By Pete Allman

 
 Jenny McCarthy’s Videos Teach Children with Autism  

Jenny McCarthy—known for her roles in “Santa Baby” as daughter Mary Claus, “Two and Half Men” as Courtney, and Lori in the fun-filled movie “John Tucker Must Die”—is now on a dedicated, personal mission to help autistic children now and to find a cure ultimately.
 
McCarthy’s new video series, “Teach2Talk,” is a revolutionary new tool designed to help teach communications and play skills to all children with autism and other developmental disorders.

One of the components used in this series is video modeling, a powerful teaching tool, which research shows is an effective method to teach many children, especially those with autism.

The video series includes modules focused on social skills, which can help children develop and improve in key areas, such as sharing with friends and siblings. Another section titled “WH Questions!” helps children learn to format and answer questions involving concepts of “when, where, which, how, what, who/whose and why/wherefore.” The program also helps children build a functional vocabulary by creatively teaching them a variety of basic nouns and verbs.

“Teach2Talk” is a collaboration between Jenny McCarthy—the New York Times best-selling author, actress, producer and comedian, whose son is diagnosed with autism—and Sarah Clifford Scheflen, M.S., CCC-SLP, a practicing speech language pathologist and specialist in therapy for children with autism and other developmental disorders.

Her personal research into teaching skills to children through video modeling and her use of peer-reviewed research of others led to the creation of materials that can be used by parents for their children without side assistants. “Teach2Talk” can also be administered by teachers, therapist and other professionals as a useful complement to traditional therapy and instructional programs.

McCarthy was in Las Vegas in early December supporting the Autism Speaks “Walk Now for Autism” fundraising event at the Sam Boyd Stadium, along with singer Toni Braxton, also the mother of a child with autism.

McCarthy feels that some vaccinations given to children could be linked to autism. McCarthy also mentioned that nutritional modifications in a child’s diet and a detox program with natural herbs could help many autistic children grow in their developmental skills.

Pete Allman is a Las Vegas-based commentator, broadcast personality and celebrity interviewer. He also produces inspirational messages for television and other media.