Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD): Children who are eligible for this therapy include those on the autism spectrum and those with developmental disabilities which affect communication such as Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy and other intellectual and developmental deficiencies. ASD is “a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in social communication and social interaction and the presence of restricted, repetitive behavior” (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, n.d.).
Treatment
Pivotal Response Treatment and Discrete Trial Training are research based therapy methods which are proven to work effectively with children who have autism and other developmental disorders.
“Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT) is one of the best studied and validated behavioral treatments for autism. Derived from applied behavioral analysis (ABA), it is play based and child initiated. Its goals include the development of communication, language and positive social behaviors and relief from disruptive self-stimulatory behaviors” (Pivotal response treatment).
“Discrete trial training (DTT) is a one-to-one instructional approach used to teach skills in a planned, controlled, and systematic manner. DTT is used when a learner needs to learn a skill best taught in small repeated steps. Each trial or teaching opportunity has a definite beginning and end, thus the descriptor discrete trial. Within DTT, the use of antecedents and consequences is carefully planned and implemented. Positive praise and/or tangible rewards are used to reinforce desired skills or behaviors” (Bogin, 2008).
Both DTT and PRT are offered at the UCA SLHC.
Additional Resources
http://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism/treatment/pivotal-response-therapy-prt
http://www.educateautism.com/applied-behaviour-analysis/discrete-trial-training.html#.UwZr0mJdWSo
ASHA: Autism Spectrum Disorders
References
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (n.d.). Autism. (Practice Portal). Retrieved November 29, 2021, from www.asha.org/Practice-Portal/Clinical-Topics/Autism/
Bogin, J. (2008). Overview of discrete trial training. Sacramento, CA: National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorders, M.I.N.D. Institute, The University of California at Davis Medical School. https://autismpdc.fpg.unc.edu/sites/autismpdc.fpg.unc.edu/files/imce/documents/Discrete-Trial-complete10-2010.pdf
Pivotal response treatment (PRT). (n.d.). Autism Speaks. https://www.autismspeaks.org/pivotal-response-treatment-prt-0