The purpose of this page is –

1. to provide a summary on ‘The Transforming Autism Project” in UK, and the Mifne Program in Israel
2. to provide our comments and recommendations in regard to how it may be improved.

‘The Beautiful Reality of Autism‘ is a TED talk by the author of ‘Transforming Autism’ and the co-founder of  ‘The Transforming Autism Project’, Guy Shahar. It is about 17 minute talk that brings forth a positive perspective of autism and the approach to creation of a  – “suitable physical and (more importantly) emotional environment being created around the child in their home” –  in their early years.

The essence of author’s insight can be expressed by another quote  – “I don’t see autism as a set of symptoms, but as the beautiful condition that underlies them and makes them necessary only if the right environment is not available. It is a condition of innocence, idealism, goodwill, care, a readiness to put others’ needs above their own – we could call it love“.

The Transforming Autism Project – is a wide scope project that is best introduced by their illustration –

The current state of the project in our understanding is mostly in the work related to Early Intervention. They are heavily in the process of promoting the awareness to their program and the creation of Mifne Clinic(s) in UK,  which is at the foundation of their transformative program.  Listed below are the main points of their Mission –

• To promote awareness of the phenomenal power of Early Intervention in autism, and to provide the means and the proof of this through a Transforming Autism Mifne clinic in the South East of England;

• To provide, through a distinctive online portal,  inspiration and practical support for families, schools and others to achieve a transformation in their children’s quality of life through the creation of an optimal environment and relationship with them.

The Mifne Program  (translated as ‘Turning Point’) –  is an early intervention (or rather interception) practice that is based on the approach to the autism syndrome as Epigenetic, meaning that both genetic and environmental factors are involved in its genesis.  In this view (which is currently coming to prominence not only in the case of autism but as a scientific explanation of many genesis phenomena) the environment plays a critical role, i.e. the creation of the beneficial environment is of extreme importance in how the genetics will get expressed.  In their view the many undesirable behavioral symptoms are a direct result of the autistic defense mechanisms resulting from overwhelming, negative, and outright hostile environments in which autistic infants are commonly find themselves.  Hence a need for early detection (turning point) and the redirection.  They use a simple yet very practical methodology for early detection and most of their work is with infants up to 2 year old, which very importantly emphasizes work with their families. They use ‘Reciprocal Play Therapy’ in child interactions, and the illustrative observation approach in educating parents and all the members of families. It is a parent/family/carer – led approach that is well summarized by a following quote from their Concept:

“The Infants’ Treatment Program focuses on the entire range of the baby’s developmental components: physical – sensory – motor – emotional – cognitive aspects through the use of Reciprocal Play Therapy, a method developed at the Mifne Center to motivate and provide an impetus for the improvement of the baby’s abilities to engage and communicate with the environment out of curiosity and pleasure.

The Family: Reciprocal relations, anxieties and crisis in the family system have a decisive influence on each of the family members; the Mifne Center has therefore evolved a family therapy approach system as an essential source of support and family guidance. Adopting the perception that parents are actually the main resource of their children and that they have the ability to promote their development during the meaningful early infancy stages, the program encompasses the entire nuclear family. The therapeutic approach combines medical, mental, socio-psychological and environmental aspects. The program includes: observation of the baby’s developmental components and their meanings, personal/marital/ family feedback sessions, as well as work with the infant’s siblings, all according to the needs of each specific family. Parents are fully involved, treated and trained regarding the therapeutic processes for their children in order to sustain and implement them in their daily life.”

Our Comments and Recommendations:

• The view of autism – It is rare and refreshing to find a confirmation of a true essence of autism from people outside of the Autistic Spectrum, and it is worth repeating –  “It is a condition of innocence, idealism, goodwill, care, a readiness to put others’ needs above their own – we could call it love”.    We know, that it is something that all parents knew at some point, and we wonder why do they erase it and choose to see only the defects?
• Sensitivity to emotions –  It is rare and refreshing also to find such an understanding from people outside of the Autistic Spectrum, and it is worth repeating – “When a child has autism, they become very sensitive not only to certain sensory inputs (and different ones for each child), but much more importantly to their emotional environment. ”  We’ve been saying all along that the nature of sensitivity affecting us is highly emotional, and that many of us, and perhaps all of us not only feel the emotions emanating from all the beings around us, but even the minute thoughts we perceive. Our message to the parents alerts them to it – “Remember that your child is exceptional, their sensory processing is enhanced and largely unfiltered and may be at times overwhelming to them; Be aware that they perceive your emotions and hear your thoughts which they may not understand and which scare them. They know what you think of them!”
• Early Interception .vs. Early Intervention – What we see of great importance in both programs is that intervention is effectively necessary mostly to correct the physical and more importantly the emotional environment surrounding autistic children. There is an argument that if the environment was beneficial to start with, no intervention would be required.  Thus the importance of early detection and interception – the turning point.  The success of the Mifne method in our opinion is primarily due to modification of the parent’s emotional mindset as well as the surrounding child environment, while the Reciprocal Play Therapy is a way to reinstate the child, reversing the ‘escape mode’ they fall into due to their natural defense mechanisms.  We wish however that the terminology was changed in preference of Early Interception, as there is so much painful history associated with the Early Intervention verbiage. It would also outright differentiate this progressive movement from so many other painful and/or useless interventions 
• Containment, Play, Exploration, and Natural environments –  The methodology described in Containment approach is mostly in agreement with our view, but we’d like to make two suggestions: First is in regard to terminology – the ‘Containment’ is unfortunately a very loaded word; it incorporates the situation to which most autistic people are subjected, specifically being “CONTAINED”  from the early childhood and throughout their life. This containment is often physical and involuntary, bordering and leading to CONFINEMENT!  We wish for the change of this terminology. Second – while there is an argument for performing the initial therapy in a closed dedicated room, in our experience there are natural soothing environments (containing water, sand, soil, rocks, grass, vegetation, and shade of trees; sun and wind not excluded) that more naturally provide transition from play to exploration and playful learning; it also provides a natural break from the tedium of a singular environment, while establishing comfort zones by gradual self directed immersion into natural.  We find that it doesn’t diminish but rather elevates the communication aspect as well. So our argument is for a room (with open walls) extending into natural environments with the heart. 
• The sanctuary of sleep – We’ve found no reference in the program in regard to sleep issues. We think however it as a very important part of the transformative program. There are many sleep related issues that arise due to natural inclinations, sensitivity, and the coping defense mechanisms, and there are equally many outrageous interventions to remedy this. We wish to express our opinion that sleep should not be intervened with, as it is a primary way of restoration, recovery, and information processing. It is important that parents and caregivers are educated to this regard.
• The escape mode – beyond the age of 2 years –  There is a need for these methodologies to be expanded beyond the early age, specifically to provide advise on how to address the ‘Escape Mode’ that many children and adults fall into as a result of adverse treatments and negative physical and emotional environments.  It is clear that the immersion in positive environments is a must, but that may not be sufficient as there is also a need to find ways to walk the individual back to the turning point, and continue forward on a better path.
• Similarity with Play Project in US –  The similarities are in the emphasis on early detection and the intervention that is centered around the family and child’s play. Originally the ‘Play Project’ professed their compliance with ABA methodology, but lately we find no such references. Their Play methodology is not as clear to decipher as it is seemingly still evolving, hopefully towards natural child development rather than to meet behavioral goals.  The Play project is experiencing some growth, recently opening a new center in Columbus, Ohio, and providing an expanded list of certified practitioners.  Their approach is to use a trained practitioner working at the home of a child.  The Play Project’s view of autism is however still of a Disorder and this mindset is imbued in a practitioner, which in our opinion, would effectively inhibit the parent from achieving the emotional state that is necessary for the desired connection with the child. Their emphasis is also on the child intervention and not the emotional atmosphere that is a cause of the problem. Furthermore it relies on practitioners who may differ widely in their ability and experience, and may not be prepared to understand the emotional causes of child’s difficulties.