With Contributions From: Sonja R. de Boer-Ott, Deborah E. Griswold, Brenda Smith Myles, Sara E. Byrd, Jennifer B. Ganz, Katherine Tapscott Cook, Kaye L. Otten, Josefa Ben-Arich, Sue Ann Kline, and Lisa Garriott Adams
How can you best help a child with autism reach their full potential?
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) present a perplexing challenge for parents and school professionals. Literally dozens of interventions and treatments are available, so how does one know which intervention strategy works best for any given child or situation? This essential new resource, Autism Spectrum Disorders, was developed to respond directly to the extraordinary difficulty school professionals and families face in selecting and applying appropriate, effective interventions and treatments for the children in their care.
The information is presented in a straightforward and simple format, practical for finding clear answers to complex questions. For easy access, the book is organized into the following five intervention categories-Interpersonal Relationships, Skill-Based Treatment Programs, Cognitive Methods, Physiological/Biological/Neurological Approaches, and Other Treatments and Interventions. Each category contains several detailed reviews, including:
A description of the intervention or treatment
Reported benefits and effects associated with its use
A synthesis of how the outcomes relate to individuals with ASD
A discussion of who is best qualified to implement it, including when and where
Potential costs and risks
Comprehensive in scope, this resource briefly evaluates over 40 commonly used and purported interventions and treatments for individuals with ASD, as well as detailed evaluations of their utility and efficiency. It will assist readers in critically evaluating and choosing those methods that have the highest probability of yielding benefits for this special population.
Table of Contents:
Acknowledgments
Introduction
About the Authors
1. Interpersonal Relationship Interventions and Treatments
Holding Therapy
Gentle Teaching
Option Method (Son-Rise Program)
Developmental, Individual-Difference Relationship-Based Model (Floor Time)
Play-Oriented Strategies
Pet/Animal Therapy
Rationship Development Intervention (RDI)
2. Skill-Based Interventions and Treatments
Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)
Incidental Teaching
Facilitated Communication
Augmentative and Alternative Communication
Assistive Technology
van Dijk Curricular Approach
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
Discrete Trial Teaching (DTT)
Joint Action Routines (JARs)
Fast ForWord??
Pivotal Response Training
Structured Teaching (TEACCH)
3. Cognitive Interventions
Cognitive Behavioral Modification
Cognitive Learning Strategies
Cognitive Scripts
Social Stories
Power Cards
Cartooning
Social Decision-Making Strategies
Learning Experiences: An Alternative Program for Preschoolers and
Parents (LEAP)
4. Physiological/Biological/Neurological Treatments and Interventions
Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome: Irlen Lenses
Sensory Integration
Auditory Integration Training
Mercury: Vaccination and Autism
Candida: Autism Connection
Gluten-Casein Intolerance
Megavitamin Therapy
Feingold Diet, Herb, Mineral and Other Supplements
Pharmacology
5. Other Treatments and Interventions
Art Therapy
Music Therapy
Industry Reviews
"Autism Spectrum Disorders presents the best validation criteria we currently have to offer children with ASD, and provides a blueprint for future work in this area. A long overdue wake-up call to the field, and one that is highly recommended." -- Gary Sasso, Chairperson, Department of Curriculum and Instruction "This excellent compendium will prove invaluable for anyone who wants to identify and evaluate commonly used treatments and interventions for individuals with autism spectrum disorders." -- Juane Heflin, Associate Professor "...the authors of the volume under review are to be commended for their efforts and for the resulting product. Simpson and colleagues have produced a resource that parents and professionals can consult with the confidence that the evaluations and judgments of the interventions are generally fair and reflect the scientific evidence available to date...the book fills an important need and can serve as a model and stimulus for similar work in the future." -- Donald P. Oswald * PsycCRITIQUES *
