Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social interaction, restricted patterns of behavior, and delayed language development. Behavior intervention strategies for autism aim to lessen these symptoms. Other goals of these methods include increasing the independence and the quality of life of autistic patients. Some common behavior modification methods include Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), Applied Verbal Behavior (AVB), and Floortime.
Applied Behavior Analysis
According to AutismIndex.com, ABA was originally developed by Dr. O. Ivaar Lovaas, a California professor. The goal of ABA is to use such principles as reward and punishment to produce meaningful changes in a patient's behavior. ABA is based on the belief that people's behavior results from past and current environmental events. Focus is placed on external events that can be manipulated, and not on internal emotions that are beyond the control of the therapist.
ABA methods can be used, for example, to teach the patient life management skills. This is done by breaking tasks such as getting dressed into easily manageable parts. Little by little, the child learns how to dress independently. ABA can also be used to diminish unwanted behavior, such as violence. In these cases, the therapist removes rewards and uses punishments to mold the behavior of the child.
Applied Verbal Behavior
According to Partners in Excellence, Applied Verbal Behavior (AVB) is based on the principles of ABA, but focuses on socialization and language use. This method can be used at home and at school settings. By applying one-on-one instructions, AVB teaches the child all aspects of language use and comprehension. For example, when a child is taught the word "cookie", he learns to ask for it, labels it when he sees it, and repeats the word "cookie" when someone else says it. He also learns to answer such questions as "What do you usually eat with milk?", and he should be able to tell which one of the objects shown to him is a cookie. The goal of AVB is to increase language and appropriate social skills while simultaneously decreasing problem behaviors.
Floortime
Floortime aims to build communication and relationship skills in autistic children. According to AutismIndex.com, this method gives the child's parents an active role and most of the therapy takes place at home. Floortime was developed by Doctors Stanley Greenspan and Serena Wieder. According to the Interdisciplinary Council on Developmental and Learning Disorders, the first step of this program is to analyze the developmental strengths and weaknesses of the child. The next step is to find out how the patient reacts to stimuli in the form of sound and touch. Some children enjoy these types of stimuli, while others can be very sensitive or even under-reactive towards them. Floortime is tailored on individual needs and differences. Floortime methods follows the child's interests and challenges the child to reach his full potential in social and emotional development.
