Autism spectrum disorders and the need for effective interventions and therapy have led to many different approaches. The autism community is constantly bombarded with new things to try, be it special diets or supplements, behavioral interventions and training, teaching and skills training or physical interventions. However, the core areas of difficulty and the basic types of interventions remain unchanged.
Autism spectrum disorders generally involve communication deficits or delays, social deficits and difficulties, and more stereotyped patterns of intensive interests or activities that are often rooted in sensory difficulties. The most common therapies involve teaching and interventions in those three core areas of difficulty.
Areas of Support Often Targeted in Therapy for Those with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Communication difficulties are often targeted with speech and language therapy. Autism spectrum disorders typically involve either a lack of language or language delays. Even in those with no delay or a mild delay, there may be weaknesses in the use of language. The weaknesses often involve difficulty with non-literal language or implied meanings and the use of pragmatics or how language is used in various contexts to convey meaning.
Social communication and social skills interventions are often targeted for children with autism spectrum disorders. Being able to pick up on and use the non-verbal aspects of social language, such as eye contact or interpreting facial expressions, is often difficult. Taking the perspective of others is also often a difficulty for those with autism spectrum disorders. Those skills often require specific targeted instruction provided by experts in autism and behavior.
Sensory difficulties often feed many of the unusual preferences, routines, and stereotyped motor mannerisms often seen with autism spectrum disorders. Sensory difficulties often involve hearing sensitivities, visual preferences, being bothered by or drawn to certain textures, being comfortable with the body in space, or taste preferences. Interventions for sensory processing difficulties are often effectively addressed with occupational therapy.
Common Approaches Used in Teaching and Interventions for Those with ASD
While the core areas often targeted and the types of interventions may tend to remain the same for those with autism spectrum disorders, there are multiple methods or tools used in providing those services. Services providers may even try multiple methods for one child to find one that is most effective. One single method may work well for one child and not as well for another.
- Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA): ABA involves taking data on a behavior, prior to and after the implementation of an intervention, in order to look at the patterns of occurrence and to determine the success of the intervention.
- Discrete Trial Training (DTT): DTT is one method of using ABA to intervene with behaviors. DTT targets very specific areas of behavior and intervenes with targeted responses that are reinforced. It requires implementation of the same targets in a variety of natural settings to support generalization.
- Visual Supports: Those with autism are often very visually oriented and can process information better when it is provided with visual supports.
- Picture Communication Symbols: Picture symbols are often used for those with no language or limited language.
- Video Modeling: Those with autism spectrum disorders often tend to be very visual and may think in pictures. Providing a video picture of a skill is often much more effective than verbally describing the skill.
- Interventions using Social Stories: Those with autism tend to have difficulty grasping information presented out of context. A social story is a short step by step story that uses visuals, along with brief and literal language to present a skill in a life-like situation.
- Step-by-Step Instruction of Social Skills: Those with autism spectrum disorders often have difficulty picking up on new skills by observing others. They often need step-by-step instruction that includes modeling, role-play, prompted, and then independent practice.
- Modeling: Those with autism spectrum disorders often look for visual clues of what they should be doing. While they may have a hard time picking up on the more subtle aspects of what is being modeled, the modeling is still helpful as a cue.
Therapy for Those with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Those with autism spectrum disorders often need specific therapy targeted to their individualized needs. The areas targeted typically involve language and social communication, socialization, sensory supports, and behavioral supports. While they methods of providing the interventions may differ from person to person, knowing the methods often used and knowing how to choose a qualified therapist will help to ensure positive outcomes for parents seeking support.
Deborah O'Banion - Having published hundreds of articles, Deborah O'Banion is a prolific writer on topics related to psychology, education and parenting. She ...
