ALTERNATE METHODS FOR TEACHING AUTISTIC CHILDREN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

ALTERNATE METHODS FOR TEACHING AUTISTIC CHILDREN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

This article presents alternate methods which may work for child development, teaching Autistic children and a variety of developmental disabilities; I offer no cures only a review of the knowledge I have accumulated over the years.

I have used these techniques, or adaptations of them, to help with ADD, ADHD, Dyslexia, FAS and children's development, for many years, with varying results.
These alternatives are not quick fixes, they require, diligence, patience and above all, a loving, caring, sometimes disciplined approach to the chosen alternative methods use.

Some of those alternative methods are:
Brain Gym
Dr Frank Belgau’s Learning Breakthrough Program
M.A.P.S (Multi-sensoriality for Additional Pathways and Synapses)
Sensory Integration
S.O.I. - (Structure of Intellect)

While I may be a professional in the developmental disabilities field, I am not an expert in each of the alternative methods; what I have to offer you, is my experience related to alternate methods for children’s development and adults having developmental disabilities.
I am also not affiliated with the processes and offer them as alternatives to explore.

I present you with a series of articles on each process.

Brain Gym®

Brain Gym uses movement to develop the brain’s neural pathways.
Dr. Paul Dennison and Gail E. Dennison created Brain Gym to help children and adults that were identified as Learning Disabled.
The Brain Gym system is based on 26 movements and other modalities that comprise the Brain Gym methods.
This writer has used the Brain Gym methods for 8 years with pre-school children and special needs adults. Some of the anecdotal benefits noticed in children and adults were: increased self-esteem, more focused attention, reduced stress levels, reduced anxiety, better whole body coordination, easier to learn things, increased spatial awareness, better expressive language, and increased academic skills, to name but a few.

A book that explores some of the science behind Brain Gym is called Smart Moves: Why Learning is not all in Your Head, by neurobiologist Carla Hannaford Ph.D.
The Brain Gym methods cannot be learned from a book, and usually require attendance at a 2 day course of instruction.

The author uses Brain Gym on a daily basis, for his own personal benefit and that of his clients.
It has been shown, by personal experience, through anecdotal observation, to help children and adults with ADD, ADHD, Dyslexia, FAS, behaviour problems and Autism.

On one occasion a parent had asked me to work with her son who was 6 years old; she explained that his printing was backwards and he could not focus on his work at school.
I met the child and asked him what he was interested in, he said soccer. I asked him if there was anything he wanted to do better in soccer, he replied “kick the ball into the goal net”, and where does the ball usually go? I asked, “off to the side” was his reply.
I asked the boy to imagine he was kicking the ball into the goal net, “where is it going”, I asked, he pointed to the side.
We tried this several times and on each occasion the ball did not go into the net. I did a Brain Gym® balance using the Brain Gym movements and asked the boy to “try again”. After the balance I asked the boy to imagine kicking the ball into the goal net, “where did it go” I asked, “into the net”, was his reply.
I left the boy with a series of Brain Gym movements to do daily.

A few months later I contacted the boy's mom and asked how he was doing; mom was pleased to report that his writing and attention span had increased. I asked, “How is his soccer game?” Her reply? “He is one of the best goal scorers on the team!”

To learn more about Brain Gym® visit: http://www.braingym.org/index.html

Our First Book Review will be "Smart Moves": Why Learning is not all in Your Head, by neurobiologist Carla Hannaford Ph.D. but you will have to wait for that until next time.

I will also post a free report based on "The Early Years Study" This report is vital reading for parents and pre-school teachers - What You and Your Child Should Know Before They Go To School?

First Post

CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND TEACHING CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
This is my first post on the Storybooks That Teach Newspage.

I now have a way to communicate with you about some of the exciting things that I will be writing about, and developing.

The main purpose of this newspage is to help promote child development and assist with the teaching of special needs children and adults.

my name is Paul Mackie and I am the author of "Storybooks That Teach"; children's educational books. Let me tell you a little about myself:

My mission, or goal, is to help children and adults "be the best that they can be".

WHO AM I?

PAUL MACKIE is a professional, caring, empathetic, licensed Early Childhood Educator and Community Care Worker with special need adults.

While my background is as an industrial engineer in 1995 I obtained my Brain Gym® (simple movements that help use more of the brain’s potential) teacher certification and then went back to college and completed my Early Childhood Educators training in 1996.

Since then I have worked in day cares, special need community day programs and the school system using simple movements and play based activities that improve children’s and adult's ability to learn. I have used these methods successfully, to help children and adults in their development.

I have presented seminars on Brain Gym and techniques to reduce stress to both educators and businesses such as Early Childhood Educators of BC, Supported Childcare, The Learning Academy, Crestbrook Forest Industries and others.

My interests include helping children, adults with special needs, and people with behavior or learning difficulties. I am currently developing educational tools and programs for parents, day cares, special need day programs and schools, to help children and adults develop and have fun while learning.

I live in Calgary, Canada with my wife and family and currently work with adults with disabilities.

To contact Paul Mackie, email: paulmackie(at)lycos.com....subject: "storybooks", or "sensory books" or visit:
http://www.storybooksthatteach.com
http://www.paulmackie.com


This newspage will bring you ideas, book reviews, new products and information related to child development, teaching Autistic children and special needs adults.