A Treasure Trove of Brain Training Strategies for Persons with (HF) Autism, Asperger’s, and Non-Verbal Learning Disorders
John M. Ortiz, Ph.D., Director & Founder
The Asperger’s Syndrome Institute
How often have you attended a workshop where you sit through, say, 30% of background and introductions to topics that are already second nature… 30% discussion of dry research findings… 30% of fill-in fodder, and then, maybe, the last 10% of the program is devoted to strategies?
This workshop is designed to introduce an extensive number of practical, user-friendly strategies, flexible techniques, and fresh approaches for serving many of the primary needs presented by persons across the spectrums of autism, Asperger, and Non-verbal Learning Disorder*. Further, many of the exercises themselves are designed to help neurotypicals (persons not within the ASD spectrum) to gain a sense of awareness to the challenges faced by many persons throughout the HFA, AS, and NLD spectrums. As such, about 10% of this program will involve short introductions to the topics involved and 90% will consist of individual and group activities devoted to the application of those themes.
Drawing from research, multi-modal theories and over thirty years of clinical experience in multi-disciplinary settings the program will familiarize participants with dozens of hands-on interventions and activities that professional practitioners, educators, and lay caretakers will be able to adapt according to individual needs. “Brain based” exercises to help develop insight, self-awareness, and improve overall cognitive functioning across AS, HFA and NLD populations will also be introduced. The five tenets that underlie the practice of Sound Psychology will acquaint the participants will a multisensory framework to help address challenges revolving around theory of mind, central coherence, and executive dysfunction issues.
Techniques introduced will feature Dr. Ortiz’s extensive background with ASD populations as well as his Sound Psychology and expressive arts expertise to help enhance socialization and communication skills, increase insight and abstract conceptualization, improve theory of mind and central coherence, refine executive function skills, raise self-esteem and motivation, minimize stress and anxiety, and develop more positive, trusting and comfortable relationships with others.
Brain based strategies for improving proficiencies relating to speech and language, fine and gross motor competencies, listening, time management, creativity, organization, and other areas related to academic, personal and vocational needs will be covered. The approaches introduced in today’s program will be readily applicable in therapeutic and medical settings as well as at home, the community and the classroom. Some of the activities will be aimed at children, others at teens, and others at adults, while many will be applicable to multiple age groups. Participants will be strongly encouraged to be active participants in this highly experiential, hands-on program.
*(Please note: Non-verbal Learning Disorder applies to persons who have a visual-spatial perceptual organization deficit, not to persons who are unable to speak or have problems with verbal communication, speech, or language)
Topics covered will include:
Part I: Brief Overviews of Primary Topics and Group Activities
The primary theories underlying autism, Asperger’s, and Non-Verbal Learning Disorder: A Brief Overview
- Theory of Mind
- short intro and related activity: using illusions to understand “hidden minds”
- Central Coherence
- short intro and related activity: mind mapping
- The seven universal emotions
- Micro vs. subtle emotions
- Executive Dysfunction
- Planning, organizing, flexibility, multitasking
- short intro and related activity: exploring the four different “selves”
- Sensory Integration Dysfunction –
- short intro and related activity: raising and developing sensory awareness
The Three Primary Learning Styles or Orientations
- Visual (short intro and related activity)
- Typical careers of visual learners
- Auditory (short intro and related activity)
- Typical careers of auditory learners
- Kinesthetic/Tactile (short intro and related activity)
- Typical careers of “hands-on” learners
The basic tenets of Sound Psychology :
- Entrainment
- short intro and related activity: understanding social rhythms
- Rhythmic Synchronicity
- short intro and related activity: connecting with oneself and others
- Contextual Cuing (or Cueing)
- short intro and related activity: understanding social cues
- Sound Masking
- short intro and related activity: blocking out sensory disruptions
- Raising Sound Awareness
Experiential Exercises: Workshop activities will include a number of individual & group exercises that will address personal, social, clinical and academic areas including:
- improving one’s central coherence capabilities
- listening to and connecting with oneself
- raising self-esteem and self-awareness
- understanding conscious vs. unconscious incompetence
- identifying feelings in oneself and others
- lateral vs. vertical thinking: stepping out of your comfort zone
- differentiating between “emotional” and “cognitive” states
- developing abstract, insight and imagination
- deciphering and understanding non-verbals and the “unwritten curriculums”
- Managing our emotions while understanding other’s emotions
General Areas of Exploration Addressed by the Program’s Brain Based Strategies
Personal areas – Individual & Group Exercises
- Looking at the “Big Picture” (central coherence)
- Understanding oneself: Developing Personal Insight
- Clearing the Mind: Thinking positively and productively
- HeAr and Now: grounding to the present
- Letting Go: Harnessing & channeling impulses
- Being vs. Trying to be: Going with the Flow
Social areas – Individual & Group Exercises
- Social activities
- Listening skills
- Communicating with others
- Increasing personal motivation
- Improving social and communication awareness skills
- Physical Exercise: Choosing music for movement and motivation
Clinical areas – Individual & Group Exercises
- Depressed moods
- Self-esteem and Confidence
- Stress and Anxiety
- Insomnia and Sleeplessness
- Relaxation
Academic areas – Individual & Group Exercises
- Listening Skills
- Memory Recall
- Time Management
- Procrastination
- Addressing personal goals by channeling one’s “special topics”
- Improving focus and concentration
- Creativity and dealing with abstracts
Program Objectives:
Upon completion of this program, participants will be able to:
- Understand and apply the five basic tenets of Sound Psychology including Rhythmic Synchronicity, Entrainment, Contextual Cueing, Sound Masking, and Raising Sound Awareness
- Use at least three “brain based” approaches as adjuncts to meeting clinical, counseling, therapeutic, and/or academic goals of AS, HFA and NLD populations.
- Increase their understanding of persons with autism, Asperger’s, and Non-verbal Learning Disorders and use this increased awareness to better address many of the primary needs presented by these populations in the three areas of theory of mind, central coherence, and executive dysfunction.
- Apply at least three practical techniques to improve the skills of persons with autism, AS, and NLD in personal, social, academic, and vocational areas of functioning.
- Recognize at least three approaches to utilizing the gifts and special abilities that each person with autism, AS, and NLD brings to our sessions, or classroom, and use these unique abilities to establish positive alliances and help to maximize their unexpressed potentials.
- Discover at least three techniques designed to help increase insight, self-awareness, and inter-hemispheric connectivity to improve the social and cognitive skills of persons with AS, HFA & NLD.
