The results of the ATEC (Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist) showed strong improvement in sensory and cognitive awareness and a ‘dramatic improvement in sociability’.
This study leads the way to the future in autism treatment. We are beginning to see the connection between the body and autism and studies are now showing a correlation between high resting heart rate and symptoms of autism like anxiety and low sociability.
The work of Dr. Stephen Porges and his Polyvagal Theory has contributed significantly to the shift in emphasis to autism and high alert body states.
With this new assumption, the doors have opened up to the potential for people with autism to live a much brighter, much less physically debilitating life.
Like the above study, the ART program designed by Holly Bridges works to redefine (reframe) what it means to have autism. It works to progressively teach the student techniques to calm, self-soothe and reconnect the mind and body.
When this happens the social, emotional, cognitive and sensory awareness capacity of the individual improves significantly and spontaneously. See the many examples here.
Berger M. J. (2007) The efficacy of selected biofeedback techniques in mitigating symptoms associated with autism spectrum disorder. Biofeedback. 35 pp. 62-68.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23248075
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26341093
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27491489
