## Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders

### Autism Spectrum Disorders
Evidence-Based Intervention Strategies

edited by  
Patricia A. Prelock, Ph.D.  
University of Vermont   
Burlington  
and  
Rebecca J. McCauley, Ph.D.  
The Ohio State University  
Baltimore·London·Sydney

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### Excerpted from Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders: Evidence-Based

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### Contents

- **About the DVD**
- **Series Preface**
- **Editorial Advisory Board**
- **About the Editors**
- **About the Contributors**
- **Foreword by Tony Charman**
- **Acknowledgments**

#### Chapters:
1. **Introduction to Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders**  
   Patricia A. Prelock and Rebecca J. McCauley  
2. **Reader’s Guide**  
   Rebecca J. McCauley and Patricia A. Prelock  
3. **Augmentative and Alternative Communication Strategies: Manual Signs, Picture Communication, and Speech-Generating Devices**  
   Jane R. Wegner  
4. **Elementary Behavioral Intervention Strategies: Discrete Trial Instruction, Differential Reinforcement, and Shaping**  
   Susan M. Wilczynski, Hanna C. Rue, Melissa Hunter, and Lauren Christian  
5. **An Introduction to the Developmental, Individual-Difference, Relationship-Based (DIR) Model and Its Application to Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder**  
   Sima Gerber  
6. **Functional Communication Training: Treating Challenging Behavior**  
   V. Mark Durand  
7. **Joint Attention Intervention for Children with Autism**  
   Connie Kasari, Danai Kasambira Fannin, and Kelly Stickles Goods  
8. **Implementing Enhanced Milieu Teaching with Children Who Have Autism Spectrum Disorders**  
   Terry B. Hancock and Ann P. Kaiser  
9. **Early Social Interaction Project**  
   Juliann J. Woods, Amy M. Wetherby, Shubha Kashinath, and Renee Daly Holland  
10. **Peer-Mediated Support Interventions**  
    Erik W. Carter, Lynn G. Sisco, and Yun-Ching Chung  
11. **Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)**  
    Richard L. Simpson and Jennifer B. Ganz  
12. **Pivotal Response Treatment**  
    Yvonne Bruinsma and Erin K. McNerney  
13. **Social Stories**  
    Tiffany L. Hutchins  
14. **Video Modeling Applications for Persons with Autism**  
    Tom Buggey  
15. **Future Directions**  
    Rebecca J. McCauley and Patricia A. Prelock

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### Editorial Advisory Board

- Ronald B. Gillam, Ph.D.
- Rebecca J. McCauley, Ph.D.
- Mary Pat Moeller, Ph.D.
- Teresa A. Ukrainetz, Ph.D.
- Susan Ellis Weismer, Ph.D.
- Paul J. Yoder, Ph.D.
- Richard Schiefelbusch, Ph.D.

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### About the Editors

#### Patricia A. Prelock, Ph.D.
- Dean, College of Nursing and Health Sciences  
- Professor, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Vermont (UVM)  
- Research interests include collaborative, interdisciplinary practice and treatment of autism.

#### Rebecca J. McCauley, Ph.D.
- Department of Speech and Hearing Science, The Ohio State University  
- Focuses on assessment and treatment of developmental communication disorders, particularly childhood apraxia of speech.

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### Introduction to Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders

This book is intended to introduce readers to a group of interventions focused on communication and social interaction for individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs).

### Background on Intervention Strategies for Communication and Social Interaction

Over the past 15 years, intervention approaches for children with ASDs have evolved. Traditional behavioral interventions have been influential, but recent interest has shifted towards social-pragmatic developmental interventions that emphasize social connections and generalization of skills.

### Summary of Evidence-Based Interventions

The National Autism Center's report categorizes interventions by their level of evidence: established and emerging treatments. This book emphasizes effective practices, with detailed descriptions of each intervention's methods, targets, and outcomes.

### Characteristics of Each Intervention Reviewed in the Book
| Intervention | National Standards Project rating | Basic principles | Methods | Targets | Ages |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) strategies | Emerging | Social-pragmatic | Assessment of partners and environments, meaningful contexts | Enhancement of communication skills | Toddler through adult |
| Discrete trial instruction | Established | Behavioral | Adult-directed, one-to-one | Communication and social skills | 3-21 years |
| Developmental, Individual-Difference, Relationship-Based (DIR) Model/Floortime | Emerging | Developmental | Family-based, child-directed | Shared attention, intentional communication | 18 months to 9 years |
| Functional communication training | Established | Behavioral | Functional assessment, fading prompts | Replacement of challenging behaviors | 3-21 years |
| Joint attention intervention | Established | Behavioral and developmental | Intensive support | Initiation of joint attention | 3-5 years |
| ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... |

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### Purpose of This Book

The book critically analyzes treatment approaches to address communication and social interaction challenges faced by individuals with ASDs, presenting empirical evidence for their efficacy.

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### References

Barlow, D.H., Nock, M.K., & Hersen, M. (2009). Single-case experimental designs: Strategies for studying behavior change. 
Chambless, D.L. et al. (1998). Update on empirically validated therapies. 
National Autism Center (2009). National Standards Project—findings and conclusions: Addressing the needs for evidence-based practice guidelines for autism spectrum disorders.

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