Comments on: Autism Blog: This is no time for autism gimmicks. http://blog.donnawilliams.net/2008/10/26/this-is-no-time-for-autism-gimmicks/ Ever the arty Autie Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:58:49 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: donna http://blog.donnawilliams.net/2008/10/26/this-is-no-time-for-autism-gimmicks/comment-page-1/#comment-23822 donna Sun, 26 Oct 2008 13:48:02 +0000 http://blog.donnawilliams.net/2008/10/26/this-is-no-time-for-autism-gimmicks/#comment-23822 yep, I'm with ya all the way. in the 70s there was Discovery Learning basically, kids with autism were taken out into the community and encouraged to try, explore, dare. Although the book is awful, there's an example of Discovery Learning in Dibs; In Search of Self. And it was all free. Today parents are intimidated into keeping their child out of the community and then try and make up for all that hands on discovery stuff through mega-buck one-size-fits-all therapies. Appalling. yep, I’m with ya all the way.
in the 70s there was Discovery Learning
basically, kids with autism were taken out into the community and encouraged to try, explore, dare.
Although the book is awful, there’s an example of Discovery Learning in Dibs; In Search of Self.
And it was all free.
Today parents are intimidated into keeping their child out of the community
and then try and make up for all that hands on discovery stuff through mega-buck one-size-fits-all therapies.
Appalling.

]]> By: Lisa Rudy http://blog.donnawilliams.net/2008/10/26/this-is-no-time-for-autism-gimmicks/comment-page-1/#comment-23820 Lisa Rudy Sun, 26 Oct 2008 12:26:55 +0000 http://blog.donnawilliams.net/2008/10/26/this-is-no-time-for-autism-gimmicks/#comment-23820 Wow. I've gotta say, I love your practical approach. I've often thought that MOST products and therapies provided for autism are simply overpriced versions of either (a) things you can get for free or (b) snake oil. For example - you can spend thousands on sensory integration therapy. or... you can encourage a person with autism to run, climb, jump, and swing in a park and/or playground. I'd love to see a study that compares the impact of half an hour with an SI therapist versus half an hour of fun, active play and/or exercise withOUT a therapist! you can spend $50 on a "sensory toy" - or $2 on the same toy at WalMart. you can spend plenty on a vitamin B supplement through an "autism specific" provider (Kirkman, for example) - or buy generic at the local shop for half the price. you can spend a fortune on social skills therapy - or introduce your child to the world. Just my thoughts... Best, Lisa (about.com guide to autism) Wow. I’ve gotta say, I love your practical approach. I’ve often thought that MOST products and therapies provided for autism are simply overpriced versions of either (a) things you can get for free or (b) snake oil. For example -

you can spend thousands on sensory integration therapy. or… you can encourage a person with autism to run, climb, jump, and swing in a park and/or playground. I’d love to see a study that compares the impact of half an hour with an SI therapist versus half an hour of fun, active play and/or exercise withOUT a therapist!

you can spend $50 on a “sensory toy” – or $2 on the same toy at WalMart.

you can spend plenty on a vitamin B supplement through an “autism specific” provider (Kirkman, for example) – or buy generic at the local shop for half the price.

you can spend a fortune on social skills therapy – or introduce your child to the world.

Just my thoughts…

Best,

Lisa (about.com guide to autism)

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