Special Education Autism Intervention Programs
Therapeutic intervention in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ADHD) is individualized and planned with great care, after a detailed assessment of the needs of the child and the family. It focuses on all the difficulties of the child and is structured to be appropriate for the age and development level; it also aims at preparing the child for active participation in the family, the school, the community.
Early intervention has significant benefits in the development of the child on several levels, as it focuses at the development of verbal and non-verbal communication, the development and enhancement of social skills, the perception of self and others, the enhancement of everyday skills, such as school readiness and etc. The main goal is the holistic support of the child and the family and, for this reason, the involvement of the parents is very important. Parents are properly trained to recognize and understand the child’s difficulties and help him apply what he achieves in everyday life. At the same time, parents are psychologically supported in this endeavor. The siblings of children with ADHD and any other members of the family, who wish it, can also participate in the treatment process, as part of a family therapy.
An appropriate support program is built for the whole family, depending on the age of the child, the possibilities, the difficulties, the inclinations, the talents, but also according to the unique dynamic of each family. Therefore, support tools and methods vary.
The following, indicative, are some of them:
- Intensive Interaction. It is an approach that aims to develop and strengthen the basic principles of communication and focuses on children and adolescents who are at an early stage of communication. The child-therapist interaction is based more on non-verbal forms of communication that are constantly repeated (e.g., exercises for eye contact, etc.). The goal is to gradually increase both the duration and the complexity of the contact.
- Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA). Aims to develop skills based on positive behavioural enhancement. Starting from the interests and the uniqueness of each child, techniques and a stable program are built in order to help the child in the organization, the communication, in self-care etc.
- Social interventions (Social stories – Social conclusions). Stories that include images and short text. The therapist reads them to the child and supports him/her in order to find solutions, or alternative ideas, in matters concerning the school, the family, etc.
- Learning everyday skills (self-care and autonomy). Support in learning skills such as, shopping at the supermarket, buying clothes, books, visiting a bank, doctor and other everyday activities.
The sessions last 60 minutes, however their frequency is a purely individual case and are defined after consultation between the patient and the therapist, based on the request and needs of the former.
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