Exciting research from the Journal of Neuroscience was published which indicates that is takes less effort for the brain to register predictable images than unpredictable images. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, the researchers determined that the brain is not static waiting to process visual information, but attempts to predict visual information. When the brain is […]
In a recent study published in Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 49 children with a mean age of 5 yrs 6 months were evaluated with the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (M-ABC). The children were diagnosed or at risk for developing ADHD, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), developmental coordination disorder (DCD) or no diagnosis. All the […]
Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities has published a research article on the effects of weighted vests on the engagement of children with developmental delays and autism. Three participants (who had previously worn weighted vests) were observed in three different conditions – no vest, vest with no weight and vest with 5% of body […]
The Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders published research comparing the movement abilities of 91 children ages 6-10 with autism (28), ADHD (29) or typical development (34). The results indicated that children with autism or ADHD scored significantly lower than the control group on overall gross motor development, locomotor skills and object control skills. The […]
It is well known that children with autism and certain other disabilities benefit greatly from the use of visual supports throughout the day. Visual supports can be pictures, objects, written words, body language and cues. Some children use visual supports as a primary means of communication in the classroom and home. If this is a […]
The current issue of Neurology published research on handwriting abilities in children with autism (14 children with autism and 14 children without autism). The research indicated that children with autism displayed poorer quality in forming letters but size, alignment and spacing were similar to their peers without autism. In the study, motor skill level was […]
A recent study published in Current Biology reports on the sense of smell and memory. In the study the researchers noted that people remembered unpleasant smells the best. Associations of objects and good or bad smells made an imprint on the brain. This only occurred with smells and not sounds. In addition, functional MRI scans […]
Here is our latest issue of a digital pediatric occupational and physical therapy monthly magazine. If you can not view it below you can download a pdf copy.
Autism360 is a new website where you can share and learn about others with autism. It is a free service that matches a profile of someone with autism with similar people with autism and what types of treatment worked for them. You can track medical treatments and outcomes on the website. Essentially, it is an […]
Here is a video from the CBS Early Show on an artist with autism who has a photographic memory for architecture. This is true talent. (PS – Have to mention this: be sure to check out his pencil grasp. Just goes to show you that as long as the grasp works for you leave it […]