There are limited research on effective interventions for infants at-risk for autism or diagnosed with autism. Such interventions may be especially effective in promoting the trajectory towards more normalized development. Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT) is an empirically based intervention for children with autism, and Steiner, Gengoux, Klin and Chawarska have published an article on implementation of PRT for infants at risk for ASD. Read more…
Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT) is an evidence-based intervention for children with autism involving the motivational strategies (1) child choice, (2) attracting child´s attention prior to providing clare opportunities to respond, (3) reinforcing reasonable attempts, (4) providing reinforcement immediately and contingently, and (5) using directly and logically related stimuli as reinforcers. Vernon, Koegel, Dauterman and Stolen have published a study were they thought parents to implement embedded social interaction in this procedure for three young children with autism. Read more…
Interventions based on applied behavior analyst (ABA) have a strong position in autism, but not all children are offered and receive such evidence-based and scientific interventions. In the recent issue of Behavior Analysis in Practice, Mary Beth Walsh lists the top 10 reasons children with autism deserve ABA; Read more…
Researchers studying interventions for young children with autism agree upon the importance of targeting joint attention and play, as they are supposed to impact language and social development. Now Kasari and colleagues had published a longitudinal follow-up of children with autism who received targeted interventions on joint attention and play 5 years ago. Read more…
As the number of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are raising, the need for effective instruction in inclusive classrooms increase. The use of inclusive classrooms for children with ASD is supported by research that indicates that this environment provides more opportunities for teaching social and communication skills, and more opportunities for positive social interactions with peers. Inclusive settings also facilitates generalization and maintenance. But this research indicates that placement is not enough, effective and individualized intervention must be put in place.
Barton, Lawrence and Deurloo have now published Read more…
Restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRB) are core symptom of autism spectrum disorders (ASD), and have received reviewed attention in the revision of DSM. RRB is shown to impact learning and socialization for children and adults with ASD, and research indicate that RRBs also affect family functioning and well-being – learning to increased stress levels for parents.
In a recently published article in Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, Boyd, McDonough and Bodfish provides information on evidence-based behavioral interventions for RRB i Autism. Read more…
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Video modeling has proven to be an effective intervention for children with autism. Now Ozen, Batu and Birkan have published a study were they used video modeling to teach sociodramatic play to three nine year old boys with autism in a small group arrangement. In their study they found that video modeling was an effective intervention in teaching children with autism sociodramatic play and that the children maintained the skills to weeks after the original intervention. In their study they also found that the participants learned the roles of their partners in observational learning sessions. This interesting study also collected social validity data indicating that the participants were happy about taking part in the study.
Discrete trial teaching (DTT) is an evidence based teaching strategy within applied behavior analysis (ABA), and is widely used in early intervention. There are several manuals and books describing DTT, and Smith published a great article on DTT in 2001. Now Gongola and Sweeney have published an new and excellent article describing DTT and focusing on the practical steps to get starter. The article published in Intervention in School and Clinic, may be a good read for people getting started with DTT and for this who have implemented DTT for a while.
