Interventions for Autism: Floortime therapy

Floortime is a therapy derived from the Developmental, Individual-differences, Relationship-based (DIR) model. This developmental therapy has for its core precept to understand the child’s sensory differences and to use these to help children with ASD in their development. The emphasis is placed on the creation of emotionally meaningful learning experiences that will encourage developmental abilities.

The idea behind the therapy is that children can expand their circles of communication and their strengths when the requests are made at their developmental level.

Floortime sessions emphasize play interactions in a calm setting. Parents or professionals will establish the foundations for shared attention, engagement, and problem solving while playing with the child.

Floortime outlines 6 developmental stages that children with autism have often missed or not mastered:

• Regulation and Interest in the World
• Engagement and Relating
• Two way intentional communication
• Continuous Social Problem solving
• Symbolic Play
• Bridging Ideas

Other interventions for Autism: 
– Applied Behavior Analysis
– Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
– Speech-Language Therapy
– Peer-Mediated Instruction
– Sensory Integration Therapy
– SCERTS model
– Early Start Denver Model (ESDM)
– Augmentative and Alternative Communication

Interventions for Autism: Early Start Denver Model (ESDM)

This intervention uses play as a learning tool for children with autism and is conducted in a structured teaching setting and relationship-based approach in the child’s home. Used in very young children with autism (18 to 30 months) on a 20-hours per week basis, plus 5 or more hours of guided care provided by the parents, this intervention has proven to improve IQ, social interaction and language abilities.

Studies have demonstrated that it is the earliness of the intervention and not the type of intervention itself that leads to improvements in the child.

Source: American Psychological Association

Other interventions for Autism: 
– Applied Behavior Analysis
– Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
– Speech-Language Therapy
– Peer-Mediated Instruction
– Sensory Integration Therapy
– SCERTS model
– Floortime therapy
– Augmentative and Alternative Communication

Interventions for Autism: SCERTS model

SCERTS is an educational model specially designed to work with children with autism. The model borrows its name from the principal dimensions in which it focuses:

SC – Social Communication: the development of spontaneous and functional communication as well as emotional expression
ER – Emotion Regulation: the development of a well-regulated emotional state and the ability to cope with anxiety and stress
TS – Transactional Support: the development of environmental structure in order to provide supportive and adaptive tools for the child’s needs (picture-based communication systems; sensory supports; illustration of schedules and activities)

The model is based on different empirically supported treatment methodologies and is accomplished through family-professional partnership. It provides family members and educators with a plan for implementing the program.

The model can be used both with nonverbal and verbal individuals and can be adapted in order to meet the specific needs of the child.

This model can incorporate practices from other approaches such as contemporary ABA (different from traditional ABA where learning is achieved through discrete trials and not everyday activities), TEACCH, and Social Stories.

Sources:
– SCERTS.com
– Australian Government – Department of Health

Other interventions for Autism:
– Applied Behavior Analysis
– Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
– Speech-Language Therapy
– Peer-Mediated Instruction
– Sensory Integration Therapy
– Early Start Denver Model (ESDM)
– Floortime therapy
– Augmentative and Alternative Communication

Interventions for Autism: Sensory Integration Therapy

Individuals with autism often have unusual responses to sensory stimuli or have issues with their senses in general. Often sensory integration difficulties can be the cause for tantrums and stereotypical behaviors in children and adults with autism and individuals with other developmental disabilities.

The therapy aims at reducing children anxiety due to sensory stimulation (loud noises, someone else touching them, colorful and visually rich environments) and to improve body control and hand-eye coordination, as well as to reduce clumsiness and instability.

Sensory Integration Therapy often uses exercises in order to improve body control and coordination.

Professionals using Sensory Integration therapy work with children in order to stabilize their reactions to external stimuli and their senses. Prism lenses, physical exercise, auditory integration training, sensory stimulation, and inhibition techniques are often used in this therapy.

Although individuals often describe improvements in attention and awareness as well as reduced arousal due to that therapy, research has failed to demonstrate significant improvements. The reason for that can however be due to few studies dedicated to that topic and methodological issues.

Sources:
– Autism Speaks
– Autism Research Institute
– Wikipedia

Other interventions for Autism:
– Applied Behavior Analysis
– Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
– Speech-Language Therapy
– Peer-Mediated Instruction
– SCERTS model
– Early Start Denver Model (ESDM)
– Floortime therapy
– Augmentative and Alternative Communication

Interventions for Autism: Applied Behavior Analysis

This post is the first of a series called “Interventions for Autism”. The series will include reviews of interventions such as speech-language therapy, cognitive behavior therapy, social skills training, psychomotor therapy, medication and more.

Applied Behavior Analysis is based on the behaviorism principles developed by B. F. Skinner.

Applied Behavior Analysis, or ABA, is a therapy that has been used since the 60’s and that is based on behaviorism principles. ABA aims to change behavior by assessing the relationship between a targeted behavior and the environment.

Although, ABA can be used as intervention in many different health related areas such as prevention of AIDS and of coronary disease, it has been most notably utilized in people with autism. The therapy is used to teach communication, play, social, academic, self-care, and work skills, but also to reduce behaviors like tantrums and stereotypies.

The therapy is known to show improvements in individuals of all ages, although, its effects are greater when applied intensively at a young age.

ABA method is based on the contingency between Antecedent, Behavior, and Consequence.

Antecedent: what precedes the target behavior that triggers it
Behavior: the target behavior
Consequence: what follows the target behavior that serves to increase, maintain, or reduce the behavior

tantrum is an undesired behavior that is frequent among children with autism

Example of an undesired behavior:
Antecedent: The mother refuses the access to candy.
Behavior: The child starts to cry.
Consequence: The mother gives access to candy.

This will tell the child that crying is a good strategy to obtain the desired item. Therefore the next time the child wants something, the same behavior (crying) will probably occur. By not giving access to the desired item and ignoring the undesired behavior, the child will learn that crying is not a good strategy and its occurrence in the future will diminish.

The same logic applies in order to increase a desired behavior. A desired behavior that is followed by something positive to the child (greeting the child, giving a reward) will increase the probability of the occurrence of that behavior in the future.

There are currently different programs based on ABA intervention but in general all break down skills into small and easy steps that help the child learn more easily. One-on-one aide as well as facilitated play with peers are often part of the intervention.

Other interventions for Autism: 
– Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
– Speech-Language Therapy
– Peer-Mediated Instruction
– Sensory Integration Therapy
– SCERTS model
– Early Start Denver Model (ESDM)
– Floortime therapy
– Augmentative and Alternative Communication