Common Treatment Approaches

The following is a listing of some of the intervention approaches currently being used to help people with autism.

ABA-Applied behavior analysis
Use of clear objectives that are measured in terms of observable and definable behaviors, specific techniques for achieving those objectives, and ongoing collection of data to assess effectiveness of the intervention; techniques are based on principles of learning, such as operant conditioning.

Typically used with what age group?
Preschool to adulthood.

How and where delivered?
In the preschool years often at home, by a team of trained individuals, 30 to 40 hours per week ideally for 2 years, later, techniques used in school and other environments.

Auditory Integration Therapy
Many children with autism have difficulty processing auditory input and some tend to experience hypersensitivity to some sounds. This approach attempts to improve the auditory functioning of these children by presenting them with sound stimuli at various frequency ranges in an attempt to retrain the auditory system to be able to better process sound and become less sensitive to sounds which have previously been overwhelming to the listener.

Typically used with what age group?
Early childhood and adolescence.

Where and How Delivered?
Speech Therapist office or at home using headphones and audio tapes.

Diet and Nutrition
A number of diet therapies, involving the elimination of products such as milk or wheat have been suggested as treatment for autism. The most popular diet in the category is the gluten free/caffeine free diet approach.

Typically used with what age group?
Early childhood through teen years.

How and where delivered?
At home and in the community at all meal and snack times.

Educational Support
Accommodations to and modifications of the learning environment and how academic materials are presented to the student.

Typically used with what age group?
Preschool to college.

How and where delivered?
School.

Functional Behavior Analysis
Examination of function of disruptive or problem behaviors; provision of more appropriate ways to communicate.

Typically used with what age group?
Preschool through adulthood.

How and where delivered?
School, home, work site, and other settings.

Greenspan DIR Model (also known as Floortime)
Emphasizes play, positive social relationships, child centered control of interactions, and sharing emotions with others; based on having adults enter the child’s world and letting the child control interactions

Typically used with what age group?
Preschool

How and where delivered?
At home and school.

Individual Psychotherapy
Explores moods and emotional states; develop self-awareness and self-acceptance.

Typically used with what age group?
Adolescence through adulthood.

How and where delivered?
Office of a psychotherapist or psychiatrist.

Language Communication Therapy
Training in pragmatics of language: social communication, abstract or complex language concepts.

Typically used with what age group?
Preschool through adulthood.

How and where delivered?
Goup settings or pairs of children, provided by speech-language pathologist.

Medication
Presumably alters levels of brain chemicals that are affecting child’s behavior.

Typically used with what age group?
All ages.

How and where delivered?
Prescribed by a medical doctor, such as a child psychiatrist, or neurologist; given usually daily by parents at home.

Sensory Integration Therapy
Decreases sensory sensitivities, develops coping skills and tolerance for new sensations.

Typically used with what age group?
Preschool, throughout childhood.

How and where delivered?
Occupational therapist’s office, family home, preschool.

Social Skills Groups/Social Stories
Development of conversational skills, body language, perspective taking, reading of others’ emotions, regulating emotions, and social problem-solving skills such as dealing with being teased or left out.

Typically used with what age group?
Preschool to adulthood.

How and where delivered?
Schools, at home, therapist’s office

TEACCH
Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication Handicapped Children
Visual structure and organization of the teaching environment and learning materials using visual, mechanical and memory strengths to teach language, imitation, social and cognitive skills; one-on-one or in groups.

Typically used with what age group?
Preschool to adulthood.

How and where delivered?
Mainly at school, with home supplementation possible, by teachers and parents; techniques easily generalized to the work environment