Clinical Assessment and Intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorders (Practical Resources for the Mental Health Professional) (Practical Resources for the Mental Health Professional)

Autism spectrum disorder has received increasing research in recent years, with more information on assessment and treatment than can be readily assimilated from primary literature by clinicians. Clinical Assessment and Intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorders summarizes evidence-based assessments and intervention for Autism across the life-span, providing clinicians with a practical overview of how best to assess and treat this disorder. The book begins with a discussion of what warrants a determination of being "evidence based" and a description of the disorder from a life span perspective. The book also provides a chapter on differential diagnosis of autism relative to other disorders. What follows are separate sections on assessment and intervention. These chapters discuss first how to assess and then separately how to treat behavioral problems, communication and social skills issues, academic and vocational skills, and the use of pharmacology and an assessment of possible pharmacological effects. Intended for practitioners assessing and treating children with developmental delays, the book provides clinicians with best practices for assessing and treating delays associated with autism. * Covers the full range of Autism Spectrum Disorders * Covers the lifespan * Focuses on evidence-based asssessment and treatment Front Cover......Page 1 Clinical Assessment and Intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorders......Page 4 Copyright Page......Page 5 Table of Contents......Page 6 Preface......Page 14 Contributors......Page 16 Part I Introduction......Page 20 Introduction......Page 22 Autism and Asperger’s Disorder: Historical Aspects......Page 23 The Historical Development of Standard Diagnostic Criteria......Page 27 Historical Aspects of Assessing ASDs......Page 29 Autism Treatment......Page 34 References......Page 43 Introduction......Page 52 Autism Spectrum Disorders: An Overview......Page 53 Guidelines for Consumers of Treatments for Individuals with Autism......Page 54 Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders......Page 59 Summary and Future Directions......Page 72 References......Page 76 Introduction......Page 84 Lifespan Theories......Page 85 Outcomes Across the Lifespan......Page 86 Adolescence......Page 87 Adulthood: Transition Planning......Page 93 Adulthood: Ongoing Functional Supports......Page 94 Conclusions and Areas for Future Research......Page 99 References......Page 100 Part II Assessment......Page 108 Introduction......Page 110 Genetic......Page 111 Immunological......Page 112 Perinatal......Page 113 Prevalence and Incidence......Page 114 Lifespan Development......Page 115 Differential Diagnoses within the Spectrum......Page 116 Comorbid Psychopathology and Differential Diagnoses......Page 118 Intellectual Disabilities......Page 119 Sleep Problems......Page 120 Feeding Problems......Page 121 Tics and Tourette’s Syndrome......Page 122 Anxiety Disorders......Page 123 Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder......Page 125 Autism Spectrum Disorders Assessment Measures......Page 128 Conclusions......Page 137 References......Page 138 Introduction......Page 150 Functions of Assessment......Page 153 Assessment of Topography......Page 155 Assessment of Function......Page 157 Aggression, Tantrums, and Related Behavior......Page 159 Restrictive Intervention Procedures and Assessment......Page 164 Stereotypy......Page 166 Eating Problems......Page 168 Psychiatric Disorders and Challenging Behaviors......Page 173 References......Page 175 Introduction......Page 184 Defining Communication and Social Skills......Page 187 Theoretical Conceptualizations of Communication and Social Skills......Page 191 Classifying Communication and Social Skills......Page 194 Purposes of Assessment......Page 195 Assessment Procedures......Page 200 Reliability and Validity......Page 205 References......Page 207 Introduction......Page 212 Home-Based or Parent/Caregiver-Report Assessments......Page 216 School-Based or Teacher-Report Assessments......Page 221 Clinic-Based or Clinician-Report Assessments......Page 226 Self-Report Assessments......Page 230 Summary and Conclusions......Page 231 References......Page 234 Introduction......Page 240 General Considerations......Page 241 Behavioral and Emotional Problems in People with ASD......Page 250 Dimensional Rating Scales......Page 251 Prevalence of Drug Therapy......Page 254 Measures of Therapeutic Improvement......Page 256 Measures of Adverse Events......Page 267 Summary......Page 270 References......Page 271 Appendix A: Side Effects Review Form Used in Risperidone Study (RUPP, 2005)......Page 279 Appendix B: Side Effects Review Form Used in Methylphenidate Study (RUPP, 2002)......Page 281 Part III Interventions......Page 284 Introduction......Page 286 Prevalence of Challenging Behaviors in Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASDs)......Page 287 Chronicity of Challenging Behaviors and Effects on Carers......Page 289 Approaches to Intervention......Page 290 Functional Assessment Methods......Page 293 Behavioral Interventions Selected by Maintaining Function......Page 295 Challenging Behavior Maintained by Positive Reinforcement......Page 297 Challenging Behavior Maintained by Negative Reinforcement......Page 300 Challenging Behavior Maintained by Automatic Reinforcement......Page 303 Concluding Summary and Recommendations......Page 308 References......Page 310 Introduction......Page 318 Methods......Page 319 Speech-Based Interventions......Page 320 Milieu-Based Interventions......Page 322 Social Interaction Interventions......Page 323 AAC Interventions......Page 325 Introducing Speech Generating Devices......Page 328 Introducing Non-Electronic Selection-Based Systems with Graphic Symbols......Page 329 Teaching Manual Signs and Gestures......Page 330 Functional Communication Training......Page 333 Summary......Page 338 References......Page 339 Introduction......Page 346 Applied Behavior Analysis......Page 347 Task Analysis......Page 348 Visually Cued Instruction......Page 349 Modeling......Page 350 Natural, Simulated, or Virtual Environments......Page 351 Self-Management......Page 353 Vocational Skills......Page 354 Domestic Skills......Page 355 Self-Care......Page 357 Community Skills......Page 359 Leisure Skills......Page 362 Future Directions......Page 363 Conclusion......Page 364 References......Page 365 Introduction......Page 370 Model Programs Approach......Page 371 Evidenced-Based Treatment......Page 372 Comprehensive Treatment Packages......Page 373 Survey of Status of Intervention Types and Research Support......Page 374 Consumer Perspective......Page 381 Review of Important Family Factors in Comprehensive Treatment......Page 392 Recommendations......Page 395 References......Page 396 Introduction......Page 402 Rationales for Pharmacotherapy in ASD......Page 403 Importance of Learning about Pharmacotherapy in ASD......Page 407 Evidence-Based Pharmacotherapy......Page 408 Review of Relevant Pharmacotherapy in ASD......Page 409 Perform a Complete Functional Behavior Analysis Prior to Pharmacotherapy......Page 419 Baseline Medical Assessment......Page 420 Monitoring of Pharmacotherapy Effects......Page 423 Recogniting Adverse or Side Effects Caused by Pharmacotherapy......Page 424 Prevention of Development of Side Effects......Page 425 Clinical Indications for Pharmacotherapy in ASD......Page 427 Summary......Page 430 References......Page 432 Index......Page 438 Front Cover 1 Clinical Assessment and Intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorders 4 Copyright Page 5 Table of Contents 6 Preface 14 Contributors 16 Part I Introduction 20 Chapter 1 Assessment and Intervention in Autism: an Historical Perspective 22 Introduction 22 Autism and Asperger’s Disorder: Historical Aspects 23 The Historical Development of Standard Diagnostic Criteria 27 Historical Aspects of Assessing ASDs 29 Autism Treatment 34 Conclusion 43 References 43 Chapter 2 Evidence-Based Practice for Autism Spectrum Disorders 52 Introduction 52 Autism Spectrum Disorders: An Overview 53 Guidelines for Consumers of Treatments for Individuals with Autism 54 Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders 59 Conclusion: Non-Behavioral Treatments 72 Summary and Future Directions 72 References 76 Chapter 3 Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Lifespan Perspective 84 Introduction 84 Lifespan Theories 85 Outcomes Across the Lifespan 86 Adolescence 87 Adulthood: Transition Planning 93 Adulthood: Ongoing Functional Supports 94 Conclusions and Areas for Future Research 99 References 100 Part II Assessment 108 Chapter 4 Differential Diagnosis 110 Introduction 110 Etiology 111 Genetic 111 Neurobiological 112 Immunological 112 Perinatal 113 MMR Vaccinations 114 Summary 114 Prevalence and Incidence 114 Lifespan Development 115 Differential Diagnoses within the Spectrum 116 Comorbid Psychopathology and Differential Diagnoses 118 Intellectual Disabilities 119 Language Disorders 120 Sleep Problems 120 Feeding Problems 121 Elimination Disorders 122 Tics and Tourette’s Syndrome 122 Anxiety Disorders 123 Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder 125 Summary 128 Autism Spectrum Disorders Assessment Measures 128 Conclusions 137 References 138 Chapter 5 Assessment of Challenging Behaviors in People with Autism Spectrum Disorders 150 Introduction 150 Functions of Assessment 153 Assessment of Topography 155 Assessment of Function 157 Aggression, Tantrums, and Related Behavior 159 Restrictive Intervention Procedures and Assessment 164 Stereotypy 166 Eating Problems 168 Psychiatric Disorders and Challenging Behaviors 173 Conclusions and Practitioner Recommendations 175 References 175 Chapter 6 Communication and Social Skills Assessment 184 Introduction 184 Defining Communication and Social Skills 187 Theoretical Conceptualizations of Communication and Social Skills 191 Classifying Communication and Social Skills 194 Purposes of Assessment 195 Assessment Procedures 200 Reliability and Validity 205 Summary and Conclusion 207 References 207 Chapter 7 Assessment of Independent Living/Adaptive Skills 212 Introduction 212 Home-Based or Parent/Caregiver-Report Assessments 216 School-Based or Teacher-Report Assessments 221 Clinic-Based or Clinician-Report Assessments 226 Self-Report Assessments 230 Summary and Conclusions 231 Acknowledgments 234 References 234 Chapter 8 Pharmacology Effects and Side Effects 240 Introduction 240 General Considerations 241 Behavioral and Emotional Problems in People with ASD 250 Dimensional Rating Scales 251 Prevalence of Drug Therapy 254 Measures of Therapeutic Improvement 256 Measures of Adverse Events 267 Summary 270 References 271 Appendix A: Side Effects Review Form Used in Risperidone Study (RUPP, 2005) 279 Appendix B: Side Effects Review Form Used in Methylphenidate Study (RUPP, 2002) 281 Part III Interventions 284 Chapter 9 Challenging Behaviors 286 Introduction 286 What is Challenging Behavior? 287 Prevalence of Challenging Behaviors in Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) 287 Chronicity of Challenging Behaviors and Effects on Carers 289 Approaches to Intervention 290 Functional Assessment Methods 293 Behavioral Interventions Selected by Maintaining Function 295 Challenging Behavior Maintained by Positive Reinforcement 297 Challenging Behavior Maintained by Negative Reinforcement 300 Challenging Behavior Maintained by Automatic Reinforcement 303 Concluding Summary and Recommendations 308 References 310 Chapter 10 Communication Intervention for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders 318 Introduction 318 Methods 319 Speech-Based Interventions 320 Milieu-Based Interventions 322 Communication Partner Interventions 323 Social Interaction Interventions 323 AAC Interventions 325 Introducing Speech Generating Devices 328 Introducing Non-Electronic Selection-Based Systems with Graphic Symbols 329 Teaching Manual Signs and Gestures 330 Functional Communication Training 333 Summary 338 References 339 Chapter 11 Teaching Adaptive Skills to People with Autism 346 Introduction 346 Applied Behavior Analysis 347 Task Analysis 348 Visually Cued Instruction 349 Modeling 350 Natural, Simulated, or Virtual Environments 351 Constant Time Delay (CTD) 353 Self-Management 353 Vocational Skills 354 Domestic Skills 355 Self-Care 357 Community Skills 359 Leisure Skills 362 Methodological Issues 363 Future Directions 363 Conclusion 364 References 365 Chapter 12 Comprehensive Treatment Packages for ASD: Perceived vs Proven Effectiveness 370 Introduction 370 Model Programs Approach 371 Evidenced-Based Treatment 372 Best Practice Guidelines 373 Comprehensive Treatment Packages 373 Survey of Status of Intervention Types and Research Support 374 Consumer Perspective 381 Review of Important Family Factors in Comprehensive Treatment 392 Recommendations 395 References 396 Chapter 13 Pharmacotherapy 402 Introduction 402 Rationales for Pharmacotherapy in ASD 403 Importance of Learning about Pharmacotherapy in ASD 407 Evidence-Based Pharmacotherapy 408 Review of Relevant Pharmacotherapy in ASD 409 Perform a Complete Functional Behavior Analysis Prior to Pharmacotherapy 419 Baseline Medical Assessment 420 Pharmacotherapy Should Be Carried Out by a Team 423 Monitoring of Pharmacotherapy Effects 423 Recogniting Adverse or Side Effects Caused by Pharmacotherapy 424 Prevention of Development of Side Effects 425 Clinical Indications for Pharmacotherapy in ASD 427 Getting Medical Information Online 430 Summary 430 References 432 Index 438 Autism spectrum disorder has received increasing research in recent years, with more information on assessment and treatment than can be readily assimilated from primary literature by clinicians. Clinical Assessment and Intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorders summarizes evidence-based assessments and intervention for Autism across the life-span, providing clinicians with a practical overview of how best to assess and treat this disorder. The book begins with a discussion of what warrants a determination of being "evidence based" and a description of the disorder from a life span perspective. The book also provides a chapter on differential diagnosis of autism relative to other disorders. What follows are separate sections on assessment and intervention. These chapters discuss first how to assess and then separately how to treat behavioral problems, communication and social skills issues, academic and vocational skills, and the use of pharmacology and an assessment of possible pharmacological effects. Intended for practitioners assessing and treating children with developmental delays, the book provides clinicians with best practices for assessing and treating delays associated with autism.

* Covers the full range of Autism Spectrum Disorders
* Covers the lifespan
* Focuses on evidence-based assessment and treatment