Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Real Autism Help Is On The Way Across Europe


BBC Photo of Dr. Mickey Keenan

"There has been a significant increase in the prevalence rates of Autism Spectrum Disorder worldwide and some studies have found that as many as 12 in every 1,000 children in Europe may have the disorder. Applied behavioural analysis has consistently emerged as the most appropriate and effective treatment to help children with autism however, the number of trained professional behaviour analysts is very low throughout Europe. One of the aims of this project is to address this need for suitably qualified professionals who can design, implement, and monitor programs that address individual needs of children with autism."

Dr. Mickey Keenan, University of Ulster, BBC News

Dr. Mickey Keenan is a real, world class, autism hero. Unlike some "autism experts" Dr. Keenan has actually worked with autistic children from all points of the autism spectrum. He has been recognized for his academic writing, his work with autistic children and their families and his public advocacy. Dr. Keenan has helped dispel some of the misinformation about Applied Behavioral Analysis circulating in the mainstream media.

In this latest project Dr. Keenan, the Psychology Department of the University of Ulster, PEAT (Parents Education as Autism Therapists) and a team of international experts are translating into German, Spanish and Norwegian a DVD, "The Simple Steps", which uses footage of PEAT parents and their children to educate other parents on Autism Spectrum Disorder. The DVD features recorded teaching sessions of parents using Applied Behavioral Analysis with their children. An aim of the project is to assist professionals involved with design, implementation, and monitoring of programs that address individual needs of children with autism.




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1 comment:

Lisa said...

This is an excellent kit. But believe it or not they won't ship to an address in the Republic of Ireland because it was produced with British lottery money! I would reccommend it as it is extremely user friendly (I played with a sample kit) and would not even scare the most rigid traditional special needs teacher. I hope they make version available in Eire soon too.
xx