Autism Acceptance
April is Autism Awareness month but Autistics for Autistics (A4A) promote Autism Acceptance. They raised their own flag on Tuesday in Toronto for autistic pride. Members gave excellent speeches and had some good conversations with City representatives and some members...
Spring 2018 Bulletin now available
The Spring edition of the Autism D.A.T.A. bulletin is available! This issue features a new assessment protocol, a new developmental boarding school, new research, parent course, conferences, advocacy & podcast. CLICK HERE to view the Spring 2018 bulletin....
It’s the conversation, not the words alone that supports language development
A study out of MIT published in February's psychological Science online found that back-and-forth exchanges between parent and child—that is, engaging children in conversation—is what boosts the brain's response to language. Floortime coaches parents how...
Recent study shows results with an Improvisational Music Therapy Program
A recent study investigated the effectiveness of a Developmental, Individual differences, Relationship-based (DIR) improvisational Music Therapy Program on social communication for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and found improvements in areas of...
Have your say about the Ontario Autism Program!
Today Autism Ontario sent out a survey for parents to complete about the new Ontario Autism Program. Please, parents, fill out this survey and let the expert committee know that you want coverage for more than just behavioural services! What about...
Registration is open for the final Tele Town Hall about the Ontario Autism Program
Registration is open for the final virtual Tele Town Hall about the Ontario Autism Program. Please sign up HERE and call in on Wednesday night at 7:00 to have your voice heard by Minister Couteau and the OAP director, Sarah Hardy. Before calling in, please...
Disappointment with the Ontario Autism Program
On December 7th, the Ontario Government announced an update to the Ontario Autism Program stating that parents now have more choice: ABA or ABA. Autistics for Autistics (A4A) responded with a Position Statement. Now, Ontario Parents of Autistics (OPA) have...
Two new studies on the benefits of DIR/Floortime
A new study in Taiwan has found that a ten-week home-based DIR/Floortime program had positive effects. From the abstract: "Children made significant changes in mean scores for emotional functioning, communication, and daily living skills. Moreover, the...
Call the Tele Town Hall to say you want Developmental Approach therapies funded!
Registration is OPEN for the Ontario Autism Program Tele Town Hall On December 7th, the Ontario Government announced an update to the Ontario Autism Program stating that parents now have more choice: ABA or ABA. Please call in to one of the Tele Town Halls to tell the...
Fall 2017 Bulletin now available
The Fall edition of the Autism D.A.T.A. bulletin is available! This issue features four North American schools that use the Developmental, Individual differences, Relationship-based (DIR) Model and a piece about Foundation Academics. CLICK HERE to view the Fall 2017...