1.

The DIR model is a great comprehensive framework, which enables clinicians, parents and

educators to construct a program tailored to the childs unique challenges and strengths. It talks

about Relationship-based parts of the model, which describes the learning of relationships with

caregivers, educators, therapists, peers, and others who tailor their affect based interactions to the

childs individual differences and developmental capacities to enable progress in mastering the

essential foundations. I find this concept important for parents because it provides extra support in

providing an appropriate and specifically constructed program designed for their child. In the

future, this is something I would like to be able to use this framework as an educator and provider

to the families that might need this type of support for their children who have autism because I

think it is well organized and design specific.

2. In the video about Meet Milo, It talked about the use of technology to help individuals with

autism interact more with the world around them. Sight, smell, and touch sensory issues.

Restricted interest, a preoccupation with something that get s in the way of their ability to

function. Bridging gap between material world and human connection, which brings in the Milo

robot they have created. This is an important concept for children, especially with autism because

some may have high technology interests that can keep them isolated from the world in their

comfort ability zone. This provides them with another way to adapt more with real people. I would

probably use this in the future if I could for my own students. I think it is a wonderful tool and

resource to have.

3. I read the article on Occupational therapists roles with autism. It talks about how occupational

therapists can assist in child-care centers, preschools, schools, and work sites and in the home of

children with autism. They help those with autism adjust tasks and conditions to match their needs

and abilities. Help includes adapting the environment to minimize external distractions, finding

specially designed computer software that facilitates communication, or identifying skills they

needs to accomplish tasks. I find this concept important for both the student and the parents

because it can provide these supports in either school or home setting. It allows for evaluation,

intervention, and measurement of outcomes. This is effecting for creating goals that will help the
 student succeed in these areas as well so that they can function in a community. I would

recommend this therapy for parents and students having troubles in the future.

4. Looking back at the signs and symptoms of autism, I feel that these are first hand and more

common symptoms that have been observed in many settings. I have to wonder if they apply the

same way to every one with an ASD. For example, an individual with a high-functioning level of

autism might feel comfortable touching peoples arms all the time. I find that it could be difficult to

exactly pinpoint symptoms of a student, but these are helpful. I feel like these are helpful and

general signs for parents to look out for at home, since some of them are more likely to occur

there. I would use this list and have parents study these in the future if they did not understand the

signs and I would create a pamphlet or informational guide online for the parent.

5. I also read the article about best practices for screening students for autism disorder. It is separated

into screening and identification, which provides three different scales that are commonly used

psychological tests that measure psychometric properties. Then there is a multi-step strategy,

which can be used for first level screening used for measuring broadly defined and subtle

symptoms of higher-functioning ASD in school settings. I think this is important for parents and

teachers, so that they are aware of how accurately their child or student is being screened. This

helps their students have access to the appropriate intervention services they need. I would use

this as a teacher. I have not had the opportunity now to use this type of screening, but I am

positive this type of screening has been used for my little brother.

Intervening to improve social impairment in autism can be perplexing. It is common to target social

behaviors that are absent or limited or social behaviors that occur so frequently they become inappropriate

by excessive question asking, interventions may also be required to target the quality of social behaviors.

What strategies did you find in the reading, videos, or in your own case study experience? (Explain what

the interventionist does/did and how that helps children/students)

Occupational therapists can assist in child-care centers, preschools, schools, and work sites and in the home

of children with autism. They help those with autism adjust tasks and conditions to match their needs and
abilities. Help includes adapting the environment to minimize external distractions, finding specially

designed computer software that facilitates communication, or identifying skills they needs to accomplish

tasks.

Use of technology to help individuals with autism interact more with the world around them. Sight, smell,

and touch sensory issues. Restricted interest, a preoccupation with something that get s in the way of their

ability to function. Bridging gap between material world and human connection, which brings in the Milo

robot they have created specifically for these students.