Research summaries for autism therapy: high-functioning autism

definition of high-functioning autism: Refers to higher skill levels in people who have some kind of special need or impairment. For people with autism, there is a range of severity of autism between individuals. For example, someone who has good communication skills and appropriate behaviors is said to be high functioning.
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Outcomes of a Pilot Training Program in a Qigong Massage Intervention for Children with Autism, Summarized Nov 20, 2008

Qigong massage may be able to help children with autism improve sensory issues and problem behavior.

This study was designed to see if Western-trained people would be able to perform Qigong massage on children with autism and see results. They found that the 80-hour Qigong Sensory Training program was able to train therapists to provide Qigong massage. The authors found no difference in outcomes between children who were high-functioning and those who were low-functioning. The study did not have a control and it was small (26 children). The authors are now working on a larger randomized controlled study. Read more...

Using Computer-Presented Social Stories and Video Models to Increase the Social Communication Skills of Children with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders, Summarized Sep 30, 2008

There appears to be a role for Social Stories and video models woven together into a social skills therapy program in the schools.

The purpose of this study was to test a method of teaching social skills at school to children with high functioning autism. The study used the computer to present Social Stories and video models. All three boys (6-10 years old) in the study improved their social skills so much that their social skills were almost at the same level as their peer's social skills. The teachers liked the social skills treatment program. Writing good Social Stories requires some training and practice, however, and the authors suggest that schools offer training to staff in how to write Social Stories. Read more...

Improving Social Skills for Children with High Functioning Autism, Summarized Aug 22, 2008

New research shows that children with autism may be able to improve their social and problem-solving skills using social skills group therapy.

This article describes the importance of social skills for children with autism. Many children with autism do not understand the social rules and cues that happen every day. These problems can be found in even very young children (14 months) with autism. Children with high-functioning autism may look and sound like any other kid, but they have problems with social cues that may get in the way of their making and keeping friends. These problems can also include poor eye contact, having a hard time with conversation, and not understanding the thoughts and feelings of others. Read more...

Autism, Asperger’s and Other Oddities… Thoughts about Treatment Approaches, Summarized Aug 20, 2008

Individual psychotherapy and group therapy may help children with autism learn to understand the thoughts and feelings of others.

This article is taken from a speech that Dr. Kestenbaum made at the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Psychoanalysis and Dynamic Psychiatry. He describes three cases and the treatments he used to help the children understand the thoughts and feelings of others. He describes how the writings of Dr. Temple Grandin have helped therapists to understand the mind of a child with autism. He explains that it is important for psychotherapists who work with high-functioning children with autism to observe the child and create a treatment plan that meets the child where the child is. For example, some children need a lot of help in being flexible. Read more...

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Synonyms for high-functioning autism include: high functioning, high functioning autism, high-functioning
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