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| The Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc.: Description of Service Model and Programs of Research |
| Tuesday, May 27, 2008 |
| 9:00 AM–10:20 AM |
| Continental B |
| Area: AUT/DDA; Domain: Service Delivery |
| Chair: Jonathan J. Tarbox (Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc.) |
| CE Instructor: Jonathan J. Tarbox, Ph.D. |
| Abstract: The Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc. (CARD) is an organization which provides comprehensive behavior analytic services to individuals with diagnoses on the autism spectrum. The purpose of this symposium is to describe our general service model for early intensive behavioral intervention, describe our intervention programs targeted at teaching higher order skills such as those deemed executive functioning and social cognition, describe our Specialized Outpatient Services program, and describe our ongoing programs of research. The international reach of CARD services and ongoing career development opportunities will be discussed. |
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| Comprehensive Behavioral Services for Children with Autism: Introductory Program Description for the Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc. |
| JACKIE HARDENBERGH (Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc.), Rachel S. F. Tarbox (Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc.) |
| Abstract: The Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc. is a global organization which provides comprehensive behavioral services for children with autism. This presentation provides an overview of the CARD treatment model and describes the primary components of a comprehensive ABA program for children with autism. Goals of assessment and intervention, as well as teaching strategies such as discrete trial training, natural environment training, and fluency training, will be described and discussed. |
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| Teaching Higher Order Skills to Children with Autism: “Executive Function” and “Social Cognition”. |
| SIENNA GREENER-WOOTEN (Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc.), Jonathan J. Tarbox (Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc.) |
| Abstract: Applied behavior analysis (ABA) intervention programs are commonly accused of teaching only basic skills and/or producing only “rote” or “memorized” performances, and therefore neglecting higher order human abilities. “Social cognition” and “executive function” are two higher order areas of functioning that research has demonstrated are often lacking in individuals with autism. “Social cognition” is said to be the ability to understand the mental states of others, which in behavioral parlance, amounts to responding to the private events of others. “Executive functions” are said to be the brain functions which control goal-directed behavior. From a behavioral perspective, goal-directed behavior is nothing more or less than behavior and can therefore be taught like any other. In this presentation, we describe a behavioral curriculum for teaching the skills labeled as “social cognition” and “executive functioning” by the general community. In both cases, intervention involves analyzing supposed mental functions into observable behavior/environment relations and then using proven behavioral procedures, such as prompting, reinforcement, prompt-fading, discrimination training, and multiple exemplar training, to establish generalized operant repertoires. Put simply, we describe how to use proven behavioral teaching procedures to teach “executive function” and “social cognition” to children with autism. |
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| The CARD Specialized Outpatient Services Treatment Program. |
| RACHEL S. F. TARBOX (Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc.), Katharine Gutshall (Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc.) |
| Abstract: This presentation will provide a description of CARD Specialized Outpatient Services (SOS). CARD SOS provides a suite of services targeted at making rapid and meaningful changes in high-priority behaviors. CARD SOS provides assessment and treatment of severe behavior disorders, assessment and treatment of pediatric feeding disorders, and facilitation of compliance with medical procedures, such as pill-swallowing. CARD SOS services are provided on a home-based, school-based, and outpatient basis, depending on the unique needs of each individual client for as long as necessary. Services include direct intervention, teacher and caregiver training, and planning for generalization and maintenance. CARD SOS serves individuals with and without developmental disabilities. |
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| Research at the Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc. |
| JONATHAN J. TARBOX (Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc.), Fernando Guerrero (Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc.), Dennis Dixon (Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc.), Amy Kenzer (Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc.), Melissa L. Olive (Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc.), Rachel S. F. Tarbox (Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc.), Adel C. Najdowski (Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc.), Doreen Granpeesheh (Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc.) |
| Abstract: CARD is committed to science as the only useful approach to evaluating treatment for autism. Our mission is to conduct empirical research on the assessment and treatment of autism and to disseminate our research findings and derived technology through publication and education of professionals and the public. The primary goal of our research is to produce information that will increase the number of individuals who recover from autism. This presentation will describe our general programs of research, provide sample data in several areas, and describe career development opportunities for behavior analysts at CARD. |
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