Types of interventions for children with autism spectrum disorder

Types of interventions for children with autism spectrum disorder

What are interventions for autism spectrum disorder?

Intervention means doing something, taking action or using a treatment to try to improve a particular condition or problem.
When it comes to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), there are many kinds of interventions. Different interventions might involve children, parents or both. They might be one-off events or involve many sessions spread over years.
What types of interventions are there?
There’s a huge range of interventions for ASD. They range from those based on behaviour and development to those based on medicine or alternative therapy. Some interventions combine several different types – for example, a mix of behavioural and developmental approaches.

Interventions are based on different theories about the causes of ASD. These theories guide the approach taken, so hearing the theory behind an intervention helps you understand what it’s trying to do. For example, a theory about chemical imbalance in the body leading to ASD might lead to a therapy involving taking prescribed drugs or making changes in diet to address the imbalance.
Below is a summary of the main types of intervention, with a look at what the research says. This is just one way to categorise interventions, and you’ll find that some interventions are based on, or include the use of, others.

Behaviour-based approaches to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) focus on teaching children new behaviours and skills by using specialised, structured techniques. These techniques are the best teaching tools for developing skills and encouraging appropriate behaviour.

Behaviour-based approaches are probably the most studied and best supported by evidence and research. Therefore, they’re the most commonly used type of intervention for children with ASD. Interventions using an Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) approach are particularly common and well supported.

There’s still some discussion about different behaviour-based interventions and how the research on them should be interpreted. For example, it isn’t always clear whether the research is claiming that the intervention has led to ‘recovery’ or to a reduction in symptoms.

Behavioural interventions

Examples of behaviour-based interventions include:

Discrete Trial Training (DTT)
Douglass Developmental Disabilities Center (DDDC) Program
Incidental teaching
Lovaas Program
Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT)
Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)
Princeton Child Development Institute Program.

Developmental approaches to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) aim to help children form positive, meaningful relationships with other people. They focus on teaching children social and communication skills in everyday, structured settings. They also aim to help children develop skills for daily living.
Although there isn’t enough good-quality research on developmental interventions, studies on small parts of some of these interventions have shown potentially positive results.
Developmental interventions are sometimes called ‘normalised’ interventions.

Developmental interventions

Developmental social-pragmatic (DSP) model
DIR®/Floortime®
Relationship Development Intervention® (RDI®)
Responsive teaching.

Examples of developmental interventions include:

Combined interventions

Some approaches combine elements of behavioural and developmental methods, and also use new information about autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and typical development.

Often a combined approach is the most effective, because it brings together characteristics of several good interventions. For example, any behavioural intervention will be much more effective if it’s also family-based.

Early Start Denver Model
SCERTS® Model
TEACCH.

Examples of combined interventions include:

Family-based interventions for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) emphasise the idea that family involvement in therapy is central to meeting children’s developmental needs. In particular, parents not only drive the decision-making about interventions, but they also take a key role in delivering them.

These interventions are designed to provide guidance, training, information and support to family members.

Research on how well family-based interventions work is limited but growing. The success of these interventions depends on having strong and collaborative parent-professional relationships. Their effectiveness also relies on addressing the needs of the whole family, so that everyone in the family benefits, not just the child with ASD.

An example of a family-based intervention is the More Than Words® program.

Family-based interventions

Therapy-based interventions
Therapy-based approaches to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) provide a specific therapy that targets specific difficulties. Examples include using:
speech therapy to develop a child’s communication and social skills
occupational therapy to develop skills for daily life, including physical skills.
Therapy-based approaches are often used together with, or as part of, other intervention programs.
Examples of therapy-based interventions include:
Functional Communication Training (FCT)
Sign language
Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS).

Therapy-based interventions

Every now and then, you’ll hear about a new ‘miracle cure’ for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). So far there is no medicine proven as a cure for ASD. Rather, most medication is used to improve, but not necessarily remove, problems that are sometimes seen in children with ASD. The problems include:
behaviour associated with ADHD, like inattention or hyperactivity
symptoms of anxiety
obsessive compulsive behaviour
self-harming behaviour
sleep disorders.
Prescribed medications might reduce these behaviours enough so that behavioural or developmental interventions are more effective.
Examples of medical interventions include:
atypical antipsychotics
typical antipsychotics
stimulants.

Medical interventions