BLOGS FOR THRESHOLD CONSULTANTS - BLOGY PRO PRAHOVÉ KONZULTA

November 13, 2023, St. Augustine Monastery, Prague

Today's conference at St. Augustine Monastery was a pivotal meeting for all those interested in the issue of autism in the 21st century. Although autism affects the lives of individuals with the condition, this event focused primarily on social and educational elements, emphasizing collaboration and exchanging experiences.

From the start, there was immense interest in autism. Participants gathered in the impressive setting of the monastery refectory for a short lecture and meaningful dialogue.

Opening Speech by Prof. Dr. Robert Wright

Professor Wright delivered a powerful opening, emphasizing the need to connect experiences between the USA and the Czech Republic in autism. His words highlighted the challenges and opportunities that collaborative efforts can bring.

The round table was the highlight of the conference, where participants engaged in active discussions. Dr. Zuzana Bříšková, a dentist with clinical experience in caring for children with autism, provided practical advice to improve dental care in the Czech Republic. Representatives from the organization "Děti úplňku" shared perspectives and experiences of parents of children with autism in our country.

The conference concluded with a round table reflection on all the discussed topics. Professor Wroblowský and Ms. Turnerová emphasized the importance of funding and support for initiatives focused on autism. Closing remarks underscored the need for a societal approach to creating an inclusive environment.

Conclusion: The Significance of Creating an Inclusive Environment

Today's autism conference showed that creating an inclusive environment is challenging and an opportunity. The exchange of experiences between professionals, parents, and organizations is a crucial step toward better understanding and support for individuals with autism. We believe this conference is the beginning of long-term collaboration and building a better world for families with autism in the 21st century. For more information and the opportunity to join our team, visit our website. Together, we can achieve greater understanding and inclusion for all.

Robert E. Wright, Ph.D., MHA, MA, RN

and Ing. Eva Kocurkova, MS

The early days of the late 20th Century were desperate yet brave, as my mother pioneered autism programs. Fathers faced tests, with some leaving and others turning to alcohol. Mothers picked up the pieces, questioning the future of their children. Today, life expectancy has increased, but fears persist as there are still no cures for autism after half a Century. The search for solutions continues, with the numbers growing exponentially. While we've moved past outdated theories, a grand solution remains elusive. The term "autism" has been overused and broadened, making it challenging to define neurological disorders accurately. Many individuals claim autism without a medical diagnosis, complicating support for those truly on the spectrum.

Re-engineering brains to overcome deficits is a distant goal, especially for disorders like autism. Otherwise, normal individuals have misappropriated the term to explain cognitive differences. This trend hampers efforts to help those genuinely affected by autism. My brother Ben, now 60, remains mute despite decades of therapies. He finds joy in basic pleasures and lives a simple life. Our mother, before her death at 87, desperately sought a therapist to make Ben speak, but the word never came. Instead, she chose life, creating Threshold, a program that served hundreds and trained thousands. The question remains: What can Threshold do for you? Let us show you.

Marshall had several behaviors that were dangerous. The greatest risk to his safety and life was using his head to break windows. Car windows, home windows, plate glass, and mirrors. His behavior plan directed that he not be seated near windows or moving objects. Marshall had severe dental disease and needed a panoramic (pano) dental x-ray. While the pano only takes 10 to 20 seconds, one head blow to the equipment from Marshall could potentially destroy it. Over several weeks, we shaped Marshall's behavior through a series of steps. Our first attempt resulted in his walking away on the day of his pano. Minutes later, we had him bite the frame, hold the balance rails, feel the temple problems touch his head, and have the pano rotate around his head. Success in a single shot, and we were able to diagnose and treat his dental diseases. What did he earn as a reinforcer? His favorite drink is Dr. Pepper.

For over fifty years, we have chased the rainbows, made the mistakes, learned what does not work, learned what does, cried the tears, and managed the shock, anger, and denial. We've picked up the pieces and glued them together. We have looked into your eyes and seen our frustrations. We have prayed and hit the bottom. Then we dusted ourselves off, held each other up, and stepped into tomorrow. You are not alone in your journey. Threshold Consultants have been where you are and will guide you into your brave new world. What is our value, relevance, and uniqueness? We have walked in the shoes you now wear. We have pioneered the autism trail since 1965; we are you and your family. For us, it is not just a job. It is a journey we want to share with you.

Susan came to Threshold in 1978 as one of our first residents. She had lived in an institution and learned to use head and face slapping as a way to get attention. By the time she was transferred to Threshold, she averaged 5,000 head blows per day. We decided that her self-abuse was attention-seeking. Over the years, her behavior became significantly more violent. Once we decided on the function, we put her on a shaping program to eliminate hitting. It took us several months of reinforcing "no hitting." Susan has not hit herself for more than 40 years.

In my practice, I am interested in the client's story and why they sought my services. Did they need advice, help, or someone to hear their story?

The issue of weight loss is a complex one. Still, for many clients, this process repeats itself, often beginning and ending with low motivation, a loss of faith, or unrealistic expectations of quick results. The basic question is what has worked for the clients, what successes they have achieved, and what positive memories they have (e.g., not sweating as much in summer, not feeling swollen legs, or just feeling overall lightness in their body...).

Suppose the reasons are purely health-related (e.g., poor blood test results, someone is seriously ill, fear of developing metabolic syndrome, or a history of cancer). In that case, we must approach this information differently than with someone who is motivated, for example, to look better or feel better. It’s also about working with the client's fear for their health in the first case, and often, these individuals are under great stress, pressure, and sometimes even aggression.

In contrast to people who have come to a change on their own (yes, I want to lose weight to feel better about my body and increase my self-confidence), the work with these individuals is different.

It is always important to be aware of the client’s:

Self-esteem and self-evaluation: Low self-esteem can significantly hinder achieving weight loss. Individuals with low self-esteem may tend to underestimate their abilities and struggle to achieve their goals. On the other hand, positive self-evaluation is key to persistence in the weight loss process.

Mindfulness is a technique that helps people focus on the present moment, free from the influence of past failures or fears of the future. This technique can be useful when eating, as it helps people better perceive signals of hunger and fullness, thereby preventing overeating.

One doesn’t have to eat everything on the plate, but I recommend using a smaller plate...