A column by Jennifer L. Boen
Auburn first-grader Hayden Widner taught himself to read words before he was 2 years old. His mother, Erica Purdy, recalls, He was reading sentences in books at age 3. Despite his advanced cognitive skills in some areas, he lagged in other developmental domains such as large motor skills and displayed some concerning behaviors.
He never wanted to be on the floor as a baby. Then as he got older he would line up his toys across the floor and get mad if I moved them. He would rock side to side, she said. She raised her concerns with Hayden's pediatrician at the time but was told if there were issues, they would be addressed when he started school. A psychologist who Purdy consulted told her nothing was wrong with her son, but Purdy said she knew differently.
The family doctor eventually referred Hayden to psychologist Marla Souder in Indianapolis, who specializes in assessment and treatment of children and adults with autism. Souder confirmed Purdy's suspicions: Hayden had a form of autism called Asperger's syndrome, which is on the high-functioning end of the autism spectrum.
For more than a year, Hayden and his mother traveled to Indianapolis weekly for therapy using a method called DIR/Floortime. DIR is short for Developmental, Individual Difference, Relationship-based. These days, Purdy has a much shorter drive because Souder has relocated her practice to Fort Wayne.
The nonprofit Interdisciplinary Community Autism Network (ICAN) and Paytons Place opened in March at 409 E. Cook Road in Stone Pointe Office Park. Souder, an Auburn native, said she moved back to the region after seeing a need in northeast Indiana for assessment and treatment services for individuals with autism.
Souder and her staff, which includes licensed clinical social worker Bobbie Golani, occupational therapist Belinda Burton and lead case manager Lucas Souder also provide diagnostic and therapy services for other developmental and mental health disorders. Speech and physical therapists will be added soon.
A crucial member of the team is Payton, a Bernese mountain dog and trained therapy dog who helps calm patients, picks up on their nonverbal cues and helps bridge a connection between a child and the therapist, Souder said. Lola, a French bulldog, is a therapy dog-in-training at ICAN and Paytons Place.
In the Midwest, DIR/Floortime is a lesser-known treatment model for children with autism, Souder said, but it is gaining acceptance and is recognized by national autism organizations and experts. Developed by the late Dr. Stanley Greenspan, a psychiatrist and professor at George Washington University Medical School, DIR/Floortime is a multidisciplinary approach that centers on the child's natural emotions and interests. Sessions include active participation by parents and siblings.
Families must replicate what we do here at home, Souder said.
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Autism therapy method incorporates play