of  The Healthy Coping Colouring Book and Journal.        Have a look at Amazon for this book and others like it.       People say that they are more than simple colouring books.

Family Graffiti 

Family Graffiti is a Grantham based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy group for parents – including those with an autistic child.         Children learn via their cognitive process. They are constantly receiving and retaining information from everything they see, do, hear, witness, touch, taste… but children are psychologically ‘tuned in’ with their primary carer.    Therefore, cognitive behavioural therapy is quicker, more effective and longer lasting when it is delivered via the parent.         Click an icon to browse their on-line media.

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Can autism be cured?

Autism is a life-long condition – it cannot be cured.        But there are a range of methods of enabling  and assisting learning and development.

• For information see:  Causes & ‘cures’        guide         strategies & approaches
• Click play button   for the video The Forgotton History of Autism
• See also   SEN support          CAMHS in Familes          The science 

Responsive Communication

The Caldwell Autism Foundation is building a network of skilled practitioners across the UK to provide Responsive Communication support.         Click icon for the website.         It seeks to address the needs of hard to reach individuals.          Click play button for a list of video clips.        They offer detailed insights into the way the autistic mind works.        The Caldwell Medical Centre is also listed on the NHS website.

Food Challenges

Click icon to view Options helpsheet, Facing food challenges for those with autism & sensory processing differences.

Dance movement psychotherapy

Options Group has produced a help sheet about dance movement psychotherapy.        They say that it is about creating a safe place in which to explore movement, dance, props and play.        See Specialist services about Options Group.

Rapid Prompting Method

Establishing the effectiveness of an approach to helping children with autism can be vexing.       The Rapid Prompting Method (RPM) is a relatively new communication technique developed for people with severe autism.         It is controversial and is, at best, only applicable in a minority of cases.         Click icon for more about it.     

Here is an intelligent Critique.       The author believes that the method is still at an exploratory stage.        He is, at time of writing, sceptical about its potential.

Asperger Experts

Danny Raede has discovered for himself ways of understanding and coping with the difficulties he experiences as someone on the spectrum.            He has formed Asperger Experts to guide and support others in the same boat.
See: website        basics          blog            e.g. Be with that  is a handy idea and technique to help to cope when feeling overwhelmed.

Counselling

See Kooth on-line support in Growing up or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in Adults.

Aroma-therapy & reflexology

To ease symptoms of stress, you might consider aroma-therapy or reflexology.

Sensory rooms

Where funds allow it may be possible to adapt a room in your own home.         GAIN cannot recommend any items of equipment or their use.        An occupational therapist may be needed to advise on what would be safe and effective.        Just to give you an idea of what is available, here is one source of sensory equipment.         Here are some ideas of who might benefit and what could be selected.

Mental wellbeing & support

While autism is about development rather than mental health, people with autism may have mental health issues too.

• CASY – Counselling and Support for Young People.         CASY provides a confidential counselling service to young people aged from 6 – 25.   Their counsellors are available in many schools, at thier office in Newark and a number of community venues throughout Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire.        See:  introduction         website         what we do        contact us
• YoungMinds is a UK charity that offers information to young people and children about mental health and emotional wellbeing.         See:  introduction         website         feelings & symptoms         CAMHS-guide          See also CAMHS below.
• Childline is a free, private and confidential service where you can be yourself.       Get in touch about anything:  online, on the phone at any time.       See website.

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Please be aware that we, at GAIN, are not qualified to give advice.              See disclaimer.