Autism Spectrum Therapies Offers Holiday Tips for Families of Children With Autism

Autism Spectrum Therapies Offers Holiday Tips for Families of Children With
Autism
Stress Reduction Tips and Toy Suggestions Top Parent 'Wish Lists'

CULVER CITY, Calif., Nov. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Autism Spectrum Therapies (AST),
an agency providing behavior therapy and other autism services throughout
Southern California, has developed two new holiday season tip sheets
especially for families of children with autism: Stress-Free Holidays and Top
Toy Recommendations.

With the winter months just around the corner, many of these families will
soon experience an increased level of holiday-related anxiety stemming from
more than just the usual demands of shopping, cooking, and decorating.

"The holidays can be stressful for any family, but particularly so for
families living with autism," said William Frea, Ph.D., BCBA-D, co-founder and
chief clinical officer of AST. "There are unfamiliar social situations,
changes in routine, noise, and unstructured time off from school -- all of
which can be stressful and over-stimulating for a child on the autism
spectrum. Hopefully, these tips offer some practical strategies to lessen
children's anxiety and increase everyone's enjoyment of the holidays."

Some suggestions include:
-- Decorating the house in gradual stages
-- Avoiding crowded malls and last minute shopping

-- Waiting until just before the holiday to set out gifts

Another challenge is selecting suitable toys for a child with autism. Dr. Frea
has developed a list of popular, developmentally appropriate toys for children
up to five years of age, such as:
-- Large building blocks
-- Electronic learning toys
-- Puzzles
-- Story books

-- Dolls and large action figures

"Parents should remember that every child is unique and responds differently
to certain toys, so it is extremely important to check with their child's
therapist or teacher for toy recommendations before purchasing," Dr. Frea
advised.

Dr. Frea's complete list of suggestions for reducing holiday stress and his
top toy recommendations can be found on the AST website
http://autismtherapies.com/tip_sheets.aspx.

For more information about AST's services, please call (866) AST-1520 or visit
www.autismtherapies.com.

About Autism Spectrum Therapies:
Founded by respected experts in the field of autism, Autism Spectrum Therapies
(AST) provides individuals with autism with a range of services from infancy
through adulthood, as well as comprehensive training and support for parents
and families in their homes and communities. AST's highly trained clinical
staff uses scientifically-validated methods grounded in the principles of
Applied Behavior Analysis, with customized services ranging from play-based
early intervention programs, to classroom support, to building practical
skills for independent living. AST's intensive family-focused approach
facilitates measurable, sustainable progress and helps individuals with autism
achieve their full potential. The agency provides services throughout
Southern California. For more information, please visit
www.autismtherapies.com.

SOURCE Autism Spectrum Therapies

Joy Scott of Scott Public Relations, +1-818-610-0270,
joy@scottpublicrelations.com, for Autism Spectrum Therapies