Resources Autism Spectrum

Applied Behaviour Analysis: Disorder:

www.autismcanada.org
Interventions &
TEACCH:
Supports Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a scientific
www.teacch.com/resources/teaching- approach to understanding behavior. ABA
materials refers to a set of principles that focus on how
Understanding treatment and intervention behaviors are affected by the environment, as
options for a child’s ASD diagnosis can be well as how learning takes place. The ultimate
PECS:
overwhelming for some parents. This goal of ABA is to establish and improve socially
www.pecs-canada.com pamphlet is designed to help you navigate important behaviours.
through the process of determining what
type of intervention and supports are best The environment in which your child functions
Sensory Integration:
suited for you and your family in this on a daily basis (home, school, grandparents’
house, supermarket, etc.) is changed to reduce
Understanding Your Child’s Sensory Signals: A journey.
the chance that certain behaviors will continue
Practical Daily Use Handbook for Parents and
to occur (severe tantrums, aggression,
Teachers By: Angie Voss An overview of approved approaches inappropriate behaviors) while interventions
(Applied Behavior Analysis, TEACCH, PECS, are applied to teach your child appropriate
Son Rise: Sensory Integration, Son Rise, and Medical social skills, communication skills, academic
Approach), and a list of alternative skills and more.
A Miracle to Believe In
approaches are included. The pros and
by: Barry Neil Kaufman
cons of each approach are included as well Different strategies are used based on what
as a list of local community resources. approach your child best responds to, and
What is best for
Medical Approach: based on who is delivering the strategy (i.e.
teacher, behaviorist, parent, sibling, etc.).
yours?
Montreal Children’s Hospital The information provided in this pamphlet
Strategies may include rewards, error
(514) 412-4400 is to be used as a general guideline in order
correction, breaks, tokens, etc. ABA treatment
1001 Decarie Blvd, Montreal, Quebec H4A 3J1 to gain a better understanding of the requires learning of skills through rote and
OR your family doctor / pediatrician variety of interventions that exist. practice in order for the skill to be integrated
into their lives.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy:
PRO: Customized and personal to client
Emotional Health CBT Clinic PRO: Research and scientific based approach
(514) 485-7772 CON: Time (40 hours / week) and cost
Why fit in when you were born to consuming
stand out? CON: Qualified therapist may be hard to find
Created by: Tania Landry Dr.Seuss
TREATMENT AND EDUCATION OF
AUTISTIC AND RELATED
COMMUNICATION HANDICAPPED
CHILDREN
TEACCH is an individualized, structured
program that helps a child with ASD to learn,
function and reach their goals. It takes into
consideration the individual learning style
(Implicit learner, visual learner, multiple
perspectives, etc.), interests, and abilities of a
child.
The child’s environment is structured in order
to make up for any difficulties the child may
have; it will help your child’s world be more
predictable, understandable, and easier to
navigate. Tasks, time, material, and schedules
are structured as much as possible in order to
limit unwanted behaviors.
PRO: Structured classroom environment
PRO: It is an individualized program
CON: No focus on social / communication skills
CON: Structured school environment does not
mimic daily life
PICTURE EXCHANGE
COMMUNICATION SYSTEM
PECS allows people with little or no
communication skills to communicate using
pictures. Children that use PECS are taught to
approach another person and give them a
picture of a desired item in exchange for the
item. PECS is a system that is used to
communicate a request, a thought, or anything
that can be demonstrated with the use of a
symbol or picture.
There are many phases to this approach and it
requires the child to be aware of the need to
communicate. Parents and workers must be
willing to invest time and energy to this multi-
phase process.
PRO: Increases communication intent
PRO: Quick to learn (for staff and parents)
CON: Limited vocabulary (rarely more than 50)
CON: Limited complexity (no complex ideas)
SON-RISE APPROACH
This is a home based program for children with
ASD. The focus is to encourage social and
communication skills. Its emphasis and focus is
on loving and accepting the child just as he or
she is, with the idea that the child with ASD
senses your attitude through your voice, body
language and non-verbal behavior.
The Son-Rise viewpoint states that if you
approach the child with a positive, loving
attitude, the child is more likely to interact than
if you engage with a sense of underlying anger,
despair, hopelessness and desperation. It is
important to maintain the 3 “E’s” at all times
(energy, enthusiasm, excitement).
PRO: It is a home based program
PRO: The child spends a lot of time with their
parents
CON: A lot of one on one time is required
CON: Parents have to recruit volunteers
because of the time requirements
SENSORY INTEGRATION THERAPY
Sensory integration therapy is used to help
children learn to use all their senses together.
This therapy is believed to improve the
challenging behaviors caused by difficulties
with processing sensory information.
There are 7 different senses that this therapy
works with; hearing, sight, taste, smell, touch,
vestibular (balance), and proprioceptive
(space).
Sensory integration is a form of occupational
therapy. Special exercises are formulated to
strengthen the child’s sense of touch, balance,
and space. Exercises are always supervised by
an Occupational Therapist (OT) and are often
done through play as the OT helps the child
navigate through different sensory stimulation.
PRO: Can be used at school and at home
PRO: Can be used to treat symptoms of ADHD
CON: Can be expensive and time consuming
CON: Limited amount of research on the
approach
MEDICAL APPROACH
No medication cures Autism; however, there
are medications to help manage behaviors
associated with Autism. Speaking to your family
doctor or your child’s pediatrician regarding
medication for your child is an important part
of the process.
Parents have the option to consider medication
to treat related symptoms such as;
hyperactivity, inability to focus, seizures,
difficulty sleeping, depression, and anxiety. It is
recommended that parents compare their
options, consider the side effects, and weigh
the pros and cons to administering medication.
PRO: Helps manage other medical symptoms
PRO: Some may provide 24-hour coverage
CON: Some children with ASD react differently
to medication
CON: May cause weight gain or diabetes
ALTERNATIVE THERAPY
If you are interested in exploring alternative
therapy options here is a list of some options:
Light Therapy
Floor Time Therapy
Music Therapy
Animal Therapy
Neurofeedback Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
“Parents of children with special needs create
their own world of happiness and believe in
things that others cannot yet see” Anonymous