Monterey Bay Forum

The overall goal is to get everyone on the same page: you as parent, MD, therapist, regular ed and special education teacher(s), school nurse, school psychologist, and any government agencies that are involved (e.g., County Mental Health, Child Protective Service for children in foster care).

Unfortunately, what often happens is that the left hand does not know what the right hand is doing. You as parent need to get in the driver’s seat and see that all the “horses” – school, professionals, hospitals, government agencies — move ahead in the right direction.

And that should include that everyone knows what the others have learned. So, make sure that Releases to share information are signed so everybody can communicate, receive records and communicate.


Here’s an example. An elementary school child is in foster care and receives services through Child Protective Service and County Mental Health. To clarify diagnosis the County wants the child to go to nearby Stanford Hospital (LPCH). So what needs to happen? Hopefully, CPS and County Mental Health will see that their mental health records together with the the child’s pediatric MD records and appropriate school records accompany the referral.

Another example: You as parent have concerns and go to your pediatrician. The pediatrician thinks that your child needs additional assessment and your doctor refers to a large, near by hospital complex (UC-SF, Stanford Hospital, Kaisier Permanente). Be sure that you as parent take along with you all relevant school assessments, school grades, and medical records. Get all the players on the same page. And be sure that all the players can talk to each other and exchange information.

Here’s some general ‘how to’ directions for parents of a child with ADHD or Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD): (more…)

DrCameronJackson@gmail.com

In the 2010 elections, American voters rejected Obama policies overwhelmingly. Then in Seoul, Korea twenty world leaders rejected Obama’s policy to devalue the dollar by printing $600 billion in funny money. Concerning the elections, President Obama thinks he merely has a communication problem. Wow! How about a reality check for President Obama?

Might President Obama be in need of a psychiatrist or psychologist? Individuals who have major difficulties often go to psychiatrists for medications and to psychologists for appropriate therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy can be highly helpful for a wide range of issues.

Does Obama need to get back in touch with basic spiritual/ religious values — such as is there anything bigger or more important than Obama?

How narcissistic is President Obama? (more…)

Another Aptos, CA psychologist:

Jo Ann Riniti, Ph.D. specializes in infant attachment, developmental issues with young children, family therapy and adolescents with Asperger’s issues. She provides individual, couples and family sessions as well as group therapy. Her California License Number is PSY 12418.

Dr. Riniti facilitates various educational talks including: Knowing What We Know: How to Cultivate and Communicate Our Truth; What is Your Hurry? – The Disappearance of Creativity and Play; A Sense of Play: The Value of Active Engagement and Emotional Attunement.

Dr. Riniti’s office is located at 9099 Soquel Drive, Suite 11, Aptos, CA 95003. Telephone 831 427-8282

Autism Vox has thoughts concerning the most helpful statements that have stuck with her regarding her autistic son now almost an adult. One was, it is not the hand you are dealt but what you do with it. So true.

I would add, keep looking for new ways to communicate. Get a dog the child can train and interact with. Find a trainer who knows how to work with autistic children. Try water. Surfing or simply listening to the waves can sooth and open communication. Music and singing are other avenues.

In my view, Applied Behavioral Analysis has serious limitations. Don’t trust the verbage you hear about ABA being the only scientifically based therapy. Any good therapist uses art and science. And serendipity. written by Cameron Jackson cameronjacks@gmail.com

For more, visit Autism Vox

From Aptos psychologist Dr. Jackson 831 688-6002

Easter Seals offers P.L.A.Y., a method that is softer and more gentle than Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Parents need to educate themselves about the different techniques available for assisting children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders. Parents need to be in the driver’s seat as to what kind of therapy they think will be best for their child.

There are “squishy” softer methods such as P.L.A.Y. and FloorTime. And there are “prickly”, harsher methods in my opinon such as Applied Behavior Analyisis (ABA). Different methods for different severities and kinds of autistic symptoms. Each child is unique. Parents who have educated themselves will make the best decisions.

Call EASTER SEALS in Aptos for informantion about how to PLAYFULLY engage with children with social and communication delays. Go: Easter Seals

written by Dr. Cameron Jackson, Ph.D.. L.D. Licensed Psychologist 831 688-6002

Children with a diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) (Autistic Disorder, Asperger’s Disorder, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, NOS) have major social and communication difficulties.

Families need to be given the TOOLS how to have fun and be spontaneous with their children as they teach them. It is very hard on families to be social and engaging with ASDD children who seem to be in their own world, who seem to ignore their parents, who seem unaware of brothers and sisters.

The P.L.A.Y. project’s goal is to teach parents to PLAY in a fun way in developmentally appropriate ways. Not only the child – the whole family can benefit. Currently available in Monterey County, P.L.A.Y. is also available to Santa Cruz County parents. P.L.A.Y. is a vendor of San Andreas Regional Center which covers the four counties of Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Benito and Santa Clara. Pl.L.A.Y. is a regional center vendor for under 3 children. It is appropriate for children before attending school.

The following information comes from the Easter Seals site. There is a link to the site at the bottom.

“Easter Seals P.L.A.Y. Project (Play and Language for Autistic Youngsters) program started in 2006. The mission of the project is to help young children (up to age 6) with autism spectrum disorders and their families obtain interventions that consist of 2-3 hours of intensive, individualized therapy per day, and are integrated with other therapies saving the parents time and money.

“The P.L.A.Y. Project is unique in that it provides training for the parents of children with autism so they can implement therapy at home. Easter Seals has home consultants, including specially trained occupational therapists and speech pathologists, to implement the P.L.A.Y. Project, enabling them to teach parents how to initiate therapy in the home setting. A child with autism needs 20-30 hours per week of therapy to learn and grow as quickly as possible. This project is highly cost effective for families and enables the child to receive a continuum of service throughout their day.

“The P.L.A.Y. Project was founded by Dr. Rick Solomon, who has diagnosed and treated children with autism for over 15 years. Dr. Solomon’s initial study of 70 children with autism demonstrated that 65% of the children in the P.L.A.Y. Project made good to excellent progress. Solomon’s study has been given tremendous credibility with its recent acceptance for publication in the Journal of Autism and receipt of a National Institute of Health grant.

Goals of the P.L.A.Y. Project include:

Improving parent/child relationships.
Improving behavior of the child reducing stress within the home.
Including siblings in coaching and training.
Creating strong families including improved spousal relationships
Improving child development so children are ready for school.
Improving systems for families so services are integrated, accessible, culturally-appropriate and of high quality.The P.L.A.Y. Project is partially funded by First 5 Monterey County, First 5 Fresno County and the Fansler Foundation.

“If you or someone you know would like information regarding the P.L.A.Y. Project, please contact Drea Martinez at 559-267-3952 in Fresno and Mark Wenzler at 831-684-2166 in Monterey.

“For more information about the P.L.A.Y. Project, you can also visit www.playproject.org.

Above comes from Easter Seals