Search Results for: #Teachers

Interventions for Individuals on the Autism Spectrum and How Best to Evaluate their Effectiveness

Written by Bob LaRue, PhD, BCBA-D Associate Director of Behavioral and Research Services Douglass Developmental Disabilities Center, Rutgers University & Amy Hansford, BA Autism is a complex disorder characterized by significant deficits in social reciprocity and communicative ability as well as the presence of repetitive behavior/restricted interests. Given the heterogeneous nature of autism, many interventions…

Resources for Implementation of Evidence-Based Practice

by Kate Fiske, PhD, BCBA-D Though many parents and professionals recognize the importance of implementing evidence-based practices for children with autism, they may struggle with identifying resources that offer practical strategies for implementing these practices. The National Professional Development Center (NPDC) on Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) has compiled a series of briefs on 24 evidence-based…

Making Sense of Autism Treatments: Weighing the Evidence

Before evaluating any content found on the ASAT website, please read this article by Sense About Science. Sense About Science has produced a guide to help people to query the status of science and research reported in the media. The guide details how peer reviewed articles like the ones we offer below are checked and published. Choosing…

What is VB (Verbal Behavior)? Is it different from ABA, and does my child need it to learn language?

Answered by Tina Sidener, PhD, BCBA-D Assistant Professor of Psychology, Caldwell College The term “verbal behavior” can be a confusing one, perhaps because it is used to mean several different things, and the field lacks consensus on some of the applications of this term. Let’s start with one use of this term…Verbal Behavior, the book.…

Mouthing Objects

My child seems to put everything into his mouth-paper, stones, leaves, plastic, toys… What can I do about this? Answered by James Mulick, PhD Ohio State University Pica refers to the apparent appetite for non-food items with no nutritional value. It presents a problem when the items are poisonous, pose the risk of infection, are…

Measuring Social Skills Goals

I am a parent of a 7-year-old with autism who has responded well to her early intervention program based on ABA. I would like her educational program to address social skills more extensively. My child’s school-based team has informed me that they are seeking to improve the quantity and quality of her interactions with classmates,…

What about maintenance programs?

I am a relatively new provider, working towards my Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)™. I am a bit confused about the different portions of programming. We have something called a “maintenance section,” but I am not really sure what that means? Bobby Newman, PhD, BCBA-D, LBA Proud Moments ABA When I was first learning about implementing Applied…

When should a functional analysis be done and who should do it?

I am the parent of a student with autism who has developed some challenging behavior at school and the team has suggested a more formal assessment. What is meant by “functional analysis?” When should this be done and who should do it? Answered by Robert LaRue, PhD, BCBA-D Douglass Developmental Disabilities Center and Rutgers Center…

Preparation for Employment

How Can Adolescent Learners with Autism be Prepared for Employment? Answered by Erin Richard, MA, BCBA and Karissa Masuicca, MS Ed, BCBA Alpine Learning Group, Inc., Paramus, New Jersey Preparing adolescents with autism for future employment is important. It is essential to shift the focus of programming from academics to more functional life skills and…

Teaching Safety Skills to Adolescents

I am a Special Education Teacher at the high school level. A young man with autism is transitioning to my caseload from our middle school. Although there is much talk about “safety skills” amongst my colleagues, I would like to target this skill area effectively and comprehensively. Any suggestions? Answered by Shannon Wilkinson, MADS, BCaBA,…

ABA for Older Learners

I have an adolescent with autism and want to know how his IEP goals should prepare him for adult life? Is ABA still useful? Answered by Jed Baker, PhD This is such an important question. As an adolescent begins to age out of the educational system, the choices that are made with respect to goal…