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Sensory and Motor
Autism Clinic

Mission

The mission of the Sensory and Motor Autism Clinic is to promote the sensory, motor, communicative, and cognitive skills of individuals with pervasive developmental disorders through a multi-sensory approach to learning.

Overview

All individuals learn through their senses. However, many children with autism or PDD (pervasive developmental disorders) have challenges with regulating their nervous system to maintain a comfortable state of arousal for optimal learning. Individuals may be over or under stimulated by the sensory input from their environment. Sensory input may be perceived as threatening and place the child in heightened state of arousal, stressing the nervous system and placing them in a “fight or flight” response. This heightened state of arousal can inhibit the learning process, although, sensory input can create a “fight or flight” reaction, and inhibit learning , the “right” or needed sensory input can create a sense of calm, allowing for optimal learning to take place.

The clinic's focus on sensory and motor skills is to allow children the opportunity to experience the sensory and motor input they are seeking in order to “balance” their nervous system so that they may focus on learning other skills. Sensory input at the clinic is provided through child directed tactile, vestibular, and proprioceptive activities to support the individual's sensory needs. This is followed by and integrated with instruction in specific skills related to movement concepts, skill themes, communication, and social engagement for physical activity and functional life skills.

Curriculum

Classroom/Laboratory Course

Course Description

kine 213 Programming for Individuals with Physical and Neurological Disabilities (3.0, Spring)

A study of prescriptive programming for individuals with orthopedic, neurological, and sensory disabilities. Evaluation of the anatomical and physiological implications and their effect upon psychomotor functioning.

Autism in California

Nationwide the prevalence of autism/PDD has exploded in the last five years, and nowhere is this more obvious that in California. The California Department of Developmental Services (2003) reported that the number of persons with autism/PDD doubled from 1998 to December 2002, reaching more than 20,000 individuals. This same trend has been reached nearly every county in California, including Butte. During the 2002-2003 school year, more than 120 children with autism in Butte County were receiving services from local educational agencies.

Unfortunately, there is no clear explanation for the increase in the number of children who are identified with autism/PDD, nor do there seem to be enough programs to meet varied needs of families and children with autism/PDD. What is known, is that there is a tremendous need to provide community-based programs for families and their children with autism/PDD in Butte County.

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