Autism Spectrum Therapies' Clinician Contributes To Research On Generalization For Individuals With Autism

Main Category: Autism
Article Date: 29 May 2009 - 2:00 PDT

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Sabrina Daneshvar, Ph.D., BCBA-D of Southern California-based Autism Spectrum Therapies (AST), participated in a panel discussion on generalization at the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) Conference held in Phoenix, Arizona, May 22-26, 2009. The discussion addressed strategies for increasing generalization and focused on training approaches that increase success.

Dr. Daneshvar specializes in therapeutic techniques that help individuals with autism "generalize," or apply newly learned behavior, communication, and social skills with different people in diverse situations and unfamiliar settings. Key points presented at the ABAI included:

- Intensive in-home therapy is becoming the "gold standard" of early intervention for children with autism spectrum disorders.

- In-home play-based programs allow for more treatment hours than clinic-based programs, usually result in more rapid gains, encourage parent involvement, and are taught within a natural, family-based environment.

- Limiting teaching to in-home settings can mean a child has fewer opportunities to experience new people, behaviors, and environments.

- Parents are encouraged to arrange play dates, participate in community activities, and to introduce as much diversity and unpredictability as possible into their child's life.

"Parents need to be informed when selecting an in-home treatment program for their child," said Dr. Daneshvar. "Generalization needs to be planned from the outset, and communication between parents, teachers, and therapists needs to be clear so that everyone has the same goals and expectations."

Dr. Daneshvar contributed a chapter to the recently published book, Real Life, Real Progress for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, the first how-to guide to generalization for autism professionals, published by Brooks Publishing. AST's co-founders, William Frea, Ph.D., BCBA-D and Ronit Molko, Ph.D., BCBA-D co-authored the chapter.

Last month, Dr. Daneshvar and her AST colleague, Loc Le, Ph.D., BCBA-D were recognized by the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis for authoring two of the 25 most popular JABA research articles within the last year.

AST is an agency providing autism services to individuals throughout Southern California. AST's family-focused programs are designed to incorporate natural home routines and scientifically-validated teaching methods.

For more information about AST's services, please call (866) AST-1520 or visit http://www.autismtherapies.com.

Source
Autism Spectrum Therapies