Modelling: How Does It Work for Children With Autism?

Modelling is a useful intervention for teaching a variety of skills to children with autism who have well-developed imitation skills. It is a well-established teaching method that can be delivered by an actual person in front of the learner via filmed video that demonstrates how they should behave.👍

Modelling has been used to eliminate unwanted behaviours, reduce excessive fears, facilitate learning of social behaviours, and many more. It can help strengthen or weaken previously learned behaviours.

There are other well-researched techniques in ABA therapy to help your child who struggle with the developmental setbacks that come with ASD. We can discuss them with you in more detail by calling +65 6456 9950 or sending us your message here 📨 https://www.autismstep.com/contact/

#autismstep #autismsg #childwithautismsg #childrenwithautismsg #kidswithautismsg #autismtherapysg #modelling

Some autistic people report poor quality of life, but many do not

Autistic people vary widely in their quality of life, a new study shows. Some report shortcomings in their physical health and school achievement, among other areas, but many do not.

To help autistic people improve their well-being and satisfaction with life, researchers need a better understanding of what matters to individuals, says lead researcher Eva Loth, senior lecturer in forensic and neurodevelopmental sciences at King’s College London in the United Kingdom.

“It’s really important to consider each person and their circumstances individually, understand what aspect of quality of life is affected, why, and then decide with them what may be the most useful support,” Loth says.

Autistic people often report having a lower quality of life than non-autistic people do, a trend driven in part by social isolation and a diminished belief in their own capabilities, according to a study published earlier this year. They are also more likely to have anxiety or depression, which can impact a person’s ability to function in society and achieve life goals.

The new work suggests that anxiety and depression, not autism traits, explain why many autistic people score lower than non-autistic people across various measures of quality of life. It also shows that this gap closes for some autistic adults and children within specific areas, including physical health, leisure activities and school achievement.

Despite overall differences between the two groups, “individual quality-of-life outcomes vary, with some individuals clearly doing well,” says Judith Miller, senior scientist and training director at the Center for Autism Research at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia in Pennsylvania, who was not involved in the work. “We know we have a lot to learn about autistic individuals who are struggling. This paper shows we also have a lot to learn from autistic individuals who are doing well.”

Compounding factors:

Loth and her team analyzed survey data from 344 people with autism and 229 without autism who are part of a larger long-term European study. Adults completed a 26-item questionnaire about their physical health, psychological health, social relationships and opportunities for leisure activities. For children and teenagers in the study, parents completed a 45-item questionnaire that assesses physical and psychological comfort, risk avoidance, academic achievement and the availability of an adult to talk to about problems.

In every area, autistic people reported worse outcomes than non-autistic people, the study found. Two key areas showed the most dramatic group differences: Autistic adults reported higher levels of physical pain than non-autistic adults, and autistic children and teenagers lagged most behind their non-autistic peers in school achievement.

These differences did not reflect every autistic participant’s experience, though. On an individual level, almost half of the autistic adults reported levels of psychological health and satisfaction with friendships on par with those of non-autistic adults, and about 55 percent of autistic adults reported having similar opportunities for leisure activities as non-autistic adults.

For full article, please visit: https://www.spectrumnews.org/news/some-autistic-people-report-poor-quality-of-life-but-many-do-not/

Young kid lost at Our Tampines Hub searched for mother on touchscreen mall directory – AutismSTEP

One lost child at Our Tampines Hub devised a rather creative — and hilarious — way of attempting to find his family.

Tried finding mother on directory

In a story shared on POWER 98 Love Songs’ Facebook page, the person who took the photo revealed that it was a primary school kid around the age of 11 or 12.

The child was looking for his or her parents.

Some kids might wander around, head to the information counter, or perhaps ask other passers-by for help.

This particular child, however, ingeniously decided to search “mom” in the mall’s digital directory.

Naturally, the directory stated that no result is found.

It is uncertain if the person who took the photo decided to help the kid out, or how the kid was reunited with his parents in the end.

For full article, please visit: https://mothership.sg/2020/10/lost-kid-find-mother-directory/

Two special education schools to be redeveloped and located at new joint campus in 2025 – AutismSTEP

SINGAPORE – Two special education schools serving students with mild intellectual disability will have a joint campus, and redeveloped to accommodate more students.

Chaoyang School and Tanglin School, which are both run by the Association for Persons with Special Needs, will also have more facilities to cater to students across the autism spectrum.

The special education (Sped) schools will be located at the former Da Qiao Primary School in Ang Mo Kio in 2025. Chaoyang School is currently also located in Ang Mo Kio and Tanglin School is in Bukit Merah.

At the new site, Chaoyang School will provide 400 primary-level places and Tanglin School will have 350 secondary-level places. They currently have 320 and 260 students enrolled respectively.

Minister of State for Education Sun Xueling, who spoke to reporters during a visit to Chaoyang School on Thursday (Nov 5), said the schools hope to provide more places for children with mild intellectual disability who live in the north-Eastern and central regions of Singapore.

Ms Sun, who is also Minister of State for Social and Family Development, said it will be more convenient for families to have both schools located at the same site. It will also give the students a sense of familiarity.

For full article, please visit: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/parenting-education/two-special-education-schools-to-be-redeveloped-and-located-at-new

Teachers’ Day Training @ Red SchoolHouse

We are honoured to be invited to Red SchoolHouse for their Teachers’ Training for helping children with special needs in a school setting. The training was conducted in both English and Mandarin.  We are grateful for the warm welcome and like to also thank Red SchoolHouse for the gifts of appreciation.

We look forward to conduct more trainings for more preschools. Happy Teachers’ Day!

Teachers’ Training at Eshkol Valley

Our Clinical Director, Liyuan, had an opportunity to conduct a Teachers’ Training session for the teachers in Eshkol Valley Preschool today.

Eshkol Valley believes in all round nurturing for every child. The school accept children as young as 2 months to 7 years old and believes in keeping teacher to student ratio low so as to provide better attention and support for every child. They have also won Cherish Junior Award and Healthy Eating Award.

On behalf of AutismSTEP, we will like to thank Eshkol Valley for giving us the opportunity to share with their teachers what we know about Autism and how we can better help our children.

Liyuan, Clinical Director of AutismSTEP, on UFM 100.3!

Our Clinical Director, Liyuan, was featured on UFM 100.3 earlier today! Liyuan was invited to be one of the writer for a Handbook for parents with children with Autism. Mandarin radio channel, UFM 100.3, interviewed Liyuan to ask about his contribution to the book and also his journey as a therapist and tips for parents for children with Autism.

Below are some candid shots of Liyuan at Singapore Press Holding (SPH), while waiting for the interview.

Entrance

Waiting Area

Walkway to live studio

In the recording studio

Live interview!

Below is the footage of the whole interview!

Autism STEP won the Best in Early Intervention Programme for Children with Autism for the 2nd time!

Autism STEP has recently won the Best in Early Intervention Programme for Children with Autism for 2017/2018. This is the 2nd time that Autism STEP has won this title.

We will like to take this chance to thank all the families that has supported and trusted in us. We are also very thankful to have a great team of Case Managers and Therapists to have helped us be the 2 time winner for this award.

Preparation for Charity Run: Autism STEP Towel

We have just received the towel that will be one of the items within the goodie bag for the upcoming Autism STEP Charity Run that will happening on 30th September 2017 at 4.00pm at Punggol Waterway Park.

Tickets are still available for sale at: https://www.eventbrite.sg/e/autism-step-charity-run-2017-tickets-36242610624

Hope to see all of you on the 30th September 2017!

Autism STEP and National Parks Collaboration: To Build Playground for Children With Special Needs

National Parks has kindly invited Autism STEP as their consultant to give feedback and suggestions on a playground that they are going to build in Jurong Lake Garden (JLG) for children with special needs. St Andrew Autism School and Eden School are part of the consulting team as well. Liyuan, Clinical Director of Autism STEP will be representing Autism STEP to help out in this project.

A 2 hectares land size will be used to build a playground that will be suitable for children with special needs and disabilities. A total of 8 sub section will be created based on the characteristics of animals for our children.

Liyuan had went for the first meeting earlier today and has express great enthusiasm. He is also looking forward to see the changes that will be taking place in the next few years. The playground is expected to be completed in 2019. In no time, there will be a playground that will be designed and catered to our children.