Blogs

STeP Program Margaret Drive School Singapore Salwanizah Mohd. Said & Dr. Vera Bernard Opitz Introduction The STeP Language Songs were developed during my work at the National University of Singapore, where they were successfully used to support children with autism and other language delays. From Singapore, the songs gradually spread to Germany and the United States, where they are now used and further developed in parent training programs, early intervention, speech-languag

Dr. Vera Bernard-Opitz Strategies integrating ABA/ABT and Cognitive Behavior Modification Through many years of working with people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), I have learned that visual supports are often more effective than words alone. Visual learning strategies tap into the power of images, symbols, and visual cues to make information clearer and more accessible. If you’ve ever caught yourself writing notes in your handy to remember something or organizing ideas

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