Seen at 7: Virtual Resources for Autism
One in 44 children are diagnosed with autism. But according to a new study- services are limited, especially in many neighborhoods with people with color. There is now a virtual clinic for Autism evaluations called โAs You Areโ that help children in Houston and surrounding areas get access to services.
Livingston ISD parents express concern over services offered to students with intellectual abilities after they say their 8-year-old son was mishandled
The family of an 8-year-old boy who is diagnosed with Autism expressed concern over services offered to students with intellectual challenges after they said a teacher mishandled their son during an emotional outburst.
โWhat should more people understand about autism?โ Your responses are so important to read
Considering this month is an important time to learn more about autism, we thought weโd ask you, our readers and viewers: If any of you have a close connection to autism spectrum disorder (perhaps youโve been diagnosed, or you have a friend or child with autism), is there anything you wish more people understood?
Tell us: Whatโs something you wish more people understood about autism?
Considering this month is an important time to learn more about autism, we thought weโd ask you, our readers and viewers: If any of you have a close connection to autism spectrum disorder (perhaps youโve been diagnosed, or you have a friend or child with autism), is there anything you wish more people understood?
5 activities for children with autism whoโve been under stress, anxiety due to the pandemic
One way to cope with any extra stress or anxiety is to have the kids engage in play time to help develop motor skills, social skills and language development, according to Dr. Jen Harstein, a childrenโs developmental psychologist who works with autistic children daily.
11-year-old boy with autism found after disappearing from Katy ISD campus
Parents of an 11-year-old boy with autism want to know how their son was able to wander several miles from his school before administrators notified them, likely prolonging a disappearance they said should have been reported and solved sooner.
Autism Speaks working to create more opportunities for adults living with autism
For a long time, the month of April has been about Autism awareness but that notion is now changing.The organization, Autism Speaks, says it is now more about acceptance and creating more opportunities for adults living with autism.
VOICES OF HOUSTON: Houston area mom empowers other moms of children living with Autism
For this weekโs Voices of Houston we are sharing the story of a mom who first created a Facebook group and a magazine for moms of children living with Autism.Both have allowed so many parents to connect and to support each other, as well as, grow some new businesses.
KPRC 2 honors autism awareness and acceptance throughout April
KPRC 2 is honoring World Autism Month in April. Special coverage kicks off on World Autism Awareness Day, April 2, across KPRC 2 newscasts and Click2Houston.com. The aim is to bring awareness and provide resources to families living with autism while advocating for kindness and acceptance.
Take note: This teen with autism wrote the perfect guide on how to treat people
After dealing with exclusion by his peers over the years, Timothy Rohrer, a now-young adult who was diagnosed with autism as a second-grader, penned and published a pamphlet in which he basically guides people on how to treat those with disabilities.
Child found walking in roadway in Fairfield returned to parents, deputy constables say
Lights atop a police cruiser flash at the scene of a crime in this undated file image. CYPRESS, Texas โ Deputy constables have found the parents of a child they said was found walking in the roadway in Fairfield Friday. Deputy constables said they located the child, who is described as being a white male child between the ages of three and six, walking in the roadway at Mason Road and Maple Village Drive. Deputy Constables have located a white male child between the ages of 3 and 6 walking in the roadway at Mason Rd and Maple Village Dr in Fairfield. pic.twitter.com/k59QiV0ix1 โ Mark Herman, Harris County Constable Precinct 4 (@Pct4Constable) January 22, 2021Deputies were searching the area looking for the childโs residence.
Parents, advocates fight to get much-needed treatment for Texas children on Autism spectrum
โ Families across Texas are struggling to pay for Autism therapy even though legislation was approved last year to help offset those costs. When a child is diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, parents are often told Applied Behavior Analysis Therapy is their best bet for treatment. While ABA therapy was supposed to be covered by Texas Medicaid, more than 70,000 children in Texas, who are eligible for this treatment if they need it, still donโt have access to it. But for many Texas children enrolled in Medicaid, they are still waiting. Having the coverage through Texas Medicaid would be a huge burden off of her shoulders in more ways than one.
A Parentโs Guide To Autism, from KPRC 2
Weโve included a KPRC 2โฒs โParentโs Guide To Autismโ Resources list below to help. Click here to watch the full video of the parents autism roundtable. Click here to download KPRC 2โฒs โParentโs Guide To Autismโ Resources. -----KPRC "Parent's Guide to Autism" ResourcesBefore the DiagnosisA Quick 5-Step Checklist1. Texas School Districts Offering Autism ServicesAldine I.S.D (Aldine Independent School District)AdAlief I.S.D (Alief Independent School District)Cy-Fair I.S.D (Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District)F.B.I.S.D (Fort Bend Independent School District): Link 1 | Link 2H.I.S.D (Houston Independent School District)Humble I.S.D (Humble Independent School District)Pasadena I.S.D (Pasadena Independent School District)AdLamar C.I.S.D (Lamar Consolidated Independent School District)Spring I.S.D (Spring Independent School District)Katy I.S.D (Katy Independent School District)Private SchoolsThe Special Schools Coalition -- The Special Schools Coalition is a group of independent schools in the Greater Houston Area who serves children with special needs and their families.
3 of the coolest photographed events for Autism Awareness Month
As April draws closer to its close, perhaps it's the right time to stop and reflect on all the autism outreach and autism awareness campaigns that the month has brought. For example, by now, some people are aware that a good handful of iconic buildings "go blue" in honor of World Autism Awareness Day. Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for Autism SpeaksAnd check out this international soccer match, held in Mexico on April 7. Hector Vivas/Getty ImagesFinally, did you know people in the baseball community are working toward creating a universally accessible Dodgers Dreamfield at Jack Bulik Park? Photo by Rachel Luna/Getty ImagesDid you catch any local events that took place in your community?
Meet the fresh face of autism awareness: Julia, from 'Sesame Street'
For fans of Julia, the 4-year-old Muppet with autism on โSesame Street,โ you are in luck. Autism Speaks, a national advocacy organization that sponsors research and conducts awareness activities, has launched a new campaign in conjunction with "Sesame Street" that features Julia and aims to promote early autism screening. The campaign consists of digital, print and resources available in English at ScreenForAutism.org and in Spanish at DeteccionDeAutismo.org. The content highlights the importance of early screening. โThere is considerable work to be done in overcoming obstacles that may delay a diagnosis -- the first step toward improved future outcomes,โ said Angela Geiger, CEO of Autism Speaks.
What should parents know about autism? Leading advocate lends advice
Parents of children with autism likely have a lot of questions before, during and after a diagnosis. Frazier took time out of his busy travel schedule during Autism Awareness Month to answer some questions on autism and provide tips for parents. Family and caregiver quality of life are key to successful development for all children, but especially children with autism." Frazier: "In general, parents of children with autism know their child and learn what they can and cannot do. Parents of children with autism who understand how to prompt and reinforce appropriate functional behavior are the most effective parents.
Teen with autism encourages others on the spectrum
โHe's doing so many things independently and that's only because Iโve put in the work,โ Clouser explained. For families on the spectrum, Clouser said the biggest challenge is by far the cost. Especially if you're giving a child what they really, really need and you're being proactive,โ Clouser said. Clouser is using it as a time to call businesses and encourage them to include kids on the spectrum in their services. It will be in the children's shoe department and is free for people on the spectrum.
What are the best musical instruments for children with autism?
Whether itโs to provide relaxation or to develop coordination or motor skills, playing music instruments is a great activity for kids who have autism. UkuleleStrumming strings on this instrument helps develop motor control, and it has four strings compared to a full-size guitar with six strings. Xylophone/glockenspielAnother small and inexpensive instrument (ranging from $50 to $100), this helps kids with autism develop impulse control and hand-eye coordination. BongosSimply hitting bongos can be a good way to enjoy sound and work off some energy. But if there's a desire to get more in-depth, learning to play them along to music develops hand-eye coordination and motor skills.
Sports, activities that are best for children with autism
For parents of children with autism, some might be understandably hesitant to put them in sports or other leisure activities. While team sports that rely a lot on communication and cooperation might be tougher for some children with autism, there are sports and activities that are great for universal participation, according to an article on verywellhealth.com. Those activities are better suited for kids with autism. Bowling: This is a sport that doesnโt require much communication with other team members to succeed, because itโs so individualized. Individual sports/activitiesHere are some notable non-team sports and activities that can be good for children with autism or other sensory disorders.
Study looks at effects of probiotics on those with autism
Now, UT Health is doing the first study on kids with autism and how they're affected by probiotics. So, she enrolled Adam in the UT Health study with Dr. Marc Rhoads, pediatric gastroenterologist with UTHealth/UT Physicians. โOur son has suffered from severe constipation and a very narrow, limited diet, he would only eat two or three things,โ Galvez said. Rhoads believes prescription probiotics will help him and affect behaviors of a lot of the 4- to 16-year-olds in his study. Some of the participants are getting a placebo pill, but Galvez said since thereโs been a dramatic difference in Adamโs behavior, they're convinced they're getting the real thing.
KPRC 2 meteorologist Britta Merwin shares her family's autism journey
HOUSTON โ An autism diagnosis can be overwhelming and change everything in an instant. I just felt like the world just stopped for a minute," said KPRC 2 meteorologist Britta Merwin. An exchange with a KPRC 2 viewer during Autism Awareness Month provided provided Merwin the opportunity to open up about her family's journey. Click here to watch the full video of the parents autism roundtable. An IEP is a document that is developed for each public school child who needs special education.
World Autism Awareness Day: How to recognize the signs
HOUSTON โ In recognition of World Autism Awareness Day, Britta Merwin has a heartfelt and personal message to share: You can do it! Monday marks the 11th annual World Autism Awareness Day. People are encouraged to wear blue to recognize those who are on the autism spectrum and the people who love and support them. World Autism Day! A checklist can help parents assess the risk of autism spectrum disorder in children ages 16 to 30 months.