Re: treatment ideas for autism

[Dkmrhau]

For Lisa who wanted vestibular activities for the home: I wasn't sure if you
needed these activities for parents/caregivers to do at home or if you needed
therapy ideas...Oh well, elaborate where necessary -- these are just some
simple ideas that you can use as a springboard for more. Hope this helps...

1. Encourage the child to lie prone with head up to play with toys, or throw
objects at a target while lying on his/her stomach.

2. Have a contest to see who can stand on one foot the longest. Then, do it
with eyes closed.

3. For a younger child that has good head control, bounce him/her on your lap
and do it rhythmically to music -- sing!

4. Sit child on your thighs (facing forward) with your chest providing back
support, and move your thighs up and down to stimulate the vestibular
receptors. See whether the child will turn his head to midline and attempt to
bring his/her body back to an upright position.

5. Gently swing the child in a blanket or sheet.

6. Smaller child - place in prone across your lap and "fly" like superman.

7. Gently pat the bed or couch cushion next to the child as he/she lies prone.

8. Jump over ropes placed on the floor (jump both backwards and forwards).
Set up obstacle courses to walk between, crawl under/over, step over, etc.

9. Log rolling.

10. Remember to encourage self-propelled movement