Blogs

Dr. Vera Bernard-Opitz Strategies integrating ABA/ABT and Cognitive Behavior Modification When I first started exploring ways to support individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), I quickly realized that traditional teaching methods don’t always lead to understanding. For affected individuals words can sometimes feel like a maze, and verbal instructions might get lost in translation. That’s where visual learning steps in as a game-changer. Visual learning strategies tap

Twinkie: From a deserted kitten to a Therapy-Cat! Are cats really on the autism spectrum? Dr. Vera Bernard-Opitz Twinkie has won us over: despite years of cat skepticism, this one-year-old cat has crept into our home and hearts. And I learned a lot about cat training and its potential therapeutic effect on people with autism.   When our 30-year-old son moved back from Arizona to us in California with 9 baby cats and 2 adult cats, I once again suspected "trouble". Even as a ch

When I received an email from an autism program for children with ASD in Kolkata about 10 years ago, I had no idea, that this would drastically change my perspective on international needs in Autism and ways to help. The request for support of an Indian program, which had been in session for several years, was followed by a video-session, which was my very first experience with online meetings. Dr. Vera Bernard-Opitz   Cultural expectations influence teaching targets and teac