Effective Programs for Treating Autism Spectrum Disorder: Applied Behavior Analysis Models

This book is written for teachers, parents, and the many service providers who work with individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Part I reviews the characteristics of ASD, summarizes the major theories and research findings regarding cause(s) of ASD, and discusses the most popular treatment claims, examining each approach's scientific base and value. Part II provides an informative overview of applied behavior analysis, focusing on the principles of learning and basic procedures based upon those principles. These two parts provide the necessary foundation for understanding the strategies implemented by the outstanding treatment programs described in Part III. The eight models described in Part III represent the state-of-the art in terms of comprehensive, evidence-based programs for the treatment of persons with ASD, from infancy through adulthood. Programs reviewed include the Lovaas Institute, Koegel Center, Strategic Teaching and Reinforcement Systems (STARS), Project DATA, New England Children's Center, May Institute, Princeton Child Development Institute, and Judge Rotenberg Center. Among the strategies explained are intensive early behavioral intervention, Pivotal Response Training, verbal behavior, script fading, social stories, visual activity schedules, functional analysis, the Picture Exchange Communication System, the Family-Teaching Model, and many others.