The present work introduces a project named “Help Joselito!”. The project “Help Joselito!” aims to help a Mexican autistic child and his very modest family to pursue the innovative therapy plan that has been tailored especially for him and which has given excellent results so far. This therapy plan takes place in Mexico. The child's name is Joselito.
Moreover this work presents an alternative therapy model that can be implemented with other persons having an Autistic Spectrum Disorder and developed for persons with different Pervasive Development Disorders (according to the current terminology).
The present work is written in English, Spanish, French and German.
The author and developer of this project, Dr. Jean Weinfeld, is a retired Frenchman living in Germany. He is going regularly to Mexico in order to practice and supervise the therapy plan mentioned above together with local colleague therapists. Dr. Jean Weinfeld has a PhD in Philosophy, is graduated in Law, Political Science and Economy. His main professional field has been cross-cultural education. Dr. Jean Weinfeld already published on the topic of Autism in French, and (at GRIN Publisher) in Spanish.
Contents
I. SITUATION
II. THE STORY
III. HELP!
IV. TO KNOW MORE ABOUT
V. CAREGIVERS / ACTORS
Objectives and Topics
The primary objective of this project is to document and support a unique therapeutic experience for Joselito, an autistic child in Mexico. The project aims to continue a multi-stage therapeutic program, which includes pragmatic work and an aesthetic-sensorial approach, to foster the child's development, communication, and overall quality of life.
- The therapeutic model, encompassing pragmatic and aesthetic-sensorial stages.
- The challenges faced by the child, his family, and the supporting team.
- The importance of sustainable financial and professional support.
- The role of "real" therapy travels in observing and advancing the child's progress.
- The transferability and further development of the proposed therapeutic concepts.
Excerpt from the book
II. THE STORY
This is the story of a unique therapeutic experience. I recorded its practical and theoretical results in a book I wrote. The title of this book, written in French, is “Histoires d’A. – Anh et l’autisme” (Eng.: Stories of A. – Anh and Autism), Éd. Le Manuscrit, Paris, ISBN 978-2-304-04632-8 (print version / EAN 9782304046328), ISBN 978-2-304-04633-5 (e-book / EAN 9782304046335). In this work, which was published end of 2016 in France (and will hopefully be later in other countries), I anonymized the protagonists fully. But regarding the emergency of the situation, in order to rescue the gains and from them build up a sustainable progress for a boy who needs help, we, all protagonists of this therapeutic adventure decided to partially remove anonymity. Only A. (Anh) could not be joined any more on time – Anh being the name under which the narrator of the story reported in the book mentioned above wanted to be called (a story that has been then enriched by the reflections of the author of the book: me).
The full name of the boy is: José Guillermo Águila Guerrero. But I simply call him Joselito.
I met Joselito when I was visiting a couple of friends in Mexico City three years ago (late 2014). At that time Joselito, born in January 2004, was 10-11 years old. With his mother and grandmother he came one day to my friends’ home. Both families are neighbors. While everybody was chatting, I observed the boy, then whispered to my friend couple’s wife: “Is this boy autistic?” She answered, yes. She already knew the boy and his family.
Summary of Chapters
I. SITUATION: Introduces the challenging circumstances of the child, his family, and the limitations faced by the supporting caregivers.
II. THE STORY: Details the origin of the therapeutic project, the meeting with Joselito, and the decision to share this journey.
III. HELP!: Explains the necessity for external support to maintain the therapy and how donors can contribute.
IV. TO KNOW MORE ABOUT: Provides resources and context regarding the therapy model, autism, and the project's documentation.
V. CAREGIVERS / ACTORS: Lists the individuals and institutions involved in the project, including therapists and family members.
Keywords
Autism, Therapeutic model, Aesthetic-sensorial therapy, Joselito, Mexico, Pragmatic therapy, Asperger syndrome, Kanner autism, Support, Therapy travel, Multidisciplinary care, Early intervention, Communication, Family support, Volunteerism
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core purpose of this document?
This document presents a unique therapeutic project for a Mexican child named Joselito, diagnosed with severe autism, and outlines the urgent need for support to continue this program.
What are the primary therapeutic approaches used?
The project employs a three-stage therapeutic model: a pragmatic approach focused on everyday skills, an aesthetic-sensorial approach to open communication and sensitivity, and a co-therapy stage for the therapists themselves.
What is the main goal of the therapy for Joselito?
The primary goal is to sustainably improve Joselito's health, foster his communication skills, and develop his innate potential within a supportive, stress-free environment.
What scientific methods underpin this model?
The model is based on a multidisciplinary approach incorporating elements of rhythm therapy, systemic therapy, and an original aesthetic-sensorial framework designed to reach the child’s affect rather than just the intellect.
What does the main body of the text cover?
The main text elaborates on the personal history of the project, the specifics of the therapeutic "travels," the challenges of providing consistent care, and the roles of the professional and volunteer team.
Which keywords best characterize this project?
The project is characterized by terms such as Autism, Aesthetic-sensorial therapy, Pragmatic therapy, Multidisciplinary care, and Family support.
Why are "real" therapy travels included in the model?
Real travels allow therapists to observe the child in daily life across different environments, helping them adapt care methods and providing the family with new, stress-free experiences.
What role does the "mantra" play in the aesthetic-sensorial therapy?
The "mantra" is a therapeutic tool using rhythmic, non-semantic sounds to induce a meditative, relaxed state, helping to bridge the gap between internal and external worlds for the autistic person.
- Citar trabajo
- Jean Weinfeld (Autor), 2017, HELP JOSELITO! A Health and Therapy Project for a Mexican Autistic Child, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/355015
