Standard Treatments and Interventions for ASDs

• Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
• pioneered by Dr. Ivar Lovaas
• based on theories of operant conditioning by B.F. Skinner
• uses different procedures to teach new skills to children
• best known one is called Discrete Trial Training- breaks down tasks into small teachable steps that children can learn more easily
• uses a reward system to motivate and reinfore children while they are learning new skills and behaviors
• no punishment is used-reward is simple with held 
• Floortime
• Also known as DIR (Developmental, Individual-Difference, Relationship Based)
• intensive one-on-one intervention that focuses on children’s individual strengths and their relationship to others. 
• individuals learn best when they are emotionally engaged
• learn building blocks of relating, communicating, and thinking
• Treatment and education of autistic and related communication handicapped children (TEACCH)
• developed 30 years ago at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for the treatment of children at all points along the autistic continuum.
• core element is called Structured Teaching.
• In recognition of the significant deficits that children in the autistic spectrum demonstrate, the TEACCH program highly structures the child’s environment in order to build on strengths and minimize deficits.
• Medications
• Occupational therapy
• Pivotal response training 
• physical therapy
• sensory integration therapy
• Social Skills Training
• Speech and Language therapy
• Dietary Intervention