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Distinguishing Stereotypy from Obsessive-Compulsive Behavior: Differential Diagnosis in Persons with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Individuals with autism exhibit a wide variety of repetitive and ritualistic behaviors. Such patterns of behavior are a defining characteristic of autism spectrum disorders, and are generally expected as part of the behavioral profile of individuals with autism. While often conceptualized as...
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Transition Planning for Learners with Autism Spectrum Disorders – Where Are They Going? Why There? How Do We Get Them There?
Individuals with autism spectrum disorders receive tremendous amounts of specialized intervention during their educational years. During that time, the focus is generally on skill acquisition and behavior reduction, with a general goal of increasing competence. These interventions are often not...
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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...
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Assessing the Functions of Behavior: The Importance of Understanding Communicative Intent
Autism is associated with significant impairments in language/communication, deficits in social interaction and restricted interests/stereotypical behavior (American Psychiatric Association, 1994). Learners with autism have difficulty in all aspects of communication, including receptive...
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Improving the Generalization of Skills in Learners with Autism
Individuals with autism spectrum disorders have many difficulties in learning. One of the consistent characteristics of learners with autism is that they have difficulty transferring skills to new situations and environments and maintaining skills they have mastered. Such difficulties in the...
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Meeting the Needs of Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders
People with autism spectrum disorders face lifelong challenges and require lifelong services. The services needed vary tremendously from person to person and across different ages. The needs of adolescents and adults with autism are great, yet their access to services is often poor. Families must...
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Helping Parents and Family Members Cope with ASDs Stress, Support, and Coping in Families of Children with Autism
When a child is diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, there are effects on each family member. The challenges are significant, and families cope very differently with the challenges. While many families report experiencing significant stress, many also report being strengthened by the...
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Collaboration Across Disciplines in Meeting the Needs of Students with Autism
At the McCarton School in New York City, students with autism are taught in an integrated model. Professionals in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Occupational Therapy, and Speech and Language Pathology work together to develop goals, provide intervention, and evaluate progress. Such a...
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Dimensions of Quality: Best For Educating Students with ASD
Learners with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have diverse and unique needs. They struggle with attention, communication, cognitive delays, and behavioral control. Their learning and behavioral challenges are highly idiosyncratic, and educating students with ASD requires a fully individualized,...
