Introduction/Background Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability that can cause significant social, communication, and behavior challenges and was first described by Dr. Leo Kanner in 1943 (Brown & Percy, 2007). Individuals with ASD can range from high functioning to low functioning in their ability to learn, think, and problem solve (Brown & Percy, 2007). Behavior problems are common among individuals with ASD (Hill at el, 2014). Kogan (2009) estimates that approximately 637,000 children in the U.S. alone have ASD and within those 637,000 children, Hagopian (2007) suggests that half of those children, who are diagnosed with ASD, also display problem behavior. According to Hagopian & Hardesty (2014), Applied Behavior …show more content…
The use of physical restraint as a treatment strategy to reduce aggressive behavior among individuals with ASD is common in the field of ABA. However, looking in from the outside, many may believe that this type of intervention is unethical or unconventional. Therefore, there are many ethical issues that arise as a result with such a controversial treatment strategy. According to Patterson (2003), restraint is defined as “being held against active resistance.” Some examples of physical restraint include, but are not limited to: basket hold (locking the individual’s elbows and holding them at the forearm, 5-person stabilization hold (having 5 individuals hold down the limbs of another individual), and the hands down procedure (placing your arms over the individuals arms from behind them). Many professionals struggle with justifying physical restraint both in and outside of the field of ABA. Although there is much research that suggests that physical restraint can be an affective way to reduce problem behavior among individuals with ASD, as well as reduce the physical harms their behavior can pose to caregivers, there is also research that suggests these types of interventions are dangerous and have been abused by professionals in the past. The topic of whether or not the use of physical restraint should be used as a consequence has been passionately debated among professionals for years (Collier &
Many of us have heard about Autism, also knows as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Some have a family member, a friend, or know someone who has ASD. Increasingly it is becoming a more common disability. “Autism is one of the fastest-growing developmental disorders in the U.S” (Autism Speaks). Autism has no respect for gender, race, social class and or ethnicity. “Autism is a pervasive developmental disorder that involves abnormal development and function of the brain.” (Autism Center of Excellence) People who have autism have a lot of difficulties with social skills, communication and also will develop behavior issues. These behavior problems of an individual with autism can vary at times and can go from mild to severe. According to the Autism Science Foundation it says,” Many people with the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) also have unusual ways of learning, paying attention, and reacting to different sensations. The thinking and learning abilities of people with ASD can vary—from gifted to severely challenged.” The causes and symptoms, as well as the diagnosis, and the treatments of autism vary.
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy is a form of treatment of children with ASD that uses positive reinforcements . There are several different aspects that go into ABA therapy, which are encouraged by either positive reinforcement or the ability for the child to self-stimulate. There are several aspects of ABA therapy which are play a role in helping each and every child in therapy. The general concept behind ABA therapy is to analysis a child behavior specifically their problem behaviors (Boyd, et al., 2011). A problem behavior can be used by the child to escape the current situation they are in (Carr & Durand, 1985). ABA therapy is designed to help the children learn and avoid problem behaviors. This therapy has three main focuses: Intensive Teaching (IT), Natural Environment (NET), and Chaining (SRI Chains). During IT the child will participate in either note cards or workbooks (Carr & Durand, 1985). IT is what most people think of when talking about ABA therapy. In NET the children will interact with the therapies in fun games and other activites that incoperate some of the aspects they are learning in IT (Carr & Durand, 1985). SRI Chains are used as a form of IT. These chians allow the child
According to the 2014 estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 1 in 68 children have been identified as having an autism spectrum disorder (ASD); a rate that has been steadily growing over the past 20 years (National Autism Association, 2015). Increases in reported frequencies for ASD are most likely due to a combination of factors including broader diagnostic criteria and increased awareness as well as a true increase in the number of people with ASD (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Autism it self does not effect life expectancy and, in general, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) can expect to live as long as the non-cognitively impaired population (National Autism Association,
Autism spectrum disorder is an umbrella term used in diagnosing a collection of developmental disorders of the brain that vary in severity1. People with ASD may have trouble with social interactions, problems with different types of communication, may practice repetitive actions or behaviors1,2, struggle with paying attention, and suffer from motor disfunctions1. ASD is usually diagnosed in children between the ages of 2 and 3, this early diagnosis is very beneficial because it leads to intervention which intern leads to more positive outcomes later in life1. ASD affects 1 in every 68 American children1 and is 4-5 times more common in boys than girls1. Prevalence of this disease is on the rise, with a 10-17% increases in cases per-year1, which could be due to improved diagnostic methods, environmental factors, and other reasons that are unknown1. One well established diagnostic tool is the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) which is 15-point rating scale3 used to diagnose children with ASD and determine its severity2. Another less accredited, but still informative diagnostic tool is the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC)2 which differs from the CARS because it is a parent rater form of measurment2. ASD has no cure, but there have been studies that show behavioral outbursts can be reduced with the use of certain movements and breathing techniques4. This encourages confidence that more aspects of ASD can be improved with similar methods.
Kazden (2010) talks about two other diagnoses that overlap with the ASD; Asperger’s disorder and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) With the revisions to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, these disorder have now coalesced under one term, Autism Spectrum Disorders. Kazden (2010) goes on to explain that any child who falls onto the spectrum could benefit from the techniques that accompany ABA therapy (p.313). The Center for Autismstates that, “ABA can be used with child and adults with mental illness, developmental disabilities and learning disorders”. However, most studies find that ABA therapy is shows the more positive results with young children (Kazden,
“Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) formerly known as just Autism, is a disorder that affects about 1 in 68 children here in the United States.” (Facts about ASD) This is a pretty high prevalence and the number is continuing to rise. “Autism is a developmental disability that can cause significant impairments in behavioral, communication, and social aspects of everyday life.”(Facts about ASD). The intellectual functioning of individuals with ASD is among one of the biggest of all disabilities. The range can occur from moderate intellectual disabilities all the way up to super genius levels. However, most students function at average intelligence in all academic areas except for reading and math. The reason the name switch form Autism to ASD occurred is that now according to the DSM-V Asperger’s Syndrome and Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) are now disabilities that fall into the spectrum that is ASD. Diagnosis of Autism can be determined at age 2 with high reliability, but is not often discovered until the individual reaches school age and begins to fall behind their peers. It is critical that a parent goes and gets their child screened for developmental disabilities at the doctor at least every 9 months during their few first years of life, so that if they do have a disability early intervention strategies can be employed. ASD occurs in every racial and ethnic group,
Autism is a developmental disorder and its frequency rate has risen significantly over the past decade. ASD (Autism spectrum disorder) is a disorder that can emerge in the development of the brain and can be characterized in varying degrees such as repetitive behaviors, impaired social interaction, and also verbal and nonverbal interactions. Social skill discrepancies are a key features within the spectrum of autism disorders. Interacting with one's peers can have a substantial positive impact on the lives of individuals with such disabilities. Interaction allows individuals on the autism spectrum to participate and build in their communities. Individuals having better social skills are more likely to be accepted in
Autism or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder that is characterized by impaired communication (verbal and non-verbal), social, and comprehensive skills. Distinct features of individuals diagnosed with ASD are repetitive or restricted behaviors, for example daily or patterned routines: others may experience symptoms of Asperger’s syndrome, which delays cognitive/speech development: or other conditions similarly related to Down’s syndrome. ASD is often utilized as an umbrella term to encompass a wide range of genetic conditions and mental disorders; as such no two individuals diagnosed with ASD are alike. Because of this, researchers, therapists, and medical practitioners are still puzzled by the mysteries of ASD; however, many infants and toddlers are now beginning to show signs of ASD and many more are being diagnosed on the autism spectrum. With this increase, many people are beginning to understand and educate themselves on the effects of ASD and also cope with the lifestyles of autistic peoples. However, even with the increase of autism awareness and advocacy, individuals with ASD are discriminated against because of many stereotypes and societal myths that surround the disorder. One of the main sources that distribute these false stereotypes and myths is the media. In truth, many popular movies, like Rain Man and Forrest Gump, portray characters that are affected by ASD in stereotypical ways that overshadow the true complications of ASD and the
Autism is known as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) this is a neurodevelopmental disorder, characterized by reduced social interaction, verbal, and non-verbal communication and restricted and repetitive behavior. (Langone, 2002, p. 3). ASD can also be linked with many other symptoms such as intellectual disability, difficulties in motor coordination, attention, and physical health issues. Sleep and gastrointestinal disturbances, are known as the physical health issues (Langone, 2002, p. 4). Autism appears to develop and show signs in the early stages of the brain development, specifically between the ages of 2 and 3 years old.
Parents of children with ASD are also educated on how to apply behavioral interventions on their children to manage disorderly behavior. Research on ABA applied from a Christian perspective, however, proved challenging, as children with ASD tend to think more concretely than abstractly. Keywords: ABA, behavior, ASD, IHM, positive reinforcement, goal-oriented approach Applied Behavioral Analysis
There is a wide variety of symptoms that have been associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD, the name adopted in 2013) including, repetitive movements, emotional difficulties, sensory problems, etc. The exact cause of these symptoms is a widely debated topic. In this paper, I will discuss the overall prevalent causes for Autism as well as the different variations and subgroups. People are familiar with other disorders such as Down syndrome or Trisomy 21. These types of disorders are discusses frequently because of the knowledge and commonality of them. However, not everybody is familiar with a disorder such as Autism. This is due to the uncertainty of the cause for Autism. The overall concept of Autism is simple, but the causes are widely disputed.
As shown to be an epidemic, autism ranges in differences of initial cause, symptoms, precautions taken, and responses to interventions, as well as the possibility of a cure, is at the least described as complex. Autism Spectrum Disorder, which was rare in the 1980’s started to increasingly spread in early diagnoses, rising exponentially during the mid-1990. Before the increase it wasn’t out of the ordinary for a general practitioner and pediatricians to go their whole practice without seeing a single case. Autism Spectrum Disorder is described as a Biological and Neurological disorder that both genetics and the toxic environment around us trigger a range of symptoms, affecting the immunological system, neurological and gastrointestinal systems,
With a view to diagnosing whether a child is suffered from ASD, advancing diagnostic evaluation is a must. The widely accepted symptoms of Autism are depicted by DSM-5 categorization: ASD patients start to develop autism disorder since their early life, resulting in impairing social skills to sustain a reciprocal relationship and forming repetitive behaviour, which affect their daily functioning (APA, 2013). Psychologists evaluate ones’ condition through upon behavioural assessment, and they rely on it to execute different types of psychological intervention, including drug treatment, behavioural training and inclusion strategies on dfdfd to integrate soc.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) refers to a group of neural development disorders characterized by patterns of demeanor. This disorder causes difficulties with social, communication and behavior challenges. There are developmental resources that help identify children with ASD at a very early age.
The term “autism” has been in circulation for over 100 years. In 1911, autism referred to a clump of symptoms that now we know to be schizophrenia. It wasn’t until 1940 that the word began to reflect social and emotional inequities tied to characteristically withdrawn behavior. Autism was added to the DSM-III in 1980 giving the medical professionals specific criteria for diagnosis. The current status of the disease was published in the DSM-V in 2013 as Autism Spectrum Disorder.1 The CDC estimates that 1 out of 68 children have the diagnosis of ASD, and that the total prevalence of the disease accounts for 1% of the world’s population. 2 ASD allows for an umbrella term for pervasive developmental disorders ranging in symptom severity. These