Showing posts with label Adventures in Autism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Adventures in Autism. Show all posts

Monday, May 23, 2011

NAA NY Metro Chapter Presents: Mealtime Success for Kids on the Spectrum

Mealtime Success For Kids on the Spectrum
with Susan Roberts, MDiv, OTR/L
Date: Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Time: 6:00 pm - Networking /6:30-8:30 pm - Presentation
Location: Rebecca School
40 East 30th, 5th Floor New York, NY 10003

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders have difficulties during mealtimes for a variety of reasons. Poor muscle control affects lips, tongue, jaw, facial muscles, hands and core body movements—all of which impact our ability to move food into the digestive system. Sensory processing problems produce aversions or obsessions with specific smells, textures and tastes that compromise good nutrition—which in turn increases hunger and food cravings. Mealtimes nourish our souls as much as our bodies, through the sharing of conversation and social relationships. Instead of a time for enjoyment, mealtimes often become battlegrounds—nourishing no one.

SUSAN L. ROBERTS, MDiv, OTR/L, teaches a seminar on this topic and recently returned from appearances throughout the nation. Come join us on June 22nd for the opportunity to share Susan’s expertise in this area and to share your own thoughts and concerns.

Ms. Roberts is an award winning Occupational Therapist with more than 30 years of experience in school-based pediatrics, as well as home health care, rehabilitation, ergonomics, long-term care, adaptive driving and psychiatry. Susan earned a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from Boston University. Research interests in the sensory aspects and neurobiology of healing rituals led her to complete a Masters in Divinity from Harvard University.

Ms. Roberts’ current practice places a special emphasis on transforming behavioral issues in families with non-verbal and pre-verbal children. Her clinical and research interests lie in the primary occupation of childhood, play, as well as the use of mind/body approaches for achieving optimal health and wellness. Ms. Roberts gives lectures & seminars around the USA on how to help children enjoy mealtimes, playtimes & school. Through individual coaching, play experiences, and support groups, she provides a safe space where children (and the adults who care for them) can discover their own path to happiness and healing.

Monday, October 11, 2010

The Age of Autism: An Evening With Dan Olmsted and Mark Blaxill


On Saturday, October 2, 2010, dozens of people from the tri-state area gathered to meet Dan Olmsted and Mark Blaxill, editors of the online go-to autism newspaper, AgeOfAutism.com, and authors of the courageous new book The Age of Autism: Mercury, Medicine, and a Man-Made Epidemic. Mark and Dan spent years studying the history of mercury-induced illnesses, and tie together in this book the history of damage wrought by mercury over the centuries, with many surprising findings. They shared the back story of how the book came to be and read from it as well. Attendees got to spend the evening mingling with Mark and Dan, asking lots of questions, and enjoying good company.

If you haven't already, do read the book and help spread the word - our friends at SafeMinds have great ideas on getting the news out in your community about this book and other important autism information, even if you only have a few minutes to spare - check out their suggestions here.

Mark and Dan recently have appeared on Imus and on WNYC's The Leonard Lopate Show to discuss their book and they also were interviewed by Deirdre Imus on Huffington Post. The comment thread on WNYC shows that this book is stirring up controversy on all sides of the autism debate and has people talking. The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene even contacted WNYC before the show aired.

Recently, many people also have been discussing the very interesting article in The Atlantic about Dr. Leo Kanner's first identified autism case, "Donald T." The Atlantic piece is certainly a lovely article, however, The Atlantic authors were not the first to find or to write about Donald T. Age of Autism's Dan Olmsted first wrote about him way back in 2005! Read an interesting account of the Olmsted and Atlantic stories by Ginger Taylor, of Adventures in Autism, here.

NAA-NY Metro thanks Katie Wright for her generosity in hosting this wonderful event.

by Kim Mack Rosenberg

(pictured: #1: Dan Olmsted, Katie Wright, Kim Mack Rosenberg, Mark Blaxill; #2: Mark Blaxill & Dan Olmsted)