Interventions Supported by significant evidence
An intervention that uses principles of learning theory to modify behavior.
ABA takes into consideration how behaviors work, how they are affected by the environment, and how learning takes place. https://www. autismspeaks.org/applied-behavioranalysis
Some of the methods used in ABA include:
DTT
Discrete Trial Training (DTT) involves breaking down skills into smaller ones which are then taught individually. https://www.autismspeaks.org/expert-opinion/what-discrete-trial-training
FCT
Functional Communication Training (FCT) refers to teaching alternatives to concerning behaviors that serve the same purpose or function. https://www.scopeaust.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/FunctionalCommunication- Training-_Fact_Sheet.pdf
Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT):
Instead of focusing on individual behaviors, PRT focuses on supporting “pivotal areas of development” with the aim to help children build the social skills they need to function well at home, at school and in the larger world. Pivotal areas are the main skills that lead to successful communication, they include: learning to start a conversation, how to respond to questions, and how to participate in an ongoing conversation. PRT is play-based and uses natural reinforcements. For example, the “reward” for a child who makes a meaningful attempt to ask for a toy is that he or she gets to play with it. https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/pivotal-response-treatment
Some of the methods used in ABA include:
Antecedent Intervention
Altering the environment in order to reduce the occurrence of the problematic behavior and even to prevent it from occurring. https://thinkpsych.com/blog/antecedent-interventions-to-reduce-challengingbehavior/
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy is often used as a treatment for the sensory integration issues. It is also used to help teach life skills that involve fine-motor movements, such as dressing, using utensils, cutting with scissors, and writing. OT works to improve the individual’s quality of life and ability to participate fully in daily activities. Each occupational therapy program is based on individual evaluations and goals. Occupational therapy for young children often focuses on improving sensory integration and sensorimotor issues. In older children, OT often focuses on improving social behavior and increasing independence. Occupational therapy (OT) is an intervention that helps people work on cognitive, physical, social, and motor skills. The goal is to improve everyday skills which allow people to become more independent and participate in a wide range of activities https://www.autismspeaks.org/occupational-therapy-ot-0
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is used to improve gross motor skills and handle sensory integration issues, particularly those involving the individual’s ability to feel and be aware of his body in space. Similar to OT, physical therapy is used to improve the individual’s ability to participate in everyday activities. PT works to teach and improve skills such as walking, sitting, coordination, and balance. Physical therapy is most effective when integrated in an early intervention program. Physical therapy involves the treatment or management of physical disability, malfunction, or pain by exercise, massage, hydrotherapy, etc., without the use of medicines, surgery, or radiation https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/physical-therapy
Speech Therapy
Speech therapy is concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of speech and communication problems, such as stuttering and other fluency and articulation disorders, or aphasia and other expressive or receptive language disorders. https://www.dictionary.com/browse/speech-therapy
EIBI is based on the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).
This therapy promotes learning, skill development and behavior change by breaking tasks into small steps that are easier to learn. As children learn each step, they’re praised and rewarded. https://raisingchildren.net.au/autism/therapiesguide/early-intensive-behaviouralintervention#:~: text=Early%20Intensive%20Behavioural%20 Intervention%20(EIBI)%20is%20based %20on%20the%20principles,they’re%20praised%20 and%20rewarded.
A type of behavioral therapy used to improve social skills in people with mental disorders or developmental disabilities.
This training includes training in skills such as conversation, eye contact, reading social cues, non-verbal communication, problem solving, and self-management. https://www.alleydog.com/glossary/definition. php?term=Social+Skills+Training+%28SST%29
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of talk therapy
A form of talk therapy that helps people learn how to identify and change destructive or disturbing thought patterns that have a negative influence on behavior and emotions. (CBT) trains the child to build their own skills to manage problems themselves and develop healthy thinking habits.
https://www.verywellmind.com/what-iscognitive-behavior-therapy-2795747
AAC helps develop and find alternative ways of communicating besides speech
These ways can be no-tech, low-tech, or hightech examples include: gestures, writing, drawing, using apps or generating speech through a device.
https://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/aac/
An AAC method to communicate using pictures, cards, and symbols
Is an AAC method developed to help children with Autism to communicate using pictures, cards, and symbols in order to make requests and answer questions.
https://raisingchildren.net.au/autism/therapiesguide/pecs
A behaviorally based procedure that involves the use of live or symbolic models
Modeling, which is also called observational learning or imitation, is a behaviorally based procedure that involves the use of live or symbolic models to demonstrate a particular behavior, thought, or attitude that a client may want to acquire or change.
http://www.minddisorders.com/Kau-Nu/Modeling. html#ixzz7JNC36VIB
Make communication and processing information easier and quicker
Visual supports are used to help make communication and processing information easier and quicker. They can include: colored pictures, short videos, miniatures of real objects, and more.
https://afirm.fpg.unc.edu/visual-supports https://www.autism.org.uk/adviceand-guidance/topics/communication/ communicationtools/ visual-supports
Refers to the use of computers in teaching academic skills
Refers to the use of computers in teaching academic skills and promoting communication language development and other skills. It includes computer modeling and computer tutors.
https://autismpdc.fpg.unc.edu/sites/autismpdc. fpg.unc.edu/files/imce/documents/ComputerAided-Instruction-Complete10-2010.pdf
Intervention developed by parent
Methods of individualized intervention developed by parents that increase positive outcomes in learning and acquisition of skills, and are practiced in a structured manner.
https://autismpdc.fpg.unc.edu/sites/autismpdc. fpg.unc.edu/files/imce/documents/ParentImplemented-Intervention-Complete10-2010.pdf
To manage symptoms of neurodevelopmental differences
Medication is usually used to manage symptoms of neurodevelopmental differences, they do not treat the condition itself.
Some types of the medications used include: Antipsychotics: are usually used to treat psychosis. However, they also have shown to have an effect on attention, hyperactivity, cognitive function, irritability, and aggression
Stimulants: are used to speed up messages traveling between the brain and body. They can help improve short attention span, impulsive behavior, and hyperactivity.
Anticonvulsants/antiepileptic/antiseizure: designed to treat epilepsy and seizures. They slow down the messages traveling between the body and the brain.