Sense and Nonsense in the Behavioral Treatment of Autism: It Has to be Said

Sifts the sense from the nonsense in assessing the approaches to the treatment of autism. In a field exploding with alternative treatments, choosing the best course of action for the child with autism can be a daunting task.

The authors offer compelling practical evidence of Applied behaviour Analysis (ABA) as the most reliable approach to education, and provide a much needed antidote to other treatments lacking empirical data. The editors begin by providing an overview of ABA, debunking common myths and describing its origins in the Lovaas method and UCLA's Young Autism Project, which first demonstrated what children could accomplish under controlled conditions. They show how Discrete Trial Teaching-individualized learning strategies-has evolved, and identify the pros and cons of specific autism treatments. They define their own mission as protecting the integrity of behavioural intervention for children. This book surveys complementary and alternative medical strategies as well, stressing the need for parents to cast a critical eye before choosing new therapies or moving from one mode of therapy to another. The editors maintain that only through extensive field testing and careful scientific analysis is it possible to distinguish treatments that can be expected to produce significant changes. They encourage parents to look at treatment that has been scientifically investigated and subjected to independent verification. Written in expert yet accessible language, this is an ideal resource for parents navigating through the maze of current ASD therapies.