KOIN 6 NEWS Portland: Video helps kids with autism make big strides
VANCOUVER, Wash. (KOIN 6) — A very basic video is making a huge impact on some children with autism — and it was created by a mom right here in the Northwest. A Vancouver family told KOIN 6 News how it has helped their son make big strides.
The family of 4-year-old Asher Trigg said he is engaging with his loved ones, a therapist and others — a big stride for a child with autism.
“He’s looking at our mouth when we talk, and that’s different,” Asher’s mother Taisha Trigg said. “He looks like he’s concentrating and really thinking about what we are saying so those are huge things.”
Gemiini Systems Founder Laura Kasbar said she came up with the idea after her twins were diagnosed with autism. (KOIN 6 News)
Taisha said they have tried multiple therapies, but watching online videos from Gemiini Systems has shown them the most results.
“By having their brain stimulated by watching someone doing it correctly, their own brain is stimulated, the mouth starts to be stimulated” Gemiini Systems Founder Laura Kasbar said.
Kasbar created the Gemiini videos after her twins were diagnosed with autism. The clips focus on mouth movements through a series of what looks like flashcards.
Speech-language pathologist Lisa Melady works with Asher, and said the videos are a great way to complement traditional therapy.
“The parents can help with that therapy at home to download that language so when they come to see me, I get to do what I’m really trained to do and what I’m an expert in,” Melady said.
Dr. Maria Gilmour used the videos in a study in Portland-area schools and said she’s never seen any type of therapy work so quickly.
“I’ve seen decreases in behavior and increases in language sometimes in one day,” Dr. Gilmour told KOIN 6 News.
Asher is taking what he sees and applying it in real life.
“He was watching it and starting with waving one hand toward himself, and he looked at the video, looked at his hand and started to wave,” his mother said.
Autism affects one in every 68 children in the U.S.Click here to see newscast.