Autism Treatment

Autism & its Treatments
Janna Hoskin, BA (Psychology); BMus

(Composition), ABA Therapist
V1.0 2003, Janna Hoskin
First of all, who am I?

My name is Janna Hoskin.
I have a BA in Psychology and a BMus in
Composition.
I have been working with children who
have been diagnosed with pervasive
developmental disabilities such as autism,
or autistic disorder, for three years, and
have been researching the disorder for
nine years.
My interest in autism began when I was
twelve years old, when I first saw the
movie Rainman. But autism is so much
more than Rainman.
Topics of Discussion
Basic Definition of Autism
Dispelling the Mythology of Autism
Treatment: Son-Rise
Treatment: FloorTime
Treatment: ABA
Other Treatments and Communication
Methods
Treatment: Son-Rise
Treatment: ABA
Methods
What is Autism?
Autism is a neurological disorder that causes

communication problems and developmental
delays.
It can include dietary and sensory problems.
It is not a psychological problem. It is not a
choice.
Autism is not a sure sign of brain damage or
mental retardation.
Autism is a spectrum disorder.
Every individual who has autism is different from
every other individual who has autism, just as we
NTs (neurotypicals) are different from one
another.
Treatment: Son-Rise
Treatment: ABA
Methods
Treatment: Son-Rise
Treatment: ABA
Methods
Dispelling the Mythology of

Autism
Myth #1
Individuals with autism never make eye contact;
they do not look at you.
Myth #2
Autism is a mental illness.
Myth #3
Progress means that a person doesnt have
autism.
Myth #4
Individuals with autism do not speak.
Myth #5
Autism can be outgrown.
Myth #6
Individuals with autism cannot learn; autistic
children are retarded.

Autism
Myth #7
Underneath all of the difficult behaviours is a
normal person; inside a child with autism is a
genius.
Myth #8
Individuals with autism are very manipulative.
Myth #9
Individuals with autism could talk if they
wanted to.
Myth #10
Individuals with autism cant smile; cannot
show affection; do not relate to peers or
adults; do not want friends; do not learn from
their environment or pick up on cues from
others.

Autism
Myth #11
When a person with autism does not respond
to a question/direction to which he has
shown a previous correct response, he is
being stubborn, non-compliant, and/or
obnoxious.
Myth #12
Autism is rare.
Far from being rare, autism is actually on the rise.

People have many different theories about why
this is, but whatever the reason, it is out there.
Myth #13
Autism is caused by poor parenting and a
lack of initial bonding.

Autism
Myth #14
Autism can be cured.
Myth #15
All autistics have special abilities, like in Rain
Man.
Myth #16
Autistics have no sense of humour.
Treatment: Son-Rise
Treatment: ABA
Methods
Treatment: Son-Rise
Treatment: ABA
Methods
Treatment: Son-Rise
What is Son-Rise?
The Son-Rise treatment method involves
taking the child into a special playroom that
is free of distractions, and joining the child in
his or her actions in an attempt to create a
connection with the child and to let the child
know that he or she is loved and accepted,
unconditionally.
Does it work?
The anecdotal evidence is overwhelming,
and can be read in the information packages
sent out by the Option Institute.
Treatment: Son-Rise
So whats good about it?

The lack of distractions in the workroom;
The rewards given for positive behaviours; and
The apparent aid in interpersonal relationships that
the required self-analysis brings.
Basically, the method consists of a lot of

situational teaching that is instantly
generalized by the teachers.
So whats bad about it?
The emphasis on the parents attitudes as being
key to the childs recovery.
The attitude that this method can cure autism.
The underlying assumption that the child can
choose to come out of autism, and will do so,
given enough love and understanding. This is far
too much like the Bettelheim Refrigerator Mother
theory for my liking.
Treatment: Son-Rise
What do I think of this method?

It wont damage the child or family in any
way.
It is also unlikely to be the catalyst in a
childs recovery.
It is ridiculously expensive to take the
training.
Treatment: Son-Rise
Treatment: ABA
Methods
Treatment: Son-Rise
Treatment: ABA
Methods
What is FloorTime?
FloorTime is basically a form of non-invasive
play therapy.
Does it work?
I am currently unaware of any scientific
documentation supporting the use of
FloorTime as a treatment for ASD, but I am
sure that there are many parents who stand
by it as an excellent treatment method.

The emphasis on human connection;
The idea that it doesnt matter so much when a skill is
achieved, so long as it is reached in an appropriate
manner, with appropriate pre-requisite skills; and
The emphasis on using appropriate play to build on
interpersonal relationships, communication skills, and
so on.
This method employs a lot of situational,

generalized teaching, and relies on the human
element for treatment.
The ideas about the inability of child and parent to
bond properly.
The attitude that this is the only appropriate way to
treat ASD, and that behavioural methods are
somehow cruel.
The lack of emphasis on life skills and academic skills
that children will require when they eventually attend
school.

The FloorTime method is not an appropriate
stand-alone treatment for autism.
It may be an acceptable addition to a childs
program.
Treatment: Son-Rise
Treatment: ABA
Methods
Treatment: Son-Rise
Treatment: ABA
Methods
Treatment: ABA
What is ABA?
ABA, or Applied Behavioural Analysis, is the most
scientifically valid treatment for autism at this time.
This means that the original study had very positive
data, and that since that time, the data has been
reproduced with other children in other areas with
other scientists.
So tell me about this study.

In the Experimental Group, 9 of the 19 children lost their
diagnosis and were placed in typical classrooms at school. 8
of the remaining children were placed in classes for language
delayed children. Only 2 children from the Experimental
Group were placed in classes for retarded and autistic
children.
In the Control Group, of which none were placed in typical
classrooms at school: 8 were placed in classes for language
delayed children, and 11 were placed in classes for retarded
and autistic children.
On top of this, the Experimental Group childrens testable IQ
scores rose, while the IQ scores of the children in the Control
Group either fell or remained the same.
Treatment: ABA
Well, so what exactly is ABA?

ABA is actually an umbrella term that describes an
approach to teaching individuals with disabilities
that is based on principles espoused by the
behaviourist branch of psychology.
It is useful in treating people who have had strokes,
children with mental retardation, autism, and other
disorders.
Its effectiveness is not dependent on age, but, as
with anything, tends to work best and quickest
when applied immediately upon discovering that
there is a problem.
Treatment: ABA
How does ABA work? Describe a session
for me.
More Information on ABA.
Because ABA is science-based, it is important to keep

data on the events that take place during a drill.
Generalization is vital to a good ABA program.
Does it work?
There is a lot of anecdotal and scientific
evidence out there to support ABA as a
primary intervention for autism.
Treatment: ABA
The lack of distractions in the workroom;

The rewards given for positive behaviours; and
The focus on skill acquisition.
Basically, ABA is an excellent teaching method

that has been described to me in the past as
being good parenting.
The abuse of behavioural methods that has gone on
in the past and continues in some areas. Good ABA
does not make use of aversives (punishment) and is
not abusive.
The attitude that this method can cure autism.
The focus on table-time that is not generalized
appropriately or at all in some programs.
The refusal of some providers to acknowledge the
possibility that some behaviours must be treated
using sensory techniques, rather than behavioural
techniques.
Treatment: ABA

ABA is the best educational method we
currently have for ASD.
That being said, the idea that without ABA a
person will be lost to the world is ludicrous.
I do not agree that ABA is the only proper
way to go, though I do think that the
principles of ABA should be the basis for any
appropriate intervention.
Treatment: Son-Rise
Treatment: ABA
Methods
Treatment: Son-Rise
Treatment: ABA
Methods
Other Treatments and

Communication Methods
Topics in this section will include:

Sensory Integration Therapy
Auditory Integration Therapy
Music Therapy
Irlen Lenses
Dietary Intervention (GFCF diet) and
Nutritional Supplements
Facilitated Communication
Picture Exchange Communication System
Speech as Communication
Sign Language as Communication

Sensory Integration Therapy

SIT should be administered by, or need for SIT
should be assessed by, an Occupational
Therapist.
Auditory Integration Therapy

AIT generally consists of a prescribed amount
of time spent each day listening to a recording
that uses particular combinations of sound
waves to retrain the ear mechanisms.
Music Therapy
Music Therapy can be an excellent addition to
a treatment program, but the therapist should
be well-versed in your method of choice (in
other words, if you are running an ABA
program, your music therapist should have
some experience working as an ABA therapist).

Irlen Lenses
These are coloured glasses that filter out
certain frequencies of light so that visual
processing is easier.
Dietary Intervention (GFCF diet) and

nutritional supplements
The gluten-free/casein-free diet is commonly
touted online as an amazing intervention for
autism.
Some nutritional supplements can help, but
should not be administered without
supervision of a doctor.

Facilitated Communication
Facilitated Communication has many advocates
and many detractors.
Perhaps its greatest strength lies in the fact that
practitioners assume competence of their clients.
Its greatest weakness lies in the generalized
assumption that all non-verbal individuals require
this method in order to get their voice heard.
It can also be very difficult for clients to become
independent in their typing, which is what it will
take for this method to become universally
accepted.
Picture Exchange Communication System

Picture Exchange Communication System is the
use of pictures to indicate needs or wants.

Speech as Communication
Speech is perhaps the method most parents
desire for their children.
Sign Language as Communication

Sign Language is an excellent alternative to
speech, and is also often a good steppingstone to vocal communication.
Personal Thoughts on
Treatment for ASD
My opinion on autism treatment is very

different from that of many professionals,
and even many parents. I believe that the
very first thing a program should deal
with is sensory issues, followed closely by
finding a communication method that is
effective for the individual. Once a
sensory diet and communication method
is in place, an ABA program can (and
should) begin. This is when testing can
be done for biomedical interventions
(most of which I did not cover in this
presentation, as I have not researched
them adequately).
The most important thing to

remember about autism is that
you cant make generalizations
about it. No two individuals are
quite the same, and autism affects
different people in different ways.
It cannot be cured, though
autistic individuals are quite
capable of learning coping
strategies and methods that will
help them get through life
independently.

Autism Treatment

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Autism Treatment

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Autism & its Treatments

Janna Hoskin, BA (Psychology); BMus

V1.0 2003, Janna Hoskin

First of all, who am I?

Autism is a neurological disorder that causes

Dispelling the Mythology of

Dispelling the Mythology of

Dispelling the Mythology of

Far from being rare, autism is actually on the rise.

Dispelling the Mythology of

So whats good about it?

Basically, the method consists of a lot of

What do I think of this method?

So whats good about it?

This method employs a lot of situational,

What do I think of this method?

So tell me about this study.

Well, so what exactly is ABA?

Because ABA is science-based, it is important to keep

So whats good about it?

The lack of distractions in the workroom;

Basically, ABA is an excellent teaching method

What do I think of this method?

Other Treatments and

Topics in this section will include:

Other Treatments and

Sensory Integration Therapy

Auditory Integration Therapy

Other Treatments and

Dietary Intervention (GFCF diet) and

Other Treatments and

Picture Exchange Communication System

Other Treatments and

Sign Language as Communication

My opinion on autism treatment is very

The most important thing to

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