Autism Interventions

So many choices & so much information

Going onto the internet or reading resources regarding Autism can often leave one with more questions and a need for information than when they began searching. In fact, information on the internet can often be outdated or even inaccurate. This is often the case with reading materials as well, it seems these days. To better assist parents, we wanted to provide an overview of Autism Interventions along with some important information to know.

Floortime

Developed by Dr. Greenspan, FloorTime is the intervention that focuses on child-led interaction, especially for very young children. The therapy that occurs is often done on the floor and within the natural environment, such as the home for the child. These services can often be seen within developmental therapy that occurs with early intervention services for 2+ year olds. Some say that the disadvantages of FloorTime are that it only targets a small age group of children and is not readily available from providers.

TEACCH

Developed by Dr. Eric Shopler, TEACCH is an intervention system that focuses on visual pictures and schedules for children with Autism and communication deficits. It is highly utilized within school environments. These services are typically incorporated into the special needs classrooms and are focused on the non-verbal part of language skills that many children without language might possess. Some say that the disadvantages of TEACCH are that it does not address the verbal language, social skills, self-stimulation behaviors, and problematic behaviors that are not uncommon for children with Autism spectrum Disorders. In addition, TEACCH is rarely provided beyond the classroom environment andis not readily available from providers in most areas of the United States.

RDI (Relationship Development Intervention)

Developed by Dr. Steven Gutstein, RDI is an intervention system that focuses on developing personal relationships with those close to the individual. It focuses heavily upon social interactions and relationships through neuro treatment. These services are typically done with a therapist directly with the parent and the child. Some say that the disadvantages of RDI are that it lacks sufficient evidence to support its treatment. In addition, it primarily focuses on social development but not verbal language, social skills, self-stimulation behaviors, and problematic behaviors that are not uncommon for children with Autism spectrum Disorders. In addition, RDI is not easily available from many providers around the country.

ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis)

Developed by Dr. B.F. Skinner, ABA is an intervention system that focuses on using behavioral psychological principles and procedures such as reinforcement and prompting to teach and develop skills across all areas of development. It focuses on a variety of skill areas such as language development, social skills, learning to learn skills, daily living skills, and problematic behaviors. These services are typically done with 1:1 therapy as well as behavior consulting by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). ABA is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the U.S. Surgeon General. Some say that the disadvantages of ABA are its barrier to access treatment due to insurance funding and/or logistics, such as being in a rural area or having to wait for services.