Jump to content
Sign in to follow this  
Colin_and_Shelagh

Handle

Recommended Posts

In May of last year we had Patrick, our 10 year-old, assessed by a Handle practitioner. The assessment lasted about 2 hours. Patrick was interviewed and was given several tasks to do. The assessment was partly to see how well he did the tasks, but more about seeing how he coped with the situation.

 

The next day we went back and had another 2 hour session in which Cathy, the assessor. explained what she had observed and how this fitted in with the Handle philosophy. (We were also given videos of the assessment and the report back session to take away.)

 

Patrick was given a series of exercises to be done each day. We have had a couple of follow-up sessions in which the exercises were modified. They take about 20 minutes each day. Cathy also recommended that Patrick cut back his intake of sugar as much as possible, which he has done. He no longer has cereal for breakfast (he has croissants and bacon), and is not allowed sweets at lunch time (he has fruit instead).

 

Cathy explained that Patrick's systems are stressed. The exercises are designed to help calm that stress. Removing sugar and caffeine also helps. The exercises also help develop those parts of the brain that are under-developed in people with AS.

 

It is not a miracle 'cure', but we have noticed definite improvements in Patrick's behaviour. He sleeps much better ? before Handle he was gioing to sleep after 10 and waking at about 5-5.30. His handwriting has improved beyond recognition. He is more amenable to coming off Playstation and the computer, and he has fewer meltdowns.

 

Handle has a website http://www.handle.org/ where some of the exercises are explained.

 

It is difficult to explain Handle in just a few sentences. We recommend a recently-published book by the founder called The Fabric of Autism. It is available from Anna McCosh, Culter Craigs, Coulter, Biggar, Lanarkshire ML12 6PZ. Price �12.50 plus �2.10 p&p.

 

Colin & Shelagh

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

That sounds really interesting...is it similar to the work that is done by the DDAT centre?

What really interested me were the comments made under this website's Autism info section....there was a reference made to how the brain reacts at birth...(something along those lines, anyway...)

The Neuro specialist we saw told us about athways that exists in the brain in utero and that these should break down at, or soon after birth. He said that in our son's case, many of these pathways had not dissolved, and it was akin to a poor rewiring job by a dodgy electrician. (Not his words....they were altogether too long and hard to spell!!! ;) ) It all boiled down to the fact that there are lots of mixed messages, poorly conducted messages, etc....and on top of that, some damage resulting from the birth too!!

There's quite a lot of research going on into retraining parts of the brain to carry out different jobs. Okay, I think this is foccussed on Head Injury, but I wonder if it would help regarding ASD's?

I know that the DDAT centres work around this concept, for the neurological reasons above.......I tink I'll see if I can get a hold of this book guys!

It sounds v. interesting to me!

Cheers!

Esther x

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Colin and Shelagh,

 

I'm pleased that you have found something that works for your son. I wish you all continued success with the therapy, as it's not easy to find a method of treatment/therapy which actually benefits a child, so well done to you.

 

Helen.

Edited by Helen

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Esther

 

We don't know much about DDAT, but yes the thinking behind Handle is to remake pathways in the brain - in the same way that stroke victims do exercises to regain abilities they have lost.

 

However there is more to it than this. Handle also looks at diet, environment, how we take in sensory information, eyesight etc.

 

The Handle approach is used to address a number of neurological conditions, including ASD.

 

We recommend the book. Occasionally there are meetings held to explain Handle's approach, including a free introductory session. We went to one in Essex last year, and we believe there is one soon in Huddersfield.

 

Colin & Shelagh

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I've found details of the next Handle introductory course.

 

It's at Highfields School, Huddersfield on Friday 24 September from 6-9pm. Entrance to this session is free.

 

Details from jewatson@ntlworld.com.

 

Colin

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
Sign in to follow this  

×
×
  • Create New...