Autism Speaks

Posted: Wednesday, October 27, 2010 12:31 am | Updated: 12:41 am, Wed Oct 27, 2010.

Andres Farfan, Alligator Staff The Independent Florida Alligator

Inspired by their son, Narottam, an autistic child, Marie Trempe and Rob Cecil opened Autism Oasis for kids school in High Springs.

The couple hoped to improve Narottam’s life and the lives of other children affected by autism.

Each student is limited in different ways.  Some struggle with speech, listening and interaction, others with simple things such as making eye contact or laughing.

Autism gives children mental blocks that hold them back from reacting to what they feel or hear. Instructors at the school use music, vigorous movements and deep physical contact, such as strong hugs and massages, to motivate the children to react.

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School uses unique methods to teach those with autism

By Lauren Joos
Correspondent

Doug Finger/Staff photographer

Published: Sunday, September 19, 2010 at 11:42 p.m.
Last Modified: Sunday, September 19, 2010 at 11:47 p.m.

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Blue's Clues is one of Jacob's favorite shows even though it's for “little kids.” The 10-year-old shows a visitor his coloring that looks like the familiar notebook used on the Nickelodeon children's program.

Then he shows another coloring. And then another, all of them on the same theme.

Jacob has a mild version of autism, which makes him focus on certain subjects and exclude others.

He is one of two children at Autism Oasis for Kids who communicates verbally. The other five children attending High Spring's new private school are non-verbal, even at 7 and 8 years old.

Autism Oasis for Kids opened in a small house right off Main Street on Aug. 23, just in time for the 2010-11 school year. While seven children currently attend the school, three more are expected to join in the coming months.

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The Magic Moments: New school for autistic children has kids talking, interacting, many for first time

By Andres Farfan

At the new Autism Oasis For Kids school in High Springs, Narottam works an assignment while Jacob cheers in the background. Both boys are fighting forms of autism but are making big leaps at the school, where some kids who have barely spoken in years now talk regularly.

Posted: Thursday, September 30, 2010 4:52 pm | Updated: 5:54 pm, Thu Sep 30, 2010.

By Ronald Dupont Jr. North Florida Herald

HIGH SPRINGS -- As Joshua lays on a mat, Rob Trempe walks up, folds the mat over and lays partway on top.

Joshua is quiet as he seems to enjoy the weight on his body.
Rob then begins squeezing Joshua's arms and legs, as a massage therapist would, only faster. Joshua is still quiet.
Rob then picks up the child, gives him a strong hug and spins him.
And then the moment happens, the magic moment. Joshua talks. A child who has been mostly silent for years talks.
For Joshua, the key is lots of stimulation.
In the same room, another child, Alonzo, walks around in his own world, oblivious to people and objects around him. He does not talk.
Then Marie Trempe enters the room and starts singing to Alonzo. He remains silent. She sings again. Then again. And then the moment happens, the magic moment.
Alonzo sings back.
A child who has been nearly silent for years is singing.
For Alonzo, music can be the key.
In another part of the room, putting things in order is another child's world. Then there is the child who tends to talk when he's being physically spun or held in the air.
Each child has his own set of mental locks put there by autism.

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Autism Oasis for Kids is a 501(c)3 nonprofit autism organization dedicated to educating and supporting children affected by autism and their families.

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