Last week, Sam asked a great question: if I could give one single word that best describes what autism is or how it feels to have autism, what would it be? That single word is anxiety. This week, I want to give you some techniques to use with people with autism to ease that high anxiety level they suffer. And I do mean suffer. Anxiety ...

Anxiety Dear Kathie: I know that autism (ASD) is a complex syndrome. I had a parent ask me just the other day if I could give them one single word that best describes what autism is or how it feels to have autism. I guess because you know about autism and you've lived with it for so many years raising your son, I felt that perhaps you ...

  SLPs, did you know SLP stands for more than Speech-Language Pathologist? You stand for so much more. The other meaning for SLP is ''Simply Love People.'' As we walk into a new year, 2012 has many promises ahead for those who simply love people. The year will march along in its own way, day-by-day. Some of those days ...

Back at the start of the school year, I had mentioned four new therapy approaches I was trying this year.  About a month ago I talked about one of them -- my use of adapted story books to build early literacy skills in students with moderate to severe disabilities.  In today's blog, I will talk about a second one. I spend ...

Although this series has predominantly been about picture books that SLPs can utilize in language therapy, I suppose I am allowed to make some detours. I recently re-read one of my all-time favorite books, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon, and it occurred to me how much I wanted to recommend this book to ...

  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, NC perrymant@ecu.edu    Dr. Perryman and Kathie Dr. ...

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 them with hugs Save high fives for the rest. ...

I have attended ASHA since 1988, missing only a few years in-between then and now. I have presented seminars, poster sessions and worked in the exhibit hall. I have sat in the first rows of sessions, the last rows of sessions, stood against the walls, and sat upon the floors in order to gain updated and pertinent information about every ...

  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 AliMed, as they publish my Tongue Tracks ...

In my last blog, I interviewed Dawn Hallett, iPad Coach at Warringa Park School in Melbourne, Australia. As you will soon learn from Dawn's experience, it takes a considerable amount of planning, training, and support to ensure the successful use of this new technology. Here is Part 2 of my interview ...