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Language development is an essential aspect of a child’s growth and development. In preschool, children are at an age where they are building a foundation for language skills that they will use throughout their lives. There are many ways to promote preschool language development through creative activities that can be fun for both the child and the parent or caregiver. Here are ten creative activities to promote preschool language development: Storytelling: Encourage your child to tell stories by asking open-ended questions and allowing them to use their imagination. You can also read stories together and ask your child questions about the characters and plot. Puppet play: Puppets can be a fun way to encourage language development. Use puppets to act out stories or ask your child to create their own puppet show. Rhyming games: Play rhyming games with your child by saying a word and asking them to come up with a word that rhymes. You can also read rhyming books together. Singing: Singing songs can help develop language skills by introducing new vocabulary and helping with pronunciation. Encourage your child to sing along and even make up their own songs. Scavenger hunts: Create a scavenger hunt where your child has to find and identify different objects. This can help develop vocabulary and language comprehension. Arts and crafts: Art activities can help develop language skills by encouraging your child to describe what they are making and what materials they are using. You can also encourage your child to talk about their artwork and what it represents. Cooking together: Cooking together can be a fun way to develop language skills by introducing new vocabulary and encouraging your child to describe what they are doing. You can also ask your child to help you read the recipe and measure the ingredients. Memory games: Memory games can help develop language skills by introducing new vocabulary and improving memory and recall. You can create your own memory game by drawing pictures or using flashcards. Nature walks: Take a nature walk with your child and encourage them to talk about what they see and hear. You can also ask your child to describe the different colors and textures they observe. Role-play: Role-play can be a fun way to encourage language development by allowing your child to act out different scenarios and use their imagination. You can set up different scenarios and ask your child to come up with their own dialogue. It’s important to note that these activities should be age-appropriate and tailored to your child’s interests and needs. It’s also important to encourage your child to take their time and not rush through activities. Here are a few additional tips to keep in mind: Follow your child’s lead: Allow your child to take the lead in activities and follow their interests. This will help them stay engaged and motivated. Use positive reinforcement: Praise your child for their efforts and accomplishments. This will help build their confidence and encourage them to continue to develop their language skills. Be patient: Language development takes time and effort. Be patient with your child and don’t get discouraged if progress is slow. Make it fun: Encourage your child to have fun with language development activities. The more they enjoy the activities, the more likely they are to continue to participate and develop their language skills. In conclusion There are many creative activities that can be used to promote preschool language development. These activities can help build a foundation for language skills that will benefit children throughout their lives. It’s important to tailor activities to your child’s needs and interests and to encourage them to have fun while developing their language skills. With patience and dedication, your child can develop strong language skills that will serve them well in school and in life. #Languagedevelopment #preschoollanguagedevelopment

Activities for oral sensory seekers, A sensory processing disorder exists when the sensory information is not processed correctly by the nervous system. In such cases, the sensory information may either not be detected or may not be organized into appropriate information. As a result of this, various symptoms such as restlessness, anxiety disorder, motor clumsiness, behavioural problems, etc. This in turn leads to poor socialization, school dropout, and overall failures. Sensory issues pose themselves as a great challenge for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their parents. Many times, parents are not aware of what the disorder is about what they can do about it. Thus, as a Speech-Language Pathologist, it becomes very important to empower the parents with loads of ideas and inputs on how this issue can be tackled at home and how activities can be carried out. Activities for oral sensory seekers The sensory procession disorders can pose themselves in various forms. Few children can have issues with visual signals, auditory signals, tactile/touch signals, oral sensory issues, etc. As a Speech-Language Pathologist, oral sensory issues are of particular interest to us. Few signs of a child who has oral sensory issues are as under: Poor eaters Refuses to eat food Preference to particular food texture Gagging Food residue in the mouth Crying during mealtime and prolonged meal time Dropping of food from the mouth This article aims to empower parents and caregivers with tools to overcome the sensory issues at home with things that are readily available at home. This article would also give insights into how simple things at home can be used as therapeutic devices when used systematically. There are certain rules/guidelines which one needs to follow to make the teaching-learning process easier. Here are a few points to remember: Start slowly and introduce new things one at a time. Make this teaching process more playful for the child. Always go by the child’s likes and dislikes. Reinforce every positive attempt. Do not punish the child. Always remember, it’s a systematic procedure and therefore has to be slow but equally paced. Integrate the activities throughout the day instead of having it just once or twice. Here are some of the activities which can be done at home. Feel free to use your imagination and creativity to add to these ideas. Oral sensory activities during snack time. The most powerful material that we have got with us is food. The best way to give a good oral sensory input to the kids is to have a variety of textures, flavors in the food we are giving. As mothers, we have the great ability to manipulate food in different ways to add flavors and also different textures. Here are few ideas which are feasible, healthy, and work wonders with children. Hard food: Here you can include vegetables like carrot, radish, beetroot, fruits such as apple, pear which would ensure the child is biting and chewing the food adequately. Make sure you are giving bite-size to the children when you start. Avoid giving too small pieces since it would have choking tendencies. Chewy food: A lot of dried fruits such as raisins and dates would help the gums and teeth with adequate amounts of chewing exercise. These will be the safer options compared to the use of chewing gum. Besides, these are also very nutritious. Only a word of caution is to check if your child has any food-related allergies. Crunchy food: Nut, cereals, puffed rice, rice/corn flakes, popcorn which are not only crunchy but also interesting, attractive to children, and healthily enhance our taste buds. Food Temperature: Choice of homemade ice cream, Flavoured yogurts, puddings, purees, slush, juices that are chilled or frozen. Contrary, you can use warm items like hot chocolate, warm water, etc. Sucking: Hard candies/ homemade sugar/jaggery candies can be used which enhances sucking. Adding natural colors and flavors would usually make appreciate it better. Oral sensory activities during play time. A lot of activities can be done to enhance oral sensory input without using any specific toys. The magic here is play. So what we need to do here is to involve the children in certain play activities. The beauty of these activities is that they can be carried out anywhere and everywhere. Some of the activities are: Blowing cheeks: You can do it and ask the child to do it. This is usually fun when family members are involved. Blowing games: Blowing bubbles, playing with soap bubbles under supervision. We need to be careful here so that the children don’t put the soap water in the mouth. Imitating tongue movements: You can make various tongue movements and ask your child to imitate the same. If the child is not able to imitate, assist them. You can also use a mirror for this as children like to look at themselves in the mirror. Playing wind instruments: Popular choices would include flute, whistles, mouth organs, etc. Other games: Blowing balloons candles, thermocol balls, bits of paper, etc. You can also encourage them to participate in other activities based on their interest. Some activities which can be incorporated are singing activities, humming a particular tone, imitating a tone verbally, whistling thought mouth, making funny sounds, etc. As parents you are free to use your imagination and creativity to carry out these activities. Always remember every child is different. What works for one child may or may not work for other. Activities for oral sensory seekers If you wish to know more about Speech Therapy, kindly contact us at  info@1specialplace.com Book a session #Autism #Oralsensitivity #oralsensory #Oralsensoryactivities

Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning. – Fred Rogers Firstly, sensory input is a very crucial part of every child’s development. In other words, sensory play and the ability to feel the input from the five senses help in brain development. Furthermore, the five senses, including touch, smell, sight, hearing, and taste, help us understand the world. Similarly, children gain vast cognitive experiences from sensory activities. Further, sensory bins are used in therapy as reinforcers and also to calm down Autistic children. In this blog, we will discuss some fun sensory bin activities for Autism to do at home. Sensory Bin Activities for Autism Do the activities with your child only under your supervision! Model speech and language while you play along! Make sure to do the activities slow and take the child’s lead. Sensory bin with Pulses: Activity 1: To do this activity you may need a box or a bottle, fill it with various pulses available in your kitchen. Further, you can use, chickpea, rajma, dal, rice, etc., Now, mix them all up in your sensory bin. Next, play along with your child, by gently tapping the box or bottle to make noises. Therefore, this gives children auditory stimulation and calms them down. Activity 2: Another way is to hide small toys within the sensory box. Firstly, look for each item in the box by gently moving your hand around in the bin. Then, allow your child time to discover the toys and feel the touch input from the sensory bin. This stimulates the tactile system and allows the child to concentrate better. You may talk about the item discovered to give speech inputs during the play. Sensory bin with Playdough: To begin this activity, take an empty box or bin. Now use edible playdough or you may also make homemade play dough with all-purpose flour, salt, and water. Add the contents together with some food coloring, glitter, and scented oils. Hold your child’s hand and help him/her kneed the dough. This activity is a great way to offer maximum tactile and olfactory (smell) stimulation to your child. Sensory bin with Ice: Ice cubes are a great way to offer enriching tactile and auditory stimulation to your child. Freeze ice cubes by adding different colors to them. Once frozen, take the ice cubes and help your child stack them into building blocks or float them in water. Allow your child to feel the cold sensation of the ice. You can also fill the sensory bin with ice cubes and rattle the bin to give auditory stimulation. Sensory bin with Shaving foam: You can make sandcastles at home to give your child the feel of a beach. To do this, you need play sand and some shaving foam. Help your child mix the play sand and shaving foam and make a sandcastle. This given them rich tactile stimulation and relaxes them. Sensory bin with Ocean animals: This is a fun activity to play. Fill the sensory bin with some sand. You can add a bowel with water and play along with your child to put in the ocean animals one by one. You may also add some beach toys, seashells, and toy people playing at the beach. This is a great sensory activity for your child. For more sensory play ideas click on Book your appointment For more ideas check out our others blogs  #sensoryintergration #occupationaltherapy #speechsensoryactivities #sensoryactivities #sensorymotorskills

In each article of this series, five different ways of playing with a toy will be discussed. Let’s begin to explore the games and enjoy ourselves! If you’ve never played Uno before, it’s a simple game of matching either colours or numbers. That’s it, indeed! A youngster may engage in an activity without exerting too much effort when it is colourful and enjoyable, which allows them to unwind and welcome the chance to learn. A child will learn new skills while playing the game by employing the many methods listed below, providing them the chance to master abilities like counting, memorising, matching, building, creative thinking, and using their gross and fine motor skills. This article explores play with – Uno. Uno cards have been popular amongst children for decades now. Original variations of the game have been created to suit younger children and make the game more interesting for all ages! Uno, if played by the rules, can be competitive, challenging yet fun. Through the game many skills can be enhanced, such as- attention, concentration skills, matching, reasoning, turn taking, competitive spirit. The same deck of Uno cards can be used in other creative ways to build specific skills for young children. This article talks about five such games. 1. What are you wearing? This game is best played with a group of children. In a bag, place 4 to 5 different cards from the Uno deck (do not place the action cards).  A leader will pull out one card at a time and name the color. Then s/he will ask ‘Who is wearing the color…(the name of the color)…?’ The children need to look at their own clothing and those who are wearing the named color need to raise their hand. They can also be expected to do a specific action e.g. the children who have that color can clap their hands / do a jumping jack etc. children can take turns to be the leader. The game continues till all the cards int he bag are drawn. It’s a wonderful game to build socialization while working on color matching, questioning, turn taking, amongst many other skills. Read a detailed blog on Games to practice Fluent Speech 2. What do you have? This game requires two decks of Uno cards so that you can make twelve pairs. These ten pairs would be distributed between the two players.  Each player needs to make pairs (of the numbers and colors) in their hands. By taking turns, each player will ask the other for specific cards, for example – ‘Do you have the card blue 1?’ The player who has only pairs in hands, wins. The game will enhance recognition of number and colors, using questions, taking turns and competing to win. 3. Color matching. This game requires boxes with slots (big enough to fit a card at a time). Four such boxes are needed, one for each color that will be sorted i.e. red, blue, green and yellow. Color the boxes (to match a color) and label them with the name of the color. Use only the color/number cards and not the action or extra cards from the Uno deck.  Randomly mix the cards face down in front of the child. Have the child pick one card at a time and place it in the matching box. Continue this till all the cards are over. The number of cards chosen for the game, depend on the child’s attention level. Use lesser cards if the child is unable to attend for longer. This game allows skills of color matching, waiting to be enhanced. If two players take turns to play this game, it is wonderful for turn taking. 4. Memory game. This game requires two decks so that five or six pairs of cards can be removed. A game of memory would be played with these pairs. Lay the cards face down in an organized manner. Two players will take turns to pick up two cards at a time. The aim is to pick up matching cards (the pairs) during the turn. Replace the cards to their original place whenever pairs are not picked. If pairs are picked, remove them and keep them beside the player who picked the pair. Continue the game till all the cards are removed. Skills of matching, language building, memory, attention, and turn-taking can be furthered here. 5. Let’s make a sequence. This game requires some preparation in advance. Create a sequence of cards (laid next to each other) and take a photo. Take a print of this for the game. Lay the deck of cards in front of the player as well as the photo. The player has to create the same sequence (as in the photo) with the cards in front of him/ her. Initially make a sequence of only 3 cards and move to a larger numbered sequence as the child gets more comfortable with the game. Additionally, for a beginning learner of the game, let the child choose from selected few cards to recreate the sequence. The child will need some attention and matching skill to be able to play this game. *** Hope you’ve enjoyed the ideas. Give us feedback. We would love to hear from you! Don’t forget to subscribe to us to receive our most recent articles in your inbox! *** Our personalized Online speech therapy works for people of all ages and ailments, and it’s also convenient and fun. In fact, our customers tell us that they don’t feel like they’re doing “therapy work” throughout their sessions. Language is not only what you wish to convey; it is also what we believe. #fungames #gamestobuildskills #therapyideas #Unocards

ACC devices are helpful for users to create their personality. It transforms non-verbal speech pattern into extended vocabulary based speech pattern. It is the best method to support spontaneous and meaningful communication that generalizes to all environments. Everyone has the right to access any speech system that will meet their needs. No one can choose one AAC device that fits all. AAC devices are available to all people, no matter their age, language stage, or intellectual level to begin. Hence when choosing the right AAC device we need to consider certain aspects. Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) uses all forms of communication (other than oral speech), that are used to express thoughts, needs, wants, and ideas. The ‘augmentative form’ helps the existing speech model and ‘alternative form’ is a replacement of existing speech model. So play basically is child-directed. So your child is going to pick an activity of their choice. For example, let’s say they picked up a female doll.  Speech and Language in AAC device: ‘Language’ is a s ystem of conveying thoughts with shared rules and ‘Speech’ is the communication by verbal production. So choosing AAC Device follows certain vocabulary to use with the pretermined situations. AAC devices helps people of all age group like young children from 18 months. Both children and people of all ages can benefit from AAC and it’s never too late to start with AAC. Adults with apraxia, aphasia and neurodegenerative cases (even at 30 or 40 years of age) can gain from it. Where to begin determining the right AAC device? It begins with the persons current abilities (attention, cognition, motor, vision, hearing). Although, the exact relationship between cognition and language development is  not known. It depends on the current receptive and expressive language level. We need to focus on the goals that we need to acheive using AAC. The AAC activities also should be thought when choosing an AAC. AAC device should develop spontaneous and meaningful conversation. It should also suit the user to all kind of environments. Things to consider to choose an AAC Device: Choosing AAC device with a persons skills and goals will lead us to choose the features required in a device. The features  include: Accessibility Options:   When repeatedly pressing key or changing the contrast colours, keyguards could be used. We might  have to carry the device in a bag etc. So the size and weight of the device plays a role in portability of the device. Access Methods: The movements of the user to operate the AAC. Eg: swiping a touchscreen are important. Guided reading and writing can begin and go hand in hand with speech development. Available accessing methods are  eye/head track , on-off  switches, and partner-assisted scanning etc. Display type : The size, spacing, and the number of icons per page should be adjusted depending on the children with physical disabilities. We will have to make sure the user has better quality of speech and language. Positioning of the device: Eg: You will have to position lower or place it at an angle. Place it on a desk table to give the right place. The volume of the device need to be loud and clear hence the position of the device plays a role. Training to use AAC: The user and the supported team members requires practice to use the device. It is more than learning just the features of a device. The training focuses on increasing vocabulary and speech skills. Use of pointing devices: The user will have to use pointing devices like stylus when they cannot point exactly. The  user can benefit from using materials. We can increase the target size or to increase the space between cells.  Support groups:   Support strategy classes that help to demonstrate and train the user like communication applications for iPad/iPod and vocabulary selction. Try using it among the AAC device user groups helps the person to become confident in speech. Lets also understand the different types of AAC that supports the user namely, Low Technology AAC Device Low-tech system are methods of speech that are not battery powered and usually cheaper to make. The common Example of low-tech systems include picture exchanging, printed word boards, speech books and sign language. Recorded speech devices (digital) which are battery powered and which have simple short messages, are also considered as low-tech AAC as well. PECS The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) is a systematic way to teach a child how to talk with someone. Now we will have to teach kids to converse by giving them a picture. This program was created for children with autism but we can use it for other non-verbal children as well. The child will not have a true speech, but an other way. PECS will allow him to “speak” his thoughts even if he is not able to. There are different phases of PECS to help us to use it for speech. By using PECS, we can take a child with no interest in other people to point and converse. For children with autism or other speech delays are uninterested in speech. This is a big step for the child. Often, once we see the power of this speech, we will also try other forms of speech. JELLOW Jellow Communicator is a friendly Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) solution that uses icons to aid communication in people learning to speak or with difficulty with speech and language. It is available with several variations like the Jellow basic and Jellow Plus. Jellow Plus Communicator is a friendly Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) system that uses icons/images to enable aid communication in adults learning to speak or with difficulty with speech and language. AVAZ Avaz is an award-winning Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) app for children with speech difficulties (having Autism, intellectual challenges, etc.). It plays on iPad and certain android devices and has a powerful picture cast keyboard with high-quality voice synthesis. This helps users speech and also develop language skills. It will give us ideas of conversations that can support the child develop speech skills beyond just requesting. And best of all, it will teach us where to find the words that we will have to use on the app. Proloquo2Go Proloquo2Go is also an award-winning speech app that provides a voice to over 125,000 persons who cannot speak. It is one of the few AAC apps that covers all users from beginning to advanced speech needs. The app supports gradual learning needs , by catering to a wide range of fine-motor, visual and cognitive skills. However, the core words appear in the same location across folders. Users can easily change their speech skills expand while customising.  High-Tech AAC Device High tech AAC works on direct power as well as on re-chargeable battery packs.  They work on sophisticated software vocabularies, various voices and provide full accessibility and customization.   Low-Tech to High-Tech Devices AAC does not impact speech and language development negatively. The primary cause of the apps are to ease and kick-start the language development. The user improves in receptive language, expressive language. Speech production can also be blended into your existing way of speech therapy. Multispeech can still be practiced by using both systems.It will be better to use low tech AAC intially and tranform to a high tech AAC device . Advantages of Low and High tech Devices : Low-tech systems Low-tech systems need not be trialed and used before trying out high-tech devices. It tends you to require more reliance and interaction with proper trained and known speech partners. There are no hierarchy to use low tech systems. It is always wise to maintain a low-tech alternative speech system than a high-tech one more often used. Although contemporary electronic devices are now far more durable, failure or sudden physical damage can deny the user speech abruptly. A well-practiced, low-tech AAC device can provide immediate relief . When an person starts with low-tech systems the common trials that arise include unstable speech partners. High-tech systems High-tech systems aim to build independence and self-reliance through establishing more modes of interchange. It increases the consistent usage of the location of words and gives access to thousands of words. Any person, no matter what their age can use high-tech devices to begin using it.  The users become empowered to begin their AAC speech as they couple with the different ways of speech. Dynamic display devices will create speech opportunities to people with very limited speech development. All these facts would help us to decide on the type of AAC device that would well suitable your family member for speech. Hence the learning of the device and the user’s ability helps us in choosing the best fit of AAC. For further help in speech problems, kindly contact 1specialplace.com. #AACactivities #Adultswithapraxia #aphasia #AugmentativeandAlternativeCommunication

We are reviewing the top 10 books on Autism. There are many books worldwide that talk about Autism. So, we came up with a list of the best books for you. If you are an Autistic person or caregiver of an autistic child, this blog is for you! What is Autism? Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder. In short, Autistic people are neurodiverse. Further, it simply means they are different than you and me. Additionally, Autistic people have different ways of social interaction. They communicate differently than the rest of us. Further, some autistic adults and children may speak or use gestures to communicate. Furthermore, they have diverse responses to sensations and much more. If you wish to read more on Autism. Click here So, here we are talking about the top 10 books on Autism. Read on to know more. Top 10 Books on Autism The Reason I Jump by Naoki Higashida This book is written by Naoki Higashida . He is a smart, self-aware Autistic boy. Further, he has written this book for his mother. In this book, he talks about his feelings. Additionally, the way he perceives, thoughts in his mind, and much more. This book opens up about an Autistic child’s experience. Lastly, for parents, this book is surely an eye-opener. In A Different Key: The Story of Autism by John Donovon & Caren Zucker This book In A Different Key is a must-read for all caregivers and parents. In other words, this book talks about the origin and history of Autism. Further, it talks about Autism and the way it was viewed. It includes chapters on different treatment techniques used. Furthermore, it talks about modern treatments and much more. It is an informative book. Rather than a personal narrative. Thinking in Pictures : My Life with Autism by Temple Grandin This book Thinking in Pictures talks about how an Autistic person perceives the world. Further, it talks about how people visually perceive the world. It is written by Temple Grandin who is Autistic herself. It was made into a movie. The movie won several awards too. Seven Keys to Unlock Autism by Elaine Hall & Diane Isaacs This book documents Elaine Hall’s journey with her son. Further, she talks about how she approached Autism. She writes in this book about her perspective as a parent and professional. The book lists in detail the “Seven Key” approach. Furthermore, the book talks about understanding autistic people. Understanding Autism for Dummies by Stephen Shore This book is Understanding Autism for Dummies for both parents and professionals. Further, it covers a broad range of perspectives. It talks about the biomedical and physical issues seen in autistic people. Additionally, it gives details on what is autism, treatment, and how to support autistic people. Lastly, it is a survey book with a personal touch by the author. We Walk: Life with Severe Autism by Amy S.F. Lutz The author about the book We Walk talks about her life with a 21-year-old autistic son. Furthermore, the author talks about the diagnosis, their perspective, and therapies. This is a good read for caregivers of autistic children. All My Strips by Shaina Rudolph The book All My Strips is a sweet story of a zebra who feels different from the rest of his classmates. The zebra in the book has an autism stripe hence feels different. Further, the author wrote this book to help explain to her daughter what is Autism. Positive Parenting for Autism by Victoria Boone The book Positive Parenting for Autism is on using Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) for autistic children. Further, the author talks about positive parenting using principles of ABA. If you use ABA for your child, you may enjoy this book. Beyond The Blue by Gopika Kapoor This book Beyond The Blue is a mother’s journey with Autism. Author Kapoor talks about her life with her Autistic son. Additionally, she describes in detail love, life, and autism. It is a must-read for caregivers of autistic parents. Born on a Blue Day by Daniel Tammet The author writes a fantastic autobiography of his life as an Autistic Savant. It is a best-selling book ( Born on a Blue Day ) with wonderful reviews. The author talks about what goes on in his mind. The book narrates what a severe Autistic person feels and perceives. It is a good book to read. It is an inspiring read for Autistic people and caregivers. Please drop us a comment if you liked the article. Hope you gained some insights into the Top 10 Books on Autism.  Book your sessions now For more ideas check out our other blogs #Autisticchild #BooksonAutism #neurodevelopmentaldisorder

It is critical for these clients to expand speech sound production from phonemes and other similar oral movements that they can already produce. The sensory component of movement is awareness. A client may be hypersensitive or tactile defensive, hyposensitive to tactile input, or have mixed or fluctuating tactile responsivity. To improve speech clarity, oral placement therapy employs a combination of : auditory stimulation visual stimulation tactile stimulation to the mouth For clients with placement and movement deficits, OPT is an important addition to traditional speech treatment methods. Traditional therapy is predominantly auditory and visual in nature. What is the Process? It is critical to extend speech or sound production beyond phonemes and other similar oral movements that the child is already capable of producing. Oral Placement Therapy is a speech therapy which utilizes a combination of Auditory stimulation Visual stimulation Tactile stimulation to the mouth To improve speech production and clarity. ( Reference Talk Tools.com) OPT is an important addition to traditional speech treatment methods for clients with placement and movement deficits. It is a tactile-proprioceptive teaching technique which accompanies traditional therapy. Traditional therapy is primarily auditory and visual. Clients with motor and/or sensory impairments benefit from tactile and proprioceptive components because speech is a tactile-proprioceptive act. OPT is used to improve articulator awareness, placement (dissociation, grading, and direction of movement), stability, and muscle memory; all of these are necessary for the development of speech clarity. Who benefits from Therapy of Oral Placement OPT can be used with clients of many ages and ability levels. It can be incorporated into program plans for many types of speech disorders (e.g., dysarthria, apraxia of speech voice disorders, fluency disorders and post CVA clients, as well as clients with mild-to-profound levels of hearing loss). Individuals identified with the following disorders can be helped by the Talk Tools program- -Down Syndrome -Cerebral Palsy -Rare Syndromes including Rett Syndrome and Angelman -Syndrome -Autistic Spectrum Conditions -Developmental Verbal Dyspraxia -Feeding difficulties and/or dysphagia OPT is also useful for adults with dysarthria ( unclear speech post a stroke/neurological condition). What are the Tools used for OPT? Here is a summary of the various tools for OPT. You can click on the pictures to purchase the tools (via Amazon). 1) Chewy Tubes  – Chewy Tubes are innovative tools designed to develop biting and chewing skills. They are made up of a Thermo-elastic polymer. These are innovative tools for developing biting and chewing skills. They are constructed of a thermo-elastic polymer. Yellow Chewy Tube – This is used with a smaller jaw. Hence infants or young children would benefit from this colour. This can also be used with individuals who cannot open their jaw wide enough. Also used with children who are very defensive about oral tactile stimulation. It features a hollow, narrow stem of 3/8″ outside diameter (OD). Yellow Chewy tubes are typically used with infants and younger children with smaller jaws. Red Chewy Tube – This is used with toddlers, older children, adults or with individuals who are status-post oral surgery. It provides a smooth surface for practicing biting and chewing skills. It features a hollow stem of 1/2″ OD. Orange P &Qs – Babies enjoy exploring the little stem on the Q with their tongue.  At about 6 months when lateral biting begins to develop, the child will swing that little stem over to the side of the jaw for more intense biting.For larger jaws, the circle portion of the Q offers a firm bitable surface for bilateral jaw closure activities. Green Chewy Tube – The Green knobby Chewy Tube has been designed to increase sensory input by means of the raised dots on the shaft. The shaft diameter is 15mm OD. The Green knobby Chewy Tube is slightly harder to chew on when compared with Yellow and Red Chewy Tubes Blue Chewy Tube – The Blue Chewy Tube is smooth and is the largest and firmest of the Chewy Tubes. It is intended for adolescents and adults with developmental disabilities, autism or sensory integration disorders. It features a hollow stem of 5/8″ OD. 2) Z Vibe : This is a vibratory oral motor tool that can help build oral tone and improve a variety of speech, feeding, and sensory skills.  You can use it to provide a varied sensory experience and/or to provide targeted tactile cues within the oral cavity. 3) Horns/Whistles : This motivational therapy tool serves as a beneficial adjunct to traditional therapy techniques. The horn kit is designed to normalize oral musculature, correct articulation errors, improve abdominal grading and speech clarity, and also serves as a prerequisite for working on oral-nasal contrasts. Instructions included. 4) Jaw Grading Bite Blocks :  This essential tool is used in the famous activity “Bite Block hierarchy.” Jaw Grading Bite Blocks promote symmetrical jaw strength, stability, and grading for clients with weak jaw musculature evidenced during speech sound production or feeding (i.e. reduced mobility, sliding, or jutting). Excellent for use with Dysarthria, Apraxia and Dyspraxia. This tool is used for a variety of tasks, including “Bite Block Hierarchy.” Grading of Jaws Bite Blocks encourage symmetrical jaw strength, stability, and grading in clients who have weak jaw musculature as evidenced by speech sound production or feeding. 5) Straws : A pillar of OPT ( Oral Placement Therapy ), the Straw Therapy promotes jaw-lip-tongue dissociation through twelve stages of development. Straws are excellent for OPT. Through twelve stages of development, they promote jaw-lip-tongue dissociation. 6) Infant Toothbrush : This is a Finger toothbrush. It is smooth on one side with soft rubber bristiles on the other, the Finger Cuff can be used to teach motor plan for chewing utilizing the phasic bite. 7) Honey Bear Drinking Cup : Honey Bear W/ Flex Straw not only helps in lingual grating and tongue retraction but also is preferable for all those oral grating movements, which are necessary for feeding and development of speech capabilities. If your child is someone who has forward tongue thrust and doesn’t know how to drink from a straw this will be very useful. 8) NUK Brush : Wonderful tools for oral motor stimulation and desenzitation. It offers valuable sensory input. Provides calming benefits for a sensory diet.It is claimed to be latex free. 9) Tongue Tip Lateralization Tools : The design of the Tongue Elevation Tool helps establish jaw stability to facilitate independent movement of the tongue tip for lateralization across midline and for elevation and depression of the tongue tip. 10) Oral Sensory Integration Kit : A collection of tools with changeable tips that provide a variety of sensory oral motor tactile input. Great for desensitization. The above is a reference list. Nonverbal children began making sounds and babbling. Drooling children started swallowing more. We would love to hear which tool worked for your child, and if you are looking for help! Pleas leave a reply. We saw a significant improvement in children after they became aware of their oral structures through the structured OPT programme we used. #downsyndrome #oralmotortools #oralplacementtherapy #Oralsensitivity

What is Speech Regression? This article focus on speech regression and tips to manage it. First, lets look what is Speech Regression. Regression means loss of previously achieved skill. Speech regression is loss of acquired speech skills. It doesn’t mean it’s due to lack of communication skills. Speech regression can be either slow or of sudden onset. Regression happens early. It can happen between 18-24 months, even though some children shows the signs at the age of 12 months. This article also discuss tips to manage speech regression. Causes Autism Spectrum Disorder When a child masters another skill, they tend t show some decline in other. Environmental change like shifting to a new place, house ,new school etc. Speech loss after Epilepsy Signs They will stop using previously used words. They will return to babbling stage after the loss of words. A child who doesn’t interact or play with other children. Not able to understand what others are talking about? Not able to answer to questions. Click on to read normal development of speech Tips to Manage Speech Regression Keep stimulating the child A child requires constant speech and language stimulation to develop his communication skills. This will lead to continuous vocabulary growth and will develop their communication skills. Click on to read more on apps to promote speech Encourage and praise the child when the child makes some sounds and words This will help them to make more attempts and will create a sense of self and will boost their self confidence. Allow some regression to happen as the child will be taking time to master new skills When a child masters another skill, they can show regression which is normal, so we have to wait patiently and keep talking to the child. Show lots of pictures and introduce story books to the child Reading stories will give exposure to different words, sounds and also will help in imagination skills of the child. Allow opportunity for messy play so that the child will be able to express their feelings Let your child take the lead so that they will feel more secured and confident Use lots of pretend play with children Treatment When you see that your child is not talking as much as he was doing before, you have to overlook to his speech. we need to monitor the child’s speech skill. When the child doesn’t show any improvement in speech skills, you need to meet a Speech therapist. The child’s speech skills will be assessed by speech therapist . A detailed history will be taken. In this they will look how much skills has been lost by the child. They will see whether the child is showing autistic behavior. After assessment, the child will be advised for speech therapy if required. During speech therapy, the child will be taught to communicate. Click on to read more about Activities for speech and language skills. Research on Speech Regression Research reveals Speech regression is one of the sign of autism. Sometimes ,it doesn’t indicate Autism. There can be some developmental differences or Epilepsy also. A Detailed speech assessment will be done to know the cause and speech therapy will be given. Click more to read on Autism and Speech regression. In conclusion, loss of previously acquired speech skill is speech regression. A speech assessment will help in planning the treatment. #Causesofspeechregression #Regressionofspeech #SpeechRegression #SpeechRegressiontreatment

Occupational therapy in India: A child’s main occupation is playing and learning. It helps them explore the world around them, learn to interact with it and develop essential life skills that will allow them to connect with others and do things independently . However, some children may have trouble mastering the skills .They might experience issues with physical(fine or gross motor skills), sensory processing, cognitive and academic skills etc . In those cases, pediatric occupational therapy can make a big difference. Occupational therapy in India The purpose of pediatric occupational therapy is to help children become independent in all areas of life. Here are five signs that your child might need occupational therapy- 1. Difficulty achieving age-appropriate developmental milestones If a child is behind in developing skills that are common during a particular age or during a particular time period. For examples: Neck holding, sitting, crawling, and walking developmental milestones are not being met on schedule. Learning is not taking place at an age-appropriate level. Improper development of age-appropriate play and social skills Not pointing or communicating in an age-appropriate manner. 2. Avoids eye contact and inappropriate Social Interaction Social interaction skills are skills that help us to bond and build relationships with other people in our life and also to understand those around us. Your child may have delayed social skills if they show some of the following traits: Avoiding to appropriate eye contact while talking. Difficulty interacting socially with family and peers Delayed communication or language skills Difficulty adapting to new environments and large gatherings. Can’t cope in the school environment Difficulty interacting  engaging and play with peers age appropriately 3. Inadequate or Inappropriate Play Skills:’ Play is a crucial activity in children, developing age appropriate skills and understanding their place in the world. A child can build his/her motor skills, build their cognitive skills, learn problem solving, and develop social skills through play. Your child may be needed to consult an OT if you notice these following things: Does not explore toys appropriately Engages in repetitive play for hours (e.g., lining up toys) Prefers to play alone rather than with an adult or peer. Constantly on the go without purposeful play Short attention span, Moves quickly from one activity to the next Difficulty in  joining with peers/siblings when playing Does not understand concepts of sharing and turn taking 4. Issues with gross motor and fine motor skills. Gross Motor (physical) skills are those which require whole body movement and which involve the large (core stabilising) muscles of the body to perform everyday functions, such as standing, walking, running, and sitting upright. It also includes eye-hand coordination skills such as ball skills (throwing, catching, kicking).A child who has low body tone and strength, and/or balance may appear clumsy or uncoordinated. They may also have difficulty with these areas: Unable to roll,throw,catch or kick ball age appropriately Climbing up and down stairs at an age appropriate time Coordinating both sides of the body Understanding the concept of right and left Poor balance and coordination. Low muscle tone Poor endurance,gets tired easily( or avoids physical games and activities Occupational therapy in India Fine motor skills are skills such as writing, cutting, holding a small object, picking up a spoon, and tying shoelaces. The development of these skills depends upon the age appropriate development of physical skills (such as core muscle strength ,trunk control and shoulder strength) providing the stable base from which the arm and hand can then move with control. If your child is struggling with fine motor skills, they may have difficulty with one of these actions: Not developing a hand dominance at an age-appropriate time Unable to use both hands appropriately Difficulty in manipulating toys and puzzles Holding a pencil or writing tool or using scissors Poor pencil grip, poor handwriting(letter/number formation) Coloring, drawing, tracing, prewriting shapes Using zippers, buttons, shoelaces Avoiding tasks and games that require fine motor skills If fine motor skill issues aren’t addressed, a child with delays in this area could have a hard time performing essential activities like writing and using computers at school. Occupational Therapist(OT) can provide physically based therapy strategies and offer modified movements to help your child complete everyday tasks. Occupational therapy in India 5.Sensory Processing Disorders- Sensory Processing Disorder or SPD  is a neurological disorder in which the sensory information that the individual perceives results in abnormal responses. Sensory processing refers to the way the nervous system receives messages from the senses and turns them into responses. For those with Sensory Processing Disorder, sensory information goes into the brain but does not get organized into appropriate responses. Those with SPD perceive and/or respond to sensory information differently than most other people. A child with sensory processing concerns has difficulty using sensory input from his/her eyes (vision), ears (sound), skin (touch), nose (smell), mouth (taste), muscles and body joints (body awareness), and inner ear (balance & position of body in space). Have you noticed the following traits in your child: If you have noticed the sensory issues and you feel your child’s sensory behaviors are interfering with their ability to focus or complete day-to-day activities, you might need to consult a pediatric occupational therapist. An occupational therapist can help you to identify the sensory issues and suggest you strategies which can help the child. A trained occupational therapist can teach your child to meet their sensory needs safely and effectively. An OT might design a sensory diet. This carefully designed plan is a series of physical activities to give each child the right amount of sensory input he needs. Above issues can also in turn affect the academic skills and the child may have difficulty in coping at School – The child may have issues with handwriting, hand-eye coordination (writing on a classroom whiteboard, copying in a notebook what the teacher writes on the board) ,difficulty paying attention, or lack of organization and social interaction etc Learning challenges, sometimes called learning disabilities, are another type of developmental delay. If your child is challenged by one of the following, you may want to consult an occupational therapist: Unable to concentrate and focus at school Easily distracted Difficulty following instructions and completing work Tires easily with school work Poor impulse control Hyperactivity or low energy Not keeping up with workload at school Difficulty learning new material Makes letter or number reversals after age seven OT can help kids with various needs improve their cognitive, physical, sensory, and motor skills and enhance their self-esteem and sense of accomplishment. Behavioral Issues- Have you noticed frequent episodes of hitting, meltdowns, extreme anger or anxiousness. These issues can be addressed by an occupational therapist. Behavioral challenges are often the result of an underlying issues like when there is inadequate communication skills( especially in case of non verbal child or child who has limited speech, environmental influences, or health etc. An occupational therapist can address underlying issues and help your child find positive ways to get their emotional needs met while limiting negative behavior. CONCLUSION: There are lots of benefits of OT for children. And the sooner a child starts OT, the more effective it tends to be. If you feel like your child is having above mention issues, an occupational therapist can help. An OT would look for your your child’s strengths and areas of weakness. An OT can evaluate and identify the areas of concerns and provide you right intervention, tips, strategies and social activities to use in everyday situations. Leave us a reply. Subscribe to us here. View this post on Instagram A post shared by 1SpecialPlace | Speech Therapy (@1specialplace) #OT #milestones #sensoryintergration #occupationaltherapy #redflags #developmentaldelay #sensorydisorder #OTforchildren #motorskills

Master. Sami We are delighted to feature this story of Little Miracle Sami and his mother. This is an amazing story of strength, determination, compassion, and a mother’s love for her son. We bring to you Sami’s journey through his mother’s thoughts. “I am blessed with the most beautiful soul” My Beautiful Samosa Monster Sami…..where do I start. Soon he will be double digits a 10-year-old….nearly 10 years of being blessed with the most beautiful soul. Ten years of loving him and learning about him every day. The love and joy that he has bought in my life are beyond anything I could ever have imagined. He makes me smile EVERY single day. Sami is diagnosed with Severe Learning disability, autism, sensory Modulation disorder, and is nonverbal. Since receiving his diagnosis the journey has not been easy but I wouldn’t have had it any other way. Sami is unique, funny, handsome, and smart. He is a Samosa Lover, minion, and Madagascar fan. He loves watching them on repeat every day.  Sami is a beautiful mixture of light, laughter, joy, strength, intelligence, perseverance, resilience, humor, curiosity, bravery, kindness, empathy and so much LOVE. “I had a beautiful boy in front of me who was happy in his own world, who knew nothing of the worries of this world.” When Autism came into my life I didn’t know a thing about it, but over the years  I have researched, learned from Sami, connected, and learned so much from other Amazing mothers and families in similar situations. When Autism came into my life it was hard as a mother to accept that my child will be different from other kids, a child that will require support into his adult life. It hurt, hurt a lot I cried many nights but that achieved nothing but just made me stressed. I had a beautiful boy in front of me who was happy in his own world, who knew nothing of the worries of this world, who needed me to be there for him, to help him achieve things, to advocate for him. Worrying and stressing about his diagnosis was not doing any of us any favors it was just taking time away from us, the time we could enjoy with our Beautiful Boy, we had to invest all our energy and time into him so that he could have the life he deserves. I love Sami exactly the way he is and I wouldn’t change him for the world, yes I still worry about his future but I don’t let it consume me, I make sure I do my best for him and enjoy life with him. “I love Sami exactly the way he is and I wouldn’t change him for the world!” What I love about my Samosa Monster Sami is that he never gives up, he always tries his hardest. Especially with his communication, he has worked really hard to communicate some of his needs using the Picture Exchange Communication system. He also has his own little language through gestures and sounds, he works really hard to try to communicate what he wants with us in his way we just have to take time to understand what he is saying. Some days he really Amazes me when he shows me exactly what he wants, for example, one time he wanted to go for a drive so he got his shoes and my shoes and sort of kept pushing his hands towards the window where the car was parked outside. My heart just bursts with Pride n joy when he is able to do this.  Over the years I’ve learned how to interpret his patterns of eye movement, gestures, noises, and other physical and auditory cues to understand his nonverbal communication and it is just beautiful. "I love watching him stimming, I watch him in awe as twirls around the room, flaps his hands bounces, and jumps. Sami your Stimming is Beautiful ❤" Despite his struggles, a cheeky little monkey with the biggest smile and his face just lights up when he enjoys something and that for me is just priceless. Sami may not be able to use words to say I love you but he tells me every day just in a different way. He gives me a cheeky smile when he sees my face. He seeks my attention in different ways, pulling my arm, hugging me, or just holding my hand. I am his safe place every time he has a meltdown. Every time we snuggle or he pulls my hand to things or to reach for me that’s love. Every night when he needs me by his side to fall asleep that is his way of showing his love too. No words could fully capture his love for me and my love for him. “What they need is for us to realize that we can listen with more than just our ears!” There are so many ways in which every child on the autism spectrum, verbal or nonverbal, is capable of saying “I love you.” What they need is for us to realize that we can listen with more than just our ears! I feel an overwhelming expression of love without having to hear it expressed verbally. There is no greater feeling than looking at my Sami and knowing that I am loved and adored, just for being me. One of the biggest challenges bringing up a child who has Autism or Learning Disability is that because it’s a hidden disability people don’t understand our struggles. They look at Sami and see that physically he is healthy so how can anything be wrong with him? Also being Asian there is a lot of Stigma attached to such disabilities. People think he’s mad or possessed, needs curing and they keep us at a distance. This is one of the main reasons I share Sami’s Journey to raise awareness and fight the stigma related to such conditions. I am not ashamed of him and never will be, I will not hide him away! Sami has as much right as anybody else to enjoy life and live it to its fullest. He is loved so much and I wouldn’t change him for the world, but wish people would change their mindset. “I am not ashamed of him and never will be, I will not hide him away!” \One thing I would say is to people to not judge Sami just by looking at him. You can’t see his struggles just by looking at him. We can’t see the frustration of growing up and being unable to verbalize his needs. You can’t see how he struggles to do things a typical 10 year old can do. When you meet a child-like Sami don’t compare them to other kids. Do not judge them. Take some time to get to know them. They will show how beautiful their world is. In the future, I hope Sami can be independent. I would love for him to talk even if it is just a few words. He struggles with a lot but as he gets older, I hope it gets easier.  Also, I hope people will not judge my son by just looking at him! Yes, he is physically fine but nobody knows his struggles so please be kind. People need to educate themselves about learning disabilities and Autism and that it is a neurological disorder and stop with stigma, as it’s very hurtful! “He does not need words to form bonds, his actions, and facial expressions are how he responds.” Sami is gentle, affectionate, and loves abundantly. He does not need words to form bonds, his actions, and facial expressions are how he responds. He is accepting of everyone if they treat him right. Sami is nonverbal at the moment but has a lot to say. He just communicates in a different way. Please take your time to get to know him & understand. He will show you how truly amazing he can be. Actions speak louder than words as soon you’ll see. Sami has taught us that love needs no words. Sami has an alternative set of strengths and weaknesses. Someone with the potential to thrive in the right environment. He makes sense of the world in a unique way. Sami needs the same love and acceptance as anybody else! Read more about Sami here! If you wish to feature someone who is a Little Miracle, kindly write to us. #SevereLearningdisability #autismspectrum #Sucessstoryofsami #LittleMiracleSami #learningdisability

We are excited to bring to you this candid conversation with Mrs. Sakthi from Anubudan Autism . Mrs. Sakthi is the founder of the micro-blog “Anbudan Autism” on Instagram. Mrs. Sakthi talks about Autism, neurodiversity, and much more in her blogs. Read on for candid with Anbudan Autism. Let’s hear it in her own words. “As a parent, we always want the best for our children. So, when we learn that something is not right, we start blaming ourselves.” I am Sakthi, 31, Stay-at-Home Mom of 3 and founder of Anbudan Autism, an English/Tamil -micro-blog on Autism, Neurodiversity, and Inclusiveness. I am based in Singapore. My older daughter was diagnosed with Autism in 2019. I had heard of autism earlier. I had never experienced it up close. This is until I saw it in my daughter. Initially, I felt devastated. As a parent, we always want the best for our children. So, when we learn that something is not right, we start blaming ourselves. I blamed myself for a long-time. looked for ways to ‘cure’ her. “I learn new things every day about how life is different for Autistics, beyond just therapies and diagnostics.” The more I researched and read on online forums from other autistic adults who have been put through the same process of ‘cures’. I learn new things every day about how life is different for Autistics. Especially beyond therapies and diagnostics. I asked myself, do I really want to put my daughter through all that to make her ‘normal’? All she needs is some help to navigate this world! Because the way she experiences it is different. Sometimes, the expectations that we have for our children are what lead to disappointment and unhappiness. Once I decided to let my child lead the way and meet her needs. I realized that both my child and I were happier. I now perceive autism not as a problem but as a neurodiverse condition. It just needs a different perception. “We can build a better and more inclusive society” I started Anbudan Autism in 2020 because there is a lot of misinformation. Additionally false ‘cures’ are touted for autism. Not many first-hand parents share their experience or knowledge. Especially in Tamil. So, I decided to share my journey through social media. This has allowed me to better support my own daughter and offer insight to other parents who may be new on the journey. With the changing of parents’ mindsets that Autism is not something to be feared, we can build a better and more inclusive society. 1) What is Anbudan Autism? What does it stand for? Anbudan Autism is an InstaBlog to spread awareness about Autism, neurodiversity, and Inclusiveness. It stands for ‘Autism, with love. Because inclusiveness is based on a mutual love for everyone. 2) Why did you start this page? Why in Tamil? After the initial diagnosis, the first thing I did was to look on the internet. After months of reading, I realized that the first information that I had received was totally misleading. A medical diagnosis looks at autism from the point of deficiencies. The outlook given is not so encouraging because it’s not so easily predictable. The social concept of neurodiversity embraces autism. And other mental health conditions as a spectrum of conditions that make us unique. It likens neurology to be different just like we are physically different. I wanted to build awareness. This is because that is the first step to building acceptance. Only with acceptance can the neurodiverse receive the support that they need to thrive in this world. Tamil resources from the point of view of a parent were rare. Further, so far I have only come across one blog in Tamil. 3)  What are some challenges parents face? The first thing parents face is the realization that their whole life has just been overturned by this diagnosis. Theirs and their child’s life is going to be tremendously different. And difficult from what they have imagined. Navigating every scenario requires a lot of forethought. Decisions cannot be taken on the fly. They have to put the child’s needs first. They feel lonely because they feel disconnected from other parents whose journeys are totally different. Therefore, getting the right information to navigate the system. And understanding their child’s needs takes a lot of time. Only after they have gotten to a level of understanding can they move to accept their child fully. The biggest hindrance to reaching acceptance is the mental block that their child is going to be a burden to society. The thought that after they are gone, the needs of the child may not be fulfilled is their biggest worry. Guilt. – for putting the needs of the neurodiverse child above anything else, for being unable to manage the emotions in times of stress 4) How can we as a society learn to be more inclusive? Personally prefer ‘Autistic’ over ‘person with autism’ Identity-first rather than person-first because Autism cannot be dissociated Further, functioning labels are not so useful in identifying the person. Especially their strengths and weaknesses. In other words, autistics have different triggers. The same person may react differently under different circumstances Disability is not a choice. Inclusiveness- Offering the same opportunity to everyone regardless of disability. How can you make facilities more accessible? Parents: you are not alone. Help is always near, just ask for it. Generally: Don’t have any preconceived notions. Each individual has their own strengths and weaknesses. So, focus on that rather than the diagnosis. 5)  As a parent/caregiver of a child with autism, how do you take care of yourself? Be kind and forgiving with myself if I have not been the ideal parent. Also, the hardest thing to do is manage my own emotions. So meditation and yoga occasionally if I feel I am anxious. Read more such stories! If you wish to feature someone, please write to us.  #Autisticschildrenstories #Autisticschildmomsstory #CandidwithAnbudanAutism #therapiesforautism #Sucessstories #AnbudanAutism

In the last few years, stem cell therapy is emerging as a successful treatment method for some disorders. Especially for conditions previously considered untreatable. Today, we will discuss Stem Cell Therapy for Autism : Research Findings. Are you someone looking to fix your child’s autistic brain? In December 2022, the National Medical Commission in India warned against its use for Autism.  Let’s first understand Autism. Autism is a neurodevelopmental difference. In other words, it means your Autistic child has a unique brain. Hence, this neuro-developmental difference contributes to the way they function in everyday life. Click here to read more about whether Autism is curable. Now, let’s talk about Stem Cell Therapy! What is a Stem Cell? Our body has a variety of cells. Further, one of which is stem cells. Stem cells are a type of cells from which other cells are generated. Furthermore, stem cells are specialized cells. So, they can rapidly multiply. They also convert into any type of tissue in the body. Overall, stem cells can repair, regenerate and replace damaged cells. Moreover, they naturally move to the damaged tissue and begin the repairing process. Stem Cells are the only cells in the human body that can do this. Stem cells are seen in the human embryo. Also in the bone marrow in the case of adults. What is Stem Cell Therapy? Stem cell therapy is evolving to be the best treatment method for conditions. Especially conditions considered untreatable in the past. The stem cells are injected into the body in Stem cell therapy and are expected to repair the damaged tissues naturally. Researchers implant specialized stem cells into a person. Further, the area where it is implanted depends on the muscle that needs repair. In other words, if a person has heart disease, the cells are injected into the heart muscle. Stem cell therapy is used in heart ailments, burns, and cancers. Research is ongoing on the risk and benefits of using stem cells to treat ailments. The discovery of stem cell therapy? In 1958 French Oncologist Georges Mathe performed the first stem cell transplant of bone marrow grafts. Over the years, several researchers performed stem cell therapy for a variety of conditions. Conditions range from cancer, burns, cerebral palsy, and heart diseases. Further, a few disorders show progress but many others did not show any change. Who practices stem cell therapy? There are regenerative medicine centers that offer stem cell therapy treatment. Few legally registered firms provide this method. What is Stem Cell Therapy for Autism? Researchers showed that cognitive skills improved after stem cell therapy in certain metabolic conditions. Further, this led them to think that it can help Autistic children and children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Nevertheless, clinical trials are lagging behind in the case of Autism. Recently in India, an expert committee appointed by the National Medical Commission (NMC) has ruled stem cell therapy is not recommended for Autism. There is no clear scientific evidence that stem cell therapy works for Autistic children/ people. Professionals offering this treatment focus on improving a few issues. They say that Autism largely has to do with the gut (intestine), brain, and inflammation of cells. They believe stem cell therapy restores the damaged cells in these areas. Further, claiming that brain plasticity will improve itself with stem cells. There is no scientific backing for this practice. Research has time and again been inconclusive in the case of Autism. Stem Cell Therapy for Autism: Research Findings Clinical trials are on the way. The results are inconclusive worldwide. However, there has been some pre-clinical evidence for potential benefits. Nevertheless, preclinical evidence alone is not sufficient to weigh the benefits. There is a need for exhaustive clinical trials and medical investigations. So, are you deciding to go ahead with this treatment method for your loved one? Think twice! Cautionary Remarks If a center is offering guaranteed results from stem cell therapy. This is a red flag! Always remember there is no guarantee in medical treatments. Suppose they offer a complete cure for Autism. Know that there is no complete cure for Autism . Do not go by YouTube testimonials or reviews for stem cell treatments. Weigh the risk and benefits before you take up this treatment method. Keep in mind that there is no scientific basis for stem cell therapy in Autism. Click here if you wish to read more on stem cell therapy for Autism ! Please drop us a comment if you liked the article. For more ideas check out our other blogs! View this post on Instagram A post shared by 1SpecialPlace | Speech Therapy (@1specialplace) #Autismstemcelltherapy #Autisticchildrentreatment #StemCellTherapy #StemCellTherapyforAutism