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Approaches to Autism
There are many different opinions about how best to help children with autism. One approach is to use a structured, or behavioral intervention, where the adult often initiates or directs behavior. One of the more frequently used behavioral interventions is referred to as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). More spontaneous approaches, where the child is encouraged to initiate behavior, are called Developmental Approaches. Naturalistic Behavior Approaches combine aspects of both Behavioral and Developmental interventions.
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
The "Discrete Trial" strategy is a frequently used intervention based on ABA. Here, specific skills are taught to a child in a one-on-one structured learning setting. Usually, a child is given a specific instruction by his teacher, and the child responds. The child is either rewarded for a correct response, or provided with a correction for an incorrect response.
Real Life Story: Find out how one teacher uses this approach to teach a child to imitate her actions. "Imitation" is considered an important skill that allows a child to learn many other new skills.
Developmental Approaches
In developmental approaches, instead of directing the child to do something ("Christopher, do this"), the teacher or therapist sets up a situation that encourages the child to initiate a desired skill. Then, the focus of the intervention becomes to increase the frequency with which the child performs the skill.
Real Life Story: A teacher improves a child's imitation skills by playing a "gotcha game" with the child, focusing on body parts.
Naturalistic Behavioral Approach
Naturalistic Behavioral approaches combine many aspects of the Applied Behavioral and Developmental approaches described above. Here, the child is systematically taught a skill during ordinary activities throughout his school day or at home, making sure that many opportunities are given to repeat and learn the skill.
Real Life Story: How one child learns imitation skills through the naturalistic behavioral approach.
The three examples described above are just a few of the many types of interventions that have been used to successfully teach young children with autism. The important thing to remember is that, whatever approach is used, you should feel comfortable with it.