Treatments

Therapies
Brick-by-Brick
Brick-by-Brick
therapy uses a
well-known brand

tried and tested

of coloured
building blocks
and aims to
improve social and
communication skills. Children use
the bricks to build simple or
complex structures one-to-one or in
Many therapies support autistic children’s a group, prompted by a therapist.
Practitioner Erin Valente (above),
development. But how can we know which an early-intervention therapist in
London, says Brick-by-Brick is
ones to try? To help, Fiona McNeill presents useful for children who are shy, or
have language difficulties or
some popular treatments, with parents’ neurological conditions such as

opinions on how well their children fared

ASD. “It can help with turn-taking
and sharing,” she says. “It also
helps with expressive language and
sharing ideas. These skills are easily
Re:Start transferred to other areas in life.”
Developed by Dr Parents’ experiences:
Stella Acquarone, “By focusing on an activity he
(left) who is enjoys, our son’s social and
qualified in adult communication skills have
and child improved greatly,” say one mum
psychotherapy and dad.
and has a PhD in Another parent comments that
Psychology, Re:Start is an there have been many positive
intensive programme that outcomes from Brick-by-Brick
addresses challenging behaviour therapy, noting that their child has
Fan of Re:Start: in youngsters of all ages, but he wasn’t speaking and his eye become more confident socially,
TV and radio particularly those under the age of contact was poor. Within a week of especially in group and partner
presenter three. Dr Acquarone believes it’s starting the therapy, she says, work at school.
Melanie Sykes essential to spot potential difficulties Valentino’s language came back “The teachers now say he is
(below) says in children as early as possible. and he started to communicate popular with other children,
it helped her She works with the whole family, more readily. whereas before he was isolated
son Valentino’s helping members to bond and “It’s all about family dynamics. socially for many years,” the parent
language to enjoy being together. Her methods We learned that you have to work says. “He’s more tolerant of other
come back are also successful, she says, in with what your child is showing you people’s views and more patient
helping kids with ASD – even and what they are capable of, not and more considerate and helpful
before a diagnosis. Using the what you think they should be,” she towards others.”
therapy, they learn strategies to says. “Really, that’s how all www.hatchlingslondon.co.uk
help support emotional regulation children should be parented. When
and avoid meltdowns, which for we started to follow Dr Acquarone’s
some young people can involve advice, Valentino’s character and Applied Behavioural
self-injurious behaviour. Dr personality emerged.” Analysis (ABA)
Acquarone’s book, Changing www.infantmentalhealth.com According to
Destinies, describes the practitioner Risca
Re:Start programme and is Solomon (left),
available from her website. We learned that ABA is a method
A parent’s of understanding
experience: you have to work difficult or
Sixteen-year-old with what your child is challenging
Valentino, the son of TV behaviours and replacing them
and radio presenter showing you and what Therapy for all with more helpful ways of
Melanie Sykes, has they are capable of, occasions: ABA interacting with the world.
autism and ADHD. is even being Although ABA principles are
Sykes took him to see not what you think they used during used in schools, businesses and
Dr Acquarone when he should be” this weight prisons, they are often particularly
was a toddler because training session effective with autistic people, she

Au t i s m | e y e I s s u e 4 2 25
 Autism can be of a positive type
Babies can be passionate communicators Crelling Harnesses Ltd. Treatments
The issue is the potential Tel: 01253 852298 Email: info@crelling.com
Recognition and Early Intervention www.crelling.com

PreAutism Crelling Harnesses manufacture a

full range of special needs harnesses Positive Behaviour
support staff and this fun and
humour make all the difference. It’s
suitable for use on all kinds of Support (PBS) a valuable part of his support.”
equipment including wheelchairs, Positive Behaviour www.homefromhomecare.co.uk
buggies, scooters, shower chairs, Support is a way
bathing equipment, stair lifts and of supporting
seats in cars, buses and aircraft etc. people with Craniosacral Therapy
learning Developed by an American
The vehicle harnesses are designed
onsiteoronline to be worn in conjunction with
disabilities, autism osteopath, craniosacral therapy
or mental and uses gentle touch to sense and
Working with the existing safety belts to provide emotional challenges. The main correct imbalances in the
the Family and the Child additional postural support and/ aim is to enhance the quality of the membranes and fluids surrounding
or to offer a certain degree of person’s life. the central nervous system.
intensively to assess and address
restraint when used for those Luke Murphy (above) is Positive CST is said to be beneficial for
concerns immediately passengers with behavioural Behaviour Support manager with a wide range of physical and
problems or learning difficulties. Home From Home Care, an emotional conditions and
organisation that runs care homes has a spiritual aspect, as
for adults with learning disabilities therapists might work with a
and complex needs in Lincolnshire. client’s ‘energy field’.
He says there are several strands London-based practitioner Miki
to PBS and that, rather like ABA, Ettore took her autistic son to a
call 0207 433 3112 one aspect is helping an individual craniosacral therapist when he was
email enquiries@infantmentalhealth.com e make simple belts and full supportive
“A strategy says. “It’s a compassionate
to swap negative behaviour for
more helpful actions.
a toddler and was so astonished at
the results that she trained in the
The Clinic was established by Dr Stella Acquarone and provides consultations, harnesses for all kinds of special needs,
that is sound”: approach based on understanding “It’s also pro-active, identifying discipline herself. She now works
assessments, treatments, follow-on and follow-up services. For more information,
please visit www.infantmentalhealth.com or call 020 7433 3112.
including challenging behaviour Ann McGivern a person’s strengths and needs,” triggers for challenging behaviour with several youngsters with ASD.
says Positive Solomon says. “It’s never about to prevent it happening,” he “Some children don’t want to be
Behaviour just getting rid of a behaviour.” explains. “We’ve developed a touched, so I build up very slowly,
Support has She gives the example of her unique IT platform where carers respecting their need for distance,”
worked well for autistic foster son, now aged 24, she explains. “With CST, children
her son, Iain who used to gnaw his own fingers can become calmer, more
due to a sensory need. ABA Iain’s support grounded and more

Become a Brick-by-Brick™
About the training
This workshop will provide explanations of the trainers’ own techniques gradually taught him staff know what communicative. It can also bring
to use chewing gum and bite- them much closer to their parents.”
experience of the Brick-by-Brick™ Programme, the theory, principles
sticks instead. works best for him – A parent’s experience:

Programme Facilitator
and research underpinning the programme and a full guide on how
to plan, prepare, set up and run your own Brick Club sessions as a Parents’ experiences: their responses are Lavanya Nagraj is mum to Anirudh,
facilitator. Anila Tufail from Leeds has two aged 5, who has autism. She first
You will also be given a training booklet on the day and, after sons with autism, aged eight and effective at took him to see Miki Ettore for
(formerly LEGO®-based therapy) completion, you will be given a free login to the Play Included 11, who have both been receiving de-escalating any craniosacral therapy just over a
website to access many other online resources and forums to help you ABA therapy for a number of years. year ago.
run the intervention in your own school or setting. “They were both non-verbal, challenging situations” “At the time, he was non-verbal,
with lots of sensory issues and he found it impossible to sit still
The important bits
aggressive, challenging record data on every aspect of an and his eye contact was not good,”
One-day training course in Paddington, London on
behaviour,” she says. “The doctors individual’s day – for example, she explains.
Thursday 15th July 2021, 9.30am – 4pm.
had basically written them off.” what activities they did, what they “After a month of weekly
One-day training course in Paddington, London on
Friday 16th July 2021, 9.30am – 4pm With ongoing, intensive ABA ate, their body language and treatments, he won the ‘Worker of
Cost is £240 (inclusive of VAT). support from Skybound Therapies, sleeping patterns.” the Week’ award at school for
All training materials are provided on the day. the boys’ lives have been This detailed information allows taking part in his speech-and-
Hatchlings London is happy to announce the recommencement autism and related conditions. It has also been used with children Due to on-going COVID-19, social distancing will likely be in completely turned around, Tufail staff to spot patterns in positive language therapy session.”
of in-person training in the Brick-by-Brick™ Programme (formerly with social communication needs, mental health difficulties, and to effect on the day. More details will be provided closer to the time, says. They now communicate and negative behaviour and plan
LEGO®-based therapy), developed and licensed by Play Included, boost confidence and self-esteem. It is a play-based intervention and as rules and restrictions regularly change. freely and are thriving in a activities a person enjoys.
Fan of CST:
partners of the LEGO® Foundation. can be used with children as young as 4 through to adult age! mainstream school. Her younger A parent’s experience: Lavanya Nagraj
This one-day training course has been developed by Dr Gina How to book my place son is even top of his class. Ann McGivern’s son, Iain, lives in a with son Anirudh
Gomez de la Cuesta, based on her research with Dr Dan LeGoff. This About the trainers Please contact bricks@hatchlingslondon.co.uk “They still have difficulties, but Home From Home Care facility.
course is for professionals who work with children and adults on Erin is an Early Intervention Consultant who specialises in early to book your place with Hatchlings London now! for every challenge there’s an ABA “Positive Behaviour Support is a
the autistic spectrum and/or those who have social communication childhood development and behaviour. Erin and Jessica (also a Alternatively, please use the links on our website at
solution,” she says. “It’s addressed strategy that is sound,” she says.
difficulties. Training is open to teachers, classroom assistants, play Brick-by-Brick™ Programme trainer at Hatchlings London) recently www.hatchlingslondon.co.uk
every part of their lives – school, “Iain’s support staff know what
therapists, social workers, speech and language therapists, etc. partnered with Play Included to develop Parent & Carer Resources.
home and the outside world. I can’t works best for him – their
They are among the first in the UK to be fully licensed trainers
imagine where we’d be without it. responses are effective at
Behind the Brick-by-Brick™ Programme in the framework introduced by Dr Dan LeGoff and Dr Gina Gomez
Research has shown that the Brick-by-Brick™ Programme (formerly de la Cuesta. This one-day course trains YOU in the Brick-by-Brick™ My boys have now got de-escalating any challenging
LEGO®-based Therapy) promotes social competence in children with Programme (formerly LEGO®-based therapy) opportunities and the chance to situations, as well as proactively
have a happy life.” reducing them. There’s a friendly
www.skyboundtherapies.co.uk camaraderie between him and his

26 Au t i s m | e y e I s s u e 4 2 2 0 2 1 www.autismeye.com www.autismeye.com Au t i s m | e y e I s s u e 4 2 27
 Treatments
Ages 16-25
SHEFFIELD

Anirudh has continued to have Activities focus on, for example,

regular CST and now uses words
to ask for what he wants. He also
now waits to cross at traffic lights
rather than running into the road.
“When we first took him to Miki,
he was also very sensitive about
the texture of food,” Nagraj adds.
“He wouldn’t eat anything mushy or
anything hard. Now he’s much
more tolerant – we were so
shocked when he ate a raw carrot
that we took a photo!”
www.mikiettorehealing.com
Autism Movement
Therapy
Autism Movement
Therapy is a
movement and
music programme
designed to
address some of
the social, physical
and emotional challenges that
often come with autism.
social skills, how the body interacts
with the environment, sensory
experiences and complex
movement patterns that support
brain connectivity, says Ali Golding
(left), artistic director of Movement
Works, a charity that operates a
range of inclusive dance classes.
“Auditory processing is also
helped by following verbal
instructions and listening to music
and rhythm,” she explains.
“On the face of it, it’s just a
dance class and the kids are
having fun, but it’s multi-layered
and goes much deeper.”
Movement Works is running
AMT workshops online over the
summer via its ‘Action for
Autism’ programme.
A parent’s experience:
Lucy’s son Connor, aged 14, has
autism and attends a specialist
provision. He took part in a face-to-
face programme run by the charity
in London which, his mum says,
An independent specialist educational provider offering an exciting range of course subjects
to learners with complex needs, including autism spectrum conditions, providing both
residential and day placements. Our experiential research-based approach to education,
Practical Skills Therapeutic Education, helps students to progress on their path to becoming
more independent, self-aware and self-confident, and to gain qualifications.
was “life-changing”. She adds: ‘Multi-layered
“Before the course, he was getting therapy’:
zeros on his behaviour chart and youngsters
he used to go AWOL all the time take part in a
and fly off the handle. live Action for
“Now, his behaviour is positive Autism session
and he’s handling situations run by Ali
completely differently. His school Golding
life has been turned around
360 degrees.”
www.movementworks.org

Quality therapies
that make a real
difference
Our primary focus
is on increasing
functional skills,
therefore decreasing
inappropriate or
challenging behaviours
Call us on: 01437 751 261
www.skyboundtherapies.co.uk
Email: info@skyboundtherapies.co.uk
Twitter.com/SkyboundTherapy
Facebook.com/SkyboundAutismTherapies
28 Au t i s m | e y e I s s u e 4 2 2 0 2 1
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