User:Philippciv/sandbox

The Autism Therapy House/ Multifunctional Therapy House has proven very useful in the Treatment of individuals suffering from:
 * ASD Autism Spectrum Disorders
 * PDD Pervasive Developmental Disorders
 * ADHD Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders
 * ADD Attention Deficit Disorders
 * Disorders in Behaviour, Concentration and Learning
 * Disorders in Sensory Integration

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Autism Therapy House

Aims
1. The ability to concentrate on an ongoing game, to increase learning and simultaneously to decrease visual and auditory stimuli (Sensory relief) 
 * Increase endurance and ability to concentrate and react
 * Increase attention span and the ability to observe
 * Increase motivation through the generation of interest

2. Improvement of communication skills 
 * Emphasising facial expression and gestures of speaker by limiting the visual field
 * Developing and promoting eye contact
 * Avoiding isolation by enforcing communication and interaction
 * Improving verbal and non-verbal communication

3. Improved body control 
 * Limiting and/or reducing stereotypical behaviour
 * Reducing aggressive and self-injurious behaviour
 * Reducing/limiting avoidance behaviours, as well as undesirable actions and behaviours
 * Therapist guided improvement in fine motor skills as well as writing skills

4. Relaxation 
 * Providing a place of wellbeing where the person treated feels at home, safe and protected. There is a sense of “having one’s back covered”
 * Providing a space of retreat, a space to seek refuge
 * Fulfilling the desire to have a home and “go home”

5. Practice of daily activities 
 * Work on feeding
 * Promote self-sufficiency (brushing of teeth, buttoning and unbuttoning, tying knots and bows, cutting using a pair of scissors, etc.)
 * Play and free time (use as grocery store, kiosk, post office, bank, puppet theatre, shadow theatre)
 * Practice drawing, writing, arithmetic (the vertical back wall may be used as magnetic board, blackboard or whiteboard)
 * To facilitate dialogue
 * Practice spatial orientation

Advantages

 * 1) The house offers a confined, safe and bright space with extremely limited visual and auditory stimuli.
 * 2) Stimuli may be gradually increased or reduced by closing or opening the roof, windows, door shutters or curtains.
 * 3) People of all ages (from infants to adults) may be seated with their body ergonomically positioned.
 * 4) It is the best possible working and therapeutic environment offering adequate autonomy to the person being treated.
 * 5) Direct contact with the therapist who is seated facing the person treated, at the entrance of the house, but at the same time respecting the individuals need of space.
 * 6) Adequate free space and optimum distance (less than one metre) allowing the person treated to act on his/her own, while catering for proximity, if necessary.
 * 7) The person treated cannot suddenly get up and leave.
 * 8) The Autism Therapy House/ Multifunctional Therapy House is a solid construction resistant to vibrations and stress
 * 9) It protects the child from self-injury.

It is used by

 * Occupational Therapist
 * Speech Therapists
 * Psychotherapists
 * Doctors
 * Parents

It is used as a therapy aid in (only indoors)

 * Therapy centres and institutions
 * Nursery schools and kindergartens
 * Schools, remedial schools and schools for Children with Special Needs
 * Paediatric hospitals
 * Department of Paediatric psychiatry/psychology
 * Homes