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Updated by Kyle Hummel, AA, and Kate McKenna, MEd, MSEd, MS, BCBA Association for Science in Autism Treatment Description: LeGoff Lego®-Based Therapy The purpose of this treatment summary is to examine the research related to Lego®-Based Therapy as developed by Daniel LeGoff (2004). Created in the early 2000’s, Lego®-Based Therapy was designed as a play-based…
Levy, J., & Dunsmuir, S. (2020). Lego therapy: Building social skills for adolescents with an autism spectrum disorder. Education & Child Psychology, 37(1), 58-83. Reviewed by: Kate McKenna, MEd, MSEd, MS, BCBA, LBA Why research this topic? Core deficits of autism include difficulty with social interactions and forming friendships. Individuals on the autism spectrum…
My teenage daughter has Rett Syndrome and has always been served in a setting designed for individuals with autism. It has generally served her well, as she needs highly individualized care, and has responded well to ABA intervention. Over the years, her medical needs have grown more complex, and I am wondering about the best…
Kate McKenna, MEd, MSEd, MS, BCBA, Association for Science in Autism Treatment Brittany Hardie, PT, DPT, Melmark History As detailed in Moffat (2003), physical therapy has a long history in the United States and the profession has evolved over time in response to multiple major historical and medical events. The involvement of physical therapists in…
Simon Celiberti-Byam and Julia Weiss High School Externs with the Association for Science in Autism Treatment Increasingly, individuals with autism are included in regular educational settings. This is a huge improvement, as many were formerly taught in segregated settings and had reduced access to social, recreational, and educational activities. Still, these students may have visible…
Question: I am the parent of an adult with autism, who will soon transition from a school program to adulthood. I am reading about engagement as an indicator of good programming. What does it mean and how can I tell if a program promotes it? Answered by Karen Parenti, MS, PsyD, CEO/Executive Director Heather Rothman,…
My son just had his 14th birthday. He has historically engaged in challenging behaviors such as physical aggression and elopement. He is currently in a special education setting with teachers capable of coping with these behaviors. We are concerned about what happens when he graduates and ages out of that setting. Is it too early…
Judith Ursitti, Mother of Jack I love this young man with all of my heart. I worry about his future. He has so much to offer this world. But frequently, I read things that seem like they deny the realities of valuable humans like him. He’s not a savant. He doesn’t type. He gets up…
Dean, M., Williams, J., Orlich, F., & Kasari, C. (2020). Adolescents with autism spectrum disorder and social skills groups at school: A randomized trial comparing intervention environment and peer composition. School Psychology Review, 49(1), 60-73. https://doi.org/10.1080/2372966X.2020.1716636 Reviewed by: Daniel Park, MAP and Robert H. LaRue, PhD, BCBA-D Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey…
Conducted by Frank Bird, MEd, BCBA, LABA Co-Founder, Chief Clinical Officer and Vice President, Melmark These two interviews with parents of adults with autism illustrate the emotional and logistical challenges of placement and show the need for strong and unrelenting advocacy. They also demonstrate the uncertainty of finding appropriate intervention in adulthood, even when childhood…
Sarah Cummins, MA, BCBA Association for Science in Autism Treatment The journey to arriving at a housing solution can be a long one. It is vital for individuals with disabilities and their families to understand how the process works. The Supportive Housing Association of New Jersey (SHA), a statewide non-profit organization, has developed a comprehensive…