An appeal to the Maldivan Government regarding the insurance package for all citizens.

We have read in the news lately that the Maldivian government is considering to introduce an insurance package for every citizen in the country. This is a great news, of course. However, our concern is how much will such a package cover treatment towards disabilities and other life-long treatments, when they are the ones who need is most. We are surprised as to why the Maldivian media is silent on this issue.

Hence, we call upon the Maldivian government not to neglect or forget about those special children in our country when they are planning to introduce a nation-wide insurance package, as these special children are also part of our society and they need more help and care than anyone else. Most of these children in our society gets no treatment at all due to lack of funds. One such example that surfaced on the papers lately is that of Thaa. Kinbidhoo. We strongly believe the child under question was in a treatable condition but enough could not be done due to lack of awareness as to the nature of treatment, but mostly due to lack of funds to analyse the cause and seek proper treatment.

We know few families who are seeking ABA therapy and Floortime therapy abroad while others are fending themselves with worries not knowing what to do with their autistic children.

Floortime -- another therapy for autism/pdd!

Unlike Applied Behaviour Analysis, Floortime is a not a behavioural approach. The main difference in ABA and Floortime is in ABA the therapist controls everything and dictates the child's behaviour while in Floortime the therapist flows the child's lead and try to interact with him or her.

Click here for an introducotry program on Floortime on Youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=DIR%C2%A9%2FFloortime%E2%84%A2+Seminar+-+Italy&search_type=

Click here for Parent's Guide Book For Setting up a Program of Floor Time Volunteers
http://www.coping.org/intervention/fltmvols.htm

How to deal with autistic symptoms?

compiled by and with courtesy of asrik.net

below are some strategies to deal with developmental symptoms/pdd in a child.

Concern 1: Child has poor eye contact.
What you can do: 1. position yourself so that you are face-to-face with the child while talking, singing or addressing the child. 2. Whenever the child looks into your eyes reinforce the action immediately after. For example you can say: good looking, beautiful eyes, change your voice pitch, etc. 3. When you play and talk to him bend your knees to give him better chances for him to look in your eyes during play. 4. NEVER force him to look in your eye or turn his face to look in your eyes. If you do the above techniques it will come automatically!

Additional readings:

§ How to Establish Eye Contact in Children with Autism, http://www.ehow.com/how_2064753_establish-eye-contact-children-autism.html

Concern 2: Child does not respond to his name.
What you can do: 1. DO NOT call his name again and again since this can reinforce a bad/undesired behaviour if he usually does not respond to his name being called. 2. When he is comfortable looking at you during play session or when he awaits eagerly for his turn and look at you, do address him by his name. 3. If he’s really excited and look at you again and again, you can call him by name when it is his turn. 4. DO NOT get frustrated or upset even if he does not respond to you as this can be achieved through patience, hardworking and consistency.

Concern 3: Child prefers or enjoys playing all by himself.
What you can do: 1. Watch him closely for a minute or two. 2. Do parallel playing with him (i.e., copy him using similar or other toys) for few minutes before expanding the play methods (i.e., demonstrate what more he can do with the same toys which would be more fun and exciting.) This way you can establish a good rapport with you the child. 3. Once he follows your directions in the play and after playing that way for sometime you can move onto some play of your choice.

Concern 4: Child has a small vocabulary.
What you can do: 1. name objects and label actions during play. 2. AVOID asking questions. Instead try telling him what he is doing (parallel talk), what you are doing (self-talk), show him objects and tell their names. Do actions and tell him what actions they are. Practice these methods during playtimes. Initially let him say the words after you before letting him say them spontaneously. To encourage him say words and phrases spontaneously you can say part of the phrase and let him fill in.

Examples: “Twinkle, Twinkle, little ________” . (Child says, “star”)

If he did not fill in, do not insist more than twice. Try again some other time when he is more excited and motivated. Whenever he does, reinforce it immediately verbally or using an object or both.

ABA video clips at Youtube

ABA or Applied Behavior Analysis is one of the most well-known therapies for Autism and other forms of developmental disorders, including down syndrome. It is a scientific method that is being discussed in medical journals and widely believed to be effective.

For those wondering what aba is about, click the links below for some video clip at youtube. Parents can try some of these techniques. But if you are really about it, it is also recommended to carry it out under the supervision of an ABA consultant or supervisor, who is well trained and qualified for the job.

For ABA clips click here.