Autism & its Treatments
Janna Hoskin, BA (Psychology); BMus
(Composition), ABA Therapist
V1.0 ©2003, Janna Hoskin
First of all, who am I?
 My
name is Janna Hoskin.
 I have a BA in Psychology and a BMus in
Composition.
 I have been working with children who have
been diagnosed with pervasive developmental
disabilities such as autism, or autistic disorder,
for three years, and have been researching the
disorder for nine years.
 My interest in autism began when I was twelve
years old, when I first saw the movie Rainman.
But autism is so much more than Rainman.
Topics of Discussion
 Basic
Definition of Autism
 Dispelling the Mythology of Autism
 Treatment: Son-Rise
 Treatment: FloorTime
 Treatment: ABA
 Other Treatments and Communication Methods
Topics of Discussion
 Basic
Definition of Autism
 Dispelling the Mythology of Autism
 Treatment: Son-Rise
 Treatment: FloorTime
 Treatment: ABA
 Other Treatments and Communication Methods
What is Autism?
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Autism is a neurological disorder that causes
communication problems and developmental delays.
It can include dietary and sensory problems.
It is not a psychological problem. It is not a choice.
Autism is not a sure sign of brain damage or mental
retardation.
Autism is a spectrum disorder.
Every individual who has autism is different from every
other individual who has autism, just as we ‘NT’s
(neurotypicals) are different from one another.
Topics of Discussion
 Basic
Definition of Autism
 Dispelling the Mythology of Autism
 Treatment: Son-Rise
 Treatment: FloorTime
 Treatment: ABA
 Other Treatments and Communication Methods
Topics of Discussion
 Basic
Definition of Autism
 Dispelling the Mythology of Autism
 Treatment: Son-Rise
 Treatment: FloorTime
 Treatment: ABA
 Other Treatments and Communication Methods
Dispelling the Mythology of Autism
 Myth
#1
– Individuals with autism never make eye contact;
they do not look at you.
 Myth
#2
– Autism is a mental illness.
 Myth
#3
– Progress means that a person doesn’t have autism.
 Myth
#4
– Individuals with autism do not speak.
 Myth
#5
– Autism can be outgrown.
 Myth
#6
– Individuals with autism cannot learn; autistic
children are retarded.
Dispelling the Mythology of Autism
 Myth
#7
– Underneath all of the difficult behaviours is a
normal person; inside a child with autism is a
genius.
 Myth
#8
– Individuals with autism are very manipulative.
 Myth
#9
– Individuals with autism could talk if they wanted to.
 Myth
#10
– Individuals with autism can’t smile; cannot show
affection; do not relate to peers or adults; do not
want friends; do not learn from their environment
or pick up on cues from others.
Dispelling the Mythology of Autism
 Myth
#11
– When a person with autism does not respond to a
question/direction to which he has shown a
previous correct response, he is being stubborn,
non-compliant, and/or obnoxious.
 Myth
#12
– Autism is rare.
Far from being rare, autism is actually on the rise.
People have many different theories about why this is,
but whatever the reason, it is out there.
 Myth
#13
– Autism is caused by poor parenting and a lack of
initial bonding.
Dispelling the Mythology of Autism
 Myth
#14
– Autism can be cured.
 Myth
#15
– All autistics have special abilities, like in Rain Man.
 Myth
#16
– Autistics have no sense of humour.
Topics of Discussion
 Basic
Definition of Autism
 Dispelling the Mythology of Autism
 Treatment: Son-Rise
 Treatment: FloorTime
 Treatment: ABA
 Other Treatments and Communication Methods
Topics of Discussion
 Basic
Definition of Autism
 Dispelling the Mythology of Autism
 Treatment: Son-Rise
 Treatment: FloorTime
 Treatment: ABA
 Other Treatments and Communication Methods
Treatment: Son-Rise
 What
is Son-Rise?
– The Son-Rise treatment method involves taking the
child into a special playroom that is free of
distractions, and joining the child in his or her
actions in an attempt to create a connection with
the child and to let the child know that he or she is
loved and accepted, unconditionally.
 Does
it work?
– The anecdotal evidence is overwhelming, and can
be read in the information packages sent out by
the Option Institute.
Treatment: Son-Rise

So what’s good about it?
– The lack of distractions in the workroom;
– The rewards given for positive behaviours; and
– The apparent aid in interpersonal relationships that the
required self-analysis brings.
Basically, the method consists of a lot of situational
teaching that is instantly generalized by the teachers.
 So what’s bad about it?

– The emphasis on the parents’ attitudes as being key to
the child’s “recovery”.
– The attitude that this method can cure autism.
– The underlying assumption that the child can choose to
‘come out’ of autism, and will do so, given enough love
and understanding. This is far too much like the
Bettelheim “Refrigerator Mother” theory for my liking.
Treatment: Son-Rise
 What
do I think of this method?
– It won’t damage the child or family in any way.
– It is also unlikely to be the catalyst in a child’s
‘recovery’.
– It is ridiculously expensive to take the training.
Topics of Discussion
 Basic
Definition of Autism
 Dispelling the Mythology of Autism
 Treatment: Son-Rise
 Treatment: FloorTime
 Treatment: ABA
 Other Treatments and Communication Methods
Topics of Discussion
 Basic
Definition of Autism
 Dispelling the Mythology of Autism
 Treatment: Son-Rise
 Treatment: FloorTime
 Treatment: ABA
 Other Treatments and Communication Methods
Treatment: FloorTime
 What
is FloorTime?
– FloorTime is basically a form of non-invasive play
therapy.
 Does
it work?
– I am currently unaware of any scientific
documentation supporting the use of FloorTime as
a treatment for ASD, but I am sure that there are
many parents who stand by it as an excellent
treatment method.
Treatment: FloorTime

So what’s good about it?
– The emphasis on human connection;
– The idea that it doesn’t matter so much when a skill is
achieved, so long as it is reached in an appropriate
manner, with appropriate pre-requisite skills; and
– The emphasis on using appropriate play to build on
interpersonal relationships, communication skills, and so
on.
This method employs a lot of situational, generalized
teaching, and relies on the human element for
treatment.
 So what’s bad about it?

– The ideas about the inability of child and parent to bond
properly.
– The attitude that this is the only appropriate way to treat
ASD, and that behavioural methods are somehow cruel.
– The lack of emphasis on life skills and academic skills that
children will require when they eventually attend school.
Treatment: FloorTime
 What
do I think of this method?
– The FloorTime method is not an appropriate standalone treatment for autism.
– It may be an acceptable addition to a child’s
program.
Topics of Discussion
 Basic
Definition of Autism
 Dispelling the Mythology of Autism
 Treatment: Son-Rise
 Treatment: FloorTime
 Treatment: ABA
 Other Treatments and Communication Methods
Topics of Discussion
 Basic
Definition of Autism
 Dispelling the Mythology of Autism
 Treatment: Son-Rise
 Treatment: FloorTime
 Treatment: ABA
 Other Treatments and Communication Methods
Treatment: ABA

What is ABA?
– ABA, or Applied Behavioural Analysis, is the most
scientifically valid treatment for autism at this time.
– This means that the original study had very positive data,
and that since that time, the data has been reproduced
with other children in other areas with other scientists.

So tell me about this study.
– In the Experimental Group, 9 of the 19 children lost their
diagnosis and were placed in typical classrooms at school.
8 of the remaining children were placed in classes for
language delayed children. Only 2 children from the
Experimental Group were placed in classes for retarded
and autistic children.
– In the Control Group, of which none were placed in typical
classrooms at school: 8 were placed in classes for
language delayed children, and 11 were placed in classes
for retarded and autistic children.
– On top of this, the Experimental Group children’s testable
IQ scores rose, while the IQ scores of the children in the
Control Group either fell or remained the same.
Treatment: ABA
 Well,
so what exactly is ABA?
– ABA is actually an umbrella term that describes an
approach to teaching individuals with disabilities
that is based on principles espoused by the
behaviourist branch of psychology.
– It is useful in treating people who have had strokes,
children with mental retardation, autism, and other
disorders.
– Its effectiveness is not dependent on age, but, as
with anything, tends to work best and quickest
when applied immediately upon discovering that
there is a problem.
Treatment: ABA
 How
does ABA work? Describe a session for
me.
 More Information on ABA.
– Because ABA is science-based, it is important to keep data on
the events that take place during a drill.
– Generalization is vital to a good ABA program.
 Does
it work?
– There is a lot of anecdotal and scientific evidence
out there to support ABA as a primary intervention
for autism.
Treatment: ABA

So what’s good about it?
– The lack of distractions in the workroom;
– The rewards given for positive behaviours; and
– The focus on skill acquisition.
Basically, ABA is an excellent teaching method that
has been described to me in the past as being ‘good
parenting’.
 So what’s bad about it?

– The abuse of behavioural methods that has gone on in
the past and continues in some areas. Good ABA does
not make use of aversives (punishment) and is not
abusive.
– The attitude that this method can cure autism.
– The focus on table-time that is not generalized
appropriately or at all in some programs.
– The refusal of some providers to acknowledge the
possibility that some behaviours must be treated using
sensory techniques, rather than behavioural techniques.
Treatment: ABA
 What
do I think of this method?
– ABA is the best educational method we currently
have for ASD.
– That being said, the idea that without ABA a
person will be “lost” to the world is ludicrous.
– I do not agree that ABA is the only proper way to
go, though I do think that the principles of ABA
should be the basis for any appropriate
intervention.
Topics of Discussion
 Basic
Definition of Autism
 Dispelling the Mythology of Autism
 Treatment: Son-Rise
 Treatment: FloorTime
 Treatment: ABA
 Other Treatments and Communication
Methods
Topics of Discussion
 Basic
Definition of Autism
 Dispelling the Mythology of Autism
 Treatment: Son-Rise
 Treatment: FloorTime
 Treatment: ABA
 Other Treatments and Communication
Methods
Other Treatments and
Communication Methods
 Topics
in this section will include:
– Sensory Integration Therapy
– Auditory Integration Therapy
– Music Therapy
– Irlen Lenses
– Dietary Intervention (GFCF diet) and Nutritional
Supplements
– Facilitated Communication
– Picture Exchange Communication System
– Speech as Communication
– Sign Language as Communication
Other Treatments and
Communication Methods
 Sensory
Integration Therapy
– SIT should be administered by, or need for SIT
should be assessed by, an Occupational Therapist.
 Auditory
Integration Therapy
– AIT generally consists of a prescribed amount of
time spent each day listening to a recording that
uses particular combinations of sound waves to
retrain the ear mechanisms.
 Music
Therapy
– Music Therapy can be an excellent addition to a
treatment program, but the therapist should be
well-versed in your method of choice (in other
words, if you are running an ABA program, your
music therapist should have some experience
working as an ABA therapist).
Other Treatments and
Communication Methods
 Irlen
Lenses
– These are coloured glasses that filter out certain
frequencies of light so that visual processing is
easier.
 Dietary
Intervention (GFCF diet) and nutritional
supplements
– The gluten-free/casein-free diet is commonly
touted online as an amazing intervention for
autism.
– Some nutritional supplements can help, but should
not be administered without supervision of a
doctor.
Other Treatments and
Communication Methods
 Facilitated
Communication
– Facilitated Communication has many advocates and
many detractors.
– Perhaps its greatest strength lies in the fact that
practitioners assume competence of their clients.
– Its greatest weakness lies in the generalized
assumption that all non-verbal individuals require
this method in order to get their voice heard.
– It can also be very difficult for clients to become
independent in their typing, which is what it will
take for this method to become universally
accepted.
 Picture
Exchange Communication System
– Picture Exchange Communication System is the use
of pictures to indicate needs or wants.
Other Treatments and
Communication Methods
 Speech
as Communication
– Speech is perhaps the method most parents desire
for their children.
 Sign
Language as Communication
– Sign Language is an excellent alternative to
speech, and is also often a good stepping-stone to
vocal communication.
Personal Thoughts on Treatment for
ASD

My opinion on autism treatment is very different
from that of many professionals, and even
many parents. I believe that the very first thing
a program should deal with is sensory issues,
followed closely by finding a communication
method that is effective for the individual. Once
a sensory diet and communication method is in
place, an ABA program can (and should) begin.
This is when testing can be done for biomedical
interventions (most of which I did not cover in
this presentation, as I have not researched
them adequately).
The most important thing to remember
about autism is that you can’t make
generalizations about it. No two
individuals are quite the same, and
autism affects different people in
different ways. It cannot be ‘cured’,
though autistic individuals are quite
capable of learning coping strategies
and methods that will help them get
through life independently.