Autism Spectrum Across Ages and Environments : diseases and disorders

Autism Awareness Month

Kathie Harrington — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 18:00:00 GMT

Autism Awareness Month began on Sunday, April 1. My son Doug's birthday is April 1. The fifth annual World Autism Awareness Day was April 2. World Autism Awareness Day "aims to increase people's awareness about people, especially children, with autism....(read more)

Language Sample Collages from You, Pt. 2

Kathie Harrington — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 13:00:00 GMT

When do you elicit a language sample? Certainly when you first see a child you would want to take a language sample. However, if the child is not comfortable on the initial assessment, there is nothing written in stone that says that it has to be completed...(read more)

Working with Hearing Sensitivity

Kathie Harrington — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 15:45:00 GMT

Dear Kathie: "Chad is 5 years old and ‘very' autistic and non-verbal. He covers his ears with his hands when there is a loud noise, such as a fire alarm, or even when he anticipates a loud noise, like a balloon that he thinks may pop. How can I help him,...(read more)

Managing Undesirable Behaviors: Avoidance

Kathie Harrington — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 14:30:00 GMT

Dear Kathie: "My question concerns Julie, who is a middle school student with ASD. She is bright, verbal, possibly Asperger's, and is included in the regular classroom for most academics. The problem is that she refuses to do any written classroom assignments...(read more)

Five Functions of Undesirable Behavior

Kathie Harrington — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 13:30:00 GMT

All behavior has a function and purpose. There are five main functions of undesirable behavior, and four of them go hand-in-hand with autism. It is important for the speech-language pathologist and the entire team to recognize how any particular behavior...(read more)

What to Include in a Language Sample, Pt. II

Kathie Harrington — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:15:00 GMT

In " What to Include in a Language Sample, Pt. I ," I expressed how important I feel a language sample is to complete an assessment for a verbal child or adult on the autism spectrum. I told you what to look for during a language sample and gave you an...(read more)

What to Include in a Language Sample, Pt. I

Kathie Harrington — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:30:00 GMT

Dear Kathie : "Do you always take a language sample as part of an assessment with a verbal child or adult with ASD? If so, what do you look for and how do you elicit the conversation?" - Adrian, speech-language pathologist My Response: Thank you for asking...(read more)

The Best Apps for Children with Autism

Kathie Harrington — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:04:00 GMT

In last week's blog post, "The iPad Becomes a wePad for Autism ," I encouraged you to develop a relationship between the iPad, the child and another person, rather than letting the child with autism treat it as a "thing." Let's call that with the iPad....(read more)

The iPad Becomes a wePad for Autism

Kathie Harrington — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:00:00 GMT

Dear Kathie: What are your thoughts on using an iPad with the autistic population?" - Mary, speech-language pathologist and parent of a child with autism Kathie's Response: I like it. I love it. I want some more of it. But, instead of calling it an iPad...(read more)

Top Tips to File in Your SLP Bag from Twyla Perryman, PhD, CCC-SLP

Kathie Harrington — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 17:42:00 GMT

This blog is based on the following presentation from the 2011 ASHA Convention: Exploring Child Characteristics/Family Factors in Evidence-Based Practice for Autism By Twyla Perryman, PhD, CCC-SLP Assistant Professor East Carolina University, Greenville,...(read more)

Thoughts for Thanksgiving Hugs

Kathie Harrington — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 14:30:00 GMT

I love to hug children Hugs feel so good I'd hug them every day If only I should. But hugs are for parents Grandparents and such Professionals should go with High fives, knuckles and thumbs up. Today, on Thanksgiving Give your family your best Squeeze...(read more)

My Tagline

Kathie Harrington — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 14:01:00 GMT

This is Thursday, 11-17-11. Are you at ASHA? I have special little gifts for the first few SLPs who introduce themselves to me in San Diego. Of course, you have say, "I read your ADVANCE Autism Spectrum Blog." I have on an exhibitor's badge representing...(read more)

Halloween Poem in Support of ASD

Kathie Harrington — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 14:23:00 GMT

I love my Humpty Dumpty. He's right here by me To wish you a happy Halloween With Halloween letters In support of ASD. I always think of ASD With courage and with grace. Autism has its thunder And its mask is spooky too. But underneath's a loving face....(read more)

Towel Trick for Tantrums aka T.T.T.

Kathie Harrington — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 14:27:00 GMT

It scares me to think that a child with ASD could have a tantrum on my watch. My knees -- they are a-shakin' at the thought. It will happen, and when it does, what will I do? Children with ASD have tantrums. They hit and pound. They flail. They scream....(read more)

Organizing the Very Young Autistic Mind Part III-B

Kathie Harrington — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 12:28:00 GMT

Part III-A, posted last week, my blog presented some fun strategies for targeting humor/ laughter and attention/focus for the very young autistic mind. The purpose of these two blogs is to mesh the right side of the brain with the left side of the brain...(read more)