Parent/Teacher Resources
Website of Swami Anubhavananda
Swamiji gives countless insights about life in general, inspires me to be a better human
Website of Swami Yogiraj Nanak Chand
Swamiji has inspired me deeply to meditate and by doing so, changed my life.
TIME FOR LEARNING - Homeschool curriculum
https://www.time4learning.com/curriculum/demos.html
SPED HOMESCHOOL COMMUNITY
TYPING.COM
https://www.typing.com/student/lessons
EYECANLEARN.COM
Excellent resourse for parents and teachers about the fundamentals of Vision skills and disorders. It includes helpful exercises to inmprove vision skills.
MISS JAMIE OT - Excellent resourse for OT worksheets, recommended courses, advocacy, and more!
American Associaton of Occupational Therapy
A Tip Sheet for Parents and Teachers
NUTRITION AND HYDRATION and AUTISM:
Avoiding the following may help to reduce symptoms: food coloring, white flour, dairy, sugar. Research shows that these products may have a correlation with symptoms.
HYDRATED with WATER – avoid soda and processed fruit juice. Dilute juices if needed.
EYE CONTACT, SAFETY AWARENESS, and AUTISM
CHILDREN ON THE SPECTRUM CAN BE HIGHLY SKILLED OBSERVERS AND MAY BE SENSITIVE TO OTHER PEOPLE’S EMOTIONS. Adults and peers model eye contact, social, and coping skills. Our full attention during interaction helps teach focus.
MIRROR WORK: Use of a mirror can help teach the brain awareness of the body in relation to the environment. Once you can acknowledge your reflection, you will better notice others and the environment around you. It can help a child focus at times.
PLAYING A LIVE ACOUSTIC INSTRUMENT AND/OR SINGING: The music does not have to be in tune. Important thing is that the performer is able to express him or her-self musically and feel accepted unconditionally. Music is a universal language. It helps to facilitate speech, emotion, and connection. The vibration of a steel string acoustic guitar or singing may access areas of the brain that help to facilitate cognition, emotion, social skills, and focus. It is helpful if the adult models eye contact during the music activity.
STRENGTHENING EXERCISES
POSTURE AND CORE MUSCLE DEVELOPMENT TO SIT UPRIGHT AT THE TABLE IS REQUIRED BEFORE ONE CAN SUCCESSFULLY ADDRESS HAND AND FINGER STRENGTH. We get the best results when the activity is meaningful and fun! It also helps to encourage use of the pointer finger during fine motor activities. Children and adults on the spectrum tend to avoid using the index finger. They may also avoid integrating both sides of the body during actiivity such as catching a ball, an activity that uses both hands together.
Exercises for older children:
Wall Push-ups, jumping jacks, Introductory Yoga and/or workout DVDs that you can perform with your child, helping to carry packages during food shopping, chores around the house, ripping paper into little pieces (helping with shreding), popping bubble wrap, theraputty games, put a rubber band around feeding utensils and/or writing tool (This will help with improving grasp patterns and tactile awareness.)
Exercises for younger children:
Wheelbarrow and/or bear walking on hands and feet, (with supervision:) ripping paper into little pieces (pretend snow) , Legos, pop beads, lacing cards, clothespin games, play dough, put a rubber band around her writing and/or coloring tool and asking him or her to squeeze the rubber band to help strengthen grip, popping bubble wrap, theraputty or play-doh.
Recommended Reading:
"The Out of Sync Child," by Carol Kranowitz
“Children With Emerald Eyes: Histories of Extraordinary Boys and Girls,” by Mira Rothenberg
"The Way I See It: A Personal Look at Autism and Asperger's," by Dr. Temple Grandin