Case+Study

= A Case Study: Living with Autism =  To find out more about Autism, researchers and professionals conduct case studies, which is a very in depth study of one person. The case study of Maggie McDonough, is a very interesting one. There is a link below to her case study with a video that has interviews of Maggie's mother and two other therapists. This is provides a first hand look and insight into what Maggie's life and that of her family's was before, during, and after she recieved therapy. What makes Maggie's case study so interesting is the type of therapy she recieves. ﻿[|Case Study: Maggie McDonough]   Maggie was dignosed with autism when she was two years old. She was refered to a program called Kidz Kount Therapy Services, because along with having autism she was also having language and sensory problems, which tends to go hand in hand with autism. Kidz Kount Therapy services provided the usual types of therapy that is required in a case like this and that is occupational, physical, and speech therapy with exercises to do at home. But there was another form of therapy that they included which is called iLS. iLS is a program that uses headphones and auditory therapy. There are sessions that last anywhere from 30 minutes to 60 minutes with additional relaxing activites in addition to the headphones. The hardest part about using the iLS program with autistic children, is getting the children used to having the headphones on thier head. As you can see in the picture, sometimes iLS will be paired with an activity such as balancing and tossing a ball in the air. This is actually addressing two areas with therapy.  This therapy has helped to improve Maggie's cognitive levels. Before when therapy was first starting, Maggie tested well below that of her peers. However, after using the iLS program along with the rest of therapy, Maggie now tested equal to that of peers for cognative level. Outside of having iLS therapy at school, Maggie is treated the same as other students in the main stream classroom.  Not only has this therapy helped improve Maggie's cognitive level and over all school performance, but it has helped her socially, as well. Instead of hiding in the corner with her head down when anyone tried to play with her, she will come up to people and start talking. She also has started to play and interact more with her siblings. There is still more research and studies being done on iLS therapy and the results that it produces in children. But given what is seen in the video of Maggie interacting and listening to her therapists and mother speak about the amount of progress she has made, it seems like iLS can be extremly helpful to children with autism as well as thier families. Source: "iLS Autism Case Study." //iLS Integrated Listening System,// 2011. Web. 1 May. 2011.