Nike creates Flyease shoes for individuals with disabilities

autism

Nike creates Flyease shoes for individuals with disabilities – w/video

My dream is to go to the college of my choice without having to worry about someone coming to tie my shoes every day. I’ve worn Nike basketball shoes all my life. I can only wear this type of shoe, because I need ankle support to walk. At 16 years old, I am able to completely dress myself, but my parents still have to tie my shoes. As a teenager who is striving to become totally self-sufficient, I find this extremely frustrating and, at times, embarrassing.” – Matthew

Soon enough, his letter was picked up by Nike CEO Mark Parker and before long, Nike designer Tobie Hatfield started working with Matthew on a prototype, which would later on become the Nike LeBron Zoom Soldier 8 Flyease— shoes that make it easy for anyone to slip their feet in, and can be secured easily with specialized zippers.

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Goodbyes Are Not Forever

Moving On, Letting Go, Embracing Change

Goodbyes are bittersweet. For many nights now, I have tried to absorb as much of Fredericton to my system before we move out. It is not easy leaving a quarter of a century’s worth of memories. I will be missing the smell of winter amid the freezing cold, the cheerfulness of people you meet on the streets or in a nearby grocery store, the view from my kitchen on an early summer morning, and, of course, the autism community where my family especially Johnny and I lend our strength. The families whom we have been in close contact with for all those years and the memories spent with them truly tug at my heartstrings as I pack our belongings.

One by one, the books, the clothes, the shoes, the kitchen stuff, and other house essentials are placed then sealed in a box. There are coffees and laughter in between with friends helping out. But each time we call it a day, I cannot help but feel that sudden glint of melancholy. These friends we are leaving behind have become like our families for quite some time. They welcome our children in their homes as we welcome theirs. It is this mutual support and respect that binds us—and something that is quite hardest to let go.

But all things have an end to pave way for a new beginning. No matter how we hold on to something, no matter how hardest it may seem, there are just moments when the need to let go and move on is essential. I will be moving on with both despondency and excitement in my heart. However, one has to stay positive to welcome equally beautiful change. Like a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly, I have to face everything to open up a new set of beautiful possibilities in life.

Life is always changing. Hard as it may be, each tomorrow brings a promise. I pray earnestly that whatever tomorrow brings to my family, it is something worth cherishing. To the friends and family we will be leaving behind, I am forever grateful. My heart is no longer heavy leaving all of you, as I carry all of your memories with me wherever we go.

Much love.

Children With Autism Targeted By School Bullies

School is an extension of our home where our kids feel the same excitement. However, it can be difficult for them too— the scenery, the people, their responsibility as students, co-existing with others, and so on. Amongst other things is their safety. Recent studies says that school bullies preys on children with autism.

“At a meeting with school counselors, the teenager finally spoke up, confessing that he was being bullied by students in the cafeteria. Once, they had pulled his pants down to his knees in front of his class. ”

“Many parents of children with autism already are well aware that their children are taunted and tormented at school, but the new study suggests the problem is pervasive. Dr. Sterzing’s data, collected from a nationally representative sample of 920 middle- and high-school students with an autism disorder, shows that 46 percent have been bullied.  By comparison, in the general adolescent population, an estimated 10.6 percent of children have been bullied.” Read more >

Thus, us parents, should do our research and get to know the school first. It is important to find the best school for our children with autism.

 

Understanding Autism Behavior

A child who has autism can be quite a handful to parents, teachers, and to caregivers. One’s patience can be tested over and over again especially when one lacks knowledge about the symptoms. A person living with a child on the spectrum requires hands-on knowledge and understanding about Autism’s complexities and intricacies to better handle the situation and to easily navigate through the complex maze of developmental needs and interventions required to address a child-with-autism’s needs.

For parents who are battling this dilemma for the first time, it is important to know some of the unique behavioral characteristics that individuals with autism usually manifest. Though behavioral symptoms can vary by severity, age, and intervention level applied, these behavioral characteristics are often present separately or sometimes as a cluster:

Ritual and Routine

Children with autism easily get upset when their routine is interrupted, or when an object of their attention is taken away. Most, if not all, children with autism have specific ritual that involves mastering a specific skill as a way for them to feel at ease and secure in a given condition. Most also adheres to specific timeframe when addressing their needs.

Temper Tantrums or Meltdowns

It is “normal” for children living in the spectrum to display violent or destructive behavior. Some children may even injure themselves or others. They can also be uncontrollable physically and may start shaking violently. Some would seethe in anger and can keep still on the said condition over time. Though a “normal” manifestation, temper tantrums can be prevented when handled carefully. Behavioral interventions are often used as a therapy to kids with autism to prevent such meltdowns from happening.

Stereotyped, Repetitive, and Irregular Body Movements

Open display of irregular or stereotyped body movements is a common trait among children with autism. These movements are often involuntary, that is, they do not have any control over these movements. Children with autism are unaware of this manifestation. Often, these movements are displayed when nervous or when they are upset. Repetitive movements, on the other hand, are common denominator among individuals with autism. These movements usually deliver a sense of security and calming effect to them. Some of the most common irregular, stereotyped, and repetitive movements are fidgeting, tapping, rocking, grimacing, hand flapping and wringing, spasms, hopping/skipping, shrugging, and even mimicking other people’s actions.

Obsessive-Compulsive Behavior

Obsession is another common trait among children, teens, and even adults with autism. This could be over objects, subjective areas of interest, or certain themes. The problem with this “fixation” often affects behavior leading to compulsive actions. Children, for instance, can be fixated on an object like a toy, taking them apart, and then fixing them again closely observing how it works. Do take note that this so-called “fixation” encompasses certain intensity of focus but can also come to an end.

Oppositional Behavior

Children or teens on the spectrum may also scream, kick, or manifest unruly behavior when parents or caregiver remove him from a comfortable environment. All things and environment unfamiliar to a child with autism often draw out an oppositional behavior from them. This could be due to extreme anxiety, fear or sometimes anger from being uprooted from his fixation or comfortable environment. Parents who often encounter this problem may seek intervention by learning how to coach their child on how to adapt to new locations, situations or experiences

Parental stress and autism: what’s effective at reducing it?

Raising children is an extremely rewarding experience. That’s not to say however that every minute of every day is spent with smiles and adoration for our offspring. Generally speaking the majority of parents I imagine though, would look favourably at the experience of going the family-way.

The rosy picture of having a family is however never truly complete without realising that having children can be quite a stressful experience. Whether as a result of those earliest days of sleep deprivation and almost constant diaper changing duties, through to some of the growing pains as puberty beckons and even onwards into the adult years, stress is a pretty constant companion to the family journey. Oh and also how many kids you’re parenting.

To have a child with additional needs, whether a physical disability or intellectual / developmental disorder, has been suggested to carry it’s own unique challenges which can also impact on parental stress levels. I’m not saying that, to somehow blame or stigmatise or anything like that, but merely to reflect the quite extensive body of research which has concentrated on that point.

There is also quite a large evidence base to suggest that parents report greater levels of stress associated with raising a child with an autism spectrum disorder. Indeed it is with this area in mind that I want to focus on “Stress-reducing interventions that are needed for parents and especially parents of children with autism”.

The question is: what kinds of stress-reducing interventions are available and more importantly, which ones work?

I don’t claim to have some special insight into these questions, but a quick Google of the research literature offers a few potentially important pointers.

Social support. “Oh, I get by…With a little help from my friends” was a song by the Beatles but also it is perhaps little surprise that through the wonders of social media and the Internet, on-line social support groups for parents of children with autism are numerous and easily accessible in our digital age. With all the talk about how such resources might be ‘changing our brains’ (erm, or not), I’m minded to say that in this example, it might actually be a change for the better.

Mindfulness. I know, I know. It sounds like psycho-babble mumbo-jumbo to the nth degree when you first hear it. But actually I’m becoming quite a fan of mindfulness. The basic idea is to think about the present, stay focus on the present, and manage the thoughts and feelings that are linked to stress. The evidence base for mindfulness for relieving caregiver stress is what might be described as emerging with some potential bonuses for offspring too. It’s worth pointing out that mindfulness techniques are seemingly also finding a role in helping some people on the autism spectrum as well.

Parent training. I must point out that I am in no way trying to say that anyone is in need of “training” just in case anyone thinks I am. I am merely referring to the body of literature which ‘suggests that there may be some merit in looking into this option with stress relief in mind. There are positives effects this has on parent stress levels. Training programs designed to teach parents ways to enhance their coping skills, relationship development skills, how to increase their social support networks, will collectively make changes in their environment that are critical to reducing parental stress.

Outside interests. a hobby or some type of external interest such as physical exercising, dancing, martial arts, etc. all serve several health benefits that are more than just for a physical purpose. Fun, self-esteem building, stress releasing are just a few.

Respite. I don’t think this needs much explanation. More respite care was associated with increased uplifts and reduced stress. Indeed, part of that reduction in stress was seemingly getting a little more quality time with your significant other. It can’t be stress enough how important respite care can be to some families.

I’ve only really scratched the surface on parental stress and autism and how one might go about tackling or reducing it. If you want a perspective from a parent living with autism who is also an author on autism, look no further than from these insights. Let us also not forget other siblings of the family unit too and how stress can affect them.

What remains apparent is that (a) parenting, as well as very rewarding, can be a stressful activity, (b) parenting a child with additional needs can carry some of its own unique stresses and (c) tackling or reducing that stress has got to be a win-win situation for everyone concerned; importantly not just for the child, but also for parents.

Dear Pamela,

Many thanks for the email and kind words. Please, by all means, use the post if it helps at all. Everything on my blog is published under a creative commons license meaning that dissemination is absolutely implied!

Good luck with your new venture and book.

Regards

Paul

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Paul Whiteley B.Sc(Hons) M.Phil. Ph.D

 

Autism Healthy Eating: Feeding Your Child Right

Autism has become quite a news sensation nowadays, with significantly higher statistics supporting its rise today than in recent years. A pervasive developmental disorder, Autism highly affects the brain and developmental skills of a child’s first few years of life. From difficulties in verbal to social, emotional, physical and intellectual functions, the impact of autism lies in wide-ranging spectrum with overlapping symptoms making each case unique and distinctive than others. One of the prevalent issues, however, in children with autism is their high selectivity for food (or picky eating).

Autism is all over the news these days, with significantly more children being diagnosed with this condition today than in recent generations. Autism is a pervasive developmental disorder that affects the brain, develops within a child’s first few years of life and affects verbal, social, emotional, physical and intellectual functioning. The causes of autism are not fully understood, and its severity and responsiveness to various treatments vary widely from child to child. Some autism experts believe a healthy diet might help children with autism function more successfully.

Tips to Healthy Eating

Before engaging in any special diet meant for children with ASD, it is imperative that you consult with your child’s physician to ensure that underlying gastric disorders are addressed. Be reminded that in addition to their behavioral and neurological symptoms, children with autism often suffer from digestive and allergy issues. The help of a registered physician or dietitian with experience in treating autism can be of great help to ensure that the food they take will not trigger symptoms, as well as proper nutrition and caloric intake are provided for.

When it comes to food choices, organic and unprocessed foods are ideal choices. Packaged and/or processed foods provide minimal nutrition and inadequate caloric content that will hinder weight development among children. Building a child-with-autism’s diet around these fresh and healthy foods ensure zero nutritional deficiencies and other prevalent digestive risks.

Gluten-Free, Casein-Free diet is considered one of the special diets that can help “treat” autism. This diet, though not scientifically proven, has been going on for quite some time. Parents to children with autism have continually backed the efficiency of this claim that it can help manage, if not minimize the symptoms. Some diets that are also free of allergens as well as yeast can be helpful.

The use of supplements and vitamins is also an important key in ensuring adequate nutritional intake of your child. Supplements like probiotics, omega-3 fatty acids, folic acid, and vitamins A, B6 and C, are just some of the typically recommended ones. Keep in mind that diets like CFGF Diet can make kids lose out on some of the necessary vitamins and minerals prohibited on its food list. To guarantee that necessary nutrition is in your child’s system, the addition of these supplements can be added BUT with the approval of your child’s physician, of course.

All in all, this complex developmental disability called Autism Spectrum Disorders may not be curable but can be managed and controlled with proper intervention and healthy dietary factors. When done with the guidance of an Autism-accredited physician or dietitian, keeping your child’s symptoms under control while maintaining his healthy physique can be attained.

First Day High: 10 Helpful Tips To Prepare Your Child With Autism For School

With the school opening looming up ahead, the idea of transitioning your child with autism can prove to be daunting. Starting school can be a difficult time even for normal kids, more so with a child who has limited cognitive, social, and other developmental skills. Like normal kids, children on the spectrum also feel the same excitement and anxiety. This change can be difficult for them— the scenery, the people, their responsibility as students, co-existing with others, and so on. This often leads to sudden (and somehow negative) changes in behavior.

By now, you must have already looked into a number of schools in your area and have found the right one for your child. To gear your child for the so-called “first day high,” try looking into these helpful tips and see if any of these can work with his or her level of ASD.

1. Try creating a social story to go along with the preparation. Pictures and video presentation prove to be effective channels to show them what school is like, how to go with the usual morning/afternoon routine, and other school activities.

2. Create creatively the list of daily activities he or she will have to take from waking up to brushing, walking/riding to school, entering the classroom, and so on.  If possible, try to ask the school administration if it is okay for you and your child to look around.

3. Prepare a calendar complete with pictures. Indicate lunch with the picture of the school cafeteria or toilet time with the comfort room or playtime with a picture of the school playground with children playing.

4. Before school officially starts, ask if it is okay for your child to meet his or her new teacher. Let the teacher and the school’s guidance counselor know about certain “obsessions” that your child may have. Often, visiting school ahead of time and meeting the people he or she will encounter head-on can ease their way into transition.

5. Communicate, communicate. Whatever your child’s ASD level, it is imperative that you ask about what he or she feels. Engage him or her in the whole process. His or her feelings should come first and foremost on this journey. Make him or her feel secured and assured, that school is a safe haven. Instill happy thoughts in meeting new friends. He or she may be socially challenged, but this does not negate the thought of feeling the same level of excitement in meeting new acquaintances.

6. Reassure your child that school is his or her second home. While “Mommy” or “Daddy” help resolves problems for him at home, he or she now has an extra set of helping hands with “teacher” (be specific with the name of the teacher to make him familiar) around.

7. Try to check if there are kids in the neighborhood who will be going on the same classes with your child. Sometimes, letting them connect to others before school starts can greatly eliminate unforeseen circumstances during transition.

8. Make sure to find out what after-school activities can your child join. Some sports activities are excellent activities for children with ASDs.

9. Include your child’s therapist on this process. It is imperative that you are fully guided on every endeavor you pursue to ensure zero meltdown.

10. Be extra attentive. Some kids on the spectrum have a hard time coping with these sudden changes. Make sure to prioritize your child’s welfare before anything else.

Each child with Autism Spectrum Disorder has a different way of dealing with changes in their environment. These tips may prove to be effective to others but, in everything else, you alone know what works best for him or her.

 

Autism Limelight: The GFCF Diet

Autism has no known cure. Over the years, a lot of behavioral treatment and therapies as well as medical prescriptions have been given to children with autism but, still the idea of a cure seems farfetched. Apart from having no known causes, Autism Spectrum Disorders can be as complicated as it gets.

Autism Limelight-The GFCF DietHowever, recent studies and personal observations from parents, family members and caregivers presented the GFCF Diet to be an effective method in managing autism.

GFCF diet stands for gluten-free and casein-free diet wherein children and adults with autism removes two groups of proteins from their diet completely – with no cheat days! Casein is found in all milk and dairy products, while gluten can be found on wheat, rye, barley, and some oats. Some of the most common foods usually consumed by children are milk, yogurt, ice cream, bread, cereal, pasta, hotdogs, and bottled and jarred sauces or salad dressings are known to contain gluten or casein.

The GFCF diet revolves around the idea that children with autism cannot fully digest or break down gluten and casein. With leaky guts, some of these undigested or partially digested proteins can leak through the intestinal walls and passes through the bloodstream into the brain leading to heightened issues with speech, social, and behavioral skills. According to reports, kids with autism on a strict GFCF Diet tend to have less temper tantrums or meltdowns, hyperactivity, speech and eye contact issues, and sometimes, physical diseases like seizures, allergies, and skin rashes. Kids with autism eating gluten-free and casein-free foods are known to be more relaxed and have the tendency to sleep better than those who are not.

Though the fame of the GFCF Diet is rising over the years and half of the kids with ASD suffer some kind of gastrointestinal issues, it is important to note that it does not work for everyone. Working closely with an accredited health practitioner (see LivingAutismNow’s accredited nutritionist and dietitian) and a physician with hands-on experience on the GFCF Diets can be of great help. These two can assess your child’s gastrointestinal condition and current diet, assess if there’s a need for other nutritional supplements, and help prepare meal plans for your child. Be aware that by eliminating both protein groups- casein and gluten to your child’s diet can compromise his other nutritional requirement so delving into this diet requires expert assistance. Not only will this ensure your child’s progress but also to guarantee that he is in tip-top shape.

How to Become Your Own Child’s Autism Advocate

Autism numbers are rising. As several disorders on the spectrum are grouped collectively to fall under a single diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder, the number of children and adults alike are also rising. Nonetheless, it remains a complex neurological disorder with equally complex diagnosis, causes, and therapies or treatments. The feeling of being a parent to one with ASD, however, remains the same. Overwhelmed, frightened, confused? These feelings are nothing new. It is normal to have apprehensions and more questions than answers.

Your child, however, needs you now more than ever—and the best way to help him or her is to widen your knowledge about autism and its eventual effect on your child.

So, what to do to become your own child’s autism advocate? Here are some ways how:

Enroll in Parenting Classes

Look up your local yellow pages for a nearby autism institute and research center. These institutions always provide parent- education classes, seminars, and symposium catered specifically for parents whose son or daughter is diagnosed with ASD. Some classes regularly meet on a weekly or twice-a-week basis for several weeks or months to teach you how to set realistic and doable short- and long-term goals. It has a set of curriculum to follow that allows parents to learn practical skills, techniques and strategies on how to go-about your child’s disorder and improve his/her skills. Some research centers also tackle collaborative initiatives with educators and professionals in a way of developing tactics for school and home.

Attend Community Outreach Programs

Another low-cost option in learning about autism and is by joining community-based training. Most programs initiated in communities are sponsored by experts in the field of autism. These programs usually follow the same core curriculum as that of institute-based classes. In some, groups engaging in open discussion and usually facilitated by parents to autism children provide lectures on ASD tapping awareness, life skills, social skills, and other specific aspects of autism. This parents’ forum are often considered the very tie that binds autism communities across regions providing valuable knowledge and support to families with members on the spectrum.

Online Tool Kits

The internet continually proves to be an indispensable part of raising autism awareness and in providing support to families dealing with ASD across nations. Free online tool kits are available for families in various websites. These kits usually provide important and relevant information on the disorder, treatment options, coping strategies and techniques, and goal-setting. Some websites, like Living Autism Now (www.livingautismnow.com), provides a portal that connects families to the best professional help and services in their localities. It also provides ample information and links to resources as well as a space dedicated to answering questions and for sharing experiences with others.

School-Based Programs

Primarily targeted to parents with school-age children, this program type usually deals on how parents and teachers can best met the educational needs of children with autism. The program usually consists of lectures, forums, seminars, open-discussion groups, and one-on-one engagement initiatives. Each school has its set of curriculum to follow, and to best gauge which will work best with your child is to check with its special education teacher or its guidance counselor.

Faith-Based Programs

Some religious communities have also set-up its own outreach program to aid in the growing need for autism awareness and acceptance. If you belong to a certain religious congregation, try checking with the local parish priest, catechists or lay ministers for any open discussion groups or counseling care. These programs often tap on providing families with emotional and spiritual support.

There are many resources available nowadays for you to choose from. As parents, we only want what is best for our children. Each autism case is unique. Finding one that will best suit your child and your expectations solely depend on your choices.