Old Firehouse Teen Center

 Promotes Wellness  Manages Stress  Alleviates Pain  Expresses Feelings  Enhances Memory  Improves Communication  Promotes Physical Rehabilitation  Helps People to Concentrate  Changes Mood  Contributes to Memory and Vision  Increases Focus

 Most teens who have Autism…  Respond positively to music  Have a lot of interest in music  Use sensory input to help establish expectations and interactions  Sensory stimulation (tactile, auditory, visual, proprioceptive, vestibular)  Music Therapy…  Type of intervention used to develop skills and achieve success  Addresses communication, cognition, behaviors, social skills, and emotional regulation  Provides a non-threatening setting for people and their environment  Captures attention  Is motivating  Can increase participation in appropriate ways  Helps those who are non-verbal to communicate and express themselves  Processed in both hemispheres of the brain  Stimulates cognitive functioning  Musical elements provide a sense of security and familiarity  Focuses on strength, which helps to address individual needs

 Empathy  Nurturing  Rapport  Acceptance  Entertainment  Socialization  Good Company

 Pet Therapy…  A positive impact on quality of life  Changes in behavior  Feelings of responsibility  Teens trust dogs  A level of intimacy with animals  Assistance in helping to calm  Chances to get into shape (walking)  The opportunity to connect with another living being  Animals are non-judgmental  Use dogs that can be trained to help teens with disabilities  A decrease in Depression  Reduction in anxiety  Touch and movement helps to manage stress  Elevated levels of dopamine and serotonin, calm and relax teens

 Relaxation  Focus  Accomplishment  Creativity  Independence  Problem-solving Skills  Healthy Coping Strategies

 Art Therapy…  Way to deal with emotions (frustration, sadness, anger)  Teens might be more comfortable expressing him/herself with crayons and art projects than through words  Controlling impulse behavior- ADHD  Build ego- Mental Retardation  Develop strong relationship with an Art Therapist, which helps in strengthening bonds with classmates and siblings- Autism  Positive perspectives on one’s life  Increases orientation  Hand-eye coordination, fine and gross motor skills, speed  Focuses on the process rather than the finished product

 Educational Benefits  Exercise  Coordination  Health Benefits  Non-judgmental Feedback sch&sa=X&ei=fuxOUvrjLOzj4AOXx4GwDw&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1280&bi h=843&dpr=1#q=sports+wii+games&safe=active&tbm=isch

 Wii Games…  Wireless remote helps with speed of acceleration, direction, and can provide non-judgmental feedback  Ability to play at beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels, whichever one the teen chooses  Different categories of games (sports, fitness, video games, music, dance)  Teens who choose not to participate in physical activities, do choose to take part in Wii sports games  Improve muscle movement and hand-eye coordination  For those who are not able to hold large pieces of equipment (Tennis racket), they are able to hold a Wii remote and swing it like a tennis racket  Sometimes used in virtual P.E. classes  Health benefits prevent or decrease obesity, diabetes, and heart disease

 Reduces Anxiety  Relieves Depression  Increases Interaction  Self-confidence Grows  Opportunities to be Outdoors  Renews Energy  Restores Self-esteem  Strength and Balance  Hand-eye Coordination  Range-of-motion  Invites Socialization  Promotes Cooperation

 Horticultural (Gardening) Therapy…  Improves physical and mental well-being  Can relieve depression and anxiety  Includes being outdoors, learning how to interact with a group, and caring for plants and living creatures  Increases self-confidence  Teens respond positively  Digging in the dirt and watering plants, fruits, and vegetables is beneficial  After gardening continuously, children are better able to focus and have more excitement  Can help people who have Down Syndrome, Autism, PTSD, and other mental health disorders  Reduces stress  Calms nerves  Better managing of emotional and behavioral problems  Garden setting doesn’t change  Able to connect with surroundings  Feel at home

 Fine Motor Skills  Gross Motor Skills  Core Strength  Balance and Coordination  Social Skills  Sensory Integration

 Small muscle movements  Fastening snaps and buckles, how to hold the reins  Large muscle groups  Getting on and off of the horse, lifting body out of saddle, weight in stirrups  Core muscles  Horses move forward while swaying side-to-side, which causes the teen to involuntarily use more core muscles than they usually would  Balance and coordination  Sitting up straight on the horse, holding the reins, steering the horse  Social skills  Instructor, volunteers, other participants, praising horse’s good behavior=interacting with and engaging in conversation  Sensory integration  Multiple textures, smells, sights, sounds

 Physical  Improves motor function  Strengthens muscles  Reflex acceleration  Prevents muscle cramps  Increases joint mobility  Improves visual perception  Burns calories  Mental  Always something new to learn  Learning may prevent memory loss  Brain needs exercise to keep young  Many opportunities for success  Emotional  Connection with nature  Find companionship and comfort  Relaxing  Fun to get together with friends  Horse does not judge

  AMTA (2008). Autism Spectrum Disorders: Music Therapy Research and Evidenced-Based Practice Support. Silver Spring, MD: AMTA.  Wan, C., Demaine, K., Zipsea, L., Norton, A., & Schlaug, G. (2010). From music making to speaking: Engaging the mirror neuron system in autism. Brain Research Bulletin 82,         faculty.frostburg.edu/mbradley/EC/art_therapy.html         