Examination of the relation between an assessment of skills and performance on auditory-visual conditional discriminations for children with autism spectrum disorder

Assessment of communication skills in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is challenging in an unfamiliar clinical environment due to their limited verbal output and inadequate motivation to communicate. To analyze whether the communication sample recorded at clinic represents the child’s competence and performance, this study compared caregiver–child interaction in 24 to 48 months old children with ASD ( n = 10, M = 38.2 months) at clinic and home. The 30-minute caregiver–child interaction at clinic and home was video recorded and analyzed for frequency of pragmatic acts (initiations and responses) and duration of joint engagement. Results indicated that children initiated and responded more at home than at clinic, whereas caregivers initiated and responded more at clinic. The study provides evidence that communication profile of children with ASD in multiple environments needs to be considered for obtaining representative and reliable communication sample for child-centered assessment and intervention.

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A comparative efficacy of holistic multidimensional treatment model (HMTM) and applied behavioral analysis (ABA) in the treatment of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/s0924-9338(11)72064-8 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 26 (S2) ◽

pp. 355-355

Author(s):

A. Soltanifar ◽

M. Hojati ◽

A. Mashhadi ◽

P. Reebye

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Children With Autism ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Behavioral Analysis ◽

Treatment Model ◽

Applied Behavioral Analysis ◽

Children With Asd ◽

And Performance ◽

Bender Gestalt Test

IntroductionSeveral approaches have been presented for treatment of children with ASD. The aim of the present study was to compare the efficacy of Holistic Multidimensional Treatment Model (HMTM) with Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) in the improvement of clinical symptoms of children with ASD.MethodThe present study was an experimental pre and post test research. The statistical population included the 3 to 8 year old children with ASD who were referred to the child psychiatry clinics in two academic Hospitals- Mashhad,Iran. The sample included 20 children who were selected with convenience sampling and randomly divided to 2 groups of ABA (8 boys and 2 girls) and HMTM (7 boys and 3 girls).The diagnosis was made by a child psychiatrist based on DSM-IV-TR criteria and using Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADIR) and Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS).Then the children were referred to Noore Hedayat center for the treatment. Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), Bender Gestalt Test, Draw-A-Man Test Good enough, Raven's Colored Progressive Matrices Test for children, Vineland Social Maturity Scale (VSMS) and performance charts of children based on their videotaped behaviors. Data analysis was done using ANCOVA test.ResultsFindings showed that in spite of more efficacy of HMTM compared to ABA, the differences of standard tests except Bender Gestalt Test and performance charts did not reach to the significant level(p > 0.05).ConclusionIn conclusion, HMTM at least had the equal efficacy to ABA in the treatment of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Further researches are needed to compare the efficacy of these 2 methods.

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Establishing initial auditory‐visual conditional discriminations and emergence of initial tacts in young children with autism spectrum disorder

Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis ◽

10.1002/jaba.586 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 52 (4) ◽

pp. 1089-1106 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Wayne W. Fisher ◽

Billie J. Retzlaff ◽

Jessica S. Akers ◽

Andresa A. DeSouza ◽

Ami J. Kaminski ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Young Children ◽

Children With Autism ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Conditional Discriminations ◽

Young Children With Autism

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Instruction Using Augmentative and Alternative Communication Supports: Description of Current Practices by Speech-Language Pathologists Who Work With Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology ◽

10.1044/2019_ajslp-19-00045 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 29 (2) ◽

pp. 586-596 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Kaitlyn A. Clarke ◽

Diane L. Williams

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽

Communication Systems ◽

Diagnostic Category ◽

Children With Autism ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Alternative Communication ◽

Speech Language Pathologists ◽

Processing Differences

Purpose The aim of this research study was to examine common practices of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) who work with children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with respect to whether or not SLPs consider processing differences in ASD or the effects of input during their instruction. Method Following a qualitative research method, how SLPs instruct and present augmentative and alternative communication systems to individuals with ASD, their rationale for method selection, and their perception of the efficacy of selected interventions were probed. Semistructured interviews were conducted as part of an in-depth case report with content analysis. Results Based on completed interviews, 4 primary themes were identified: (a) instructional method , (b) input provided , (c) decision-making process , and (d) perceived efficacy of treatment . Additionally, one secondary theme, training and education received , was identified . Conclusions Clinicians reported making decisions based on the needs of the child; however, they also reported making decisions based on the diagnostic category that characterized the child (i.e., ASD). The use of modeling when teaching augmentative and alternative communication to individuals with ASD emerged as a theme, but variations in the method of modeling were noted. SLPs did not report regularly considering processing differences in ASD, nor did they consider the effects of input during instruction.

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