Behavioral & communication treatment for autism

Autism guide

When dealing with autism it is very important to intercept what an affected individual is trying to express, through their behavior. This is the key to identifying with an autistic person, as they are unable to use written or oral communication accurately. This may sound like a task that can be managed but the initial period may be trying and difficult.

This is because we are accustomed to normal communication techniques and may not be able to grasp the real meaning behind sounds, signals and signs. This communication gap can cause immense distress in an autistic individual and could lead to self-inflicted injury behavior.

Of course it is essential for parents and caregivers to understand that all disturbing behavior is not a result of incomplete communication but is caused because of the already existing mental retardation, neurological disorders and affected motor skills.

Autistic children tend to behave differently. This includes inappropriate, repetitive, monotonous, insistent, aggressive, dangerous and/or harmful behavior. At times they may resort to flapping their hands, snapping their fingers, swaying, putting objects within their reach into their mouth or even banging their heads.

Apart from this, the situation may worsen drastically when an autistic individual chooses self-mutilation and after hurting themselves are non responsive towards the extent of the injury. They are also capable of hurting others for no apparent reason.

To deal with these concerns guardians need to be attentive towards their children’s communication skills. As such numerous treatment approaches have been revised to deal with language, sensory, and behavioral irregularities associated with autism.

The Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is based on the concept that awarding a behavior that is expressed by an autistic individual prompts them to repeat it rather than emulating those that are ignored. Discrete trial training is based upon requesting a child to complete a task or action, receiving a response, and then a related response from the therapist involved.

This is an intensive training program. All tasks are segregated into smaller sections and once an autistic child completes the task with success they are rewarded. Since the task is spread over 30-40 hours a week critics argue that it is strenuous for a patient apart from being time consuming.

However the treatment is known to have positive results. At times people may hear the term “Lovaas” used instead. The treatment plan is the same but is undertaken only by specialists who are associated with Lovaas.

Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication Handicapped Children (TEACCH) is implemented based upon an autistic child’s functioning level. The program doesn’t intend to improve a child’s skills but to help them understand their own or another’s behavior.

Thought to be extensively structured it is often criticized but the end results show that the patient realizes expectations and starts to react. In the Picture Exchange Communication Systems (PECS) a child is taught to relate a particular need with a picture. As such when they need to communicate that thought they give you the related picture.

There are several other behavioral and communication approaches. Floor Time for instance, is based on play therapy where it supports a youngster to do things which prompts further interaction. It revolves around supporting their action when in the play and appreciating their moves. Social Stories revolve around telling a story related to a certain condition or event.

The child in question is given information that helps comprehend the fitting reply. Sensory Integration helps sort out sensory information and identification. Facilitated Communication revolves around the participation of facilitator who supports an autistic persons hand or arm to help them correspond through a computer or typewriter.