Psy3Asd Week 5 - Lecture 9 & 10

Front 1

How does the Neurodiversity Perspective view Autism?

Back 1

As a 'cognitive style'.

Requiring social acceptance, not treatment.

Front 2

How does the social model view Autism in comparison to the medical model?

Back 2

Social model: individuals with Autism are active participants with rights to achieve full potential.

Medical model: passive object requiring assistance.

Front 3

How is learning a biological process?

Back 3

Learning results in the formation of new synaptic connections. Changing spine density and morphology (length), and facilitation of synaptic transmission.

Front 4

ASD is not a learning disability, although learning can be difficult for individuals with ASD. Why?

Back 4

Children with ASD have difficulties in

- learning FROM others

- learning ABOUT others

Difficulties in understanding others actions & communication, participating in pedagogical practices (play group, work, debate), and imitation.

Front 5

What are the three main models of therapist-mediated intervention?

Back 5

1. Didactic application of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA)

- Discrete Trial Training (DTT)

2. Naturalistic application of ABA

3. Developmental approaches

- Includes relationship-based parent-mediated approaches.

Front 6

What does ABA therapy involve?

Back 6

Systematic application of Operant conditioning.

- Reinforce desired behaviours

- Reduce undesired behaviours

- Increase likelihood that antecedent will elicit desired behaviours.

- Removing eliciting value of former antecedents

Front 7

DTT: Lovaas (1987) conducted a study where a non-randomly assigned experimental group was provided 40+ hours a week ABA therapy for 2-5 years.

What was the outcomes?

Back 7

Treated group outcomes:

- 47% regular education

- 42% mild disability

- 10% severe

- Mean IQ of 85 and effects were sustained into adolescence.

= 'Recovery'

Front 8

Smith et al (2000) conducted a similar study with a more varied sample, random assignment, manualized treatment and uniform outcome measures. 25 ABA hours in 1st year.

What were the outcomes?

Back 8

Significant gains in IQ, but no other areas.

No 'recovery': 60% were enrolled into special education rooms.

Positive treatment effects seemed to come from the PDD-NOS group.

Note: PDD-NOS = Pervasive Developmental Disorder - not otherwise specified.

Front 9

List 3 pro's for DTT.

Back 9

1. Rapid learning of new skills

2. Positive long-term outcome data

3. Scripted format means its easier to:

- implement consistently across therapists

- gather data

- teach others to implement

Front 10

List 3 con's for DTT.

Back 10

1. Can increase behaviour problems

2. Difficult to teach

- generalisation/maintenance

- spontaneity/initiation

3. Some aspects conflict with developmental theory

- language learning

- social motivation and skills

Front 11

ABA Naturalistic Approach.

Pivotal Response Training (PRT) is _____ directed and aims to increase ____?

Back 11

1. child-directed

2. increase max motivation

Front 12

List 3 Pro's of PRT.

Back 12

PROS:

1. carried put in natural settings: promotes generalisation

2. use of natural reinforcers: promotes maintenance, fosters motivation, initiative and spontaneity.

3. fewer behaviour problems arise

Front 13

List 3 con's of PRT.

Back 13

CONS:

1. studies are only short term

2. requires more therapist creativity

3. hard to keep detailed data on progress

4. initial learning may take longer for child

5. provides teaching procedures but not curriculum/content.

Front 14

What is the focus and goal of Developmental Approaches ?

Back 14

Focus is more on content and less on precise teaching and data.

- social interaction and engagement, internal drive to learn, communicate etc, and positive emotion, shared attention and play.

Goal: normalise skills and development to the extent possible.

Front 15

List 3 pro's of developmental approach.

Back 15

1. familiar to a range of interventionists

2. fits many different settings

- used in typical preschools

- facilitated inclusion

3. based on current child development research

- development fit improves rate of learning

4. addresses all domains of learning.

Front 16

List 3 cons of developmental approach.

Back 16

1. poorer quality studies than other areas

2. teaching procedure less well articulated

- more difficult for adult to learn

3. not as 'data driven' as other approaches

4. needs adaptation for children with Autism

- repetition, structure, attention, observational learning weaknesses.

Front 17

The Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) is an interdisciplinary developmental approach that involves a curriculum and set of teaching practices.

What is the aim and focus of the ESDM?

Back 17

Aim: to build motivation for social learning directly.

Focus: social attention, sharing, positive emotion, imitation, joint attention, language, functional and symbolic play.

Front 18

What is a major pro to the ESDM?

Back 18

It does not replace social learning with other types of learning, e.g. operant conditioning.

Front 19

The Victorian Autism Specific Early Learning & Care Centre (VIC ASELCC) is a _____ based ESDM implementation within community ____ settings.

Research partners are ___ and _____ (USA).

Back 19

1. Group

2. Childcare

3. OTARC, Mind Institute.