Archive for the ‘Services, Treatments, and Interventions’ Category

Using Video Modeling as an Evidence-Based Intervention for ASDs

New research indicates that video modeling is effective in enhancing social communication and functional skills in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Video modeling entails watching a video of a desired behavior and then imitating that behavior. Video models can be...

Demystifying Aggression: Developing Effective Interventions

Aggression is likely the most problematic of all issues that may accompany autism spectrum conditions in terms of separating individuals from the mainstream and significantly affecting many aspects of quality of life. For children and adults alike, problems with aggression can sabotage life...

Make Every Moment Count: Steer Clear of Fad Treatments for Autism Spectrum Disorders

Parents of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) have the formidable responsibility of ensuring that their children receive the most effective treatments available within a sufficient time period. However, many parents are ill prepared to make timely and well-informed decisions about what...

New Treatments on the Horizon for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Much of the treatment for autism spectrum disorders has focused exclusively on early intervention and childhood treatment programs. These programs are quite helpful for individuals and families as they move through the educational system and provide children with autism spectrum disorders...

Understanding and Addressing the Needs of Spanish-Speaking Families

Autism diagnoses among children of Latino descent have risen more than 90 percent since 2002, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study released in December 2009. While the reasons for this are multifaceted, Dr. Charles Cartwright, Director of the YAI Autism Center,...

Choosing a Psychologist

What are the key elements in making the right decision about selecting a psychologist? There are many kinds of professionals who may play different roles in addressing the issues associated with having Asperger Syndrome. How do individuals and families determine what type of professional is needed...

The Use of Pre-Post Test Designs to Evaluate Effectiveness of Autism Treatments

This current issue of Autism Spectrum News focuses on understanding and accessing clinical treatment services. A prerequisite to accessing clinical treatment is to understand what treatments might be effective and have a chance of delivering positive results. And a prerequisite to determining what...

Parent-Implemented Interventions for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

While the background noise of daily life includes a stream of fascinating new findings concerning the neurobiology of autism, parents of children with ASD face the urgent, present-day challenge of enhancing their children’s social, cognitive, linguistic, and adaptive development in every possible...

Understanding ABA Intervention

One of the most difficult aspects of navigating autism treatment decisions for families is making sense of the vast array of claims of effectiveness. Many treatments claim to be effective, though few have data to support those claims. Parents are confronted with such claims and with the complexity...

Relationship Development Intervention: A Review of Its Effectiveness

The theme of this issue of Autism Spectrum News is “Advances in Autism Science.” One facet of autism science is the adherence to “evidenced-based practice” (EBP); a requirement that those who work with persons with autism – teachers, psychologists, speech therapists, etc. – use...