This book examines early intensive behavioral intervention (EIBI) programs for young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It analyzes current research on early intervention (EI) and explains the importance of accurate, timely detection of ASD in facilitating the use of EI. Chapters address five widely researched EIBI approaches: Discrete Trial Training, Pivotal Response Training, the Early Start Denver Model, Prelinguistic Milieu Teaching, and Enhanced Milieu Teaching. This in-depth study of current EIBI approaches offers a rigorous guide to earlier and more intensive interventions for children with ASD, leading to greater autonomy and improved later life outcomes for individuals. Featured topics include: Parent-implemented interventions and related issues. Evaluations of controversial interventions used with children with ASD. Factors contributing to rising ASD prevalence. Obstacles to obtaining accurate ASD diagnosis in young children. Early Intervention for Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder is an essential resource for researchers, clinicians, and graduate students in developmental, clinical child, and school psychology, behavioral therapy/rehabilitation, social work, public health, educational policy and politics, and related psychology and behavioral health fields.

Early Intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorders is the first in a series aimed at addressing the rapidly expanding field of assessment and treatment of children with mental health issues and/or development disabilities. Early Intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorders is aimed at the researcher of practitioner who works with those young children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. In addition to covering major research developments in differential diagnosis and early intervention, the author's provide a critical review and analysis of core concept that define this area. The first chapter of the book reviews the development of definitions of autism along with early methods for diagnosing this area of developmental disabilities. Chapter two covers some of the most discussed theories of etiology along with a review of prevalence and the author's opinions on why the number of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder has increased markedly in recent years. A chapter on the most commonly used assessment methods and a critique of the psychometric properties of each is followed by three chapters on treatment. We have broken the treatment chapters down based on type of intervention. The first treatment chapter covers specific target behaviors or small sets of behaviors. A second chapter covers training for the packaged comprehensive treatment models with particular emphasis on the TEACCH, UCLA-YAP and the University of California Santa Barbara Autism Research and Training Program. Each of these programs gives a unique perspective on treatment for these young children. The final treatment chapter covers the recent developments in pharmacotherapy for autism spectrum disorder, with a critical analysis and review of the data. We hope the overview presented proves to be of interest to researchers and practitioners in the field. We present one perspective on this exciting and innovative area of research and treatment. Hopefully, it will serve as one useful source to those who wish to provide the most up to date evidence based intervention to these young developmentally challenged children. - The first of a new series that is intended to expand knowledge of the assessment and treatment of children with developmental disabilities and/or mental health issues - Provides definitions, addresses diagnosis, intervention, and treatments - Of particular importance to researchers and practitioners who work with children who have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Research suggests an early start is the key to a successful intervention for children diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. What many don't know is that research also shows that for most early intervention programs to be effective, they must involve a child's primary caregivers, especially when it comes to such an all-pervasive area as communication. This book does not advocate that parents steer clear of therapists and specialists. Instead, it attempts to put more control in the parents' hands.Without adding to parents' already busy schedules, Teresa Cardon, a speech language pathologist and author of best-selling Let's Talk Emotions (see page 33), discusses the importance of creating a communication environment in the home. Simple everyday tools include deliberate use of books, toys, visual schedules, and labeling, among others.

Chapters on choosing an effective treatment discuss how to evaluate claims about treatments for autism, and what the research says about early behavioral intervention and other treatments. Subsequent sections address what to teach, teaching programs, how to teach, and who should teach. Also addressed are the organization and funding of a behavioral program, working with a speech-language pathologist, and working with the schools. Answers to commonly asked questions are presented along with case histories. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

This edited book brings together renowned experts in music therapy and related fields to present current research, practical strategies, and policies useful for everyone interested in music as a tool to aid children on the autism spectrum. Case scenarios, examples and tip sheets further support the application of the knowledge-based content.

Presents strategies for helping children with autism interact with others and achieve their potential, covering such areas as back-and-forth interactions, nonverbal communication, and imitation.

A resource of fun games for parents or teachers to help young children learn social and motor skills Barbara Sher, an expert occupational therapist and teacher, has written a handy resource filled with games to play with young children who have Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or other sensory processing disorders (SPD). The games are designed to help children feel comfortable in social situations and teach other basic lessons including beginning and end, spatial relationships, hand-eye coordination, and more. Games can also be used in regular classrooms to encourage inclusion. A collection of fun, simple games that can improve the lives of children with ASD or other SPDs. Games can be played by parents or teachers and with individual children or groups. Games are designed to make children more comfortable in social situations and to develop motor and language skills Also included are a variety of interactive games to play in water, whether in a backyard kiddie pool, community swimming pool, or lake All the games are easy-to-do, utilizing common, inexpensive materials, and include several variations and modifications

Current rates of autism diagnoses have been cause for concern and research as well as rumor and misinformation. Important questions surround the condition: how early can an accurate diagnosis be made? At what age should intervention start? How can parents recognize warning signs? And what causes autism in the first place? There are no easy answers, but the Handbook of Early Intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorders gives researchers, practitioners, and academics the science and guidance to better understand and intervene. Background chapters survey the history of professional understanding of the disorders and the ongoing debate over autism as a single entity or a continuum. Chapters on best methods in screening, assessment, and diagnosis reflect the transition between the DSM-V and older diagnostic criteria. And at the heart of the book, the intervention section ranges from evidence-based strategies for developing core skills to ethical concerns, cultural considerations, and controversial treatments. Included in the Handbook's broad-based coverage: Designing curriculum programs for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Mainstream education for children with ASD. Teaching independent living skills to children with ASD. Social skills and play. Behavioral and mental health disorders in children with ASD. Training and supporting caregivers in evidence-based practices. Teaching cognitive skills to children with ASD. The Handbook of Early Intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorders is a comprehensive reference for researchers, professors, and graduate students as well as clinicians and other scientist-practitioners in clinical child and school psychology, child and adolescent psychiatry, social work, rehabilitation, special education, and pediatric medicine.

A growing body of evidence supports the benefits of high-quality parent interventions for building social and communication skills in 0- to 5-year-olds with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). How can clinicians coach parents to effectively incorporate learning opportunities into daily routines at home? From preeminent experts, this practical book explores the role of the coach and reviews the "whats," "whys," and "how-tos" of successful collaboration with parents. Topics include structuring coaching sessions, identifying children's needs, facilitating playful engagement, and deepening parents' understanding of how they can boost skills development during everyday activities. Seventeen reproducible handouts and forms include the multipage P-ESDM Infant–Toddler Curriculum Checklist, ideal for use in telehealth assessments. Purchasers get access to a webpage where they can download and print the reproducible materials in a convenient 8 1/2" x 11" size.

Supported by the principles of developmental psychology and applied behavior analysis, ESDM's intensive teaching interventions are delivered within play-based, relationship-focused routines. The manual provides structured, hands-on strategies for working with very young children in individual and group settings to promote development in such key domains as imitation; communication; social, cognitive, and motor skills; adaptive behavior; and play. --from publisher description