Social Intervention Paper
Autism Spectrum Disorder Prevention 2
Autism is a disorder that affects a child’s social and emotional skills. It’s a disorder that appears in childhood and continues into adulthood. Each child with autism is unique and has different needs. Each child’s treatment and intervention plan should be tailored to their needs, since no one knows exactly what causes autism. Parents, loved ones, and medical providers need to work together to implement a treatment plan “One method for examining the options for implementation uses a structure we will call the “When-Who- How” approach” (Riegelman and Kirkwood, 2015, p.35). …show more content…
Although, there is no cure for autism it can be treated.
There are treatments, interventions, and early effective strategies that can help a child with autism. Early intervention is key focusing on individualization. There are different approaches of intervention. Social intervention focuses on building social skills and encouraging social interaction with others. Speech therapy works with developing motor skills, developing their language skills, and learning how to communicate his or her thoughts or needs.
Physical therapy can help with postural tasks, poor balance, and low muscle tone. Children with autism who may fall, and hurt themselves or may not be well coordinated may benefit from physical therapy. Occupational therapy can help with promoting independence in everyday life, and developmental activities such as learning how to dress, and brush their teeth. Intervention programs should be overseen by a trained professional, and develop a curriculum that focuses on the needs of the
child.
Autism Spectrum Disorder Prevention 3
Parents, medical providers should all be closely involved in the intervention. Helping the child work on life skills, vocational preparation, social skills, and involving teaching methods. Parents should be taught how to implement the intervention strategies at home.
There are also effective strategies to help a child with autism “Applied Behavior Analysis is the science of learning and human behavior. It uses what we know about how people learn to help reduce the symptoms of ASD” ( Artwood, 2012, p.35). ABA includes the use of direct observation, measurement, and functional analysis of the relations between environment and behavior. Treating the problems of the disorder by altering the individual’s social and learning environments.
One of the pioneers in autism treatment research is Dr. Ivar Lovaas “He developed an approach to treating autistic children based on the principles of applied behavior analysis. For more than 40 years, Dr. Lovaas has collected a huge amount of data supporting his approach and it is considered one of the most promising options for treatment in autism” (Veague, 2010, p.53). I believe applied behavior analysis would be most effective in addressing the concern of autism. ABA is proven to be a scientific approach used by many medical providers “Research has demonstrated that many children, especially those who are high functioning, who begin treatment early and receive 2 years of ABA-based treatment are able to enter and function well in typical first grade classrooms, without special support. In addition, Lovass’s study found that the cognitive abilities of treated children (as measured by standard tests) were far higher than those of untreated children with ASD” (Ozonoff, Dawson, and McPartland, 2015, p.83).
Autism Spectrum Disorder Prevention 4
ABA has been well documented, and has demonstrated effectiveness for treating the symptoms of a variety of conditions, including severe destructive behavior, substance abuse, dementia, pediatric feeding disorders, traumatic brain injury, among others. Furthermore, “The methods of ABA are based on the work of B.F. Skinner, one of the world’s most influential psychologists” (Veague, 2010, p.39).
I also believe animal assisted therapy can be very effective in the treatment of autism “There are many reports from both parents and clinicians that interacting with animals, formally called animal-assisted therapy, can offer both physical and emotional benefits to children with autism” (Everyday Health, 2017, p.1).
Animal assisted therapy can also help autistic children with psychological disorders. Animal-assisted therapy has been used to help treat non-verbal children with autism. Autistic children frequently exhibit difficulty in forming social attachments with family and peers. However, evidence has shown that autistic children can benefit from meaningful relationships with animals, and provide great companionship.
Medications can improve the child’s ability to benefit from other forms of treatment and relieve significant distress for the affected person and those around (Ozonoff, Dawson, and McPartland, 2015, p.101).
There is no medication that can cure autism, but certain medications can help with some symptoms. There are medications to help ease anxiety, obsessive behaviors, and depression. There are also stimulants to treat attention deficit disorder in children with autism.
Autism Spectrum Disorder Prevention 5
The use of medications to treat autism has increased “The most commonly prescribed medications for those with ASD are stimulants such as Ritalin, Dexedrine, and Adderall; newer “atypical neuroleptics,” such as Risperdal and Abilify; and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Prozac Zoloft, and Paxil” (Ozonoff, Dawson, and McPartland, 2015, p.101). Treatment and intervention for an autistic child is very expensive according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention “The total costs per year for children with ASD in the United States were estimated to be between $11.5 billion - $60.9 billion (2011 US dollars). This significant economic burden represents a variety of direct and in-direct costs, from medical care to special education to lost parental productivity” (CDC, 2016. P.1).
Dietary treatments have shown that children with autism react well to a gluten-free diet. Gluten is a sticky protein found in wheat, oat, rye, and barley “In recent years, a theory has been formed that some cases of autism are caused by food allergies, specifically severe allergic reactions to gluten, a protein found in flour, and casein, a protein found in milk products, that irritate or damage the brain and lead to the unusual behaviors associated with ASD” (Ozonoff, Dawson, and McPartland, 2015, p.108).
In conclusion, the number of children diagnosed with autism is on the rise. There appears to be a strong genetic base for autism, but not completely proven. There is no cure for autism, but with the appropriate treatments and interventions autism behaviors can improve, and promote independence, help become responsive to others and their surroundings, and lead nearly a normal life.
Autism Spectrum Disorder Prevention 6
With the help of medical professionals, teachers and parents. A child with autism has the best chance to live a full and happy life. The challenges may never go away, but love, support and understanding can go a long way to helping a child with autism.
Autism is a disorder that affects a child’s social and emotional skills. It’s a disorder that appears in childhood and continues into adulthood. Each child with autism is unique and has different needs. Each child’s treatment and intervention plan should be tailored to their needs, since no one knows exactly what causes autism. Parents, loved ones, and medical providers need to work together to implement a treatment plan “One method for examining the options for implementation uses a structure we will call the “When-Who- How” approach” (Riegelman and Kirkwood, 2015, p.35). …show more content…
Although, there is no cure for autism it can be treated.
There are treatments, interventions, and early effective strategies that can help a child with autism. Early intervention is key focusing on individualization. There are different approaches of intervention. Social intervention focuses on building social skills and encouraging social interaction with others. Speech therapy works with developing motor skills, developing their language skills, and learning how to communicate his or her thoughts or needs.
Physical therapy can help with postural tasks, poor balance, and low muscle tone. Children with autism who may fall, and hurt themselves or may not be well coordinated may benefit from physical therapy. Occupational therapy can help with promoting independence in everyday life, and developmental activities such as learning how to dress, and brush their teeth. Intervention programs should be overseen by a trained professional, and develop a curriculum that focuses on the needs of the
child.
Autism Spectrum Disorder Prevention 3
Parents, medical providers should all be closely involved in the intervention. Helping the child work on life skills, vocational preparation, social skills, and involving teaching methods. Parents should be taught how to implement the intervention strategies at home.
There are also effective strategies to help a child with autism “Applied Behavior Analysis is the science of learning and human behavior. It uses what we know about how people learn to help reduce the symptoms of ASD” ( Artwood, 2012, p.35). ABA includes the use of direct observation, measurement, and functional analysis of the relations between environment and behavior. Treating the problems of the disorder by altering the individual’s social and learning environments.
One of the pioneers in autism treatment research is Dr. Ivar Lovaas “He developed an approach to treating autistic children based on the principles of applied behavior analysis. For more than 40 years, Dr. Lovaas has collected a huge amount of data supporting his approach and it is considered one of the most promising options for treatment in autism” (Veague, 2010, p.53). I believe applied behavior analysis would be most effective in addressing the concern of autism. ABA is proven to be a scientific approach used by many medical providers “Research has demonstrated that many children, especially those who are high functioning, who begin treatment early and receive 2 years of ABA-based treatment are able to enter and function well in typical first grade classrooms, without special support. In addition, Lovass’s study found that the cognitive abilities of treated children (as measured by standard tests) were far higher than those of untreated children with ASD” (Ozonoff, Dawson, and McPartland, 2015, p.83).
Autism Spectrum Disorder Prevention 4
ABA has been well documented, and has demonstrated effectiveness for treating the symptoms of a variety of conditions, including severe destructive behavior, substance abuse, dementia, pediatric feeding disorders, traumatic brain injury, among others. Furthermore, “The methods of ABA are based on the work of B.F. Skinner, one of the world’s most influential psychologists” (Veague, 2010, p.39).
I also believe animal assisted therapy can be very effective in the treatment of autism “There are many reports from both parents and clinicians that interacting with animals, formally called animal-assisted therapy, can offer both physical and emotional benefits to children with autism” (Everyday Health, 2017, p.1).
Animal assisted therapy can also help autistic children with psychological disorders. Animal-assisted therapy has been used to help treat non-verbal children with autism. Autistic children frequently exhibit difficulty in forming social attachments with family and peers. However, evidence has shown that autistic children can benefit from meaningful relationships with animals, and provide great companionship.
Medications can improve the child’s ability to benefit from other forms of treatment and relieve significant distress for the affected person and those around (Ozonoff, Dawson, and McPartland, 2015, p.101).
There is no medication that can cure autism, but certain medications can help with some symptoms. There are medications to help ease anxiety, obsessive behaviors, and depression. There are also stimulants to treat attention deficit disorder in children with autism.
Autism Spectrum Disorder Prevention 5
The use of medications to treat autism has increased “The most commonly prescribed medications for those with ASD are stimulants such as Ritalin, Dexedrine, and Adderall; newer “atypical neuroleptics,” such as Risperdal and Abilify; and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Prozac Zoloft, and Paxil” (Ozonoff, Dawson, and McPartland, 2015, p.101). Treatment and intervention for an autistic child is very expensive according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention “The total costs per year for children with ASD in the United States were estimated to be between $11.5 billion - $60.9 billion (2011 US dollars). This significant economic burden represents a variety of direct and in-direct costs, from medical care to special education to lost parental productivity” (CDC, 2016. P.1).
Dietary treatments have shown that children with autism react well to a gluten-free diet. Gluten is a sticky protein found in wheat, oat, rye, and barley “In recent years, a theory has been formed that some cases of autism are caused by food allergies, specifically severe allergic reactions to gluten, a protein found in flour, and casein, a protein found in milk products, that irritate or damage the brain and lead to the unusual behaviors associated with ASD” (Ozonoff, Dawson, and McPartland, 2015, p.108).
In conclusion, the number of children diagnosed with autism is on the rise. There appears to be a strong genetic base for autism, but not completely proven. There is no cure for autism, but with the appropriate treatments and interventions autism behaviors can improve, and promote independence, help become responsive to others and their surroundings, and lead nearly a normal life.
Autism Spectrum Disorder Prevention 6
With the help of medical professionals, teachers and parents. A child with autism has the best chance to live a full and happy life. The challenges may never go away, but love, support and understanding can go a long way to helping a child with autism.