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Marbles for Miracles |
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Volume 2, Number 3 |
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In This Issue · Affection and autism ·
· Massage Therapy · Readers Recipe Links www.utaharts.org connecting you to art www.ebay.com Buy the Co-founder Tim Wilson’s marbles right now www.usautism.org US Autism & Aspergers Association Upcoming Events in www.utahparentcenter.org April 13-14 Family Links North located in April 19th 8:30-2:30Spring Parent Conference Contact Marin at (801) 581-0194 www.utahparentcenter.org April 27th-28th Family Links South in conjunction with the Southern Utah Autism Conference located in St. George www.playproject.org May 10th-11th register through The Children’s Center; this workshop will help understand and implement “floortime” concepts Contact Us http://www.marblesformiracles.org brooke1@marblesformiracles.org tim1@marblesformiracles.org Topics for Upcoming Newsletters Diet change the first steps Services you are entitled to Alternative therapies Stress relief for parents Support groups for family Organic food choices GFCF, SCD, LOD Which diet does your
child need. Going GFCF DAN! Doctors Biomedical treatments Supplements Speech therapy Occupational Therapy The Star Program Floortime Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatments Coping with OCD Setting a routine in place to benefit
child and family IEP process GI issues the minds connection Environmental Toxins Sibling Issues The P.L.A.Y Project |
Affection and autismOne of
the myths that surround Autism is that Autistic Children show no affection
and often cannot accept affection from others. My mother in law once said to me, “He hugs
me when I come to visit; he can’t be autistic.” For some sensory issues do
affect the ability to touch them. They are either hyposensitive meaning the
touch may not even be acknowledged, or hypersensitive meaning the slightest
touch may trigger a tantrum or even cause them to become violent. Regardless
of the Child’s reaction, he or she does need to be touched, hugged and shown
love. Give your child prior warning, by asking for a hug. Given your child may not come running to you
with open arms, don’t be offended. If siblings are involved, they may imitate
them. Say everyday at a specific time (when you leave for work or they leave
for school) you give hugs, your autistic child will begin to do so. It will become a part of the routine. Ask
your child everyday, several times a day. Your reaction and persistence may just break
the barrier, and your child may realize what a great thing a hug can be. When this happens you will be overjoyed.
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Utah Kids is a group of
parents and caregivers, who offer support to each other through listening
to each other, offering advice to one another and just supporting each
other with the “YOU’RE NOT ALONE” mentality. Utah Kids a online Yahoo
group has a mission: ·
To facilitate
parent-to-parent networking and support. ·
To share
information, resources and experiences unique to parents and full-time
caregivers of children with special health care needs. ·
To teach
families how to be the best advocate for their children with special health
care needs. ·
To provide a
place where parents or full-time caregivers can know they are not alone in
the challenges they face. For more information or to join please visit their
website http://groups.yahoo.com/group/utahkids/ |
Massage Therapy
Sensory issues are so common in autistic children. Occupational therapists (OT) often use deep pressure techniques to help children become more aware of their physical being. Some techniques used are brushing, squeezing (one form is hugging) and weighted vests. But massage is another technique that can benefit the child greatly.
My son engaged in self injurious behaviors, endangering himself and others. He jumped off things constantly, ran people over as if they didn’t exist, yet you could tap him on the shoulder and he wouldn’t acknowledge it at all.
Our OT recommended we start deep pressure therapy, using pillows to squish him, wrapping him tightly in blankets and if possible having him receive a massage at least once a week. He began massage and within a month his aggression slowed down, he quit jumping from the top of furniture, and he no longer plowed his younger sister over as he ran by. He also became more aware of touch. Hypersensitivity and hyposensitivity need to be balanced; massage therapy can turn the hyper down and the hypo up to create a balance.
Marbles for Miracles is currently planning a massage workshop for parents in conjunction with the Zermatt Resort. This workshop will teach parents massage techniques to use at home with their child. Please watch for more information to come.
Reader’s Recipe
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*Rice
flour blend 6 cups
rice flour 2 cups
potato starch 1 cup
tapioca flour |
Pancakes 1 cup bean
or rice flour blend * 1 Tbsp
sugar 2 tsp
baking powder ¼ tsp
salt 1 egg 2 Tbsp
oil ½ cup
milk substitute Combine
flour, sugar, baking powder & salt. Add
egg, oil and milk substitute to dry ingredients and mix just until smooth. Spoon
2 tablespoons of batter onto hot griddle for each pancake. When edges are
dry and bubbles form in center, turn pancake once and finish cooking. NOTE:
Batter should just be thin enough to pour, but thick enough that the
pancakes hold the shape of a perfect circle. If batter is too thick
gradually add more water. This recipe is GFCF. |
