|
Utilizing ABA Strategies with Toddlers with Autism |
Friday, May 28, 2004 |
6:00 PM–9:00 PM |
Conference Room 3 |
Area: PRA; Domain: Applied Research |
CE Instructor: Anne S. Holmes, Ph.D. |
ANNE S. HOLMES (Eden Family of Services), DIANE VANDRIESEN (Eden Family of Services) |
Description: The use of highly structured, consistent, concrete ABA intervention strategies such as discrete trial teaching are well established as having positive effects on children with autism (Lovaas, 1987). As diagnosticians become more proficient with diagnoses and children are diagnosed at younger ages (under two), professionals need to expand their use of ABA strategies to meet the needs of developing toddlers. Normal child development during toddlerhood is characterized by the childs active exploration of his environment. Toddlers with autism, left on their own, are not likely to access a sufficient variety of learning experiences. A solely child-directed approach to intervention is ineffective because toddlers with autism have extremely limited interests. A solely therapist-directed approach is ineffective because toddlers with autism are not being taught to experiment and explore their world. This workshop will outline an ABA approach that is child initiated, adult directed. These strategies have been successfully implemented with positive data based outcomes at the Eden Family of Services Wawa House for the past ten years. Future implications for focus of intervention will be discussed. |
Learning Objectives: At the completion of the workshop, participants will be able to: Identify early indicators of toddlers �at risk� of autism. Assess appropriate treatment goals for toddlers with autism. Utilize ABA strategies in a child initiated, adult directed approach. Identify areas of focus for future research. |
Activities: Participants will hear lecture and review videotapes and data. |
Audience: Professionals who work in the field of autism and applied behavior analysis, speech pathologists, psychologists, special education teachers, and consultants. |
Content Area: Practice |
Instruction Level: Basic |