Research: A Review of Educational Approaches for Individuals with Autism

Authored by Dempsey, I., and Foreman P. in International Journal of Disability, Development and Education, Volume 48, Issue 1, p. 103-116, (2001).

Article summary (posted Oct 4, 2006):

This article states that the optimal therapeutic approach for a child with autism includes: early intervention, low student-teacher ratio, individualized instruction, and family involvement.

There are many theories about the cause and optimal treatment of autism. This article reviews the scientific literature and makes recommendations about appropriate educational approaches for children with autism. Specifically, the authors review sensory integration therapy, Applied Behavioral Analysis, speech and language therapy, multi-treatment programs such as TEACHH, and play and group therapy. They conclude that it is difficult to make firm conclusions about any of these therapies. Therefore they suggest that educators and therapists continually evaluate the effectiveness of their approach for the child in question.

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You can access the original abstract and the complete paper is sometimes available for free via Google Scholar (look for entries that say "PDF").
applied behavior analysis (ABA), autism, early intervention (EI), education, effectiveness, family, group therapy, home, intervention, language, language therapy, play, review article, scientific literature, sensory integration, speech therapy, student, teacher, therapeutic approach, therapist, therapy, treatment, Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication-Handicapped Children (TEACCH)
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