Autism

5 Types of Autism Behavior Therapy

Photo of author
Author

Janice

Posted On

There are five different types of autism behavior therapy that can help children and adults with this condition. The treatments vary, but all have the same goal in mind-helping children and adults to behave more like neurotypical individuals.

Behavior therapy is a type of treatment that can be used to help individuals with autism. Behavioral therapy can be as simple as teaching a child how to sit still, or it can involve more complex techniques such as teaching an individual how to modulate their emotions. Read more in detail here: behavioral therapy autism examples.

Autism is a brain development disease that mostly impairs social behavior and communication skills. Behavior therapy is a common kind of treatment used by therapists for children with autism spectrum disorders. Each person’s ideal autism behavioral treatment may include one or more of the following methods.

1. behavior analysis in Practice

One type of behavior therapy for autism is Behavior Analysis in Practice (ABA). ABA is used to help children succeed at reaching positive goals and distinguish negative behaviors. Optimally, a trained therapist would work one-on-one for 40 or more hours per week with a child when using ABA therapy First, the child would be observed, and then, goals would be made. To carry out the program, an autism behavioral therapist would reward the behaviors that she wants the child to achieve while ignoring undesirable ones. It helps if a parent or caregiver learns ABA so a therapist does not need to spend as much time with the child and so the child can participate in real social situations. There are several different types of ABA techniques and therapies. We review some of the most popular including:

  1. Randomized Trial Training
  2. training for pivotal responses
  3. early intervention for serious behavioral problems
  4. The Denver Early State Model
  5. Accidental Instruction

2. Randomized Trial Training

Randomized Trial Training (DTT) is a teaching strategy that falls under ABA.  DTT is an ABA technique that breaks down skills into small steps.  A therapist teaches one step at a time, rewarding the individual for correct responses.  A discrete trial consists of four steps that include:

  • Instruction: The teacher gives the student a job to accomplish, such as touching their ear.
  • A cue: The teacher might indicate the student’s ear.
  • The person responds by touching their ear.
  • As punishment, the teacher compliments the student for touching their ear.
  • A brief break is followed by the start of the subsequent try by the teacher.

Children with autism spectrum disorders may learn more difficult behaviors like dressing themselves or preparing a basic meal with DTT.

training for pivotal responses (PRT)

training for pivotal responses (PRT) is a play-based therapy that follows the principles of ABA.  PRT therapy is initiated by the child.  The therapy focuses on pivotal areas of a child’s development including:

  • Motivation
  • Self-management
  • Interactions with others
  • Adaptation to various signals

In Pivotal response treatment if a kid makes an attempt to ask for a favorite item, that toy is given to them instead of an unrelated reward. The reward comes from putting out a genuine effort. PRT may be provided by psychologists or instructors of special education To aid in communicating with kids who have autism spectrum disorder some speech-language pathologists also employ PRT.

The Denver Early Start Model (ESDM)

The Denver Early Start Model (ESDM) is another ABA approach.  It can be used with very young children on the autism spectrum from 12 months to four years of age.  ESDM is used to help children make progress in several key areas including:

  • Social abilities
  • language proficiency
  • logical abilities

ESDM can be used in a therapy setting or at home or school.  Parents play a key role in implementing ESDM.  This model helps children with different learning styles and abilities.  Studies have shown ESDM can improve brain activity related to communication and Social abilities.

Accidental Instruction

Accidental Instruction is like DTT except the training takes place outside a therapy office.  Parents and teachers use organic opportunities to teach skills to a child with autism.  Training might take place on the playground or at home around the dinner table.  Parents can follow this reward and prompt approach in naturally occurring situations to promote Motivation.

early intervention for serious behavioral problems (EIBI)

EIBI is an ABA treatment used with preschool-aged autistic children. It uses a reward system to divide work into manageable stages. Children might pick up new abilities and desirable behaviors to replace more difficult or unsuitable ones. EIBI enables kids to:

  • Longer sustained attention
  • Learn to copy
  • Boost your language skills and comprehension
  • their capacity for everyday life

EIBI requires a significant time investment to execute properly. Children may get treatment in a number of places, such as a clinic or their place of education. EIBI is mostly implemented at home with the kid by the parent. To get the most benefits, most therapists advise investing 20 hours a week or more over a number of years.

3. Intervention for Relationship Development

Another type of therapy for people with autism Intervention for Relationship Development (RDI). This relatively new behavior therapy focuses on social behaviors of the autistic child. The parents are more involved than a therapist when using RDI. After initial assessments are made by a professional, goals are set for the child. The parents attend an intensive workshop or watch a five-hour video to help them learn how to carry out the therapy. In addition, parents submit videos of themselves with the child to get feedback from the professionals who can give them advice for further treatments. RDI appears to work best when children are young, but there is hope for older children as well.

4. Therapy for Sensory Integration

1659751373_33_The-Visual-Schedule-for-Students-With-Autism

Another commonly used behavioral therapy for autism spectrum disorders is Therapy for Sensory Integration. This type of therapy works to improve a child’s sensitivities to sensory stimuli that may be overwhelming to the child. Loud noises, bright lights, and touches may all be addressed. A therapist using this type of therapy will introduce the child to increasingly higher levels of the stimuli being worked on. While the therapist does need to push the child’s limits, there is no force involved. Therapy for Sensory Integration does not require a lot of time per session and positive results usually occur relatively quickly if this is going to work.

5. Interventions in Communication

1659751760_66_5-Types-of-Autism-Behavior-Therapy

The fifth autism behavior therapy falls under Interventions in Communication. There are a number of different models used, but all focus on a core deficit in many with autism: the lack of effective communication. Without effective communication, you will often see undesired behaviors out of frustration and misunderstandings about the situations. Teaching communication skills, whether they are verbal or by use assistant devices such as iPads, helps an individual express his needs and desires. Allowing this to happen in social situations makes it more meaningful to the child. Social learning can happen through:

  • modeling
  • peer instruction
  • games

System for Image Exchange Communications

One of the most popular communication strategies speech and occupational therapy professionals use when working with children on the autism spectrum is the System for Image Exchange Communications or PECS.  PECS was developed in 1985 by Andy Bondy, PhD and Lori Frost, MS, CCC-SLP.  The system consists of six phases:

  1. Communication skills development – In this stage, the learner starts to comprehend that the object’s image is a representation of the actual thing. The student discovers that if they choose an image of a certain thing, they will really obtain that object. This image can represent a child’s favorite toy. Start by concentrating on a single image at a time.
  2. Distance-adding and perseverance-building – The second phase can only start if the first phase has been mastered. The pupil picks up how to utilize the picture’s communication book. They discover how to choose an image of what they desire and show it to a larger number of people in order to get the actual object. The idea is to have the youngster pick the image on their own and then look for someone who can grant their wish.
  3. Picture discrimination: In phase 3, the communication book is expanded with new images. The pupil develops the ability to distinguish between favored and undesirable images.
  4. Students begin putting sentences together by connecting words. They could choose an image that says, “I desire,” and connect it with a certain object. The youngster may be instructed by therapists to adhere the photos using a Velcro strip. The student would deliver the sentence-accompanied Velcro strip to the communication partner so they could get their thing.
  5. Responding to a question about what the student wants: During this stage, students get deeper understanding of reciprocal communication. What do you want? was the therapist’s question to the patient. employing images from their communication book, the kid would be able to make a decision.
  6. The learner gains the ability to reply more impulsively to a range of queries in the final stage.

Communication Alternatives and Enhancers (AAC)

Some kids with autism spectrum condition use nonverbal means of communication. Depending on a person’s requirements, AAC may be utilized for long or short periods of time. This kind of speech treatment offers both high-tech and low-tech AAC solutions.

High-tech alternatives might include:

  • Using a tablet or iPad for communication
  • using a “voice”-activated gadget

Low-tech alternatives might be:

  • Writing
  • Drawing
  • highlighting images or phrases

Each person has different communication requirements, and a speech therapist can help in determining the optimal AAC (or mix of AACs) to use in order to improve communication.

Children with autism spectrum disorders and other communication disabilities are treated and educated.

With their social and maladaptive behaviors, children with autism may benefit from using the TEACCH paradigm. It operates in a constantly ordered and organized environment. Additionally, to improve the atmosphere for the youngster, activities are aesthetically structured and reliably ordered. Children continue to practice tasks and abilities in a certain way. When parents are instructed to use a similar strategy at home, results are more favorable.

Based on the demands of the person, autism behavior therapy often vary greatly. Finding the proper protocol is essential for success since different therapeutic modalities are more effective for certain patients.

The “behavioral therapy, autism near me” is a type of therapy that is used to help people with autism. There are 5 different types of behavioral therapy and each one has its own benefits.

Related Tags

  • autism therapies
  • cognitive-behavioral therapy autism pdf
  • what is the most effective treatment for autism
  • behavioral therapy for autism at home
  • cognitive behavior therapy for autism

Related Content

What is the Evolution of Autism Genes?

A new study looks at how autism genes have changed over time, providing insights into the evolution of the condition. ...

Is ABA Therapy Covered by Medicaid?

ABA therapy is a type of treatment that can help people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It is covered by ...

What is Autism Shadow Syndrome?

A new study sheds light on a little-known condition that may be affecting more people with autism than previously thought. ...

>