Speech A child with autism must do more than learn how to vocalize; the child also has to learn how to use language to communicate or he/she will be trapped in a lifetime of frustration. It includes tuning into both verbal and nonverbal cues -- such as facial expressions, tone of voice, and body language -- from other people. Speech therapy involves much more than simply teaching a child to correctly pronounce words. Our kids work on a wide range of skills including: non-verbal communication, speech pragmatics, conversation skills and concept skills. We believe so strongly in this therapy that Mustard Seeds ranch is staffed with a fulltime speech therapist who constantly works with the children throughout every day.

Physical & Occupational - Children on the spectrum may have low muscle tone, or have a tough time with coordination and movement. These issues can interfere with basic day-to-day functioning -- and they're almost certain to interfere with social and physical development. Our Physical therapists may work with very young children on basic motor skills such as sitting, rolling, standing and playing. As children grow older, the focus will turn to more sophisticated skills such as skipping, kicking, throwing and catching. These skills are not only important for physical development, but also for social engagement in sports, recess and general play. Gross motor skills also tie in with fine motor skills. The ability for a person to feed himself with a spoon or fork starts with the gross motor skills to manipulate the arm muscles. Occupational therapists work with our children, through organized play, to help them improve their fine and gross motor skills and thus improve their quality of life.

Equine Assisted - is a form of combined physical, occupational and speech therapy in which a therapist uses the characteristic movements of a horse to provide carefully graded sensory input. A foundation is established to improve neurological function and sensory processing, which can be generalized to a wide range of daily activities. Unlike in therapeutic horseback riding, where specific riding skills are taught, in equestrienne therapy the naturally rhythmic movement of the horse is a means to a treatment goal. This can be especially helpful for children with PDD issues with sensory integration. Unlike other facilities where this therapy can be scheduled only once a week, if your child benefits from the therapy, it will be provided daily, weather permitted.

Sensory Integration Children with sensory integration dysfunction frequently experience problems with their sense of touch, smell, hearing, taste and/or sight. The brain may not be able to filter out background stimuli yet admit what is important, so the individual may have to deal with overwhelming amounts of sensory input day and night. The therapist is careful to not provide children with more sensory stimulation than they can cope with. Treats and rewards may be used to encourage children to tolerate activities they would normally avoid.

Music & Drama - Music Therapy non-threatening nature of the medium. A music therapist might observe, for instance, the child's need to socially interact with others. Musical games like passing a ball back and forth to music or playing sticks and cymbals with another person might be used to foster this interaction. Preferred music may be used contingently for a wide variety of cooperative social behaviors like sitting in a chair or staying with a group of other children in a circle and with songs that teach life skills.

We encourage this by having Fridays as our dress up day, for instance...last Friday was "Super hero day", this Friday is cowboy(or girl) day! The student comes dressed in costume for the entire day and we base the theme of the day around all we teach. today...the children will participate in a "Do-Si-Do" square dance, swinging their partner around and also a hay ride with western songs, even sugar cookies they make and decorate to look like sheriff badges!

Life Skills - Life skills are very important for everyone. The sooner they are taught, the better chance our children will have in adapting them. Children are taught all therapies on a ranch/home setting. They help feed the animals and they also are responsible for choosing what food they want for snack or lunch and help to prepare that food. They eat at a real kitchen table and say grace together, holding hands, and are encouraged to share and talk to each other. On Fridays, they join in making a yummy dish together, in a real kitchen, using measuring cups and stirring ingredients in mixing bowls, where later they enjoy their Friday entree while watching a movie at the end of the day as their Friday bench mark treat. And yes, they also work together in the cleaning up after the preparations of their meal. We are very proud that our little chefs do not have to be prompted to clean their areas anymore, they all clean up cheerfully singing the clean up song, then wash their hands and run to the movie room for the Friday movie! Other life skills include traffic safety, where they learn to drive, using bumper boat obstacle course in our indoor aqua room. They also learn safety as we sit on the front porch of our peaceful ranch and listen to the noises around us..."Is that a motorcycle?"..."Yes it is!" and we watch as it rides by. "Whats that, is it a cricket?"... You would be surprised how many kids do not know some common sounds around them as many are kept inside. These are just a few of the many life skills we teach.