Behavioral Interventions for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Section snippets
Behavioral treatment
There are at least 3 critical features of all behavioral treatments. First, the procedures are derived directly from behavioral theory and research. Second, there is an emphasis on frequent measurement of observable indicators of progress. Third, all aspects of the child’s functioning (eg, skills, deficits, problem behavior) are considered products of the interaction between children and influential aspects of their environments. After a careful examination of the interplay between the child
EIBI
The purpose of EIBI is to increase intellectual (ie, communication, cognitive, academic) skills and adaptive functioning (ie, social skills, self-care skills, safety) to prepare children with ASD to learn from, and succeed in, typical home and school environments with the fewest possible supports.15, 16, 17, 18 These goals are achieved by creating a precise and sophisticated instructional environment for as many of the child’s waking hours as possible, at the youngest age possible, to alter the
Problem-focused outpatient and consultative services
Similar to EIBI, behavioral outpatient or consultation services typically focus on decreasing problematic behaviors or developing specific skill sets or behavioral repertoires; however, the purpose and model of implementation differ from EIBI. Outpatient and consultative behavioral treatment services are typically short-term, focused interventions requiring less intensive contact with the provider (ie, 1–2 hours per week). The typical course of services involves targeted assessment of a few
Collaboration and coordination with behavioral treatment providers
Child with ASD and their families are likely to benefit most when the pediatrician and behavioral treatment provider are able to communicate regularly and collaborate in ongoing interdisciplinary care.81, 82 Behavioral treatment providers are often well situated to provide some potentially useful information for pediatricians as they provide ongoing pediatric medical care. Myers and Johnson83 identify common areas that often require medical management (eg, tissue damage from self-injury, severe
Summary
Behavioral treatment in the form of EIBI is currently the only well-established treatment of young children with ASD.11, 12, 27, 28 In addition to EIBI for young children, many other behavioral interventions are available in outpatient treatment and consultation services that are effective for targeted concerns of children and adolescents with ASD.52, 57, 65, 66, 71, 77, 78, 80, 85, 86, 93, 94 This article provides an overview of models of behavioral treatment and appendices that will prove
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Cited by (27)
Autism spectrum disorder
2023, Encyclopedia of Mental Health, Third Edition: Volume 1-3Integrated Behavioral Health Role in Helping Pediatricians Find Long Term Mental Health Interventions with the Use of Assessments
2021, Pediatric Clinics of North AmericaCitation Excerpt :Nonetheless, an IBH clinician may provide assessments for autism spectrum disorder and intellectual or developmental disability as well as screen for parental or caregiver stress and provide referrals as needed. More intensive services for children with autism spectrum disorder often include early intensive behavioral intervention.35,41 Early intensive behavioral interventions often require more time and greater use than would be feasible in IBH.42,43
Monogenic mouse models of social dysfunction: Implications for autism
2013, Behavioural Brain ResearchCitation Excerpt :As an example, studies on environmental/behavioral therapies would largely benefit from novel mouse models, such as the two KO lines that are the subject of this review. Indeed, several human studies have investigated whether environmental stimulation, in the form of improved quality of the familial environment, can ameliorate autistic symptoms, but they reported conflicting results, probably due to the limited sample size and duration of follow up [163–165]. These methodological limitations can be overcome by the use of mouse models, which represent the ideal tool to assess the role of not only genetic, but also environmental factors in the complex etiopathology of autism.
Possible use of Trichuris suis ova in autism spectrum disorders therapy
2013, Medical HypothesesCitation Excerpt :Several treatments have been proposed as new options: acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, carnitine, glutamate antagonists, hyperbaric oxygen treatment, immunomodulation and anti-inflammatory treatments, melatonine, naltrexone, oxytocin, special dietary supplements, tetrahydrobiopterin, vitamin C [16–19]. It has been shown that an early intensive behavioral intervention is a well-established treatment for young children with ASDs [20]. Other effective intervention strategies currently used are: behavioral, music and vision therapy [21,22].
Adenosine and autism: A spectrum of opportunities
2013, NeuropharmacologyCitation Excerpt :Rather, ASD may benefit from less selective drugs or interventions that could offer multiple benefits and fewer serious side effects. This type of approach is consistent with comprehensive behavioral intervention, currently the most effective treatment for ASD (LeBlanc and Gillis, 2012). Regarding a broad-based approach with multiple potential benefits, adenosine is a homeostatic bioenergetic regulator of neuronal activity with diverse short- and long-term effects throughout the body (Boison et al., 2011).
ASD intervention research in real world contexts: Refining single case designs
2013, Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders
The authors have nothing to disclose.