The Head Band
From Kate: Another great creative tool to help you design fun and exciting interactive games with your children. This will help not only lengthen your child's interactive attention span, but also encourage your child to look at you more.
Just click on the video below. If you are on Facebook right now - click on the title of this blog, then on "View original blog" which will take you to where the video is stored.
Enjoy being silly and playful with your children.
With much love to all,
Kate
Just click on the video below. If you are on Facebook right now - click on the title of this blog, then on "View original blog" which will take you to where the video is stored.
Enjoy being silly and playful with your children.
With much love to all,
Kate
Labels: Creativity, Fun and Games, Kate
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Thursday, March 4, 2010
From Kate Wilde: Sleep take 2
What to do when your child won't stay in their bedroom when it's time for you to leave?
Firstly make sure you start the bedtime routine at the same time in the same order each night, this will help your child to get a sense of what is coming next, thus giving them a sense of control and predictability.
It is important for you to help your child be able to get to sleep on their own verses using you as a sleep tool. Follow the link below to a previous blog I wrote on this particular subject:
ttp://www.autismtreatmentcenter.org/blog/2009/04/sleeping-children_10.php
Thus it is helpful for you to leave your child's room before they actually fall asleep.
If your child comes out of their bedroom do some version of the following.
1. Adopt this thought, "My child has been loved and played with all day, he is well fed and now the only thing it is time for is sleep, he will get many benefits from his sleep, more than me playing another 30 minutes with them" - Your child may try to convince you that they "need" many different things "before" they go to sleep, this is just a ploy to get more time with you.
Their job is to push the boundary - your job is to hold it firm for them.
2. Sweetly take them back to bed, letting them know that it is time for them to stay in their bedroom and sleep. Do this as many times as it takes, do not play with them or try to engage with them, this will only make the process fun and interesting for them, you want them to understand that you mean business - it is time for them to stay alone in their bedroom to sleep.
One Mom who implemented this with her child had to take her back to bed 30 times on the first night, then 22 times the second night, then only 2 the third night and that was it. It is your consistency and follow through when helps our children know that it is time for bed.
Wishing you all a peaceful nights sleep :)
Kate
Labels: Kate, Self-Help Skills, Sleep
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Tuesday, March 2, 2010
From Kate wilde:Sleep
Sleep - arrrhhhh what a great word that is, MMMMMM sleep is so rejuvenating, and healthful for our bodies. When we sleep our bodies only concern is to repair and regenerate. When running a Son-Rise Program sleep plays a vital role for you as parents and also for the health and well being of your child.
When we as parents are rested then everything we do during the day will be easier Like most of you I have experienced long stretches of days with "sleep deprivation" and even with a great attitude it can be challenging. For new born babies - this is unavoidable, but once our children no longer need to be fed at night, you can do things that will help your children sleep through the night for 10-12 hours!
Which means in turn that YOU can sleep.
Oftentimes we are taking care of what our children are eating putting them on great diets for Autistic children, giving them healthy vitamins and supplements, carefully measuring out the timing and the amount of food and supplements we give our children, but don't give the same about of care and structure to the sleeping routine of our children.
Sleep routines are formed by habit, I wake up at 6am each morning even if I do not have to get our of bed at that time, or no matter what time I went to sleep the night before, simply because my body has created this habit. We as the adults can help our children stick to a bedtime routine to help their bodies remember a pattern of sleep that is useful for them.
How to create a sleep routine for our children on the Autism Spectrum, or their typical siblings.
1. Believe that it is possible.
2. Do not start a routine unless you believe that you can follow through with it. Your children will know if you do not intend to keep to the routine.
3. Believe that if you and your child sleeps, then everything else you do for your child during their waking hours will be so much more effective.
4. Pick one and stick to it, do not vary it. This is not about helping your child interact with you, it is about helping your child understand that it is time for bed, that they can put themselves to sleep and sleep through the night.
5. The routine can be anything you want it to be, its up to you, just stick to it.
A sample routine.
1.At 6.30pm the house becomes very calm, the lights are dimmed, click on the link below for the C D "Sleepy Baby" a great CD to play when you want your child to become sleepy. No rough and tumble games are played anymore.
http://www.amazon.com/Music-Babies-Sleepy-Brahms-Mozart/dp/B000068IFD/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1267554900&sr=8-1
2. 6.45-7.15pm - bath time and PJ's.
3. 7-7.15-7.30 - two stories, one song, and a kiss on the head - then Mom and Dad always leave.
Remember this is just a sample - you can create one with different time lines, and different steps according to what will work for you and your child, the trick is YOU keeping to it.
Blogs to come, "What to do when your child gets up during the night."
"What to do when your child keeps leaving his room and won't stay in his bed."
Here's to a good night sleep for all.
Love to you and your lovely children
Kate Read more!
When we as parents are rested then everything we do during the day will be easier Like most of you I have experienced long stretches of days with "sleep deprivation" and even with a great attitude it can be challenging. For new born babies - this is unavoidable, but once our children no longer need to be fed at night, you can do things that will help your children sleep through the night for 10-12 hours!
Which means in turn that YOU can sleep.
Oftentimes we are taking care of what our children are eating putting them on great diets for Autistic children, giving them healthy vitamins and supplements, carefully measuring out the timing and the amount of food and supplements we give our children, but don't give the same about of care and structure to the sleeping routine of our children.
Sleep routines are formed by habit, I wake up at 6am each morning even if I do not have to get our of bed at that time, or no matter what time I went to sleep the night before, simply because my body has created this habit. We as the adults can help our children stick to a bedtime routine to help their bodies remember a pattern of sleep that is useful for them.
How to create a sleep routine for our children on the Autism Spectrum, or their typical siblings.
1. Believe that it is possible.
2. Do not start a routine unless you believe that you can follow through with it. Your children will know if you do not intend to keep to the routine.
3. Believe that if you and your child sleeps, then everything else you do for your child during their waking hours will be so much more effective.
4. Pick one and stick to it, do not vary it. This is not about helping your child interact with you, it is about helping your child understand that it is time for bed, that they can put themselves to sleep and sleep through the night.
5. The routine can be anything you want it to be, its up to you, just stick to it.
A sample routine.
1.At 6.30pm the house becomes very calm, the lights are dimmed, click on the link below for the C D "Sleepy Baby" a great CD to play when you want your child to become sleepy. No rough and tumble games are played anymore.
http://www.amazon.com/Music-Babies-Sleepy-Brahms-Mozart/dp/B000068IFD/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1267554900&sr=8-1
2. 6.45-7.15pm - bath time and PJ's.
3. 7-7.15-7.30 - two stories, one song, and a kiss on the head - then Mom and Dad always leave.
Remember this is just a sample - you can create one with different time lines, and different steps according to what will work for you and your child, the trick is YOU keeping to it.
Blogs to come, "What to do when your child gets up during the night."
"What to do when your child keeps leaving his room and won't stay in his bed."
Here's to a good night sleep for all.
Love to you and your lovely children
Kate Read more!
posted by Kate Wilde at
9:58 AM
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Monday, March 1, 2010
From Kate: Building Ideas
Click on the video below to see some building ideas that you can use with your child on the Autism Spectrum. As always, it isn't the game itself that is important when encouraging our children to interact with us, but how much WE are enjoying what we are presenting to our children.
Do let us know how these ideas are helping your children - and do post any variations and experiences you have using theses so that other parents can benefit form your experiences.
If you are on Facebook right now, click on the title of this post, then on"View Original Post", then on the video itself. You can also view this video on YouTube.
Much love to you all
Kate
Do let us know how these ideas are helping your children - and do post any variations and experiences you have using theses so that other parents can benefit form your experiences.
If you are on Facebook right now, click on the title of this post, then on"View Original Post", then on the video itself. You can also view this video on YouTube.
Much love to you all
Kate
Labels: Creativity, Fun and Games, Kate, Son-Rise Program Staff
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Friday, February 26, 2010
From Kate Wilde: A video Blog Library.
After mastering the complexities of YouTube I have now finally and successfully uploaded all of our video blogs on to YouTube. As of right now we have over 25 on a variety of different subjects. There are many theme ideas, building ideas and different adjustments you can make to your Son-Rise Program playrooms to inspire more creativity.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXxfuBJBlpU
There are video blogs helping you with your energy excitement and enthusiasm, also on different Son-Rise Program techniques and 8 or so dedicated to the concept of creativity, playfulness and being silly- all vital parts of reaching your child on the Autism spectrum.
Use these videos to inspire and educate your team of volunteers or staff members. Have your volunteers watch some of these videos as part of their training.
Re - watch different themes, maybe your child will be ready for one you viewed a couple of months ago-- maybe you will be ready to try one you had previously thought you could not. We have put them all together so that you and your team will have easy access to them.
Click on the link below to take you to the place where they are all stored.
We will be posting new video blogs here and on YouTube regularly - so keep posted.
With much love to you, your wonderful volunteer teams, and lovely children
Kate
Labels: Fun and Games, Kate
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posted by Kate Wilde at
1:38 PM
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Thursday, February 25, 2010
Games!
From Kate Wilde: Here at The autism Treatment center of America we are dedicated to bringing you varied and interesting games and activities you can play with your children on the autism Spectrum.
So, Just click on the video below to view yet another fun game. If you are on face book right now, click on the title of this blog, then on "View original blog" then on the video itself. You can also view this video on YouTube.
have fun playing this humorous game
With much love to you
Kate
So, Just click on the video below to view yet another fun game. If you are on face book right now, click on the title of this blog, then on "View original blog" then on the video itself. You can also view this video on YouTube.
have fun playing this humorous game
With much love to you
Kate
Labels: Creativity, Fun and Games, Kate, Son-Rise Program Staff
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Monday, February 22, 2010
Are you under stimulating your child?
From Kate Wilde:Are you under stimulating your child? Ooh what a fun questions to ask yourself, especially if you often ask yourself, "Will my child be able to do this?" or make the statement - "My child will never do that."
Here at the Autism Treatment Center of America we see that children on the Autism spectrum challenge is not the level of their intelligence, nor their ability to understand what is spoken to them, but the ability to respond to what is being asked of them. Given that, if you have a nine year old, are you still asking them the same questions you did when they were five. If you have 12 year old are you still singing nursery rhymes to them. Are you reading the same book to your 15 year old?
Your 9 year old is still a nine year old, they have had nine years of experience, inside, maybe their tastes and mental development has grown as much as their physical appearance. If this is the case then we want to introduce to our children activities and ideas that are closer to their age group and stimulating to their minds.
How about taking in the newspaper and reading them a current article. Drop the nursery rhymes and sing some old rock songs, or a funk tunes, whatever music you like. Find an rare and tropical animal to teach them about, bring in photos and music of a different time or culture to discuss. When thinking about what you could offer to your child, think about something that you enjoy but have never thought to share with them.
Much love to you all
Kate
Here at the Autism Treatment Center of America we see that children on the Autism spectrum challenge is not the level of their intelligence, nor their ability to understand what is spoken to them, but the ability to respond to what is being asked of them. Given that, if you have a nine year old, are you still asking them the same questions you did when they were five. If you have 12 year old are you still singing nursery rhymes to them. Are you reading the same book to your 15 year old?
Your 9 year old is still a nine year old, they have had nine years of experience, inside, maybe their tastes and mental development has grown as much as their physical appearance. If this is the case then we want to introduce to our children activities and ideas that are closer to their age group and stimulating to their minds.
How about taking in the newspaper and reading them a current article. Drop the nursery rhymes and sing some old rock songs, or a funk tunes, whatever music you like. Find an rare and tropical animal to teach them about, bring in photos and music of a different time or culture to discuss. When thinking about what you could offer to your child, think about something that you enjoy but have never thought to share with them.
Much love to you all
Kate
Labels: Fun and Games, Inspiration, Kate
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posted by Kate Wilde at
12:43 PM
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Saturday, February 20, 2010
From Kate Wilde:Joining the Ism
From Kate Wilde: Joining the the ism is at the heart of the Son-Rise Program, it is not just about the actions we take as we join in with our children's activities it is about how we feel and think as we take part in our children's isms.
Click on the video below to hear what Son-Rise Program teachers and Son-Rise Program child facilitators think and feel as they join children on the Autism Spectrum in their isms.
If you are on face book right now click on the title of this blog, and then on "view original blog", then on the video itself. You can also view this video on YouTube.
Much love to you and your lovely children
Kate
Labels: Attitude, Joining, Kate
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Monday, February 15, 2010
The Journey
From Kate Wilde: Over the last 8 months or so I have been learning Argentinian Tango. For those of you who know me well this may make you smile, as I have absolutely no skill set, talent or body awareness when it comes to dancing, or come to think about it just moving gracefully in the world.
One of the many reasons I started to learn Tango was to explore the idea that we can learn anything if we practise and have a great attitude. That it is all about our attitude and our actions, not innate talent. The attitude I am talking about is very specific.
1. To believe that it is possible for me to become not just a good tango dancer, but a great one.
2.To be completely happy when I do not get it, or cannot understand a step or movement
4.To believe that wherever I am in my learning is the most perfect place to be.
5.Never entertain the thought of comparing myself unfavourable to another.
This is what I teach everyday to my students at The Autism Treatment Center of America. By students I mean the wonderful individuals I am teaching to become Son-Rise Program child facilitators and Son-Rise Program Teachers. They often times will tell me that they are not an, "outgoing person", or a "creative person", or they can't "sing", or they are not "eloquent" and so forth.
Last night I had class with my teacher, who has a great and wonderful "Son-Rise Program' attitude, she is non-judgmental, loving, celebratory, breaks things down, is creative in finding ways to help me, and always answers my many, and sometimes repetitive questions. She said to me, 'you must only think about the journey of the step, not the end result", sound familiar to you? A Son-Rise Program attitude that I had not been applying to my Tango steps.
When you find yourself thinking, "oh I can't to that" or "I am not that kind of person" think again:
Who we are is a direct result of our attitude and our actions.
Love to you on your journey with your children!!
Kate
One of the many reasons I started to learn Tango was to explore the idea that we can learn anything if we practise and have a great attitude. That it is all about our attitude and our actions, not innate talent. The attitude I am talking about is very specific.
1. To believe that it is possible for me to become not just a good tango dancer, but a great one.
2.To be completely happy when I do not get it, or cannot understand a step or movement
4.To believe that wherever I am in my learning is the most perfect place to be.
5.Never entertain the thought of comparing myself unfavourable to another.
This is what I teach everyday to my students at The Autism Treatment Center of America. By students I mean the wonderful individuals I am teaching to become Son-Rise Program child facilitators and Son-Rise Program Teachers. They often times will tell me that they are not an, "outgoing person", or a "creative person", or they can't "sing", or they are not "eloquent" and so forth.
Last night I had class with my teacher, who has a great and wonderful "Son-Rise Program' attitude, she is non-judgmental, loving, celebratory, breaks things down, is creative in finding ways to help me, and always answers my many, and sometimes repetitive questions. She said to me, 'you must only think about the journey of the step, not the end result", sound familiar to you? A Son-Rise Program attitude that I had not been applying to my Tango steps.
When you find yourself thinking, "oh I can't to that" or "I am not that kind of person" think again:
Who we are is a direct result of our attitude and our actions.
Love to you on your journey with your children!!
Kate
Labels: Attitude, Inspiration, Kate
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Sunday, February 14, 2010
Giving Control
From Kate Wilde: Hello! Giving our children control is one of the corner stones of the Son-Rise Program. The video below gives a brief demonstration on how to give our children on the Autism Spectrum physical control.
Everyone wants to have control in their lives, our autistic children are no different. In a world that may be over stimulating, unpredictable, and often times confusing we want to show our children that we will respect what they want. When physically touching or moving our children we want to first give them warning and then second look to see whether they want it, are they saying "yes" or "no".
To view this video on face book, click on he title of this blog then on "view original blog" which will take you to where the video is stored.
Much love to you all
Kate
Labels: Giving Control, Kate
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Friday, February 12, 2010
Building Desire
From Kate Wilde: Building desire within an autistic child to want to connect, interact and create friendships, that is what the Son-Rise Program is all about. If a child has that desire within them, then they are more likely to be spontaneous and to initiate interactions. We want our children to willingly and freely choose us over their exclusive world.
How do we do that?
1. By joining in actively and passionately when our children are isming. This way we populate their exclusive world with people, who are friendly and interested in what they are interested in. Not requesting nor initiating anything of our own. By doing this we give them time and space to initiate interaction with us. If we are constantly offering and requesting during this time we do not give our children that opportunity.
2. Springing into action by responding to all our children's initiations. There are so many; when they look at us; when they touch us; take us by the hand and move us; when they talk to us;when they ask for something whether they communicate their want with a gesture or with words; when they take something from us; when they give us something, even if it is something that they are discarding. All of these are initiations towards us.
3.Respond to these initiations, here at the Autism Treatment Center of America we call them "green lights". Respond with verbal celebrations, and with gestural celebration. Let your child know that you like it when they initiate interaction in this way
.
4. Respond to these green lights with ACTIONS. Get the thing they are wanting, respond to what they are saying with an action, take the object they are giving you and do something interesting with it. If they give you a ball you could roll it, or pretend to eat it. If they take something from you, maybe the train your were holding, offer them another one, if they take that, then offer another. Show them that something fun, interesting and useful happens when they initiate these green lights of interaction with you.
Have fun playing with your beautiful children.
With love
Kate
Labels: Celebrations, Joining, Kate
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posted by Kate Wilde at
6:33 AM
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Thursday, February 11, 2010
Games!
From Kate Wilde: More activities that you can play with your child in your Son-Rise Program playroom. Click on the video below to see three theme ideas you can use with your child to help them verbally and physically participate. (If you are on face book right now, click on the title of this blog, then on "View original blog")
As with any game we post on this blog the game itself does not matter half as much as how YOU play the game. Focus not on what to DO next, but on how much fun YOU are having. By concentrating and building your feeling of enjoyment you will make the game much more appealing for your child to play.
Also, there is no specific way these games are SUPPOSED to be played. We suggest one way to play, but your child may have a very different idea on how they want to play with these photographs. If you are interacting with one another it does not matter whether you are playing this game as you intended, as the goal of each game is to interact, not play a game by the rules.
Have fun playing these games, and let us know how it goes.
With love to you all
Kate
P.S For those of you who have not been able to view my previous video blogs on the blogger, we are in the process of uploading them all onto youtube, we will let you know when they are all completed.
Labels: Fun and Games, Kate
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posted by Kate Wilde at
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Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Creativity
From Kate Wilde: Being creative is essential to reaching our Children on the Autism Spectrum. People so often believe that we are either born a creative person or a scientific person. That you are either a "left brain" person or a "right brain" person. Here at the Autism Treatment Center of America, we believe that you can be any kind of person you want to be. As with our children it is all about our motivation, and what better motivation do we have to build and believe in our own creativity than helping our lovely children on the Autism Spectrum.
Creativity is an attitude not a skill that you are born with or without.
As with any attitude it is useful to be clear about what we think. We can nurture our creativity by being clear with what we believe and think. Click on the video below to hear what Son-Rise Program Child facilitators and Son-Rise Program teachers, who work everyday with children on the Autism Spectrum think and believe that help them become power houses of creativity.
Creativity is an attitude not a skill that you are born with or without.
As with any attitude it is useful to be clear about what we think. We can nurture our creativity by being clear with what we believe and think. Click on the video below to hear what Son-Rise Program Child facilitators and Son-Rise Program teachers, who work everyday with children on the Autism Spectrum think and believe that help them become power houses of creativity.
Labels: Creativity, Fun and Games, Kate
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posted by Kate Wilde at
6:31 AM
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Tuesday, February 2, 2010
From Kate Wilde:Dietary Interventions
Hello everyone!
There is so much great information about dietary interventions for Autism on the web.
The link below will take you to a page were the most recent and common dietary interventions are listed and described in an easy and informative way.
http://www.nourishinghope.com/page.php?f=u
For those of you who have yet to explore dietary interventions for your children, this page is a great starting point. Here at the Autism Treatment Center of America, we feel that it is not only important to create a non distracting external environment for our autistic children, but also to nourish their internal environment .
What our children eat matters!
Food effects how our body and brain develop and function, thus effecting how able we are to focus and interact with the world around us.
Enjoy finding out about how you can help your child through diet.
love to you and your lovely children.
Kate
There is so much great information about dietary interventions for Autism on the web.
The link below will take you to a page were the most recent and common dietary interventions are listed and described in an easy and informative way.
http://www.nourishinghope.com/page.php?f=u
For those of you who have yet to explore dietary interventions for your children, this page is a great starting point. Here at the Autism Treatment Center of America, we feel that it is not only important to create a non distracting external environment for our autistic children, but also to nourish their internal environment .
What our children eat matters!
Food effects how our body and brain develop and function, thus effecting how able we are to focus and interact with the world around us.
Enjoy finding out about how you can help your child through diet.
love to you and your lovely children.
Kate
Labels: Diet - Biomedical, Kate
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Monday, February 1, 2010
From Kate Wilde:Imagination Play
Often times our children on the autism spectrum do not seem to understand the concept of imagination. Favouring more concrete play, or sensory based play such as rides, swings and rough and tumble. Here at the Autism Treatment Center of America we believe in creating interactions around what our children are already interested in, going with our children's motivations. So if they are already interested in books, then we create games around books. If our children are seeking sensory based games such as swings, then, when our children initiate play with us, by looking at us or talking to us we would then offer a swing game.
How do we then introduce the concept of imagination games to children who are not at this moment showing a clear motivation for it?
1.By beginning to model it ourselves.
2.By marring it to our children's current motivation.
What does that look like?
If your child interacts mainly by your giving them a ride or a swing, then you could marry imagination into that game. By swinging them, and as you put them down after a swing, you could say something like:
"You have landed in a big pool of water, splash." Or you could say, "Now you are landing in space", and then you act as if you are in space without any gravity." Or you could say, " I am going to swing you into the land of soft animals", and get down all the stuffed animals.
In this case you are not asking anything of your child, you are just adding an imaginary component to the play your child already interacts with.
If your child is motivated by books, when your child looks at you or shows interest in you, you could begin to dress up as the characters from the book. You could act out a scene from the book that they are enjoying.
Modeling what imaginative play looks like is the first step to exposing it to our children, and thus helping them digest it and learn about it.
Have a great week with your lovely children.
Love Kate
How do we then introduce the concept of imagination games to children who are not at this moment showing a clear motivation for it?
1.By beginning to model it ourselves.
2.By marring it to our children's current motivation.
What does that look like?
If your child interacts mainly by your giving them a ride or a swing, then you could marry imagination into that game. By swinging them, and as you put them down after a swing, you could say something like:
"You have landed in a big pool of water, splash." Or you could say, "Now you are landing in space", and then you act as if you are in space without any gravity." Or you could say, " I am going to swing you into the land of soft animals", and get down all the stuffed animals.
In this case you are not asking anything of your child, you are just adding an imaginary component to the play your child already interacts with.
If your child is motivated by books, when your child looks at you or shows interest in you, you could begin to dress up as the characters from the book. You could act out a scene from the book that they are enjoying.
Modeling what imaginative play looks like is the first step to exposing it to our children, and thus helping them digest it and learn about it.
Have a great week with your lovely children.
Love Kate
Labels: Creativity, Fun and Games, Kate
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Friday, January 29, 2010
Velro Hoop
From kate Wilde: A great idea for your Son-Rise Program Playrooms.
To see this fun build idea presented by our talented Son-Rise Program child facilitator Jack Goodall, just click on the video below, or if you are on face book right now, click on the title of this blog, then on "view original blog" then on the video itself.
Love to you all
Kate
To see this fun build idea presented by our talented Son-Rise Program child facilitator Jack Goodall, just click on the video below, or if you are on face book right now, click on the title of this blog, then on "view original blog" then on the video itself.
Love to you all
Kate
Labels: Creativity, Fun and Games, Kate, Son-Rise Program Staff
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Thursday, January 28, 2010
From Kate Wilde: Breaking News!
From Kate Wilde:I am excited to announce that over the next couple of weeks we will be airing on YouTube some fun and interesting Son-Rise Program commercials. There are 10 in all, and they are spoofs on the Mac verse PC commercials by Apple, only in our case it is The Son-Rise Program verses ABA!
Each one was designed, written and created by the very first Son-Rise Program child, Raun Kaufman.
You have just got to see them! They are hilarious, direct and to the point! We have created them in the hope that they will generate lots of discussion and debate about parent's right to choose the treatment they feel is best for their autistic children, and the differences between The Son-Rise Program and ABA.
Each commercial is only a minute or so long, so spread the word. Send them to friends, family members, professionals who work with your children. Your local MP's or members of congress, everyone you know. Post them on your Facebook wall, help us spread the word across the world.
The link below will take you to the very first one:
YouTube.com/watch?v=N6CWf9H7F8k
Enjoy and pass them on.
With love to you all,
Kate
Each one was designed, written and created by the very first Son-Rise Program child, Raun Kaufman.You have just got to see them! They are hilarious, direct and to the point! We have created them in the hope that they will generate lots of discussion and debate about parent's right to choose the treatment they feel is best for their autistic children, and the differences between The Son-Rise Program and ABA.
Each commercial is only a minute or so long, so spread the word. Send them to friends, family members, professionals who work with your children. Your local MP's or members of congress, everyone you know. Post them on your Facebook wall, help us spread the word across the world.
The link below will take you to the very first one:
YouTube.com/watch?v=N6CWf9H7F8k
Enjoy and pass them on.
With love to you all,
Kate
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Monday, January 25, 2010
Making Yourself Understood
From Kate Wilde:Some of our children on the Autism Spectrum have a large vocabulary and can verbally engage using complex sentences, but still have a challenge making themselves understood. They may relay a story to you about something that happened and leave our vital information, thus not making much sense to you. You might experience them sharing a story to someone about something that happened when you were there, but the other person was not. You understand what they are trying to say just because you were there not from their words alone.
The Son- Rise Program Developmental model http://www.autismtreatmentcenter.org/contents/other_sections/developmental_model.php
will help you assess whether your child is at the stage where we would suggest you begin to work on this skill, if this is the case, then below are some games that you can use to help your child strengthen this skill. If not, do read on as these games can be adapted to the goals you are working on with your child.
Only use your words.
The Son- Rise Program Developmental model http://www.autismtreatmentcenter.org/contents/other_sections/developmental_model.php
will help you assess whether your child is at the stage where we would suggest you begin to work on this skill, if this is the case, then below are some games that you can use to help your child strengthen this skill. If not, do read on as these games can be adapted to the goals you are working on with your child.
Only use your words.
- Create pictures that your child looks at and then has to get you to draw the exact same picture by only using their words.
- Create an obstacle course together with your child, then blind fold yourself and have your child guide your around the course by only using their words.
- Take turns being the talker and the listener.
The above game ideas will help your child strengthen their ability to use language to convey all the information needed, and see the literal effect of what happens when they do not give all the info - for example a different picture is drawn,- or you are not able to do the obstacle course. For children who learn visually this is excellent.
When, Who , What?
- Create stories together that have these three components, when did it happen, who was there, and what exactly took place.
- To begin with you can create stories that are written on three different cards, on the first card it is entitled, WHEN you just write when it happen, and then the second card is WHO which states who was there, and third card say with WHAT happened. Bring them in and read them to your child, highlighting the three important pieces of information each story has.
- Make the stories fun, following your child motivations, if your child is into Dora the Explorer make it about one of her adventures.
- Make up stories together, using the sequence of When, Who and Where.
- When you share your own stories make it clear that you are sharing first when, then who and then where etc.
Thank you to however wrote and asked for a blog on this topic, you did not leave your name, but I hope you read this and that it is helpful to you!
With love
Kate
Labels: Creativity, Kate, Language
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posted by Kate Wilde at
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Sunday, January 24, 2010
Mister Man Game
From Kate Wilde: To all you amazing parents who have children on the autism spectrum, The Autism Treatment Center of America sends you another creative idea.
Just click on the video below, or if you are on face book right now click on the title of this blog, then on "view original blog" then on the video itself.
Know that we are here believing in you and your children, supporting you all the way!!
Much love to you
Kate
Just click on the video below, or if you are on face book right now click on the title of this blog, then on "view original blog" then on the video itself.
Know that we are here believing in you and your children, supporting you all the way!!
Much love to you
Kate
Labels: Creativity, Fun and Games, Kate
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Friday, January 22, 2010
Blogs
From Kate Wilde: Hi Everyone! This blog will be my 100th blog! Wow - I find that just so amazing - and I have so loved writing them and making the video's . All you parents and professionals out there working with your children on the Autism Spectrum are such a source of inspiration for me. What you are doing everyday with your children, loving them, accepting them and reaching out and challenging them to grow with a strong belief in their capabilities is just incredible, and we here at the Autism Treatment Center of America want to be a strong source of support to you.
So I thought that as this is my 100th blog, it would be a great time to check in and see what kind of topics and blogs you would like to see more of. Let us know, so that we can continue to to help in the most effective way possible.
Looking forward to hearing from you
With love
Kate
So I thought that as this is my 100th blog, it would be a great time to check in and see what kind of topics and blogs you would like to see more of. Let us know, so that we can continue to to help in the most effective way possible.
Looking forward to hearing from you
With love
Kate
Labels: Highlighted, Kate
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Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Creative uses for Velco!
From Kate Wilde: Each week at The Autism Treatment Center of America , we have a family attending the Son-Rise Program Intensive. Every child who comes here inspires us to reach new heights in our own creativity. Each child is so unique and wonderful, bringing with them their own new set of motivations that inspire us to create new interesting games, and building ideas.
We want to share these with you so that you can benefit along side the family that is here.
For our next creative idea just click on the video below, or if you are on face book click on the title of this blog, then on 'view original blog" to take you to where the video is stored.
Much love to you all
Kate
We want to share these with you so that you can benefit along side the family that is here.
For our next creative idea just click on the video below, or if you are on face book click on the title of this blog, then on 'view original blog" to take you to where the video is stored.
Much love to you all
Kate
Labels: Creativity, Fun and Games, Kate
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posted by Kate Wilde at
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Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Isms
From Kate Wilde: Picture this: A small boy with Autism, his short brown hair sticking up right in the middle of his head. Beautiful dark eyes, so silent and graceful as he moves around the room. He focuses on his plasticine, rolling and rolling, creating and creating. He rolls one ball then another, then another and before you know it he has created a "wild thing", the beginning of a detailed scene from the book, "Where the Wild Things Are."
Half way through this he gets up, effortlessly and gracefully hops across the room, does what looks like an arabesque and then a cartwheel. He balances on the very edge of the slide, stays still for a moment, and ever so softly whispers "bottles and boxes", then leaps to the floor and carries on his dance. Like a gymnastic wowing the judges with a beautiful floor routine.
Then back to his "Wild Thing" creation.
What grace, what magic, what beauty and richness resides in this boys world.
In gratitude for every child I get to meet here at the Autism Treatment Center of America.
With love for your child's world.
Kate Read more!
Half way through this he gets up, effortlessly and gracefully hops across the room, does what looks like an arabesque and then a cartwheel. He balances on the very edge of the slide, stays still for a moment, and ever so softly whispers "bottles and boxes", then leaps to the floor and carries on his dance. Like a gymnastic wowing the judges with a beautiful floor routine.
Then back to his "Wild Thing" creation.
What grace, what magic, what beauty and richness resides in this boys world.
In gratitude for every child I get to meet here at the Autism Treatment Center of America.
With love for your child's world.
Kate Read more!
posted by Kate Wilde at
11:24 AM
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Monday, January 18, 2010
Keep it Simple
From Kate Wilde: One of the things I like most about The Son-Rise Program Methodology is that it is simple, and easy to understand, while at the same time being highly effective. Sometimes we can over complicate things and make them hard, when really they are not. So how can you keep it simple while working with your child this week?
1. Do one thing at a time.
2.When we are playing with our children using the Son-Rise Program we are doing one of the following techniques:
1. Do one thing at a time.
2.When we are playing with our children using the Son-Rise Program we are doing one of the following techniques:
- Joining our children in their exclusive and or repetitious activities.
- Celebrating when our children interact with us.
- Building, adding one thing to the game when our children look at us, and connect to us.
- Requesting, asking our children to grow, whether it is to speack to us, look at us, or interact physically in the game we are playing together.
3.Decide which one of the above you are doing in each moment, commit to it fully and joyfully.
It's as simple as that!
Watch the webinar below with Raun Kaufman to help you further.
http://www.autismtreatmentcenter.org/media:video,23,0
Thinking of you all as you start another fun filled week with your children.
Kate
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Friday, January 15, 2010
Rescue Elmo Game
From Kate Wilde: Another game for your to enjoy! Click on the video below or if you are on face book right now on the title of this blog, then on "View original blog" then on the video itself.
All of us here at The Autism Treatment Center of America send all of you our support and love as you play with your children and gently encourage and entice them to want to become part of our social world.
Kate
All of us here at The Autism Treatment Center of America send all of you our support and love as you play with your children and gently encourage and entice them to want to become part of our social world.
Kate
Labels: Creativity, Fun and Games, Highlighted, Kate
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posted by Kate Wilde at
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Thursday, January 14, 2010
For You
From Kate Wilde: I was thinking this morning about all of you who read these blogs. Parents who are running Son-Rise Programs for their children. Parents who are wanting to find different ways of reaching their children on the Autism Spectrum, and professionals who also want to help the children in their care in the best way possible.
I was thinking how great it is that each of you are wanting so much for your children and how I could support you today. So today I offer my support in this way:
Know that you are an amazing person just as you are today.
You do not have to change one thing about yourself to know this.
You do not have to do anything more to prove this.
You do not have to alter yourself in anyway to be this.
You are not just OK as you are, you are GREAT.
I know this about you.....do you?
With love
Kate Read more!
I was thinking how great it is that each of you are wanting so much for your children and how I could support you today. So today I offer my support in this way:
Know that you are an amazing person just as you are today.
You do not have to change one thing about yourself to know this.
You do not have to do anything more to prove this.
You do not have to alter yourself in anyway to be this.
You are not just OK as you are, you are GREAT.
I know this about you.....do you?
With love
Kate Read more!
posted by Kate Wilde at
6:21 AM
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Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Joining
From Kate Wilde:Joining is at the heart of the Son-Rise Program methodology. Joining means that when our children on the autistic spectrum are engaged in their repetitious and/or exclusive activities, we do exactly what they are doing. If they are pacing around the room exclusively(not looking at us or paying attention to us) then we join by pacing around the room in the exact same way. If they are repeating a phrase from a movie, or reciting a story to themselves, then we will recite the same movie or story to ourselves.
When we are doing what they are doing we are doing it sincerely, really enjoying taking part in their activity. We do this to be closer to them, to populate their world with people so that they are no longer alone.
What are we saying to our children when we join them like this?
We are saying:
That we love them, even when they do not look at us, even when they do not respond to us.
That we do not need them to change in-order for us to be happy with them.
That we care for them and are interested in what they are interested in.
That we would do anything, even stare at a light switch, or spin in a circle a thousand times just so we can be close to them.
That we respect them and believe that what they want to do has worth and merit.
That we believe in them and trust that they are doing the best that they can to take care of themselves.
We are saying that they can trust us, for we love them exactly for who they are right now in this moment, not for who they will become or what they give to us.
This is what I was saying when I joined my God child Jade Adina Hogan during her Son-Rise Program. I said this for hours and hours and hours, as she scrunched up tiny little pieces of paper into tiny balls and placed them into a tiny china tea pot. As she changed mickey mouse's diaper again and again and again. This was said to her by her whole Son-Rise Program team every minute she inhabited her own world.
Last night I had dinner with her and her parents, Bryn and William Hogan Son-Rise Program teachers here at The Autism Treatment Center of America. I was greeted by Jade with squeals of delight, lots of kisses and hugs, and chatter about her Christmas and the things she wants to do with me when I see her next time. Ahhhh the fruits of hours and hours of joining her, trusting that loving her in this way mattered.
Have fun trusting your children.
with love
Kate
When we are doing what they are doing we are doing it sincerely, really enjoying taking part in their activity. We do this to be closer to them, to populate their world with people so that they are no longer alone.
What are we saying to our children when we join them like this?
We are saying:
That we love them, even when they do not look at us, even when they do not respond to us.
That we do not need them to change in-order for us to be happy with them.
That we care for them and are interested in what they are interested in.
That we would do anything, even stare at a light switch, or spin in a circle a thousand times just so we can be close to them.
That we respect them and believe that what they want to do has worth and merit.
That we believe in them and trust that they are doing the best that they can to take care of themselves.
We are saying that they can trust us, for we love them exactly for who they are right now in this moment, not for who they will become or what they give to us.
This is what I was saying when I joined my God child Jade Adina Hogan during her Son-Rise Program. I said this for hours and hours and hours, as she scrunched up tiny little pieces of paper into tiny balls and placed them into a tiny china tea pot. As she changed mickey mouse's diaper again and again and again. This was said to her by her whole Son-Rise Program team every minute she inhabited her own world.
Last night I had dinner with her and her parents, Bryn and William Hogan Son-Rise Program teachers here at The Autism Treatment Center of America. I was greeted by Jade with squeals of delight, lots of kisses and hugs, and chatter about her Christmas and the things she wants to do with me when I see her next time. Ahhhh the fruits of hours and hours of joining her, trusting that loving her in this way mattered.
Have fun trusting your children.
with love
Kate
Labels: Attitude, Joining, Kate
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Monday, January 11, 2010
Creative Playroom Idea.
From Kate Wilde:A playroom idea from the Autism Treatment Center of America.
This simple playroom adjustment will help you come up with new and different creative ideas to bring into your playroom, or work area with your child. It is important to continue to bring in fresh ideas to help motivate your child to interact with you. Here at The Autism Treatment Center of America we are dedicated to bringing you new ideas to help stimulate your own creativity.
Just click on the video below, or if your on face book right now, just click on the title of this blog, then on "View Original Blog" this will take you to where the Video is stored.
Much love to all of you
Kate
This simple playroom adjustment will help you come up with new and different creative ideas to bring into your playroom, or work area with your child. It is important to continue to bring in fresh ideas to help motivate your child to interact with you. Here at The Autism Treatment Center of America we are dedicated to bringing you new ideas to help stimulate your own creativity.
Just click on the video below, or if your on face book right now, just click on the title of this blog, then on "View Original Blog" this will take you to where the Video is stored.
Much love to all of you
Kate
Labels: Creativity, Fun and Games, Kate
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Sunday, January 10, 2010
Choose Happiness
From Kate Wilde: Here at the Autism treatment Center of America we believe that being happy and deeply comfortable when working with a child on the Autism spectrum is the most important ingredient in helping them to grow.
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When we are happy we are more likely to be warm and loving, we smile, laugh and enjoy our children more. Thus we are more inviting for our children to reach out and want to play with us.
When we are happy we are more likely to be present, thus more responsive to our children, the more responsive we are to our children's cues the more they will want to come to us for help, the more opportunities we have to help them socially interact.
In short happier people are more attractive to be around. Our autistic children are more sensitive to our attitudes so this applies more to them than to the average person.
I know that so many of you lovely parents and professionals out there are really taking action with your children and prioritizing their growth and creating amazing learning opportunities. The question is are your prioritizing your own happiness? Take a few minutes right now and write down a list of your priorities starting with the most important and go from there. Where did your put your own happiness? Was it number one or number 10, did it even feature on your list?
One thing you can you do right now to help you re-prioritize your happiness is simply just decide to be happy.
- Take one 30 minute segment a day, where you decide that no matter what happens you are going to choose to be happy.
- Pick a 30 minute period that is usually challenging for you, whether it is putting your children to bed, or when you are juggling more that one thing.
- Once you can do this for one 30 minute period, then add another 30 minute period in.
So much power can come from having a clear intention and time period to choose happiness.
with love to you
Kate
posted by Kate Wilde at
9:22 AM
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Friday, January 8, 2010
Dietary Interventions
From Kate Wilde: Here at the Autism Treatment Center of America we believe that your child's diet is incredibly important to their overall health and well being. We feel that it is important to get your child tested for possible allergens such as Gluten, Casein, Corn and Soy. We also believe that it is important to be careful about how much sugar your child has in their daily diet.
Often times our children on the autism spectrum can be very picky eaters. If your child's diet consists mostly only the above named allergens and sugar then this may be a sign that your child has a potential intolerance to the very things they are eating.
If you are wanting to change your child's diet, by eliminating either, gluten, casein, corn, soy or sugar below are a couple of pointers that may help the transition go smoother.
1. Start only when you are completely ready, if you have doubts, your child will sense this, and wait until you give in and give them that chocolate cookie. It is important that you are prepared to go the distance.
2.Educate yourself about other foods you can over your child, there are many online resources such as gluten and casein free recipes you can access.
3.Make sure that the food you do not want your child to eat is nowhere to be found in your house. Remember your child is very intelligent, if it is in your house they will find it.
4.Explain to your child why you are changing their diet and how it will help them. Do this even if your child has yet to begin to talk to you, we believe without a doubt that your child can understand a lot of what you are saying, even if they cannot or do not verbally respond to it.
5.Have plenty of the new foods easily available to your child in bowls around the house, so that they can get used to new smells and the new look of their food, and they can easily try it when they are hungry.
6.Believe that your child will eat this yummy new food.
With love to you all
Kate
Often times our children on the autism spectrum can be very picky eaters. If your child's diet consists mostly only the above named allergens and sugar then this may be a sign that your child has a potential intolerance to the very things they are eating.
If you are wanting to change your child's diet, by eliminating either, gluten, casein, corn, soy or sugar below are a couple of pointers that may help the transition go smoother.
1. Start only when you are completely ready, if you have doubts, your child will sense this, and wait until you give in and give them that chocolate cookie. It is important that you are prepared to go the distance.
2.Educate yourself about other foods you can over your child, there are many online resources such as gluten and casein free recipes you can access.
3.Make sure that the food you do not want your child to eat is nowhere to be found in your house. Remember your child is very intelligent, if it is in your house they will find it.
4.Explain to your child why you are changing their diet and how it will help them. Do this even if your child has yet to begin to talk to you, we believe without a doubt that your child can understand a lot of what you are saying, even if they cannot or do not verbally respond to it.
5.Have plenty of the new foods easily available to your child in bowls around the house, so that they can get used to new smells and the new look of their food, and they can easily try it when they are hungry.
6.Believe that your child will eat this yummy new food.
With love to you all
Kate
Labels: Diet - Biomedical, Kate
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Thursday, January 7, 2010
Seeing Change in Others.
From Kate Wilde: I have just spent a wonderful morning in The Son-Rise Program Intensive discussing the notion of believing that another person can and will change.
For our children on the Autism Spectrum, to believe in their ability to change and grow is so very important, for this fuels our desire to offer them opportunities and experiences to make those changes. It is also important for us to see them a new each day so that we can observe those changes, thus helping us in two ways, one to celebrate them for those changes, and two to create new goals for them, thus helping them to keep growing.
This morning we extended this idea to the other people in our lives, our partners, work colleagues, and friends. Are we believing in them? Do we believe that they will change when they announce their new years resolutions, or do we roll our eyes in disbelief? Are we looking for the evidence of their changes, or are we just waiting for them to "mess up".
Lets help the other people in our lives make the changes they are wanting, by believing in them, looking for evidence of their change, and celebrating them.
This sets the tone of a supportive environment which is focusing on the now, verses the past.
Have fun loving the people in your lives this way.
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posted by Kate Wilde at
9:59 AM
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Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Observe your child
From Kate Wilde: In the spirit of this new year and decade, see your children on the Autism spectrum a new today. So much of our life with our children is caught up in doing. Either caring for your child's many physical needs, keeping them clean, warm and save. Or actively playing with them, whether it is joining them in their "isms" or responding to their many questions, or playing rough and tumble with them. That we can sometimes lose sight of really seeing them for who they are today.
Here at the Autism Treatment Center of America not only do we spend time playing 1:1 with the children, but we spend time observing a child play with another person. This gives us time to really see who this child is, how they are responding to different situations without having to respond as well.
Find 20 minutes this week, to really observe your child, this could be when they are playing with your partner or another family member, or if you are running a Son-Rise Program with one of your volunteers.
Look for what they are enjoying, do they respond more when the person they are playing with talks loudly or softly. Do they look more when the person has big gestures, what object do they play with the most. Often times when we give feedback to our volunteers we are looking more closely at the volunteer, in this case reverse it and seek to learn more about your child.
Enjoy observing your beautiful children!
with love
Kate
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Monday, January 4, 2010
Say Yes to Change.
From Kate Wilde: I recently wrote the below to a lovely Son-Rise Program Student of mine. Today I write this to you:
"I hear nothing but wonderful and inspiring things about you.
It takes great daring to leap into a space that is new and unfamiliar.
You have taken flight and shown yourself that you can say yes to change
That you can become anything that you put your mind to.
All you have to so is say yes and step into it.
Keep growing, keep stepping, your future is yours in the making.
Congratulations for your journey thus far!!!!
For all the effort and care and persistence you are putting into it."
As you read this in reference to yourself , what are you saying yes to, what are you growing within yourself?
With much love to you and great respect for your journey with your beautiful children.
Labels: Attitude, Kate, Personal Growth
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posted by Kate Wilde at
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Friday, January 1, 2010
Imagination games for the New Year
From Kate Wilde:Here are a few imagination games from The Autism Treatment Center of America to help you start the new year with your children on the Autism Spectrum.
1. "What do you see?" - This games is designed to encourage spontaneous expressive language and is for a child who can speak in simple sentences and beyond.
- Pretend that you are sleeping, when the alarm wakes you get up, go over to the window, draw the curtains, and look out the window.
- One of you is to describe to the other person what they see out the window, to describe the scenery and any event that is happening, then you go out side and play the scenario that was just described.
- We would suggest that you take the first turn to model to your child how to play the game.
Variations: you could be sleeping on a airplane, or train, and describe the scene when the train or airplane stops. You could be in a time machine and stop to describe different historical events you land in.
2."Pretend this is happening to you". This is designed to encourage your children to physical participate more, and to interact with simple props
- Put different props around the room that you would use in different kinds of weather, for example, an umbrella, wellington boots, a hat, gloves, scarf, a glass of water, swimming trunks, snorkel, a sun hat, sun cream etc.
- Explain to your child that you are going to tell them what kind of weather is happening and they are to use the props they would use in that type of weather and act out what they would do in that type of weather.
- Take turns acting out and choosing the weather.
- Different types of weather may be, as hot as a desert, torrential rain with a strong wind, light sunny day at the beach, a snow storm, hail and ice storm etc.
Variations: you could play the same game, but instead of different types of weather, you could have different sporting events, or different animals to interact with, or different social events to attend.
The most important thing to do in each of them games above is to have fun, be playful and enjoy whatever happens. I wish you much happiness this coming year 2010.
Kate
Labels: Creativity, Fun and Games, Kate, Language, Personal Growth
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Monday, December 28, 2009
Back by Popular Demand!
From kate Wilde: Hello Everyone!
Click on the video below for a little inspiration in keeping your energy levels up this Holiday season.
Looking forward to spending another year helping children on the Autism Spectrum and their families.
Much love to you all
Kate and Jack
Click on the video below for a little inspiration in keeping your energy levels up this Holiday season.
Looking forward to spending another year helping children on the Autism Spectrum and their families.
Much love to you all
Kate and Jack
Labels: 3Es, Kate, Son-Rise Program Staff
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Thursday, December 24, 2009
Creativity
From Kate Wilde:Here at The Autism Treatment Center of America we believe that creativity is all about attitude, when we enjoy what we are doing we are creative. To learn more about the attitude of creativity click on the video below, or if you are on face book click on the title of this blog, then on "view original blog", then on the video itself.
Sending much love and good wishes to you and your children this Holiday!
Kate
Sending much love and good wishes to you and your children this Holiday!
Kate
Labels: Creativity, Inspiration, Kate
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posted by Kate Wilde at
11:33 AM
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Sunday, December 20, 2009
Giant Animal Blocks
From Kate Wilde: Giant Animal blocks, a fun prop idea from our talented Son-Rise Program Child facilitator Kim Korpady.
Click on the video below, (or if you are on face book click on the title of this blog, then on , "View Original Blog" then on the video itself), to see how you could use these giant animal blocks in your Son-Rise Program playroom with you children on The Autism Spectrum.
Have fun being silly with these blocks.
Love to you all
Kate
Click on the video below, (or if you are on face book click on the title of this blog, then on , "View Original Blog" then on the video itself), to see how you could use these giant animal blocks in your Son-Rise Program playroom with you children on The Autism Spectrum.
Have fun being silly with these blocks.
Love to you all
Kate
Labels: Creativity, Fun and Games, Kate
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posted by Kate Wilde at
11:06 AM
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Wednesday, December 16, 2009
What's my body saying?
From Kate Wilde: Another game from the Autism Treatment Center of America!
This game is called, "What's my body saying?" and is designed to help our children on the Autism Spectrum read social cues. To understand not only what we are saying with our verbal comminucation, but what our gestures, facile expressions and internation are communicating.
There are two versions of this game, one about simple gestures and facial expressions, and one to help with more complex social cues, such as sarcasm.
Just click on the video below, or if you are on face book right now, click on the title of this post then on "view original post" then on the video itself.
enjoy!
With love to you all
Kate
This game is called, "What's my body saying?" and is designed to help our children on the Autism Spectrum read social cues. To understand not only what we are saying with our verbal comminucation, but what our gestures, facile expressions and internation are communicating.
There are two versions of this game, one about simple gestures and facial expressions, and one to help with more complex social cues, such as sarcasm.
Just click on the video below, or if you are on face book right now, click on the title of this post then on "view original post" then on the video itself.
enjoy!
With love to you all
Kate
Labels: Creativity, Fun and Games, Kate, Language, Son-Rise Program Staff
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posted by Kate Wilde at
9:19 AM
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Monday, December 14, 2009
Love
From Kate Wilde: Today, as we do every Monday, the Son-Rise Program Intensive staff got together and did a guided visualization. The subject of our visualization is the Frederick family. They are here this week attending the Son-Rise Program Intensive with their five year old son with Autism.
We have yet to met them, but even before we do we have sat down held hands and opened our hearts to them. Setting our intention to offer them our love and acceptance first, and our knowledge second. Knowing that this is the most important thing we can do. That it is our love that will be the most powerful in helping facilitate any changes that they are wanting for themselves and their son.
As we hold hands together and send them this love, we grow stronger as a team, united by the clarity of a single vision, that no matter the situation, love is the answer.
Another week of joining, challenging, theme making, feedback, dialogs, and answering questions lies before us.
What lies before you and what will be your underlying intention as you spring into action?
Much love to you
Kate Read more!
We have yet to met them, but even before we do we have sat down held hands and opened our hearts to them. Setting our intention to offer them our love and acceptance first, and our knowledge second. Knowing that this is the most important thing we can do. That it is our love that will be the most powerful in helping facilitate any changes that they are wanting for themselves and their son.
As we hold hands together and send them this love, we grow stronger as a team, united by the clarity of a single vision, that no matter the situation, love is the answer.
Another week of joining, challenging, theme making, feedback, dialogs, and answering questions lies before us.
What lies before you and what will be your underlying intention as you spring into action?
Much love to you
Kate Read more!
posted by Kate Wilde at
5:54 AM
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Friday, December 11, 2009
Son-Rise Program Start Up
From Kate Wilde: It is Friday and we have just finished our Son-Rise Start Up Program here on property at The Autism Treatment Center of America.
We had 61 parents and professionals attend from America, Australia, Sweden, Brazil, England, Canada and South Africa. All united by one thing, having someone they love on the Autistic spectrum.
It was so inspiring to hear their stories, learn about their children and to see their transformation as they took in the attitudinal perspectives and the concrete techniques that the Son-Rise Program has to offer. The youngest child represented was one years old, the oldest were 23 year old twins.
Parents came in on Monday morning, feeling scared for their child's future, lost as to how to help them and judgmental of themselves for not "being good enough" for their children. It is Friday and in the last class there was much relaxed laughter in the room. This came from the knowledge that they are not alone in this journey with their children, they now have 60 other supporters and friends in their life who are on the same journey, and the road map for their children, which is the Son-Rise Program with its developmental model and attitudinal perspectives.
They left with the confidence that they can help their children, and an action plan on how to do so.
I send thanks and great love and good thoughts to everyone I met durin the 2009 December Son-Rise Program Start Up.
With much love
Kate
We had 61 parents and professionals attend from America, Australia, Sweden, Brazil, England, Canada and South Africa. All united by one thing, having someone they love on the Autistic spectrum.
It was so inspiring to hear their stories, learn about their children and to see their transformation as they took in the attitudinal perspectives and the concrete techniques that the Son-Rise Program has to offer. The youngest child represented was one years old, the oldest were 23 year old twins.
Parents came in on Monday morning, feeling scared for their child's future, lost as to how to help them and judgmental of themselves for not "being good enough" for their children. It is Friday and in the last class there was much relaxed laughter in the room. This came from the knowledge that they are not alone in this journey with their children, they now have 60 other supporters and friends in their life who are on the same journey, and the road map for their children, which is the Son-Rise Program with its developmental model and attitudinal perspectives.
They left with the confidence that they can help their children, and an action plan on how to do so.
I send thanks and great love and good thoughts to everyone I met durin the 2009 December Son-Rise Program Start Up.
With much love
Kate
Labels: Kate, Training Programs
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posted by Kate Wilde at
12:20 PM
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Tuesday, December 8, 2009
From Kate Wilde: Making a difference
From Kate Wilde: Hi everyone, I was inspired by Kelli's blog to write this blog. First of all thank you Kelli for writing your blog, I do not think we can ever estimate the far reaching effects of what we do. You have made a difference by writing this blog, everything we do makes a difference in the world.
You can easily see that your blog has inspired me to write this blog, that is concrete as I am telling you this, but there are also many many other thing it has inspired that you will never know. Maybe the President will see it and decide to fund The Son-Rise Program for all parents who wish to use it with their autistic children in the USA. Maybe you have helped a person in Africa have the courage to ask for help with their child. Maybe someone has read it and it has sparked some hope of the possibility that they could change themselves and do what is difficult for them.
I believe that each of our acts have 1000's of consequences, the only question is when and how do we want to act. Do we want to hold out our hands and offer help, or judge another or ourselves as wrong?
You offered your hand out to help, and only great things can come from that.
Love to you all
Kate Read more!
You can easily see that your blog has inspired me to write this blog, that is concrete as I am telling you this, but there are also many many other thing it has inspired that you will never know. Maybe the President will see it and decide to fund The Son-Rise Program for all parents who wish to use it with their autistic children in the USA. Maybe you have helped a person in Africa have the courage to ask for help with their child. Maybe someone has read it and it has sparked some hope of the possibility that they could change themselves and do what is difficult for them.
I believe that each of our acts have 1000's of consequences, the only question is when and how do we want to act. Do we want to hold out our hands and offer help, or judge another or ourselves as wrong?
You offered your hand out to help, and only great things can come from that.
Love to you all
Kate Read more!
posted by Kate Wilde at
1:40 PM
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Monday, December 7, 2009
From Kate Wilde: Conversations
From Kate Wilde: The other day a friend of mine celebrated me for being a good conversationalist, which would make sense as I have spent the last 17 years here at The Autism Treatment Center of America helping lots of children and adults on the autism spectrum understand how to have conversations. We are always analysing conversations and discussing how we can make this process easier for our Autistic children.
Highly verbal children on the Autism Spectrum , may be able to easily ask for what they want using complex sentences, answer questions and ask questions, but what they are not efficient in is the art of social conversations, which can result in their peers not wanting to hang out with them.
As adults we may start a conversation with a question, and ask some during our conversation, but a lot of other things happen to make it an interesting conversation. We share our stories from our past, our hopes for the future. we comment on another persons story, we share a related story. we share our opinion about what another person has just said. When we only ask questions we are not fully having a conversation, we are just information gathering, conversation is a little more.
Things you can do right now to help your children become better at social conversations would be to:
1. Decrease the amount of questions you ask your child.
2. Increase sharing your own experiences and stories of things that have happened to you during your day and your life time with your child.
3. Leave pauses during your stories for your child to ask for more information, and share their own opinion of what you are sharing with them.
4.Share your own opinion about things, what are your favorite things, which movies do your like, where do you want to travel to and why. Then pause again and see if your child responds to your sharing.
Have fun being a conversationalist with your child!
Much Love to you all
Kate Read more!
Highly verbal children on the Autism Spectrum , may be able to easily ask for what they want using complex sentences, answer questions and ask questions, but what they are not efficient in is the art of social conversations, which can result in their peers not wanting to hang out with them.
As adults we may start a conversation with a question, and ask some during our conversation, but a lot of other things happen to make it an interesting conversation. We share our stories from our past, our hopes for the future. we comment on another persons story, we share a related story. we share our opinion about what another person has just said. When we only ask questions we are not fully having a conversation, we are just information gathering, conversation is a little more.
Things you can do right now to help your children become better at social conversations would be to:
1. Decrease the amount of questions you ask your child.
2. Increase sharing your own experiences and stories of things that have happened to you during your day and your life time with your child.
3. Leave pauses during your stories for your child to ask for more information, and share their own opinion of what you are sharing with them.
4.Share your own opinion about things, what are your favorite things, which movies do your like, where do you want to travel to and why. Then pause again and see if your child responds to your sharing.
Have fun being a conversationalist with your child!
Much Love to you all
Kate Read more!
posted by Kate Wilde at
10:40 AM
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Thursday, December 3, 2009
From Kate Wilde: Memory
From Kate Wilde: Today Bryn Hogan and I were having dinner with some wonderful people. A part from being Son-Rise Program teachers together, and working along side each other at The Autism Treatment Center of America, we have also been best friends for the last 17 years.
At dinner, Bryn was telling the story of her wedding to William Hogan, (also a Son-Rise Program teacher ), as she was relaying this story she mentioned something that she and I had done at her wedding.
The interesting thing about this is that not only did I not attend their wedding, I did not even know them then. Because we have been friends so long she actually "photo shopped" me into her memory of her wedding. So for her I actually attended.
What this means is that our past does not exist, just what we make up about it. As Bryn did, you can change your past to be anything you want it to be. We are actually in charge of how we remember our past.
So it raises the question what do you want the memory of yourself to be?
Labels: Kate
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posted by Kate Wilde at
8:02 PM
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Wednesday, December 2, 2009
From Kate Wilde and Bryn Hogan: Letting Go
From Kate Wilde and Bryn Hogan:
On our ride to the airport this morning we were discussing the topic of 'letting go'. We were reflecting on all the parents we work with using The Son-Rise Program who want so much for their children and their families. They want with passion and a deep desire to make a difference.
At the same time, there is sometimes a struggle between these strong wants and the 'need' for our children to change, to grow in the ways and at the speed we want them to. We have found ourselves, in relation to Jade and Malik(Bryn and William Hogans children) becoming attached to the outcome, wanting them to gain a skill, learn a lesson or grow in what we see as an important direction.
Yet, we came back to, as we have so many times before to the knowledge that we have to always balance our wants with a strong ability to 'let go'. To not push. To not 'need' them to perform to our standards.
But to allow them to blossom, to fall down, to go slowly, to not learn, to even resist...and to love them as they do so. (Sometimes we even resist their resistance - how useful is that?). So, we're left, as with everything in the Son-Rise Program, with love.
To any question, in any situation, love is always the answer. When we 'let go', love is all that's left.
Love to all
Kate and Bryn
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posted by Kate Wilde at
7:12 AM
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Tuesday, December 1, 2009
From Kate Wilde: There is more you can do.
From Kate Wilde:
Yesterday I answered the phone in our book store, it was a Mom of a 10 year old autistic boy. She was calling because a couple of weeks ago her school had called her up to tell her that they wanted her 10 year old son to go on psychotic drugs. Why? Because they did not know how to handle his sometimes "aggressive behaviour".
So their solution was to drug him, to sedate him so that he does no "bother" them anymore. No concern for this boy's quality of life or the side effects of giving a young child such powerful drugs.
Here at The Autism Treatment Center of America when a child is kicking, pushing, hitting biting etc, we ask ourselves the following questions:
Why are they doing this?
What are they trying to tell us?
What can we do to change OUR behaviour to help this child change theirs?
Once we understand why our children are doing this then we apply a whole host of easy effective techniques to help them choose a different way of communicating.
If your child is being aggressive click on the link below which will take to you a blog about the common reasons why a child might be aggressive.
http://www.autismtreatmentcenter.org/blog/2009/10/intense-energy.php
Then click on this other link that will take you to a webinar on how the Son-Rise Program helps children who have challenging behaviour.
http://www.autismtreatmentcenter.org/media:video,22,0
If your school system or the care home is telling you that your child has to go on drugs because of his aggressive behaviour, think again, there is another way to help your child, it is called The Son-Rise Program.
We want to help you and your child.
With love
Kate
Yesterday I answered the phone in our book store, it was a Mom of a 10 year old autistic boy. She was calling because a couple of weeks ago her school had called her up to tell her that they wanted her 10 year old son to go on psychotic drugs. Why? Because they did not know how to handle his sometimes "aggressive behaviour".
So their solution was to drug him, to sedate him so that he does no "bother" them anymore. No concern for this boy's quality of life or the side effects of giving a young child such powerful drugs.
Here at The Autism Treatment Center of America when a child is kicking, pushing, hitting biting etc, we ask ourselves the following questions:
Why are they doing this?
What are they trying to tell us?
What can we do to change OUR behaviour to help this child change theirs?
Once we understand why our children are doing this then we apply a whole host of easy effective techniques to help them choose a different way of communicating.
If your child is being aggressive click on the link below which will take to you a blog about the common reasons why a child might be aggressive.
http://www.autismtreatmentcenter.org/blog/2009/10/intense-energy.php
Then click on this other link that will take you to a webinar on how the Son-Rise Program helps children who have challenging behaviour.
http://www.autismtreatmentcenter.org/media:video,22,0
If your school system or the care home is telling you that your child has to go on drugs because of his aggressive behaviour, think again, there is another way to help your child, it is called The Son-Rise Program.
We want to help you and your child.
With love
Kate
Labels: Aggressive Behaviors, Kate, Training Programs
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posted by Kate Wilde at
4:59 AM
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Monday, November 30, 2009
From Kate Wilde: Learning New Things
From Kate Wilde: Hi everyone! Today I have the added pleasure of doing another person's computer job, as well as the lovely teaching and playing with children on the Autism Spectrum that I normally do here at The Autism Treatment Center of America.
I spent the best part of yesterday ever so slowly following a step by step guide on how to print out labels from the web site of us mail. How to create invoices, and use the new credit card machine. The beautiful thing about this job is it results in many people from all over the world getting great inspiring and powerful information on how to help their child using The Son-Rise Program!!
The other was an insight on how much time it took me to complete the task. I do not mean this to be a slight on myself - it was so great to see, it took me 3 hours just to do 4 orders - don't be alarmed all those people out there, I will get faster and you will all get your books, tapes and DVDs - I promise!
I already can read, use a computer write, type etc, but still, putting all these skills together to produce a perfect computerized label was slow going the first time. So it stands to reason that it takes a while for our children on the spectrum to do what we are asking them.
So a question for you is, are you pausing after you ask your children to look at you, or after you ask them a question, or ask them to draw or write or blow out birthday candles?
Sometimes all our children need is the time to do the thing we are asking them to do.
I certainly need time to learn my new thing.
So if you normally just wait 2 seconds, wait another 30 seconds, or even more.
Let's give our children time and space to do what is difficult for them.
Have fun everyone
Love to you
Kate
I spent the best part of yesterday ever so slowly following a step by step guide on how to print out labels from the web site of us mail. How to create invoices, and use the new credit card machine. The beautiful thing about this job is it results in many people from all over the world getting great inspiring and powerful information on how to help their child using The Son-Rise Program!!
The other was an insight on how much time it took me to complete the task. I do not mean this to be a slight on myself - it was so great to see, it took me 3 hours just to do 4 orders - don't be alarmed all those people out there, I will get faster and you will all get your books, tapes and DVDs - I promise!
I already can read, use a computer write, type etc, but still, putting all these skills together to produce a perfect computerized label was slow going the first time. So it stands to reason that it takes a while for our children on the spectrum to do what we are asking them.
So a question for you is, are you pausing after you ask your children to look at you, or after you ask them a question, or ask them to draw or write or blow out birthday candles?
Sometimes all our children need is the time to do the thing we are asking them to do.
I certainly need time to learn my new thing.
So if you normally just wait 2 seconds, wait another 30 seconds, or even more.
Let's give our children time and space to do what is difficult for them.
Have fun everyone
Love to you
Kate
Labels: Kate, Requesting
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posted by Kate Wilde at
10:31 AM
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Sunday, November 29, 2009
From Kate Wilde: Acceptance
From Kate Wilde; The House of Wisdom has no walls.
The Son-Rise Program believes in the power of accepting everything about a child on the Autism Spectrum. We do not believe in the concepts of appropriate or inappropriate behaviour, in good or bad, right or wrong. These just create walls between us and a child who is doing the best that they can to take care of themselves, in an often confusing world.
When we see a child, or an adult through the lens of, "This person is doing the best that they can." Then we want to move towards, verses against what we see, and that's when we can start to create opportunities for growth.
All growth starts with acceptance.
If you are facing a situation today that you are finding difficult or challenging ask yourself; Am I moving towards this or against this?
If your answer is against, then take a moment, close your eyes and find a soft place inside of yourself to embrace this situation. There is no situation that you cannot embrace.
Find this place first.
I send so much love and care and good wishes to you all.
Kate Read more!
The Son-Rise Program believes in the power of accepting everything about a child on the Autism Spectrum. We do not believe in the concepts of appropriate or inappropriate behaviour, in good or bad, right or wrong. These just create walls between us and a child who is doing the best that they can to take care of themselves, in an often confusing world.
When we see a child, or an adult through the lens of, "This person is doing the best that they can." Then we want to move towards, verses against what we see, and that's when we can start to create opportunities for growth.
All growth starts with acceptance.
If you are facing a situation today that you are finding difficult or challenging ask yourself; Am I moving towards this or against this?
If your answer is against, then take a moment, close your eyes and find a soft place inside of yourself to embrace this situation. There is no situation that you cannot embrace.
Find this place first.
I send so much love and care and good wishes to you all.
Kate Read more!
posted by Kate Wilde at
5:59 AM
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From Kate Wilde: Treasure Hunt Game!
From Kate Wilde: Good Morning Everyone!
A great game from The Autism Treatment Center of America.
Just click on the video below to view a game you can play right now with your child. This game will help your child physically participate, and help lengthen their attention span.
If you are on face book right now just click on the title of this blog, then on "view original blog", then on the video itself.
Enjoy!
love to you
Kate
A great game from The Autism Treatment Center of America.
Just click on the video below to view a game you can play right now with your child. This game will help your child physically participate, and help lengthen their attention span.
If you are on face book right now just click on the title of this blog, then on "view original blog", then on the video itself.
Enjoy!
love to you
Kate
Labels: Creativity, Fun and Games, Kate
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posted by Kate Wilde at
4:39 AM
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Sunday, November 22, 2009
Ipod game!
Hello Everyone!
Another fun game idea from The Autism Treatment Center of America. This is a game that will be fun for all children on the Autistic Spectrum, whatever stage of development they are at, this game is for you and for them, modify it to fit the motivations of your child, and give it a try.
There is nothing to lose by trying, just a whole lot of fun to gain.
Click on the video below, if you are face book right now click on the title of this blog, then on "view original blog", that will take you to where the video is stored, then just click on the video itself.
Enjoy! If you try this game at home, let us know by posting your experience in the comment section of this blog, or on our face book wall.
Love to you all
Kate
Another fun game idea from The Autism Treatment Center of America. This is a game that will be fun for all children on the Autistic Spectrum, whatever stage of development they are at, this game is for you and for them, modify it to fit the motivations of your child, and give it a try.
There is nothing to lose by trying, just a whole lot of fun to gain.
Click on the video below, if you are face book right now click on the title of this blog, then on "view original blog", that will take you to where the video is stored, then just click on the video itself.
Enjoy! If you try this game at home, let us know by posting your experience in the comment section of this blog, or on our face book wall.
Love to you all
Kate
Labels: Creativity, Fun and Games, Kate
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posted by Kate Wilde at
7:52 AM
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