Wall Street Journal: A Lab Tests Playing to Help Children with Autism
By Sumathi Reddy
Nov. 26, 2018 11:00 a.m. ET
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At last years national conference for occupational therapy (AOTA) with over 6,000 OTs in attendance, Tim Conly presented an innovative program that he developed with his colleagues at Albert Einstein College of Medicine.
Moving Out--progressing from "I can" to "I did it" through community, family, and peer interaction--a shift from capability to performance.
Synopsis: Tim Conly, Leon Kirschner, and Liz Ridgway developed a summer program for children at Children's Evaluation and Rehabilitation Center of Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx. This program consisted of taking children out into the community to participate in real life situations with children from the neighborhood. Several activities were utilized including: playground use and accessibility; sports activities (participating in a different sport each week); and outdoor yoga. Success abounded with this program, as evidenced by parent report and a 200% increase in attendance rate. Not only did children develop a lasting camaraderie with peers from the clinic, but they played each week with typically developing children from the community. "The highlight of this program was when we arrived to the park each week to find the children from the community who were waiting to play with our kids--the kids who usually get left out. This is what its all about--our highest goals realized."
Tim Conly presenting on motor development and the use of Neuro-Developmental Treatment (NDT) handling skills at the Early Intervention Training Institute in NYC.
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Be Your Best
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