If you cannot find that helping your child to make emotional connections and the idea of not forcing your child into conformity to being 'typical' but respecting their differences is not important, then I find you rather 'spooky'.
What specific intervention do you have a problem with?
I'm not on the spectrum but since you are that changes things a little.
I will say this, I have yet to meet a psychologist (and I have met many) who can advise me on how to better relate to and communicate with my boys (including a greenspan specialist). They are both main-streamed. Both Pdd-nos, both recieve educational support at home with private therapists/instructors. The youngest receives ABA in-home. The eldest private lessons.
I don't believe I have ever 'bemoaned' having autism in my life. It's a challenge but one that I get a great deal of satisfaction from. I will edit my earlier post because it maybe unfair since you are perhaps unaware that you may sometimes cause offense to mothers with implications that their emotional connection with their children is in someway unhealthy. Perhaps you are unaware that this theme even exists.
Your website states that you make relationship based - intervention plans for children and their families for both at home and in the school enviroment. That is what I mean by considering yourself an authority on autism.
Well, had I known you were on the spectrum I wouldn't have responed in the manner I did. I apologise for upsetting you - if I did.
Hello!
I am a relative newcomer here. I read your article and was familiar with many of the concepts and techniques. I immediately recognized the similarities with, and the references to, Greenspan's Floortime Model, and I also recognized certain aspects of Sensory Integration Therapy. When my son was 2 and received early intervention for 6 months, these two methods of therapy were incorporated into both the speech therapist's and the occupational therapist's routines. From what I've heard and read, I get the impression that the Lovaas Method/ABA, etc is west coast based and more "proven" and the Greenspan Floortime Method is more east coast based and is becoming more and more popular, but I may be wrong. Of course both methods are used nationwide along with many variations as well as completely different therapies...
My question is, Who are you writing these articles for? Professionals? Parents? Both? Your article got a little bit lengthy and potentially boring in certain spots, but as I don't know who your target audience is or what your purpose is for writing the article, I may be off base. Please just take my comments as constructive criticism.
My mother e-mailed me yesterday after I sent her an article about autism. (I am a health care professional, she is not but is intelligent and experienced with children.) Bottom line: She said GET TO THE POINT! Simplify and translate these articles so that more people can understand leading to more help for my child and all children with autism. (And here I thought that it WAS clear and to the point!) Anyway, there you have it!
[QUOTE=DLEdmunds]If you cannot find that helping your child to make emotional connections My children have many emotional connections and the idea of not forcing your child into conformity to being 'typical' but respecting their differences is not important then I find you rather 'spooky'. But I'm not an authority on autism.
What specific intervention do you have a problem with? I don't have a problem with interventions..[/QUOTE]
From what you posted, you are now saying that you have no problem with the article I wrote at all then. The article focused on the concept of the importance of emotional connections, relationship, and a non-coercive approach. When I use the term 'entering their imaginative world", I am stating that our approach should be to enter their world, seek to understand the child for who they are, rather than forcing them to mimick the behaviors of 'typicals' as some behavioralist approaches wrongfully appear to do.
And again, I am asking what specific interventions (IN THE ARTICLE) do you ahve a problem with? "I don't have a problem with inteventions" does not answer the question.
I am not claiming to be an authority of any sort. I work with these children and find my work delightful. I have shared my work with a number of idnividuals and conducted presentations. My relationship based approaches usually meet with positive feedback. You are a new breed. I do wonder what type of program you use with your children. I also am in the autism spectrum, are you? Or are you solely one of the parents who bemoan how 'dreadful' it is to deal with autism?
Dan L. Edmunds, Ed.D.
The article was initially written for a presentation to Bachelor and Master's level therapists. Part of it was supposed to be a lit review of relationship based approaches. I could probably re-work a number of things, but I think there is some good content (I hope :) )
Anyone who wants to edit the piece, I would welcome!
Because I was never formerly diagnosed, I have not made mention of this on my website. I have worked with ASD children for about 7 years and greatly enjoy it. A lot of folks dread their jobs and if given the choice would stay in bed. It is such a blessing to be doing work that while challenging comes with so many rewards.
and to 'horizon', I apologize if I took a harsh tone with you.
I think we can all learn from each other. I have to mention that whereas I work with these kids and hve given presentations, the real authorities are not me or other professionals but the kids and their parents.
I would also be interested in knowing who the target audience is for this article. The first half I found is just basically quotes from books. Some of the second part makes sense, but is very hard to follow.
I read you bio, and it doesn't state anywhere that you are on the spectrum, and how long have you worked with autistic kids? The autism seems like a new entry on your bio.
I find the use of the 'imaginative' quite problematic and that's just the title......
edited because it was too harsh.
I have written an article and recently revised it detailing relationship based approaches in regards to autism. I would appreciate individuals' feedback.
The article can be found at:
http://www.geocities.com/stnektarios/autism.html
Dan L. Edmunds, Ed.D.