Facts about autism, autistic spectrum disorders and the PLAY Project:

• One in every 250 children may have some kind of autistic spectrum disorder.
• Autism, which means “to oneself”, is marked by various behaviors and developmental delays. Children may not make eye contact or speak, or may repeat sounds or actions.
• Autism can be diagnosed in children as young as 18 months, though the typical age at which autistic children are diagnosed and begin treatment is often around 3 years.
• Children’s brains are the most “plastic”, or able to learn new skills and information, in the first few years of life, so autism therapies are most effective when begun early.
• The National Academy of Sciences endorses autism interventions that are intensive (more than 25 hours a week), engage the child and aim toward a strategic goal.
• The U-M PLAY Project trains parents to interact with their children for at least 15 hours a week, guiding their play and taking cues from them to shape the interaction.

Rehab Dynamics 3160 Central Park West Drive

Rehab Dynamics 3160 Central Park West Drive 

One of the most promising new approaches is to teach the family to interact with the child through play activities.  Stanley Greenspan, MD, a nationally recognized child psychologist, and Serena Weider, Ph.D, developed the Developmental Individual Difference Relationship-based model (DIR), also known as ‘Floortime’. In this approach the child’s natural strengths, as well as challenges, are identified and incorporated into play activities designed to expand their abilities. The overall goal is to enhance the child’s ability to interact appropriately with the people and things in their environment.

What is Floortime?

What is Floortime?
Last spring, I was a guest on the web radio show hosted by Dr. Stanley Greenspan, co-developer of the Floortime/DIR therapy for autism spectrum disorders. I asked Dr. Greenspan a number of questions, which he answered in depth. The first of those questions was “What Is Floortime — And How Is It Different From Ordinary Play?”

Autism Speaks PSA – Google Video

Autism Speaks PSA – Google Video

TIME.com: Inside the Autistic Mind — May 15, 2006

TIME.com: Inside the Autistic Mind — May 15, 2006 — Page 1
Inside the Autistic Mind
A wealth of new brain research–and poignant testimony from people who have autism–is lifting the veil on this mysterious condition

TIME.com: A Tale of Two Schools — May 15, 2006 —

TIME.com: A Tale of Two Schools — May 15, 2006 — Page 1
A Tale of Two Schools
Early intervention in a well-run program is the key to helping autistic children reach their potential. A close-up look at two approaches, ABA and DIR/Floortime.

TIME: Only Connect: Education for Autistic Children

TIME: Only Connect: Education for Autistic Children
Photo Essay | Inside a School for Autistic Children

Intensive program for autistic children shows promise, University of Michigan researchers say

A University of Michigan Health Minute update on important health issues

Intensive program for autistic children shows promise, University of Michigan researchers say

Half of children in study make good to excellent progress, one-third make fair gains. Parents, pediatric behavior specialists team up for inexpensive play-based approach

The Autism Page at Wikipedia

Tons of information

Autism is classified as a neurodevelopmental disorder that manifests itself in markedly abnormal social interaction, communication ability, patterns of interests, and patterns of behavior.

Although the specific etiology of autism is unknown, many researchers suspect that autism results from genetically mediated vulnerabilities to environmental triggers. While there is disagreement about the magnitude, nature, and mechanisms for such environmental factors, researchers have found seven genes prevalent among individuals diagnosed as autistic. Some estimate that autism occurs in as many as one child in 166 in the United States. However, the National Institute of Mental Health gives a more conservative estimate of one in 1000[1]. A study published in 2006 indicates that men over 40 are almost six times more likely to father a child with autism than younger men[2]. Although autism is about 3 to 4 times more common in boys, girls with the disorder tend to have more severe symptoms and greater cognitive impairment. Diagnosis is based on a list of psychiatric criteria, and a series of standardized clinical tests may also be used.

Hello and Welcome.

My name is Barbara Snyder and I am working collaboratively with Dr. Rick Solomon “The Play Project.org” to assist parents of young children with autism get early diagnosis and treatment. I am currently working on my dissertation for my PsyD. and beginning to see children for diagnosis and treatment under the age of 3 years old.

I have been trained by Dr. Solomon and he has certified me in “floortime.” I have also become certified in administering and assessing the ADOS test developed by Catherine Lord which has now been recognized as the “state of the art” test for accurate diagnosis of autism. I have also completed training in the DIR model developed by Dr. Stanley Greenspan, MD who has devoted his life to working on children with autism.